Chapter 58

The port explosion instantly dominated domestic media, but beyond the public opinion storm, it triggered an indescribable shockwave within law enforcement and other sectors inaccessible to the general public—this was the first major case confirmed to be committed by the Leben organization since 2007.

When Zhao Yang was dragged onto the ambulance, he had already lost consciousness. Though Xu Changying was deaf in one ear, his mind remained relatively clear, allowing him to glimpse the swarm of SWAT and armed police vehicles outside the ambulance.

Xu Changying had barely been discharged for less than 72 hours before being sent back to the emergency room in bad shape. This time, however, it was different—Xia Qing wasn’t accompanying him.

As soon as Shao Qiaoqiao's team exchanged fire with the criminals, Yan Jianbai immediately reported the full situation. Arriving alongside the SWAT team was a covert operations unit—a confidential team specifically assigned to ensure Xia Qing’s safety.

At this point, Li Jiali and the others fully understood that Xia Qing wasn’t someone who could casually risk his life alongside them. Especially now, at the critical juncture where various sectors anxiously awaited the validation of the Genetic Mutation Theory, Xia Qing’s safety held immense significance for both the IGO and domestic authorities.

This time, Xia Qing had appeared at the scene of a firefight with an international criminal organization—even an explosion. The severity of the situation had escalated beyond his personal control. Despite having just captured members of Leben, Yan Jianbai and the municipal bureau leadership were raked over the coals by superiors for a long time.

The most severe of Xu Changying’s injuries was the gunshot wound on his right calf. Fortunately, it wasn’t a clean through wound. His ruptured eardrum was surgically repaired the same day, though his hearing would inevitably suffer permanent damage. The burns on his back weren’t severe enough to require skin grafts.

Even Xu Changying’s longtime partner, Li Jiali, was scared to tears this time. Benjamin squatted by Xu Changying’s bedside and vividly recounted how Li Jiali and he had searched through scattered limbs and debris at the explosion site—searching for his fragments while dreading the possibility of actually finding his hand or head.

"Alright, alright, that’s enough," Xu Changying said, lying on the bed and raising a bandaged finger at the teary-eyed Benjamin. "Any more and it’ll get too graphic. The boss can't stomach bloody descriptions right now."

Later, after forensic investigators collected evidence and conducted simulations, they estimated the explosion’s scale—equivalent to a half-kilo of pure TNT. The lighter in Xu Changying’s hand triggered the initial flour dust explosion, which was relatively small in scale, giving him less than half a second to flee from the container’s entrance.

Though the first dust explosion was minor, its shockwave dispersed surrounding dust, forming a larger dust cloud that triggered a second, far more devastating explosion—the one that blew up the container and toppled those nearby.

Xu Changying smartly didn’t run in a straight line, instead diving toward the container’s side where survival odds were higher. However, he overlooked the stacked containers around him. His survival ultimately came down to dumb luck—when the adjacent container collapsed, it didn’t crush his skull but instead formed a triangular space with the twisted walls, barely creating a half-meter-wide cavity that trapped him beneath.

Unlike the gangsters who were blown into charred fragments, Xu Changying was out cold for over ten minutes. Dazed, he crawled toward light and air, only to find himself surrounded by people upon emerging—before being picked up by Xia Qing and placed on a stretcher.

As for the scattered limbs within a hundred-meter radius, half belonged to the two masked assailants, and the other half to Subjects 256 and 327. Due to dehydration, their limbs were more prone to shattering, leaving forensic teams across half of Guangzhou collecting fragments for a full day and night without reassembling complete remains.

Initially, Xu Changying had no energy to dwell on Leben or AMSC. Suffering from moderate concussion, he was vomiting nonstop for two days before regaining some clarity. Still, on the third morning, he wheeled his way to the ICU to check on Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang’s condition was far more critical than those at the scene. The bullet in his thigh had grazed the aorta. Had Xu Changying not administered emergency bleeding control and oral hormones to stabilize his heart rate and blood pressure, Zhao Yang would have succumbed to hemorrhagic shock before paramedics arrived.

Moreover, domestic doctors faced their first case of injuries compounded by Glory-user pheromone suppression—the artificial pheromones released by Glory users during excitement differed drastically from natural ones, wreaking greater havoc on ordinary secondary-gender individuals' glands and hormone systems. For instance, suppressed individuals struggled harder to recover from hormonal imbalances.

