The sound grew louder,and everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.The door opened,and Lian Ziho entered with Zheng Rui close behind him.Both were slightly out of breath from hurrying through the rain.Lian Ziho took only a few steps inside before his eyes landed on the large monitor.He stopped completely.His expression changed in an instant."Suo Ran..."His eyes remained fixed on the screen as the light from the ceiling fan briefly revealed Suo Ran's face.
Lian Ziho took another step forward.Then his gaze shifted to the smaller figure tied beside him."Jun Wei..."His face tightened with disbelief.He turned toward Zheng Rui, "They're...in danger.They took Jun Wei first, and then Suo ran and we can't do anything." Zheng Rui looked at the screen and his expression became serious.He didn't answer immediately.Lian Ziho moved closer to the monitor,his hands slowly clenching. "How did this happen?"His voice trembled with anger."We were looking for Jun Wei,and now Suo Ran is there too.How did they get both of them?" His eyes moved across the room and stopped on Cai Lang.Cai Lang stood silently near the monitor.
Lian Ziho's anger immediately crossed the distance between them in a few quick steps and grabbed Cai Lang by the collar."How did they find Suo Ran?"Cai Lang didn't react. Lian Ziho's grip tightened."I'm asking you. How did they find him?"Cai Lang looked down briefly at Lian Ziho's hand before meeting his eyes."I don't know."Lian Ziho's expression darkened."You don't know?"He pulled Cai Lang slightly closer."You were with him at the hospital.What were you doing when they took him?"Cai Lang's eyes became colder,but he remained completely still."I wasn't there when it happened."
Lian Ziho's anger flared."Then how did you let them take him?"Cai Lang's jaw tightened. "I didn't let anyone take him."Lian Ziho stared at him."But you left him there."Cai Lang's gaze hardened."I left him under medical care.I had no reason to believe the hospital wasn't safe."Lian Ziho's voice rose." And now he's tied to a chair!"He pointed toward the monitor."Look at them!"Cai Lang's eyes briefly shifted toward Suo Ran on the screen,but his expression remained controlled."I can see that."Lian Ziho shook his head."Then how can you stand there like nothing happened?"Cai Lang's voice was low."Because losing control won't bring him back."Lian Ziho's eyes flashed."Don't tell me to control myself."His grip tightened again. "You should have been there."
Cai Lang looked directly into his eyes."I can't always stay beside Suo Ran."His voice was calm,but there was a sharp edge beneath it."I had to leave.I was looking for Jun Wei." Lian Ziho stared at him."And that makes it acceptable?"Cai Lang's expression hardened."No.It makes it necessary."Lian Ziho's anger only grew."Necessary?You left him alone when he was injured."
Cai Lang's eyes narrowed."I left him in a hospital under medical care.I had another person to find."He paused."You keep talking about where I was.What about you?"Lian Ziho's expression changed slightly.Cai Lang continued,"Where were you when Suo Ran disappeared?"Lian Ziho opened his mouth, but Cai Lang didn't give him time to answer. "You weren't there either."Lian Ziho's jaw tightened."I was searching for Jun Wei."Cai Lang gave a cold nod."Exactly."
Lian Ziho stared at him."Don't turn this around on me."Cai Lang stepped closer."I'm not turning anything around.I'm asking you to look at the whole situation."His gaze hardened."Everyone was looking for Jun Wei.We all thought finding him was the priority."Lian Ziho's expression faltered for a moment as he glanced toward the screen. "And while we were doing that,they took Suo Ran."Cai Lang's eyes remained cold."Yes." Lian Ziho's hand slowly loosened from his collar,but his anger hadn't disappeared."You still should have stayed."
Cai Lang loosened his tie,his patience finally wearing thin."You're still talking about this? You keep blaming me for leaving,yet you haven't asked yourself why any of this happened."Lian Ziho's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"Cai Lang looked directly at him."It's happening because of you."Lian Ziho stared at him in disbelief."Me?"His voice rose."Because of me?What the hell are you talking about?"
