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The letter was formal, informing MX Company that they required Lin Xian’s help on a special investigation team for the Xu Yun case for a month, possibly extending if needed.

“Why do they suddenly want me?” Lin Xian mused aloud.

“I’m not sure,” Zhao Ying Jun replied, shaking her head. “They usually keep details of these cases under wraps until they’re completely solved. Remember, you don’t have to accept this transfer if you don’t want to.”

Lin Xian’s eyes were drawn to the red seal on the document. It was out of the ordinary for the Donghai City Police to request someone with no investigative experience.

There was only one explanation: Ji Lin must have recommended him. Clearly, Ji Lin had arranged this invitation to join the investigation team.

Now in a significant role, Ji Lin wielded substantial influence within the police department, capable of orchestrating such maneuvers with ease.

Lin Xian had figured out that Ji Lin, along with Ji Xin Shui and Zhou Duan Yun, were involved not only in the murders of Xu Yun and Tang Xin but were also plotting against him, including a plan to stage a car accident at 00:42.

This was the kind of cat-and-mouse game Yellow Finch had mentioned.

Recently, Lin Xian had been actively gathering information about his adversaries, who were likely doing the same about him.

Ji Lin’s request seemed like a direct challenge, aiming to discover Lin Xian’s secrets through daily interaction and teamwork.

“Hold on,” Lin Xian paused, thinking. His investigations into Ji Xin Shui and the past dealings with Zhou Duan Yun had been accidental. Ji Lin wouldn’t know he was already on their trail.

From Ji Lin’s point of view, Lin Xian was still oblivious to his role in the murders and continued to play the concerned officer, ostensibly focused on solving Xu Yun’s murder while grieving over Tang Xin.

So, the upper hand was still Lin Xian’s. He had more information.

Should he accept the invitation?

Lin Xian hesitated. Real life wasn’t like a dream; there were no second chances.

The old saying went, “To catch the tiger’s cub, one must enter the tiger’s den,” but entering Ji Lin’s territory alone was risky. Ji Lin was cunning and would undoubtedly set numerous traps.

However, having identified Ji Lin, Ji Xin Shui, and Zhou Duan Yun, the next logical step to expose them required close proximity to collect more evidence.

In this strategic game, it was about who could exploit the other’s errors first. The stakes were high, but so were the potential rewards. He should pretend to fall into Ji Lin’s trap, then turn the tables.

“If Ji Lin can set traps for me, why can’t I set a counter-trap?” Lin Xian thought.

“I’ll think it over,” Lin Xian pocketed the transfer request and turned to Zhao Ying Jun. “Professor Xu Yun was a great mentor to us, and if I can help the police solve his murder sooner, I want to contribute.”

Zhao Ying Jun nodded, “It’s your decision.”

…

After leaving Zhao Ying Jun’s office, Lin Xian checked his watch. It was still early, not yet noon. Knowing Zheng Cheng He drove a taxi during the day, he figured Zheng Xiang Yue would be alone in the hospital.

He wanted to confirm if Zheng Cheng He was involved in the deaths of Professor Xu Yun and Tang Xin. The best way was to ask Zheng Xiang Yue directly.

He was also curious about Zheng Cheng He’s past, something he seemed reluctant to discuss, whereas Zheng Xiang Yue was more open and likely to share.

Lin Xian caught a taxi to Donghai University Affiliated Hospital and headed to the 17th floor, to Xu Yi Yi’s room. Sunlight streamed through the open curtains, illuminating Xu Yi Yi’s eyelashes and hair.

Silent as always since the accident, the world had changed dramatically around her; even her father had passed away.

The room was impeccably maintained, a testament to Zhao Ying Jun’s diligent care.

Lin Xian paced, making noise, aware that Zheng Xiang Yue might be alone next door. If she was curious, she might come over. If not, he planned to visit her.

Sure enough, Zheng Xiang Yue soon peeked in.

“Brother Lin Xian?”

She remembered him from her brother’s mention the previous day.

“Xiang Yue?” Lin Xian feigned surprise, smiling warmly. “I came to visit Yi Yi. Where’s your brother?”

