Lian Ziho and Zheng Rui stood in front of the narrow door hidden behind the wooden crates.Zheng Rui crouched beside the door and brushed some dirt away from the lock. He studied it,his expression serious."It isn't locked."Lian Ziho folded his arms."That's almost worse."Zheng Rui glanced at him. "Why?"Lian gave him a look."Because if someone left it unlocked,maybe they wanted someone to come inside."
Zheng Rui Looked at locked door and said,"You're becoming suspicious."Lian ziho raised an eyebrow."After everything we've seen today,you expect me not to be?"Zheng Rui was about to answer when his phone suddenly vibrated.Zheng Rui pulled out his phone and checked the screen.His eyebrows lifted slightly."Lu Jian."Lian ziho immediately leaned closer."The same Lu Jian who works with Cai Lang?"Zheng Rui nodded."Yes."Lian ziho looked toward the metal door."Why would he call now?"
Zheng Rui straightened and accepted the call."Only one way to find out."He put the phone to his ear."Hello?"A voice came through the speaker."Secretary Zheng!Finally!"Zheng Rui blinked and pulled the phone slightly away from his ear."Lu Jian!" Lu Jian let out a long breath."Yes!Where have you been?I've been trying to reach you since this morning."Zheng Rui glanced at Lian ziho before answering calmly."I was busy."There was a short silence on the other end."Busy?"Lu Jian gave a helpless laugh. "You've been missing for days,and that's all you're going to say?"
Zheng Rui's expression became slightly awkward."I didn't realize you were keeping track."Lu Jian immediately replied, "Someone had to."Lian ziho covered a small smile with his hand.Zheng Rui noticed it and gave him a warning look before continuing. "Why were you trying to reach me?"Lu Jian answered without hesitation."Your Boss has been asking where you've disappeared to."
Zheng Rui's expression changed.He looked genuinely surprised."He was looking for me?" "Yes."Lu Jian sounded amused."More than once."Zheng Rui lowered his eyes toward the phone."I called him several times.""I know.""He never answered."There was a brief silence then Lu Jian spoke again. "That's because he changed his number." Zheng Rui blinked."Changed it?" "Yes." "When?" "Recently.I only got the new number because he gave it to me himself." Zheng Rui frowned."Why didn't he tell me?" Lu Jian laughed softly."Maybe he thought you already knew."
Zheng Rui shook his head."Clearly I didn't." Lian ziho quietly asked,"Does Cai Lang change his number often?"Zheng Rui moved the phone slightly so Lu Jian could hear him."Lian ziho is asking if Cai Lang does this often."Lu Jian laughed."Not usually.That's why I was surprised too." Lian ziho's expression became more serious. "Then something must have happened."
Zheng Rui looked at him for a moment before speaking."I thought Cai Lang was avoiding me."Lu Jian immediately replied,"If he wanted to avoid you,he wouldn't have asked me to look for you."
Lu Jian continued,"Actually,he sounded worried."Zheng Rui's smile disappeared. "Worried?" "Yes.He kept asking if I had heard from you."Zheng Rui became quiet for a moment."Then I should have called him again."Lian ziho looked at him."You already tried."Zheng Rui nodded."I know."He looked toward the door again.His expression slowly became more serious."Then I actually need a favor."Lu Jian's tone changed."Let me guess..."He paused dramatically."it's about Jun Wei's case?"Zheng Rui's expression froze.He turned his head toward Lian ziho.
Lian ziho's eyes widened too.Zheng Rui brought the phone closer to his ear."How do you know?"Lu Jian was quiet for a moment. "Because Cai lang has been asking questions about it too."Zheng Rui's eyes narrowed."What kind of questions?" "The same ones you're asking."Zheng Rui exchanged another glance with Lian ziho. "Does that mean boss knows about Jun Wei?"Lu Jian answered without hesitation. "He's been investigating it as well."Lian ziho immediately stepped closer to Zheng Rui. "Ask him what Cai Lang found."Zheng Rui nodded slightly."Lu Jian,Lian ziho wants to know what Boss found."Lu Jian's voice became quieter. "That's actually why I called you."
