Shu-Yang's condition had improved slightly.
The moment Jun-Yu arrived at the hospital, he learned about Shu-Yang's current condition. Since Jun-Yu had been absent and Shu-Yang had no family by his side, Wan-Qing had chosen not to leave him alone.
Wan-Qing: "Congratulations, Junior. I'm really proud of you."
The words broke the heavy silence hanging over the room.
A storm of anger and resentment was clearly visible on Jun-Yu's face. He had risked his life to become the champion today, yet there wasn't the slightest trace of joy in his expression. Shu-Yang's sudden deterioration had deeply shaken him.
Standing beside Jun-Yu, Shi-Han could clearly read the emotions on his face. She leaned closer and whispered,
Shi-Han: "Looks like the twelve-thousand-megawatt power line is about to snap."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jun-Yu turned toward her with a stern glare. Although she had whispered the words, he had apparently heard them. The moment their eyes met, Shi-Han immediately fell silent.
Breaking the silence once again, Shu-Yang spoke in a weak voice,
Shu-Yang: "Congratulations, brother. I'm so happy today. Even when I became champion myself, I was never this excited. This is the greatest victory of my life... and for the first time, I truly feel like a champion."
Jun-Yu replied in a voice filled with bitterness,
Jun-Yu: "Is that really how you feel? Or do you enjoy seeing me risk my life? Would you have been happier if I'd died today?"
His words left everyone speechless.
Not understanding the hidden meaning behind Jun-Yu's anger, Shu-Yang frowned.
Shu-Yang: "What do you mean? Are you saying I forced you into the race because I wanted to kill you?"
Jun-Yu: "I'm asking whether you wanted to kill me... or whether you never realized that someone else wanted to kill you."
Shu-Yang lowered his eyes.
Shu-Yang: "I'm sorry... I never wanted your talent to remain hidden. That's why I emotionally pressured you into entering the race."
Shu-Yang had no idea what had actually happened during the race.
Standing beside Jun-Yu, Dr. Yu-Tong finally spoke.
Yu-Tong: "Jun-Yu, Shu-Yang isn't in good condition yet. He's still very weak. This isn't the right time to put him under so much emotional stress."
Today was Dr. Yu-Tong's day off. He had originally taken leave so he could watch Jun-Yu's racing performance. But cruel fate had other plans. Shu-Yang's sudden medical emergency prevented him from seeing the race at all.
Hearing the doctor's words, Jun-Yu remained silent. He turned around and started walking toward the hospital room's exit.
Just then, Shu-Yang called out weakly from behind him.
Shu-Yang: "What happened at the circuit today? Why do you keep avoiding my questions? Do you really think... I wanted to kill you?"
Jun-Yu: "That's not what I meant when I said you wanted to kill me. Today's race bike had brake failure... and if I hadn't replaced you, you would've been the one riding it for Hua-Long Team."
Shu-Yang sensed there was a deeper mystery hidden behind Jun-Yu's words. However, after spending so many days trapped in the hospital, all he could think about was the case that remained unresolved. Instead of responding to Jun-Yu's implication, he changed the subject.
Shu-Yang: "Jun-Yu... can you grant me one favor, brother? Please take me with you. I can't breathe in this hospital anymore. If I stay here any longer, I feel like I'll die."
Jun-Yu: "Don't ask me—just give me the order, and I'll do everything I can. But don't ask me to take you home yet. You still need to stay here for another two days."
Shu-Yang's face immediately fell with disappointment.
At that moment, one of his fellow police officers hurried into the room.
Jing-Hao: "Sir, we have news. All the suspects who were arrested in the Shin-Yan murder case have committed suicide."
Jing-Hao had no idea what had happened earlier that day, but the news struck Shu-Yang like a bolt of lightning.
Shu-Yang: "W-What?! No... that's impossible! The case I've devoted my entire life to... the investigation I nearly died for... No... they shouldn't have died... I should be the one who died! I... I couldn't solve the case...!"
After dedicating his life to his duty, hearing such devastating news was enough to shatter even the strongest officer.
Clutching his head in agony, Shu-Yang cried out in despair.
Wan-Qing immediately stepped forward in panic.
Wan-Qing: "Shu-Yang! What's wrong? Why are you acting like this?"
Shu-Yang replied in a trembling voice,
Shu-Yang: "My head... it hurts so much... I want to be alone. Please... all of you... leave. Just leave."
Dr. Yu-Tong sighed.
Yu-Tong: "Jun-Yu, that's enough for today. He can't continue this conversation anymore. Officer, please try to understand. I hope you'll cooperate."
After entering the room and seeing everyone gathered there, Jing-Hao had already guessed that something serious had happened.
As soon as Dr. Yu-Tong finished speaking, he discreetly signaled Jun-Yu with his eyes.
Holding the championship trophy in his hands, Jun-Yu stepped closer to Shu-Yang.
Jun-Yu: "Shu-Yang... calm down. I'm your shadow. Your burdens are mine too. We'll reopen the investigation together. But before that, you need to overcome the darkness of your past."
Shu-Yang looked at him with tearful eyes.
Shu-Yang: "Jun-Yu... you know why I became an officer in the Special Crime Branch. Their suicide has destroyed everything... It's taken away the very reason I've stayed alive all these years. What's the point of living such a meaningless life now? Why did you save me and bring me to the hospital? It would've been better if I had died that day at their hands."
