Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Nagano Prefecture Case 3

An You was awakened by a knocking sound outside the window. He opened his sore eyes and looked around the car. He was surprised that Zhu Fu Gaoming didn't come back.

He adjusted the car window and looked towards Sugita Ichiro's house.

It seemed that the door was closed and the lights in the room were off. There was a blue atmosphere outside the window. The night in Nagano Prefecture was particularly charming. The natural scenery was richer than that in the city, the air was fresh, the night wind was cool, and the sky was getting darker.

It looked like the police had evacuated. Although I was confused, I didn't think much about it.

The knock on the window sounded again. An You looked back and saw a strange old man standing outside. His eyes were cloudy and he looked more like a scavenger. He was dirty and his old clothes had long been tattered into strips. He kept bending and bowing.

What do you mean, asking him for money?

An You took out a ten thousand yen note from her wallet and handed it over.

The old man took it. When he held out his hand, it was obvious that his right thumb was broken. An You casually asked, "What's wrong with your hand?"

The old man pointed to his throat and groaned twice.

It turned out that he couldn't speak, so An You silently handed over a few more Japanese yen.

But the old man waved his hands and refused to accept it.

Seeing that he was stubborn, An You was at a loss. Finally, she remembered that she had brought some bread with her, so she rummaged through her backpack and handed the food to him. This time the old man accepted it.

The old man kept making gestures, as if he wanted to follow me. An You didn't know where Zhu Fu Gaoming was, and he happened to have nothing to do, so he got off the car and followed him.

"What's wrong? Are you going somewhere?"

The old man walked with a cane and a hunched back, looking back repeatedly to make sure he had caught up. When he reached a dilapidated bridge hole, he stopped and gestured several times with his hands.

There used to be a car passage above this bridge arch, but the road section was destroyed and the bridge deck was cracked and mottled. It was obvious that it had been scrapped for many years. The walls of the bridge arch were covered with graffiti, and the inside was dark and damp.

An You instinctively didn't want to go in. The old man noticed his intention and hesitated on the spot, waving his hands and gesturing, pointing inside from time to time. So he wanted him to see something?

He had to go and take a look at what was in this broken bridge hole.

An You took out his cell phone from his pocket, turned on the flashlight, and felt relieved after making sure there was a light source.

The moment I walked into the bridge tunnel, it seemed like most of the light was bitten off.

Dark green moss crawled on the stone wall, and you could feel the cool and slippery moisture when you rubbed your fingertips against it.

Drops of water were falling from somewhere, hitting the water-filled depression, making "tap, tap" sounds, each becoming particularly long.

Looking deeper into the darkness, it was so thick that it was impenetrable. Even the light from a mobile phone flashlight could only create a tiny gap, illuminating a few flying dust particles. Any further away, the light was swallowed up.

The gravel at the feet was kicked far away, and the rolling sound became high and low, and finally sank into the darkness, without any echo.

"What is this place? What's the matter with you bringing me here?"

The old man led him to walk about fifty meters. He found a piece of cardboard and some tattered cotton wool as thin as paper in the corner of the bridge. There were a few picked-up bottles and jars piled on the ground. It was obvious that this was the old man's home.

The space deep in the bridge hole is very large. Apart from where the old man lives, there seems to be a groundwater discharge point deep inside. He could smell a fishy odor from a long distance away.

The old man's wish seemed to be not just to invite him to visit the old house. After putting the collected plastic bottles on the ground, he limped deeper into the bridge hole, while observing whether An You was following him.

An You followed with his nose covered. The old man took him to a corner. He shone the flashlight of his mobile phone over there and was caught off guard by a horrifying scene. It was a leather ball. No, it was not a leather ball.

After realizing what it was, An You took two steps back.

Mom, save him! ! !

An You wanted to scream, but fear blocked his throat, preventing him from making any sound.

He experienced so many shocks within 48 consecutive hours that he was like the protagonist in a horror movie.

Suspected of losing all strength and means.

In the end, he staggered and trembled like a walking corpse as he walked out of the bridge hole, walked to the villa, and returned to the street light. Only then did he seem to regain his vitality. Under the light, Zhu Fu Gaoming and his group strode towards him.

That calm face came into view. He had never felt that the other person was so kind. He only heard a vague question in his ear: "Where were you going just now?"

He suddenly lost his strength and slid down to the ground, resting his forehead on the other person's suit pants. He bowed deeply in front of everyone, and the people around him immediately focused their attention on Zhu Fu Gaoming.

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "."

The eyes of most of these colleagues revealed shock, which changed from incomprehension at first to a look of delight at the prospect of something to eat.

In order to avoid becoming the subject of speculation, Zhu Fu Gaoming took a small step back, half-knelt down and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Seeing his vacant eyes and bewildered expression, Zhu Fu Gaoming realized that something was wrong. He held his shoulder with his right hand, offering him emotional support. "Are you okay? What happened?"