Zheng Rui's expression hardened."What happened?" "Cai Lang found something!" "What?" "Something that may be important to your investigation."Lian ziho's breathing became slightly faster."What did he find?" Zheng Rui asked.Lu Jian paused before answering."He recovered Suo ran's phone."
Both Zheng Rui and Lian Ziho froze.For several seconds,neither of them said a word.Lian ziho's eyes remained fixed on Zheng Rui's phone.He took a slow step closer."Suo Ran's phone?"His voice was quiet,but there was clear fear behind it.
Lu Jian answered immediately."Yes."Lian ziho frowned."Why is his phone with Cai Lang?"Lu Jian hesitated."I don't know." Zheng Rui's expression hardened."Where did he find it?" "I don't know that either." Zheng Rui's eyes narrowed."Then what exactly do you know?"Lu Jian sighed."I only know that Cai lang recovered the phone and has it with him now."Lian ziho shook his head slowly."No..."He looked at Zheng Rui. "That doesn't make sense."
Lian ziho's face immediately went pale.He grabbed Zheng Rui's arm without realizing it.His fingers tightened around Zheng Rui's sleeve."Did something happen to him?" Zheng Rui looked down at Lian ziho's hand for a moment before looking back at his face."We don't know that yet."Lian ziho shook his head."But something happened." His breathing became faster."He hasn't called us.He hasn't answered anything.We tried reaching him again and again."He turned toward the phone."Lu Jian!"His voice suddenly rose."Answer me!"
Lu Jian stayed silent for a moment.Lian grip on Zheng Rui's arm tightened."Where is Suo Ran?" "Lian ziho..." "Where is he?"Lian ziho demanded again."What happened to him?" Lu Jian finally answered."I don't know about how Cai lang got the phone and Where is him."Lian ziho's expression tightened."Then ask him." "I will." "No,Lu Jian."Lian ziho's voice cracked slightly."Please find out now."
Zheng Rui placed his free hand over Lian ziho's wrist,trying to calm him."Lian ziho,let him finish."Lian ziho looked at Zheng Rui. His eyes were filled with worry,but he slowly nodded and loosened his grip.Lu Jian continued quietly."But there is something else."Zheng Rui immediately focused on the call."What?" "Cai Lang found something inside the phone."
Zheng Rui frowned."What did he find?"Lu Jian answered,"Several files."He paused. "Photos too."Zheng Rui asked,"Anything else?" "A short video."Lian ziho immediately looked toward Zheng Rui."A video?"Lu Jian continued,"The video showed a driver's wrist."Zheng Rui's expression became sharper."Could you see his face?" "No." "Then what was important about the wrist?" Lu Jian took a breath."There was a tattoo." Zheng Rui frowned."What kind?"Lu Jian's voice became quieter."A pair of black wings."
Zheng Rui and Lian ziho looked at each other.Both of them immediately remembered the black metal card.The same wings.The same strange symbol that had appeared again and again.Zheng Rui's eyes hardened."Black wings..."Zheng Rui stared at him for only a moment before his attention returned to the phone."The same symbol?" Lu Jian asked,"You found it too?"Zheng Rui answered carefully,"Yes."Lian ziho stepped closer."Forget about the tattoo."
Zheng Rui looked at him.Lian ziho's expression was tense."We can deal with the symbol later."He spoke directly into the phone."I want to know where Suo Ran is."Lu Jian didn't answer.Lian ziho's face became even paler."Lu Jian?"Still nothing."Where is he?"Lian ziho asked again.His voice was quieter now,but the fear in it was impossible to hide.Lu Jian finally spoke."..."He's in the hospital." Lian Ziho froze."...Hospital?"His voice was barely audible.Lu Jian answered quietly,"Yes."For a moment,Lian ziho simply stared ahead as if the word had not fully reached him.His fingers slowly loosened around Zheng Rui's arm."What..."He swallowed hard."What happened?"Zheng Rui's expression changed immediately."Lu Jian,tell us what happened."
