Almost three months had passed since Jun Wei's kidnapping.Things had slowly returned to something that looked like normal life,but the memory of what had happened still lingered in the background. Some things had changed,even if no one talked about them anymore.Jun Wei had become more closely watched than before, and Suo Ran had developed the habit of checking on him without even realizing he was doing it.
Jun Wei sat at the dining table with his arms folded tightly across his chest,staring at the breakfast in front of him with a stubborn little frown.The plate contained steamed buns, eggs,and a small bowl of porridge,still warm enough for steam to rise gently into the morning air.Suo Ran stood across from him with one hand resting against the back of a chair,watching him carefully.Jun Wei hadn't touched a single thing for nearly five minutes.Suo Ran glanced at the clock,then back at him."You're going to stare at it until it disappears?"
Jun Wei shook his head slowly,his expression completely serious."No."Suo Ran pulled out the chair and sat down across from him."Then eat."Jun Wei lowered his eyes toward the plate and quietly pushed it away."I don't want it."Suo Ran's brows tightened slightly."You haven't even tried it."Jun Wei looked up at him."I don't need to."His voice was calm,but there was stubborn determination in his eyes.Suo Ran studied him for a moment."You had this yesterday."Jun Wei immediately nodded. "Exactly."He pushed the plate another inch away."That's why I don't want it today."Suo Ran sighed softly and folded his arms."
Jun Wei,breakfast isn't supposed to change every morning just because you feel like something different."Jun Wei frowned."But I don't like eating the same thing again and again."Suo Ran's expression softened slightly,but his voice remained firm."You don't have to like everything you eat.You just need to understand that not every meal is going to be exactly what you want."Jun Wei went quiet for a moment,then looked at him carefully."Then what do you want me to eat?"Suo Ran gestured toward the plate. "What's already there."Jun Wei stared at the food as if considering whether it was worth the argument.Then his eyes suddenly brightened."What if I have fried noodles instead?"
Suo Ran answered immediately. "No."Jun Wei's hopeful expression disappeared."You didn't even think about it."Suo Ran raised an eyebrow."I didn't need to."Jun Wei leaned forward slightly."Why?"Suo Ran looked at him firmly."Because you had fried noodles yesterday."Jun Wei immediately protested, "That was yesterday."Suo Ran nodded."And the day before."Jun Wei paused,then answered with complete seriousness,"That was also yesterday...but the other yesterday."Suo Ran stared at him for a moment before slowly shaking his head. "That is not how time works."
Just then,the front door opened,and Lian Ziho stepped inside.He stopped when he noticed Jun Wei sitting there with his arms folded and a deeply offended expression on his face.His gaze shifted to Suo Ran,who sat opposite him."What happened?"Lian Ziho asked.Jun Wei immediately straightened in his chair."Lian-ge,Ge-ge won't let me have fried noodles."Suo Ran's eyes narrowed. "Because you already had them twice this week."
Lian Ziho looked at Jun Wei,then at the untouched breakfast in front of him."And you haven't eaten anything?"Jun Wei shook his head.Lian Ziho's expression became slightly serious."Jun Wei."Jun Wei lowered his eyes. "I don't want it."Lian Ziho walked over and looked at the food carefully."There's nothing wrong with this breakfast."Jun Wei quietly replied,"I know.""Then why aren't you eating?"Jun Wei hesitated before mumbling,"Because I want something else."
Lian Ziho glanced at Suo Ran.Suo Ran immediately said,"Don't."Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow."I haven't said anything.""I know what are you going to say."Suo Ran leaned back in his chair."You're about to take his side."Lian Ziho looked back at Jun Wei. "What exactly did you promise Suo Ran in exchange for the fried noodles?"Jun Wei's eyes widened slightly.He looked toward Suo Ran."Nothing."Suo Ran narrowed his eyes. "You were negotiating with me for five minutes."
