Chapter 66: Arson

“When did you find out about this?”

“Not long ago, actually. During Qi Xin’s training, she was very interested in those major events that had happened before,” Li Yuan said quietly, her expression softening somewhat. “After all, for a child her age, no matter how mature, they still enjoy novel things.”

Fang Qi had a vague feeling that Li Yuan seemed somewhat changed. It was as if a child once well cared for, somewhat naive and childish, had suddenly matured overnight. Having frequently volunteered at orphanages and nursing homes, he wasn’t unfamiliar with this kind of change. Many children were like this—born into a decent family, only for some sudden accident or unforeseen tragedy to force the eldest child to toughen up and become mature out of necessity, to care for their younger siblings… Was it because of Yu Mi’s departure, and Qi Xin’s arrival?

“How is Qi Xin’s training going?” Fang Qi asked casually. “I’m planning to head back to Team Two. Want a lift?”

Li Yuan nodded, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. “Astonishing performance.”

“Astonishing?” Fang Qi chuckled. “You sound like a proud mother.”

“That’s because you weren’t there to see the whole thing,” Li Yuan retorted without any politeness. “Sang Liao was helping record the tests, and he was even more like a mother than I was. I didn’t even know he could make snow fungus soup. It was in a large thermos—he said snow fungus soup can relieve menstrual cramps.”

Fang Qi mused thoughtfully. “Sang Liao does know how to make soup. I remember he said he planned to learn good cooking to make himself a hot commodity in the matchmaking scene. By the looks of it, he’s already skipped past the matchmaking step and jumped straight to being a parent. Congratulations to him.”

He wasn’t surprised by Sang Liao’s attitude toward Qi Xin. That silent, quiet girl naturally drew out involuntary sympathy in others, just like a cobblestone on a riverbank—smooth and silent, without a single sharp edge to prick anyone. Not to mention her performance in every aspect was practically beyond reproach. He had already read Sang Liao’s report; her written test was an indisputable perfect score. In the prior shooting week training, her first time on the range yielded a score of 49 rings out of 5 shots. In Sang Liao’s words, she was a prodigy. And it wasn’t just accuracy—her psychological composure was just as exceptional. Qi Xin didn’t need any of the live/blank round desensitization training. Her heart rate remained steady, without much fluctuation even at the sudden report of a gunshot.

In other areas, Qi Xin’s performance was equally outstanding: 400 meters in 1 minute 8 seconds, and 1500 meters in 5 minutes 13 seconds—both just shy of qualifying for a national Level 2 athlete certificate. For a high school student with no formal training, this could only be described as a natural gift.

As if something occurred to him, Fang Qi asked, “And what about syndromes?”

“She hasn’t displayed any particular syndrome. It seems she’s different from us, not one of the patients,” Li Yuan added. “An Executor who isn’t a patient—this is precisely what we need right now.”

Fang Qi was about to say something when his cell phone suddenly received a message. After unlocking the phone, he dialed a number, exchanged a few brief words, then hung up and looked at Li Yuan in the back seat. “Do you have any plans right now?”

“No, what’s wrong?” Li Yuan asked, puzzled.

“Good. Just now, a building in the Old City District caught fire. It looks like a case of deliberate arson. The building is under the Su Family’s ownership,” Fang Qi forwarded all the case files to Li Yuan. “Look over the details on the way. You’ll be in charge of this assignment, with Qi Xin as your assistant. With you there, it shouldn’t be too dangerous a task.”

“Why not bring Zhou Liao along?” Li Yuan asked, confused, as she opened her phone to receive the message. “When it comes to firefighting, no one’s Syndrome is more convenient than hers, right?”

“Because she’s already there, and swamped beyond belief. The slack she got away with the past two months is all coming due with overtime these next few days. Haven’t you seen the news?” Fang Qi sighed. “It should still be at the top of the search charts on the forum by now.”

