By the time the convoy returned to the Xu Family Old Residence, it was fully light.
The cordon was still in place outside the courtyard gate, and Special Investigation Bureau seals were pasted on the gateposts. A brief rain had fallen during the night, leaving the ground damp and thin pools of water gleaming between the stones. The old residence looked even older in the morning light, its plaster darkened by moisture. The dead tree in the back courtyard leaned to one side, its branches drooping like old hair left untrimmed for years.
Xu Zhihan's fingertips were still cold when he got out of the car.
Lu Wenchuan followed beside him, a little blood seeping through the fresh gauze around his wrist. He did not reach out to touch Xu Zhihan, only held the car door to keep him clear of the edge of the frame.
Xu Zhihan glanced at him.
"Have you got nothing to do?"
Lu Wenchuan closed the car door, his tone casual. "My hands are free. So is my mouth."
"Then shut it," Xu Zhihan said coldly.
Lu Wenchuan smiled and said nothing.
The Deputy Captain led his people through the front and back courtyards first, confirming there were no new traces of red lines. They had not brought Xu An's Peace Amulet; Song Zhixia had left it in the Special Investigation Bureau's accommodation room. Xu An's soul flame was too weak to withstand being moved back and forth. Before leaving, Xu Zhihan had said only one thing to him.
"Wait for me to come back."
Xu An gave a very soft murmur of assent. Then the Peace Amulet dimmed, as though he was finally willing to sleep for a while.
Xu Zhihan stood outside the old residence's entrance hall and paused for a few seconds.