Chapter Ten: Ecstasy

"Uncle, I know you must be hitting a bottleneck right now, since the people you're investigating have no leverage against them. But if you have this information, maybe you could detain them for a few days."

"You still haven't answered my question," Yu Dong replied, not easily fooled.

"Uncle, you could see me as an enthusiastic citizen, or perhaps as an unofficial assistant helping you out."

Yu Dong remained silent.

"Uncle, if you trust me, I can give you another lead tonight. But this clue might be a bit intense—I don't know if you can handle it."

"What kind of lead?"

"That depends on whether you believe me or not."

Yu Dong pondered. Recently, they truly had run into a bottleneck, just as the boy said. The clues he’d provided were exactly what they needed.

"Fine. But only this once—it's too dangerous, not something you should get involved in."

Hearing Yu Dong’s words, Gu Yan stood up. "I'll send the file to your email tonight. Please write it down for me."

Before leaving, Gu Yan added, "By the way, the people you're investigating already know—they’re threatening Yu Chen right now. If you haven’t put them behind bars before school starts on Monday, I suggest you get someone to protect them."

With that, Gu Yan hurried off; he still had work to finish.

They already know? Our team’s case is supposed to be confidential. Could there be a traitor in the police station? Yu Dong frowned, lost in thought. If it weren’t absolutely necessary, he truly didn’t want to suspect his brothers.

As soon as Gu Yan arrived home, Song He called.

"I found it—the location is Chicago, USA."

"Chicago?!"

"Looks like you thought the same thing."

"If my guess is right, this must be an international drug trafficking route. They’re taking advantage of the distance, smuggling drugs from Mexico to Chicago."

"I think so too."

With this discovery, Gu Yan realized things were far beyond what they could handle.

"Listen, Song He, we’ve done enough. I’ll hand over this evidence to the police and let them take over."

"Why? We’ve come so far—maybe we can take down their headquarters and help wipe out this international cancer!"

"It’s not that simple. You and I would be in real danger. Their power means they’re not afraid, you know? You don’t want to ruin your future over this, do you?"

"Right, I get it."

Relieved that Song He agreed, Gu Yan breathed out. He’d feared this boy would let the matter affect his destiny.

"Alright, it’s settled. Send everything to my email."

What amused Gu Yan was the so-called boss everyone mentioned—Liu Quan—who turned out to be the illegitimate son of the Liu Group, suspected of laundering money and smuggling drugs.

The Liu Group’s heir had an accident abroad a few months ago, so Old Liu had to call in his illegitimate son and reveal the truth. Liu Quan never dreamed he would rise overnight from a petty gang leader to someone half the underworld called “boss” because of sudden wealth.

But once he got involved in the family business, Liu Quan realized things weren’t so simple. The Liu Group had a certain standing in their circles, and the more he learned, the more cautious and astonished he became. So when spies reported Yu Dong and his team were investigating them, Liu Quan was shocked. Old Liu wanted him to handle it himself, calling it his first trial. Liu Quan muddled through, coming up with a bunch of ideas, none of which worked.

He blamed himself for being too timid, unable to do what was needed. Liu Quan wondered: how could he quietly eliminate those annoying police officers?

He was still thinking when the door knocked, and Liu Quan went to open it.

That night, after sending the files to Yu Sheng’s father, Gu Yan could finally rest. The first obstacle had been overcome. Gu Yan lay in bed, thinking. Now, he just had to figure out how to explain everything to Yu Sheng tomorrow.

Yu Sheng couldn’t quite describe how she felt—nervous or excited? Ever since Gu Yan had invited her yesterday, she’d felt this way. She was popular enough, but it was the first time a boy had invited her over.

Since she helped Gu Yan clean his house that day, she hadn’t been back.

"Sis, aren’t you going?" Yu Chen asked as Yu Sheng sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

"I’m going. By the way, how’s your leg?"

"That little cut is nothing—just like a mosquito bite to me." Yu Chen joked.

He was trying to keep Yu Sheng’s spirits up so she wouldn’t get too upset when she heard the truth.

"Yeah right, who was the one grimacing in pain that day?" Yu Sheng rolled her eyes.

"Come on, let’s go. Gu Yan’s waiting," Yu Chen urged.

At Gu Yan’s door, before Yu Sheng could knock, the door swung open.

"I’ve been waiting for you! Come in," Gu Yan said.

When Yu Sheng entered, she saw the table covered with snacks.

"Gu Yan, what are we going to play?" Yu Chen asked knowingly.

"Yeah," Yu Sheng echoed.

"Take a seat on the sofa first, let’s chat and play some games."

Once Yu Sheng settled in, Gu Yan sat beside her. Yu Chen rolled his eyes and went to sit alone at the far end of the sofa.

