The shot was so quiet that for a second Lian Ziho didn't understand what had happened. The man in front of him suddenly froze, his eyes widening in shock as his hand dropped away from his jacket. His body shook once before he collapsed onto the ground. Lian ziho immediately stepped back, his face turning pale. "What the..." He looked at the man, then quickly looked around the alley. His hand instinctively moved toward his own jacket. "Who fired that?" No answer came. The alley was empty. Lian ziho slowly raised his eyes toward the buildings above.
Then he noticed a small rooftop door slowly swinging shut in the wind.His eyes narrowed. "Someone was up there." He took one careful step backward, never taking his eyes off the rooftop. "Where did you go?" The wind moved through the alley again, but there was no response. Lian looked back at the man lying on the ground. He was still breathing, but barely. "Damn it..." Lian ziho crouched down for a second and checked him. "Hey! Can you hear me? Tell who sent you?" The man's eyes moved slightly, but he couldn't speak.
Lian ziho stood again and looked toward the rooftop.His phone suddenly vibrated. He pulled it out immediately. It was from Zheng Rui. Lian ziho answered at once. "Zheng Rui!" Zheng Rui's voice came through quickly. " Where are you?" "The man following me was shot." There was a short silence. "What?" "He was about to tell me something about the ring." Lian ziho looked toward the rooftop again. "Then someone shot him." Zheng Rui's voice became serious. "Are you hurt?" "No." "Are you sure?" "I'm fine." Zheng Rui breathed out slowly. "Good. Listen to me carefully."
Lian ziho's expression tightened. "I'm listening." "Don't stay there." Lian ziho looked down at the injured man. "What about him?" "Leave him." "Zheng Rui..." "Lian ziho, don't argue." His voice was sharper this time. "Whoever fired that shot knew exactly where you were standing." Lian ziho went quiet. He slowly looked up at the rooftops again. "You think they're still watching me?" "I know they are." Lian ziho's fingers tightened around the phone. "Then why didn't they shoot me?" Zheng Rui paused. "Maybe they didn't want to." That answer made Lian ziho's expression change."What does that mean?" "It means we don't know what they want yet."
Lian glanced toward the rooftop door again. "The shooter left through the roof." "Then don't follow him." "I wasn't planning to." "Good." Zheng Rui's voice softened slightly. "Be careful." Lian ziho swallowed and nodded even though Zheng Rui couldn't see him. "You too." "Let's meet outside the main road." Lian ziho looked toward the alley entrance. "How far are you?" "Five minutes." "I'll be there." Zheng Rui immediately added, "Don't take the same route back." Lian ziho gave a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "You really think I'd make it that easy for them?" "With you, I never know." Lian ziho shook his head. "Fair enough."
He looked at the injured man once more before stepping away. "Zheng Rui!" "What?" Lian ziho's expression became serious. "The man said something before he was shot." "What did he say?" Lian ziho looked toward the empty rooftop. "He said I shouldn't have..." He paused. "Then the shot came." Zheng Rui went silent for a moment. "Don't think about it now." "Why?" "Because whatever he was going to say..." Zheng Rui's voice lowered. "...someone was afraid we'd hear it."
Lian ziho's face tightened. "Then we definitely need to find out." "We will." Lian ziho started walking toward the alley entrance. "I'll meet you outside." "Stay on the main road once you get there." "Got it." Before ending the call, Zheng Rui added quietly, "And you?" Lian ziho stopped. "Hmm?" "Don't trust anyone who suddenly appears." Lian ziho looked back at the empty alley. "After today..." He tightened his grip on the phone. "...I don't think I trust anyone." The call ended.
Lian Ziho walked slowly, his footsteps quiet against the rough pavement. He had already noticed the same footsteps behind him several times, but he didn't turn around immediately. He waited until the alley became completely quiet before suddenly stopping. The footsteps behind him stopped too. Lian ziho stood still for a moment, then slowly turned around.
The man was standing several meters away, pretending to look at his phone. Lian ziho stared at him. "You've been following us all day." The man looked up and gave him a confused expression. "You're mistaken." Lian ziho shook his head. "No." He took one step toward him. "I'm not." The man slipped his phone into his pocket. "I think you have the wrong person." Lian ziho laughed. "You followed me from the convenience store."
