Chapter 186: The Gift

“So... our mission today is to pick out a gift for An Qing?” Lin Xian asked, watching Ji Lin carefully browse the gift section of the mall. It felt surreal, like watching the sun rise in the west. “Do we really need to spend an entire afternoon on this? We’re so busy; it feels like a waste of time.”

“Think of it as a break for the team. We’ve all been putting in extra hours,” Ji Lin replied gently, examining a Barbie doll gift set from every angle before setting it aside.

“Don’t you think we should look for something more grown-up? An Qing is turning 19, not 9,” Lin Xian commented, feeling out of place amid the childish, colorful gifts.

“What do 19-year-old girls even like?” Ji Lin looked up, his expression serious. “I’ve never given a gift before, so I’m not sure what to pick.”

“How would you handle a gift-giving scene in one of your stories?” Lin Xian asked.

“I’d probably skip the details and keep the birthday gift scene short,” Ji Lin replied.

“You really are something... But I don’t think you need to overthink it,” Lin Xian scratched his head and moved towards the luxury displays. “A birthday gift is just a gesture. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s the thought that counts.”

“You’re right, but...” Ji Lin followed, looking around. “Since it’s my first time going to someone’s birthday party, I want to pick something she’ll actually like.”

“You don’t even know her that well. How can you be sure what she likes?” Lin Xian smiled wryly. “Understanding a woman’s heart is like finding a needle in a haystack. Sometimes figuring out what they like is harder than solving a case.”

“That might not be true,” Ji Lin said, staring at Lin Xian’s back. “Actually, Chu An Qing is quite straightforward.”

March 28.

That day, Ji Lin and Lin Xian had assisted the Donghai City Public Security Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division in cracking a tough cold case. Despite their usual ease in finding crucial clues, their special unit was struggling, leading to low morale mainly due to a lack of evidence.

“If only we could locate those vehicles involved,” a female team member lamented.

“How can those vehicles just vanish in a city full of cameras?” another member sighed.

“Cameras have blind spots,” a male team member countered. “If the vehicles stuck to main roads, we wouldn’t lose them. The intersection cameras are interconnected, but they always disappear exactly in the blind spots and are never seen again.”

“What do you think?” Ji Lin turned to Lin Xian, who was idly spinning a pen. “How do you think those vehicles disappeared?”

“I don’t believe anything truly vanishes into thin air,” Lin Xian replied. “Those vehicles were either hidden or moved in some extraordinary way.”

“Like what?” Ji Lin asked, intrigued.

“I’m not sure,” Lin Xian admitted, shaking his head. “But you see it in movies. Like in ‘Fast & Furious,’ where they hide cars in plain sight.”

“If they used a method like that, hiding the car under a truck in a blind spot, then hauling it into the truck’s container... our tracking would end there.”

“I checked the footage of the Audi and the taxi. They vanished near the outer city, where container trucks abound. It’s like hiding a tree in a forest—difficult to spot, especially after so much time.”

“So... our best strategy is to intercept those vehicles right away,” Ji Lin concluded, folding his arms. “We should collaborate more closely with the research department. If we can track every scientist researching hibernation in Donghai City, we could set up roadblocks to catch those vehicles.”

“We must ensure the scientists’ safety first. We need to predict which scientist the perpetrator will target next at 00:42. That’s our only chance to advance the case.”

Everyone agreed with the plan.

Lin Xian, too, was waiting for the next 00:42 incident. At that moment, the driver who killed Xu Yun and Tang Xin would reappear, and he was determined to catch him.

Lin Xian twirled his pen, watching Ji Lin organize the papers on the table. Follow the leads, find solid evidence. Zhou Duan Yun, Ji Lin, Ji Xin Shui... None of you will escape!

“Meeting adjourned,” Ji Lin announced, standing up.

Their gifts were both recommended by the store clerk and were not cheap. Lin Xian didn’t expect Ji Lin to switch to a painting instead.

“I think she’ll like this more,” Ji Lin whispered back. “It’s rare to give a birthday gift. Might as well make it something she’ll really enjoy.”

“How can you be so sure she’ll like it?”

“I’m confident about this painting.”

He turned to Chu An Qing. “Happy birthday, An Qing. But don’t open this painting now. Save it for later as a surprise.”

“Okay, Ji Lin. Thank you for the painting!” Chu An Qing was eager to open it but set it aside to continue opening other presents.

The birthday party was joyful and relaxing. Lin Xian and Ji Lin had a great time. Lin Xian was surprised by Ji Lin’s behavior that night. He had thought Ji Lin wasn’t one for lively gatherings, given his solitary and reserved nature. But it seemed everyone sought connection and joy deep down. Ji Lin gradually joined in, playing games with everyone.

Later, the girls chatted about gossip, school, and TV shows, while Lin Xian and Ji Lin moved to the rooftop balcony on the villa’s third floor, lying on lounge chairs under the moonlight.

“I think you and Chu An Qing make a good pair, better than Zhao Ying Jun,” Ji Lin said suddenly.

Lin Xian almost choked on his juice. “What are you talking about?”

Ji Lin lay back, turning to look at Lin Xian. “What’s your relationship with Chu An Qing?”

“Nothing,” Lin Xian answered honestly.

“But Chu An Qing clearly doesn’t think so,” Ji Lin observed with interest. “She really likes you. It’s obvious.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

“No,” Ji Lin shook his head.

“Then how can you be so sure?”

“I’ve read a lot. In stories, the romantic plotlines are like this,” Ji Lin turned his gaze back to the sky. “Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed in you tonight. I expected some big drama.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Lin Xian laughed. “Reality isn’t like stories. What should I be doing, according to your stories?”

“In stories...” Ji Lin blinked and continued. “You’d do something grand and romantic, like setting off fireworks to light up the whole city. You know Chu An Qing would love that, but you didn’t do it.”

“Have you been reading ‘Dragon Clan’?” Lin Xian chuckled. “Your fantasy is a bit small. Why not summon all the heroes in the world to give Chu An Qing treasures and then descend on a giant eagle? Isn’t that more interesting than your story?”

Ji Lin laughed, getting the reference. “‘The Return of the Condor Heroes,’ Yang Guo and Guo Xiang.” He sighed softly. “Spending time with you, I find we get along well. You’re interesting, and I enjoy our talks.”

“All these years, I mostly stayed in my room, solving math problems, reading, writing, watching the news... I rarely went out. The outside world seemed uninteresting to me.”

“But now... attending Chu An Qing’s birthday party and chatting with you is quite nice.” He sat up, moonlight highlighting his pale face. “Can you tell me... what gift you’ll give me for my birthday?”

“No spoilers,” Lin Xian laughed. “You’ll know on your birthday, May 3rd, right? I’ll get you a gift.”

But first... Lin Xian’s smile faded as he gazed at the rising moon. You have to live until then. Though he seemed to get along with Ji Lin, Lin Xian never wavered in his resolve to avenge Xu Yun and Tang Xin.

Ji Lin, if you are the killer... I won’t show mercy.

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation