"Healing, do you think I’m an idiot? Any time is good for healing. When I need your help, then you suddenly need treatment." Zhang Ting naturally didn’t believe it. She thought Ye Shikai was shirking and perfunctory, simply not wanting to help her. Initially, Ye Shikai had said it would be fine as long as she obtained the superior’s approval document. It took Zhang Ting half a day pleading with Song Tian to send out that letter. Now, finally with the signed document in hand, Ye Shikai was backtracking.
"Good heavens." Ye Shikai felt somewhat at a loss between laughter and tears; to explain now would only make things worse. "Forget it, come out now, let’s have a proper chat."
"Fine, I’ll trust you one more time. If you dare to deceive me again, I’ll cripple you," Zhang Ting said through gritted teeth, sounding fiercely threatening before hanging up the phone.
"Ah, what a hassle." Ye Shikai sighed. It couldn’t be helped; since he had promised, he couldn’t stand her up.
They had agreed to meet at an upscale coffee shop. To show his apology, Ye Shikai arrived early and had even ordered drinks in advance. Ten minutes later, a tall woman strode towards him, exuding a fierce "killing intent" from head to toe.
Gulp, Ye Shikai swallowed, smiling awkwardly.
"Hmph, speak quickly. Once you’re done, I’ll send you on your way," Zhang Ting said unceremoniously as she sat down, resting one foot over the other, and downed the iced coffee on the table in one gulp.
"What, send on my way?" Ye Shikai almost spat out his drink. Could she be here for revenge?
"Go to the police station, to investigate the case. Dare to stand up this old lady, hmph," Zhang Ting rolled her eyes. "Do you know how busy the police station has been these last few days? And you, you jerk, even dared to go... what... on a convalescent holiday."
"First of all, I went to get treatment, not a vacation. Secondly, I’m not officially part of your police force, I just came to help," Ye Shikai murmured.
"Hmph, I don’t care. You promised me. If you go back on your word... I..." Zhang Ting stumbled over her words; indeed, if Ye Shikai backpedaled, what could she really do?
"If I go back on my word, what can you do about it?" Ye Shikai said with a smile, lifting his cup to take a sip of coffee. That’s when Zhang Ting’s ’delicate jade hand’ nearly made him choke on his coffee...
"Ye, dare to deceive me, you’re coming with me right now." Zhang Ting’s temper flared after hearing that, grabbed Ye Shikai’s arm, and dragged him out of the coffee shop, stuffing him into a police car.
"Alright, I was just kidding. Can we go now?" Ye Shikai said smiling. Zhang Ting’s mood slightly improved, and on their way, Ye Shikai sent a text to Su Qingyu, reporting his safety. She didn’t say much, just gave him some warnings before agreeing.
Seeing Ye Shikai smiling at his phone the whole trip, Zhang Ting felt a certain displeasure she couldn’t quite articulate. With the siren blaring, they raced unimpeded...
Inside the police station, just as Ye Shikai expected, one could tell by the officers’ expressions that they were indeed incredibly busy, with everyone hurrying as if being pushed.
"Hmph, see, this is all the trouble you’ve caused."
"Hey, what does this have to do with me? I’m not the murderer," Ye Shikai said with an innocent face, determined not to take the blame for this one.
"Ting, you’re finally back." At that moment, a female officer walked up briskly, as if seeing a savior. Ye Shikai recognized her; she was Zhang Ting’s junior from the police academy, who had just joined the police force.
"Ting, Director Song wants you to go see him immediately." After the female officer spoke, she then noticed Ye Shikai, "This is... Mr. Ye, right?"
"Exactly," Ye Shikai nodded politely.
"I know you. You solved the Xun Long and Huatao Bridge cases. I’ve heard about it in the police academy." The female officer suddenly became excited, like a fan-girl meeting her dream star.
"It was nothing," Ye Shikai waved his hand modestly, though a proud smile crept onto his lips.
"Cough cough." At this, Zhang Ting coughed, and the officer realized her enthusiasm was inappropriate.
"Chen, go take care of the matters at hand," Zhang Ting said sternly, her tone full of rebuke. It was clear that Zhang Ting took her work very seriously.
"Come with me. Director Song wants to see you too," Zhang Ting turned and spoke to Ye Shikai.
In the meeting room, Song Tian had just attended a meeting and happened to run into them as he walked out.
"Mr. Song, long time no see," Ye Shikai greeted him courteously.
"Ye, we’ll need to trouble you again this time." Song Tian’s grim expression finally relaxed somewhat, looking quite relieved upon seeing Ye Shikai.
"It’s what I should do."
"Zhang, take Ye to the special information room and show him the files. I have faith in the two of you to solve this case," Song Tian patted Zhang Ting’s shoulder in encouragement.
"What, Director Song, what do you mean by... the two of us?" Zhang Ting asked curiously.
"The meeting just now, we discussed this case. We’re setting up a special task force, and you’ll be the leader," Song Tian’s tone became serious, causing both of them to tense up.
"What, I’m the leader?" Zhang Ting hesitated, seemingly worried, "Director Song, am I capable?"
"No problem, have confidence in yourself. Besides, the two of you did a great job on your last case. I trust you," Song Tian turned to Ye Shikai, "As for Ye, he will act as an external advisor, participating in the case-solving operation. I hope you two can cooperate well."
"Ye, I hope you’ll put in a good effort as well."
"No problem, Mr. Song."
"Then, I have some other business to attend to, you should go quickly." Song Tian nodded contentedly and left the meeting room.
Police Station, Special Records Room.
In this room, countless case files were on display, the history of crimes. Every major case, whether solved or unsolved, is recorded here.
"Congratulations, a heavy responsibility lies ahead," Ye Shikai said teasingly.
"You’re still mocking me, huh?" Zhang Ting glared at him fiercely.
"Right, you mentioned last time that the murderer struck twice, is that right?" Getting back to the matter at hand, now being a member of the task force, naturally, he should give his best to solve the case quickly.
"Killed two people consecutively, but what’s so special about that?" Ye Shikai was curious. "Could it be that, like the Mothman case before, these victims died in peculiar ways?"
"It’s not that the manner of death is peculiar, it’s that the method of the crimes is peculiar."