The man's expression remained calm. "I was going the same way." "You followed me into this alley." "It's a public street." Lian ziho's eyes narrowed. "And you stopped when I stopped." The man didn't answer. Lian ziho took another step forward. "You also knew about the ring right?!" That finally changed the man's expression. It was only for a second, but Lian ziho noticed it. "I don't know what you're talking about." The man turned as if he was going to leave. Lian ziho immediately moved in front of him. "We're not finished." The man looked at him. "Move." "Tell me who sent you." "Nobody sent me." "Then why were you following us?" The man's jaw tightened. "I already told you." "And I already told you I don't believe you."
For several seconds, they simply stared at each other. Then the man's eyes suddenly shifted toward Lian ziho's shoulder. His body moved at the same time. His fist came straight toward Lian ziho's face. Lian ziho reacted quickly, raising his forearm just in time. The punch struck his arm with a hard impact, forcing him to take half a step back. Pain shot through his arm, but he ignored it. "So that's your answer?" Lian ziho said, his eyes narrowing.
The man didn't reply. He swung again, this time aiming for Lian ziho's ribs. Lian ziho turned his body and let the punch pass beside him. He immediately grabbed the man's wrist. "Not so fast." The man twisted his arm sharply, forcing Lian ziho to loosen his grip. He pulled free and drove his elbow toward Lian ziho's chest. Lian ziho raised his arm to block it, but the force still pushed him backward. His shoulder hit the wall.
The man stepped forward quickly, trying to land another punch. Lian ziho ducked under it and grabbed the man's jacket. With a quick pull, he turned the man's momentum against him and shoved him toward the opposite wall. The man's back struck the brick. "You really want to do this?" Lian ziho asked, breathing harder. The man wiped the corner of his mouth and gave him a cold look. "You should have walked away." Lian ziho stepped closer. "You should have stopped following us."
The man suddenly kicked toward Lian ziho's knee. Lian ziho moved his leg aside just in time. He caught the man's ankle and pushed it away, but the man used the movement to spin around and strike at Lian ziho's jaw. Lian ziho raised his arm again. The punch grazed his cheek instead of hitting him directly. Lian ziho's expression hardened. "You're fast." The man stared at him. "You're slower than I expected." Lian ziho gave a short, humorless smile. "Keep talking."
The man rushed forward again. This time Lian ziho met him halfway and their fists collided, and both stepped back. The man attacked first, throwing two quick punches. Lian ziho blocked the first and slipped past the second.He caught the man's arm, pulled him forward and struck his shoulder with his elbow.
The man stumbled. Lian ziho immediately grabbed the back of his jacket and forced him against the wall. "Enough." He twisted the man's arm behind his back and held him there. The man struggled. "Let go." "Who sent you?" "Nobody." "Wrong answer." Lian tightened his grip slightly. "You followed us all day." The man tried to turn his head. "That doesn't mean I work for anyone." "Then tell me why you were watching us." The man stayed silent. Lian ziho pushed him harder against the wall. "Answer me."
The man laughed quietly. Lian ziho frowned. "What's funny?" The man's breathing was rough, but a strange smile slowly appeared on his face. "You really think you're asking the questions." Lian ziho's eyes narrowed. "Then who's asking them?" The man's smile grew slightly. "You'll find out." Lian ziho stared at him for a moment. "Who is behind you?" The man didn't answer. Lian ziho leaned closer. "Is it the person with the ring?" The man's smile disappeared for a brief second before returning. Lian ziho noticed the reaction immediately. "So I was right."The man suddenly drove his head backward.
Lian ziho moved his face aside just in time, but the movement forced him to loosen his hold. The man twisted free and shoved Lian ziho hard in the chest. Lian ziho stumbled backward. The man immediately ran toward the alley entrance. "Hey!" Lian ziho chased after him. The man suddenly turned and threw another punch. Lian ziho blocked it and grabbed his wrist. "You're not going anywhere."
The man pulled hard, trying to escape. Lian held on. "Tell me about the ring!" The man's eyes suddenly moved toward something behind Lian ziho. His expression changed. Lian ziho noticed it immediately. "What are you looking at?" The man said nothing. Lian tightened his grip. "Who is behind you?" The man slowly smiled again. "You'll find out." Lian ziho's instincts suddenly warned him that something was wrong."What are you...." And small metal canister suddenly rolled into the alley and stopped beside them. Lian ziho's eyes widened as he looked down. A thick smoke exploded around them.
