Chapter 95 The Best Game!

The police sat around a whiteboard in the conference room, trying to engage in a silent dialogue with the deceased, Wei Huasheng, using the existing clues.

“From the beginning of the case, we retrieved his medical records, which were just routine physical examination reports, showing that he was in good health. It wasn’t until we turned our investigation to psychiatry that we discovered that he had been asking the same question all these years—whether he had a mental illness. But all the diagnoses were consistent: he did not have a mental problem, he was just under too much stress.”

“Here are supplementary materials from the church-run sanatorium,” Liang Qikai continued. “The director mentioned that when discussing Wei Ansheng’s aphasia symptoms, Wei Huasheng tentatively asked if it might be schizophrenia. He had consulted too much related information and was unable to self-diagnose, even trying to indirectly verify it through his son’s symptoms.”

Wei Huasheng genuinely believed that he was being followed by a "ghost".

But how could a "ghost's" tracking leave any substantial evidence?

“Perhaps it was precisely because he couldn’t find any evidence that he became increasingly convinced of ghosts and spirits,” Uncle Li said slowly. “After calm analysis, Wei Huasheng didn’t believe his wife, Huang Qiulian, would harm the child, which was consistent with Huang Qiulian’s testimony. She also firmly believed that Wei Huasheng couldn’t bear to throw the child off the building. Only the two of them were at the crime scene. If it wasn’t the work of a ghost, who else could it be? He tried to find answers and eventually began to doubt himself. If there are no ghosts in the world, then the only explanation is that he is sick.”

But at this moment, Zhu Qing raised a new possibility: what if someone really was watching his every move like a shadow?

So who could this person be?

The photos of the existing suspects are neatly arranged on the whiteboard.

His ex-wife Huang Qiulian and his younger brother Wei Xusheng.

After verification, the two suspects have been cleared. With the time of death determined, their alibis are irrefutable.

Mo Zhenbang quickly assigned tasks.

"We'll start our visits first thing tomorrow morning. No need to report to the police station." He closed the file. "That's all for today. After working overtime for so many days, it's time to rest."

The officers left one by one, but unlike usual, they didn't discuss dinner options with great enthusiasm. Each of them was preoccupied with too many unsolved mysteries; without solving the case, even the finest delicacies would taste bland.

The children's mood was clearly unaffected.

As I passed the senior inspector's office, I heard his childish voice coming from inside.

"How about we go get some wonton noodles?"

"Didn't you just say you wanted to eat roast goose from Shenjing?"

"John, you said that store is far away!"

Zhu Qing stood at the door, holding her coat: "Fangfang, let's go home."

Before the meeting started, Zhu Qing contacted Aunt Ping and asked her to go home first.

I didn't expect to finish work early today. If I rush home now, I might be able to have a hot home-cooked meal.

"Can we really go now?" Sheng Fang jumped up in surprise and rushed towards Zhu Qing, "Let's go home—"

Before leaving, he turned back and waved, saying, "Bye-bye, John!"

Weng Zhaolin watched as the uncle and nephew disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

One second they were discussing whether to eat roast goose or wonton noodles, and the next he was all alone, and the air felt strangely lonely.

"Qingzai, did you hear what I just said?"

"What did you say?"

"I want to go to a real zoo and feed the monkeys!"

Weng Zhaolin, left in the office, was both annoyed and amused.

Then what am I? A fake monkey?

...

As soon as the car door opened, Shengfang climbed into the back seat. Just as she settled in, she saw her colleagues crawling in one after another.

He then realized that ever since they moved to Kadoorie Hill, Ching-tsai would always give a few colleagues a ride on her way home.

The previous two days they hadn't taken a ride because they each had their own visits to make, but tonight was different; everyone had only one destination—

go home.

“From now on, no one is allowed to propose anything.” Haozai reclined in his chair. “When I close my eyes now, all I can think about are the names of the people involved in the case. It feels like they’re all crowding around my ear and arguing. Especially Wei Xusheng, who has the most screen time; all he talks about is ‘money, money, money’…”

“Wei Huasheng—” someone interrupted instinctively.

"Stop!" they all shouted in unison.

