A passing traveler through the heavens

Ji Lin sat leisurely in the Independent Commission Against Corruption's interrogation room, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

He took a small sip, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, and exclaimed softly, "Hmm, your coffee here is quite high-class! It's even Kopi Luwak (civet coffee)."

“This kind of coffee is something only the upper class can enjoy regularly in the UK.” As he said this, Ji Lin’s gaze casually swept over the Fire Kirin, a hint of barely perceptible mockery in his eyes.

Fire Qilin quickly asked with a smile, "Brother Lin, is it tasty?"

Ji Lin smiled and nodded in affirmation: "Yes, not bad."

After receiving a glance from Ji Lin, Lu Zhilian, who had been sitting silently beside the Fire Qilin, suddenly stood up and questioned him without any politeness.

"Detective Ji, according to the information we have, you not only own luxury villas and top-of-the-line cars, but also countless amounts of cash."

"With your meager monthly salary, how can you afford such a huge expense?"

Upon hearing Lu Zhilian's question, Huo Qilin's face darkened, and he glared at the other party fiercely, clearly displeased with his rash actions.

Ji Lin, however, remained calm and composed. He slowly put down his coffee cup and raised his head to explain.

“If you had thoroughly investigated my situation beforehand, you would know that in addition to the aforementioned assets, I also own a large enterprise called ‘Zhutian Group’.”

"I suppose I don't need to say anything more about the company's situation."

Just as Lu Zhilian was about to continue questioning, the interrogation room door was suddenly pushed open, and Sir John Kee, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, walked in.

His serious expression instantly made the atmosphere in the interrogation room heavy.

"I'm sorry, Inspector Ji, thank you for your help. We've investigated everything thoroughly," Sir Ji Da said to Ji Lin with a smile.

Ji Lin raised his head slightly, glanced at Sir Ji Da, and replied unhurriedly, "In that case, can you let me go now?"

Sir Gita quickly replied, "Sure, anytime is fine, so as not to bother you, Inspector Gita, you're so busy."

Ji Lin smiled faintly, "It's a police-integrity cooperation, no need to be polite. This is my first time having coffee here too."

Sir Gita quickly replied, "If you'd like, you're welcome anytime. How about tomorrow?"

Ji Lin was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Hahaha, forget it, I don't even have money to buy fruit, how can I be so embarrassed?"

Upon hearing this, Sir Jida's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "No need to be so polite. We are the ones who are sorry to have troubled Inspector Ji to come all this way."

The two appeared to be at odds on the surface. Although Sir Ji Da was unwilling to let Ji Lin go, she had no choice but to let him leave.

Ji Lin turned and went downstairs. As soon as he got downstairs, he saw Song Zijie, Liang Xiaotang, Chen Jiaju and others already waiting there.

As soon as Ji Lin stepped out the door, everyone shouted in unison, "Brother Lin!"

At this moment, Song Zijie quietly approached Ji Lin and whispered, "Brother Lin, Brother Luo wants you to go to his place after you come out."

When Ji Lin arrived at Lei Luo's villa, all he saw was Lei Luo's lonely figure.

He sat on the sofa in the spacious living room, puffing out smoke with a worried expression. He held a cigar tightly in his hand, and the smoke made his once handsome face look even more heavy and tired.

Upon seeing Ji Lin arrive, Lei Luo quickly waved for Ji Lin to sit down.

Ji Lin strode to the sofa, and before he could even sit down, Lei Luo eagerly asked, "I heard you were taken away earlier, how did it go?"

Ji Lin smiled slightly and replied easily, "It's nothing, just a few minor troubles."

Hearing Ji Lin's calm and composed answer, Lei Luo nodded slightly, but the worry in his heart did not completely dissipate.

Immediately afterwards, Lei Luo took a deep drag on his cigar, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and then solemnly stated the true purpose of bringing Ji Lin here.

“I just received reliable information that the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will take action against me in two weeks. I have already packed my things and am preparing to leave here tonight.”

After speaking, Lei Luo looked at Ji Lin with a complicated expression, as if waiting for his response.