Smoke suddenly filled the entire alley. Lian ziho immediately stepped back and covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve. "Damn it!" He coughed hard as the smoke burned his eyes. He tried to see through it, but everything around him had disappeared behind the thick white cloud. "Hey!" he shouted. "Stop!" He heard hurried footsteps moving away. Lian ziho moved forward, but his eyes began watering badly. He raised one hand in front of his face and tried to follow the sound. "You think you can run?" Another cough forced him to stop for a second. He heard the footsteps getting farther away. "Damn..." He wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and pushed forward again. "Come back!" But there was no answer. Only the sound of footsteps fading deeper into the street.
Lian ziho tried to follow, but the smoke was still too thick.He stopped near the alley entrance and waited. Slowly, the smoke began to clear and walls appeared again. The parked boxes came back into view. The man was gone. Lian ziho looked down the empty alley. "Where did he disappear?" His breathing was still heavy from the fight and smoke. He walked a few steps forward, checking every corner. Nothing. No sign of the follower.
Lian ziho clenched his jaw. "He was right here." He looked toward the rooftops and then toward the street. "Someone helped him escape." The thought made his expression turn serious. "They planned all this." He slowly lowered his gaze and noticed something near the wall.There was small black object on the ground. Lian ziho stopped. "What's that?" He crouched down and picked it up. It was a small metal card, about the size of a bank card. There were no words on it.Nothing that could identify who it belonged to.
Lian ziho turned it over. His eyes suddenly narrowed.One symbol had been engraved on the surface. There were two black wings. He stared at it without speaking. His fingers tightened around the card.Again this symbol symbol... What is meaning behind this wings?...Everything seemed to be connected...Lian ziho slowly stood up and looked toward the direction the follower had escaped. "You dropped this..." He paused, his voice quiet. "Was that an accident?" He looked down at the black wings again. "Or did you want me to find it?"
Han Yi and Qin Yue returned to the office without saying much.The moment they entered the conference room,Qin Yue placed the photographs and reports across the table while Han Yi pulled out the files they had collected since Jun Wei disappeared.The room was quiet except for the occasional sound of paper being turned and a keyboard clicking in the corner.A dozen names were written on the whiteboard.People connected to Jun Wei,People connected to the wareouse, the repair shop witness and security staff at the Lian Group.Even several individuals from their own investigation team.
Han Yi stood with his arms folded,staring at the names as if he were trying to find a pattern hidden between them.Qin Yue picked up the anonymous message and read it again."ASK WHO THE CHILD WAS." She lowered the phone slowly."We keep going back to the same question."Han Yi nodded."Because whoever sent it wants us to."Qin Yue looked at the names on the board."Could it be one of us?"Han Yi's eyes moved toward her."Possible."
She frowned."Someone inside the our investigation?"Han Yi answered calmly." We can't say anything! Anything is possible."Qin Yue hesitated before looking at the photographs spread across the table."Or..." She paused,her fingers tightening around the edge of the photograph. "...someone close to Jun Wei."Han Yi didn't answer.His eyes remained fixed on Jun Wei's picture. Someone close to him... who could be.. A family member,teacher or neighbor... Someone who knew his daily routine or someone who knew exactly when he would be vulnerable....Or someone who had been pretending to protect him...
Han Yi slowly picked up another report."We can't assume the person is an outsider."Qin Yue looked at him."You think the opposite?" Han Yi's expression remained serious."I think whoever took Jun Wei knew enough about his movements to avoid unnecessary risks."She nodded slowly."That means they had information."Han Yi placed the report back on the table."And information usually comes from someone who has access."
Qin Yue looked toward the whiteboard again."Which brings us back to the investigation team."Han Yi's eyes hardened. "Yes."Before either of them could continue,a hurried sound of footsteps came from the hallway.The conference room door opened suddenly and forensic officer stepped inside,holding a thick report in one hand.His breathing was slightly uneven from rushing. "Captain!"Han Yi immediately turned toward him."Report."
The officer walked quickly to the table and placed the report in front of him."We finished analyzing the tire tracks from Warehouse Seventeen."Han Yi opened the file."What did you find?"The officer pointed toward several enlarged photographs."The second vehicle wasn't just any SUV."Qin Yue stepped closer."What do you mean?"The officer took a breath."The tire pattern matches a modified military-grade design." Han Yi's eyes narrowed."Military-grade?" The officer nodded."Yes.The tread pattern is unusual,and the rubber compound is different from anything commonly used on civilian vehicles."
