Villain? No, I'll catch up with the protagonist after passing the civil service exam.

"...In conclusion, the suspect, A Gui, whose real name is Li Gousheng, has committed multiple serious crimes, including intentional homicide and desecration of a corpse. The evidence chain is complete, and the facts are clear. We recommend that the procuratorate file a public prosecution in accordance with the law and request the court to severely punish him!"

At the press conference, the flashbulbs illuminated the room like daytime.

Standing behind the podium, Lu Jingyan spoke in a steady and powerful voice, recounting the ins and outs of the "Rainy Night Butcher" case and the "Internet Celebrity Festival Murder Case."

There were no impassioned speeches, nor any dramatic embellishments. He simply used the most plain and objective language to state the facts and reveal the truth.

But it is precisely this extreme calmness and professionalism that brings a suffocating sense of oppression.

When he finished speaking, "Report complete," there was a full three seconds of silence in the audience.

Immediately afterwards, thunderous applause erupted.

"Captain Lu! How did you manage to see through the killer's disguise in such a short time?"

"Captain Lu! What's your opinion on the killer's claim of 'method art'?"

"Officer Lu! You are now widely recognized online as the 'crime buster.' Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?"

Countless reporters thrust their microphones at me like spears, asking increasingly tricky and gossipy questions.

Lu Jingyan did not avoid the topic.

He simply stood there quietly, waiting for the noise to subside a little before slowly raising his head and calmly scanning the faces below the stage, faces filled with curiosity and admiration.

"The first question relies on evidence and logic, not intuition."

"The second issue is that the bottom line of art is law and humanity. Any act that tramples on these two things, no matter how glamorous its cloak, is garbage."

He paused here.

The audience fell silent instantly, everyone holding their breath, waiting for his answer to the last question—about "fans," about his personal "highlight moment."

However, Lu Jingyan merely pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"As for the last question."

"I'm not a celebrity, I don't need fans. I'm just an ordinary police officer."

"Everything I did was not to trend on social media or to grab attention."

He pointed to the police badge on his chest, which gleamed under the flashlight.

"I was just doing my job."

"Being a police officer is my profession."

After speaking, he showed no hesitation, nodded slightly to the audience, turned around, and left the venue under the escort of a group of special police officers.

All that remains is a tall, pine-like figure, bearing the inscription "Having accomplished his task, he departs without a trace, concealing his merits and fame."

……

"So handsome! Absolutely incredibly handsome!"

In the special investigation team's office, Su Xiaoxiao held her phone, watching the replay of the press conference. Her face flushed with excitement. "‘As a police officer, I'm a professional!’ Captain Lu, that line of yours is definitely a contender for this year's best quote! Look, it's all over Weibo!"

Zhao Tiezhu stood beside him, grinning sheepishly, his eyes filled with heartfelt admiration as he looked at Lu Jingyan.

"Yes, Captain Lu, what you just said was so inspiring! It was even more exciting than our bureau chief giving a report!"

Lu Jingyan had just taken off his restrictive police uniform and changed into civilian clothes. Hearing his colleagues' flattery, he could only shake his head helplessly.

"Alright, stop joking around."

He picked up the car keys on the table. "The case is closed, and the higher-ups have approved three days off. Everyone should go home and rest, don't stand around here."

"No, Captain Lu!"

Su Xiaoxiao immediately jumped up from her chair, a sly smile on her face. "Captain Lei said he's hosting a celebration banquet tonight at our usual spot! He said you're the main guest and you have to be there!"

"A victory celebration banquet?"

Lu Jingyan frowned, about to refuse.

"We have to go!"

Zhao Tiezhu chimed in, patting his chest and promising, "Captain Lu, don't worry, I guarantee Xiaoxiao won't sing again tonight! If she dares to pick up a bottle, I'll be the first to break it!"

"Hey!" Su Xiaoxiao punched him angrily.

Looking at these two lively characters in front of him, Lu Jingyan's fatigue seemed to dissipate considerably.

He thought for a moment and nodded.

"Alright."

"How about...we'll have a drink?"

……

As night deepens, the lively atmosphere of the old street food stalls rises once again.

It's still that familiar corner, and it's still that familiar group of people.

But this time, the atmosphere was even more enthusiastic than before.

"Come on! For our 'Judge of the World' of Jinghai City! For our Special Investigation Team's 'Pillar of Strength'! Captain Lu!"

Lei Ting, beaming and holding a large pitcher of beer, stood up. "I, Old Lei, have never truly respected anyone in my life, but you're one of them! I'll drink this, you can do whatever you want!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and finished the whole pitcher of beer.

"Team Lei has a huge capacity!"

The surrounding police officers cheered, instantly igniting the atmosphere.

Lu Jingyan smiled, picked up the glass in front of him, and drank the beer in one gulp.

Tonight, he unusually let down all his guard and tension.

Looking at his comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death with him, laughing and joking together, and feeling the purest brotherhood filled with the smells of sweat and cumin, a corner of the ice in his heart, which had been encased in "absolute rationality," seemed to melt.

After several rounds of drinks...

Everyone was a little tipsy.

Zhao Tiezhu started bragging to people, saying how he single-handedly took down an entire platoon when he was in the special forces.

Lei Ting then put his arm around Director Chen's neck and tearfully recounted the policewoman he had missed out on when he was young.

Su Xiaoxiao did not sing again.

She simply sat quietly in the corner, holding a can of cola in her hand, her bright, sparkling eyes never leaving the figure surrounded by the crowd in the center.

Lu Jingyan.

He didn't participate in the commotion; he simply leaned back in his chair, a cup of tea in his hand, a faint smile on his lips, watching his lovely colleagues fool around.

The dim lighting softened his profile, making him appear less cold and more gentle.

As Su Xiaoxiao watched, her cheeks unconsciously turned red.

She felt her heart beating a little fast, like she was carrying a rabbit.

"Team Leader Lu..."

She mustered her courage, picked up her cola, and walked over, her voice barely audible, "I...I'll toast you too."

"Um?"

Lu Jingyan snapped out of his daze, looked at the girl in front of him whose face was as red as an apple, and smiled. "Didn't you say you couldn't drink? What? Want to sing 'Conquer' again?"

"No way!"

Su Xiaoxiao panicked, her face turning even redder. "I...I just wanted to...want to say something to you."

"What did you say?"

"I……"

Su Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, as if she had made a momentous decision. She closed her eyes and shouted out in one breath:

"I suspect my heart has been stolen! You are the suspect! I now request... that you be detained for life imprisonment!"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

All eyes turned to them.

Even Zhao Tiezhu, who was bragging, stopped talking and looked at the girl, who was usually more timid than a rabbit, with a shocked expression.

Lu Jingyan was also stunned.

Looking at Su Xiaoxiao's reckless expression and her tightly closed eyes due to nervousness, the "program" in his heart, for the first time, began to... become slightly disordered.

"Xiaoxiao, you..."

He was just about to say something.

Su Xiao-Xiao suddenly opened her eyes, and seeing the gossipy looks around her, she instantly cowered.

"Just...just kidding!"

She downed her Coke in one gulp, then turned and ran like a startled rabbit, yelling, "I'm going to the bathroom! You guys continue! Continue!"

Watching the fleeing figure, Lu Jingyan touched his nose, a helpless yet indulgent smile appearing on his face that he himself didn't even realize.

He glanced down at his empty teacup and murmured to himself:

"joke?"

"Then why is she blushing?"