Miss Forensics – Chapter 125

Volume Two: Second Scroll

Loyalty

The most important thing for a person is not who to be loyal to, but to never betray one’s own heart.

The night deepened. The thugs, exhausted from running for their lives, finally got a moment of respite. Except for a few who were still yawning on patrol, the rest were all asleep, leaning against the walls.

When the hour hand of her wristwatch pointed to three, Lin Yan’s eyes snapped open in the darkness.

She got up quietly, controlling her footsteps so as not to make any sound, and gently pushed open the wooden door.

There were two armed thugs patrolling in the corridor, walking in the direction of her room. Lin Yan shrank back, hiding in the darkness behind the door panel. The two men walked past with heavy steps.

In that fleeting moment, she pulled the mask up over her face and shot out like an agile cat.

The two patrolling thugs turned around.

“Did you just see something?”

His companion, who was asked, yawned and shook his head.

“Let’s go, stop looking. This place is either wild cats or rats. Let’s hurry up and finish this shift so we can go back and get some sleep too.”

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.

Lin Yan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, walked down the stairs, and came face to face with a tall soldier. He had probably gotten up to relieve himself. He rubbed his eyes and instantly pointed his gun at her, preparing to shout.

Lin Yan flew forward. Relying on her agile movements, her dagger lightly slit across the side of his neck. The scream that was about to escape the soldier’s lips was stuck in his throat, and a line of blood spurted out.

She supported the man and gently laid him down, dragged him into the storage room in the stairwell, stripped off his clothes to wipe the bloodstains on the ground clean, and then quickly returned. She pushed open the glass window in the hallway; outside was a boundless wilderness.

It was only the height of the second floor. Lin Yan leaped. By the time the two patrolling soldiers ran over, the hallway was already empty.

She had thought that jumping from such a low height would be fine, but it turned out to be a bit strenuous. Fortunately, the ground below was flat, soft dirt. Lin Yan, panting heavily, climbed up from the ground and ran, limping, in the predetermined direction.

“Hey, wake up, wake up.” When she found Chen Fang in the garbage heap, her face was pale and her whole body was covered in wounds. She was on the verge of death.

Lin Yan patted her face, but there was no response. She then leaned down to listen to her heartbeat, felt for her carotid pulse, gritted her teeth, unbuttoned her clothes, and started doing chest compressions.

After thirty standard compressions, she gently lifted her chin and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

After repeating this several times, she finally heard a faint heartbeat.

Lin Yan’s heart relaxed. Her body went limp, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Chen Fang coughed weakly a couple of times and slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was her, sitting beside her, panting. Her warmth still lingered on her lips.

She seemed a little confused: “You… why did you save me?”

Lin Yan got up and extended a hand to her.

“I promised you I would give you freedom.”

“You… you’re not Hong-jie… who on earth are you?” Chen Fang looked at her warily, not taking a step closer.

“Who I am, is it important?” A sarcastic smile hooked the corner of Lin Yan’s lips.

“I can go and expose you to Ding Ye.”

“You can try. See if my knife is faster, or if you can run faster.” She toyed with the dagger that had just killed a man. It was still stained with blood, which was chilling.

Chen Fang flinched, grabbed her wrist, and got up.

Going to Ding Ye was also a death sentence. It was better to listen to the person in front of her. At least, she didn’t want to kill her, otherwise she wouldn’t have saved her.

Lin Yan was startled, then supported her as they walked away from the abandoned construction site, all the way to the main road, where there were streetlights.

She stood in the darkness and let go of her hand, stuffing the dagger into her hand along with a bus ticket and some change.

“Follow this main road straight ahead. There’s a bus back to Jiangcheng. Once you get to Jiangcheng, go directly to the train station and leave this place.”

Chen Fang clutched these things, her lips trembling: “You… aren’t you leaving?”

Lin Yan shook her head: “I have to stay.”

Her mission was not yet complete. It was not time to leave yet. Although, her heart also desperately wanted to leave this place, to return to the light, to return to Song Yuhang’s side.

Thinking of Song Yuhang, Lin Yan thought of the bullet she had shot at her. She must hate her, right? She must.

Hate her for “killing” her colleague in front of her, hate her for torturing her without mercy, hate her for associating with these desperados, hate her for sending her on her way with a bullet.

Lin Yan’s heart was stabbed by a knife called “guilt” until it was full of a thousand sores and a hundred holes¹. So much so that she revealed a rare and precious trace of vulnerability in front of Chen Fang.