Cai Lang gave a short,humorless laugh."You really want me to say it?"Lian Ziho stepped closer."Yes.Say it."Cai Lang's expression hardened."If you hadn't left the house with them without telling me,this wouldn't have happened."Lian Ziho froze for a second. "Don't put this on me."Cai Lang continued before he could interrupt."Even if you decided to leave.It was your responsibility to keep them safe."
Lian Ziho's face flushed with anger."My responsibility?"Cai Lang nodded coldly. "Yes.It was your responsibility."He pointed toward the screen."Look at them.They're tied up because we failed to keep them out of danger."Lian Ziho's eyes flashed."You think I wanted this?"Cai Lang's voice sharpened."I think you made a choice without telling anyone,and now you're pretending that choice had nothing to do with what happened."
Lian Ziho stepped forward."You have no idea why we left."Cai Lang's jaw tightened. "Then tell me."Lian Ziho stared at him."You really want to know?"Cai Lang didn't blink. "Yes."Lian Ziho's voice shook with anger. "We left because...Before Lian ziho could answer, Han Yi stepped between them and firmly caught Lian Ziho's wrist."Enough."
Lian Ziho looked at him angrily.Han Yi didn't move."It's not time for an argument."His voice was firm and controlled."They're still in danger,and we have to find a solution instead of fighting among ourselves."He released Lian Ziho's wrist and pointed toward the screen."We have to find them." Lian Ziho's breathing remained heavy,but he slowly released Cai Lang's collar.
Cai Lang straightened his coat without saying anything.Qin Yue watched the two men carefully..She quietly stepped beside Zheng Rui and lowered her voice."What are they doing?"Zheng Rui glanced at her. "Arguing."Qin Yue gave him an unimpressed look."I know they're arguing.I mean...what are they actually arguing about?"Zheng Rui looked toward Cai Lang and Lian Ziho again."You really want to know?"Qin Yue nodded immediately."Obviously."
Zheng Rui sighed."Then don't ask me to repeat it if someone hears you."Qin Yue leaned slightly closer."I'm listening."Zheng Rui lowered his voice."This isn't really about Suo Ran being taken."Qin Yue's eyes widened slightly."I knew it."She glanced toward them again."There's something else between those two."Zheng Rui nodded."A lot more than something."Qin Yue's curiosity grew."How much more?"Zheng Rui hesitated."Enough that Cai Lang blaming Lian Ziho for leaving the house isn't just about today's investigation."
Qin Yue looked at him."Wait.They live together?"Zheng Rui immediately looked at her."Keep your voice down."Qin Yue covered her mouth for a second,then whispered,"Sorry.But that's important." Zheng Rui shook his head."You misunderstood."Qin Yue narrowed her eyes. "Did I?"Zheng Rui looked toward Cai Lang. "Let's just say they have...history."
Qin Yue's expression became even more curious."What kind of history?"Zheng Rui gave her a warning look."The kind you don't ask about while they're standing ten feet away."Qin Yue glanced at Lian Ziho."But judging by that argument,I'm guessing it's complicated."Zheng Rui muttered, "Very." Qin Yue watched Cai Lang straighten his cuff with that same calm expression.Then she looked at Lian Ziho,whose face was still flushed with anger.Her eyes moved between them several times.Interesting.They were clearly angry with each other,but neither of them had actually walked away.Cai Lang could have ended the argument by simply leaving,but he stayed.Lian Ziho could have continued shouting,but the moment Cai Lang mentioned certain things,his anger changed into something much more personal....
Qin Yue narrowed her eyes. "Wait..."She looked at Zheng Rui."They don't hate each other."Zheng Rui glanced at her."What makes you say that?"Qin Yue lowered her voice."If they really hated each other,Cai Lang wouldn't be this angry,and Lian Ziho wouldn't care this much about what Cai Lang thinks."Zheng Rui was silent for a moment.Qin Yue continued watching them. "They're arguing like two people who already know exactly where to hurt each other."
