Technician looked over his shoulder at Cai Lang. "Boss..." He hesitated for a moment before pointing toward the folder. "...this entire file is connected to Suo ran's daily life." Cai Lang's calm expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He stepped closer, his sharp eyes settling on the screen. "Open it." "Yes, Boss." The technician clicked the first file. A photograph appeared.It showed Suo Ran standing outside an elementary school with one hand in his pocket, quietly waiting near the entrance as students poured through the gates. A few seconds later, Jun Wei came running out carrying his backpack, his face lighting up the moment he spotted Suo Ran. Even in a still photograph, it was obvious he was happy. Suo Ran reached over without thinking and adjusted Jun Wei's crooked backpack before gently tapping the boy's head.
The next picture appeared. Lian Ziho had joined them. Jun Wei stood between them, talking excitedly about something while waving both hands. Suo Ran looked mildly annoyed by the endless chatter, but the faint smile hidden at the corner of his mouth betrayed him completely. Lian Ziho simply laughed while handing Jun Wei a bottle of juice.
Another photograph replaced it. The three of them were sitting inside a small noodle restaurant. Jun Wei was happily eating while Suo Ran quietly picked vegetables out of the boy's bowl because he knew Jun Wei wouldn't touch them otherwise. Across the table, Lian Ziho watched the scene with an amused expression before shaking his head with a smile. Another picture appeared. They were crossing a busy street. Suo Ran held Jun Wei's wrist firmly until the traffic light turned green, only letting go after they reached the other side safely.
Another photograph replaced it. The three of them were sitting inside a small noodle restaurant. Jun Wei was happily eating while Suo Ran quietly picked vegetables out of the boy's bowl because he knew Jun Wei wouldn't touch them otherwise. Across the table, Lian Ziho watched the scene with an amused expression before shaking his head with a smile. Another picture appeared. They were crossing a busy street. Suo Ran held Jun Wei's wrist firmly until the traffic light turned green, only letting go after they reached the other side safely.
Another image showed all three walking through a neighborhood park beneath rows of tall trees. Jun Wei ran ahead chasing pigeons while Suo Ran immediately called after him, clearly telling him not to run too far. Lian Ziho walked beside Suo Ran, saying something that made him roll his eyes in obvious exasperation.Cai Lang watched the footage without blinking.His gaze lingered on Suo Ran for several silent seconds before shifting toward Lian Ziho walking comfortably at his side.
Photographs continued appearing one after another. Jun Wei sleeping against Suo Ran's shoulder on a crowded bus while Suo ran sat completely still so the boy wouldn't wake up. Lian Ziho quietly placing his own jacket over Jun Wei because the air conditioner inside the bus was too cold. Another image showed Suo ran carrying several grocery bags while Jun Wei proudly held the smallest one as if helping with an important mission. Another photograph captured all three leaving a bookstore,Jun wei hugging several children's books against his chest while Suo ran pretended to complain about spending too much money. Even without hearing the conversation, everyone could imagine Jun Wei's cheerful laughter.Another picture appeared. It had been taken during heavy rain. Suo ran held an umbrella over Jun Wei without paying attention to himself. Half of his own shoulder was soaked by the rain while Jun Wei remained completely dry. Lian Ziho walked beside them holding another umbrella,looking helplessly at Suo ran's stubbornness.
Cai lang's gaze remained fixed on the screen, unreadable as always, but something quietly stirred behind his eyes. You found people who understood you... without asking. He remained silent for a long moment before slowly folding his arms. Good... His eyes lingered on Suo Ran's quiet smile before another thought surfaced, heavier than the last. Someone stayed beside you when I couldn't. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly against his sleeve. Someone was there to hear your complaints... to see your smiles... to make sure you didn't have to carry everything alone. He lowered his gaze for the briefest moment. Perhaps... that's better than the life I could have given you. A faint breath escaped him. As long as you were truly happy... it was enough. When he looked back at the screen, every trace of emotion had disappeared.
Cai Lang's gaze remained on the screen for another moment before he looked away.He folded his arms and spoke in an even voice, "Keep searching. Don't call me unless you find something useful." The analysts immediately nodded. "Yes, Boss." The room filled once more with the sound of keyboards, quiet discussions and the constant hum of computers. Digital maps continued updating across the walls as countless surveillance videos were reviewed frame by frame. No one dared waste a second.