The tension gradually eased amidst the laughter and chatter. Along the way, colleagues chatted and laughed, while the children listened with great interest. There wasn't even a chance to turn on the car radio; the noise from this group was more lively than any radio program.

"But then again," Xu Jiale muttered, "if someone suspects they're being followed by a ghost for over ten years, it's a miracle they haven't gone insane. The deceased actually managed to run the company so successfully, and even developed toys that were so childlike..."

"Here we go again, huh!"

"Let's take it easy. Inspector Mo said we'll continue the investigation tomorrow..."

The car stopped at the red light.

Suddenly, there was a rustling sound from the back seat, and Shengfang, a little boy, leaned out of the seat.

"Brain massage is here!"

His two chubby little hands pressed precisely on Zhu Qing's temples, kneading them in a very professional manner.

Fangfang didn't know anything about acupoints, but her fingers deftly changed angles, like a professional little masseuse. Zhu Qing was already used to this treatment; she slightly tilted her head to adjust her posture, and those little hands followed to continue the service.

Haozai sat up straight: "Give me a massage too!"

The carriage was silent for a moment.

Shengfang withdrew her hand and obediently placed it on her knees, her dark eyes fixed on Haozai: "Have you washed your hair?"

"Zhu Qing!" Hao Zai scratched his head in frustration. "Control your uncle! This kid is bullying us!"

A burst of laughter erupted inside the carriage.

Zhu Qing smiled and turned the steering wheel into Mong Kok.

As the police station building flashed past the window, she suddenly spoke up: "The Mong Kok Police Station handled the child abuse case; perhaps we could contact them—"

"Qingzi!" Sheng Fang interrupted with a stern face, "I was just telling you to get a brain transplant!"

"It's been changed," Zhu Qing said without changing her expression. "The new one uses a new approach."

Only his niece could coax her uncle with just one sentence.

In the rearview mirror, the little boy proudly raised his chin.

Qingzai's new brain was replaced by his own hands!

...

The next day was the weekend holiday that the children had been looking forward to.

In the past, he would excitedly follow Qingzai to investigate cases every weekend, but now that his older sister has returned home, he has more options.

He wants to go shopping at the department store with his older sister!

Last night, when Fangfang heard Sheng Peirong and Zhu Qing mention this matter, her ears perked up.

In truth, whatever she needed, a single phone call would bring it to her door for her to choose from. But everyone understood that Sheng Peirong really needed to get out and about. It wasn't just after her surgery; in fact, for over a decade, she had almost never left her house. For Sheng Peirong, the most memorable outing in recent years was picking up her younger brother from school.

As dawn broke, Shengfang, the little girl, lay down by her eldest sister's bedside.

"Get up!" His little hands cupped around his mouth, his voice sweet and childlike, but his morning nagging was quite annoying. "Don't stay in bed, let's go!"

The whole house was quiet; even Aunt Ping hadn't gotten up to prepare breakfast yet.

The flowers were already in full bloom, eager to burst forth as soon as possible.

Sheng Peirong, still half-asleep, asked, "Is the mall open yet?"

"The mall opens at ten." She touched the alarm clock on the bedside table. "Shengfang, it's only six now!"

You should get ready—

"Me walking the red carpet? Four hours of preparation?!"

Fangfang simply climbed up using both hands and feet, and asked curiously, "Big sister, what's a red carpet?"

Shengfang is a human-shaped alarm clock, and today's "wake-up service" is only used to torment his older sister.

Sheng Peirong responded half-heartedly, her sleepiness gradually dissipating.

The siblings got up early and looked at each other in the empty living room.

There were still four hours before the mall opened, so what were they waiting for?

"I'll ask Qingzai to get up and play with us!"

Sheng Peirong grabbed her younger brother's arm: "Let Keke sleep a little longer."

She looked out the window.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard haven't woken up yet... I didn't realize raising a child was such a difficult thing.

"Big sister!" Sheng Fang suddenly exclaimed, "Your strength has increased!"

Sheng Peirong was stunned, looking down at her left hand that was gripping her younger brother's.

The doctor's report at discharge clearly showed that she had insufficient muscle strength in her left hand, but the strength with which she was gripping her younger brother's arm at this moment was so clear.

