Chapter Fifty-Eight: Reaping What One Has Sown

The door to the police station's forensic office was left wide open, and morning light streamed in through the windows. Bao Rong sat at her desk, poring over legal books.

“There must be a statute that can help He Huan,” she muttered sadly to herself.

Before her words had faded, Lu Xiang and Liu Rushuang strode in with great urgency.

“Xiao Rong,” Lu Xiang said, his face lined with worry.

Bao Rong stood up at the sound, bewildered. “Deputy Director Lu? Miss Liu?”

“Xiao Rong, Uncle Lu needs your help,” Lu Xiang came straight to the point.

Bao Rong looked at him with respect. “Please, tell me.”

Lu Xiang glanced at Liu Rushuang, who understood at once and stepped closer to Bao Rong.

“Xi-ge and Lu He Huan did rescue Long Zhentian, but at the time they didn’t know that woman was Long Zhentian herself. They reported this to Director Bao as soon as they returned. It was Director Bao who told them not to file a report and to capture Long Zhentian to make amends.”

“My brother?” Bao Rong was at a loss.

Lu Xiang nodded. “Now Bao Kang refuses to testify for He Huan. Xiao Rong, Uncle Lu begs you to persuade your brother to explain everything to the headquarters. We cannot let He Huan suffer a wrongful accusation!”

Bao Rong suddenly understood and nodded. “Deputy Director Lu, Miss Liu, don’t worry. I’ll go find my brother right away and have him testify for Inspector Ying and He Huan.”

Lu Xiang and Liu Rushuang both looked relieved, exhaling a long-held breath.

Bao Kang lounged in his office chair, legs propped up on the desk, looking entirely at ease.

“You used me as bait and scared me into nightmares every night. This time, I’ll let you suffer a bit too. When you’re finally convicted and utterly desperate, then I’ll come forward and testify. Let you taste what it’s like to live with nightmares…” Bao Kang muttered to himself.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open and Bao Rong entered, startling Bao Kang so much he nearly fell. He hastily stood up.

“Xiao Rong?”

Bao Rong fixed him with a cold gaze. “Brother, a real man knows when to act and when to refrain. You understand that, don’t you?”

“What kind of principle is that?” Bao Kang’s voice was a little shaky.

“Hiding the truth and failing to save others isn’t what a man should do,” Bao Rong said, struggling to contain her anger.

“Don’t listen to their nonsense,” Bao Kang stammered, suspecting that Liu Rushuang and Lu Xiang had told Bao Rong everything.

Bao Rong’s patience was spent. She glared at him. “Brother, I won’t mince words. If you don’t go testify for Inspector Ying and He Huan and help them, you’ll kneel before our parents’ memorial and copy the classics until the stack is as tall as you are!”

Bao Kang waved his hands in surrender. “No more copying—I’ll go to headquarters to testify right now, isn’t that enough?”

“That’s the brother I know.” Bao Rong smiled in relief.

Glancing toward the door, Bao Kang caught sight of Lu Xiang and Liu Rushuang eavesdropping outside. He shot them a resentful glare, which they returned in kind without hesitation.

By evening, Lu He Huan and Ying Xi were brought out by two officers. As they reached the entrance of headquarters, they saw Bao Kang speaking with Inspector Yuan.

Bao Kang bowed deeply. “I’m sorry, Inspector Yuan, this misunderstanding was my fault for not explaining sooner.”

Inspector Yuan smiled, unbothered. “No harm done. As long as things end well, the process doesn’t matter.”

“Could you please say a few good words for me to the Chief Superintendent?”

“Don’t worry. The Chief may have scolded you, but he’s actually pleased. After all, he’s quite fond of both Ying Xi and Lu He Huan.”

Lu He Huan and Ying Xi exchanged a look of relief, their ordeal over. Noticing this, Bao Kang shot them a fierce glare, and they quickly wiped the smiles from their faces.

Turning back to Inspector Yuan, Bao Kang asked, “Inspector Yuan, what’s the final disposition for the two of them from above?”

“It began as their negligence in letting Long Zhentian escape, but since they were the ones who recaptured her, their merits cancel out their faults. All previous commendations and rewards are rescinded.”

“And for our station?” Bao Kang pressed.

“No punishment, but no rewards either,” Inspector Yuan replied directly.

Bao Kang nodded, a little disappointed. “We’ll take our leave, then.”

Inspector Yuan nodded in return.

Leading Lu He Huan and Ying Xi down the steps, Bao Kang was met with gratitude.

“Director Bao, thank you for testifying for us,” Ying Xi flattered.

But Lu He Huan, ever straightforward, asked, “But Director Bao, why did you come so late?”

Still irritated, Bao Kang glared at them. “Both of you, quiet! If you hadn’t let Long Zhentian go in the first place, none of this would have happened! Don’t think this is the end of it—I’ve prepared the classics for you to copy. They’re in the officers’ office. Neither of you is going home to sleep until you finish.”

“Why copy the classics? Does that have anything to do with solving cases?” Lu He Huan asked, puzzled.