Zheng Rui slowly nodded."That's...not completely wrong."Qin Yue's curiosity grew. "So there's definitely something."Zheng Rui gave her a tired look."You really won't let this go,will you?"Qin Yue smiled faintly."Not after seeing that argument."She glanced at Lian Ziho again."And look at him.He's still angry, but every few seconds he's checking whether Cai Lang is still there."
Zheng Rui followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow."You noticed that too."Qin Yue nodded."Of course."She looked back at Cai Lang."And Cai Lang keeps pretending he doesn't care,but he hasn't stopped watching Lian Ziho either."Zheng Rui's mouth twitched slightly."Now you're getting dangerous."Qin Yue leaned closer."I'm just saying...there's definitely a story here." Zheng Rui sighed."Probably one you're better off not hearing."
Qin Yue looked at him."That's exactly what someone says when there's a very interesting story."Zheng Rui almost smiled. "You're impossible."Qin Yue glanced toward Lian Ziho again."So who usually wins?" Zheng Rui looked at her."You really have chosen the worst possible moment to become curious."Qin Yue whispered,"Make it your last."Qin Yue smiled faintly."Fine.Who usually wins?" Zheng Rui looked at Cai Lang,then at Lian Ziho."Neither.They just stop when someone else gets tired of listening."Qin Yue nearly laughed,but quickly covered it when Han Yi glanced in their direction."Okay,"she whispered."Now I definitely want to know what happened between them."
Zheng Rui shook his head. "Forget it."Qin Yue looked back at the screen."I'm an investigator.I don't forget things."Zheng Rui sighed."Then investigate the kidnappers." Qin Yue smiled slightly."I'm doing both."Lian Ziho suddenly stepped forward again,Zheng Rui stepped forward and grabbed Lian Ziho's arm before he could say anything else."Get a grip."Lian Ziho looked at him angrily."You think I can just stand here and watch this?"Zheng Rui didn't back away. "No.I think you can be angry after we get them back."His voice remained steady."This isn't the time to lose control.You want to save them?Then focus."
Lian Ziho looked at the screen again.His breathing slowly steadied.His eyes settled on Jun Wei,and then moved toward Suo Ran."You're right." Zheng Rui released his arm."Then let's work."For several seconds, nobody spoke. Cai Lang,Hаn Yi,Qin Yue, Lian Ziho,and Zheng Rui all turned their attention toward the live footage.The rain continued beating against the warehouse roof,creating a steady background of distant thunder and water.
Each of them began searching the footage carefully,looking for anything that could reveal where Jun Wei and Suo Ran were being held.Lian Ziho leaned closer to the screen,his eyes moving across the walls and floor."There's nothing obvious."Qin Yue stood beside him."That's probably intentional."Lian Ziho glanced at her."You think they cleaned the place before bringing them there?"Qin Yue shook her head."Not necessarily.They may simply know what we would look for."
Lian Ziho frowned. "Meaning?"Qin Yue pointed toward the screen."They're just giving us just enough information to keep us watching."Lian Ziho looked at the image again."Then there has to be something we are missing."Qin Yue nodded."There usually is."She moved closer to the monitor and adjusted the footage."Look at the light."Lian Ziho followed her gaze."The ceiling fan?"Qin Yue nodded."Every time the light swings,it reveals a different part of the room.We might be able to piece the background together frame by frame."
Lian Ziho gave a small nod."Then let's do that."They watched several seconds of footage in silence.Qin Yue paused the image,then moved forward one frame at a time.Lian Ziho leaned closer."Nothing."Qin Yue shook her head."Wait."She moved another frame."There."Lian Ziho narrowed his eyes."What?"Qin Yue pointed toward the far wall."Something behind Suo Ran."Lian Ziho studied it."I can't make it out."Qin Yue zoomed in."Neither can I."She sighed and stepped back."We need a clearer angle."