"Great!" Fangfang clapped her hands. "Treat me to a box of ice cream to celebrate!"

Sheng Peirong chuckled: "Eating ice cream in winter? It'll make your teeth chatter from the cold."

The siblings waited dumbfounded in the living room.

Sheng Peirong came to an important conclusion: from now on, she should never tell her younger brother where she was going in advance; three minutes' notice before leaving the house was enough.

This discovery was quickly shared at the breakfast table.

"I figured it out a long time ago." Zhu Qing's lips curled up. "Just one minute in advance is fine."

"What are you talking about?" Fangfang's round face leaned closer. "Tell me too!"

After breakfast, Zhu Qing went out to pick up Uncle Li and headed straight to Mong Kok Police Station.

Uncle Li had been a policeman for half his life and had connections in every district. The two of them barely had to wait before an inspector surnamed Wen welcomed them into his office.

Inspector Wen and Uncle Li chatted about the past until the police officers brought over the child abuse case files.

“I also have a deep impression of this case. At that time, the public opinion was raging and the pressure from above was intense. We investigated so thoroughly that we almost demolished the tenement building.”

Inspector Wen's hand was pointing to a structural diagram of a tenement building.

“The old building’s structure was a mess. We searched it thoroughly, blocking the front and back doors, emptying the water tank on the roof, and turning the garbage cans in the back alley upside down. There was no trace of anyone hiding there.”

Uncle Li asked, "Where are the residents?"

“We checked every household, even the broken furniture piled up in the stairwells and the hidden compartments in the wardrobes.”

"Did anyone take advantage of the chaos to leave? For example, when taking a child to the hospital?"

Inspector Wen thought carefully and shook his head.

“When the first batch of police officers arrived, the long-time residents were still guarding the inside and outside of the building. Anyone who left would definitely have been discovered.”

Zhu Qing interjected, "Could it be that a resident committed the crime and then climbed back into their own home through the window?"

“We have checked every single window. The iron window frames of the old tenement buildings are rusty, and if someone has climbed over them, there will definitely be traces left.”

"As for sneaking away through the front door, that's even more impossible. The reason the neighbors were able to hear the child crying immediately was because their door was wide open. In the summer, the tenement building is like a steam room, and many households open their windows for ventilation."

"Escape under those circumstances? Impossible. Unless this person has the ability to shrink their bones."

After finishing his sentence, he continued, "As for Huang Qiulian, she was in very poor condition, repeatedly insisting that it wasn't her. Later, she simply fell silent, cowering in the interrogation chair, not saying a word."

Uncle Li's eyes flickered.

This aligns with Huang Qiulian's confession. She stated that she was once so disoriented that she doubted whether she had truly lost control and harmed the child. Only after the storm subsided did she become increasingly certain that she would never do such a thing.

"That's the case." Inspector Wen closed the file. "Old Lai, how long has it been since you've had the food from the Mong Kok Police Station restaurant?"

He gestured with his chin toward the door: "Want to give it a try?"

...

Based on the existing evidence, the police continued their in-depth investigation.

A possible clue emerged in front of the police officers: could it be that the family of the seriously ill child from back then was holding a grudge?

The records show that it happened twenty-six years ago. Back then, Wei Huasheng was a young volunteer who visited the sick children at the hospital every week without fail. Only that one time, he overslept and skipped it, and tragically, the child didn't make it through the day…

On the way to the investigation, Xu Jiale sighed, "If it really is retaliation from the family of the sick child, doesn't this prove the old saying, 'A little kindness is appreciated, but too much kindness breeds resentment'? In any case, I hope that Wei Huasheng's death has nothing to do with this past incident."

After a detailed investigation, the police learned that the family later had a daughter and had emigrated away from this place of sorrow.

This lead went cold.

Following this, the police went to visit Xiang Binbin, the student who was disabled in the car accident.

He was only fifteen when the accident happened, and now he's a twenty-year-old young man. It's understood that Wei Huasheng's financial support has never stopped, only shifting from public to private; the expenses for several major surgeries were handled directly by his secretary.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Xiang Binbin maintained a clear mind and spoke eloquently.

When asked if there was anything suspicious about the car accident, he gently shook his head.