Several minutes passed before a technician suddenly leaned closer to his monitor. His eyes widened. "Boss!" The room fell silent. Cai Lang turned his head slightly. "Report." The technician quickly enlarged the recording onto the main screen. "We found another camera." Grainy security footage appeared. The date and time flashed in one corner. The entrance of Jun Wei's school came into view. Students came out through the gates,laughing and talking as they headed home.Then Jun Wei appeared among them, carrying his school bag and looking around.Then He looked around briefly before a black vehicle slowly stopped beside the road. The rear door opened. After only a moment's hesitation, Jun Wei climbed inside. The vehicle immediately drove away.
Cai Lang's eyes narrowed. "Pause." The technician froze the frame instantly. Cai Lang stepped closer to the screen. "Zoom." The driver's face became slightly clearer, though still partially hidden. "Again." The technician enhanced the image once more. This time the front of the vehicle filled the screen. The number plate slowly came into focus.
Cai Lang stared at it for only a second before giving another order. "Run the plate." Several analysts immediately began typing. "I want the registered owner." Another team nodded. "Tracing ownership now." Cai Lang's gaze never left the screen. "The driver." More keyboards came alive. "Facial recognition in progress."
Cai lang looked at footage clip and said,
"Everyone connected to that vehicle." The entire operations floor answered together. "Yes, Boss." One analyst spoke while rapidly typing. "Checking registration records." Another added, "Cross-checking financial transactions." A third looked up. "Searching previous traffic camera appearances." Cai Lang folded his arms. "Leave nothing out."
Before anyone could speak again, another surveillance recording appeared automatically. "Boss!" another technician called out. "We found footage from outside the school a few minutes later." The screen changed.Suo Ran suddenly ran into view.
His breathing was uneven as he rushed toward the school entrance. He stopped a teacher, asking frantic questions before running toward the security guard. The guard shook his head. Suo ran didn't wait to hear the rest of the answer. He ran across the road, searching every direction. Another camera showed him stopping passing pedestrians. Another showed him looking inside nearby shops. He repeatedly pulled out his phone, calling again and again, only to lower it with growing panic each time.
The footage skipped forward.Suo ran suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.His shoulders trembled as he looked around helplessly.Then his legs gave out beneath him. He slowly collapsed onto the pavement, lowering his head into his hands. Even without sound, the desperation in his movements was painfully obvious.
Cai Lang didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on the screen, watching Suo ran's desperate figure over and over as if looking away would change nothing. His fingers slowly tightened into a fist until the leather of his gloves creaked softly. ...So that's why you called me. His gaze never left Suo ran. You weren't calling because you needed help. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. You were trying to save him. And I never answered.For a brief moment, he closed his eyes before opening them again, his fist tightening once more and then slowly relaxing as he forced every trace of emotion back behind his usual calm. Just then, another surveillance recording automatically replaced the previous one. Lian Ziho suddenly rushed into view.
Without hesitation, he knelt beside suo ran and quietly said something.Suo ran didn't respond.Lian Ziho gently held his arm and carefully helped him back onto his feet. When Suo ran nearly lost his balance, Lian Ziho stayed beside him, supporting him until he could stand steadily again. After little talked they continued walking.
Cai Lang silently watched every second. His eyes softened imperceptibly as he watched Lian Ziho remain beside Suo ran without hesitation. ...He wasn't alone. His gaze lingered on the image of Lian ziho supporting Suo ran, refusing to leave his side even for a moment. Lian Ziho stayed with him. Cai Lang quietly lowered his eyes for the briefest moment, a complicated emotion passing through them before disappearing again. ...Thank you. His fingers slowly loosened from the tight fist they had unconsciously formed. Thank you... for staying beside him... when I couldn't. He drew a quiet breath before lifting his eyes back to the screen.
The next recording replaced the previous one without warning. A timestamp appeared in the corner of the screen as another surveillance camera came into focus.Suo ran walked into cemetery wearing the same clothes from that day.Everyone turned toward the screen. Cai Lang never looked away from it. "What were you doing there?" His gaze remained fixed on Suo ran's figure as it disappeared through the entrance. "What were you looking for?" One of the analysts quickly searched through several files before shaking his head apologetically. "Boss... there's no report connected to this location. We only recovered the surveillance footage. We don't know why Mr. Suo ran went there."
