Chapter 26: The Dilemma of Choice – I Choose Loyalty to You Even Against the Entire World…

When Gu Yifeng stepped into the office, Deputy Director Lu Tao was reviewing documents with his head lowered.

On the heavy solid wood desk, a service pistol and an identification badge lay side by side, gleaming coldly under the fluorescent lights.

Sit, Lu Tao said without looking up.

After Gu Yifeng took his seat, Lu Tao pushed a file across the desk toward him.

I’ll be brief. Late last night, Wen Yi lost control of her ability in the Investigation Bureau’s underground laboratory, causing structural collapse in the experimental area. The incident resulted in injuries to thirteen staff members of varying severity, including five core researchers. She subsequently escaped and has vanished without a trace. Lu Tao’s voice remained unnervingly calm. And you, Gu Yifeng, are her supervisor.

Gu Yifeng’s gaze fell upon the file, his knuckles tightening slightly. He sneered inwardly – everyone knew exactly how Wen Yi had gained access to the laboratory. He understood this report was merely a script fabricated by higher-ups to cover the truth, but he couldn’t expose it.

I bear responsibility for inadequate supervision. I’m willing to accept all consequences.

You’ll bear it? Lu Tao set down his pen, adjusting his glasses as the lenses reflected a cold gleam. With what exactly will you bear the consequences?

Gu Yifeng slowly raised his head: Demotion, dismissal, investigation – I’ll accept whatever standard procedure requires.

Xiao Gu, Lu Tao tapped the desk lightly, you’re someone I promoted personally. I trust in your ability, but you’re still too emotional.

Gu Yifeng remained silent.

Wen Yi’s actions constitute a unilateral violation of the Ability Supervision Agreement with the Investigation Bureau. You understand what that means.

Gu Yifeng looked up, his voice low: What does Deputy Director Lu need me to do?

The Bureau has already issued a warrant for Wen Yi’s arrest. Lu Tao paused before continuing, Considering your relationship with her, higher-ups are willing to give you an opportunity – to personally apprehend her and bring her in.

Gu Yifeng’s brow furrowed deeply as he spoke slowly: Do I have the right to refuse?

You have two choices. Lu Tao slowly pushed Gu Yifeng’s service pistol and identification toward him, metal scraping against wood with a harsh sound.

Restore your position, conditional on capturing her alive within 72 hours. Or… He produced a Resignation Application, already stamped with the Investigation Bureau’s official seal at the signature line.

Choose the former, and you remain Director of the Special Cases Investigation Division. Your previous negligence won’t be pursued. All Bureau resources will be at your disposal. Lu Tao glanced out the window at the thick darkness before continuing, Choose the latter… and you’ll lose all power and resources.

This wasn’t giving him a choice – it was forcing him to make a sacrifice.

I know you have feelings for her. Lu Tao continued, But she’s now completely on the opposite side. If you want to reach her, without the Investigation Bureau’s support, you won’t even make it through the Wen family’s front gate.

Gu Yifeng’s eyes swept over the pistol on the desk as he said coldly: Deputy Director Lu places too much trust in me. If she’s willing, she could eliminate me in an instant. How am I supposed to bring her back? With this gun?

Lu Tao said meaningfully: Others couldn’t do it, but you can – because she trusts you. Using the bond between you to resolve this without bloodshed is the optimal solution.

Gu Yifeng gazed silently out the window into the deep night.

Holding the gun meant he had to stand against her; yet putting it down, how could he protect her amidst the storm?

He had thought their reunion after fifteen years was redemption, a gift from fate.

Now he understood it was merely the beginning of another trial.

Choose, Gu Yifeng. Lu Tao leaned back in his chair. Will you stand with us, or abandon everything for someone who will never belong to you?

Gu Yifeng looked up, clarity in his eyes as he reached for his credentials and service weapon.

I will find her. He rose, voice calm. But I have one condition – no interference with my team’s work.

Leaving the deputy director’s office, he went neither home nor to the Special Operations Unit, heading straight for the new forensics lab instead.

When Gu Yifeng pushed the door open, Dai Yiming was on tiptoes archiving a box of files.

Perfect timing, Dai turned at the sound, pointing to stacked archives by the door. Pass me that box.

Gu Yifeng handed up the container, asking quietly, Has Wen Yi been here?

Dai Yiming’s movements stilled, complexity flashing in his eyes. He hurried to the door, closed it softly, and lowered his voice. She didn’t show. Two men came instead… the older one should be her father.

Gu Yifeng nodded. How’s your recovery?

Should be fine! Another round of tests tomorrow. Dai couldn’t conceal his excitement. I’ve actually seen someone with special abilities now.

But Gu Yifeng only felt a weight in his chest, murmuring, They took Wen Yi away.

What?! Why? Dai froze, then seemed to suddenly comprehend. I heard… the Investigation Bureau issued a warrant for her arrest.

Gu Yifeng lowered his gaze, undercurrents swirling in his eyes. I’ve been personally assigned to capture her.

What?! Dai could hardly believe his ears. You’re going to arrest Wen Yi? Do you even realize what you’re doing?

She left with her father and brother. You’re the last person who saw their trail. The investigation starts with you. The shadows beneath his brow bones obscured his expression, much like his ambiguous stance.

Dai Yiming frowned, his shock turning to resistance. I never saw any Wen Yi’s father or brother. Give up on that idea. He turned back to organizing files, impatiently waving. Go on, you’re blocking the light.

Gu Yifeng remained standing, watching him for a moment before finally turning toward the door.

Wait! Dai stopped him. Take this!

A case file was pressed into Gu Yifeng’s hands.

