Roses in Flames

Xiao Lin prepared three dishes and a soup, all of which were Ye Yuntang's favorites.

She took a few bites, then put down her chopsticks.

I feel so upset that I can't eat anything.

She got up, left the restaurant, returned to her room, and took a hot shower.

But when I came out of the bathroom, my hands and feet were still trembling uncontrollably, and my heart was aching terribly.

She walked into the living room. The lights were still on. The man hadn't left. He was leaning against the balcony railing, his tall frame holding a cigarette he'd taken a few puffs of.

He doesn't usually smoke heavily, unless he's under a lot of pressure or feeling down.

The night stretched his shadow long, conveying a sense of loneliness and desolation.

Ye Yuntang stared at him for a while, and the man noticed her gaze, turning around to look at her.

He stubbed out his cigarette and strode over to her.

"Where did you go this afternoon?" he asked in a low voice.

She lowered her long eyelashes and remained silent.

He saw that her eyes were red and swollen, clearly from crying, and his heart tightened. "Have you been crying for a long time?"

She remained silent, like a closed-off, isolated island.

Xiao Lin sighed, his voice low and hoarse, "I'm going on a mission in a few days. Are you sure you want to keep refusing to talk to me?"

His words pierced her heart like a needle.

She looked up at him abruptly, her delicate brows furrowed. "Why did you do that? Were you worried about me, afraid something would happen to me, that's why you rushed to the front?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Lin said in a deep, hoarse voice, "It's not entirely because of you. This criminal organization has been causing harm for many years, ruining countless families. The higher-ups screened many people, and in the end, I was the most suitable one."

He reached out and pointed to the navy blue shirt he was wearing. "I haven't forgotten a single word of the oath we took under the national flag back then. We swore to be loyal to our duties, to enforce the law impartially, to be honest and upright, to put the country and the people first, to step forward in times of crisis, and to never back down in the face of evil."

As he spoke, his eyes burned with fervor. "I am a criminal investigator, but more importantly, I am a soldier. The battlefield is there, the evil is there, but I will not be afraid, nor will I back down."

Seeing the tears sliding down her cheeks, he raised his finger and gently wiped them away. "I know it's hard for you to accept, but please believe me. Everything I've done is not only to give your sister an explanation, but also for this police uniform, and for the countless homes behind me. I know you'll wait for me. Don't worry, I'll come back."

Ye Yuntang could no longer control her emotions, and she slowly closed her eyes.

Her long eyelashes trembled violently, and tears streamed down her face.

The man reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms.

She stopped struggling, tears streaming down her face, and leaned against his chest, clutching his collar tightly with both hands. "Xiao Lin, I'm so scared..."

The man raised his large hand and patted the back of her head. "Don't be afraid, wait for me to come back."

The two of them just held each other like that, without saying anything or doing anything else.

……

Over the next few days, Xiao Lin was busy handing over his work, so busy that he barely had time to rest.

All preparations for the undercover operation were carried out quietly.

Few people in the police station knew about this, besides Chief Shao, Ye Yuntang, and Cheng Lei.

Xiao Lin handed over all his work to Cheng Lei.

Time flew by, and the day arrived when Xiao Lin was to leave.

Before he goes on a mission, he has to go back to Beijing to make a final identity change.

As Xiao Lin left home in the morning, he glanced at the apartment across the street.

He had already formally said goodbye to Ye Yuntang last night, and she shouldn't be up yet at this time.

Not wanting to make her cry again, he didn't go over and knock on the door across the street.

Cheng Lei's car was already parked downstairs.

"Boss."

Cheng Lei got out of the car and took Xiao Lin's luggage.

The car arrived at the airport.

Xiao Lin took out his phone, hesitated for a long time, and then sent a message to Ye Yuntang.

"I'm leaving now. Wait for me to come back. Take good care of yourself while I'm not around."

Xiao Lin entered the airport.

Cheng Lei's eyes welled up with tears. "Boss, take good care of yourself. I'll be waiting for you to come back."

Xiao Lin patted Cheng Lei on the shoulder, "Okay."

Xiao Lin was about to turn and leave when a hurried voice called out, "Xiao Lin!"

Upon hearing Ye Yuntang's voice, Xiao Lin was startled.

He quickly turned around.

Ye Yuntang stood not far away. She must have rushed over in a hurry. Her eyes were red, but she tried hard not to cry.

She walked quickly toward him, but her body swayed slightly.

Xiao Lin glanced at her legs, his brows furrowed, and he strode over to her.

"What happened to your leg? Did you fall?"

Ye Yuntang did not answer his question; instead, she reached out her hand to him.

A talisman appeared in her palm.

Xiao Lin glanced at it, his brows furrowing even more deeply. "You went to Ling'an Temple to ask for it?"

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Yes, I had it blessed by a master."

His breath hitched slightly.

The abbot of Ling'an Temple does not easily consecrate items unless the person is particularly sincere.

Xiao Lin glanced at Ye Yuntang's knees. "You didn't kneel and kowtow all the way up the mountain, did you?"

Ye Yuntang lowered her long eyelashes and nodded silently.

Xiao Lin's facial features were tense. "Are you stupid? I can't carry any personal belongings with me."

Ye Yuntang raised her long eyelashes to look at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I know."

She sniffled, her voice choked with emotion, "After you arrived in Beijing, I left you at home. I just wanted to put your mind at ease. Only after I asked for it will I feel a little better."

A reddening appeared in Xiao Lin's dark, deep eyes. He slightly raised his head, controlling his emotions, and asked, "Are you stupid?"

Ye Yuntang placed the amulet in his palm. "Xiao Lin, you promised me you would come back safely. I'm waiting for you."

Xiao Lin nodded.

He stared at her for a few more seconds, then turned to Cheng Lei, who was watching them from a distance, and asked, "Can I hug you?"

She said she didn't want her colleagues to know.

He wouldn't force her if she didn't want to.

As soon as he finished speaking, she threw herself into his arms.

Cheng Lei, who was standing not far away, was dumbfounded.