"Disasters often strike unexpectedly," Xiang Binbin said calmly as he recalled the past.

The once promising young man has become like this overnight.

But over the years, he has gradually emerged from the shadows and accepted the arrangements of fate with equanimity.

“It was my carelessness; I was distracted while walking and didn’t notice the car,” he said calmly. “For that driver, it was an innocent misfortune.”

Xiang Binbin's room was filled with books. Pointing to them, he explained gently, "These were all donated by charities."

Since his body can no longer travel far, he can only let the words in the book take him to experience the outside world.

“Uncle Weber once told me that you don’t have to achieve anything great in life.” Xiang Binbin gripped the wheelchair handle. “Living itself is a kind of power.”

Police noticed a stack of handwritten letters on his desk.

This was an event jointly organized by the Wei Huasheng Charity Foundation and the hospital. Xiang Binbin encouraged other disabled children by writing letters and sharing his own experiences.

When talking about this, Xiang Binbin lowered his eyes and tears welled up in them: "If Uncle Wei is watching from heaven, he would think this is a very meaningful thing."

Before parting, the police officer handed Xiang Binbin his business card: "If you have any questions about that car accident back then, please contact us anytime."

In the living room, Xiang Binbin's mother was also questioned by the police.

When mentioning Wei Huasheng, she frankly said, "My child has always regarded Mr. Wei as a role model. Since he was fifteen years old, he has dreamed of being able to help others like Mr. Wei in the future. After the accident, Mr. Wei never came again. I did have some complaints at the time, thinking that if he could come and see me, perhaps Binbin could cheer up sooner."

“But I’ve figured it out now.” Mrs. Xiang looked at the sunlight outside the window. “One shouldn’t be too greedy. Mr. Wei has already helped us so much.”

As they left, the officers compared the mother and child's alibis and exchanged opinions in hushed tones.

Putting aside emotional factors and considering only practical matters, the charitable foundation established by Wei Huasheng continues to support this family to this day. The mother is bedridden for many years, and the son has limited mobility; they need this money more than anyone else.

In any case, the mother and son could not possibly be the murderers.

...

This was Fangfang's first time going shopping with her older sister.

They had originally planned to leave at 10 a.m., but Aunt Ping had prepared a delicious lunch, and the siblings ate at home, dawdling until noon. Under the older sister's coaxing and persuasion, Shengfang unknowingly took a nap.

When he actually went out, Sheng Fang realized that his older sister's shopping habits were completely different from what he had imagined.

She gracefully walked past the counter, her finger lightly pointing: "This, this, that..."

I bought it in less than ten minutes.

Fangfang was dumbfounded.

What kind of shopping is this? If he had known it would be this boring, he would have preferred to go to work with Qingzai.

After the shopping was completed, all the bags and packages were handed over to the mall for home delivery.

During afternoon tea, Fangfang stayed with Sheng Peirong until evening. The siblings took a detour to pick up Zhu Qing from get off work.

However, when she arrived at the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, Sheng Peirong encountered a problem.

Her physical condition does not allow her to climb stairs. Following the doctor's advice, rushing things will not help her recovery.

"Sister, how are you going to work like this!"

"The doctor said to just keep with the rehabilitation." Sheng Peirong glanced at him calmly. "Besides, the company has an elevator; haven't you been there before?"

Shengfang opened her little mouth, then closed it again, choking back tears, and gave the old police station in front of her a huff.

This Yau Ma Tei Police Station is so run-down, it doesn't even have an elevator, it's outrageous!

The siblings called Zhu Qing and waited downstairs.

While waiting, I put aside my hospitality and took full advantage of my role as a "little tour guide," leading Sheng Peirong around the area.

He has an exceptional memory, especially for things that have just happened. Wherever he goes, he excitedly shares his fond memories.

"Big sister! Aunt Ping used to take me here to ambush Qingzai!"

At that time, he hadn't started kindergarten yet, and John from the police station didn't like his subordinates bringing their children to work. He could only wait here anxiously for Qingzai to get off work, a story that brings tears to his eyes.

As he walked up to the metal barriers of the Ministry of Transportation, his tone became light and cheerful: "It was right here that Dr. Cheng promised to let me go for a ride on his motorcycle!"