An You weakly pointed at the old man behind him, then pointed at the bridge hole in the distance. Zhu Fu Gaoming seemed to understand what he meant.

"Everyone, follow the old man to explore the bridge hole."

Ten minutes later, Morobushi Takaaki's cell phone rang. Uehara Yui's voice came from the other end of the line, "There is a head deep in the bridge arch. It is very likely Sugita Ichiro's."

Zhu Fu Gaoming took a deep breath and said, "Take it back and do a DNA comparison."

At the same time, he helped the person on the ground up, and it seemed that his previous behavior became excusable.

The child, who had suffered visual trauma, could no longer support his heavy body and collapsed to the ground. When I put my palms close to the child, I found that his whole body was shaking. It was a fear that penetrated deep into his bones, a fear for his own life.

Guilt welled up in his heart because he had not taken good care of the other person.

Zhu Fu Gaoming turned around and apologized, "I'm sorry, I just went to Sugita Jiro's house to ask some questions, so I wasn't nearby and didn't have time to notify you."

Before she could finish her words, An You subconsciously began to dry heave, as if she could no longer hold on.

My stomach was churning and tears and saliva were flowing.

The smell of blood still lingered in his nose, and the cold smell of mountain spring water on Zhufu Gaoming's body hit him, and he couldn't help but want to vomit.

He collapsed to his knees, clutching his mouth. Unfortunately, his stomach wasn't full of food, and lacking any external stimulation, he could only retch uncomfortably, unable to vomit anything. The retching was already painful enough, and the suffocating feeling carried him deeper into hell.

Perhaps because he was in so much pain, a pair of hands gently patted his back to give him support. When he felt a little better, Zhu Fu Gaoming comforted him, "Wait a moment. I'll be out for a while."

The footsteps gradually faded away, and he didn't know where Zhu Fu Gaoming had gone. When the deep blue figure reappeared in his sight, he felt someone lifting up his back.

A warm palm pressed against his back, bringing mineral water over. The water briefly moistened his lips. After he was exhausted, he half-lay in Zhu Fu Gaoming's arms.

Zhu Fu Gao Ming asked in a gentle voice, "Are you okay? Do you want to drink more?"

An You waved her hand, "No, I'm a little full."

A white-gloved hand gently ruffled his hair and placed him on her lap with even gentler force.

An You felt like she was lying on a piece of cotton, soft and comfortable. She couldn't help but roll over and received the soothing head pat from the other person.

Not long after, Uehara Yui came out with a group of people. She always loved cleanliness, but she couldn't help it. She went in cleanly and came out with her nose covered.

The policeman was holding a white cloth in his hand. Although he did not reveal the object behind it, it still made An You retch. He turned over to face the earth, but still could not spit out anything. Finally, he fell weakly on Zhu Fu Gaoming's thigh.

Zhu Fu Gao Ming stroked his hair as a comfort, then chatted with Uehara Yui, "Apart from this, were there any other problems found during the examination?"

Yui Uehara: "There was also a discarded murder weapon at the scene. I suspect it was discarded by the murderer."

"Take it back and check for fingerprints. If fingerprints are left, we can further identify the target."

Uehara Yui: "I see. By the way, why is he lying on your lap?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the three of them fell silent. Why? Of course, it was because he was frightened and fell to the ground, his legs so weak that he couldn't stand up at all. The truth was often so embarrassing, but he couldn't say it out loud, and Zhu Fu Gaoming also kept silent.

Seeing that no one answered her question, Uehara Yui walked away embarrassedly.

Zhu Fugaoming helped him up and gave him a sip of water. After drinking the cold water, he regained much of his spirit.

Zhu Fu Gaoming had the habit of carrying a handkerchief with him. When An You followed the police, the thin and soft silk scarf was handed to his lips and gently wiped the corners of his lips.

An You came back to her senses: "I'm fine."

Zhu Fu Gaoming: "Can you still stand up?"

An You tried hard, but failed. A pure white glove reached out and said, "Let me pull you up."

I stood up with the help of his strength. The sky was as dark as a crow's feather. There was no moon or stars tonight. I couldn't see my hand in front of me. Fortunately, the street lights stood on both sides of the road, temporarily dispelling the darkness that swallowed everything.

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "If you don't want to go back, I will take you home to rest."

An You: "What about you?"

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "Tonight's incident happened suddenly. I still need to contact Sugita Jiro to investigate. I will be back soon."

An You: "So you want me to be alone at home?" If he were left alone at home, he would become suspicious of everything that happened. If he were really allowed to rest alone, he would be scared to death.

An You: "Then I'll investigate with you, and we'll go back together."