Jun Wei defended himself immediately."I was trying to find a solution."Lian Ziho was quiet for a moment before saying,"That's not the same as having permission."Jun Wei's expression fell slightly.Suo Ran glanced at Lian Ziho,almost relieved."Finally,someone reasonable."Lian Ziho picked up one of the steamed buns and examined it before placing it back on the plate."But I can understand wanting something different." Suo Ran sighed."Lian Ziho.""I'm not saying he should get fried noodles,"Lian Ziho said calmly."I'm saying I understand why he wants them."
Jun Wei looked up hopefully.Lian Ziho noticed immediately."That doesn't mean I'm saying yes."Jun Wei's hopeful expression disappeared.Lian Ziho pulled out the chair beside him and sat down."Listen.If you don't like something,you can tell Suo-ge.You can ask for something else.But refusing to eat until you get what you want isn't going to work."Jun Wei quietly looked at the table. "But I really want fried noodles.""I know," Lian Ziho replied,his voice softening slightly. "You can have them another day.Not every meal has to be exactly what you want."
Jun Wei remained silent for a moment before glancing at the breakfast.Lian Ziho gently pushed the plate closer to him."Eat first.Then we can talk about what you want for lunch."Jun Wei looked at him."Really?" "Really.But you have to finish your breakfast without complaining."Jun Wei thought about it seriously before picking up the steamed bun.He took a small bite and slowly chewed. Suo Ran watched him for a moment before saying,"See?It's not so terrible."Jun Wei looked at him."It's still not fried noodles." Lian Ziho lowered his head,quietly hiding a smile.Suo Ran leaned back in his chair and sighed."You two really know how to piss someone off."Jun Wei and Lian Ziho exchanged a brief glance and laughed.
Once Jun Wei had eaten most of the bun and started working his way through the porridge,Suo Ran finally turned his attention toward Lian Ziho.He had noticed something earlier,but the distraction of Jun Wei's argument had pushed it to the back of his mind.He noticed the way Lian Ziho had been standing near the table without really settling down.Suo Ran rested one arm against the back of his chair and studied him for a moment."What brings you here this early?"
Lian Ziho looked at him and faint smile on his face slowly disappeared.He glanced briefly toward Jun Wei before returning his attention to Suo Ran."I actually came because I need your help."
Suo Ran's expression changed almost imperceptibly.He straightened slightly."With what?"Lian Ziho pulled out the chair across from him and sat down.His hands rested loosely on the table,but his fingers remained still."Someone contacted me last night." "Someone?"Suo Ran asked."Lian Ziho looked at him for a moment before answering."An old acquaintance.We haven't been in contact for several years."
Suo Ran's expression softened slightly. "Then it's a good thing that your old friend finally contacted you."Lian Ziho didn't respond immediately.He lowered his eyes toward the table,his fingers resting quietly against its edge."Maybe,"he said after a moment."But why does he suddenly want to meet me now?"Suo Ran studied him carefully."Why are you so surprised?If you haven't spoken for several years,it's not strange for an old friend to want to meet again."Lian Ziho slowly shook his head. "That's not what bothers me."
Suo Ran's expression became more attentive."Then what is it?"Lian Ziho hesitated for a moment before looking back at him."When we spoke,he sounded scared." "Scared?"Lian Ziho nodded."He was trying to keep his voice steady,but I could hear it."Suo Ran remained silent for a few seconds,watching him carefully."What actually did he say to you?"
Lian Ziho leaned back slightly and looked toward the window,his expression becoming more distant."He only said that it was important,and that he needed my help with something sensitive."Suo Ran's gaze sharpened."Sensitive how?""I don't know yet.""And you agreed to meet him?""I agreed to hear him out."Suo Ran studied him for another moment."That's not what I asked."Lian Ziho looked back at him."Yes.I agreed to meet him."
Suo Ran slowly exhaled.He knew Lian Ziho well enough to understand that there was a reason he had come here instead of handling the matter alone."You're leaving something out."A faint smile touched Lian Ziho's lips,but there was little humor in it."I knew you'd say that.""Because I'm right." "You usually are."Lian Ziho paused before continuing."There was something strange about the message."Suo Ran's expression immediately became more serious."What kind of strange?""He didn't contact me directly at first.""Then how?""Through someone else."
