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墨書 Inktalez
In recent days, Mary had been talking to Juan Juan every night. She had known about this for over a week but kept it a secret from me, fearing it would affect my mood and the investigation. It wasn't until the case was concluded that she finally told me.
I understood Juan Juan's character; on the surface, she appeared to be a strong woman, but deep down, she was just a girl. I knew this situation had deeply hurt her, and I could imagine the confusion, anger, and sadness contained in the message Juan Juan had sent me.
Mary sat on the sofa, holding a large cushion in her arms, and said to me, "Brother Shao, I know Sister Juan is just being stubborn. She has always liked you. Her decision to marry someone else was made in anger; it was an impulsive choice. Brother Shao, the wedding is tomorrow at noon. You need to take her away from the ceremony."
"That's right." After learning about this situation, Yan Junde felt extremely guilty. Although it had nothing to do with him, he felt personally involved. He said, "Let's take a flight back right now and stop them from getting married."
I remained silent, sitting alone on the sofa. My mind was in chaos; I couldn't believe that the woman I had loved for six years would end up marrying someone else, and the wedding was happening tomorrow. My emotions urged me to chase after Juan Juan, but my rational side reminded me that a mature person's decisions must also be mature.
Perhaps what I wanted to give and what I could give were things that Juan Juan didn't need.
Seeing my silence, Mary continued, "Brother Shao, as a woman, I understand women. Sister Juan isn't angry because you left without saying goodbye or because you ran away from the wedding. She knows you came to solve a case and to save Dezi. What she's angry about is that you didn't tell her about this situation; she's upset because you assumed she would have stopped you from coming here if you had informed her."
"Sister Juan is also part of the Special Investigation Team." Mary's eyes seemed to glisten with tears as she spoke. "Whether we admit it or not, we can't deny that in just one year since the Special Investigation Team was established, we've grown accustomed to this way of life. When faced with an incident, I habitually investigate all backgrounds; when meeting someone, I observe their details like a detective to guess what they might do or what their profession is."
"This is our life," Mary said. "The life we love and yearn for. We face darkness yet seek out light."
Her words resonated deeply within each of us. We had all felt the helplessness brought by the investigation into the Human Meat Canning Case at its conclusion. We felt powerless and sorrowful upon witnessing so much darkness on the dark web. Having seen too much darkness made us feel as though the world itself was dark.
Yet deep down was an indomitable spirit seeking light amidst that darkness.
"Sister Juan is angry because during the Special Investigation Team's operation, you didn't involve her," Mary stated firmly. "You should know that Dezi is not just your friend."
I rubbed my temples and replied, "But things have already progressed this far. I've already disrupted her wedding once; I can't do it again. If I do this, think of how much it would hurt Juan Juan's family and how serious the negative impact would be."
"Maybe we were never meant to be; we just happened to be together for six years," I said.
"Sister Juan sent us both invitations." Mary pulled an invitation from her bag and said, "We'll wait for you at the wedding venue. Remember, if you're not there by noon tomorrow, it will all be too late. I've left the address on a note for you. Captain, I've always believed in you."
Yan Junde patted my shoulder and said, "Team Leader, bring her back."
I stared at the address on the note for the entire afternoon, until the last glimmer of light faded into darkness. I couldn't find the words to describe my feelings; it was as if I were water disappearing into water, leaving no trace behind, creating not even a ripple. The dormitory was shrouded in darkness, and the officers outside seemed to be busy, while everything around me fell into a silent world.
I moved through my routine like a walking corpse—eating, washing my face, then sleeping. But that night, no matter how I tossed and turned, sleep eluded me. Every time I closed my eyes, memories of my time with Juan Juan flooded back. The first time I met her, our first mission together, our first meal, our first date, our first kiss, our first...
My six years had passed from youth to maturity, from a reckless kid to the leader of the Special Investigation Team—all of it spent with her by my side. I had watched her transform from a vibrant young woman into a mature and wise individual. Those six years were unforgettable.
I don't know how long it had been when I finally opened my eyes; sunlight streamed in at an angle, warm and inviting.
I glanced at the clock—it was already ten o'clock.