Lu Jian took a breath."He was shot."Lian ziho's eyes widened."Shot?" "Yes."Lu Jian's voice became heavy."He almost died."Lian ziho suddenly took a step backward.His knees nearly gave way.Zheng Rui reacted instantly and caught him by the arm."Lian ziho!"Lian ziho grabbed Zheng Rui's sleeve to steady himself,but his breathing had already become uneven."No..."He shook his head."No,that can't be right."
Zheng Rui held him firmly."Stay calm."Lian ziho looked at him with frightened eyes. "Who shot him?"Lu Jian remained silent for a moment."I don't know."Lian ziho asked, "When?" "I don't know exactly." "Where did it happen?" "I wasn't there."Lian ziho's voice became more desperate."Then how do you know he's alive?"Lu Jian sighed."Doctor Gu called Cai Lang after the surgery."Lian stared at the phone."Surgery..."He repeated the word softly."Yes."Lian ziho's eyes slowly filled with tears."Is he awake?"Lu Jian answered,"No."Lian ziho's breathing stopped for a moment.
Lu Jian continued."He lost a lot of blood." Lian ziho's eyes opened again. "Is he still in danger?"Lu Jian hesitated."Doctor Gu didn't give me many details."Lian ziho's hands began trembling."Which hospital?"He asked immediately."Tell me the hospital."Lu Jian gave him the name.Zheng Rui quickly memorized it."Who brought him there?"Lu Jian answered,"I don't know."Zheng Rui frowned."You don't know?" "Doctor Gu only said someone took him in hospital and that person was looking worried for Suo ran! I think that person knows about him."
Lian ziho stared ahead."Someone that knows suo ran?" "Yes"Lian ziho's expression tightened."Did Cai Lang go there?" "Yes."Lian ziho looked at Zheng Rui."He's there?"Lu Jian nodded."He's probably still there."Lian ziho's lips trembled slightly."Then why didn't he call us?"Lu Jian sighed."I don't know.Maybe he was trying to deal with everything first."
Lian lowered his head."I should have found him."Zheng Rui looked at him."Lian ziho..." But Lian ziho continued as if he hadn't heard him."I should have known something was wrong."His voice became quieter."He disappeared,and I just kept calling him."He clenched his hands."I thought maybe he was busy.I thought maybe he was angry with me."Zheng Rui's expression softened."This isn't your fault."Lian ziho shook his head."It is." "No." "I should've gone looking for him sooner." "You didn't know." "I knew he was missing."
Lian ziho's eyes reddened."And I still couldn't find him."Zheng Rui stepped closer."You tried."Lian ziho laughed bitterly through his tears."Trying wasn't enough." Zheng Rui gently placed both hands on his shoulders."Look at me."Lian ziho slowly raised his eyes.Zheng Rui spoke calmly. "He's fine now!"Lian ziho swallowed.His lips trembled."What if we lose him?"Zheng Rui tightened his grip slightly."You won't."Lian ziho stared at him."How can you promise that?"Zheng Rui paused before answering."I can't promise what will happen."His voice softened."But I can promise you one thing." Lian ziho waited."We'll protect them together!" Lian ziho's eyes lowered.Zheng Rui continued,"You don't have to carry this by yourself."
Lian Ziho was silent for several seconds.His fingers slowly curled around the edge of Zheng Rui's sleeve."What if I'm not strong enough?"Zheng Rui looked at him."Then I'll be strong for you."Lian Ziho looked up again,slightly surprised."You?"Zheng Rui nodded."Me."A tiny,shaky smile appeared on Lian ziho's face."You always make it sound so easy."Zheng Rui gave a faint smile."It isn't easy."He gently squeezed Lian ziho's shoulders."But you don't have to do it alone."
