Inside the third-floor stairwell.
“Don’t stop me,” Qi Lin shouted, violently shaking off Lao Mao’s grip. “I’m going to ask Team Leader Yuan why the hell I’m being transferred to the Logistics Department.”
“Are you even cut out for the frontline? Wake up, and stop fucking dragging everyone else down…” Lao Mao glared back. “Last night’s case went unsolved, and everyone is pissed. Going to Old Yuan now is just asking for trouble. If he snaps and fires you, won’t you be completely screwed?”
“…”
As the two argued, Qin Yu walked downstairs and asked, “What are you two doing?”
They both froze.
“Could you not yell in here? You are making a scene,” Qin Yu frowned at them. “Come on, let’s step outside. I have a few words for Qi Lin anyway.”
Qi Lin hesitated for a long moment before Qin Yu and Lao Mao finally dragged him away.
…
Downstairs.
Lin Nianlei blinked her large, beautiful eyes. “I’m a reporter for the Network Broadcast Station. I found people selling smuggled medicines at inflated prices around Tu Zha Street… During our undercover investigation, those thugs spotted us and snatched our camera.”
“Do you recognize them?”
“No.”
“Fill out a form, print a copy of your ID, and clearly write down the time, location, and specific details.” The duty officer casually tossed an incident report form across the counter.
Lin Nianlei took it, sat down, and carefully filled it out before handing it back. “Is this enough? Can you go arrest them now?”
“Alright, you can head back. We’ll look into it later.”
“Wait, my camera is still with them, and they haven’t left yet. Why don’t you go arrest them right now?!” Lin Nianlei’s voice rose with urgency.
“Do I need you to teach me how to handle a case?” The officer crossed his legs. “Go home. We’ll notify you when there’s news.”
“Hey, what kind of attitude is that? They stole my camera, and they should still be there. Why not go right now?”
“Do you not understand words? I told you to go home.”
“…You!” Lin Nianlei’s face flushed red with anger. In a panic, she blurted out, “Forget it, I’m looking for Qin Yu. Is he here?”
“You know someone here?” The officer paused, looking up.
“Yes, I know him.”
“Then wait a second.” The officer’s attitude softened slightly as he picked up his radio and barked a few words into it.
Lin Nianlei waited for about a minute before the officer shook his head. “Qin Yu isn’t in. He went out.”
Lin Nianlei looked exasperated. “Then can you at least come with me to get my camera back?”
“I can’t go right now. I have to report it up the chain and investigate according to procedure.”
“…Fucking unbelievable.” Lin Nianlei spat a curse, grabbed her bag, and stormed off.
…
Inside a breakfast joint next to the Police Department.
Qi Lin stared blankly at the multigrain buns on the table, motionless.
“Don’t beat yourself up. If it’s a transfer to the Logistics Department, then so be it for now. Team Leader Yuan is still pissed off…” Qin Yu tried to console Qi Lin between bites of food.
Qi Lin’s eyes were bloodshot. He stared down at his palms and muttered, “It’s not fair.”
Lao Mao had a short fuse. Already dissatisfied with Qi Lin’s performance last night, he instantly flared up. “What the fuck isn’t fair? You didn’t do your job, so is there a problem punishing you? I told you before, you aren’t cut out to make a living on the frontline, yet you kept dreaming about promotions… Now look at you! You didn’t just screw yourself, you screwed your partners. If we had caught that A Long last night, what do you think the brass would have said today? Everyone on the case would’ve been commended. But just because you didn’t have the guts to pull the trigger, not only are we getting disciplined, but Lao Hei got killed. Did you see his body? Shot three times. Even his Bulletproof Vest was blown to pieces.”
Qin Yu stayed quiet.
Qi Lin slowly looked up. His face showed no agitation, only numbness. “Lao Mao, could you not jump to conclusions when you don’t even know the details?!”
“What details? Then tell me, why didn’t you shoot? Why?” Lao Mao slammed his bowl down, glaring.
Qi Lin clenched his fists. He stared at Lao Mao for several seconds before gritting his teeth. “Fine, even if I didn’t shoot… I was wrong. I admit it.”
“It was your mistake to begin with.”
“But have you never made a mistake? Have you really?” Qi Lin suddenly shot back.
Lao Mao was momentarily struck dumb.
“Well, I haven’t. From the day I put on this uniform, I haven’t committed a single serious breach of duty. Not once.” Qi Lin’s voice trembled as he looked between Qin Yu and Lao Mao. “I’ve been walking on thin ice, busting my ass at the Police Department. Not only have I kept my record clean, but just to get promoted to Second-Level Police Officer and earn those extra few hundred a month, I worked my ass off to place top three in shooting at Police Headquarters and first in the Police Department. Am I right?”
Qin Yu was completely floored. He had no idea Qi Lin held any marksmanship honors.
“When I brought glory to the Police Department, there was no actual reward. But the moment I make a mistake, I get punished. Is that fair?” Qi Lin asked, his eyes rimmed with red. “Is it so hard to make me a Second-Level Police Officer? It just takes one fucking word from the higher-ups, so why is it never my turn? Why will no one speak that word for me? Nominated every year, passed over every year. Am I right? Tell me, Lao Mao, am I right?!”
Lao Mao had never seen Qi Lin speak to him with such fire, leaving him stunned.
“I’m not like you! You have Old Li covering your ass at the Police Department. You can mess with anyone, and if you’re in a bad mood, you can even curse out Yuan Ke. But can I? Forget cursing—if I say one wrong word and offend the wrong person, I could be kicked to the curb tomorrow. If I lose my job, who’s going to pay for my mom’s medical bills? Who’s going to feed my sister? You? Tell me, is it going to be you?!” Qi Lin’s voice grew hoarse, his fists clenched as he growled. “People like you live a life, while I’m just struggling to survive. I don’t dare put my life on the line. When trouble hits, I have to hide, because I don’t have the luxury of risking my life… I’ve got two mouths at home waiting for me to feed them. If I miss work for three days, they starve. You have backing; I have baggage. So you get to curse at me and look down on me from your high horse, while I can only keep my head down. Forever! Maybe one day, if I give it my absolute fucking all, I’ll only ever reach your starting line. That’s it.”
With that, Qi Lin stood up. He looked woodenly at Qin Yu and Lao Mao. “Enjoy your meal. I’m leaving.”
“Qi Lin!” Qin Yu called out.
Without looking back, Qi Lin walked out of the breakfast shop alone.
Lao Mao frowned, returning to his porridge.
Qin Yu stared into space, lost in thought.
After a long while, Lao Mao lowered his head. “Did I cross a line?”
“Yeah, a bit,” Qin Yu nodded.
“I’m genuinely worried about him…” Lao Mao sighed.
…
Snowflakes began to drift from the sky. Qi Lin walked stiffly along the desolate street. He wanted to buy a bottle of liquor to take the edge off his frustration, but when he reached into his pocket, he remembered that even the cheapest swill cost twenty-five…
He endured it, kept walking, and headed home.
…
Somewhere inside a house on Tu Zha Street.
A Long took a drag from his cigarette, frowning as he looked at Lao Ma. “When can I leave?”
“I’m arranging it. Soon. Within the next two days.”
“I need to head out once before I go.”
“Stop fucking around. Everyone out there is searching like crazy for you,” Lao Ma warned urgently.
“Once I leave this time, I don’t know when I’ll be back,” A Long replied, lowering his head. “I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of.”