“Bro, so we’re heading back now?” Qiu Feng asked. They had just confirmed with the principal that Lian Zihao’s mother hadn’t left any address, and the police couldn’t locate Lian Liwu’s wife either.

　　“It’s almost time for school to be over. Let’s wait a bit longer. Maybe we’ll see Shi Yanfang,” Yan glanced at his watch. There were still over two hours left until dismissal.

　　The two fell into silence.

　　“I’ll call Yu and see how things are over there,” Yan said, feeling awkward as he pulled out his phone.

　　“Everything okay on your end?” Yan remembered Qiu mentioning the possibility of two elderly people causing trouble earlier in the morning.

　　“I can handle things here. How about you guys?” Yan heard a lot of noise on Mu Yu’s end.

　　“We found Lian Liwu’s son at the kindergarten. We’ll see if we can wait for Shi Yanfang...” Yan replied, intending to show concern for Mu Yu, but his words were cut off abruptly.

　　“Send me the address. I’ll come over right away. Dealing with a woman might be easier for me,” Mu Yu thought, not knowing what Shi was like. She was afraid that Yan and Qiu might not be able to handle her.

　　“I’m fine,” before Yan could finish his sentence, Mu Yu hung up the phone.

　　“She is coming?” Qiu clearly heard the conversation on the phone.

　　“Yes, she always takes matters into her own hands. When danger arises, she’s always the first one to step up. Over the years, she’s become much more cautious, no longer reckless like before. I really want to take care of her, but she never gives me the chance. I know she’s afraid, afraid that the people around her might have accidents again,” Yan kicked a stone on the ground and sighed.

　　“Who had an accident?” Qiu immediately thought of the photo on her desk; this incident must be related to the person in the photo.

　　“It was Yu’s mentor. Three years ago, during a mission, he sacrificed himself to protect Yu. Since then, she’s undergone a tremendous change. She used to be vibrant and lively, and many people at the bureau liked her. But after Officer Tang sacrificed himself, she became withdrawn. Apart from working harder, her life consisted of taking care of Officer Tang’s partner. She stopped interacting with us privately as before,” Yan reminisced about the past, his gaze dimming.

　　“No wonder why she was so furious during my first mission,” Qiu Feng finally understood why Mu Yu was so adamant about not taking on apprentices, fearing that anyone with a special connection to her might lose their lives because of her. The first time he saw Mu Yu, even in the pitch-black rain, he could sense the light and warmth radiating from her. But now, she seemed overshadowed by clouds.

　　“Yeah, she doesn’t allow anyone to take risks, but she often finds herself in dangerous situations. Yesterday, in the fire, you really scared her.”

　　“She was really worried about me yesterday?” Qiu inexplicably felt a bit elated.

　　“Of course, she was frantic. You collapsed on your first day out with her, and she blamed herself, saying she didn’t protect you well enough,” Yan recalled yesterday, it was truly frightening.

　　“So, today she sent me out but to face the complainants alone?” Qiu didn’t say this out loud, but he suddenly understood that she was doing everything she could to protect him.

　　“Oh, and don’t mention this matter in front of Yu. Her mentor’s name is a taboo in our group. No one dares to bring it up. Over the years, she has never gone tomb sweeping with us. She always goes alone,” Yan warned, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

　　After they finished speaking, they fell into a long silence, each harboring their own thoughts, so neither of them continued the conversation.

　　“What are you two doing standing here like fools?” Mu Yu drove up and saw Qiu Feng and Yan Yang leaning against the wall, one looking down at ants, the other up at the leaves.

　　“We’re waiting to see if Shi Yanfang will come to pick up Lian Zihao after school,” Qiu hurriedly greeted Mu Yu as she got out of the car.

　　“You’re both staking out like this? Do you really think Shi Yanfang, who doesn’t want the police to find her, will casually show up at the kindergarten gate?” Mu Yu found their silly appearance amusing, unsure of how to react for a moment.

　　“Oh, then I’ll go around and take a look.” Yan suddenly realized how serious his mistake was.

　　“You stay here, I’ll go around with Qiu Feng,” Mu gestured for Yan to stay put.

　　“Here’s a photo of Shi Yanfang, take a look.” Mu glanced around. There was a small park next to the kindergarten, providing a place for nearby residents to walk and relax. It was filled with trees, but since it was still afternoon, the heat had not dissipated yet, and apart from passing pedestrians, there were hardly any people lingering there.

