Chapter 97.3: The Memory of Fire

"He didn’t know. He only came into contact with Wang Chaonan. When he found out Wang Chaonan had been arrested for murder, he panicked and rushed over to explain things, trying to distance himself."

"Have you informed the local precinct?"

"We have, but Tan-ge, you may not be aware—Tong’an Town has an industrial park with a large permanent population. Without a clear target, even if we deploy all our officers, it might not be enough. And if the trafficker really is there, our presence might scare them off before any deal goes down."

Tan Yunlong clenched his jaw. "We still need to pry open Wang Chaonan’s mouth. That bastard."

"Uncle Tan, I’ll leave the interrogation to you then. I’ll head back to school."

"Hmm?" Tan Yunlong looked at the boy, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright. I’ll walk you to the station to catch a cab."

"Okay."

"Tan-ge, I can drive him. Which boarding school is it?"

"You’ve got a car?"

"I… I could ride my bike, haha."

"No need. Go take a statement from that other guy."

"Got it, Tan-ge."

Tan Yunlong and Li Zhuiyuan walked to the station gate.

"Xiaoyuan, did you discover something?"

"I did."

Wang Chaonan said yesterday that the day after tomorrow, he'd take someone from his village to buy a child—meaning the transaction is scheduled for tomorrow.

Tong’an Town may be populous, but finding a circus that needs to erect a tent on an open lot shouldn’t be hard, assuming it even exists.

Judging by the timeline, Beibei has likely been trafficked here for nearly half a year. That’s enough time for a circus to go out on tour and return to Jinling’s outskirts.

"Xiaoyuan, is that all?"

"Uncle Tan, I won’t lie to you—I need to investigate this myself first. Once I’ve confirmed it, I’ll report it to the police."

Tan Yunlong pursed his lips. "Uncle can go with you."

Li Zhuiyuan smiled and shook his head.

"Then at least let Binbin go with you."

"Of course."

Tan Yunlong flagged down a taxi, gave the driver the name of the school, and paid the fare in advance.

As the car pulled away, Tan Yunlong watched its taillights and let out a sigh.

Inside the car, Li Zhuiyuan stared out the window at the passing streets. He hadn’t told Tan Yunlong about the circus because he didn’t want the police to tip their hand too early.

He trusted the officer, yes. But Granny Yu was not acting alone.

His edge was this: he had chosen the question himself. He had also “pre-discovered” the enemy’s existence.

In other words, he had the first-move advantage.

That was a major edge—and the very meaning of choosing his own investigation.

If Granny Yu got spooked and fled the circus, he’d lose sight of her entirely.

And since Jiangshui had already pointed her toward him, she would eventually come to him no matter what. The two were fated to cross paths.

So, if he lost track of her now, he’d be forced to live with the constant threat of her sudden return.

Back at school, Li Zhuiyuan returned to the dorm and first pushed open Lu Yi’s door.

Lu Yi wasn’t inside; Tan Wenbin and Lin Shuyou were.

"Xiaoyuan-ge, where’d you go?"

"Went out with your dad."

"Oh, no wonder you didn’t take me."

"Binbin-ge, are you feeling better now?"

"I was freezing around noon, but I’m good now. That red sausage really helps replenish your blood."

"Good. Come out with me—we’ve got to stop something utterly despicable that’s happening the day after tomorrow, no matter what it takes."

Tan Wenbin froze for a moment. Since when did Xiaoyuan-ge use such dramatic language?

But then he understood and immediately adopted a solemn tone.

"That’s our duty—for the righteous path, whatever it takes."

"Mm." Li Zhuiyuan turned and left the dorm.

Lin Shuyou reached out and grabbed Tan Wenbin’s hand, anxiously asking, "What’s going on?"

"Ayou, this doesn’t concern you. It’s the duty of a Corpse Retriever."

"Isn’t it also the duty of the Officer Puppet?"

"You’re still injured."

"I’m almost healed. If it weren’t for you trying to use me to get more sick notes from the drill instructor, I’d be back in training already."

"Ayou…"

"Big bro, when Xiaoyuan-ge tells you everything, you better tell me too."

Tan Wenbin pretended to hesitate before nodding. "Alright. Fine."

Out in the corridor, Li Zhuiyuan waited for Tan Wenbin. The two didn’t return to their dorm but headed downstairs.

"Xiaoyuan-ge, Ayou’s sorted."

"Mm. I may have found Granny Yu. The day after tomorrow—Tong’an Town, the circus."

"Then Runsheng and Yin Meng probably won’t make it in time. Whew… lucky you spared Ayou back then. Now he’s got another chance to defend the righteous path—his moment of glory."

Tan Wenbin then lowered his voice slightly.

"Otherwise, it’d just be me at your side. And I’m… not of much use."

Li Zhuiyuan suddenly stopped walking. His brows furrowed. His expression looked painful.

Tan Wenbin panicked. "Xiaoyuan-ge, what’s wrong?"

"Binbin, don’t ever say things like that in front of me again."

"Right. Got it. I won’t talk like that anymore. That was my fault, totally my fault."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. "That’s not it."

"Huh?"

"It’s when I have to comfort you sincerely… that’s what makes me feel terrible."

Tan Wenbin froze.

"I don’t want to treat you the way I just did Lin Shuyou—trick you into smiling and then send you to die for me."

"Xiaoyuan-ge… I get it. I really get it."

Li Zhuiyuan kept walking.

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