Kiyomi Tsuki und sein Fuchs

Kapitel 13

Reports from police officers came through the earpiece; some of the plainclothes officers who had lost their target had arrived at Central Gate subway station on subsequent trains on the East-West Line. They quickly gathered around Luo Fei, and upon learning that Han Hao had escaped, everyone showed expressions of frustration.

Lights shone through the tunnel again; the next train was about to arrive.

"Captain Luo... should we continue the pursuit?" Yin Jian asked.

Luo Fei chuckled and asked, "Where are we chasing them?"

Yin Jian opened his mouth, speechless. Han Hao didn't have a signal tracker on him; who knew where he would get off the bus or which direction he would escape in?

"Let's call it a day." Luo Fei waved his hand and turned to walk out of the platform. The others had no choice but to follow him dejectedly. As they exited the ticket gate, they saw Zeng Rihua and Mu Jianyun standing guard not far away, while Liu Wei and her son stood anxiously beside them.

It turned out that Zeng Mu and his companion had been running at the very back. Seeing Liu Song, Luo Fei, and Yin Jian chasing after Han Hao, they stopped and subdued Liu Wei and her child on the spot. Now, seeing Luo Fei and the others turn back, Zeng Rihua quickly stepped forward and asked, "How did it go?"

Luo Fei shook his head sadly: "They escaped—they were just one step away."

Zeng Rihua gave a regretful "Oh," while Liu Wei behind him let out a long sigh of relief. Han Dongdong, standing beside him, held his mother's hand tightly, his bewildered face still wet with tears.

Luo Fei stepped forward and looked at the mother and son without saying a word, seemingly lost in thought.

Yin Jian was in a rather awkward situation. After being stared at by Liu Wei for a moment, he finally mustered up the courage to call out, "Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law!" Then he pointed to Luo Fei and said, "This is our new captain, Luo Fei."

"Officer Yin, Captain Luo..." Liu Wei smiled bitterly, "Are you going to charge me with harboring a criminal?"

Yin Jian lowered her head and remained silent. Luo Fei, however, had already discerned that the woman before him was resilient and intelligent, and it would be difficult to glean any information about Han Hao from her. He remained silent for a moment, then took two steps forward and squatted down in front of Han Dongdong.

"Your name is Han Dongdong, right?" Luo Fei asked in a friendly voice. The boy looked at the stranger in front of him with a somewhat flustered expression.

“I know you. Look, I still have your photo.” Luo Fei opened his right hand, and sure enough, there was a photo of Han Dongdong in his palm—it was the photo that Han Hao left behind when he escaped from the police station’s restroom.

Han Dongdong tilted his head in surprise, his wariness of Luo Fei dissipating considerably.

"Dongdong, do you know where Daddy went?" Luo Fei pressed on, hoping to get some information from the child if Han Hao and Liu Wei had said anything earlier.

“I know, Dad just told me.”

Han Dongdong's answer made everyone's hearts skip a beat, and all their ears perked up.

"Oh?" Luo Fei smiled casually. "Where did he go?"

"He went to catch a bad guy, a really, really bad guy," Han Dongdong said earnestly, then proudly raised his head. "My dad's a policeman!"

Luo Fei was stunned, as were Yin Jian, Liu Song, and the others. In this situation, Han Dongdong's words undoubtedly evoked many emotions in everyone present. Liu Wei's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in them.

Yes, these were exactly the words Han Hao had just said to his son. In his son's heart, his father was still the hero who caught the bad guys.

Luo Fei seemed unwilling to give up. After a moment of silence, he asked again, "What else did your father say to you?"

"He told me to study hard and become a policeman when I grow up." Han Dongdong puffed out his little chest, as if that would make him grow up faster.

Police... Perhaps Han Hao can only pin his hopes on his son? Because he himself has already embarked on a path of no return in the opposite direction.

Luo Fei patted the boy's head and sighed softly, "You will definitely become a policeman, and you will definitely become a good policeman." He emphasized the word "good" to highlight it.

Liu Wei could no longer control her emotions, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Luo Fei was also somewhat moved, and he could no longer maintain his previous work demeanor. After standing up, he instructed Yin Jian, who was standing next to him, "You drive the police car and take them home."

Yin Jian nodded, bent down, and picked up Han Dongdong. He was already acquainted with Han Hao's family, and Han Dongdong behaved very well in his arms. Liu Wei glanced at Luo Fei again, wiped away her tears, and followed behind Yin Jian without saying a word. The three of them headed towards the subway station exit.

Everyone's eyes followed their retreating figures until the three disappeared into the twilight. Zeng Rihua grinned and broke the silence first.

"This Han Hao, he took such a big risk, just to tell his son this?" He scratched his head in confusion, and dandruff flakes fell off his head.

“Yes.” Mu Jianyun’s voice was unusually low. She turned to look at Zeng Rihua. “You will understand when you become a father.”