　　“We just saw Lian Zihao, and he really looks like his mother,” Qiu remarked as he looked at the photo. It was a very beautiful face, no wonder Lian Zihao was so handsome; he resembled his mother.

　　“Hmm, I have a feeling that Shi Yanfang won’t show up today. Let’s split up and keep a low profile,” Mu instructed Qiu.

　　“Yes, Mentor.”

　　Yu, seven years ago, you rescued me from the hands of human traffickers and gave me the hope. Now, it seems it’s my turn to save you.

　　Qiu watched her figure as she walked away, recalling Yan’s words earlier. He felt a pang of sadness, realizing that she, like himself, had experienced such a major change. Thinking about this, he inexplicably felt a rush of affection. No matter how much she drove him away in the future, he wouldn’t leave her.

　　Mu Yu pretended to be a passerby walking through the park, observing the people inside.

　　An elderly man sat leisurely under the shade of a tree, listening to the radio with a relaxed expression. A grandmother, being walked by a vigorous teddy dog, strolled along. The rest were merely passersby.

　　At this moment, there were already some parents gathering at the entrance of the kindergarten to pick up their children, and Mu Yu followed suit.

　　“She is so young, and her child is already in kindergarten?” Most of the parents picking up the children were elderly, and they seemed to be neighbors or acquaintances, chatting in small groups. Mu Yu stood out conspicuously in the middle, catching the attention of a gray-haired old lady.

　　“Oh, no, I’m here to help a colleague pick up her child,” Mu Yu came up with a quick response, wondering if this old lady might know Shi Yanfang.

　　“What’s the child’s name? Most of the children in this kindergarten are from our community. I’ve watched them grow up,” the old lady spoke warmly.

　　“The child of my colleague is called Lian Zihao. Today, she asked me as a last-minute favor, and I haven’t really met the child. Do you know him, Auntie?” Mu seemed a bit nervous.

　　“Do you know Yanfang?” The old lady furrowed her brows.

　　“Yes, I work with her,” Mu didn’t understand why the old lady had such a reaction.

　　“Young lady, forgive me for being nosy, but seeing you so young and beautiful, why would you choose to do this? You’re not married yet, are you? What would your future husband think if he found out about your past? How would he treat you?” The old lady sighed as she looked at Mu.

　　Mu suddenly understood. Shi must be a woman who had fallen into prostitution. Could Zhao Pengcheng be one of her clients?

　　“Are you familiar with Yanfang?” Mu asked the old lady, who looked sorrowful.

　　“That woman has a terrible reputation. Her child, we don’t even know who the father is. Her husband, he beats her every day. I often see her with bruises all over her face. She doesn’t talk to any of us neighbors. My dear, you seem like a nice girl. You should find your way back before it’s too late,” the old lady advised Mu earnestly.

　　“Mm, Auntie, I understand. Thank you for your kindness,” Mu Yu felt moved. This old lady, a stranger, had offered advice instead of disdain when mistaking her for a fallen woman. If she were truly in that situation, she might have been swayed by the old lady’s words.

　　“Yes, this job might bring in money quickly, but it’s not the right path. You’re still young. Even if you just study or learn a trade... Don’t end up like Yanfang, who got herself mixed up with that man, doing nothing but stealing, gambling, and leaving behind an orphaned child,” the old lady shook her head.

　　“Have you seen Shi Yanfang today?” Mu asked, noting the mention of Shi’s husband, Lian Liwu.

　　“I’ll ask around for you, Feng, Feng!” the old lady called out to someone chatting nearby.

　　“Why are you shouting so loudly? I’m not deaf,” Mrs. Feng replied, approaching them.

　　“Dear girl, this is Yanfang’s neighbor. If you have any questions, ask her,” the old lady said.

　　“Auntie, thank you so much,” Mu said, seeing the children starting to line up at the kindergarten gate.

　　“Are you looking for Shi Yanfang? What do you want with her?” Mrs. Feng asked, still glancing back to check on her grandson.

　　“Yes, I’m here to pick up her child today, but I don’t know where she is,” Mu asked hurriedly.

　　“You’re picking up her child? Who are you?” Mrs. Feng scrutinized Mu with suspicion.

　　“I’m her friend,” Mu Yu insisted, unwilling to be mistaken for a fallen woman.

　　“Friend? Why have I never heard her mention a friend like you before? Besides, she called me today to pick up her child,” Mrs. Feng remarked.