Thus, restoring Zhao Yang’s respiratory function and other vital signs proved far more challenging than usual. He underwent 24 hours of resuscitation before stabilizing. During a brief exchange with the attending physician in the ICU ward, Xu Changying learned that the patient’s extraordinary willpower had been pivotal to the resuscitation effort’s success.

As they spoke, the hospital’s deputy director stood nearby, detailing the multidisciplinary consultation process. Xu Changying and Benjamin then learned that specialists from across the city had been mobilized upon the ambulance’s arrival. Just the night before, the head of plastic surgery from the provincial hospital had stitched up Zhao Yang’s left cheek.

After sending Benjamin away, Xu Changying wheeled his way alone to Zhao Yang’s ICU room. The corridor was silent, the air thick with disinfectant. By sheer coincidence, he encountered someone entirely unexpected outside the ward.

Lin Shuhua stood quietly by the ICU’s observation window, a suit jacket draped over his arm. His stature, like Xia Qing’s, exuded an upright, scholarly grace. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses obscured the emotions in his eyes.

Hearing the wheelchair, Lin Shuhua turned. His expression showed no surprise at the sight of Xu Changying, only a signature smile. "Changying, you’re here."

For over a decade, both men had treated smiles as default expressions—but where Xu Changying’s grin was irreverent, playful, and lively, Lin Shuhua’s was impeccably measured and rigid. Whether facing mentors, peers, or underperforming subordinates, his smile remained the same, offering no insight. At times, its perfection carried an unnerving edge.

But Xu Changying never dwelled on Lin Shuhua’s smiles. Creaking forward in his wheelchair, he chuckled, "Senior Shuhua, what brings you here? Did you come specifically to see Zhao Yang?"

Lin Shuhua gave a slight nod. "I’m acquainted with Director Zhou of this hospital. He informed me Zhao Yang’s surgeries were complete, and you were out of danger. I dropped by while passing through."

As they spoke, Xu Changying reached the observation window. Limited by his wheelchair’s height, he tried to stand. Lin Shuhua steadied him, and Xu Changying, leaning on his good leg, pressed against the glass.

Inside, Zhao Yang lay swathed in bandages amid a tangle of machines. A delayed sense of dread seeped into Xu Changying’s chest—just as Lin Shuhua remarked, "Zhao Yang has changed greatly over the years. I barely recognize him."

Though not untrue, the statement struck Xu Changying as oddly out of place. Given Lin Shuhua’s lack of prior connection to Zhao Yang, the comment felt ungrounded. With his bandaged arms braced against the glass, Xu Changying nodded. "Yeah, he's even better-looking than me now."

"Hah." For some reason, the remark seemed to amuse the usually rigid Lin Shuhua. He actually laughed, turning to Xu Changying with a sidelong glance. "Changying, after all these years, everyone has changed. Why is it only you who remains exactly where you were?"

"Really?" Xu Changying turned his face with feigned seriousness. "I've been moving forward all along."

Lin Shuhua’s smile lingered as he straightened up, his genial expression behind the gold-rimmed glasses unchanged. "Can I take that to mean our goals align?"

"Which ‘us’ are you talking about?" Xu Changying tilted her head.

Lin Shuhua: "You, me, and Zhao Yang. Even if we're separated by distance and out of touch, I believe our objectives converge on a certain matter—though I don’t quite understand your reasons."

Xu Changying chuckled. "I don’t quite understand why you’d share such a goal either, Senior. Doesn’t it make you unhappy?"

Even for someone like Lin Shuhua, raised under the Lin family’s rigorous elite upbringing, how could he truly accept having his two-decade-long heir status suddenly replaced? That was Zhao Yang’s exact words.

Lin Shuhua shook his head. "You wouldn’t understand, Changying. Or rather, you and Zhao Yang have never bothered to grasp my perspective. To the Lin family, I am not the fruit to be harvested but the tree that sustains the forest. The Lin family itself is what matters most. If the fruit nurtured is Xia Qing, then that’s for the best."

"Besides," Lin Shuhua’s gaze fixed on Xu Changying like a mirror, "he isn’t unwilling, is he?"

