Lombardi sized him up from head to toe as he entered his office and sat down on the small armchair.
"Any news about the werewolf?"
"It was his first mutation. We need to find who created him and abandoned him."
"Luckily there were no victims."
The chief nodded. "If you hadn't stopped him, he could have killed someone. Tell me, does the wizard intend to collaborate with us?"
Li Zeyang shook his head. "He said no, even though he's helped me a lot in the last cases."
"Without anything in return?"
"I offered to pay him, he refused."
Lombardi leaned back against the chair. "Mhmm… What are you doing at the office?"
"Where should I be?"
"At home? You didn't send me the medical certificate or the number of days of recovery."
Zeyang stood up. "I'm here, aren't I?" he replied with a broad smile.
"Zeyang, I've told you several times not to pull the rope too tight."
"Yes, chief," and with that he left the room.
"Reckless!" muttered the werewolf at the now-closed door.
---
The following days passed quietly. Li Zeyang spent his days at the office, sorting through the paperwork he had left pending over the past few months, but despite his insistence, Lombardi did not assign him any new cases.
When Andrea's message arrived, he was glaring angrily at yet another file.
"They accepted me at the Academy. I'm leaving tomorrow."
Zeyang smiled. "What time is your bus? I'll give you a ride."
"At 6:00."
"See you tomorrow."
"Thank you."
The detective set the phone down and looked at his colleagues beyond the door. Their job was not an easy one, but he hoped it would give Andrea security.
He wrote a message to Lu Shen to tell him the news.
The wizard's reply arrived shortly after: "Wish her the best from me. Keep me updated. How are you?"
"Fine. You?"
"Fine, thanks. Are you back at work?"
"Yes."
"If you need anything, you can contact me."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Good work."
"You too."