“Second Brother, why is this dog following us?”
Shen Zhiqiu kept glancing back at the large yellow dog trailing behind them.
The dog had emerged from the dark alley Yue Mingli had glanced at earlier and had been keeping a steady distance ever since. As a child, Shen Zhiqiu had been knocked over by a dog, leaving her terrified of them. Though this one seemed docile, its persistent presence still unnerved her.
“Don’t worry, it’s probably heading to the compound. There’ve been a lot of stray dogs and cats around lately, but they’re usually quiet.”
Just as Yue Mingli said, the yellow dog followed them into the compound before disappearing somewhere.
When they got home, Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin were still waiting in the living room. Shen Zhiqiu hurried over. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“Glad you’re back,” Wan Jiayin said, patting Shen Zhiqiu’s hand. “Are you hungry? There’s some sweetened tremella soup in the kitchen. Want a bowl?”
“Mom, just a small bowl is fine.”
Shen Zhiqiu stopped Wan Jiayin from getting up. “I’ll get it myself. Do you, Dad, or Second Brother want any?”
Wan Jiayin and Yue Guohuai both shook their heads, but Yue Mingli spoke up. “I’ll have a bowl, Zhiqiu.”
“Oh, has the little one woken up?”
Yue Guohuai noticed Ya-Ya stirring and gently stretched her tiny arms and legs before lifting her from the crib.
Ya-Ya grabbed Yue Guohuai’s hand and smiled sweetly, instantly melting his heart.
“Little treasure, are you hungry?”
Ya-Ya waved her tiny fists, then spotted Shen Zhiqiu returning from the kitchen and giggled happily.
“Oh, so you knew Mommy was back?” Wan Jiayin took Ya-Ya from Yue Guohuai. “Our Ya-Ya missed her mommy. Let’s go see her, okay?”
“Ya-Ya, were you good for Grandpa and Grandma?”
Shen Zhiqiu scooped a spoonful of the sweet soup and let Ya-Ya taste it. The baby licked her lips, then turned to look at Wan Jiayin, who was utterly charmed. She tapped Ya-Ya’s little cheek. “Our Ya-Ya is the best-behaved baby.”
Ya-Ya waved her fists proudly, making everyone laugh.
Yue Mingli playfully shook Ya-Ya’s tiny fist. “Ya-Ya, we don’t call ourselves good babies—we let Grandma say it. You’re such a clever little thing, aren’t you?”
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
Suddenly, barking erupted outside. Ya-Ya turned her head, wide eyes fixed on the door, her little ears twitching.
“What’s going on with that dog? I just told Zhiqiu these strays don’t usually bark. It’s going to wake Fang’er!”
Yue Mingli stood to shoo the dog away, but Ya-Ya grabbed his finger.
[Oh no! There’s a bad man in Qinglong Alley—the Rainy Night Killer!]
[It’s going to pour in half an hour, and that monster is hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike.]
[What do we do? He’s already killed four people. We can’t let him hurt anyone else!]
Qinglong Alley? Wasn’t that where the yellow dog had come from?
The Rainy Night Killer was a case handled by their police unit. The brutality of the crimes had caused widespread panic—some even used it to scare misbehaving children. The higher-ups were putting heavy pressure on them to solve it.
But rain destroyed evidence, and the killer was meticulous, leaving little trace. His mentor had died still haunted by the case, gripping his hand and urging him to catch the murderer.
Yue Mingli’s expression darkened. His mentor’s daughter lived in Qinglong Alley.
Whether coincidence or not, he had to go—now.
While processing this, he rushed upstairs to make calls, grabbed his gear, and kissed Meng Fang’s forehead lightly before leaving.
Boom—
Lightning split the sky, followed by rolling thunder.
Yue Guohuai fanned himself. “Sounds like a heavy storm’s coming.”
“Good. It’s been so muggy lately—hard to sleep with all this sweat.”
Wan Jiayin noticed Yue Mingli hurrying downstairs. “Mingli, where are you going so late? It’s about to rain!”
“Dad, Mom, don’t wait up. Work emergency.”
He raced toward Qinglong Alley. At the compound’s entrance, the yellow dog reappeared—as if waiting for him. It ran ahead, occasionally glancing back to check if he was following.
By the time Yue Mingli reached the alley, rain was pouring down in sheets. He parked his bike, and the dog led him to a sheltered spot.
The downpour was relentless, like buckets of water dumped from the sky.
Yue Mingli checked the metal plate strapped to his chest, then the handcuffs and gun at his waist. He was ready to strike the moment his prey appeared.
A wet nose nudged his hand. The dog was fixated on the alley’s entrance.
A woman in a red raincoat wobbled into the alley on her bike. “Ugh, of course it rains when I’m off work.”
“And he couldn’t even come meet me. Probably drunk again.”
“Ow!”
Her bike jerked, nearly throwing her off. She dismounted, only for her heel to catch in a crack. “Stupid road!”
Balancing on one foot, she bent to free her shoe—completely unaware of the looming danger.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
The dog charged. Yue Mingli lunged after it, yanking the woman behind him and using her bike to block the glint of a knife. He kicked out, sending the black-cloaked attacker sprawling.
The dog seized the man’s knife hand in its jaws.
Yue Mingli grabbed a wooden pole and struck relentlessly.
Man and dog fought in perfect sync—when Yue Mingli aimed for the head, the dog bit the legs. When he swung low, the dog went for the hands.
“Captain!”
Yue Mingli’s arriving teammates froze at the scene.
“Quit gawking! Help me!”
They pinned the man down. Yue Mingli cuffed him. “Take him in. Interrogate him tonight.”
“Captain, you’re incredible! You caught the Rainy Night Killer! How’d you know he’d strike here?”
Yue Mingli smirked. “Because my family has a little lucky star.”