Qin Yue frowned."Those aren't sold to civilians."The officer shook his head."Not through normal suppliers.They're usually manufactured for specialized vehicles,and the modifications require authorized equipment."Han Yi studied the photograph carefully.So the vehicle wasn't simply modified for appearance...Someone had access to equipment most people couldn't obtain...He turned another page."Can you identify the manufacturer?"
The officer hesitated."Not yet.But we narrowed down the possibilities."Qin Yue looked at Han Yi."Could the SUV belong to a private security company?"Han Yi considered the question."Possibly."The officer added,"But there's something else."Han Yi looked up immediately."What?" The officer pointed to another photograph. "The tire marks show the vehicle carried considerable weight when it left Warehouse Seventeen."Qin Yue's expression tightened. "Jun Wei?"The officer nodded."Possibly.But we can't confirm that from tire pressure alone."
Han Yi looked back at the photograph.He noticed that heavy vehicle carrying specialized equipment.A black SUV that never appeared at the main exit....If they had access to military-grade tires,then whoever moved Jun Wei wasn't improvising...He closed the file slowly."So whoever took Jun Wei had access to specialized equipment." The forensic officer nodded."That's our conclusion."
Qin Yue looked toward Han Yi."And that makes our suspect list much smaller."Han Yi shook his head."No.It makes it more dangerous."She looked at him."Why?"Han Yi tapped the photograph with one finger. "Because ordinary criminals hide from the police."His eyes hardened."People with resources hide from everyone."The forensic officer swallowed and asked,"Captain, should we trace every organization that has authorization to purchase these tires?"
Han Yi nodded."Start with that."Qin Yue immediately added,"And cross-reference the list with companies that operate private transport,security,and industrial vehicles. "Han Yi looked at her."Also check government contractors."She nodded."You think one of them could be involved?"Han Yi's gaze returned to the tire photograph."I think we shouldn't rule anyone out."The officer collected his notes."I'll get started immediately."Han Yi stopped him before he reached the door."And keep this report restricted."The officer turned."Restricted to the investigation team?"Han Yi's expression became firm."Restricted to me and Qin Yue for now."The officer understood immediately. "Understood,Captain."He left and closed the door behind him.
Qin Yue looked at Han Yi."You're thinking the same thing I am."Han Yi didn't look away from the photograph."Say it."She lowered her voice."Whoever took Jun Wei didn't just have a vehicle.They had access to equipment that most people can't obtain." Han Yi nodded."And someone had to provide it."Qin Yue stared at the tire marks. "Which means the person we're looking for may not be the person who ordered the kidnapping."Han Yi looked at her."Exactly!" The person who took Jun Wei may only be one piece of something much larger...
Han Yi slowly turned toward the whiteboard and looked at all the names they had written there.The list suddenly felt far too small.He picked up the marker and added one more word beneath the others: SUPPLIER.Qin Yue watched him."You think the tires can lead us to them?"Han Yi capped the marker. "If they made one mistake..."His eyes settled on the word."...we only need to find it."Then his phone vibrated on the table.
Both of them looked down at it.It was new message from the same unknown sender. *YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.* Han Yi's expression hardened.Qin Yue stared at the screen. "They know about the tires."Han Yi slowly picked up his phone."Which means they were listening."He looked toward the closed conference room door."Or they were waiting for us to find them."
Qin Yue watched him carefully."They knew about the tires before we even received the report."Han Yi's fingers rested against the edge of the table."Yes."She glanced toward the closed door."Then someone is still watching the investigation."Han Yi's eyes moved across the room."They knew about Warehouse Seventeen.They knew about the surveillance system.They knew about the hidden room.And now they knew what the forensic team had discovered."His expression became colder.Either someone is inside the investigation...or someone has access to everything we do....
Qin Yue picked up the tire report."We should find out who had access to this information." Han Yi nodded."We will."She looked at him." But not through the usual channels."Han Yi met her eyes."Exactly."Before either could continue,Qin Yue's phone suddenly began ringing.She glanced at the screen and immediately froze."Captain..."Han Yi looked over."What?"Qin Yue stared at the number. "It's him."Han Yi stood still."The witness?" She nodded slowly."The witness from repair shop."