Two more hours to go.
There was a knock at the door. When I opened it, I was surprised to see Yan Junde's mother standing there. Before I could express my astonishment, she spoke sternly, "Can you really accept this outcome? If we don't find the Killer in this case, can you live with that? You can't leave the Special Investigation Team, and you can't leave her either."
Yan Junde's mother pressed me with a serious tone. I couldn't help but question myself: Could I accept this outcome? Could I be at peace with it? If I were to lose her forever, could I bear it? The answer was clear—I could not. As the time drew closer to noon, my anxiety and unease intensified.
I couldn't deceive myself about this.
"I've walked this path at your age," Yan Junde's mother continued. "You know some things are impossible to hide—like a cough, like poverty, like love. Can you hide it from others? Or can you hide it from yourself?"
She gently ruffled my hair and added, "Do you know that since Yan Junde left her job, she's been inexplicably lost? A person who can't completely let go of their beloved work cannot possibly let go of their most cherished person. As the leader of the Special Investigation Team, I'm now commanding you as an old officer: bring her back!"
Indeed, if I couldn't abandon the Special Investigation Team after just one year of joining, how could I abandon a woman who had been with me for six years?
"I'll bring her back! I'm going right now!" I clenched my fists and declared.
"As a police officer, I shouldn't really be encouraging you to do this," Yan Junde's Mother said with a smile. "But I have to say, well done, go for it!" With that, she handed me a phone.
I immediately rushed to the airport, my mind racing. The wedding for the couple was scheduled for noon, and the flight would take an hour from Cangtai City to Yuzhou City. Considering potential delays of half an hour and travel time, there was no way I could make it to the wedding venue in under two hours.
Realizing this, I quickly called my department, hoping to secure a plane ticket as fast as possible. To my surprise, I still held the position of team leader for the special case unit, so without hesitation, I booked a ticket through the department that allowed me to skip security checks. It was only just before boarding the plane that I finished my call with Li Bo.
When I stepped off the plane, the time read 11:20 AM—just forty minutes left.
I sprinted outside, and a car pulled up in front of me. Without a second thought, I jumped in. Inside, Li Bo looked at me, shaking his head and nodding at the same time. "I must be crazy to agree to this," he said. "Li the Tiger said we could use the excuse of a drill. I really don’t get it; if you’re insane, why is he going along with you?"
Just as he finished speaking, a helicopter appeared above us, maintaining pace with the car. A rope was thrown down, and I remarked, "You’d go crazy too if you were in my shoes." With that, I opened the sunroof and leaped up to grab the rope.
The helicopter carried me away into the distance as I climbed up towards it.
"The area has too many tall buildings," the pilot informed me. "Even though their wedding venue is on a lawn, there are too many people for us to land there. According to orders from above, we'll drop you on top of a building across from them."
I glanced at my watch—it was 11:40 AM.
I didn’t say anything; I simply gave the pilot an OK sign.
At 11:50 AM.
"We're almost at the drop point," the pilot announced. "Prepare for rope descent!"
When I stood on top of the building, it was 11:55 AM.
The roar of the helicopter was drowned out by the sound of fireworks; time was running out and the fireworks grew louder. Everyone stood up, watching as the newlyweds walked down the red carpet towards the stage. To my surprise, Li the Tiger was officiating; he stood on stage with an indescribable expression directed at me.
He was the only one who saw the helicopter.
I tapped my finger against my temple; this moment had finally arrived. On the rooftop, a long rope lay quietly on the radio tower. I secured my safety harness and began to rappel down from the building. Inside, a little girl looked at me in amazement from the window and asked, "Uncle, are you a hero?"
"For some people, yes. For me, too."
Indeed.
As I descended, it was twelve o'clock.
Li the Tiger was saying something on stage as I rushed toward him with all my speed. Getting closer, Li the Tiger's voice came through the microphone: "You should always be gentle and dignified, submit to this person, love him, help him, and build a family with him. You must respect his family as your own, strive to be filial, and fulfill your duties as a wife for a lifetime. In front of everyone, are you willing to do this?"
"I am not willing!" I gasped.
Everyone turned around in surprise.
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