She knew she shouldn’t, so she smiled, wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, and prepared to turn and leave.

“Go quickly, don’t look back.”

It was very strange. Pei Jinhong had not been particularly good to her in the past, and Lin Yan was not particularly bad to her now.

Chen Fang didn’t even know her real name, but at this moment, in the wilderness, in a situation where the two of them depended on each other, a sense of mutual appreciation between kindred spirits² was actually born.

“Are you really not coming with me?”

Lin Yan turned around and waved her hand.

“No. A safe journey.”

Chen Fang clutched the things she had given her: “Then… is there anything you need my help with…”

For example, passing on a message, or asking her to go to the hospital to see if Song Yuhang was still alive?

Lin Yan’s steps paused. This was indeed a good idea.

But a moment later, she still shook her head slightly and said in a deep voice, “No need. The more you know, the more dangerous it is. Remember, no matter who asks, be it the police or Ding Ye’s men, you did not see me tonight, and you can no longer live under the name ‘Chen Fang’ in the future.”

After Lin Yan finished speaking, without waiting for her to speak again, she turned, waved, and left. Her thin, black, beautiful figure disappeared into the night.

In the direction she left, the sky was still dark, but a trace of dawn was breaking through the mist.

Chen Fang inexplicably felt that the world was vast, and she was as insignificant as an ant. Yet there was a kind of lonely courage, like a youth who leaves and never returns, who will not return until Loulan is broken³. There was also a touch of the tragedy of Jing Ke assassinating the King of Qin⁴, like a brave warrior cutting off his own wrist⁵. It made her eyes burn.

She gritted her teeth, held the things Lin Yan gave her, and ran in the opposite direction without looking back.

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“The overall work of the City Bureau has been taken over by the Provincial Anti-drug Bureau. I won’t be able to help you all much then.” Feng Jianguo looked at the time. It was about time for him to leave. He put on his wide-brimmed hat and stood up.

“It’s all up to you all now.”

Song Yuhang stood up to see him off, but was pressed back down.

“You’re a patient. You need to ‘recuperate’ properly.”

Feng Jianguo’s words had a double meaning. Song Yuhang understood.

“Understood. I guarantee I will complete the mission!”

The old man smiled, no longer that kind-browed and benevolent-eyed, hypocritical smile, but one of genuine expectation.

“Not guarantee to complete the mission, but guarantee to come back alive!”

Song Yuhang was slightly startled. A smile appeared on her lips. She raised her right hand to her temple.

“Yes, sir! I guarantee I will come back alive!”

Lin Yan’s codename was “Nail,” responsible for going deep behind enemy lines to send back intelligence. Her codename was “Dagger,” responsible for launching a surprise fatal blow when no one else could.

Thinking this, Song Yuhang silently added another line in her heart: And I have to bring my fiancée home.

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While Song Yuhang and Feng Jianguo were plotting in secret, another secret meeting began in the abandoned factory at Binhai Pier.

Kuba sat in a chair, his body wrapped in bandages. Only his eyes were still bright and burning, filled with hatred.

“This time, I must kill her with my own hands, kill that woman.”

Ding Ye’s fingers tapped his knee intermittently. He closed his eyes to rest.

“There will be a chance.”

The man sitting next to him sneered, as if with some disdain. This sneer displeased Kuba.

“You…”

Ding Ye waved his hand, stopping him.

“The transaction is imminent. Let’s not have internal strife. After it’s done, we’ll take the money and go to Canada together, and no one will ever be able to catch us again.”

The man’s tone was still cool, as if he didn’t care how much money he could get or where he was going.

“You all just caused such a big commotion. The police aren’t fools. The transaction in a few days will definitely be fraught with difficulties.”

A shrewd smile appeared on Ding Ye’s lips.

“The more chaotic, the better. Only in chaos can one fish in troubled waters. By the way, that batch of goods…”

The man stood up, as if he had no interest in staying here any longer.

“It’s been ready for a long time.”

Ding Ye nodded: “Not bad. If this is successful, Young Master Lin will also have performed a great service. Someone, see the guest out.”

A group of people escorted him out.

After the person left, Ding Ye closed his eyes again to rest, his fingers still tapping his knee intermittently.

Kuba was indignant: “Ye, he is so arrogant and untamable. Why not… without him, we can just find other partners. Anyway, the formula…”

For some reason, Ding Ye’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“A centipede with a hundred legs is not stiff even in death⁶. He is, after all, the eldest young master of the Lin family. Most of the docks and ports are the Lin family’s territory. There will still be times when he is useful.”