Lian Ziho's eyes became wet again."I was so scared when Lu Jian said he was shot." Zheng Rui's expression softened."I know." "I kept thinking..."Lian stopped and took a shaky breath."I kept thinking that if something happened to Suo Ran,I would regret every moment I didn't look for him." Zheng Rui quietly replied,"Then don't waste another moment regretting it."Lian ziho looked at him."What do you mean?" "We find him."Zheng Rui's voice was firm."That's what we do now."
Lian ziho stared at him for a moment before nodding."Together?"Zheng Rui smiled slightly."Together."Lian ziho finally let out a small breath."You really aren't going to let me go alone,are you?" "No." "Even if I tell you to?" "Especially then."Lian ziho laughed through his tears."That's annoying."Zheng Rui's smile grew."You'll survive."Lian ziho looked down at his trembling hands."I just..."He stopped and took a deep breath."I don't want him to die."
Zheng Rui's expression became gentle."He won't."Lian ziho looked at him again."You really believe that?"Zheng Rui nodded. "Yes." "Why?" "Because we're going to get to him before anything else happens."Lian looked at him for a moment.Then he quietly said,"Thank you."Zheng Rui nodded. "Anytime."Lian ziho looked down at his trembling hands."I just..."He stopped and took a deep breath."I don't want him to die."Zheng Rui's expression softened even more."Then let's get to him."Lian ziho nodded,but before he could move,Zheng Rui gently squeezed his shoulder."And one more thing."Lian ziho looked up."Don't blame yourself again."Lian ziho hesitated. "I'll try."Zheng Rui raised an eyebrow."That's not good enough."Lian ziho gave him a tired look."Fine.I won't." "Good." "You're really bossy." "Someone has to be."
Lian ziho gave little smile."You sound like Cai Lang."Zheng Rui chuckled softly."Then maybe I should call him and complain."Lian ziho immediately shook his head."No." "Why?" "He'd probably complain about both of us."Zheng Rui smiled."Then we'll complain about him later." Lian ziho wiped his face and took a deep breath."I want to see him."Zheng Rui nodded."You will."Lian ziho looked at him."And if Cai Lang is there..." "We'll talk to him." "And if he knows who shot Suo Ran?"
Zheng Rui's expression hardened."Then we'll find out."Lian ziho nodded."Let's go." Without another word,they ran toward their car.Zheng Rui unlocked it and threw the evidence bag containing the black-wing card onto the passenger-side dashboard before getting behind the wheel.Lian ziho sat beside him and immediately fastened his seat belt.Zheng Rui started the engine. Neither of them noticed that across the street,a man wearing a black cap quietly lowered his phone after watching the entire conversation.He slipped the phone into his pocket,turned away,and disappeared into the crowd.
The hospital doors opened and Lian Ziho rushed inside with Zheng Rui close behind. Lian ziho barely slowed down as he reached the reception desk."Suo Ran."The nurse behind the desk looked up in surprise. "Excuse me?"Lian ziho placed both hands on the counter."Suo Ran.He was brought here after being shot."His voice was rushed. "He was taken into surgery.He should still be here."The nurse quickly turned toward the computer."Name?"Lian ziho answered immediately."I already said two times!"
Zheng Rui stepped beside him."His name is Suo ran. He was brought in earlier after a gunshot wound."The nurse typed quickly. "Give me a moment."Lian ziho stared at the screen,his fingers tightly gripping the edge of the counter."Please..."he whispered.The nurse looked through the records."Yes.I found him."Lian ziho's shoulders dropped slightly in relief.The nurse looked at him."He was admitted through the emergency department and moved after surgery."