Lian Ziho looked at her for a moment before asking,"You've been working this case since the beginning, haven't you?"Qin Yue glanced at him."Yes."Lian Ziho nodded slowly."You don't give up easily."A faint smile touched Qin Yue's face."Neither do you." Lian Ziho looked back at the screen."You don't know me."Qin Yue turned toward him. "Maybe not."She paused for a moment,then looked at him more carefully."But I have a question."Lian Ziho glanced at her."What?" Qin Yue stepped slightly closer."What's your relationship with them?"
Lian Ziho looked at her in surprise."What?" Qin Yue smiled."I didn't mean anything by it."She gestured toward the screen."It's just...you looked very worried when you saw them.I wanted to ask."Lian Ziho stared at her for a moment before looking back at Jun Wei."They're important to me."Qin Yue waited."That's all?"Lian Ziho hesitated."Jun Wei is someone I care about.And him..."He stopped,his expression becoming more complicated."Suo Ran is someone..."He didn't finish.Qin Yue's eyebrows lifted slightly.Someone what?...She watched Lian Ziho's face carefully.He had been furious moments ago,but the moment Suo Ran's name left his mouth,something in his expression changed.The anger faded,and something quieter took its place.Wait...
Qin Yue's eyes narrowed slightly.That's not the look of someone talking about an ordinary friend...Lian Ziho looked back at the screen,and his gaze settled on Suo Ran for a little too long.Qin Yue noticed immediately. Oh...Her eyes flicked toward Cai Lang. Interesting...Cai Lang was standing several steps away.His face was completely unreadable,but his attention hadn't left Suo Ran even once.
Qin Yue looked between the two men.Hold on...Her curiosity sharpened.Lian Ziho is clearly worried about Suo Ran...and Cai Lang hasn't looked away from him since we found the footage...She studied Cai Lang's expression carefully.But Cai Lang and Lian Ziho were nearly fighting over him....Qin Yue's eyebrows rose.So what exactly is going on here?...Her gaze returned to Lian Ziho.Does he like Suo Ran?...Then she looked at Cai Lang again.Or is there something between those two that I don't know about?...
She remembered the argument the way Lian Ziho had grabbed Cai Lang,the way Cai Lang had responded without backing down, the anger that sounded far too personal for a simple disagreement.That wasn't just about today's kidnapping...Qin Yue slowly folded her arms.There is history here...Her eyes moved between Cai Lang,Lian Ziho,and the screen.And somehow,Suo Ran is right in the middle of it... Little smile appeared on her face.Her eyes returned to the screen.Two people are tied up,and I'm trying to figure out who is worried about whom....She sighed silently.But when this is over...I'm definitely finding out....
"Qin Yue?"She didn't react."Qin Yue."Lian Ziho's voice came closer.She was still staring at the screen,completely lost in her thoughts."Qin Yue?"This time,Lian Ziho gently called her shoulder.She suddenly trembled and turned toward him."Ah...yes?" Lian Ziho looked at her with slight confusion. "Are you alright?You've been staring at the screen for quite a while."Qin Yue blinked and quickly straightened herself."I'm fine.I was just thinking."
Lian Ziho glanced toward the monitor."About them?"Qin Yue nodded. "Yes."She paused, then gave him a reassuring look."I understand."Lian Ziho looked at her."Do you?"Qin Yue nodded. "More than you think. If someone I cared about was sitting there, I'd probably react the same way."Lian Ziho looked at her with a faint surprise."You're surprisingly understanding."Qin Yue raised an eyebrow. "Don't sound so surprised."
Before Lian Ziho could answer,Han Yi approached them."Qin Yue,can you please be serious for a second?"Qin Yue looked at him."I am serious."Han Yi pointed toward the monitor."It's not time for introductions." Lian Ziho almost smiled despite himself,but Qin Yue gave Han Yi an unimpressed look."I was asking one question."Han Yi sighed. "Ask questions after we get them back."Qin Yue turned back toward the screen."Fine." She adjusted the footage again."Back to work."Han Yi nodded and moved beside her.