On the other side, Lin Yan walked to a secluded spot and took out her phone from her pocket. Only two people knew this phone number, and it was also equipped with anti-eavesdropping software.

She quickly typed on the keyboard, and after editing the message, she pressed send. When the “delivered” icon appeared on the screen, Lin Yan finally let out a big sigh of relief and walked back quickly.

Near the abandoned factory, the dazzling glare of car headlights struck. She subconsciously rolled into the darkness and hid behind a sack.

The factory gate opened wide, and a group of thugs came out, surrounding a tall, handsome young man. The faint light shone on his fair profile, and he wore a pair of metal-framed glasses.

She would recognize this face even if it were turned to ash.

Lin Ge!

The word “Ge”⁷ rolled in her throat a few times, almost slipping out, but she dug her nails into her palm and forced it back.

What’s going on?

Is he being held hostage?

Why is he here?

What is he here for?

What is his relationship with Ding Ye?

…

In that instant, many thoughts flashed through Lin Yan’s mind like lightning, each one related to him.

She dug her nails into her palm, restraining herself from making any sound, so as not to alert them.

“Young Master Lin, please.” She saw Tiger personally open the car door for him. Lin Ge got in with a blank expression.

The vehicle slid away before her eyes. Lin Yan’s body went limp, and she leaned back against the sack.

For some reason, not long after the car drove away, Lin Ge suddenly turned his head back. His expression was indescribable, seemingly a little puzzled, and also a little sad.

Looking out through the car window, the factory entrance was quiet, with only a few patrolling thugs.

The driver: “Young Master, what’s wrong?”

Lin Ge turned his face back and composed himself: “No-nothing. Keep driving forward.”

Although he wasn’t sure, and there was no familiar figure at the factory entrance, in that instant, he really felt that Lin Yan was nearby. It was as if he could still hear a girl’s impatient voice calling him.

“Ge.”

Not long after Lin Ge left, Ding Ye’s eyes suddenly snapped open, a sharp glint flashing past.

“Go, go and see what Pei Jinhong is doing.”

Several thugs received the order and walked out quickly with their guns.

Kuba was injured and couldn’t move for the time being. He could only move his neck slightly to look at him.

“Ye, you suspect Auntie Hong…”

“This person, you’ve seen her before. What do you think?” Ding Ye did not directly answer his question, but instead looked left and right and spoke of other things.⁸

Kuba thought for a moment: “Brave and resourceful. A talented person.”

Ding Ye smiled without speaking, leaning back in the rattan chair.

“Let’s wait and see. Let’s see what kind of surprise this Auntie Hong can bring us.”

That group of men was stopped by people from the Huange Nightclub near Lin Yan’s room.

“What are you doing?! Hong-jie is resting. No one is allowed in without her permission!”

“It’s Ding Ye’s order! We’re here to see Auntie Hong!”

The two groups were at a stalemate, their guns pressed against each other’s faces, arguing until they were red in the face.

“Everyone is here. If Auntie Hong isn’t here, what is she if not a spy? Get out of the way!”

The leading thug fired a shot into the ground, successfully intimidating the others. While everyone was stunned, he darted out of the encirclement and was about to kick the door.

The wooden door opened with a creak.

Lin Yan appeared at the doorway, wearing a white shirt that reached the top of her thighs. Her black hair was draped over her shoulders, and her collar was slightly disheveled, obviously having been pulled open. There were some red marks on her fair skin. Her figure was slender yet full, her straight legs standing on the ground. Her whole body exuded the charm of a mature woman.

The men at the door swallowed.

Lin Yan was a little impatient: “What is it?”

Liu Zhi had his arm around her waist, his expression unfriendly: “If it’s nothing, then get lost.”

Only then did the few lackeys obsequiously disperse.

Liu Zhi slammed the door shut with a bang. He turned around, lifted her up fiercely, and pinned her against the door, roaring in a low voice.

“Where did you just go?! You weren’t in the room when I came to your room!”

The rope Lin Yan had used to climb in through the window was still hanging on the windowsill. That was ironclad proof.

She became ruthless, raising her knee to strike his groin, and at the same time, slamming an elbow into his temple. Her strength might not have been great, but her movements were fast and precise, especially using the hardest part of the human body to strike the most vulnerable part.

Caught off guard, Liu Zhi cried out in pain. He saw stars for a moment, staggered back a few steps, and tripped over a chair.

The soldiers patrolling outside rolled their eyes.

“Damn, such a big commotion. This old man also wants to find a woman to have a taste.”