Han Yi's eyes sharpened."Answer it."Qin Yue immediately accepted the call and raised the phone to her ear."Hello?"For several seconds,there was only heavy breathing on the other end.Then a trembling voice finally answered."Miss...please don't ask me where I am."Qin Yue straightened. "Listen to me.Are you safe right now?"The man gave a nervous laugh that sounded more frightened than amused."I don't know."
Qin Yue exchanged a quick glance with Han Yi."What happened?"The witness lowered his voice."I remembered something."Han Yi moved closer to hear the conversation. "Something I should have told you before." Qin Yue's expression hardened."What did you remember?"There was a long pause."I was too scared."His breathing became uneven."I thought if I told the police,they would find me."
Qin Yue kept her voice calm."You need to tell us now.We can protect you."The witness swallowed."I saw someone beside the black SUV."Han Yi's eyes narrowed.Another person...The witness continued,"It wasn't one of the men moving the boy."Qin Yue immediately asked,"Then who was he?"The witness hesitated."I don't know."Han Yi leaned closer to the phone."What did he look like?"The witness spoke quickly,as if afraid he would lose his courage."I couldn't see his face clearly.He stayed away from the lights.He wasn't carrying Jun Wei.He wasn't driving either."
Qin Yue frowned."Then what was he doing?" The witness took a shaky breath."Giving orders."Han Yi's expression changed slightly.Someone above the men who physically carried out the kidnapping...Who was standing there that night?...Qin Yue asked,"What did you hear him say?"The witness became silent."I heard him tell them where to take the boy."Qin Yue tightened her grip on the phone."Where?"The witness whispered,"I couldn't hear the first part,but I remember one thing."Han Yi looked at Qin Yue.She immediately asked,"What?"The witness's voice dropped even lower."He said...don't take him through the main road."
Han Yi's eyes narrowed and witness continued,"Then he told them to use the other vehicle."Qin Yue's expression tightened."Other vehicle?"The witness suddenly became nervous."Yes."Han Yi gestured for Qin Yue to put the call on speaker.She did so."Tell us exactly what you remember."The witness breathed heavily. "There were two vehicles.I only noticed the black SUV at first,but another vehicle was waiting farther away."
Qin Yue looked at Han Yi."What kind?"The witness hesitated."I...I don't know."His voice trembled."But the man giving orders wasn't afraid.He wasn't nervous.He was acting like everything had already been planned."Han Yi's jaw tightened.Someone had prepared every step...Qin Yue asked,"Did you recognize him?"The witness whispered,"I think..."The line suddenly became filled with static.
Qin Yue sat upright."Hello?"The witness's breathing became faster."I think I've seen him before."Han Yi stepped closer."Where?" The witness's voice became barely audible. "At..."The call abruptly cut off.Qin Yue stared at the screen."Hello?"She pulled the phone away and immediately called the number back.The call didn't connect and recorded message appeared.The phone was switched off.
Qin Yue lowered her phone."His phone is switched off now!"Han Yi stood up immediately.Someone had been watching him...Maybe they had been watching him since the moment he decided to call us...Qin Yue looked at him."He was terrified."Han Yi reached for his coat."Where is he?"Qin Yue immediately stood."I don't know.He didn't tell me."Han Yi looked at her."The last location we had for him."
Qin Yue quickly opened the case file and searched through the witness information. "We have his home address and the repair shop,but his house was already searched." Han Yi's expression hardened."Then check the repair shop."Qin Yue grabbed her coat. "You think he went back there?"Han Yi shook his head."I think if he realized someone was looking for him,he would go somewhere connected to the one place he trusted."
Qin Yue followed him toward the door."And if they already found him?"Han Yi stopped for half a second."Then we may be walking into the aftermath."He looked at her."That's why we're going now."Qin Yue's voice became serious."I'll call the nearby officers."Han Yi shook his head."No large team."She frowned."Again?"Han Yi looked directly at her."If the witness was silenced because he called us,then the moment we send multiple units,whoever is watching will know exactly where we're going."Qin Yue understood immediately."So we go quietly."
Han Yi nodded."And we keep the witness's call off the official channel until we know who we can trust."Qin Yue's expression tightened."You think someone inside the system could be involved."Han Yi opened the door."I think we've learned enough not to assume otherwise."She followed him into the hallway."Where are you going?"Han Yi didn't slow down."To find the witness."Qin Yue stared at him."Right now?"Han Yi looked back at her,the seriousness in his eyes leaving no room for argument."If someone silenced him..."He paused briefly."...we may already be too late."