Zhu Fu Gaoming sighed, "Alright."

Carefully grabbing the corner of Zhufu Gaoming's clothes, he followed him to the house next door. From now on, all his sense of security would come from Zhufu Gaoming.

The door of Jiro Sugita's house was closed, and the yard was overgrown with weeds and had never been trimmed. At night, it always felt like snakes and insects were lurking in the grass at any time.

Zhu Fu Gaoming knocked on the tightly closed red wooden door and waited for a long time before someone finally arrived. Sugita Jiro was standing behind the door and didn't seem too surprised to see them. "Mr. Policeman, the investigation isn't over yet? I remember you were here just now."

Zhu Fu Gaoming: "Well, there are some new discoveries."

Sugita Jiro made way for the aisle and politely responded, "Come in."

This wasn't Sugita Jiro's first visit to his home. His first visit was to study the writing on the wall, and now, unexpectedly, they've met again because of a murder case. However, with a case like this, it's no time to continue researching. He only prayed that this shocking, unsolved case would be solved soon, rather than leaving him living in constant fear and terror. Once the research results came out, he could leave Nagano Prefecture and soar again.

This place is beautiful, but the horror of the case is a bit too high.

While Zhufushi Takaaki was negotiating with Sugita Jiro, he was observing the residence. Although his small home was not too big, it was cozy enough. When Anyou passed by the TV, he found a photo upside down on the table. He turned the photo over and found that there were two little boys on it. They did not forget to huddle together intimately while taking pictures.

Sugita Jiro saw the photo frame in Anyou's hand and couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, that's my brother. When we were little, we went out to play together and the adults took pictures of us. But we were both so dishonest and always had endless whispers to say. The adults had no choice but to take pictures of us."

An You: "You and your brothers have such a good relationship."

Sugita Jiro: "Yes, we've been close since we were little. My brother is calmer and better at studying than me. He's always been very smart, and I've always firmly regarded him as my role model."

Zhu Fu Gaoming listened to their conversation silently, his expression calm and peaceful, his thoughts flying high into the sky, as if he was recalling something. An You stared at him for a while, feeling inexplicably complicated.

Zhufu Gaoming suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the photo frame. The bright incandescent light cast tiny specks of light in his blue pupils. "Sometimes, people's obsession with memories is more stubborn than the relics themselves," he said softly, like the rustling of wind through bamboo forests. "It's like certain scenes that keep reappearing—like the smell of sun-dried tatami, and suddenly remembering the warmth of the same piece of taiyaki we shared as children."

An You was stunned. She saw Zhu Fu Gao Ming's fingertips tapping lightly on his knees, as if he was counting something. The movement was somewhat similar to that of Sugita's brother in the photo frame as a teenager.

"Mr. Gao Ming, is there anyone you can't forget?" Sugita Jiro couldn't help asking.

Zhu Fu Gaoming turned his head, a faint smile suddenly spreading across his calm expression. "Well, an old friend...who I haven't seen in a long time." He paused, his gaze returning to the photo frame. "But judging by Mr. Jiro's expression, your brother must live on in the memories of many people. This can be considered another form of existence."

Sugita Jiro: "Thank you for your comfort. I feel much better now."

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "You're welcome. Sorry to bother you so late at night, we'll leave first."

Sugita Jiro: "Okay, take care, both of you."

When returning to Zhufu's house, An You still didn't dare to relax. He followed Zhufu Gaoming wherever he went, and his clinginess was as much as the dog that Hagiwara Kenji had given him before. No matter what, why would he compare himself to a dog?

Strange thing.

A tall man accidentally bumped into a wall of flesh. He turned around, a crack appearing on his usually calm and restrained face. "An You, no matter how scared you are, you can't stick around when I'm getting ready to take a shower."

An You: "Will you leave me alone in the room?"

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "You are not considered a person, I am here."

An You: "Then I want to take a shower with you."

Zhu Fu Gaoming hurriedly pushed him away and turned his back. The blush on his face had spread to his neck. His voice was a little flustered. He took a deep breath to calm himself down and said, "Please don't make such a joke."

An You grabbed his sleeve: "I'm not kidding, I just don't want to be alone."

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "How about this, if you are really scared, I will contact Yamato Ganzhu to come to your house later, and you should feel more at ease if he accompanies you."

An You felt her scalp tingle, and she immediately resisted: "No! I don't want him!"

Zhu Fu Gaoming was at a loss, "Then what should we do?"

An You: "Don't close the door when you take a bath!"

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "I can't promise you this."

An You: "Why not? How can it be impossible?"

Zhu Fu Gao Ming sighed deeply: "There are no so many reasons. Anyway, I can't be watched while taking a bath."

An You: "I'm not looking at you. I'm closing my eyes."