Suo Ran's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the chair."And now he suddenly wants to meet you privately after years of silence?""Yes.""Where?""An old property outside the city."Suo Ran looked at him for several seconds."That's not a normal place to ask someone to meet.""I know.""Then why go?"Lian Ziho lowered his gaze for a moment."Because if he's contacting me after all these years,there must be a reason. And whatever that reason is,I don't think he'll tell me unless I meet him face to face."Suo Ran remained quiet.
Lian Ziho reached into his coat and placed his phone on the table."He sent me the location this morning."Suo Ran leaned forward and read the message.His expression became more serious as he looked at the address."This is where he wants to meet?""Yes.""Did he give you any explanation?""No."Suo Ran looked up."Not even a reason for contacting you after all these years?"Lian Ziho slowly shook his head."He only said that he needed to see me.""And you asked him what happened?""I did.""What did he say?""That he couldn't explain it over the phone."
Suo Ran remained silent for a moment."You said he sounded frightened.""He did.""How frightened?"Lian Ziho lowered his eyes briefly before answering."Enough that I noticed it immediately.""Did he tell you someone was after him?""No.""Did he ask you for help?""Not directly."Lian Ziho paused."But I think that's what he was trying to say."Suo Ran studied him carefully."And then he told you that you were the only person he could trust.""Yes.""After several years without speaking.""Yes."Suo Ran leaned back slowly."That's what doesn't make sense."Lian Ziho nodded."I know."
For a moment,neither of them spoke.Suo Ran looked at the address again before asking,"Do you believe him?"Lian Ziho took a moment to answer."I believe that he was genuinely afraid.""That's not what I asked." Lian Ziho met his eyes."I don't know if I can trust the situation."Suo Ran nodded slightly. "I haven't spoken to him in years,Suo Ran.I don't know what happened during that time.I don't know what he's involved in now,and I don't know why he suddenly decided that I'm the person he needs.""Yet you're still going.""Because if something really is wrong,I don't think I can ignore it."
Suo Ran's expression remained steady."You don't have to ignore it.But you don't have to walk into it alone either."Lian Ziho was quiet. "That's why I came to you."Lian Ziho looked down at the phone."But I wanted to understand it myself first.""And did you?" "No."Lian Ziho continued,"The more I think about the call,the less sense it makes."Suo Ran nodded."Then we keep it simple.We go there,we meet him,and we find out what happened.""You really want to come?""You came here because you wanted me there." Lian Ziho gave a small nod."I did.""Then I'm coming."
Jun Wei walked toward him."Ge-ge."Suo Ran turned to him."What is it?""You really have to go?"There was a little concern in Jun Wei's voice.Suo Ran's expression softened."Yes."Jun Wei looked at Lian Ziho,then back at him."Because Lian-ge's friend needs help?""Something like that."Jun Wei nodded thoughtfully."Then you should go."Suo Ran raised an eyebrow slightly."You're not going to argue?" "No." Jun Wei smiled faintly."If someone needs help,we should help them."
Suo Ran's expression softened even more. "That's right."Jun Wei paused before adding,"Just come back before dinner.""I will.""And don't forget to eat something."Lian Ziho glanced at Jun Wei with a small smile. "You sound like you're the one sending us out."Jun Wei looked serious for a moment. "Someone has to remind you."Suo Ran let out a quiet laugh and rested a hand on Jun Wei's head."All right.We'll be back before dinner."Jun Wei nodded happily. "Okay.I'll wait for you."
Lian Ziho looked at him for a moment before saying quietly,"Thank you."Suo Ran shook his head."Don't thank me yet.We still don't know what we're dealing with."Lian Ziho looked back at the phone."I know."Suo Ran picked it up again and checked the location. "What time did he ask you to meet him?" "This afternoon.""Then we should leave now."Suo Ran handed the phone back.Lian Ziho nodded."Understood."Suo Ran stood from the table."Get ready.I'll take care of the rest."Lian Ziho followed his movement with his eyes before standing as well."All right."