This is the latest investigation report on Geng Jun, the first victim in the Nursery Triple Homicide. Dai explained. His DNA matches the perpetrator’s in multiple unsolved rape cases. That beast was a serial rapist who escaped justice due to insufficient evidence… Wouldn’t Guo Qingyu killing him count as serving justice?

What are you really trying to say? Gu Yifeng opened the file, papers rustling.

The unidentified victim died from human experimentation and has no connection to Guo Qingyu. Dai Yiming continued, his tone laced with anger and confusion. Geng Jun was an unforgivable criminal. Guo Qingyu merely did what the law failed to accomplish. Lu Chen participated in the Zeroing Plan, and Guo Qingyu acted in self-defense. Wen Yi saved me… yet now they’ve become wanted fugitives.

Outside the window, police sirens grew from distant to near, red and blue lights flashing alternately across their faces through the glass.

Gu Yifeng, Dai Yiming suddenly spoke gravely, I don’t know whether you genuinely intend to arrest Wen Yi or are just playing along with the Investigation Bureau’s higher-ups. But regardless, speaking from personal bias, I hope you never find her.

Then let’s see about that. Gu Yifeng closed the case file and turned toward the door.

Gu Yifeng! Dai Yiming called after his retreating figure. As an Investigation Bureau commander, are you loyal to your oath, or to your heart?

He paused but offered no response.

Don’t pretend you don’t understand, Dai Yiming’s voice carried a hint of urgency. Do you want to be a ‘good man,’ or do you want her?

You misunderstand, Gu Yifeng remained with his back turned, enunciating each word clearly. I never joined the Investigation Bureau to become a ‘good man’.

Wen Yi gazed at the unsettled sky outside the car window, its shifting moods mirroring her own turbulent emotions.

It had been a full day and night since she left Gu Yifeng, each second dragging like a dull knife cutting through flesh. She looked down at her empty left hand, where the ring he gave her used to rest.

That had been the moment she thought herself closest to happiness.

The air around her began to distort faintly, a visible manifestation of her unstable emotions causing her powers to spiral out of control.

An invisible barrier unfolded from behind, instantly enveloping her. The rampaging energy was suppressed, and Wen Yi turned to see Wen Chi approaching.

After we finish here, we’ll be leaving Cloud Lake City.

So soon? Wen Yi was taken aback. Would she still have a chance to see Gu Yifeng again?

Once she returned to the mountains, according to secret protocols, unauthorized personnel were forbidden from approaching Moon Rift Mountain. Then she and Gu Yifeng might never be together again. The Wen clan and mundane society had always remained strictly separate.

Time is pressing. We need to act quickly to protect our persecuted branch clan members. An open confrontation with the Investigation Bureau is only a matter of time. Wen Chi observed her pale complexion. Thinking about him again?

Brother, I keep wondering if I might have misinterpreted what I saw. Her voice was soft, tinged with uncertainty. The outcome I foresaw didn’t include being with him, but that might just be one possibility among countless others. Why can’t I change the future? I clearly have the chance to rewrite the ending myself…

First rule of the Wen family teachings, Wen Chi interrupted. Follow the natural flow, avoid futile struggles.

There’s no blood feud between us. Her tone carried resentment. Maybe there are just some misunderstandings. I could go ask him directly…

Before she finished speaking, Wen Chi’s phone lit up with an emergency news alert from the Investigation Bureau, cutting her off.

…Now switching to live coverage of the National Security Investigation Bureau’s special press conference.

Both turned to look at the screen.

In the footage, Gu Yifeng walked up to the podium wearing the Investigation Bureau commander’s standard suit.

It was him!

Wen Yi’s heart began racing.

Though it had only been a day since she last saw him, he seemed much more haggard. The fine lines between his brows had deepened, and the coldness in his eyes felt unfamiliar to her.

Everyone, Gu Yifeng’s voice came through the microphone, each word striking heavily against her heart, At 23:17 two days ago, someone infiltrated the Bureau’s seventh laboratory, causing structural collapse in the experimental area. The incident resulted in injuries to thirteen people at varying degrees of severity, including five core researchers.

Wen Yi trembled, her fingers digging deep into her palms.

He paused briefly, his gaze fixed directly on the camera as if looking straight through it to meet her eyes: The investigation has confirmed that the incident was triggered by a special Ability User—Wen Yi—while in a state of ability loss of control.

Dead silence filled the car.

Given that her actions caused severe damage to national security facilities and she chose to flee afterward, the Bureau is now officially issuing a Level 1 warrant for Wen Yi’s arrest.

Gu Yifeng pressed a button, and Wen Yi’s photo appeared on the large screen. Any act of harboring will be treated as complicity.

Wen Yi instinctively leaned back, her breath catching.

Just two days ago, this man had held her in his arms, whispering words of love deep within her. Now he stood on a cold podium, issuing a warrant for her arrest as if she were the most dangerous Ability User.

Finally, I have a few words for Wen Yi herself. Gu Yifeng stared directly into the camera. I know exactly what you did.

His voice was low and cold, yet every word was clear.

She held her breath. Yes, you clearly know everything.

I will find you.

Was this a threat or a promise?

And capture you with my own hands. His eyes contained a suppressed madness, as if trying to seize her soul directly through the screen.

What was he implying?

Then, I will have you spend the rest of your life—

He paused for a second, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly.

—under my supervision.

Wen Yi’s tears instantly fell.

Spend the rest of your life

Not paying the price, not facing judgment, but spending the rest of your life.

The news broadcast cut off, plunging the car into dead silence, broken only by Wen Yi’s sobs.

He had performed an act for everyone, every word telling her:

Wait for me, I will find you, and then…

…guard you for the rest of my life.

———————–

Author’s Note: Some content has been revised.

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