Chapter 125 — A Bit of a Firebrand

"A mission..." Wei Zhao rubbed his nose with a wry smile. "Honestly, I don't even know what to tell Gu'er about this mission. I'm still in the dark myself... But since he's your savior, how could I refuse to meet him? I'll meet him, of course I will..."

"Hm? Don't force yourself..." Yang Huaijun was moved. He knew Wei Zhao was never one to stick his nose into other people's business. If not for him, Wei Zhao would never have gone out of his way to meet a total stranger.

"Force myself? I've got nothing better to do anyway." Wei Zhao laughed. "Besides, now that I've got a criminal investigation captain as my backer, it'll be easier to get things done around Songshan City..."

"All right then, you set a time." Yang Huaijun wasted no words. Between him and Wei Zhao, there was no need for thanks—that would only cheapen it.

"How about tomorrow? Go tell Wang Zhifeng that I'm needed at the station tomorrow to give a statement—that way I can slip out without it counting as skipping class. I really don't want that..." Wei Zhao gestured toward the doorway.

"Fine, I'll sort it out in a bit." Yang Huaijun nodded. That was a small matter.

"Oh, right—the moment I walked in, you got me talking and I forgot the real business. I've mixed up some medicine for you. Take it when you get back. Once you finish the first course, your condition will ease considerably. Then I'll give you the second course. In about three months, you should be back to normal," Wei Zhao said.

"Three months?" Yang Huaijun froze, staring blankly at Wei Zhao.

"At the fastest, two months." Wei Zhao assumed Yang Huaijun thought it too long. "Chinese herbal decoctions don't taste great, but for the sake of your health, bear with it for two months..."

"Wei Zhao, you're not joking, are you? Two months and my body will recover? Just like a normal person?" Yang Huaijun was agitated. "Really? The doctors said keeping my condition from getting worse was already the best I could hope for—and now you're telling me I can actually recover?"

"Uh... so it wasn't the medicine you were worried about?" Wei Zhao smiled. "You still don't believe what I say?"

"I believe you! Of course I believe you! It's just—I'm so astonished!" Yang Huaijun truly was astonished, but when it came to Wei Zhao's words, he had absolute faith. On the battlefield, how many times had they been on the verge of being overtaken by the enemy, only to escape danger under Wei Zhao's correct judgments time and again—and then turn around and catch the enemy in a counterattack... Wei Zhao's prestige in the squad was supreme, and his orders were carried out by the team without reservation or question. "You brat... afraid of medicine? I've had bullets in my body and barely felt it—and you think I'm afraid of herbal medicine? Are you mocking me..."

"Heh..." Not necessarily. I've seen people who fear neither heaven nor earth, yet dread needles and pills..." Wei Zhao laughed. "Come with me to the classroom in a bit and I'll give it to you."

"Captain, you're amazing!" Yang Huaijun truly had no words to describe the joy in his heart. He'd thought every extra day he lived was a gift—living day by day, holding on until the day painkillers and massage stopped working, and then he could die. Never had he imagined Wei Zhao could actually cure him!

Still, though Wei Zhao was a godlike presence in the squad, Yang Huaijun couldn't hide his shock. Wei Zhao was definitely young—if he guessed right, about the same as Xiaoning, seven or eight years younger than himself—yet he seemed capable of anything, as if he knew everything. Where on earth had he learned it all?

"To be honest, I miss those days sometimes... bullets flying every day..." Hearing Yang Huaijun call him "Captain," Wei Zhao grew wistful.

"Yeah, and Xiaoning..." Yang Huaijun stopped short, because he noticed Wei Zhao's expression shift abruptly at those two words... "Let's not talk about that..." Wei Zhao sighed. "What's past is past."

"But... Xiaoning is still asking about you... I..." Yang Huaijun's heart ached for Xiaoning, but he didn't want to go against the captain's wishes.

"Then tell her the Eagle is dead." Wei Zhao spoke faintly, a trace of sorrow flickering in his eyes. Indeed, he had already assumed another identity now. Every mission was a new life for him; when the mission ended, so did that life.

"But..." Yang Huaijun wanted to say more, but Wei Zhao cut him off.

"Next time you see her, just tell her that." Wei Zhao said. "A sharp pain is better than a dull one. You know perfectly well we're not suited for each other. I might die any day—you don't want her to end up a widow, do you?"

Yang Huaijun lowered his head helplessly. Wei Zhao was right—his life was even more dangerous than Yang Huaijun's own police career. Though Wei Zhao was like a god of war, who could guarantee that a god of war wouldn't die?

"Then what about you and Xiao Song from our team..." Yang Huaijun suddenly remembered Qiu Lingshan. Her relationship with Wei Zhao seemed rather ambiguous.

"If I told you there's nothing between us, would you believe me?" Wei Zhao smiled bitterly. He hadn't expected the hospital business to reach even Yang Huaijun's ears—news traveled far too fast.

"All right, I believe you." Yang Huaijun nodded. "But purely from a professional standpoint, you two are quite a match. That girl charges to the front line every time—wherever it's most dangerous, that's where she goes..."

"Heh... I can see that now. She's got a bit of fire in her." Wei Zhao smiled. "Actually, she's quite adorable. What about it - aren't you going to consider her?"

"The age gap is too big. She'd look at me like some big brother figure. If I had any ideas about her, wouldn't that be rather sordid?" Yang Huaijun laughed. "Besides, my marriage... isn't up to me to decide, as you know. Now that I've been transferred to the civilian side, the family has made me part of their overall arrangements. Probably after the New Year, they'll set me up with a match."

"Come on, let's go get your medicine." Wei Zhao rose to his feet and headed for the door. Yang Huaijun hurried to follow.

Wang Zhifeng hadn't gone far. He was waiting quietly by the window at the end of the corridor. When he saw the door of the Academic Affairs Office open, he strode over quickly. "Captain Yang, how did it go? Was there some sort of problem?"

"It's all been sorted out. Nothing to worry about. Student Wei Zhao was merely acting in legitimate self-defense. He just needs to go to the police station tomorrow to make a supplemental statement." Yang Huaijun nodded to Wang Zhifeng. "I'm going with Student Wei Zhao to his classroom right now to collect a few materials. Director Wang, there's no need for you to come along."

"Oh... well then, all right." Hearing Yang Huaijun say there was no problem, Wang Zhifeng felt his heart settle.