Lian ziho immediately asked,"Is he awake?" The nurse checked again."It doesn't say that.He was under observation."Lian ziho swallowed."Can we see him?"The nurse gave him the room number."He's on the fourth floor.Room 417."Lian ziho didn't even wait for another word."Thank you."He turned and hurried toward the elevators.Zheng Rui followed."Lian ziho,slow down."Lian ziho glanced back."I can't." The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.Lian ziho pressed the fourth-floor button repeatedly even though it was already lit.Zheng Rui looked at him."You know pressing it again won't make it faster."
Lian stared at the numbers above the door."I know."He paused."I just need it to move faster."Zheng Rui gave him a small look but said nothing.When the elevator opened,Lian ziho immediately stepped out.He hurried down the hallway,following the room numbers until he reached 417.He stopped outside the door for only a second.His hand hovered over the handle."He's inside." Zheng Rui nodded."Go."Lian ziho opened the door.The room was empty.Lian ziho froze.He slowly stepped inside."Suo Ran?"
There was no answer.The bed was still there amd blanket was partly pulled back as if someone had been there only moments earlier.The IV stand remained beside the bed,its empty line hanging from the hook. Medical equipment sat untouched near the wall.Lian ziho stared at the bed,unable to understand what he was seeing."Where is he?"Zheng Rui entered behind him and immediately looked around."Lian ziho..." Lian ziho walked closer to the bed."No..."He touched the blanket with trembling fingers. "He...is not here!" Zheng Rui's expression hardened."Stay calm."Lian ziho turned toward him,his voice shaking."How can I stay calm?He was supposed to be here!"
Zheng Rui looked into the hallway."Maybe someone took him somewhere."He immediately stepped out and looked both ways."Who would move him without telling anyone?"Lian ziho followed him,his breathing becoming faster."I don't know! That's what scares me!"Zheng Rui turned back toward him."Lian ziho,listen to me. We're going to find him."Lian ziho shook his head."What if something happened after we left?"His voice cracked."What if he is danger?"Zheng Rui grabbed his arm firmly. "Don't think like that yet."Lian looked at him with panic in his eyes."Then tell me where he is!"
Zheng Rui checked the bathroom,the curtain,the small storage area and then the hallway."There's nowhere else in this room." Lian ziho turned toward him."Then where is he?"Zheng Rui stepped outside."Nurse!"
A nurse nearby hurried over."Yes?"Zheng Rui pointed toward the room."The patient in 417.Where is he?"The nurse looked confused."Suo Ran?" "Yes."She stepped inside and stopped when she saw the empty bed."That's strange."Lian ziho immediately turned toward her."What's strange?"The nurse looked at the equipment."He was supposed to remain here."Lian ziho's voice became sharper."When did someone move him?"The nurse shook her head."Nobody moved him."
Zheng Rui looked at her."Are you sure?" "Yes.This room is assigned to him."She checked the chart attached outside the door."He was transferred here after surgery and placed under observation."Lian ziho pointed toward the empty bed."Then where is he?"The nurse looked genuinely unsettled."I don't know."Lian ziho stepped closer."You just told us he was here." "He was." "When?"The nurse checked the time. "A little while ago."
Lian ziho's expression changed."How long ago?" "I can't say exactly."Zheng Rui interrupted calmly,"Check the records."The nurse nodded and pulled out her tablet."I'll check."She searched patient records."There is no transfer request." Zheng Rui's eyes narrowed."Check again."She did."Nothing." "No transfer?"Zheng Rui asked."No." "No doctor moved him?" "Not according to the system." "No nurse?" "No."Lian ziho stared at her."Then he didn't leave this room?"
The nurse looked uncomfortable."I didn't say that."Lian ziho's voice dropped."Then tell me what happened."The nurse looked toward the empty bed again."His chart still says he's here."Zheng Rui's expression hardened."But he's not."The nurse nodded slowly."Yes."Lian ziho's breathing became uneven."Could someone have taken him for another test?"The nurse shook her head. "There should be a request." "An examination?" "It would be recorded." "A scan?" "Recorded." "Another procedure?" "Also recorded."