Elsewhere Han Yi and Qin Yue were back at the investigation office.The building was quieter than usual,with only the faint sound of keyboards and the occasional ringing of a telephone coming from the other side of the floor.They had been following several loose ends from Jun Wei's kidnapping for weeks, but most of them had led nowhere.Some names had disappeared from the records. Some numbers were no longer active.And several pieces of information connected to the old case had been buried so deeply in the archived system that even finding them required going through layers of restricted files.
Han Yi sat at his desk with his jacket draped over the back of his chair,his attention fixed on the monitor in front of him.Qin Yue sat beside him,scrolling through a set of digital access records while comparing them with the archived investigation files spread across the desk."This one doesn't match." Qin Yue said quietly.Han Yi looked over. "Which part?""The access record."She turned the monitor slightly toward him."The file was opened yesterday,but the investigation archive shows no scheduled review for this case."
Han Yi leaned closer,his eyes moving across the screen."Maybe someone from the records department was checking old material.""I thought that too."Qin Yue clicked into another page."But then I checked the account."Han Yi's expression changed slightly."Whose?""Internal access."She pointed at the screen."The account was authorized,but the person who used it wasn't reviewing the case itself."Han Yi straightened slowly."What were they looking for?""At first,I thought it was the kidnapping file."Qin Yue opened another record."But then I noticed the search terms."
Han Yi waited as she pulled up the search history.Qin Yue studied the screen for a few seconds before speaking again."Someone searched for Suo Ran."Han Yi's eyes immediately narrowed."When?" "Yesterday." "What time?""Twenty-three seventeen."Qin Yue tapped the screen."And that wasn't the only search."She opened another record."There were several searches within the same session."Han Yi moved his chair closer."Show me."Qin Yue enlarged the records one by one."Suo Ran's previous statement.The location records connected to the kidnapping investigation. And then this."She opened another entry. "His movements during the week Jun Wei disappeared."
Han Yi's expression hardened."Someone accessed all of that?"Qin Yue nodded."How many files?""Seven that I can confirm."Qin Yue scrolled further."There may be more. The archive system only shows the records that were accessed through this account."
Han Yi remained silent as he looked through the list.The casual focus he had carried only moments earlier was gone."They didn't search his name and stop there,"he said quietly."No."Qin Yue shook her head."They went through information that would only matter if they were trying to understand his involvement."Han Yi leaned back,folding his arms across his chest."Check the access pattern.""Already did."
Qin Yue opened another window."The files were opened one after another.There wasn't much time between them.""How much?" She looked at time and replied,"Between ten and thirty seconds in most cases."Han Yi frowned."So they knew what they were looking for.""That's what I think."Qin Yue paused before adding,"They weren't browsing.They were following a list."Han Yi's gaze remained fixed on the screen."Could the system have generated those searches automatically?""No."Qin Yue answered immediately."The searches were entered manually,and the files were opened individually."Han yi looked at screen for several seconds then asked,"Could it have been someone reviewing the old case?" "Possibly."She hesitated."But if that were the reason,why focus so heavily on Suo Ran?"
Han Yi didn't answer right away.He reached for a printed report on the desk and looked through it again."Maybe they remembered something about him.""Something they think is important?""Maybe."He placed the report back down."Or maybe they're trying to find something we haven't found yet."Qin Yue watched him carefully."Does Suo Ran know anyone who might have access to these records?"Han yi looked towards window then turned toward her and replied,"Not that I'm aware of.""What about people connected to the old case?""That's harder to say."
Han Yi rubbed his forehead briefly."The investigation involved too many people. There were witnesses,contacts,informants, and people who were never formally connected to the case."Qin Yue looked back at the screen."Then we need to know who opened these files.""Yes.""And whether they've accessed anything else.""Exactly." Han Yi leaned forward again."Pull the complete account activity for the last month. I want every search,not just the ones connected to Suo Ran."Qin Yue nodded and began typing."I'm on it."