After a moment of silence, Ji Lin nodded firmly and said, "Okay, Brother Luo, I will definitely come to see you off."

However, Lei Luo frowned and asked, puzzled, "Aren't you planning to come with me?"

Lei Luo was filled with doubt at Ji Lin's calm and composed demeanor.

Ji Lin naturally understood the doubt in Lei Luo's eyes. He sighed softly and slowly explained, "Brother Luo, they can't find any evidence against me at all, so I'm definitely fine."

"Moreover, if we all just walk away like this, then there will really be no hope for the Chinese police on Hong Kong Island."

"The reason I chose to stay is to leave everyone with a glimmer of hope. After all, how can an era be without one or two heroes!"

"We cannot control our birth, we cannot control our death, but between life and death, I can control myself. I can walk the path I choose, and I have the final say."

As he finished speaking, Ji Lin's gaze became exceptionally resolute, revealing an air of unwavering confidence.

Lei Luo listened quietly to Ji Lin's words, and a sense of admiration welled up in his heart.

Looking at the confident young man before him, he seemed to see a reflection of his own youth. After a long while, Lei Luo nodded heavily, patted Ji Lin on the shoulder, and said...

"Good brother, since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you anymore, but you must be careful and protect yourself!"

Ji Lin smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Brother Luo, I know what to do."

After leaving Lei Luo's villa, Ji Lin rushed to Zhutian Group without stopping.

When he arrived at the Zhutian Group, Huan'er, who had been waiting for a long time, greeted him with a smile and handed a heavy box to Ji Lin.

The box was filled with stacks of brand-new banknotes, which Ji Lin had specifically instructed Huan'er to prepare in advance.

Ji Lin took the box and, without lingering, returned home…

Before long, night had quietly fallen.

At this very moment, it was also the time that Lei Luo had scheduled to leave.

Ji Lin specially wore the exquisite suit that Lei Luo had given him when he first arrived in Hong Kong, then placed the box full of banknotes on the passenger seat and started the car.

The dock was quiet at this moment, with only the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore.

Leilo stood there quietly, waiting for the ship to arrive.

Suddenly, the roar of a car engine shattered the silence, and Lei Luo instantly became alert, quickly drawing his handgun.

He gripped the gun tightly in his hand, pointing it in the direction the sound came from—the intersection leading to the dock.

As the vehicle drew closer, Lei Luo's heart pounded faster and faster.

However, when he saw that the person getting out of the car was Ji Lin, his tense nerves immediately relaxed. He slowly lowered the gun in his hand, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Ji Lin strode up to Lei Luo, solemnly handed him the box full of banknotes with both hands, and said, "Brother Luo, this is some travel money I prepared for you. Please accept it."

"In addition, regarding the counterfeit goods business that you and Brother Zai invested in back then, I will transfer the dividends to your accounts on time from now on."

Lei Luo stared at Ji Lin in front of him, his gaze unconsciously falling on the suit he was wearing.

This warmed Lei Luo's heart. He gently patted Ji Lin's shoulder, then took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Ji Lin.

Ji Lin took the cigarette without hesitation, and Lei Luo skillfully lit it for him with a lighter.

Afterwards, the two leaned against the railing by the dock, silently puffing on their cigarettes.

In this brief and tranquil moment, no words were needed. Just as the two were about to finish their cigarettes, the voice of a boatman came from the distant sea.

So, Lei Luo took a deep drag on his cigarette, then threw the butt on the ground and stomped it out. Seeing this, Ji Lin also quickly threw away his still-burning cigarette butt.

As the ship gradually approached the dock, Lei Luo picked up the box containing the money, patted Ji Lin on the shoulder again, and then turned and boarded the ship.

Watching Lei Luona's figure gradually recede into the distance and finally disappear into the horizon, Ji Lin felt a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

He felt as if he were witnessing the end of an era…

Ji Lin, standing here at this moment, seems to be a witness and participant in this era of transition.

After a moment, he took a deep breath, then patted the dust off his clothes. Once everything was in order, Ji Lin walked toward his car, which was parked not far away.

At this moment, Lei Luo's era has come to an end, but for Ji Lin, his era has just begun...