"Okay... then who's going to have my baby?" Zeng Rihua joked, glancing sideways at Mu Jianyun. To his surprise, he noticed the other's red eyes. He quickly dropped his joking expression and changed the subject, asking Luo Fei, "Captain Luo... the car's gone, how are we getting back to the station?"

Luo Fei's gaze remained fixed on the direction Liu Wei and her son had left in. After a moment, he suddenly asked a completely unrelated question: "How long has it been since you two came home?"

“It’s been quite a few days…” Zeng Rihua shrugged. “After the task force was rebuilt, didn’t everyone stay in the criminal police team’s guesthouse?”

"Dismissed on the spot. You should all go home and visit your families..." Luo Fei said with a sigh. "Meet in the conference room at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Ah?" Mu Jianyun had just recovered from the sadness of seeing a father and son part ways when she suddenly heard this good news. After her initial joy, she frowned slightly and asked Luo Fei with concern, "Captain Luo, where are you going?"

“Me?” Luo Fei was taken aback, then gave a self-deprecating bitter smile. “I never had a home… I’m all alone, I can go wherever I want.”

Mu Jianyun felt a pang of sorrow, but she couldn't say anything more. She knew that Luo Fei's unresolved inner conflict caused him pain every time it was touched.

Luo Fei seemed unwilling to stay in that atmosphere any longer. He took the lead and walked out of the subway station.

"Keep your phone on, and contact us anytime if there's any problem!" These were his last words to everyone.

9:07 PM.

Green Sun Spring Restaurant.

The melodious sound of a violin flowed from the girl's slender, white fingers, reflecting off the water before permeating every corner of the restaurant. It was like an invisible yet gentle and warm hand, softly caressing the hearts of the diners, allowing them to experience a sense of complete comfort while enjoying a feast for the senses.

As the music ended, its lingering melody still resonated. A neatly dressed waiter tiptoed to the stage and presented the girl with a large bouquet of flowers.

"This was a gift from a guest—no message, no name," the waiter said softly, then turned to walk off the stage. But the girl called him back.

"Wait." The girl's voice was as melodious as a violin.

The waiter stopped and looked at the girl. The girl had already put down her violin; she held the bouquet of flowers to her chest, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, as if she were deep in thought.

The fragrance of flowers wafted through the air, and although the girl couldn't see them, she could smell that it was a bouquet of lilies. Her right hand gently caressed the flowers for a moment, then she plucked a single stem and handed it to the waiter.

"Please return this flower to that generous guest," the girl said softly.

The waiter nodded and replied, "Understood." Then he quickly stepped off the stage and walked towards a corner of the restaurant. It was a quiet, inconspicuous spot in the entire hall. The restaurant owners had set up several charming little tables in this corner, creating an elegant and tranquil space for couples who might dine there. The customer who had given the girl flowers was currently alone at one of those couples' tables.

It was a young man who watched the waiter approach step by step, a questioning look on his face.

"Sir, this lily is a gift from our violinist. Please accept it, and thank you for your patronage." The waiter presented the flower with utmost courtesy, his words reflecting the utmost politeness.

The young man chuckled, took the flower, and nodded slightly to the waiter. The waiter, having completed his task, bowed and left.

The young man paused for a moment, seemingly savoring the delicate fragrance emanating from the lily in his hand. Meanwhile, on the stage, the girl had already begun her next piece. As the music drifted over, the young man looked up at the girl; his face remained expressionless, but a faint smile flickered at the corner of his eye.

The girl was completely absorbed in her performance. When the music enveloped her, she seemed to be cut off from all contact with the outside world. All her emotions were blended into the continuous music with the vibration of the strings...

She was still wearing that white dress and green skirt, as elegant and beautiful as a lotus flower.

However, an hour later, when the girl appeared at the restaurant entrance, her attire and demeanor were vastly different from when she performed.

She had changed out of her emerald skirt and into a pair of black trousers; her white top had also been changed from a tight-fitting women's blouse to a loose and simple coat. In addition, she wore a black armband on her left arm, which stood out conspicuously against the white clothes.

It was a mourning headband; wearing it meant that the girl had recently lost a loved one.

The girl's expression confirmed this—her furrowed brows were filled with sorrow.

Night had fallen. Although the area in front of the Green Sun Spring Restaurant was still brightly lit, the crowds had thinned considerably. A gust of autumn wind swept by, bringing a chill, and the girl couldn't help but hunch her slender frame.

A man in his thirties stood beside the girl, looking hesitant and unsure whether to leave or not. After hesitating for a while, he finally asked, "You...you really don't need me to take you home?"

"Really, you don't need to." The girl's voice was soft but her tone was firm. "Someone will pick me up today. Thank you!"

The man shook his head, unable to understand who would come to pick up the girl. Her father had just passed away, and she seemed to have no other relatives or friends to rely on.

The man was the restaurant's head chef. Because he and the girl always went to and from get off work at the same time, he had temporarily taken on the task of driving her around for the past few days. But today, the girl suddenly said she didn't need him to drive her, which made him a little strange and also a little worried.

