end
Six months after the bombing, the Special Criminal Investigation Department underwent a major reorganization. Yu Yan submitted an application to become a consultant, while Fan Jinci completely relinquished his permanent position at the Forensic Center. The approvals were swift, accompanied by a generous special contribution compensation—after all, these two men's names were already inextricably linked to too many confidential files.
Yu Yan moved into Fan Jinci's minimalist, almost cold house in a grand manner.
On the first day, he stood in the entryway, grinning, dragging two huge suitcases: "Brother Fan, how about taking in a homeless veteran?"
Fan Jinci had just finished brewing tea and, without even looking up, said, "There are new slippers in the shoe cabinet."
There were no cheers, no emotions, it was as uneventful as simply signing for a package. But that night, Yu Yan found a whole new set of bedding under the pillow in the guest room, a pair of dark gray mouthwash cups in the bathroom, and his usual brand of razor.
He stood at the bathroom door for a long time, holding the cup, until Fan Jinci came out of the study and frowned at him: "You're blocking my way."
Yu Yan suddenly reached out and pulled him into his arms, his chin brushing against his cool hair, his voice muffled: "Fan Jinci, does this count as living together?"
“No.” Fan Jinci pushed him away expressionlessly. “You’re just staying temporarily.”
But after this "temporary stay," they never moved out again.
They have indeed entered a semi-retired state. They occasionally take on consulting cases, mostly major cases that cross provincial borders, requiring Fan Jinci's eyes to examine corpses and Yu Yan's nerves to sniff out the killer.
When traveling, Yu Yan would check the local weather in advance and pack a wool sweater from the brand that Fan Jinci often wore into his suitcase; Fan Jinci would silently brew a pot of ginseng tea and place it beside him while he stayed up late reading case files.
Li Weimian would occasionally visit, and looking at the slippers lined up in the entryway, she would comment, "Tsk, the smell of cooking has polluted the sterile laboratory."
Wen Lin came even more frequently, ostensibly to "visit the elderly living alone," and always managed to catch them at mealtimes. Once, he secretly took a picture of Yu Yan wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen, while Fan Jinci sat at the dining table reading documents, and posted it in the group chat. Jiang Zhaoyan replied instantly: "The husbandly vibe is overflowing from the screen, I can't bear to look."
Situ Jinze was much more serious, regularly bringing the latest neurological research data in an attempt to find a more reliable follow-up treatment plan for Fan Jinci's coma. Fan Jinci would always accept the data calmly, thank him, and then neatly put the data back on the bookshelf as he turned away.
In the late autumn evening, the plane tree leaves outside the window were scattered all over the ground.
Fan Jinci was asleep on the sofa, a thick forensic medicine journal open on his lap. He had been getting tired easily lately, which the doctor said was normal during the brain's deep repair period.
Yu Yan tiptoed over, took the magazine, and covered him with a light blanket. He squatted in front of the sofa and watched him for a long time. The perpetual ice between Fan Jinci's brows seemed to melt a little as he slept; his breathing was shallow, and he looked unusually quiet, even somewhat fragile.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on his pale skin.
Yu Yan leaned in and gently kissed the corner of his eye.
Fan Jinci's eyelashes trembled slightly as he slowly opened his eyes. His grey-blue pupils reflected the setting sun and Yu Yan's face, so close to his. He didn't move, nor did he speak; he simply gazed at him silently.
After a long while, Fan Jinci gave a very soft "hmm".
Yu Yan laughed, reached out to smooth his slightly disheveled hair, and whispered:
"I'm home, Brother Fan."
The butterfly finally broke free of its cocoon and flew to the human world that belonged to it.
(End of article)
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