Cai Lang had remained several steps away, his attention fixed on the footage.He hadn't said anything during their conversation,but his eyes continued moving across every visible detail.Then,suddenly,he spoke. "Zheng Rui come here!"Everyone looked at him.Cai Lang stepped toward the monitor. "Look here!"Qin Yue immediately froze the image.Zheng Rui frowned."What?"
Cai Lang pointed toward the screen."Looked here closely."Qin Yue followed his finger and enlarged the section behind Suo Ran and Jun Wei.The image became grainy,but a large metal support beam slowly came into view.A faded yellow-and-black number was painted across it.Han Yi narrowed his eyes. "A warehouse number?"Cai Lang shook his head slowly."Not exactly."Lian Ziho stepped closer."Then what is it?"Cai Lang pointed toward the faded markings."It's a loading-bay identification code."
Zheng Rui frowned."You're sure?"Cai Lang nodded."Several warehouses along the river use different codes for their loading areas. This numbering system is old,but I recognize it."Han Yi looked at him."Where does this one belong?"Cai Lang remained silent for a moment as he studied the number."An old private warehouse complex. "Qin Yue asked,"Still operating?"Cai Lang shook his head."No,it stopped operating years ago."Lian Ziho's expression tightened.
Cai Lang looked at him."The complex was shut down,but the service roads around it were never completely closed."
Han Yi immediately understood."Meaning someone could still access the property."Cai Lang nodded."More importantly,the warehouse sits directly beside an old service road connecting several riverside properties."He pointed toward the faded code."A vehicle could enter from one side and leave through another without appearing on the main road cameras."Qin Yue's eyes sharpened."So they could move Jun Wei and Suo Ran without being seen?" Cai Lang looked at her."Exactly."Han Yi looked back at the screen."Can we identify the exact warehouse?"
Cai Lang's eyes moved lower across the footage.He noticed something near Suo Ran's chair.There was small section of concrete floor was visible whenever the light passed across it.There was a faded red line painted across the concrete.Cai Lang's expression changed."That's it."Lian Ziho immediately looked at him."What?"Cai Lang pointed toward the screen."Look at this red line."
Everyone moved closer.The faded red marking became clearer.Cai Lang continued,"That warehouse uses red floor markings to separate the old loading area from the restricted storage section."Han Yi's eyes sharpened."Restricted storage."Cai Lang nodded."If they're keeping them there, they're not using the public part of the warehouse."Qin Yue looked at the screen. "They're hiding them in the restricted section."Zheng Rui studied the layout in his mind."And that section probably has another exit."
Han Yi immediately understood."Which means if we enter through the main gate, they could move them before we reach them."Cai Lang looked directly at him."Then we don't use the main gate."Lian Ziho stepped forward."You know another way in?"Cai Lang's gaze became cold."I know exactly where the old service entrance is." Han Yi grabbed his coat.Han Yi: "Then let's move."Everyone immediately heads toward the exit.
The cars stopped far from the old private warehouse complex,hidden behind a line of abandoned trucks and overgrown trees.Han Yi stepped out first and looked toward the dark buildings beyond the rain."From here, we walk."He closed the vehicle door quietly and turned toward the others."Keep your phones on silent.No unnecessary talking, and nobody moves away from the group."
Qin Yue pulled her jacket tighter around herself and looked toward the warehouse. "You make it sound like we're walking into a war."Han Yi glanced at her."I'm hoping we aren't.But hoping isn't a strategy."Qin Yue gave a small nod."Fair enough."Cai Lang stood beside the vehicle,his eyes fixed on the warehouse complex."The service entrance is this way."Lian Ziho looked at him."You're sure?"Cai Lang glanced at him."I wouldn't have brought you here if I wasn't."
