Chapter 34 – Probing

Xie Ning placed the compiled records of missing persons cases from over the years on Lu Anchi’s desk, her expression somber.

In reality, nearly a million people go missing nationwide every year. While this is not a small number, when divided among each province and city… the number of missing persons cases in Xue City over the past thirty years is excessive.

And this might not even include the ones that were never reported.

What exactly is going on?

Moreover, why did Lu Anchi suddenly ask her to investigate this? Xie Ning couldn’t understand it.

Just then, Lu Anchi walked in from outside. Seeing Xie Ning, he showed no surprise, his expression stern. “Xiao Xie, you’ve worked hard.”

Xie Ning pursed her lips and couldn’t help but ask, “Director, why did you ask me to compile these? They shouldn’t have any connection to Yan Ru’s case at all, right?”

Lu Anchi’s deep eyes fixed on Xie Ning. Under the piercing gaze of this seasoned police officer, Xie Ning felt as if all her thoughts were laid bare.

Lu Anchi said, “Case files are reorganized every year. We can’t focus solely on Yan Ru’s case. Xiao Xie, after compiling these, didn’t you have any other thoughts?”

Xie Ning stood straight. “Over the years, the number of recorded missing persons cases in Xue City and its surrounding areas is over fifty percent higher than in other cities. That’s highly abnormal.”

Lu Anchi took a deep breath, his wrinkled and calloused hand gently resting on the pile of files Xie Ning had compiled, sighing as he said, “Yes, highly abnormal.”

He was about to say more when Meng Yi suddenly knocked and entered. “Director, Sister Ning, Xu Anran suddenly woke up from the dream and is now requesting to review all case files related to Yan Ru to assist in completing the mission. He said anything related to Yan Ru will do.”

Xie Ning glanced at Lu Anchi for direction. Lu Anchi remained motionless, merely closing his eyes briefly.

Understanding, Xie Ning picked up the compiled materials and walked out side by side with Meng Yi. Meng Yi eagerly offered to carry them for her, and Xie Ning didn’t refuse.

On the desk in the director’s office, the stacked folders of missing persons cases loomed like a heavy mountain.

Yan Ru agreed to my plan. We decided to hold our ground for now. Once we had concrete evidence, whether to “warn” those little thugs to behave or to directly report them to the police would be entirely up to us.

Entirely up to me.

Of course, my intentions were very, very good. I wanted to help Yan Ru escape his bullying predicament, save Wang Yuehan from being kept in the dark, and properly educate those misbehaving students.

In other words, I’m a very kind-hearted person.

The next night, everyone at the campsite was resting in their tents.

The activities of the past two days had left everyone exhausted. Wei Qinzhou had taken enough photos and was satisfied, so when I borrowed his camera, he handed it over without hesitation after a simple excuse.

Since we would be heading back to school early the next morning, everyone turned in early. Apart from the faintly flickering campfire in the center, the flashlights in the other tents had already been turned off.

Yan Ru and I lay side by side in the tent, neither of us asleep.

The light from the campfire outside cast a warm orange glow on the tent’s canvas. I turned my head to look at Yan Ru—his bone structure was excellent, the shadows on his profile smooth and striking.

I suddenly remembered the days and nights we spent buried under the train wreckage. Back then, we had also lain side by side like this, filled with despair and anxiety.

Truth be told, when I first escaped the wreckage alone, I had thought about leaving him behind. Self-preservation is what someone like me should prioritize.

But in the end, I chose to help him, using my shoulders to bear the terrifying weight so he could escape.

Maybe at that time, I thought I was truly Qin Yuezhang, too deep in the role.

“What are you thinking about?” Yan Ru suddenly asked softly.

I paused. “Huh?”

“You were staring at me blankly, with a look like Pavlov watching his dog.”

I laughed. “What nonsense? Whose dog?”

Yan Ru hesitated. “Never mind.”

“If I was looking at you, it was with admiration! How is your side profile so well-proportioned? It’s quite handsome—definitely not the way you’d look at a pet!”

Yan Ru didn’t elaborate further.

I was about to tease him some more when a crisp sound came from outside the tent.

I immediately fell silent. Yan Ru looked at me, and we exchanged a glance.

They must be making their move.

Outside the tent, a timid female voice called out, “Teacher Wang, are you asleep?”

“No, what’s wrong?”

The sound of a zipper being pulled open.

The girl stammered, “I… I need to use the restroom, but I’m a little scared. Teacher Wang, could you… could you come with me?”

By the end, her voice was trembling.

Perhaps because I already suspected her of ulterior motives, her voice sounded full of guilt to me. But Wang Yuehan noticed nothing, responding gently, “Of course, I’ll go with you.”