Li Yuan opened the Dark Forum. Fang Qi was right. The top entry on the search list, marked in red by the Administrator, read: “Six Simultaneous Arson Cases in Zhongnan Region.” Li Yuan clicked in. It was clearly deliberate arson, targeting properties owned by the three families currently most prominent in Zhongnan: the Bai, the Su, and the Song.

“Looks more like a provocation,” Li Yuan remarked.

“Exactly,” Fang Qi nodded. “So the mission is to track down the provocateur.”

“One more question. Why go to the Su Family first? Do you suspect they’re in collusion with the arsonist?” Li Yuan frowned.

“Not at all,” Fang Qi sighed helplessly. “The Su Family put pressure on me. They need priority handling for Su Decai’s youngest son. But that location is where the fire is least severe, so you just need to go put on a show, show some concern for that frightened Young Master Su. Simply put, it’s social obligation.”

Li Yuan sighed, understanding Fang Qi’s meaning. She nodded. “Understood. So we go pick up Qi Xin first?”

“That won’t be necessary. Tian Xi is at the headquarters right now; she can drive Qi Xin to the Old City District. You can just meet up there directly,” Fang Qi said. “If we delay any longer, I’m afraid some heavyweight will be calling me.”

Seeing Li Yuan’s slightly furrowed brow, Fang Qi said nothing, only sighing inwardly. He recalled Li Yuan’s earlier mention of Tang Ci, and he could more or less guess that Tang Ci’s sudden involvement in that affair was likely inseparable from the Lake Cutter. It was no wonder the higher-ups had been so stern regarding Yu Mi’s matter. Having been burned once, if both the former and current leaders of Pingjiang Group 2 fell for the Lake Cutter’s tricks, it would be a massive disgrace.

Under these circumstances, expecting Li Yuan to have any pleasant feelings toward the Lake Cutter was really asking too much.

(———)

A knock sounded at the door.

Qi Xin put down her pen, closed her notebook, turned off the desk lamp, and went to the door, opening it.

“Good afternoon,” she said to the woman standing outside. After a moment’s observation, she added calmly, “This dress suits you very well.”

“Do you always compliment people like that?” Tian Xi sighed lightly. “Why not be a bit more candid?”

“Very beautiful.”

“I can tell you’re making a real effort,” Tian Xi smiled lightly. “I’ll give you a passing grade.”

Qi Xin said nothing. Her words weren’t just flattery. The woman before her could definitely be described as a head-turner if encountered on the street. Even someone completely clueless about fashion like her could sense that Tian Xi was a perfect clotheshorse. Over 1.7 meters tall, paired with cream-white stiletto heels, the somewhat homely, loose olive-green cotton dress on her made her look like a large, lazy ragdoll cat.

“Is there really a need for high heels?” Qi Xin retracted her gaze. “You look at least 1.8 meters now.”

Tian Xi’s smile was gentle. “My barefoot height is 177 centimeters. Add three inches, and I’m around 1.85 meters. Don’t you find Miss Li’s expression amusing when she, being under 1.7 meters, sees me in stilettos?”

Tian Xi truly loved to smile, Qi Xin thought. Every smile carried a different charm, her eyes and brows exuding a bright, captivating grace as they shifted. She was like a born actress, every gesture and expression pulling at the heartstrings of onlookers, irresistibly drawing one’s gaze to those beautiful eyes.

“What a nasty personality,” Qi Xin averted her gaze, speaking flatly. “Do you care that much about her attitude?”

“Don’t worry, dear. I won’t harbor any ill feelings toward Miss Li just because of her temperament. In fact, her temperament rather suits my preferences. So obviously bothered, yet putting on a magnanimous front on the surface… Don’t you find that kind of reaction adorable?” Tian Xi reached out, wanting to stroke her cheek.

Qi Xin extended her hand, stopping that slender wrist. She spoke in a low voice. “So, is there something you came to see me about?”