As he spoke, Shu-Yang gradually lost his strength and slumped forward.
Jun-Yu gently caught him and helped him lie back on the bed.
In reality, Jun-Yu had intentionally kept Shu-Yang distracted with conversation so that Dr. Yu-Tong could quietly inject him with a sedative.
Once Shu-Yang had fallen asleep, Jun-Yu turned toward the doctor.
Jun-Yu: "Doctor, how much longer will it take for Shu-Yang to recover? He seems to have suffered a severe psychological trauma."
Dr. Yu-Tong nodded.
Yu-Tong: "You're right, Jun-Yu. He never should have heard that news in his current condition. For now, he needs special care. Once his stitches are removed, you can take him home. But be extremely careful. For at least the next six months, he must stay away from investigations and field operations."
Just as the doctor finished speaking, Shi-Han's phone suddenly rang.
She answered the call, and Ji-Xuan's serious voice came from the other end.
Ji-Xuan: "Sister, could you come to the club for a moment? It's really urgent."
Shi-Han: "Captain, what happened? Why do you sound so serious?"
Ji-Xuan: "Yes, something happened, but it's not too serious. Xiao-Tong was almost hit in an accident on the main road beside the boys' dormitory. I brought her to the club. Please come as soon as you can."
Shi-Han: "What?! An accident? Is Xiao-Tong alright? Okay, keep an eye on her. I'm on my way."
At first, Shi-Han exclaimed in shock, but she quickly lowered her voice. Even so, everyone in the room turned to look at her.
Before anyone could ask what had happened, Shi-Han hurried out of the room.
Jun-Yu: "Shi-Han! Shi-Han, wait! Where are you going? Who called you? Wait—I'm coming with you!"
Perhaps Jun-Yu's voice never reached Shi-Han's ears.
Watching her leave, Jun-Yu's expression grew serious. He then turned to the others.
Jun-Yu: "Doctor, I have to leave for a while. Please... you and Officer Uncle, take care of Shu-Yang until I return."
Then he looked at Wan-Qing.
Jun-Yu: "Senior, come on. I'll drive you home."
For some reason, Wan-Qing's gentle heart ached only for Shu-Yang today.
His shameless eyes kept drifting back to Shu-Yang's peaceful face again and again. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't suppress his feelings or force himself to look away.
Shu-Yang's final words had shattered his heart.
Under normal circumstances, Wan-Qing would have refused Jun-Yu's offer and said, "I can get home by myself. You don't need to take me."
But Shu-Yang's last remarks had left him with countless questions.
Because of that, Wan-Qing agreed to go with Jun-Yu, hoping to ask him a few questions during the drive.
★★★
Jun-Yu left the hospital.
He sat silently in the front passenger seat, his face grim and unreadable, while the driver took the wheel. Beside him, Wan-Qing wore a sorrowful expression. Ever since seeing Shu-Yang's condition, she had been overwhelmed with guilt.
Wan-Qing: "Junior... why did Shu-Yang react so strongly to a criminal's suicide?"
Jun-Yu: "There's a dark chapter hidden in Shu-Yang's past. Senior, I'm exhausted right now. I'll tell you everything another time. But... could you do me a favor?"
Wan-Qing: "Of course. Tell me, what do you need?"
Jun-Yu: "It's nothing difficult. Ever since we were children, I've watched Shu-Yang endure countless hardships. But I've always lost to his stubbornness. He never lets anyone see the darkness he's carrying inside. The shadows of his past are slowly tearing him apart. Do you think... you could help him come out of that darkness? I believe only a woman can truly break down a man's emotional walls—and if she wishes, she can also heal his broken heart. Senior... will you stand by my friend's side, just once?"
Jun-Yu's words caught Wan-Qing off guard.
She couldn't understand why he was asking her to help Shu-Yang confront the darkest chapter of his life, nor did she know how painful that past truly was.
After a long moment of silence, she answered softly,
Wan-Qing: "I... I don't know if I can. I've only known Shu-Yang for a short time. But... I'll do my very best to help him overcome the shadows of his past."
As they talked, the car arrived at Wan-Qing's home.
She stepped out of the car, and as soon as she disappeared from sight, Jun-Yu's restless eyes instinctively searched for Shi-Han.
At that moment, Shi-Han was speeding toward the Vern Club in a taxi.
Jun-Yu's usually calm heart was unexpectedly filled with worry for her.
Only one thought kept circling in his mind.
"Where is she rushing off to alone at this hour?"
A moment later, he shook his head.
"Why am I worrying about Shi-Han so much? She used to go everywhere by herself before. But... now she lives in my apartment. More importantly... she's my friend. Maybe I should just call her. There's no point trying to guess where she is."
Thinking that, Jun-Yu dialed Shi-Han's number.
The phone kept ringing...
Just before Shi-Han could answer, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The violent stop threw Jun-Yu forward in his seat.
Lowering the phone from his ear, he looked out the window—
Twelve black special-purpose vehicles had completely surrounded his car.
Jun-Yu recognized those vehicles immediately.
Before he even had the chance to ask why they had blocked his path, someone knocked on the car window and spoke coldly,
Man: "We have orders from our boss to bring you to him within thirty minutes. Come with us willingly... otherwise, we've been ordered to take you by force."
The words instantly ignited Jun-Yu's anger.
Before he could react, several men rushed forward and forcibly restrained him.