No matter how hard we interrogated him, the fake Kong Hui refused to reveal a single useful detail. Though he remained tight-lipped, a professional medical evaluation revealed that his face had undergone plastic surgery a few months ago.
In other words, this mysterious organization had already prepared a body double for Kong Hui before the crime even happened.
I was certain that the man we arrested that night had been the real Kong Hui. The swap must've occurred after he was sent to the detention center—meaning someone on the inside was working with the organization. That was the only way such a switch could go unnoticed.
The implications were terrifying.
They had eyes and ears even within the police system.
It was clear: they protected Kong Hui not out of loyalty, but to ensure their secrets stayed buried.
As Huang Xiaotao and I left the interrogation room, we were both disheartened. She told me to return to school while she filed a report requesting a full review of all suspicious cases in the past ten years.
New Year's was just around the corner, and that meant final exams were coming up. With most students holed up studying, internet cafes and restaurants had noticeably fewer idle crowds. Then, I got a call from Sun Bingxin—she burst into tears the moment she spoke.
"Brother Song Yang, my dad's been in an accident!"
I immediately asked what happened. She said Tiger Sun had been in a car crash on his way to Wuqu City. She couldn't reach him and wanted to go to the station to find out more.
We arrived at the police bureau almost at the same time and went straight to Huang Xiaotao.
"Xiaotao-jie, please don't hide it from me," Sun Bingxin said anxiously. "Is my dad… is he still alive?"
"It's not as bad as you think," Huang Xiaotao reassured her. "Your dad's tough as nails! He broke a few ribs and a leg, but he's recovering in a hospital in Wuqu City. Let me try to get him on a video call."
She opened a laptop and dialed through a secure network. Soon, Tiger Sun appeared on screen—his head wrapped in gauze, his leg encased in a thick plaster cast. He looked like a fallen war hero.
The first thing out of his mouth was an angry scolding: "Bingxin! What are you doing at the bureau? Don't you have exams coming up?"
"Dad!" she sobbed. "What happened to you?!"
"I'm fine. See? Still alive and kicking." He raised his arm to demonstrate, but winced in pain when it tugged at his injuries.
While the father and daughter talked, I leaned toward Huang Xiaotao and asked in a low voice, "Was it really just an accident—or was it attempted murder?"
She sighed. "The truck that hit him had no license plates. It was loaded with stones—tons of them. After the crash, the driver vanished. It doesn't look like an accident."
My expression darkened. "Who has the guts to go after a police chief?"
"All because of that case," she said grimly. "Tiger Sun was on his way to meet Chief Cheng with files linked to the organization. He barely made it out of the city when the crash happened. This organization is terrifying—they're practically untouchable. But even after the crash, your Uncle Sun didn't retreat. He immediately contacted Cheng and got transferred to a hospital in Wuqu City."
"The two of them met briefly. Chief Cheng thinks we should hold off for now—the organization may have infiltrated the police system. Once he visits the Ministry of Public Security at year's end, he'll report everything directly to the top."
I shook my head in disbelief. "This is like Hydra from Captain America—infiltrated everywhere."
Because Sun Bingxin was present, Tiger Sun didn't mention anything about the organization during the call. He just gave a few basic work updates and told her to focus on her studies.
When we left the station, Sun Bingxin was in much better spirits.
"Brother Song Yang," she asked, "any plans for New Year's? Want to come hang out at my place?"
I was still considering when Huang Xiaotao cut in immediately. "Nope. My dad arranged a blind date for me on New Year's, and Song Yang already agreed to go with me."
Sun Bingxin blinked. "Why bring him to a blind date?"
"He's my shield," Huang Xiaotao replied.
Bingxin giggled. "Oh, I get it! Alright, I'll loan him to you for the day."
"What do you mean, loan him?" Huang Xiaotao snapped. "He's not your property."
"Humph! He's not yours either!" Bingxin pouted, then tugged on my arm. "Brother Song Yang, since you're in the city, come shopping with me!"
Huang Xiaotao's expression immediately darkened.
Caught in the middle, I gave her a helpless look and let Bingxin pull me away. "See you on New Year's!" I called over my shoulder.
I assumed her blind date would be just a typical dinner—maybe awkward small talk with a stranger at a restaurant. Boy, was I wrong.
On New Year's Eve, Huang Xiaotao sent me a digital invitation.
The venue? Hui Du International Hotel.
It wasn't a date—it was a full-blown New Year's Gala hosted by her father. Tons of social elites would be attending, and he planned to formally introduce his daughter to her "future husband" at the event.
I felt my scalp go numb. I'd never been to anything like that in my life.
I asked, "Should I rent a suit?"
"No way," she replied. "Just wear what you normally wear. Trust me—showing up in a suit will make you look like a try-hard bumpkin."
"Alright then," I said. "Just make sure you've got my back if I freeze up."
She laughed. "You're more nervous about people than corpses?"
"Exactly," I nodded. "You nailed it."
On New Year's Day, my dorm was empty—everyone had vanished.
Wang Dali sent a message saying they were having a "Single Dog Party" and that I should reflect on why I wasn't invited. I replied with a middle finger emoji.
Even though Huang Xiaotao said I could dress casually, I didn't want to look like a slob either. I picked a clean jacket, jeans, and sneakers—low-key but presentable.
At the hotel, a staff member checked my invite and led me to the banquet hall.
The moment I stepped in, I froze.
The room was full of strangers. They sipped champagne, laughed, and mingled like they were in a movie. Everyone was decked out in expensive accessories—rings, watches, necklaces—the subtle glint of wealth was everywhere.
I stood there awkwardly for a few minutes, unsure what to do.
Then Huang Xiaotao arrived.
She wore a form-fitting evening gown that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her pearl earrings gleamed under the lights. Light makeup made her features pop—she looked like a celebrity.
I stared. "Didn't you tell me to dress casually?"
She shrugged. "My dad insisted I dress up. Couldn't say no."
She pointed at a man in a suit across the room. "That's my blind date. My dad plans to introduce us tonight in front of everyone. He loves this formal nonsense. I want to crawl into a hole and disappear."
"This isn't a blind date," I said, grinning. "It's an arranged marriage."
Something about the man looked familiar. I squinted.
Wait a minute… wasn't that Young Master Wang? The son of the Lianya International CEO? The same guy who was a suspect in that recent poisoning case?
I couldn't help but laugh. "Small world, huh?"
"Remember to play along," Huang Xiaotao warned. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life with a stranger."
She called over a waiter and whispered something. The man returned with a box.
From inside, Huang Xiaotao pulled out an Omega mechanical watch and said, "Give me your wrist."
She slid the watch onto my arm.
I blinked. "You even brought props? You're thorough."
She smiled and shook her head. "Nope. That's my gift to you."