Cai Lang remained silent. His fingers rested lightly against the edge of the desk, tapping once before becoming still again. "No report." he murmured. "That means whatever he found... he never had the chance to tell anyone." A technician carefully switched to the next camera. "Boss... another recording begins only six minutes later." Cai Lang gave a small nod. "Play it." The footage changed again. This time Suo ran hurried out of the building, repeatedly looking over his shoulder before quickly raising his hand. A taxi pulled over beside him. He opened door and went inside without hesitation.The taxi drove away. Cai Lang watched every movement without blinking. "Pause." The technician froze the image. "Enlarge the vehicle." Another analyst zoomed in until the taxi filled the entire screen. "License plate?" Cai Lang asked. "Already extracting it, Boss," someone answered while typing rapidly. "Good."
The video resumed and a digital map appeared beside the footage, showing the taxi's route through the city. A glowing blue line slowly stretched across the streets as the vehicle continued forward. At first everything seemed normal. Then Cai Lang's expression gradually changed. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "Stop." The technician immediately paused the route. Cai Lang stepped closer until he stood only a few feet from the enormous display. He studied every road in complete silence. "Replay from the beginning." The map restarted. Again the taxi left the location. Again it followed the first few streets. Then it turned unexpectedly. Cai Lang's gaze sharpened. "That's not home."
Several analysts exchanged uneasy glances. One quickly opened another map for comparison. "Boss... according to previous travel records, Mr. Suo ran normally returned home using the eastern road." Cai Lang pointed toward the glowing route on the screen. "This taxi went west." Another analyst measured the distance. "Approximately eleven kilometers farther than his apartment." Cai Lang folded his arms slowly. "Keep playing."
The blue line continued moving deeper into unfamiliar districts. Industrial buildings replaced apartment complexes. The streets became emptier and older warehouses appeared one after another. The farther the taxi traveled, the quieter the headquarters became. Cai Lang never once looked away. His breathing remained steady, but something inside him was becoming heavier with every passing second. Where did you go...? His eyes followed the moving line across the map. Who were you meeting...? The taxi crossed another intersection and disappeared beneath an overpass. Was this planned...? Another turn. Another unfamiliar road. Or were you following a clue...? The route finally approached an isolated part of the city where very few cameras remained active. The signal became patchy before almost disappearing altogether. Cai Lang stared at the recorded location. Was this where everything changed...? His jaw tightened slightly. ...Is this where you got shot...?
After few seconds technician said,"Boss... after this point there aren't any more public surveillance cameras."Cai lang didn't answer. Another analyst added carefully, "We've requested footage from nearby businesses, but most of the cameras were either disabled or facing the wrong direction." Cai Lang's gaze remained fixed on the frozen route. "Convenient! " he continued after puase, "Someone prepared this." The senior analyst nodded slowly. "It appears that way." Cai Lang looked at the blank space beyond the last recorded camera. "No." His voice became firmer. "Not appears." He slowly turned toward everyone in the room. "It was prepared."
Meanwhile Lian ziho and zheng rui left the office and continued farther down the hallway. The building seemed endless,with one room after another. In building there were rusted pipes ran across the ceiling, broken lights hung loosely above them, and every step stirred dust from the cracked concrete floor. Lian ziho rubbed the back of his neck and looked around carefully. "Whoever used this place knew how to stay hidden." Zheng rui nodded without slowing down. "Which means they planned to come back."Lian ziho looked farther down the dark corridor. "Then maybe we're not finished here yet." Zheng rui didn't answer. He simply kept walking, his eyes carefully scanning every doorway they passed.
A few moments later, Zheng rui suddenly stopped. Lian ziho almost walked into him before quickly catching himself. "What is it?" he whispered. Zheng rui immediately raised one hand, signaling him to stay quiet.Lian ziho frowned but didn't ask another question. He listened carefully. At first, there was nothing except the sound of the wind outside. Then faint voices drifted through the building. Someone was talking. Lian ziho's expression changed. He leaned a little closer to Zheng rui and whispered, "They're back?" Zheng rui slowly shook his head. "Listen." The two of them quietly moved closer, keeping against the wall until they reached a half-open doorway. They stayed hidden and listened without looking around the corner.
