NB Chapter32

Since guests were visiting, family matters naturally had to be set aside. After everything that had happened, any slight surprise made Zhang Xiaoyuan nervous. He widened his eyes. I turned off the screen and waved him away, telling him to go back to his room first; the matter of dismantling the computer could be discussed another day. A flash of pleasant surprise crossed his eyes, and he ran off after saying, “Thanks, Mommy.” He left me there to ponder for a long time.

It seemed Zhang Mingsheng had already tacitly allowed Zhang Xiaoyuan to come to my room to find me.

Why? Was he intentionally trying to help us reconcile our relationship?

He really was quite generous and enthusiastic, meddling where he wasn’t needed.

My headache worsened. I could still handle Keke calling me “Mommy”; after all, she still looked so small, her skin so soft I didn’t dare hold her arm for too long. For a little tyke like that, even if she called me a puppy, I’d play along to coax her. But being called “Mommy” by an eight-year-old boy was different; a layer of goosebumps rose on my arms.

I shifted my legs and realized there was nothing on them; no leg shackles, not even pajama pants. Vaguely, I remembered being half-asleep in the early hours of the morning. Before getting out of bed, Zhang Mingsheng had wrapped himself around me from behind, his irritating hands roaming all over me. I let out a few impatient grumbles, but that only seemed to spur him on even more.

I had curled up like a shrimp, trembling from head to toe, a few muffled curses slipping out before I drifted back into a deep, heavy sleep.

I didn’t know when he left; I only remembered telling him to hurry up and die, then hearing him laugh deeply behind my ear. He had a shred of conscience at least; he had wiped me clean and changed my underwear, though he hadn’t put fresh pajama pants on me.

I got out of bed and stepped into my light wheat-colored cotton slippers.

Zhang Mingsheng would probably be back soon—he wouldn’t allow me to meet with my mentor and junior brother alone at a time like this.

So, I had to hurry to get dressed, wash up, and go downstairs as quickly as possible.

I randomly grabbed a set of clothes and pulled them on; a camel-colored sweater paired with ivory trousers, simple and understated enough. I suspected there were cameras in the bedroom too, I was like a pet being monitored by a master away on a business trip. Reaching the elevator, I irritably pushed my wheelchair out, settled in, and manipulated the wheels to bring myself inside.

With a “ding,” I reached the first floor. I took a deep breath and looked up just as the elevator doors slowly slid open.

In that brief minute, I fantasized about many possible scenarios. I could suddenly stand up and tell my instructor and Li Yi that I was Fuchao, that I was being forcibly imprisoned and transformed by Zhang Mingsheng. Then the two of them would draw their guns, engage in a lethal shootout with the bodyguards stationed at the Red Residence, and either lead me to freedom or we would all die in the garden together.

I could also drop subtle hints by tapping out Morse code with my fingers; if the two of them were sharp enough, they would hear the message I was transmitting: I am a cop, save me.

I entered the spacious living room, the wheels of the chair rolling softly over the carpet. I looked up, and realized that none of the fantasies I had entertained upstairs would ever come true.

My mentor had aged; his face was sallow, yet he had grown significantly heavier. It wasn’t just his temples that were gray; upon closer look, most of his hair was grizzled with only a thin, wispy layer gathered at the top of his head; he looked quite pathetic. Those spirited eyes were gone too, replaced by cloudy pupils and bloodshot whites.

My mentor had stopped being young a long time ago, but I never imagined he would age to this extent.

Even Li Yi, who was standing behind him, looked noticeably worn out. Dark stubble covered his upper lip and chin, his hair was disheveled, and one side of his shirt collar was even tucked awkwardly inward.

And I… I was even more unrecognizable.

Overcome by emotion, I couldn’t even manage a few words. I simply nodded to my former mentor and friend before gesturing for them to sit. I sat opposite them while listening as my mentor offered a somewhat apologetic explanation.

It was nothing more than making amends for Li Yi’s recklessness from a few days ago, saying he was too young and too eager, that a new official always tries to make a grand start, and that his methods lacked proper order. He hoped we could forgive him. My mentor said everything that could and should be said before finally pausing tentatively to wait for my reaction.

Our mentor has already advanced in years yet still has to worry over us. Ai.

My eyes were fixed on Li Yi, and while my words were technically a reply to my mentor, they were really meant for Li Yi, “It’s no matter. Inspector Li is doing it for the citizens of Hong Kong, though it would be best not to be so impulsive in the future. Being too impulsive isn’t good for oneself or for others.”