Zheng Rui looked at the IV line."Was he still receiving treatment?"The nurse nodded. "Yes."Lian ziho pointed toward the empty stand."Then why is the IV still here?"The nurse didn't answer immediately.She looked at the line and then at the bed.Her face slowly changed."That..."She stepped closer. "That shouldn't have been disconnected." Lian ziho's eyes widened."What do you mean?" The nurse checked the line carefully."He was supposed to remain connected while under observation."
Zheng Rui's voice became colder."So someone disconnected him?" "I don't know." "But you just said nobody requested a transfer." "That's correct."Lian ziho looked between them."Then someone took him without telling the hospital."The nurse's face turned pale."I...I don't know."Zheng Rui stepped closer to her."Who had access to this room?"The nurse hesitated. "Doctors, nurses and orderlies." "Anyone else?" "Family members or authorized visitors."
Lian ziho immediately asked,"Was Cai Lang here?"The nurse checked the visitor records."I don't see his name."Lian ziho's expression tightened."Maybe he didn't sign in."Zheng Rui looked around the room again."Was there anyone else with Suo Ran?"The nurse shook her head."I wasn't assigned to this room the entire time." "Who was?" "I'll find out."She turned to leave,but Zheng Rui stopped her."Wait."The nurse turned back."Yes?" "Don't tell anyone that we're asking these questions yet."She looked confused."Why?"Zheng Rui glanced at Lian ziho before answering."Because we don't know who moved him."The nurse slowly nodded."Understood."
Lian ziho looked at the empty bed again.His voice became barely audible."He was here." Zheng Rui turned toward him."I know."Lian touched the edge of the mattress."We were supposed to come and see him."Zheng Rui stood beside him."And we will find him."Lian looked at him."What if we're already too late?"Zheng Rui's expression hardened. "Don't think that way."Lian ziho shook his head."Someone took him out of a hospital without leaving a record."He looked toward the hallway."That isn't normal."Zheng Rui nodded slowly."No.It isn't."
The nurse suddenly looked at her tablet again."Wait." Both men turned toward her."What?"Zheng Rui asked.The nurse's expression became confused."There is something here."Lian ziho immediately stepped closer."What?"She scrolled through the record."His status was changed."Zheng Rui frowned."By whom?"The nurse stared at the screen."That's the strange part." "What?"She slowly looked up."The change was made using a staff account."Lian ziho's eyes widened."Whose account?"The nurse hesitated."I don't know yet."
Zheng Rui's voice became firm."Find out." The nurse nodded quickly."I'll check."She hurried away.Lian ziho remained beside the empty bed,staring at the place where Suo Ran should have been.Zheng Rui looked at the IV stand once more.His eyes narrowed. There was a tiny spot of blood near the end of the disconnected line.He reached toward it,but stopped before touching anything. "Lian ziho..."Lian ziho looked over."What?"
Zheng Rui pointed toward the IV stand. "Don't touch anything."Lian ziho followed his gaze.His expression slowly changed. "Someone didn't just move him."Zheng Rui looked toward the open doorway."Someone took him."
Lian ziho's face went pale."Then we need to call Cai Lang Maybe he knows something." He took out his phone and searched for Cai Lang's new number."Call him."Zheng Rui nodded."Do it."Lian ziho pressed the call button.The phone rang once.Lian ziho's fingers tightened around the phone."Come on.. Pick up the call." Another ring. Finally, the call connected. "Hello?"Cai Lang's voice came through.Lian ziho spoke immediately. "Cai Lang,Suo Ran is gone." There was complete silence on the other end."Did you hear me?"Cai Lang answered. "I heard you." Lian ziho quickly continued. "We came to the hospital,but the room is empty."Cai Lang remained silent for a moment.Then he said calmly,"I know."