Ying Xi was equally confused. “I don’t think that’s an official station punishment…”

Bao Kang’s eyes flashed as he barked, “Just do as you’re told! No more nonsense!”

Lu He Huan shrugged, unfazed. “It’s fine. Copying classics is no trouble for me.”

Ying Xi raised an eyebrow. “It’s nothing for me either.”

By the time they returned to the office, night had fallen—and their faces were darker still. They stared in disbelief at the towering stack of books before them, dumbfounded.

Ying Xi stroked his beard. “This is insane. Absolutely deranged!”

“Copying this much is a bit much.” Lu He Huan, embarrassed, realized arguing was pointless. He picked up two books, handed one to Ying Xi. “Let’s start if we want to sleep tonight.”

Ying Xi sighed and reluctantly took the book, settling in beside Lu He Huan.

Under the lamplight, Ying Xi copied diligently, grumbling now and then.

“With so many books, I’ll go gray before I’m done.”

Lu He Huan looked over, a faint smile on his lips as memories stirred.

After school, the classroom would be empty but for the faint scratch of pens. In those days, Lu He Huan and Ling Yan had often stayed behind to copy lines as punishment, their childish handwriting recording all the joys and sorrows of youth.

The two of them hunched over their desks, books stacked before them.

“It’s already dark out, and there’s still so much left,” Ling Yan frowned, glancing at the window.

Lu He Huan smiled carelessly. “No rush. I’m in no hurry to go home.”

“But I am! If I don’t hurry, my mother will worry.”

Lu He Huan thought for a moment. “Take it home and finish, then.”

“It’s your fault. Why did you pass me notes in class? Now we’re both punished.”

“I just wanted to talk to you, so I passed you a note.”

“But if you’d waited, class would have ended.”

“I couldn’t wait,” Lu He Huan said, sounding aggrieved.

Ling Yan burst out laughing at his innocent expression. No matter how angry she got, she could never help but laugh in the end.

Seeing Ling Yan’s anger fade, Lu He Huan grinned mischievously. “It’s dark. Let me walk you home.”

Ling Yan nodded, stuffing most of the books into her bag.

“What are you doing?” Lu He Huan asked, confused.

“Taking them home to finish.”

“Why take so many?” he protested, reaching for her books.

“I write fast, so I’ll do more,” Ling Yan insisted, stuffing them into her bag.

Lu He Huan patted her head, eyes full of affection. “You’re just being kind to me.”

Ling Yan smiled. “Let’s go.”

He nodded, wrapping an arm around her as they left.

Along the long street at dusk, the innocent smiles, her graceful silhouette, the bright clarity of her eyes, her gentle words—all these were engraved deep within Lu He Huan’s heart.

Noticing his melancholy, Ying Xi sighed. “Thinking of Ling Yan again?”

Lu He Huan returned to himself and nodded, unable to help reminiscing. “I was a troublemaker in school, always being punished to copy lines. Ling Yan always helped me.”

“That’s all in the past,” Ying Xi said. “I can help you overturn her case because I know you care about the truth. But as for your feelings, it’s been so long. If Ling Yan wanted to come back, she’d have done so. You should forget her and start anew.”

“If I could forget, I would have long ago…”

Ying Xi cut him off. “How hard can it be? Just forget a little every day, and eventually she’ll be gone from your mind.”

Lu He Huan didn’t answer, only gave a bitter smile and gazed out the window.

Moonlight shone down the corridor as Liu Rushuang walked alongside Bao Rong, carrying a food box. Tagging behind was Bai Yulou, lugging a bag of fruit, his face sour.

“I made this late-night meal myself, just the way Xi-ge likes it. He’ll be so moved,” Liu Rushuang beamed.

Bai Yulou, jealousy flaring, sneered. “If he could be moved, you wouldn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Liu Rushuang shot him a fierce glare, and he quickly fell silent.

Watching Liu Rushuang’s devotion, Bao Rong slipped her arm through hers. “I truly envy Inspector Ying—having a girl who’d give anything for him.”

Liu Rushuang smiled proudly.

Night deepened. In the office, Lu He Huan and Ying Xi were still buried in their writing.

Suddenly, Lu He Huan paused and turned to Ying Xi. “Inspector Ying, is there someone you can’t forget too? Is that why you’ve never accepted Miss Liu?”

Ying Xi was taken aback, lips moving but no words coming.

“Miss Liu has run all over town for you. Aren’t you moved at all?” Lu He Huan pressed.

“We’re not a good match. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint her,” Ying Xi said after a long silence.

“I think you should give it a chance.”

Ying Xi didn’t want to discuss further and changed the subject. “Let’s talk about you. Frankly, you and Ling Yan aren’t suited either. You shouldn’t have eyes only for her.”

“It’s not just my eyes. My heart is full of Ling Yan—no one else fits,” Lu He Huan replied, a bitter smile on his face.

As they spoke, Bao Rong, Liu Rushuang, and Bai Yulou reached the door. Bao Rong heard Lu He Huan’s words and froze, disappointment clouding her face.

