Ji Shuyun then slowly looked at Luo Ming, whose face was stiff, her phoenix eyes calm and unwavering: "Officer Luo's concern about 'fairness' is ultimately because he is afraid that someone will take advantage of the information gap to gain the upper hand and win points."

"Now, let's eliminate even this last possibility."

Xia Zhining, with her bright almond-shaped eyes, continued her brother's words: "This Officer Luo is used to measuring strength by connections, while we choose to respond to doubts with strength."

"Is that clear enough?"

Seeing that the other party had taken the initiative to retreat to a more unfavorable situation, Luo Ming couldn't help but feel a sense of smugness.

A slightly helpless expression appeared on his face, and he even sighed: "Officer Ji, that wasn't my intention... but since you've offered to delay receiving the intelligence by two hours, then—"

Luo Ming's tone carried a hint of regret: "I can only respect your choice."

Before Luo Ming's feigned "regret" had even faded, the team formation process began.

The flow of people was clearly directional.

Several prominent young police officers walked straight towards Ji Shuyun.

Among them were the two people Luo Ming had been looking for but hadn't had a chance to speak to.

Ji Shuyun had previously worked in a township police station and knew very few officers from other units. Looking at the few officers in front of him who were familiar faces but with whom he had no real relationship, he remained calm and said, "Gentlemen, let me make this clear first: my team will be two hours late in receiving intelligence. Think it over before you come over."

The lead officer laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Officer Ji, we chose you because of who you are, not because of that two-hour early market."

The expert next to me, who was wearing glasses, adjusted his glasses and said, "The delay is good; it saves us from being distracted by cluttered information."

"Exactly!" another person shouted. "We teamed up with you because we want to solve the case. Two hours is nothing!"

A few words were enough to establish a tacit understanding.

On the other side, Luo Ming was surrounded by several old acquaintances, and the team was formed.

But when I turned my head to look at Ji Shuyun's side—a gathering of strong players, a lineup that was eye-catching.

The feeling in his heart was like having a mouthful of stagnant, murky water, heavy and suffocating.

This is not just a difference in team composition.

Xia Zhining smiled when she saw how popular her brother was.

This is the most straightforward answer to where people's hearts are headed.

...

The next morning.

The next morning, Xia Zhining took a plane to the port and boarded the waiting coast guard patrol boat.

On this voyage, she brought along Boss Ya, who can be described as a "hexagonal warrior".

Crows truly are survival experts among birds, able to remain calm whether on snow-capped mountain peaks or in the heart of the desert.

Even when facing the turbulent blue sea, it was not afraid at all, standing proudly on Xia Zhi Ning's shoulder, letting the salty sea breeze blow through its glossy black feathers.

Xia Zhi Ning is greeted by a cool and capable female coast guard officer, Feng Si Xiao.

Her neat short hair was tucked under her dark blue police cap, and her epaulettes featured a gold anchor and olive branch.

Feng Sixiao carefully helped Xia Zhining put on her life jacket, fastening each buckle, and carefully explained the precautions for sea operations.

The patrol ship sailed towards the vast sea.

The Boss Crow's sharp little eyes caught a glimmer of light.

Feng Sixiao sat in the corner, stroking a ring that hung around his neck on a chain.

Following the gaze of Boss Ya, Xia Zhining asked softly and learned that the coast guard sister named Feng Sixiao was the fiancée of Lan Hai, the chief engineer and one of the victims of the "Haiji-173".

"Even now, I still don't know what happened to him that night."

Feng Sixiao gently traced the ring with his fingertips, his voice slightly hoarse, "In one month, we'll be getting married..."

“He is the only child in his family, and now his parents treat me like their own daughter.”

As they spoke, the patrol boat slowly slowed down, its engine humming softly.

Feng Sixiao took a deep breath, quickly suppressing the turbulent emotions in his eyes, and regained the competence and composure characteristic of the Coast Guard.

She pointed to the sea shimmering in the sunlight outside the porthole: "Expert Xia, this is it."

"Three years ago, 'Seahorse-173' was discovered at these coordinates."