Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

The officer said, "We checked the footage of the next CCTV we could find, but we didn't find the car. But when we searched ahead, we found smoke coming from an area. When we reached, we found the car abandoned at a secluded spot, and as predicted, it was burning on fire."

I jolted and looked at him in horror.

B-burning?

Bai Li froze. "You found the car? And Chu Jie? Cocoa or the woman?"

I felt him tightly clutching my hand. Or was it me who was clutching his?

The cop shook his head. "No. When we blew out the fire, there was nobody inside. It had almost turned into a crisp. The forensic is looking into for evidence, but they don't feel so hopeful because it has burnt badly."

I sighed in relief.

At least there were no...dead bodies.

Duan Deming said, "So she changed into some car before she headed out to the area where there could be CCTV so that we don't recognize which car or route she took."

That woman was really smart. She knew the area really well and quickly changed her plan.

Bai Li said, "Not only that, but she also wanted to hide any form of evidence that may be in the form of DNA or fingerprints of hers or Chu Jie that might have got on the car."

I nodded. It was a double strike.

I typed. "But won't Chu Jie and Cocoa have shouted when they changed cars? They must have definitely resisted."

Bai Li slowly said, "If she could take Cocoa with her again, that meant that he was not conscious. Somehow she might have got her hands on the chloroform and smelled both of them. And it was an abandoned place. So there might be nobody and precisely why she changed the car at that place or even if Chu Jie was conscious and he yelled, once again, there was nobody to help him."

Duan Deming asked the cop, "Anything else?"

"No, sir. We are following on the lead and trying to find the route she took."

He nodded. "Keep going and tell immediately if you found any update."

"Yes, sir!"

Duan Deming asked, "Do you have any idea where she might go in Langfang?"

Bai Li said, "There are less chances that she will keep them in them around Natural Park where Fu Meili disappeared. Because now that area is under investigation."

He had a point. She wouldn't go through the danger of keeping them there.

She will definitely change the place.

"But we can still get some clue about Fu Meili and possibly about their next location."

Duan Deming said, "Alright, at this point, we can only assume and know this much."

The doctor came in and checked Duan Deming.

"He is fine, but naturally, he cannot put any strain on his leg. Walking normally is impossible."

"There is an important case, Dr. I cannot lie still."

"Sorry, but I cannot give you the permission. Your wound will open at this rate."

I nodded and typed. "He is right. It has been just stitched up. You need to rest for at least three days."

"Damn that long?"

We both nodded.

He sighed. "Fine. Don't worry, Bai Li. You and Xin Lei can rest assured. We are on their trail, and we will definitely find her whereabouts. So I ask you to please stay out of this. This is the job of cops. You are civilians. I cannot let you investigate this any further."

Bai Li said nothing, and neither did I.

Even if Duan Deming was helping us now but how we could we just sit here and do nothing?

Chu Jie and Cocoa…

We went outside, and then it struck me. I typed. "Why didn't she let go of Cocoa? If he was unconscious, then she could have left him there. Why would she want to take him with her?"

"That's what I am thinking too. He is only going to be a problem for her once he wakes up. Why would she take the trouble of taking Cocoa with her too?"

I typed. "Are we going to leave everything on the cops?"

Bai Li was quiet. "No. Even if Cocoa wasn't with Chu Jie, I wouldn't have given up. Sure Duan Deming would help, but I am already involved this deep. I just cannot sit behind and do nothing."

I smiled. We had the same thoughts.

I tiptoed and softly kissed on his cheek.

I found his cheek slowly turning red.

I really couldn't believe that he was so shy when it came to things like intimacy.

I typed. "And I am with you."

He sighed. "Alright."

Bai Li said, "We will rest for a bit and then leave."

I typed. "But what will we tell Duan Deming?"

"We cannot say anything. Otherwise, he won't let us go. Instead, he will place guards on us. That will make things too difficult."

I nodded.

I typed. "You sit here. I will come back in a minute."

"Okay."

I helped sit on the bench.

I walked a little farther and dialed Lin Zihao's number in a video call.

He picked it up and greeted me with a smile. "Ah, Xin Lei. How is everything going there?"

I pursed my lips.

"What happened?"

Dad was on the call too.

I signed. 'Cocoa somehow ended up with the woman and Chu Jie. He is not with us.'

Dad conveyed the same.

"What?" Lin Zihao widened his eyes in shock.

His expression was grim. "Xin Lei. I don't need to tell you but still...take care of Bai Li, especially now. Cocoa is his best buddy. It must have surely affected him even though he will not show it."

I nodded.

I looked at Dad. I signed.

'Dad. I am staying here with Bai Li. I will not come back to Dongcheng.'

He stared at me and smiled. "Alright. I already knew your answer. I respect your decision. Do what you feel is right."