A few moments later,she opened another record."There's something else."Han Yi looked at her."What?"She saw him."The account accessed the old kidnapping archive several times before yesterday." "How many?""Four.""And Suo Ran's information?""Only yesterday."Han Yi's eyes narrowed."So they weren't looking for him before.""Not according to this account."Qin Yue paused."Which means something changed."Han Yi nodded slowly."Or someone decided they needed more information.""About him.""Yes."
Qin Yue looked at the records again."Do you think Suo Ran knows someone is looking into him?"Han Yi shook his head."No." She looked at him with confusion."Should we tell him?"Han Yi remained silent for a moment. He looked at the screen again,the list of records sitting there like pieces of a puzzle that didn't yet fit together."Not yet."Qin Yue frowned slightly."Why not?""Because right now,we know someone accessed his information,but we don't know who they are or what they want."He turned toward her."If we tell Suo Ran now,he'll naturally start looking for answers himself.And if whoever accessed these records is watching for a reaction,we could give them one."
Qin Yue considered his words."You think they might be monitoring him directly?""I don't know."Han Yi's voice remained calm. "That's exactly why I don't want to assume anything.""But if this is connected to the kidnapping..."She stopped,then continued more carefully."Wouldn't he have a right to know?"Han Yi looked down at the desk."He will.But first,I want something more than a search history.""You want a person.""I want a reason."He looked back at the screen. "Once we know who accessed these files and why,we can decide what Suo Ran needs to know."
Qin Yue nodded slowly,but her expression remained troubled."I'll trace the account." "Do it quietly.""Of course.""And don't open anything unnecessary."Qin Yue glanced at him."You think someone might notice?""If the person who accessed these records knows the system well enough to move through restricted files without drawing attention,then we shouldn't assume they won't notice us looking back."Qin Yue's expression became more serious."So we investigate the access without touching the trail.""Exactly."
Han Yi reached for another file."Start with the login location.Then check the time against the building access records.If the account was used from somewhere unexpected,we'll know where to look next." "And if everything matches?""Then we keep digging until something doesn't."Qin Yue began working again.After several minutes, she stopped and looked at the screen."Han Yi."He immediately looked over."What did you find?""Nothing definite."She frowned. "That's the problem.The access account belongs to someone who should be allowed to see these records."
Han Yi's expression darkened."Meaning?" "Meaning whoever used it didn't need to break into the system."She turned the monitor toward him."They already had permission."Han Yi stared at the screen for several seconds."Then finding the account holder isn't enough.""No."Qin Yue shook her head."We still have to prove who actually used it."Han Yi nodded slowly."Keep going."
Qin Yue returned to the search history. "There's one thing I still can't get past." "What?""The timing."
Han Yi looked at her. "Why?""Because they accessed Suo Ran's information after reviewing the old kidnapping records."She pointed at the timestamps."They didn't start with him.They started with the case,and then moved toward him."Han Yi's eyes narrowed as he followed the sequence. "Which means Suo Ran became important after they reviewed something in the case." "That's what it looks like."Qin Yue leaned back slightly."Could this be someone from the old group?"Han Yi was silent for a moment."It's possible."Qin Yue watched him."But?"Han Yi's gaze remained on the screen."But there's another possibility." "Someone may be trying to learn how much Suo Ran knows."
Qin Yue's expression changed."About the kidnapping?""Maybe."Han Yi closed the file slowly."And if that's what they're doing,then they're not necessarily looking for information about him."Qin Yue understood immediately."They're looking for information through him."Han Yi nodded."Or trying to find out whether he knows something they don't want him to know."
Qin Yue looked uneasy."Then shouldn't we warn him?"Han Yi remained silent for a moment.The cursor blinked on the screen beside the list of records.He finally looked at Qin Yue."Not yet."Qin Yue looked at him. "You think telling him could make things worse?" Han Yi nodded."If someone is watching him,we don't want them knowing we've noticed."