Since we were camping, there were no proper restrooms—people just found bushes to relieve themselves. The two of them walked away quietly, their footsteps soon fading.

I raised an eyebrow at Yan Ru, signaling that we should follow.

Yan Ru silently got up. I pointed to the camera nearby. “Bring that.”

I added, “My photography skills aren’t great. My hands shake at critical moments, and I don’t want to mess this up.”

Yan Ru slung the camera around his neck, and we unzipped the tent, tiptoeing outside.

I knew exactly where they’d be and headed straight for the spot without hesitation. We needed to be in position before the show started—that’s what a proper audience should do.

Yan Ru followed behind me, his footsteps inexplicably reassuring.

Memories of the past flooded my mind. This path felt both unfamiliar and familiar, every step I took like picking up fragments of the past. Ten years—it had passed in the blink of an eye, so fleeting.

This time, I would prove to him that I wasn’t inherently despicable—at least, someone would stand by my side.

The real Qin Yuezhang—the best choice, ha!

We quickly took our positions in the spot I’d chosen—shaded, hidden in darkness, but perfect for taking clear photos.

I felt a surge of excitement, my blood rushing, a faint ringing in my ears.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long before the show began.

Wang Yuehan stood in the shadows, shivering in the cold night wind. She looked around, rubbing her arms for warmth, and asked softly, “Little sister, are you done?”

But there was no response.

Growing anxious, she raised her voice slightly. “Little sister, are you done?”

This time, the response was Zhou Xin’s high-pitched, mocking voice. “I’m done!”

Wang Yuehan froze, turning around to find three boys standing behind her.

Though she was an adult, she was still young and no match for three boys physically. Fear flickered across her face, but she forced herself to stay calm. “You’re not students from the camping trip. What are you doing here?”

Sun Danhao leered. “Teacher, pretty sister, we’re here to see you, of course! What’s that saying? ‘A day apart feels like three years!'”

He dragged out the word “day” suggestively, his tone so lewd that even without seeing his face, I could imagine the disgusting expression he must have been making.

Wang Yuehan instantly understood their intentions. Her unease peaked, and she turned to scream, but Zhou Xin lunged forward, grabbing her and clamping a hand over her mouth.

My eyes stayed fixed on the scene as I whispered to Yan Ru, “Quick, take the pictures! Hurry!”

If we didn’t act now, it would be too late.

Sure enough, before Wang Yuehan’s tears could even reach her cheeks or her hair could be mussed, Wei Qinzhou appeared.

Just like back then.

But this time, my goal was entirely different.

The absurd assault was immediately stopped. Wei Qinzhou, who was quite skilled in self-defense, quickly subdued the three boys. He draped his jacket over Wang Yuehan’s shoulders and turned to berate the trio.

“Are you the scum of the school? How could you do something so immoral and illegal? Your parents would be ashamed of you!”

Chen Zhidong, always the coward, looked ready to crawl into a hole out of guilt. Zhou Xin, whose arm Wei Qinzhou had twisted, wore a sheepish expression. Only Sun Danhao remained defiant, glaring silently.

“Do you realize that if I hadn’t shown up, all of your futures would have been ruined? Couldn’t you think before acting? Don’t think being minors gives you immunity!”

Wei Qinzhou then turned to Wang Yuehan, who was still trembling, tears streaming down her face.

“I’m calling the police. I’m calling the police!” she repeated, her fear fading as her gaze grew resolute. “Don’t think girls these days are easy targets. You’ll pay for what you’ve done!”

Chen Zhidong immediately dropped to his knees, tears and snot running down his face as if he were the victim. “Teacher Wang, Teacher Wei, please…”

Sun Danhao clenched his teeth and sneered. “Go ahead, call them. Do you have any proof? What did we even do?”

Wei Qinzhou, infuriated by his lack of remorse, nearly punched Sun Danhao. He held back, lowering his fist, and said, “I’m not hitting you because I’m afraid of paying damages—it’s because I don’t want to touch trash!”

With that, he led Wang Yuehan away.

The three boys, thoroughly humiliated, watched them go. Zhou Xin spat at Wei Qinzhou’s retreating back like a fool clinging to moral victories. Sun Danhao kicked the kneeling Chen Zhidong and spat out one word: “Useless.”

They slunk away into the darkness.

Satisfied, I turned to Yan Ru. “Did you get the pictures?”

No response.

In the darkness, Yan Ru looked at me with a calm, almost indifferent gaze.

This look was all too familiar.

Wasn’t this exactly how he’d looked at me when we first met?

We stood in silent confrontation, neither willing to yield.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, meeting my eyes directly.

“Yan Ru, is this what you did back then too?”