One of the voices spoke first. "What about the transfer?" Another man answered calmly. "It's already finished." A brief silence followed before the first man asked, "And the boy?" The second man replied, "He's not our responsibility anymore." Lian ziho's eyes widened slightly. He slowly turned toward Zheng rui and silently mouthed, "The boy." Zheng rui understood immediately. They were talking about Jun wei. His expression became more serious, but he remained calm. He quietly placed a hand on Lian ziho's arm, reminding him not to react.Lian ziho took a slow breath, gave a small nod, and both of them continued listening.
The voices outside gradually faded until the two unknown men walked away. A few minutes later, the sound of a car door closing echoed across the railway then the engine started. Lian ziho and Zheng rui remained where they were, listening carefully until the sound disappeared into the distance. Only then did Lian let out a slow breath. He turned to Zheng rui, his expression tense. "They were talking about Jun wei." Zheng rui gave a small nod. "I know." Lian ziho frowned. "They said the transfer is already finished." "I heard."
Lian ziho ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "That means they've already moved him somewhere else." Zheng rui remained calm. "Most likely."Lian looked at him. "Then we're already behind." Zheng rui shook his head. "Not yet." Lian ziho looked unconvinced."How can you be so sure?" Zheng rui glanced toward the maintenance room. "Because they came back for something." Lian ziho blinked. "You think they left something behind?" "Or something they couldn't afford to lose." He looked at Lian. "Let's go back to the router." Lian ziho nodded immediately. "Let's move."
The two of them hurried back through the hallway, checking every corner before entering the maintenance room again. The hidden router was still behind the cabinet, exactly where they had left it. Zheng Rui crouched beside it while Lian stood nearby, keeping watch. Zheng Rui examined the battery pack, the cables, and the router itself. After a few seconds, his expression changed slightly. "Something's different."
Lian ziho stepped closer. "What?" Zheng Rui pointed to a small empty slot on the side of the router. "Look." Lian ziho leaned down and frowned. "...It wasn't like this." Zheng rui slowly nodded. "No." Lian's eyes narrowed. "They took something." Zheng rui continued studying the empty slot. "A memory card." He gently brushed away the dust around it before adding quietly, "They knew exactly what they came for." Lian ziho folded his arms. "Which means whatever was stored on it was important." Zheng rui stood up. "Important enough to risk coming back."
As they prepared to leave, Lian ziho's eyes caught something near the edge of the cabinet. "Wait." He crouched down and reached into the dust. His fingers closed around a folded piece of paper. "What's that?" Zheng rui asked as he walked over. Lian ziho carefully unfolded it. "A receipt." He looked at the faded print across the front. "It's from a roadside gas station." Zheng rui took a step closer. "When?" Lian ziho checked the printed time and his expression changed. "Only forty minutes ago." Zheng Rui held out his hand. "Let me see."
Lian passed him the receipt. Zheng rui studied it carefully before turning it over. On the back, written in black ink, was a short number. Lian looked at it again. "That's not a phone number." Zheng Rui nodded slowly. "No." He stared at it for another moment. "...It's a storage locker number." Lian looked back at the receipt. "Zheng Rui..." Zheng rui folded it carefully and slipped it into his pocket. "I don't think this belongs here by accident." Lian gave a firm nod. "Neither do I. Someone either dropped it..." He paused for a second before finishing, "...or wanted someone to find it." Zheng Rui looked at him. "We'll find out soon enough."
A few minutes later, they left the maintenance building and walked back toward the car. Zheng rui unlocked the car, climbed into the driver's seat, and placed the folded receipt on the dashboard before starting the engine.
Lian ziho settled into the passenger seat but kept looking at the small piece of paper. After several quiet seconds, he finally asked, "Where to now?" Zheng Rui shifted the car into gear without taking his eyes off the road. "We find that storage locker." Lian looked out the window as the railway slowly disappeared behind them. After a long silence, he spoke quietly. "And hope we're not already too late." Zheng Rui tightened his grip on the steering wheel for a brief moment before replying, "No. We hope we're one step ahead."