“You don’t need to worry about me.” The girl seemed to sense what the other person was thinking and added, “Even if the person who’s picking me up doesn’t come, I won’t get lost—I have Niu Niu with me.”

The man's gaze fell upon a Labrador Retriever at the girl's feet. This was "Niu Niu," the purebred guide dog her father had given her before his death. Niu Niu was well-trained, intelligent, and loyal—truly a reliable guide companion.

"Alright then." The man didn't insist anymore. After saying goodbye to the girl, he walked alone towards the restaurant's parking lot. As he drove past the entrance, he couldn't help but glance a few more times in the direction where the girl was standing.

The girl was still standing there all alone; the person who was supposed to pick her up had not yet arrived.

The man shook his head slightly. He had realized that after spending these days together, he seemed to have developed feelings for the girl beyond pity. However, he didn't want these feelings to continue developing.

Looking into the girl's empty, lifeless eyes, the man sighed inwardly, "What a pity..." Then he stepped on the gas, and the car accelerated towards the main road outside the courtyard.

The girl sensed the man's departure. She tugged at the dog's leash, and Niu Niu immediately understood, leading the girl forward. When they encountered steps, Niu Niu would place its body across its owner's calves as a specific warning. Only after its owner carefully stepped onto level ground would it continue its light, brisk steps.

The girl and the dog worked together to walk out of the restaurant's courtyard. By this time, there were very few vehicles and pedestrians on the street. The girl's figure was stretched long by the dim streetlights, making her look somewhat lonely and helpless.

The girl's ear twitched slightly as she heard the sound of tires screeching against the ground behind her. Sensing something was amiss, she stopped and waited.

With a soft screech of brakes, a black sedan pulled up beside the girl. The young man inside rolled down the window and asked, "Need help? I can give you a ride."

The girl didn't answer immediately. She leaned over in the direction of the young man's voice and took a deep breath through her nose.

The young man was taken aback, and he sniffed along with him. Then he suddenly understood something and turned his gaze to the inside of the car.

A single lily rests quietly above the dashboard, filling the car with a faint, pleasant fragrance.

The young man smiled bitterly to himself, knowing he had fallen into the other party's "trap".

"Alright, I've been waiting for you." The girl's expression was very serious. She asked coldly, "Were you watching me?"

The young man didn't seem to want to argue. After a moment of silence, he suggested, "Let's get in the car first—it's cold outside."

The girl took a step back and shook her head warily: "No, I won't get in your car."

"Then... shall we find a place to sit?" Seeing that the girl refused to get in the car but did not intend to leave, the young man made a second suggestion, "The coffee shop nearby."

The girl knew the café; it was only about 100 meters from the Green Sun Spring Restaurant. After a slight hesitation, she nodded in agreement. However, she immediately emphasized, "I'll walk there myself."

“Okay. I’ll go wait for you.” The young man drove off. He soon arrived at the coffee shop. As usual, he found a corner seat, then called over a waiter and instructed, “There’s a girl walking over from the Green Sun Spring Restaurant. Go and meet her—she’s blind.”

The waiter responded and left. About seven or eight minutes later, he led the girl to the table.

"Please sit down," the young man said casually, and then fell silent. This meeting was not part of his plan; he hadn't even figured out why he had suggested it, just as he didn't understand why he couldn't leave that restaurant.

The girl groped her way to a seat opposite the young man. Niu Niu stretched out its nose and sniffed around for a while, then half-lay down next to its owner. Influenced by its owner's nervousness, it stared wide-eyed at the stranger not far away, like a bodyguard.

"Why are you staring at me?" The girl didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point with a blunt question.

“I wasn’t watching you.” The young man had already prepared his reply while waiting. “I was eating at a restaurant. I saw you as I was leaving, and I just wanted to help you out.”

The young man wasn't lying, but that wasn't the whole story. At least he didn't leave immediately after finishing his meal; he deliberately waited in the parking lot for a while. That's how he saw the girl walk alone onto the street, so he drove up and asked if she needed help.

“No, you’re staring at me, I can feel it. Don’t try to fool me, even though I’m blind—” The girl frowned, looking displeased, “Sometimes blind people can see things that normal people can’t.”

“Yes…” the young man chuckled self-deprecatingly, “For example, that lily.”

"This isn't the first time you've sent me flowers."

The young man tacitly agreed; he neither could nor wanted to refute the question.

“You’ve come every day these past few days, and you always wait until I’ve left before you leave—I can’t see you, but I can feel it.” The girl emphasized again, “You’re watching me, don’t try to fool me.”

The young man sighed softly. Perhaps, as the girl said, her blindness had given her an extraordinary sixth sense. He had thought his actions could deceive anyone, but who knew he would be defeated by a blind woman today.

“Okay.” He readily admitted, “I’ve been watching you. But I mean no harm; I just want you to leave safely. Because… you’ve recently lost your caregiver.”