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "What difference does it make. Forget it, if you are really scared, I will keep talking to you, it will be better."

An You compromised briefly: "Alright, then you have to keep talking to me in the bathroom."

As he said this, he found a small stool and sat down at the door of Zhu Fu Gaoming's bathroom. Seeing how serious he looked, Zhu Fu Gaoming didn't know what to say.

I just sighed helplessly and talked to him in a disjointed manner.

Through the frosted glass, one could only see blurry shadows inside, and it was impossible to see anything more clearly. An You supported her chin, and the sound of water in the bathroom was rustling. She had to conduct surprise checks from time to time until she heard Zhu Fu Gaoming's response.

A damp vapor hit his face. As soon as he stood up, he felt a little dizzy. He suddenly fell forward and buried his face in Zhu Fu Gaoming's thighs. Wait, what's above his head?

He turned around blankly and looked at Zhu Fu Gaoming, and saw the cold white beauty with a look of surprise on her face. The man with skin so white that it was transparent grabbed the bath towel with one hand and quickly lifted him aside.

When An You was thrown aside, he was still a little confused. Where exactly did he jump on just now? Was it that place? It shouldn't be.

No, Zhu Fu Gaoming is gone. Wait, wait, don’t leave him here, he can’t do it alone.

He brought a quilt from the room and sat down next to Zhu Fugaoming. Even though Zhu Fugaoming glared at him, he didn't intend to go back. After all, sleeping alone was like asking for his life. Zhu Fugaoming was helpless, but it was unrealistic to drive him away.

An You lay down beside him, recalling some distant memories, such as the days with Scotland. Forget it, let's not compare them for now. Although the two look similar, they are not the same person after all. After all, one of them is a member of the Black Organization and the other is a Nagano Prefecture Police Officer. How can two people from different places always be associated with each other? It's not suitable, too inappropriate.

A greeting sounded in my ear, "What's wrong? You've been staring at the ceiling in a daze."

An You blinked and saw that it was Zhu Fu Gao Ming, who was suffocating under the quilt. His voice became strange, "I can't sleep."

Zhu Fu Gaoming was silent for a while, "Are you still thinking about what happened during the day?"

An You immediately understood who he was talking about. It was the case mastermind, Sugita Ichiro, who had never met him before and who had seen the headless corpse that had frightened him so much. "No, it's not him. I don't want to mention him at all."

Zhu Fu Gao Ming: "I understand. Don't pay too much attention to this case. I will solve it."

An You: "Well, okay."

Gradually, he felt sleepy and completely forgot about all the horrific scenes. He was immersed in the fragrance of Zhufu Gaoming's pheromones and felt drowsy. It was similar to the scent of Scotland, but it was obviously colder and quieter, like an icy mountain spring, An You thought in his drowsiness.

Zhu Fu Gaoming's sleep quality was poor. He heard the even breathing sound of the person beside him. He had not fallen asleep yet. The complicated plot in his mind was almost indistinguishable for him. He felt a warm touch beside him. He could feel that it was the person who depended on him. Like a child, he could not survive without him and was crying and making a fuss.

Zhu Fu Gaoming had to admit that he was simply unable to withstand such dependence.

Especially as he got older, he understood more and more that pure feelings were rare. Compared with trust without any grudges, hatred seemed to be more common, especially those who wished the other person to be doomed. He had seen too much resentment, so when he met a sincere person, it seemed even more precious.

Especially for people like them, who often deal with human nature. But rather than cherishing it, he immediately thought of worrying about it. He couldn't help but worry about whether such a child could really find a way out between society and human nature.

Zhu Fugaoming stared at his head for a long time, until he saw his breathing becoming longer and longer, until he finally fell asleep with his head resting on his shoulder. He even leaned on his shoulder when he slept, with his calves resting on it. Zhu Fugaoming sighed deeply.

And allowed him to do whatever he wanted.

Zhu Fu Gaoming recalled his childhood. At that time, he slept with his younger brother, and his younger brother used to rely on him a lot. However, due to an accident, he and his younger brother had never been able to meet again. Although they were brothers, they lived like two people in parallel time and space, separated from each other and had no time to get together.

After my brother grew up, I lost contact with him. I had no idea where he was or what he was doing. I only knew he was a police academy student. After graduation, I wasn't sure where he went.

Zhu Fu Gaoming lowered his gaze and looked at the child lying on him. Looking closely, he found that he was nothing like his brother, neither in temperament nor in facial features.

This little boy's past seems to be better, and there is no trace of suffering on his face.

Zhu Fu Gaoming brushed away the loose hair on his forehead and finally allowed him to get closer, resting his palm on his waist. He couldn't tell for a moment whether it was because he remembered his brother and took care of him as his brother, or for some other reason.

Just take care of it first.