Xu Changying’s smile faded. "Are you here to prod me, Senior?"

Lin Shuhua shook his head. "I wouldn’t dare. I’ve never had that standing. I’m just worrying needlessly. Xia Qing no longer concerns only the Lin family—his actions now affect countless interests."

Xu Changying cocked her head. "I like to think I’ve been fairly prudent in my actions."

Lin Shuhua gave a light laugh. "You misunderstand me, Changying. I never said you were at fault. I was referring to Xia Qing."

Xu Changying’s mind flashed to Xia Qing’s face in the firelight three nights ago—those eyes brimming with tears but icy-calm.

"Xia Qing was very worried about you, but he’s been coordinating with the government Officer these past two days. He should be able to reach out to you later today." Lin Shuhua adjusted his collar, signaling the end of their conversation.

"Only because it’s you, Changying, am I telling you this: starting tomorrow, Xia Qing and the genomics unit will officially enter the final phase of their research. I hope you can understand my feelings—both as a member of the Lin family and as Xia Qing’s elder brother."

Xu Changying leaned against the glass window, watching Lin Shuhua with amusement. "I understand perfectly."

Lin Shuhua picked up his suit jacket and briefcase, heading toward the end of the hallway. The moment he took a step, a young subordinate in a suit waiting by the elevator immediately pressed the button and turned to await him.

Suddenly, the footsteps halted. Lin Shuhua turned back with a smile. "Though you may not believe it, I truly came specifically to see Zhao Yang."

With a *ding*, the elevator doors opened and closed. Xu Changying pressed against the glass, staring at Zhao Yang bundled up like a dumpling inside, and let out a "pfft."

No wonder Zhao Yang detested the Lin family so much, Xu Changying thought.

*Lin family? Who’s *your* Lin family?*

That night after Lin Shuhua left, Xia Qing returned. Xu Changying was lying on her hospital bed scrolling through the Ocean Forum, which was overrun with posts about "Life" and the "Guangzhou Port explosion." Since the forum’s access is restricted to AGB Officers only, everyone felt entitled to comment on the case.

Of course, before the case files are logged, leaking any details is strictly prohibited. So, the Officers only knew the case was handled by Group 03 of the Asia Branch. Xu Changying swiped her finger and saw an Officer from the European Bureau crunching the numbers greedily for potential case points.

"Do they have to be so point-grubbing?" Xu Changying muttered, replying to the thread with an anonymous avatar.

"What’s point-grubbing?" a voice whispered.

Startled, Xu Changying flinched, nearly dropping her phone. She turned to see Xia Qing, her face lighting up with delight. "Xia Qing! When did you get here?"

Xia Qing was dressed impeccably in formal attire, as if he’d dashed over straight from a meeting—even his hair was slicked back just right. His gaze drifted softly over Xu Changying’s face before he sat down by the bed. "I’m sorry. I’ve been swamped lately and couldn’t be here sooner."

Xu Changying tossed her phone aside and grinned into her pillow. "It’s nothing. Your work takes priority—naturally, that comes first."

Xia Qing suddenly reached out and touched her right ear. "How’s your ear after the surgery?"

Xu Changying felt as if the explosion had scrambled her brains. Heat instantly flooded her face, and she reflexively scratched her right ear as if it itched. "Couldn’t be better!"

Xia Qing nodded: "After the ear surgery, be sure not to catch a cold recently."

After a quick look post-port explosion, Xu Changying hadn't seen Xia Qing again. Lin Shuhua's reminder was indeed correct—that night, Xia Qing's tears and words had stunned him.

Watching Xia Qing silently crying in the rain, the Major Crime Unit on the scene froze, unsure of what to say. It wasn't until they were in the ambulance that Shao Qiaoqiao tearfully remarked how Professor Xia clearly valued Officer Xu deeply. Only Xu Changying himself felt his heart nearly stop in that moment, as if he had glimpsed another presence hidden within Xia Qing's current self.

But it couldn't be. Xia Qing had only lost his memory—why would there be signs of dissociation?

"What's wrong?" Xia Qing asked, noticing Xu Changying's daze.

Snapping out of it, Xu Changying quickly smiled. "Nothing, just feels like I haven't seen you in ages."

