3 The unexpected move

Meanwhile, at the Wang's family mansion, Bai Yi Chen observed Wang Hai's chaotic tantrum with a sigh. The room in which they stood was a sprawling, lavishly decorated space, adorned with elegant chandeliers, grandiose crown moldings, and gilded accents. The walls were embellished with paintings, depicting scenes of luxury and prosperity.

Wang Hai, in the throes of his fit, paced around the room, creating disarray in the tastefully furnished chamber. The plush, deep-red carpet underfoot muffled the sound of his agitated footsteps.

"Hey, you need to stop throwing a fit." Bai Yi Chen implored in a calm tone, even though his patience was waning.

Wang Hai's rage flared, and he retorted with a fierce glare. "What did you just say to me? Bai Yi Chen, you must think that you are something big now just because you were given that reporter's award, but who made that happen, me! So watch what you say to me!" Wang Hai warned.

The room's ambiance shifted as tension filled the space. Wang Hai's anger was palpable, and it seemed to reverberate off the grandiose walls of the mansion. He reached for a crystal whiskey glass, positioned on a wooden table, and angrily downed its contents.

Bai Yi Chen sighed. Gently massaging his forehead as a slight migraine slowly began to make itself known. The appearance of the unknown CEO was totally a big move they had not certainly expected from the Fengs.

"That annoying old man, I should have guessed he had something up his sleeves," Bai Yi Chen muttered under his breath, his frustration mounting.

"Xiao Bai, tell me, how are you going to fix this? Uhn."

Wang Hai implored, his voice heavy with desperation and exasperation.

Bai Yi Chen, deep in thought, muttered a half-formed response, "I will find a way."

Somehow he couldn't stop feeling uneasy about Feng Tian's appearance, could she be… No, no, he quickly dismissed the thought, unwilling to entertain that it could be her.

Had it meant he had not watched Chun Huan lose her life with his own eyes, maybe, just maybe, he would have believed otherwise.

"When! We made a deal Yi Chen, and I've been keeping my end of the deal and failure to fulfill your end of the bargain means trouble so. You. Better. Fix. This."

"And… Binbin, find out everything there is about this Feng Tian, and why is Cheng Rou Ling not here yet?!" Wang Hai yelled exasperatedly.

Taking that as his cue to make himself scarce, Bai Yi Chen stood up and headed towards the door;

"Where do you think you are going?"

"I have work, we will continue this later." Bai Yi Chen said before exiting the room.

The moment he stepped out of the mansion, Bai Yi Chen exhaled loudly. Gently nodding in response towards the female who offered him a polite nod as she proceeded toward the entrance of the mansion.

As he watched her walk into the mansion, Bai Yi Chen's expression remained neutral, he knew Wang Hai had been going crazy trying to figure out his thought on her, but he had no prejudice concerning her, at least for now. To him, she was like an open book, someone he could see right through instantly, and probably because of that, he had no objection whatsoever about her, Wang Hai could keep her as his pet dog or mistress for all he cares, as long as her goal remain the same as his and she doesn't stand in the way. Remembering he still had to interview the victims of the Wang's last construction incident the next morning, Bai Yi Chen immediately brought out his phone and shoots a text to Jaiyi who was currently pouring her soul out to her boyfriend at a roadside bar while drowning herself in alcohol.

Why did I say that to her? I must have been crazy!" Jiayi cried out, instantly pulling her hair to cover her face due to the embarrassment,

"See, another work from Mr Bai, tell me Wei Gang, is the universe against me or what?!" Jiayi exclaimed as she lifted her phone to his face, almost shoving it up his nostrils.

Wei Gang who has been watching her perform all night couldn't help to burst into laughter as he quickly evades her attacks,

"Wei Gang, do you believe that if you don't stop laughing right now, tonight might not end well for you!" Jiayi yelled at the male in front of her as she angrily slams the phone in her hand on the table before her, causing the male in front of her who couldn't help but chuckle at her predicament to release a loud hiccup as a result.

Although he understood her desperation, Wei Gang could not deny that the absurdity of the situation was too humorous to ignore, even Jiayi's emotional outburst struck him as amusing, and he struggled to stifle his laughter.

