Han Yi and Qin Yue arrived at the university just before noon. The main courtyard was crowded with students moving between buildings, some rushing toward their next lecture while others stood around chatting. Qin Yue looked at the busy campus, then down at the folder in her hand. She adjusted the strap of her bag and let out a long sigh. "I thought we had finally reached the stage of our investigation where we could sit in a comfortable office and let computers do the work." Han Yi continued walking without looking at her. "We tried that." "Yes, and the computer gave us nothing. So now we're here, walking around like two people who have forgotten how technology works." She stepped around a group of students and caught up with him. Han Yi glanced at her briefly. "If you have a better idea, I'm listening." Qin Yue's lips curved into a smile. "I do. We could ask the computer to find the person who deleted the records."
Han Yi stopped near the entrance and turned his head toward her."And when it refuses?" "We could threaten to replace it." He stared at her for a second before turning back toward the building. "I'm beginning to understand why the computer refused to help you." Qin Yue blinked, then let out a laugh as she followed him inside. "That was almost a joke. Should I be worried? Are you finally developing a personality?" Han Yi didn't slow down. "Don't get used to it." She shook her head, still smiling, and walked beside him. "You know, a little enthusiasm wouldn't hurt. We're investigating something that might finally lead us somewhere."
Han Yi glanced at the folder in her hand. "Then focus on the investigation. We didn't come here to enjoy the campus." Qin Yue's smile widened. "And there goes the personality again." Han Yi gave her a brief, cold look. "Do you want to continue talking, or do you want to find out who had access to those records?" She immediately straightened and held up the folder. "I'm focused. Completely focused." He turned toward the administration building. "Good. Keep it that way."
They entered the administration building, where Han Yi approached the reception desk and explained that they needed to check some old student records. The staff member asked for the name, and Han Yi gave it without hesitation. "Lu Cheng. He studied here several years ago. We need to confirm some details about his time at the university." The staff member typed the name into the system. Qin Yue leaned slightly toward the counter, keeping her eyes on the screen. "Could you also check whether he had any connections to other students who were involved in unusual incidents? Even a minor report might be useful."
Han Yi glanced at her, then turned back to the staff member. "Start with his academic and disciplinary records. We'll check any other connections separately." The staff member nodded as the search results appeared. "I found him. Lu Cheng was enrolled in the business department. His student registration is still available." Han Yi stepped closer. "Could you check whether there were any disciplinary records or formal complaints?" The staff member opened another section and looked through the available information. "There's nothing here. His academic history appears normal. No disciplinary action, no formal complaints, and no unusual incidents recorded."
Qin Yue straightened and exchanged a brief look with Han Yi. "A clean record doesn't tell us much. If he was involved in something outside the university, it wouldn't necessarily appear here." Han Yi kept his attention on the staff member. "Does that mean there were no incidents at all, or simply that none were formally recorded?" The staff member considered the question before answering. "I can only confirm what's in the system. If something wasn't reported to the administration, it wouldn't appear here."
Han Yi nodded. "Understood. Are the original records still available?" "Some of them. The older student files are kept in the university archive. You'll need to check with the archive attendant." Qin Yue picked up the visitor form and began filling it in. "We'll need the original files, then. There may be details that were never entered into the system, or records that weren't transferred when the database was updated." She finished writing and handed the form to Han Yi. He checked the details before passing it to the staff member. "Let's go and see."
The staff member checked the form and stamped it before pointing them toward a corridor on the left. "The archive is in the old administrative wing. Go down that corridor and take the stairs to the second floor. Someone should be there to assist you." Han Yi thanked her briefly and turned toward the corridor. Qin Yue followed, slipping the folder back into her bag. "The original records might give us something the system missed," she said. "Especially if someone had a reason to keep certain details out of the official files." Han Yi glanced at her. "Don't assume anything until we have evidence. We need to know what was recorded, what was removed, and who had access to it."