"Yu Sheng, actually, we need to talk to you about something today."

"Hmm? What is it?" Yu Sheng sensed trouble.

"About your brother’s injury." Gu Yan said as he handed her a cup of tea.

Yu Sheng glanced at Yu Chen, who nonchalantly sipped his cola.

"What happened to him?" Yu Sheng looked at Gu Yan, her expression serious.

"Well..." (Here, a lengthy explanation was omitted.)

After Gu Yan finished, Yu Sheng’s eyes were a little red.

"Why didn’t you tell us?" Yu Sheng demanded of Yu Chen.

Yu Chen looked away.

"It wouldn’t have made a difference."

"How could it not? Couldn’t I have helped you? You just let yourself get beaten?"

"It wasn’t all for nothing—I even tricked them a few times!" Yu Chen tried to laugh it off, but seeing Yu Sheng’s expression, he fell silent.

"Is it because of me that you didn’t say anything?" Yu Sheng asked.

"What are you talking about? Of course not. Don’t put words in my mouth."

"Are you worried that if you told me, I’d get a bad impression of the police?"

"No."

"If I knew being a police officer could put the family in danger, would I stop pursuing my dream?"

"No!"

Yu Sheng took a deep breath and sat beside Yu Chen, looking at him.

"Yu Chen, I understand—even if you won’t admit it. But I want you to know: since I’ve chosen my future career, I’m aware of its hardships and hidden risks, and I know the responsibility it carries."

"So, Yu Chen, don’t worry about me. If something like this happens again, do what needs to be done, okay?"

Yu Sheng looked at Yu Chen, unsure if her words got through.

Yu Chen nodded, head down, silent.

Yu Sheng smiled and hugged Yu Chen.

"You little rascal, you’ve got quite the mind."

"Don’t hug me, so dramatic," Yu Chen complained, pushing her away.

Gu Yan had watched their family drama for a while, feeling gratified, but when Yu Chen pushed Yu Sheng away, he couldn’t help but interject.

"Yu Chen, you should be grateful your sister hugs you."

Kid, you don’t know how lucky you are—I wish I had that!

Yu Chen looked at Gu Yan, his expression complicated.

"Alright, now the story’s over—let’s play a game!" Yu Sheng said, secretly wiping her tears.

"No way, sis, you cried?" Yu Chen teased.

"Get lost, I didn’t. Let’s play."

Yu Chen and Gu Yan exchanged smiles, saying nothing.

"What are we playing?"

"Let’s play a board game."

On the way home that night, Yu Chen whispered in Gu Yan’s ear, "Gu Yan, I don’t know what you see in my sister, but I think you can handle her temper."

He winked and ran upstairs.

Gu Yan smiled. When did this kid figure it out? I thought I hid it well.

After cleaning up the table, Gu Yan lay in bed and saw a message from Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng: I forgot to say it today. Thank you!

Gu Yan: Thank me for what?

Yu Sheng: Thank you for everything you've done for my brother, and for protecting him.

Gu Yan read the message and was overjoyed.

Gu Yan: It’s what I should do.

By the way, there’s still no news from Yu Sheng’s father. Who knows what’s happened to those people now.

When Yu Sheng didn’t reply for a while, Gu Yan sent an email to Yu Sheng’s father. He’d left in such a hurry, he forgot to ask for his WeChat. Besides, Gu Yan didn’t want Yu Sheng or Yu Chen to know about his connection with their father—the fewer people who knew, the safer. No one could tell what a drug lord might do.

Gu Yan thought Yu Sheng’s father would take a while to respond—people rarely use email these days. Gu Yan had said he’d send the files by email because WeChat wasn’t secure. But Yu Dong replied quickly, sending just a period.

That probably means it’s safe, Gu Yan thought.

At that moment, Yu Sheng messaged him again.

Yu Sheng: I was checking my grades—results are out.

Gu Yan: Wait for me, I’ll check mine.

Yu Sheng: Okay.

After checking, Gu Yan found he’d done quite well.

Gu Yan: Checked. Pretty good. How did you do?

Yu Sheng: What’s your score?

Gu Yan: 720, not bad.

After sending it, Yu Sheng didn’t reply immediately.

Did she think I’m mediocre? I admit my language score was a bit low this time—I forgot some classical texts. Gu Yan thought.

He was about to message her when Yu Sheng replied.

Yu Sheng: !!! So high! I only got 657—you’re amazing!

Seeing Yu Sheng’s message, Gu Yan was overjoyed again. How much favor had he won in her eyes!

At a certain computer, someone looked at the data and smiled.

"Gu Yan, Third High School of S City, hmm, a transfer student. Not bad, not bad."