Roses in Flames

The implication of seizing power in Qin Feng's words was self-evident.

He didn't mean to make her and Xiao Lin avoid suspicion; he clearly wanted to use the case to suppress Xiao Lin.

He's just the vice-captain, yet he doesn't respect the captain at all?

Who exactly is this Qin Feng?

He, a newly transferred deputy captain, was able to casually dial Director Zheng's number and get Director Zheng to issue orders without saying a word.

She could tell that Director Zheng was on Qin Feng's side.

Upon hearing Qin Feng's words, Cheng Lei and Song Che stepped forward, wanting to say something, but Xiao Lin immediately gave them a meaningful look.

Cheng Lei and Song Che swallowed back the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

Xiao Lin suppressed his aura and handed over all the preliminary on-site investigation records, key points of personnel interviews, and other materials to Qin Feng.

After the handover was completed, Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang stood aside and ceased their investigation of the case.

Outside the auditorium, the night grew deep.

After nearly four hours of investigation, Ye Mo was cleared of suspicion.

Ye Mo, Ye Yuntang, and Xiao Lin walked out of the campus in silence.

Ye Yuntang drove over and led the two of them to her car.

Ye Yuntang looked at Ye Mo, raised her hand, and gently touched Ye Mo's head. "Xiao Mo, were you frightened?"

Ye Mo shook his head, took out his phone, and typed a line:

"It's all my fault, I dragged my sister and brother-in-law into this."

Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang said in unison, "It's none of your business."

After getting into the car, Ye Yuntang looked at Xiao Lin, who was sitting in the passenger seat and seemed somewhat silent, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, "What is the relationship between Qin Feng and Director Zheng? Director Zheng never cared about these details before."

Xiao Lin pursed his thin lips. "I don't know, but it's probably someone Director Zheng has his eye on." He paused slightly before continuing, "The bureau is divided into two factions, you should know that, right?"

Ye Yuntang nodded. "I heard that Director Zheng has quite a few complaints about Director Shao."

"After I was transferred here, I solved more cases, and I was also one of Director Shao's key personnel, so..." Xiao Lin's facial features were tense, "To put it bluntly, Qin Feng's transfer here this time was arranged by Director Zheng to check and balance Director Shao's power."

Ye Yuntang's delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly. "Won't Qin Feng then suppress you in every way from now on?"

Xiao Lin tapped his long, well-defined fingers on his knee, his dark eyes calm and resolute. "I'm not someone anyone can replace or suppress. Qin Feng used to be in the same police academy as me. From enrollment to graduation, whether it was theoretical grades or practical training, he was always crushed by me."

Xiao Lin let out a cold sneer. "All these years, he's been holding back, trying to surpass me and prove he's more capable. But solving cases is about real skill, not having someone backing you up. He's still far from that!"

Seeing the confident and composed light shining in Xiao Lin's deep eyes, Ye Yuntang's worries and concerns faded away. She gave him a thumbs up, "Captain Xiao, who is both confident and capable, is really handsome and charming."

Ye Mo also gave Xiao Lin a thumbs up, his eyes sparkling with the admiration of a fanboy for his idol.

"And..." Xiao Lin paused for a moment before saying, "Qin Feng probably likes Su Qingran. He heard that Su Qingran had feelings for me during the social event, which made him even more disgusted with me."

Ye Yuntang shook her head speechlessly. "So it seems that Qin Feng's actions are not only aimed at seizing power and establishing checks and balances, but also at personal grudges. How utterly tasteless."

Xiao Lin pursed his thin lips. "Don't worry, I don't even care about his tricks. If it comes to investigating cases, he could practice for another ten years and still not catch up with me."

Ye Yuntang nodded. "No matter what he does, I'll always stand by your side."

Having worked with Xiao Lin on several cases, she knew perfectly well how professional he was when investigating cases and how rigorous he was in handling evidence.

He would neither wrong an innocent person nor let any real culprit escape.

He exudes an aura of righteousness from the very core of his being.

On the drive back, Ye Yuntang sighed and said, "Life is so unpredictable. We just saw Zhao Jiashu cursing his father like that, saying that his father was a coward and useless, and telling his father to find a rope and hang himself. I never thought that he would be the one to suffer such a thing."

Ye Mo, who was sitting in the back row, handed his phone, which he had typed on, to Xiao Lin.

"Sister, brother-in-law, I overheard Zhao Jiashu telling Luo Zilin and Ye Yuhang that his mother found him a very rich stepfather, and that his mother was about to rise to prominence. He also said that his mother looked down on his truck-driving father, saying he was even worse than a good-for-nothing. Zhao Jiashu was very proud when he said this."

While waiting at the traffic light, Ye Yuntang took a look at her phone.

"No wonder Zhao Jiashu cursed his father like that; it turns out he was taught by his mother. How dare he brag about something like that? What a weirdo."

Ye Yuntang looked at Xiao Lin, "Do you think it's possible that Zhao's father switched the props?"

Xiao Lin's dark eyes narrowed. "We can't rule out that possibility, but Zhao Jiashu is arrogant, selfish, and opportunistic. He must have offended a lot of people. We'll have to get solid evidence to determine who the real culprit is."

This incident at the school anniversary gala made Ye Yuntang worried that Ye Mo would be scared, so she stayed at her mother's house to sleep that night.

Xiao Lin drove Ye Yuntang's car back to his rented apartment.

The next day, after get off work, Ye Yuntang went back to her mother's place as usual.

She was downstairs when she saw Xiao Lin's SUV.

After Xiao Lin was prevented from handling Zhao Jiashu's case, he simply took his annual leave.

Ye Yuntang didn't see him at the police station today.

She never expected him to come to her house.

She hurried upstairs and opened the door with some confusion.

Ye Mo was watching TV when he saw Ye Yuntang return, and immediately went to greet her.

"Has Xiao Lin arrived?" Ye Yuntang asked.

Ye Mo nodded and pulled Ye Yuntang to the kitchen door.

Xiao Lin and Song Xuan were cooking in the kitchen. Song Xuan was chopping vegetables and helping out, while Xiao Lin was the head chef.

Xiao Lin was dressed in all black. He was tall and upright with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His movements as he flipped the wok were both neat and handsome.

His mother would occasionally cast admiring glances at him.

The two chatted about everyday things, and the atmosphere seemed exceptionally harmonious.

Ye Yuntang was both surprised and bewildered. She walked into the kitchen, called out "Mom" to Song Xuan, and then glared at Xiao Lin, "Why are you here? You didn't even tell me. Are you that familiar with my mom now?"

Before Xiao Lin could say anything, Song Xuan spoke up, "I invited Xiao over. Your brother was practicing the piano, and he came over to give him some pointers after get off work. I invited him over for dinner, and I was originally going to cook for him."

Song Xuan smiled broadly. "But this kid insisted on cooking, saying he wanted us to try his cooking. There aren't many boys this diligent and capable these days."

Ye Yuntang: "He's already twenty-eight, and he's still a boy."

Song Xuan glared at Ye Yuntang, "In my eyes, isn't he just like a child?"

Xiao Lin, who had been silent, suddenly picked up a piece of food and held it to Ye Yuntang's lips.

The tall, upright figure turned slightly to the side, saying, "Try the saltiness."

Meeting his deep and focused gaze, Ye Yuntang's heart seemed to skip a beat.