Qin Yue nodded."I'll check the dates and compare them with the information we already have about Lu Cheng. If anything was altered later, the timeline might help us identify when it happened." They reached the staircase and climbed to the second floor. The corridor there was quieter, with several old noticeboards hanging along the walls. Some notices had faded, while others were partly covered by newer announcements. At the far end, a narrow door stood open. Han Yi knocked twice against its frame before stepping inside. An elderly man sat behind a desk crowded with registers and folders. He looked up from the papers in front of him. "Can I help you?" Han Yi showed him their identification and explained that they had permission to examine some older student records.
The attendant adjusted his glasses and studied the documents before nodding. "Which year are you looking for?" Han Yi gave him the approximate period. The man turned toward a tall cabinet behind him and began searching through its labels. Qin Yue stepped closer to the desk. "We're looking for Lu Cheng's student file, but we'd also like to check the records from his department around the same period. We need to see whether anything unusual was reported or whether any files were transferred later." The attendant paused and looked at her. "That may take some time. Not everything is arranged by department." "That's fine." Qin Yue replied. "We can work through them. Just let us know which sections we can access." The man pulled out a thick register and placed it on the desk. "Start with this. It lists the student files from that batch. If you find the name, I can help you locate the original folder."
Han Yi opened the register and began scanning the entries while Qin Yue moved to the opposite side of the desk. She took out a notebook and prepared to record the details. The room was quiet except for the turning pages and the occasional sound of papers being moved. After several minutes, Han Yi stopped at one entry. His finger rested beside a familiar name. "Lu Cheng." Qin Yue came around to his side and leaned over the register. "That's him." Han Yi checked the student number and enrollment year before writing them down. "Find the corresponding file." The attendant nodded and returned to the cabinet. As they waited, Qin Yue looked through the surrounding entries.
A few names caught her attention, and she read them again before turning toward Han Yi. "There are several students from the same batch whose names appear in our investigation records." Han Yi looked at the register. "Which ones?" She pointed to the entries. "Cai Lang. Lian Ziho. And a few others we've already come across." Han Yi studied the names without reacting immediately. "Record their student numbers. We can verify their connections later." Qin Yue wrote them down, then looked back at the page. "They were all here during the same period. That gives us a clearer timeline, even if it doesn't establish a connection yet." "Exactly!" Han Yi replied. "Don't confuse being in the same place with being involved in the same incident." The attendant returned carrying a thick file and placed it carefully on the desk. "This should be Lu Cheng's original student record." Han Yi pulled it closer and opened the folder.
Han Yi continued turning through the pages, checking Lu Cheng's enrollment details, course results, and attendance records. Most of the information was ordinary. Qin Yue leaned closer, scanning the documents from the other side of the desk. "Nothing unusual so far. Either he was a very ordinary student, or he knew how to keep his troubles away from the university." Han Yi turned another page. "We're not here to judge his student life. Look for anything related to the employee records." Qin Yue nodded and checked the notes attached to the file. After a moment, she paused at a small entry near the back. "Wait. There's a reference to the administrative department here."
Han Yi moved the folder toward himself. The note mentioned that several old student documents had been transferred to the administrative archive during a record-keeping update. He checked the date and then looked at the attendant. "Do you have a separate register for document transfers?" The elderly man nodded. "Yes, those records are kept in another cabinet. They include the names of the employees responsible for handling the files." Qin Yue immediately stood and moved closer to the cabinet. "That could be useful. The employee we're investigating worked in administration, didn't he?" Han Yi nodded. "His department handled the organization and transfer of old documents. We need to confirm whether he was involved in this batch."
The attendant searched through several registers before pulling out a thick one. Qin Yue helped him place it on the desk, then began checking the entries. "Let's hope this one has something more interesting than attendance records," she muttered. Han Yi gave her a brief look. "Read the names." She lowered her head and continued scanning. A few minutes later, her finger stopped on an entry. "Han Yi. I think I've found him." He came around the desk and looked at the page. The employee's name and department were clearly recorded beside a list of transferred files. Qin Yue checked the date, then compared it with the information in their folder. "It's the same employee. He was working here when these records were moved."
