After this, the Investigation Department had been keeping an eye on the murderer's movements. There were many inspectors and government officials patrolling the streets everywhere.
Although the rumors had been forcibly suppressed, people still discussed them secretly in the streets and alleys. Rumors like this would never stop until the truth was thoroughly investigated.
But after that, the murderer never committed another crime, which left Song Yan with a sense of powerlessness, like punching into cotton.
After that, Yu Ling was peaceful for a while. Perhaps people thought it was safe again, so the number of people going out on the streets at night gradually increased.
But these were not what worried Song Yan the most. What really bothered him was that the deadline set by the emperor for capturing the murderer was approaching.
He knew the emperor's character well. The emperor always kept his word. If he really couldn't catch the murderer before the end of the month, the Investigation Department would be in big trouble.
"Director, it's another peaceful day in Yu Ling." The youngest inspector carried the report of the patrols during this period into the cabinet. After putting the report on the table, he said to Song Yan with a big smile.
Song Yan rubbed his temples and flipped through the report on the table. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper. The young inspector didn't understand why he had such an expression.
Logically speaking, the fact that there were no more murders should be a good thing. Why was the director even more worried?
"Director, isn't it a good thing that there are no murders?" the inspector finally couldn't hold back and asked.
Song Yan put down the report in his hand and said seriously to the young man standing in front of him, "When the murderer makes no move, it's usually the most dangerous time, because you have no idea what he'll do next."
He wanted to say more, but in the end, he didn't. After all, the young man in front of him was only fifteen years old. He was still young and didn't understand these things. You couldn't just look at the surface of things.
He would understand these things in the future.
"So that's how it is..." The young inspector was a bit scared under Song Yan's gaze. He lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong, looking rather pitiful.
Seeing this, Song Yan softened his tone. "Alright, go back to work first."
The young inspector left after hearing this. The door of the cabinet closed with a sound. Song Yan looked at the report in front of him and felt his head ache even more.
After being cooped up in the room for so long, he decided to go out for a walk to change his mood.
Song Yan walked aimlessly on the street, still thinking about the case in his mind. When he stopped, he found that he had unconsciously walked in front of the private school where Ye Zhiqiu taught.
The sound of children reading aloud came from the room. For some reason, the depression that had been weighing on his heart suddenly dissipated.
"Why is Director Song here?"
After school, Ye Zhiqiu was standing at the door watching the children go home. When he looked up, he saw Song Yan standing under the tree. He seemed to be lost in thought and didn't even notice Ye Zhiqiu approaching him.
It was Ye Zhiqiu's voice that brought Song Yan back to his senses. He looked at the teacher standing in front of him. The other man's moon - colored robe fluttered slightly in the wind, and his beautiful eyes were looking at him.
Song Yan was stumped by his question. He didn't know why he had suddenly come here. He couldn't just say that he had been out for a stroll and somehow ended up here.
The Investigation Department was quite far from the private school. This excuse wouldn't convince Ye Zhiqiu, not even himself.
"Why is that strange uncle here again?"
"He always pesters the teacher. Look, the teacher doesn't look happy."
"Should we go and remind the teacher to be careful of this strange uncle?"
Before Song Yan could come up with an excuse, the two kids who had secretly talked about him last time were whispering not far from them.
Although they were whispering, Song Yan could hear every word clearly. He felt that his dignity as the director of the Investigation Department had been despised.
These two brats had called him "uncle" twice!
While he was lost in these thoughts, the two kids walked up to Ye Zhiqiu and tugged at his sleeve. Ye Zhiqiu squatted down following their actions.
"Teacher Ye, that uncle is a bit strange. Mother said that when we see strange people, we should run away quickly."
The child stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear. Song Yan, standing aside, watched them whispering to each other, and his face got darker and darker.
"Hey, I heard what you said."
Song Yan made a face at the child and walked towards him while threatening, "The strange uncle is coming to catch you now."
The two kids were so scared that they scattered in all directions. Song Yan stopped running after he couldn't see their backs anymore. "Humph, these brats."
"Why is Director Song still arguing with children?" Ye Zhiqiu looked at Song Yan's back with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
He didn't look like the director of the Investigation Department at all. He was just like a child.
Song Yan felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his neck. He turned around, coughed, and quickly regained his usual expression.
"Who asked them to call me a strange uncle? I'm at least in the top ten on the list of handsome men in Yu Ling. To be called a strange uncle by a little kid, it's really outrageous."
As Song Yan was talking, his expression gradually became distorted. Ye Zhiqiu just turned around and walked into the room. "Director Song looks no different from a child at the moment."
Song Yan knew that Ye Zhiqiu must be mocking his childish behavior just now. So he also stepped forward and followed him into the room.
"It sounds so formal when you always call me Director Song. Just call me Song Yan from now on. Can I call you Zhiqiu?" Song Yan tried to liven up the atmosphere.
But Ye Zhiqiu clearly didn't appreciate his effort. He simply ignored Song Yan's attempt to liven up the atmosphere and flatly refused, "No need. I'm not familiar enough with Director Song to call him by his first name."
...
Song Yan, the master of livening up the atmosphere, always suffered setbacks in front of Ye Zhiqiu, who was as cold as ice.
Fine. Since the other person had clearly refused, if he said anything more, he would be a fool.
...
"It doesn't matter that we're not familiar now. We'll get to know each other better in the future."
Well, he was just a fool.
Ye Zhiqiu was at a loss for words seeing Song Yan's persistent spirit. When you don't know what to say, changing the subject is the best way.
"I bought a piece of cloth a while ago. The color doesn't suit me. I think it should suit Director Song. If you don't mind, I'd like to give it to you."
"Of course I won't mind a gift from Teacher Ye."