Lian Ziho frowned."I'm asking because the last time you were sure about something,we ended up with trouble."Cai Lang's expression didn't change."Then don't waste time questioning me and Move."Han Yi stepped between them before the tension could rise again."Not now.We have enough problems."He looked at both of them. "Whatever happened earlier stays behind us until we get them out."Lian Ziho exhaled slowly."Fine."Qin Yue looked between them."You two really need a warning label." Zheng Rui glanced at her."Don't encourage them."Qin Yue shrugged."I'm not.I'm just observing."Han Yi gave her a look."Observe quietly."They began moving.
After several minutes,Qin Yue suddenly slowed down."Wait."Han Yi immediately stopped."What?"She looked toward the side of the road."I thought I saw something." Zheng Rui turned his flashlight slightly toward the bushes."Where?"Qin Yue pointed."There."They moved closer together.Han Yi raised his hand."Stay behind me."He approached the bushes carefully.At first,there was nothing except wet grass and broken pieces of wood.Then he noticed a dark shape lying behind an overturned metal drum.Han Yi crouched. "Someone's here."
Lian Ziho immediately stepped forward. "Are they alive?"Han Yi checked the man's neck. "Yes."Qin Yue hurried beside him.The man was lying on his side,his clothes soaked from the rain.There was blood on his forehead,and one hand was pressed against his ribs."He's badly hurt,"Qin Yue said."But he's breathing."Han Yi looked around. "Check him, if there is any weapon."
Zheng Rui carefully searched the man's jacket and found nothing except an old access card and a phone with a cracked screen.Qin Yue opened the man's jacket slightly to examine the injury."Looks like he was hit hard."Lian Ziho looked toward the warehouse."Could someone have attacked him?"Han Yi nodded."Most likely."Cai Lang remained standing several steps away, watching the warehouse rather than the injured man."He's not from the police."Qin Yue looked up."How do you know?"Cai Lang pointed toward the man's clothes. "Look at his shoes."Qin Yue examined them."Work boots."Cai Lang nodded. "They're covered in the same gray dust that's around the warehouse loading area."
Han Yi's expression sharpened."So he was inside."Lian Ziho crouched beside the man. "Then he might know where Jun Wei and Suo Ran are."Han Yi nodded."Wake him carefully."Qin Yue leaned closer."Sir?Can you hear me?"The man didn't respond.She tried again."Sir,open your eyes."His fingers suddenly twitched.Han Yi immediately leaned closer."Can you hear me?"
The man's eyes opened halfway.He looked terrified.The moment he saw them,he tried to move backward."Don't..."His voice was weak."Don't go..."Qin Yue steadied him. "We're not going anywhere.Tell us what happened."The man swallowed with difficulty."You...shouldn't be here."Han Yi's expression hardened."Why?"The man's eyes moved toward the warehouse."They know..."He struggled to breathe."They know you're coming."Lian Ziho leaned closer. "Who knows?"The injured man looked at him,but fear immediately crossed his face. "Don't say his name."Han Yi exchanged a quick look with Qin Yue."Whose name?"The man shook his head."I can't..."His breathing became uneven.
Qin Yue placed a hand near his shoulder. "Listen to me.You're injured,and we're trying to help you.But we need to know what happened."The man stared at her for several seconds."They...were moving them."Lian Ziho's expression changed."Who?"The man's eyes widened slightly."The boy..."He swallowed."And the other man."Lian Ziho immediately grabbed his arm."Jun Wei and Suo Ran?"The man gave a weak nod.Han Yi leaned closer."Where did they take them?" The man tried to speak,but suddenly froze and his eyes shifted past Han Yi toward the road."They're coming back."
Everyone turned.Han Yi immediately raised his hand."Lights off."Qin Yue switched off her flashlight.The group moved into the darkness.The injured man's breathing became faster."You need to hide,"he whispered."Now."Lian Ziho looked toward the warehouse."Who is coming?"