Han Yi studied the entry carefully. "Copy the transfer date and the file numbers. We need to know exactly which records passed through his hands." Qin Yue wrote them down, then looked at the next column. "There's an address listed here too. It matches the employee's last registered residence." Han Yi checked the address against their existing information before nodding. "Good. We'll verify whether he was still living there before drawing any conclusions." Qin Yue closed her notebook and slipped the pen into its cover. "At least we have somewhere to go now." Han Yi returned the register to the attendant and gathered their notes. "Let's check the address first. We can investigate the remaining files afterward."
Han Yi thanked the attendant and closed the folder before returning it to the desk. Qin Yue checked the address one last time, making sure she had copied it correctly. "I'll look into the employee's current whereabouts and see if there are any updated records," she said, slipping her notebook into her bag. "Do that. I'll check the transfer records against the files we already have." Han Yi replied. He handed the attendant the visitor form and asked him to keep their request on record in case they needed to return. The elderly man nodded and watched as they gathered their belongings. Once they stepped into the corridor, Qin Yue pulled out her phone and looked at the address again. "If he's still living there, we might finally get some answers." Han Yi walked toward the stairs. "And if he isn't, we'll find out who was the last person to see him there." Qin Yue followed him, putting her phone away. "You really know how to make a simple visit sound like the beginning of another long day." Han Yi glanced at her. "It probably is." She sighed but quickened her pace to catch up with him. Together, they left the administration building and headed toward the university gates.
Meanwhile at office,Cai Lang sat behind his desk, going through the documents Zheng Rui had left for him earlier. He turned one page after another, checking the details, but his attention kept drifting away from the work in front of him. His thoughts returned to the previous night. He remembered Suo Ran leaning against him in the car, his fingers weakly holding onto his sleeve, and the way he had rested his head against his shoulder. Even after waking up for a short while, Suo Ran had barely been able to keep his eyes open. Then there were those words he had mumbled before falling asleep again. Those words... I shouldn't have said them.Cai Lang leaned back slightly, his fingers resting against the edge of the document. He tried to understand what Suo Ran meant. Was he talking about something he said to me before? Or did he regret saying something while he was drunk?... He remembered Suo Ran's face when he had said those words, his brows drawn together as if he was trying to explain something but couldn't find the right words.Cai Lang looked down at the papers. You always say things you don't mean when you're upset, but last night you sounded different. What were you trying to tell me?... He wished he could ask Suo Ran directly, but he knew that bringing it up might only make things awkward between them. He lowered his gaze to the papers again, but a small smile appeared on his face.
He was still looking at the same page when a knock came from the door. Cai Lang quickly put the document down and straightened in his chair. "Come in." The door opened, and Zheng Rui stepped inside with another folder in his hand. He was about to speak when he noticed Cai Lang's expression. He paused near the entrance, looking at him for a moment. "Did I come at a bad time?" Cai Lang glanced at him. "You came to my office. What do you think?" Zheng Rui closed the door and walked toward the desk, a faint smile appearing on his face. "I think something good must have happened. You look unusually relaxed today."
Cai Lang picked up his pen again. "If you have time to study my face, you clearly have too little work." Zheng Rui placed the folder on the desk but didn't leave. "I've been working all morning. I'm allowed a little curiosity." Cai Lang gave him a cold look. "Then find something better to be curious about." Zheng Rui pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. "All right. I'll ask directly. Did you meet someone last night?" Cai Lang's pen stopped moving for a brief moment. "What makes you think that?" Zheng Rui noticed the small reaction and smiled. "So I was right." Cai Lang put the pen down. "Zheng Rui, get to the point." Zheng Rui raised the folder slightly. "Fine. Shen Mo wants to meet you." Cai Lang's expression changed at once. He looked toward the window, the brief warmth in his eyes disappearing. "What does he want this time?"