Li Yi kept his head down, his eyelids blinking in a steady, rhythmic pattern.

I didn’t know what was wrong with him today; he never once looked me in the eye. His gaze fell either on the floor or on his own hands. I looked at him several times, eventually even staring for a few minutes while completely disregarding my mentor’s words, but Li Yi remained as still as a mountain, refusing to look up.

My mentor noticed the oddness between us and cleared his throat twice before Li Yi finally spoke up with his head still down: ” Mrs. Zhang, it was my fault.”

He still didn’t look at me.

My mentor’s brow furrowed slightly as he shot a sideways glare at him, he must have known the inside story.

I fell silent and stopped talking, the atmosphere became incredibly awkward for a moment.

After a long while, my mentor spoke up again to smooth things over, “This apprentice of mine isn’t married yet, so naturally, he doesn’t have children. We parents spend our whole lives living for our children; while he’s still young and doesn’t understand these things.”

Actually, I didn’t understand them either, but since the conversation had reached this point, I could only manage a slight smile and nod in agreement.

However, those words gave me the opportunity to ask about Shanshan’s whereabouts, “Do you have a child at home as well? How old are they?”

“Ah, I… I have a daughter.” My mentor’s gaze fell to the floor, his expression tinged with loneliness, though a faint smile still tugged at the corner of his mouth. “But she can hardly be called a child anymore. She’s currently doing some sort of research expedition in the rainforest. She’s not in Hong Kong; she won’t be back for three or five years.”

So that was it; Shanshan had already left Hong Kong. Her grades were always excellent; none of us ever quite understood exactly what she was studying, only that she would surely become a woman of great learning, perhaps someone who built rockets or developed vaccines. Now it seemed she had followed her mother’s aspirations and committed herself to nature. My heart eased slightly.

At least she was pursuing the life she wanted.

I looked at Li Yi again, wanting to see if he had any small reaction upon hearing news of Shanshan, so I stole a casual glance in his direction.

This kid was completely as usual, showing not the slightest reaction.

What on earth was wrong?

Was he angry with me?

My mentor, who was skilled at reading people’s expressions, suddenly suggested that they should be leaving. The two of them stood up in unison with a whoosh like two trees suddenly springing up from a clearing.

They were leaving already.

Zhang Mingsheng hadn’t even returned yet.

After finally managing to meet, this was the result. I had no idea when I would get another opportunity like this.

Distraught and restless, I called for Aunt Liu to see the guests out.

Li Yi looked impatient to leave and strode forward, covering the distance to the door in just two or three steps. But before Aunt Liu could even reach for the handle, the door swung open on its own.

Suddenly, the doorway became quite crowded.

With a cheerful “Oh?” a young man in a royal blue coat appeared before the three of them.

I leaned forward a bit, catching the exact moment he took off his sunglasses. It turned out to be Song Yixing.

His features were genuinely striking; he had inherited his mother’s star-like beauty, yet carried his father’s pronounced brow bone, which lent a hint of steadiness to his otherwise delicate appearance. Likely for the sake of the camera, he had grown even thinner; his chin was pointed, and his skin was startlingly pale.

Coming face to face with Li Yi, he froze for a brief moment. Then his eyes curved into a smile, and he immediately adopted a bright, cheerful expression, chirping, “Ah, Inspector Li, long time no see! I only learned from the newspapers that you’re actually an officer. Back then, I thought you were all just trying to trick me.”

“…And you are?”

Li Yi’s eyes were dazed; he hadn’t processed who it was yet.

Song Yixing smiled and raised both hands, squinting as he mimed taking a photo, even making a “click” sound with his mouth.

Li Yi pointed at him, hesitating for a long while as he tried to place him, before it finally dawned on him. “Ah… you’re that… that kid surnamed Song.”

Song Yixing’s smile brightened instantly, revealing two sharp canines.

He came from a happy family and was naturally bright and easygoing; those of us who were a bit older found him likable at first glance. He wasn’t like Zhan Weiqing, who was full of schemes yet still insisted on putting on a hypocritical facade.

Just as the two finished speaking, Zhang Mingsheng pushed his way in from outside, his face carrying an innate sense of authority the moment he appeared. Everyone instinctively scattered to clear a space for him.

Zhang Mingsheng was in high spirits today, and his mood seemed quite good.

He took off his coat and handed it to Aunt Liu before raising his hand to loosen his tie. “What are you all chatting about?”

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