Inside, the two men were oblivious to their audience.

“Matters of the heart are like that. Liu Rushuang is a fine woman, but she’ll never enter my heart,” Ying Xi sighed, echoing Lu He Huan.

Hearing this, Liu Rushuang stopped in her tracks, tears welling up. She nearly burst into the room, but thought better of it. Throwing down the food box, she fled in tears.

“Miss Liu!” Bao Rong tried to stop her but failed.

“Shuang-jie!” Bai Yulou called, chasing after her.

Liu Rushuang ignored him and ran off.

Hearing the commotion, Lu He Huan and Ying Xi looked toward the door, surprised to see only Bao Rong standing there.

Bai Yulou, failing to catch up with Liu Rushuang, stormed back into the office and slugged Ying Xi in the face.

“Bai Yulou! What are you doing?” Ying Xi clutched his face, both angry and confused.

“You brute! You’ve broken Shuang-jie’s heart!” Bai Yulou shouted.

Ying Xi, thinking for a moment and seeing the food box at the door, realized what had happened. His anger faded, replaced by helplessness.

“Shuang-jie would do anything for you, and you treat her like this! Who do you think you are? Today I’ll knock some sense into you!” Bai Yulou raised his fist again.

Ying Xi didn’t fight back, only defended himself. In moments, his face was bruised and battered.

Lu He Huan intervened, grabbing Bai Yulou. “Calm down, Bai Yulou. If you have something to say, say it.”

Standing at the door, Bao Rong looked at Lu He Huan, recalling his unwavering devotion to Ling Yan. She let out a short, bitter laugh and left quietly.

Night had grown deep, but Bao Kang had yet to sleep. He paced the living room, glancing frequently at the window.

“It’s so late. Where’s Xiao Rong?” he muttered.

Just then, the door creaked open and Bao Rong entered, her face downcast.

Bao Kang hurried over, his face full of concern. “Xiao Rong, do you know how late it is? Why are you only just getting home?”

Bao Rong didn’t answer, her mind echoing with Lu He Huan’s words to Ling Yan.

“What’s wrong?” Bao Kang asked gently, noticing her mood.

Bao Rong shook off her thoughts and looked at him. “Brother, why did you make He Huan and Inspector Ying copy books?”

“I…” Bao Kang was momentarily speechless.

“I made you copy because I wanted you to learn right from wrong. If someone else does it, it defeats the purpose,” Bao Rong said earnestly.

Bao Kang tried to appease her with a smile. “I understand. I promise, I’ll copy them all myself, all right?”

Bao Rong nodded, but still wary of his tricks, she warned, “Finish them yourself tomorrow, or I’ll tell our parents. Even in the afterlife, they wouldn’t rest easy.”

“All right, all right, I’ll copy them,” Bao Kang promised, nodding repeatedly.

Mist shrouded the night as Zhu Wolong dashed along an outlying path, clutching a suitcase. In his panic, he stumbled over a loose stone and fell heavily to the ground. The suitcase flew open, spilling gold and silver trinkets everywhere.

Gritting his teeth, Zhu Wolong scrambled to gather the scattered items and stuffed them haphazardly back into the case, hugging it tightly.

Suddenly, flames flickered in the distance, and the clamor of pursuit reached his ears.

“He can’t have gone far—after him!” The voices grew ever closer.

Terrified, Zhu Wolong dove into the tall grass nearby, covering himself with dry stalks.

Moments later, a group of men bearing torches swept past, oblivious to Zhu Wolong’s hiding place. When they were gone, he crawled out, wiped the sweat from his brow, and hurried off in the opposite direction, clutching his case.

At sunrise, Ying Xi yawned and tossed peanuts into his mouth as he walked to the station dormitory with Lu He Huan.

“Damn, finally finished copying—now I can get some sleep,” Ying Xi muttered, exhausted.

Lu He Huan rubbed his wrist. “I haven’t written so much in ages. My hand’s sore.”

“That’s nothing—my neck…” Ying Xi winced as he rotated his neck painfully.

As they passed by Ah Hua, Ying Xi slipped and fell, spilling peanuts everywhere. Catching the scent, Ah Hua—delighted—rushed over to peck at the prize.

“My peanuts!” Ying Xi wailed, as if his dearest treasure had been snatched away.

Lu He Huan helped him up. “Now’s not the time to worry about peanuts. Are you okay?”

Ying Xi shook his head, sighing with regret. “I’m fine, just sorry about the peanuts.”

“You’re really stingy,” Lu He Huan said, exasperated.

As they stepped out the station gates, a mob came surging toward them. The two men instinctively halted.

Ying Xi glanced at the approaching crowd, stroked his beard, and frowned. “This doesn’t look good.”

Lu He Huan nodded and signaled, “What kind of case could involve so many people?”

“Whatever it is, it’s trouble. If we can avoid it, we should,” Ying Xi said, trying to pull Lu He Huan away. But before they could leave, the burly men rushed up and surrounded them.