“Alright, someone like you? Take a piss and look in the mirror. You think Auntie Hong would be interested in you?”

A burst of snickering came from the corridor.

The fight inside was still going on.

In terms of strength, he surpassed Lin Yan by a lot. But in terms of fighting skills, combat experience, and reaction speed, Lin Yan was far superior to him. Therefore, for a while, neither could subdue the other.

Especially as Lin Yan fought while retreating. She was pinned on the bed, her neck tightly choked, but she could still launch a counterattack from a desperate situation. With a standard BJJ armbar, she flipped over, locked his arm, and kicked him away, knocking over the table.

Liu Zhi was panting heavily and wanted to get up again, but a black muzzle was already aimed at his forehead.

With a click, the bullet was chambered.

Lin Yan swallowed, forcing down the taste of blood in her throat, and calmed her breathing.

“You lost.”

Liu Zhi slowly closed his eyes, but he didn’t hear a gunshot. When he opened his eyes, Lin Yan had thrown the gun onto the bedside table.

“You’re not killing me?” There was a trace of surprise in his eyes.

“You didn’t report me just now either. One thing at a time, we’re even.” Lin Yan’s trembling fingertips struck a match and lit a cigarette. She coughed violently a few times before slowly feeling better.

“I can go now.”

“Too late.” She sat on the edge of the bed smoking, looking down at him.

“That time has passed. Without catching me in the act, Ding Ye is suspicious and might not believe it. It could even backfire, failing to catch the fox and getting oneself into trouble.”

Liu Zhi gritted his teeth, his eyes a little red: “You… what on earth did you go do? Did you… betray us?”

When he asked this, Lin Yan was in a slight daze for a moment. During her days as an undercover agent, she had witnessed bloodshed, death, conspiracy, power, money, and drugs. She had also enjoyed everything that a triad boss possessed.

The support of her underlings, the thrill of holding the power of life and death, being immersed in a life of debauchery and luxury⁹.

There were many moments—the moment the neon lights flashed, the moment she threw a stack of banknotes into the air, the moment they respectfully called her “Hong-jie,” the moment she pressed a gun to someone’s forehead, the moment she raised her arm and was met with a roar like a mountain call and a sea roar¹⁰.

She suddenly understood a little why that police mole had eventually become a double agent.

Everyone has desires, and she was no exception.

The reason Lin Yan could play the part of Pei Jinhong so perfectly was probably because, in essence, they were the same type of person—equally ruthless, equally sinister and cunning, treacherous and unpredictable.

The difference was that an invisible thread was tied to Lin Yan, and the other end of the thread was held in the hand of a woman named Song Yuhang. Thus, in addition to desire, there was a bottom line.

Chen Chunan taught her to understand love; Song Yuhang taught her how to love.

It was this tiny bit of love that supported her as she continued to stumble forward in the mud.

Lin Yan smiled and extended a hand to him.

“You will understand this question in the future. The most important thing for a person is not who to be loyal to, but to never betray one’s own heart.”

“Is doing this worth it?”

“It’s worth it.”

“No regrets?”

Lin Yan shook her head: “No regrets.”

Liu Zhi watched the cigarette between her fingers flicker on and off, much like his own love that had been extinguished before it could even burn.

He gritted his teeth, still not giving up, and asked her once more.

“What exactly is it… for?”

Lin Yan looked into the distance, at the tiny bit of morning light shining through the window.

“Do you have a place you particularly want to go back to?”

Liu Zhi was a bit baffled by her words. He thought for a moment before saying, “Yes. I want to go home.”

Lin Yan looked nonchalantly at the faint blue stubble on his chin and asked.

“How old are you?”

Liu Zhi didn’t understand her meaning. He scratched his head. It was as if the two of them had forgotten that they had just been fighting for their lives, and now they could actually sit down and speak their minds. He was not a smart person, otherwise he wouldn’t have followed Wang Qiang for so many years and still be a small-time lackey. He liked Pei Jinhong only because she was pretty and good-looking.

In all his years of wandering around as a hired thug, he had never told anyone his age.

Liu Zhi was stunned for a moment, but still answered.

“Twenty. In another two years, I’ll be able to get married.”

Lin Yan burst out laughing and threw the cigarette butt into the ashtray. Compared to her, he was indeed a bit young.

“Still a child. When this is over, go home.”

But that would have to wait until after the trial, or before serving his sentence, to have a chance to see his family.

Hopefully, they would all have a day when they could go home.

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LP: Re-translated on August 27, 2025

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