Xia Qing glanced at the injury on his calf and softly asked, "How long will your healing take?"

Xu Changying replied, "This gunshot wound isn't too serious. The cast can come off in 30 days."

Xia Qing suddenly paused. Sensing something, Xu Changying grinned. "What is it?"

"Nothing, sorry," Xia Qing said, genuinely apologetic. He squeezed Xu Changying's hand gently. "I was just thinking—does this mean you'll be staying in the country for another month?"

"Yeah, since I’d be laid up anyway," Xu Changying nodded instinctively before realizing the implication. He looked up to find Xia Qing gazing at him.

In Xia Qing's amber eyes was a spark Xu Changying didn’t dare acknowledge. Yet, staring into them, he immediately dismissed Lin Shuhua's warnings.

"I—" Xu Changying stammered, "me too."

"I’d love to spend more time with you too."

At 10:30 p.m., Xu Changying sat on the bed, debriefing the port explosion operation with Xia Qing. At the time, Xu Changying suspected the unsearched northwest corner of Sector 7 was the transfer point, explaining why the criminals had desperately lured them away at great cost. Xia Qing agreed, adding that the extraction team likely used motorboats rather than cargo ships for a quicker escape.

However, the northwest corner was vast. In the urgency, Xu Changying decided to search for Zhao Yang alone while the team communicated via earpieces. Song Yuli accompanied Xia Qing to the docks to hunt down the extraction team.

Unexpectedly, the criminals had installed signal-jamming devices in the containers. Cut off from Xu Changying, the team regrouped and arrested the extraction members to learn Xu Changying's location.

But before Xia Qing could arrive, Xu Changying set off the explosion.

Sitting on the bed, Xu Changying vividly described igniting the flammable dust: "I held the lighter right in front of that guy, and he still didn’t get it! What an idiot!"

Peeling an orange, he grinned. "Then I struck the lighter, lunged left, and before I even hit the ground—boom!"

Xia Qing, meticulously peeling a pear, listened as intently as if it were an academic lecture, though his expression grew increasingly troubled.

Tossing the orange to Xia Qing and taking the pear, Xu Changying took a bite. "Why so gloomy?"

"If I’d arrived sooner, it wouldn’t have been so dangerous," Xia Qing frowned.

"Hey, don’t be such a downer! If I’d gotten there earlier, Yang wouldn’t have been slashed across the face. As long as things turn out fine, it’s all good—wait, no." Xu Changying, acting all wise while chewing, suddenly froze.

Xia Qing noticed his panic. "What’s wrong?"

"I just remembered—I stole Yang’s lighter. I blew up his lighter!" Xu Changying looked horrified. "Shit, it was the one I gave him ten years ago. I gotta replace it, but it’s probably no longer made."

"Stole?" Xia Qing raised an eyebrow.

"Took, okay? Don’t nitpick." Xu Changying handed the pear back and grabbed his phone. "Gotta check if they still sell that model on the manufacturer’s site."

As he picked up his phone, he muttered, "Shit."

Xia Qing, holding both pear and orange: "What now?"

"I just realized I posted on the forum without being anonymous," Xu Zhangying said, fidgeting with his phone in visible distress.

He showed the screen to Xia Qing, where a user with a calico cat avatar had commented half an hour earlier on the BBS: "The case isn’t over yet—no need to discuss it this much."

Half an hour later, a flood of multilingual replies had piled up under that comment. Xu Zhangying scrolled through, finding many teasing or envious remarks like, "Last time I saw LEBEN was before the Red Cross leadership change," or "Sir, why wasn’t I assigned to your Unit 03?" Some replies were more serious, agreeing with Xu Zhangying’s stance, saying things like, "It really isn’t the time for public discussion now."

Xu Zhangying swiped his phone and chuckled. "Posting this without anonymity is such a flex."

"Guess I’ll just roll with it as part of my image," he said, setting his phone aside and winking at Xia Qing.

*Ding.* Leaning in to browse lighters with Xia Qing, Xu Zhangying didn’t notice his forum page refresh with a new comment—this one from a user with a solid black avatar, posted in Chinese, but its tone stood out sharply:

- Just luck. This case is already above your pay grade.

- Giving up is the wise choice.

A second later, the black avatar dropped another icy reply.