Zheng Rui shrugged and placed the folder on the desk. "He didn't explain much. He only said it was important and that he wanted to speak with you in person." Cai Lang turned back toward him. "Did he mention what it was about?" "I asked. He avoided the question and told me to make sure you came." Zheng Rui leaned back in his chair. "You know how he is. He never gives a straight answer when he wants something." Cai Lang picked up the folder and glanced through its contents, but his expression remained cold. "Where does he want to meet?" Zheng Rui took out his phone and showed him the message. "Here. He sent the address about half an hour ago." Cai Lang looked at the screen, then pushed his chair back and stood. He took his coat from the back of the chair and slipped it on. "Continue checking the old records while I'm gone." Zheng Rui nodded. "I'll do that. Should I also look into the employees who handled the transfers?" "Check their names and employment history first." Cai Lang picked up his phone from the desk. "Don't contact anyone connected to those records without my permission. I don't want them knowing we're investigating." Zheng Rui's expression grew serious. "Understood. I'll keep it quiet." He watched Cai Lang put on his coat, then his earlier curiosity returned. "Should I ask what put you in such a good mood earlier?" Cai Lang didn't even turn around. "No." "Then I'll assume it was something interesting." "Assume whatever you like. Just finish your work." Zheng Rui smiled. "There he is. I was worried someone had replaced you." Cai Lang gave him a cold look and walked out.
Suo Ran's phone vibrated just as he was about to leave. He glanced at the screen, expecting another reminder about the meeting he had postponed earlier, but the name displayed there made him stop. Boss. The message contained only a few words. [Come to the underground market. A rare scroll has appeared. Verify its origin and inspect the buyer. Don't let anyone take it before I arrive.]Suo Ran read it twice before locking his phone.Boss rarely contacted him without giving at least some explanation. When he did, it usually meant the matter was more complicated than it appeared. He picked up his coat and left without replying.
The entrance to the underground market was hidden behind an old antique shop on a narrow street. From outside, the place looked abandoned, with dusty shelves and faded wooden cabinets covering the walls. Only those who knew where to look could find the narrow staircase behind the storage room. Suo Ran descended it, passing through two locked doors before the sounds of the market reached him. Conversations, footsteps, and the occasional clink of glass filled the underground passage. Dealers occupied small rooms along both sides, displaying objects that were never meant to appear in ordinary auction houses. Ancient books, broken jade pieces, sealed boxes, and historical documents changed hands here without attracting the attention of the outside world. Suo Ran had been coming to this place for years, but he had learned not to trust anything simply because it looked old.
A man was waiting near the end of the corridor. He wore a dark jacket and kept glancing toward the entrance of a private trading room. When he noticed Suo Ran, he approached immediately. "You're the one Boss sent?" Suo Ran looked at him briefly. "Do you see anyone else coming?" The man hesitated before pointing toward the room. "The scroll is inside. The seller brought it less than an hour ago. The buyer has already agreed to the price, but he wants the origin verified before completing the transaction." "Who is the seller?" "A middleman. He says he received it from a private collection." Suo Ran's expression remained unchanged. "And you believe him?" The man gave an uncomfortable smile. "That's why you're here." Suo Ran walked past him and pushed open the door.
A long table stood in the centre of the room. A narrow wooden case rested on top of it, beside a glass of untouched water. Two men were seated opposite each other. One appeared to be in his forties, with a carefully maintained beard and an expensive watch. The other was younger, perhaps in his early thirties, and had been looking at his phone until Suo Ran entered. The older man stood first. "You must be the inspector." Suo Ran didn't answer immediately. His attention had already moved to the wooden case. "Which one of you brought it?" "I did," the older man replied. "The scroll belonged to a private collector. His family has kept it for generations."
Suo Ran pulled out a chair and sat down. "Which family?" The man's smile weakened slightly. "I'm afraid that information is private." "Then I'm afraid your explanation is useless." The younger man looked up from his phone, seemingly amused by the exchange. "Can we finish this quickly? I've already made the payment." Suo Ran turned toward him. "You paid before verifying what you were buying?" "I know what I'm buying." "Then you won't mind answering a few questions." The buyer's expression changed, but he leaned back without responding.
