C9 Report the Case

"Damn it!" Ding Yu exclaimed as he tossed the photo aside, the transfer letter fluttering to the ground. His head spun, his vision went black, and he collapsed with a heavy thud.

It was no secret that Ding Yu was the butt of the joke at the Snowbush Police Station. A man who, instead of pursuing a career as a detective, stubbornly chose to work in the archives.

Sunn Limin, however, had heard that Ding Yu was once an exceptional student, a standout in criminal investigation studies, a true prodigy. It was just that he hadn't found the right opportunity to use his talents.

Pfft!

Hua Ning couldn't contain her laughter any longer and let out a loud guffaw. Sunn Limin gave a knowing look and pulled a bottle of ointment from his drawer, whispering, "Rub some on him."

Taking the bottle, Hua Ning squatted down beside Ding Yu, still chuckling as she gently massaged the ointment onto his temples with her delicate fingers.

It had been years since Ding Yu had experienced such a sensation. Gradually, he opened his eyes and murmured, "Goddess, goddess..."

While the term of endearment seemed harmless, Ding Yu's hand began to creep toward the more concealed areas of Hua Ning's upper body.

Crack!

A sharp snap jolted Ding Yu back to reality, his fleeting sense of enchantment vanishing as a sharp pain in his wrist hinted at a possible fracture.

"Ow, ow, ow..." Ding Yu's vision cleared to reveal Hua Ning, who had transformed from a celestial being into a fierce fitness instructor, effortlessly restraining his wrist with a slight twist.

"Hmph!" Hua Ning stood up with a cold snort, tossing the ointment back at him.

"Chief, where did you dig up this sleazeball?" she asked with a look of disdain.

Hua Ning's face was a picture of reluctance, her cheeks puffed out in a pout.

Sunn Limin was at a loss for words. He couldn't very well admit that Ding Yu was a highly intelligent academic ace.

It was hard to reconcile his aversion to blood and lecherous demeanor with the image of a police academy's valedictorian.

"Enough, you two are colleagues now. Take him to get registered," Sunn Limin said, eager to avoid further explanation. He gestured for Hua Ning to lead Ding Yu away.

Hua Ning cast a scornful glance at Ding Yu, who quickly averted his gaze, his eyes darting around in embarrassment.

A moment later, Hua Ning turned on her heel and strode out. Ding Yu gave Sunn Limin a respectful nod and hurried after her.

Downstairs was the office of Unit 9, with the door wide open. Xiao Chennai was catching up on sleep at his desk, Jian Chenyi was engrossed in a book, and Cheng Sheng was browsing the internet.

"Everyone, let me introduce our new team member. This sleazy guy is..."

The seated individuals, except for Xiao Chennai, all looked up. "Sleazy guy?" Jian Chenyi and Cheng Sheng paused, exchanging puzzled glances.

"No, no," Hua Ning said with a charming smile, clarifying, "This is our new colleague from Unit 9, previously from the archives."

A round of applause erupted from the group, startling Xiao Chennai awake. He slowly lifted his head to see who was at the door.

His hair was tousled, and his gaze was bleary as he murmured, "What's going on?"

"Hey! I'm Ding Yu. I look forward to working with you all!" Ding Yu gave a respectful bow.

Xiao Chennai suddenly recalled Director Sunn mentioning the reformation of Unit 9 a few days prior, noting that they were just one member short of completion.

"The desk by the window is yours. Have a seat," Xiao Chennai said nonchalantly before slumping back onto the desk to resume his nap.

Ding Yu, holding his documents, smiled warmly as he made his way to his new desk. He couldn't help but sneak another peek at Hua Ning, his demeanor reminiscent of a schoolboy with a secret crush.

Hua Ning, uninterested, headed straight to her own desk without a second glance.

As noon approached, the office windows were open. Ding Yu glanced outside to see a man rushing in, his expression one of alarm.

Too distant and without his glasses, Ding Yu couldn't make out the details and simply turned back around to his seat.

Moments later, the Public Security Bureau's lobby buzzed with noise, signaling the lunch hour. Curious, Cheng Sheng tidied up his things and stepped out to investigate.

He swiftly returned, calling out to the office, "There's been a report!"

Xiao Chennai, usually the most serene, sprang to his feet upon hearing "report" and made his way out of the office.

"Hey, why aren't you heading out?"

Jian Chenyi rose from his seat with a lazy stretch, noticing his new colleague, Ding Yu, remained motionless and looking rather curious.

Ding Yu lowered his gaze to the screen, stuttering, "I... I'll go in a bit, you go ahead."

His smile was ambiguous, not quite reaching his eyes.

Jian Chenyi, feeling somewhat perplexed, replied, "Alright then!" and proceeded to leave on his own.

Ding Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't prepared to become a detective, nor did he anticipate being transferred to the elite Unit 9 of the Criminal Police Squad.

He had heard rumors about the mysterious disappearance of three members from Unit 9 at the Snowbush Public Security Bureau, but he had always treated it as mere gossip, never imagining he'd have any connection to it.

His fear of blood stemmed from witnessing his sister's murder as a child. He had been hiding in a closet, shaking with terror as the killer walked past him.

It was his sister who had sacrificed herself to save him.

After the assailant left, a trembling Ding Yu emerged to find his sister lying in a pool of blood. He had cradled her, crying out desperately for help to no avail.

With his hands stained by his sister's blood, he had become reclusive, barely speaking to anyone for five years. Yet, he had made a silent vow to become a police officer and apprehend criminals.

After the murderer was finally apprehended, Ding Yu dedicated himself to his studies and was admitted to the best police academy in another province.

However, he discovered that the sight of blood on anyone or on the ground would make him dizzy. He knew this was a major issue in law enforcement, and despite consulting a psychologist, he couldn't overcome it.

In the lobby of the Criminal Police Squad at the Public Security Bureau, a man in a blood-stained black baseball jacket was frantically demanding to see a leader.

His mental state seemed unstable, and he was visibly agitated.

Xiao Chennai stepped forward and inquired, "What happened?"

The man, pushing past two officers, broke into sobs, "Officer, please help my dad, he's... he's dead!"

"Did you kill him?" Xiao Chennai asked pointedly.

All eyes turned to the man.

He hesitated briefly before shaking his head vigorously, "No, no, of course not! I... I didn't kill him!"

Hua Ning pulled a packet of tissues from her police uniform pocket and offered it to the man, "Wipe yourself off, then we'll take your statement."

The man nodded, accepted the tissues, and followed Cheng Sheng into the office.

Shortly thereafter, Xiao Chennai and a few others entered the office and retrieved the man's statement. According to what the man had said, his name was Lian Peng, and he resided in the Snossen Community within the Yuhua District.

He had gone to work that morning and was just about to return home at noon. After calling out several times with no response, he decided to boil some water in the kitchen. To his horror, he discovered the kitchen had become a bloodbath.

Blood was everywhere—on the floor, on the tables. The gruesome sight terrified Lian Peng, sending him scrambling out of his house to report the incident to the Public Security Bureau.

That's when the blood-soaked spectacle was revealed.

Having grasped the situation, Xiao Chennai readied his team from Unit 9 to inspect the scene firsthand.