Then Fangfang puffed out her cheeks again: "Later they wouldn't let me ride the motorcycle anymore!"

This incident ranks among the top three grievances suffered by the young master of the Sheng family. No matter who he meets, he will complain about it bitterly.

"By the way, did Coco reply to Dr. Cheng's email last night?"

"No! We haven't been to the study since we got home."

"Here's a task for you: keep an eye out for when she replies."

"Received!" Sheng Fang immediately straightened her back and saluted, her chubby little face beaming with joy.

The siblings waited a long time for Zhu Qing to appear.

"I can't leave yet."

The little feet of the blooming flower moved around, her mind filled with thoughts of going upstairs to investigate the case, and she even planned to abandon her older sister without any sense of loyalty.

"Could you please—" Zhu Qing earnestly grasped Sheng Fang's two small hands and solemnly asked, "Could you help me take my mother home?"

Fangfang blinked.

"Ah..." He tilted his head, then puffed out his little chest and patted it, "No problem!"

...

The atmosphere in the police station was somber.

A group of police officers slumped haphazardly in chairs, each with a worried expression.

"Boss, it's not that we don't want to investigate." Xiao Sun rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with exhaustion, "but we don't even have a direction for the investigation right now, we're just going around in circles."

The table was piled high with files, and they studied every detail repeatedly, hoping to find clues they had previously overlooked.

Several days have passed since the body was discovered at the Tin Hau Temple. The pressure from higher authorities is mounting, and the deceased, who dedicated himself to charity, has yet to receive justice.

The police are increasingly suspicious that the people they have been investigating may not be the real culprit.

"If the real killer has never come into our sights, and has no public contact with the victim, how should we investigate?"

“His social circle was too simple. We checked all the company partners and employees, and there was nothing suspicious. We even checked former employees, and no one had ever had a verbal argument or conflict with him.”

"It couldn't be either of the two maids in the house. We contacted the housekeeping company he hired when he moved eight years ago. It was indeed an oversight in the job arrangement that led to both of them being asked to go for interviews. In the end, out of kindness, the deceased let them both stay."

"If the murderer hasn't appeared yet, this is even more absurd than finding a needle in a haystack. At least when you're looking for a needle in a haystack, you know you're looking for a needle, but we know absolutely nothing about this person."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, making the officers even more frustrated.

The various doubts that have lingered in my mind since the incident occurred.

Why was Wei Huasheng placed in a kneeling position? And why was it specifically chosen to be in a side hall used for the ritual of praying for the souls of children?

What secrets are hidden in that "Amazing Dad" photo?

"It's like a designed 'atonement ritual'."

"But Wei Huasheng's social image is extremely positive, almost perfect."

“We even got in touch with his ex-girlfriend from twenty years ago. Both relationships ended amicably. He has no other children besides Anson Wai.”

Zhu Qing's gaze lingered on the close-up photo of the forensic report.

The killer's methods of applying cold compresses to the joints of the corpse, pressing the back with an incense burner to simulate a low-temperature environment, and using physical fixation techniques were extremely professional in interfering with the time of death.

"The person who could come up with such a method," Zhu Qing suddenly looked up, "would they possibly be engaged in some kind of special profession?"

The situation remained deadlocked.

Until Weng Zhaolin appeared at the door of the CID room.

The senior inspector, who usually had a stern face, found his subordinates looking even worse than he did.

Just when everyone thought they were about to receive another severe scolding, the boss unexpectedly softened his tone.

“There aren’t that many dead ends in the world. Just turn a corner and you might find a new path.” He pointed to his temple and said something comforting, “A flash of inspiration often comes when you least expect it.”

...

As Zhu Qing pushed open the door, a burst of adorable laughter immediately reached her ears.

Shengfang was excitedly tumbling around in the ball pit, her little face flushed, playing with the most enthusiasm.

Aunt Ping greeted her with a smile.

"The young master used to be too lazy to play in this ball pit, but today he invented a new way to play."

The children were tossing colorful balls high and low, then trying to bounce them with their little feet, occasionally falling down but still having a great time. Their earnest yet comical appearance was just like a circus acrobatic performance.

The child was already covered in sweat from playing.

