Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

Bai Li smiled. "What do I say, General Song? Guess troubles have unrequited feelings for me, so it doesn't seem to want to leave my side."

I twitched my eyebrow: he and his sarcasm.

"Arf! Arf! Arf!"

Cocoa was barking more than usual. He was restlessly shifting from side to side.

"Arf!"

"Cocoa."

Bai Li said his name, and he patiently stood at place.

General Song said, "I see Cocoa still doesn't like me very much." He looked at Bai Li, "I guess the discharge would have changed your attitude, but your sharp tongue and overconfidence seem to be still in its place."

I glared at him. I didn't like the way he talked to Bai Li. Wasn't he just rubbing salt on his wounds?

I looked at Bai Li and hoped that he was okay. He smirked. "Evidently, General. My sharp tongue and overconfidence are the only things I have now. Because thanks to a certain someone who didn't investigate a certain case properly, I had to lose my position in the army."

General Song said nothing and quietly stared at Bai Li.

"And those are exactly the things that have landed you in trouble again. First, a dishonorable discharge, and now an ex-army officer is on the run from the law as fugitives? What does it say?"

"It exactly says what it means. You see, fighting for justice is not so easy. Some people want to pull you down to keep their closets shut forever. You must very well know, once being a part of so many missions."

He said nothing and looked at me. "You are Xin Lei, right? I have heard about your father, but shouldn't you think the cops are much better people to help you?"

I darted a glance at Tian Song. He seemed impassive.

I raised a brow and stared straight at the General. I typed. "Thank you for your concern, esteemed General. But I know what I am doing."

"You want him to help you? Even if Bai Li causes you trouble?"

I smiled and typed again. "I was already knee-deep in troubles even before I met him. His support has only eased my situation. So, I'm pretty sure that I want to stick with him."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Bai Li's lips curve into a faint smile.

"But you are now a fugitive. I'm sure that hadn't been the case if he wasn't with you."

I typed. "It is a misunderstanding. Just like how you and the Army misunderstood Bai Li."

He smiled. "I can clearly see Bai Li's effect on you. You are a lawyer's daughter. I shouldn't be the one to tell you to follow the law and hand yourself to the police and let the officers do the investigation. If it's a misunderstanding as you say, then they will find that as well."

I stared at him and typed. "Really? How? Just like how they are trying to investigate Fu Meili's case? Just like how they are not able to prove Fu Ting innocent? If it's like that, then I can very well see my future."

He got silent. I saw him taking a deep breath.

"Investigation is not so easy."

I typed. "It would be if.."

I paused and looked at Tian Song. I typed again. "Some people are not hell-bent in using their power to hide the truth. And if there are officers like you who do a half-assed job in investigating things as I saw with Bai Li's case, then you pretty much don't leave any option to me other than to run and take the matters in my own hands to prove myself innocent."

Bai Li chuckled from my side. "That was badass," He whispered.

I grinned. General Song really pissed me off, so I was glad that I could let out some steam.

General Song shook his head. "Let's save that talk for later, but right now, you have to come with us."

He looked at Tian Song. "Bai Li belonged to the Army. So we take his matters into our hands. You can take Xin Lei since she is a civilian."

Bai Li suddenly said, "No. Whether it be with that cop or you, Xin Lei and I are staying together."

I know this wasn't a time to go gaga over what he said, but I still felt my heart flutter.

General Song paused. "Alright."

Tian Song interrupted. "With due respect, General Song, aren't you being too quick in taking matters in your hands? They have stolen an important piece of evidence from our headquarters. And we cops have already been after them. I think they should be answerable to the cops, not the Army."

One of those times when the cops and army clash against each other.

General Song smiled and seemed unaffected. "It's alright, Officer Tian. I have already talked to Officer Duan Deming. We discussed it, and he agreed to let me handle their case. Although we agreed that I will send Xin Lei to the cops. I will talk to him about the change in plan."

Tian Song narrowed his eyes.

"You can call him if you don't trust me."

Tian Song quietly said, "Well, if the General says so, then it must be true."

"Glad you understand," He smiled.

It felt as if we were out of the well and into the fire.

General Song said, "Let's go, Bai Li. I never thought that you would so soon return to the army base."

Bai Li shrugged. "I think the army has some unrequited feelings for me as well."

I got worried. If we are held captive in the base, then how will we investigate?

I tugged his sleeve. Bai Li whispered, "I understand your concern. But right now, we got no choice. I heard the footsteps of five to six army officers. We cannot fight their bullets. We have to go along with it."

I slowly nodded. Then the phone vibrated in my hand.

It was Lin Zihao's secure line.