Suo Ran opened the wooden case carefully. Inside was a long, yellowed scroll wrapped in faded silk. He put on a pair of gloves before taking it out and placing it on the table. The seller leaned forward as Suo Ran slowly unrolled it. "It's an excellent piece. The paper and ink have both been checked." Suo Ran ignored the comment and held one end of the scroll flat. He moved the lamp closer and examined the faded writing. Several unfamiliar symbols were mixed between the lines, and the ink had darkened with age. "Where did you get it?" he asked without looking up. "It came from a private collection," the seller replied. Suo Ran glanced at him. "Whose collection?" The older man hesitated before answering. "A family that has kept old documents for generations."
Suo Ran studied his face for a moment. "And where did they keep it?" "At their residence." Suo Ran's fingers stopped moving. "You seem to have a different explanation every time I ask a question." The seller forced a smile. "There's nothing unusual about its history. I assure you." Suo Ran didn't respond. He had already decided not to trust a word of it. He moved the lamp toward the lower half of the scroll. Something caught his attention near the centre. Between two columns of writing was a small symbol drawn in dark ink. It was almost hidden beneath the faded surface. The shape resembled a circle crossed by three lines. Suo Ran leaned closer, his fingers hovering above it. He had seen something similar before, but couldn't remember where. It wasn't an ordinary seal or a mark used by collectors. He adjusted the lamp and examined it again.
The lines were too clear to be accidental. "Did you find something?" the buyer asked. Suo Ran kept his eyes on the scroll. "I'm still checking." He continued toward the right edge, but his hand soon stopped. Part of the paper was missing. He examined the edge closely. It wasn't a natural tear. The paper had been cut, and the writing ended abruptly at the same point. Someone had deliberately removed a section. Suo Ran checked the other side before drawing his hand back. The damage looked old, but someone had tried to hide it. "Was it like this when you received it?" Suo Ran asked. The seller shifted in his chair. "It's an old document. A little damage is normal."
Suo Ran pointed at the edge. "This isn't normal damage. Someone cut this part away." The buyer leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "How much is missing?" "I can't tell." "Can it be restored?" Suo Ran looked at him. "Not without knowing what was there." The buyer turned toward the seller. "You told me it was complete." The older man quickly shook his head. "I never said that. I said it was in good condition." "You told me something very different before I agreed to buy it." The seller opened his mouth but couldn't answer. Suo Ran watched them quietly. The buyer seemed angry, but the seller looked nervous. He wasn't surprised by the missing section. He was afraid Suo Ran had noticed it. Suo Ran took out his phone and photographed the symbol and the damaged edge.
A message from Boss appeared before he could continue.[Have you checked it?] Suo Ran glanced at the two men before replying. [There's an unusual symbol.Part of the scroll has been deliberately removed. The seller's explanation doesn't match its condition.]The response came almost immediately [Send me the symbol. Suo Ran sent the photograph and placed his phone beside the scroll. He waited, tapping one finger lightly against the table. A few seconds later, another message appeared.[Cover it. Don't let the seller, the buyer, or anyone else see that mark. Wait for me.] Suo Ran's expression changed.Boss rarely gave instructions without explaining the reason...
Suo Ran picked up the protective sheet and covered the marked section.The seller watched him closely. "Is something wrong?" Suo Ran placed the sheet down and locked his phone. "The inspection isn't finished." The man seemed ready to ask another question, but Suo Ran's cold expression made him reconsider. Suo Ran picked up his phone again and typed. [Do you recognize it? ]He waited, his eyes fixed on the screen. The buyer shifted impatiently in his chair, while the seller kept glancing at the covered scroll. Then the phone vibrated. Boss had replied.[ I know exactly what it is. And Suo Ran, listen carefully. Don't let that scroll leave the room. I'm coming.]