Aunt Ping had urged him countless times: "Young master, it's time for a bath, you can't catch a cold."

Fangfang, who was having a great time playing, suddenly realized that Zhu Qing had returned and immediately climbed out of the ball pit.

He kept in mind the "undercover mission" his older sister had given him, and without saying a word, he dragged Zhu Qing to the study.

"Qingzai, reply to the email quickly!"

Seeing this, Sheng Peirong, who was in the living room, silently sighed and rubbed her forehead.

This undercover agent is too impatient.

Zhu Qing was forcibly dragged into the study by Fang Fang.

After not coming in for several days, she noticed that the desk was piled high with various magazines and newspapers.

While pulling the young master who didn't want to take a bath, Aunt Ping explained, "Didn't Pei Junyi bribe tabloids to spread the news that the young lady was seriously ill a couple of days ago? The young lady asked me to buy all the newspapers available on the market to verify it. It turned out that only two second-rate tabloids published it."

He can chime in on anything.

He mimicked his older sister's disdainful expression and curled his lip, saying, "That's all Pei Junyi is capable of."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shengfang turned on her niece's phone, her little face full of anticipation: "Qingzai, reply quickly!"

Why are you in such a hurry?

"because--"

"Little brother!" Sheng Peirong's voice came from outside the door, "If you don't go take a shower, you're not allowed to eat cream pudding tonight!"

Fangfang was dragged away.

"I haven't emailed Dr. Cheng yet..."

Aunt Ping whispered, "Oh dear, what's it to you?"

After finally seeing off the noisy children, Zhu Qing sat down in front of the computer.

The email page opens, and an unread email comes into view.

The email was concise and to the point, consisting of only a few lines. Cheng Xinglang mentioned that the project team had just finished the first phase of intensive training and inquired about the progress of the investigation into the Tin Hau Temple case, which she had mentioned in her previous reply. At the end of the email, he specifically noted that the newly completed case analysis materials attached might provide some reference for her case.

Zhu Qing opened the attachment.

This was a detailed project progress report, interspersed among a screen full of technical jargon and a few photos of project team members at work. She scrolled through the photos, her finger suddenly pausing. In one of the photos, a blond, blue-eyed professor was lecturing at a podium, surrounded by students who were completely absorbed. At the very edge of the frame, Cheng Xinglang stood quietly, a pen tucked into his white lab coat pocket. His short hair was even neater than when he left, making his features even more distinct.

Zhu Qing's gaze lingered on the screen for a moment before switching to the reply page.

After typing away at her email, her gaze inadvertently fell on the Hong Kong Weekly on her desk.

A special report on the changes in the architecture of an ancient temple caught her attention.

The signature at the bottom reads "Deng Yuyan".

This is one of the discoverers of the Tin Hau Temple murder case.

The report included several photos of temples, but the reporter had clearly stated that photography was prohibited in temples, so how come there are clear photos of them here?

In order to obtain exclusive news material, reporters sometimes disregard rules and regulations and secretly take pictures of scenes that are not allowed.

Perhaps Deng Yuyan inadvertently recorded some important details while secretly filming?

Those unpublished photos might hold clues to solving the case.

Although it's just speculation, at this juncture where the case has stalled, we must pursue every glimmer of hope to the very end.

"Qingzai, I'm back!" Shengfang, wearing a large white bath towel on her head, swayed and floated into the study.

Zhu Qing moved to the left, and he immediately followed suit.

She moved to the right, and he stubbornly followed suit.

Fangfang only stopped when she was satisfied, as she was determined to completely block her view.

Today, Shengfang is playing the role of a ghost baby, her little hands moving lightly like a ghost.

Zhu Qing's thoughts were completely interrupted, so she simply crumpled the bath towel on his little head into a ball and casually threw it into the corner of the sofa in the study.

"You want to be crumpled up like this and thrown over there too?" Zhu Qing pinched his soft little face and squinted her eyes.

"I want it! I want it!" Her bright eyes instantly sparkled like little stars, and she hugged herself into a round ball. "Ready—"

Qingzai invented the best game in the world!

Zhu Qing: ...

What kind of child prodigy is he?

You can't even understand such a simple threat!