“He’s driving the taxi,” she said brightly. “During the day, it’s just me here. I often talk to Yi Yi, even if she can’t respond.”

“That’s good,” Lin Xian responded thoughtfully, looking at Xu Yi Yi. “Maybe she hears you sometimes. Who knows, maybe one day she’ll wake up, and you’ll be close friends.”

Lin Xian conversed with Zheng Xiang Yue, learning about her serious congenital heart condition that kept her hospitalized. She was always eager to talk, having no friends and spending her days alone.

She shared her background: coming from a poor village in Jiangsu Province, orphaned young when their parents were killed over a land dispute by a local bully.

“My brother has more scars than he should,” she noted. “He stayed to protect me during an attack. That’s why he got hurt so bad.”

“I don’t remember much from then,” she added. “The trauma might have blocked my memories.”

Lin Xian nodded, “How did you end up in Donghai?”

“We had to leave to escape the bullying,” she explained. “My health got worse, but things improved here. My brother got a job, and the bad people went to jail eventually.”

Her smile broadened, “My brother says good people will eventually be rewarded, and bad ones will get what they deserve. I believe that’s how the world works!”

Lin Xian returned her smile but stayed quiet. The world was more gray than black and white, but he didn’t want to dampen her hopeful view.

“Since things are looking up, why worry?” Lin Xian asked. “You’re strong; you’ll get better. What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“I never really thought about growing up,” she admitted distantly.

“Why not?” he probed.

“Because the doctors say I won’t live long. They don’t think I’ll see another birthday.”

“But you’re here, and you keep growing,” Lin Xian encouraged. “Miracles happen.”

“They say my heart’s too weak,” she touched her chest. “And my blood type makes a transplant almost impossible. They think I won’t live past this year.”

Lin Xian knew her birthday was next month. She didn’t have much time, but she was still here.

“Your birthday’s coming, and you’re proving them wrong,” Lin Xian assured her, squeezing her hand. “You’re going to grow up strong and beautiful. Trust yourself and science. They’re making advances all the time.”

“You love the moon, right? Why not dream of being an astronaut?” he suggested.

“An astronaut?” she pondered, tilting her head.

“Yes,” Lin Xian affirmed. “You could travel to the moon, see Earth from space. It would be incredible.”

He linked his pinky with hers. “Promise me you’ll wave to us from the moon. We’ll be watching.”

“Okay!” she giggled, making the pinky promise.

“Is your brother coming tonight?” Lin Xian asked, steering towards his main interest.

“Yes, he finishes his shift at six,” she nodded. “He’s mostly working days but sometimes at night too.”

“He’s very dedicated,” Lin Xian noted. “What did he get you for New Year’s?”

“We watched fireworks together, and he surprised me with a Rhine Cat doll at midnight. I love Rhine Cat!” she beamed.

“That’s great,” Lin Xian thought, relieved.

Considering the distances involved, if Zheng Cheng He was with her at midnight, he couldn’t have been involved in the accident at 00:42 that killed Professor Xu Yun.

He couldn’t be in two places at once, and Zheng Xiang Yue wouldn’t lie about something so important.

That was reassuring. Lin Xian hoped Zheng Cheng He, the caring brother, was genuinely good. He looked forward to the day they could proudly watch Zheng Xiang Yue wave from the moon.

“What do you want for your birthday?” Lin Xian asked, ready to celebrate.

“I want to go to the moon!” she declared firmly.

“But you can’t go right now,” Lin Xian chuckled. “No one’s doing manned moon missions currently.”

“Yes, they are! They’re selling tickets to the moon now!” she insisted.

“Really?” Lin Xian was skeptical. “Are you sure it’s not just a game?”

“No, it’s real! I saw it on the news,” she insisted, rushing to fetch her phone.

She returned with her phone, showing him a news screenshot.

“See, I told you it’s real!” she said triumphantly.

Lin Xian took the phone, still doubtful, and read the headline: “SpaceX CEO, the world’s richest man Elon Musk, announces moon travel tickets on sale, with only ten seats available!”