"I'm sorry, it's just so funny, y-you ran after the CEO of Royals?"

"I know right, it was stupid, what was I thinking? She can't be Chun Huan, not after what I saw." Jiayi said defeatedly, muttering the last part to herself.

"Hmm, what did you see?" Wei Gang asked in between chugging down his beer.

Jiayi sighed, she was about to open her mouth to speak when they were suddenly interrupted by the abrupt arrival of a vehicle, almost crashing into the bar.

Immediately, a pissed-off Wei Gang abruptly stood to his feet, "Hey! Are you blind or what?" Wei Gang yelled, moving to confront the driver for the intrusion, but before he could say his piece, a loud screech was suddenly heard behind them.

Turning to toward the source of the noise, Wei Gang barely had time to process what was happening when the driver pushed past him and fled.

Immediately seeing this, Qi Yan who had momentarily stopped resumed chasing after the driver, ignoring Wei Gang who was still planning to start complaining about his manners.

"Hey, Jiayi, isn't that the handsome cop staying on your rooftop?" Mrs. Su, the owner of the bar who had been an idle observer commented, drawing Wei Gang's attention.

Wei Gang, unimpressed, retorted, "Handsome, my foot! He's not that attractive."

Despite his protest, Wei Gang was pushed aside by Jiayi, who was determined to catch up with the fleeing driver.

She dashed after him, her voice echoing through the street.

"Chase after him!" Jiayi yelled, immediately grabbing her belongings and dashing after the cycle while screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Hey, hold it right there!!"

"Jiayi, stop screaming, you still have to report tommorrow!" Wei Gang yelled after her before quickly paying the bills and running after them.

After racing through the street corners and alleys for an hour, they finally arrived at a dead-end, Qi Yan exhaled loudly while beckoning the driver over with his hand,

"Brother, you've been chasing after me for hours now, let me go please." The driver said in between breaths,

"No, can't do, just surrender." Qi Yan replied before moving to settle down beside the man who was still trying to control his breathing.

After regaining his breath, Qi Yan slowly pulled out his handcuffs and pointed them to the man who shook his head in protest and immediately picked up the race again, but before he could make it further, he collided into Jiayi and they both tumbled to the ground.

★★★★★★

On getting to the station, Qi Yan handed over the driver to Yuxi, who was quick to acknowledge his tenacity.

"I can't believe you got him, you really live up to your name, mad dog, once you bite into something you never let go." Yu Xi stated.

"I will leave him to you." Qi Yan said, receiving a nod in response from Yuxi before dragging the man with her.

Watching as the man continue to struggle in Yuxi's grip, Qi Yan sighed as he collapsed on his seat, the weight of the sleepless night he had spent watching Lui Sicheng finally settling in. With his eyes closed, Qi Yan made himself comfortable on his chair, the everyday noise of the station accompanied with Jiayi and Wei Gang's unnecessarily loud voices slowly fading out, suddenly, remembering he had one last appointment set for the day, Qi Yan snapped his eyes open and immediately jumped to his feet, not even bothering to pay any attention to Jiayi and Wei Gang's claims of acquaintances, he quickly grabbed his belongings and dashed out of the station.

It was almost midnight when Qi Yan arrived at the columbarium and unfortunately, they were closed for the day. Having no option but to stand outside the entrance, Qi Yan sighed, his face filled with a sense of longing and grief as he dug his hand through the bag he was holding, fishing out the alcohol he had bought the day before.

"Mom, Dad, I'm here." He whispered softly before snapping the cap open and then proceeded to empty its contents.

"Sorry I'm late, I got held up and lost track of time and sorry I didn't fulfill my promise of bringing Rou Rou and your eldest son again with this time, things have been crazy for everyone lately." Qi Yan said. Whispering out the last part.

"Anyway, Mom, I brought you your favorite flower, and old Li, I brought your favorite alcohol. I miss you guys," He continued, his words laden with sorrow and love, "And I'm sure Qi Sheng misses you, wherever he is."