Chapter 85

When passing by a hardware store, Gao Linxin went in.

The reporter continued to follow the other party and did not forget to arrange for his younger brother Zhang Yingshu to find out what the other party had bought.

Zhang Yingshu returned quickly, bringing a piece of news that made the reporter raise an eyebrow slightly: "You said he bought a knife? This kid is really dishonest. Now do you also think he's not a good person?"

A knife is not a good thing. It's normal for a bad thing to go with a bad person.

Zhang Yingshu didn't know what to say to refute the reporter, so he just remained silent.

Under the dazzling neon lights, heartbreaking love songs can be heard from the magnificent nightclub hall.

"A red rose, she blooms unrestrainedly."

"A red rose is a declaration of freedom."

"Ah, red rose, you are a rebellious flame..."

Amidst the applause and shouts of pleas to stay, Red Rose blew a kiss to the audience and slowly walked backstage.

"Sister Hong, that boy is looking for you again."

Before Hong Meigui could drink some water to moisten her dry throat, someone came up to her, lowered his voice, raised his hand and pointed in the direction of Gao Linxin.

In a dressing room backstage at Heaven on Earth, Red Rose smiled and waved everyone away. Then, she glared at Gao Linxin coldly, her expression and tone betraying her annoyance. "Didn't I tell you not to show up in front of me again? Get lost now."

Gao Linxin didn't say anything, he just bent his knees and knelt in front of the red rose, humbly asking for love.

"Rose, I love you so much."

Gao Linxin took the hand holding the red rose and touched it to his heart. He said sincerely, "Ever since you threw that handkerchief embroidered with roses at me, this place has been filled with you. It's all about you."

"I know you love me too. We couldn't be together before because of that old man."

"But now it's all good. He's dead and you're free. We can be together openly. You've had so many heartbreaks in this city that no one else knows. But I know that you've been bullied by that family since you were a child."

"Shut up!" Red Rose suddenly shouted, interrupting Gao Linxin's words: "What do you know? Shut up."

Looking at Red Rose's sudden change in expression, Gao Linxin's face actually showed a strange tolerance and pampering, as if to say: I know your shameful past, but I still love you, are you touched?

Instead of feeling touched, the red rose even felt disgusted.

"You're not only following me but also investigating me?"

"Because I love you."

"Shut up!" Her nails dug into her palms, and her rose-red lips opened and closed.

"Master Gao, I was wrong. I shouldn't have provoked you. I apologize. Please don't bother me anymore, okay? Seeing you reminds me of rats in the gutter, buzzing flies, and cockroaches running around."

"Don't say that, Rose."

Gao Linxin revealed Red Rose's scars, and Red Rose did not hesitate to turn her words into swords, stabbing Gao Linxin's heart.

"Gao Linxin, I feel so sorry for you. How much do you need love? That's why you cling to my kindness and playfulness like straws."

Hong Meigui raised her foot and stepped on Gao Linxin's shoulders with her red leather shoes.

"Don't talk to me about love. What is that? Can it give me food to eat or money to spend? You keep saying you love me, okay? Then come and let me see your love. My soles are dirty, if you have the guts, lick them clean for me."

"Rose, let's leave. I've saved some money over the years. Let's go settle down somewhere else. Here are two boat tickets. We'll leave soon. Once we're settled, I'll go out and find a job. I'll support you and give you all my money to spend. You can do whatever you want."

Gao Linxin held the tip of Red Rose's shoe and talked to himself. Before Red Rose could show a sarcastic smile, he lowered his head and kissed Red Rose's shoe.

If the red rose wants to trample on him, he will take the initiative to throw himself into the dust and let the other party see his true heart.

"You're a fucking lunatic."

Unable to provoke him, Hong Meigui could hide away and was about to rush out the door, but before she could take two steps, Gao Linxin suddenly hugged her from behind.

"Rose, why do you always push me away? Wouldn't it be better to do it like that night? I took everything you told me seriously. You are the only one I have. Come with me, okay?"

"Good..." Bullshit! The unfinished words of Hong Meigui were stuck in her throat. Gao Linxin pressed the fruit knife he had just bought against Hong Meigui's back.

After a brief silence, Red Rose suddenly giggled: "Kill me, kill me if you have the guts."

"Rose, don't force me. If you don't come with me, then we'll die here together."

He would kill the red rose first, and then kill himself.

The reporter was right. Gao Linxin exploded in silence. He's truly a lunatic.

The two of them were in a stalemate, but Zhang Yingshu took action.

Ignoring the obstruction of reporters who wanted to capture the big news, Zhang Yingshu quickly rushed out from his hiding place, punched Gao Linxin in the face, bent down to pick up Hong Meigui, and took people to the health center.

Red Rose was also slightly injured from the previous dispute, and her arm was bleeding profusely.

Gao Linxin sat dejectedly on the ground, holding his head in pain, and the knife stained with Red Rose's blood fell at his feet.

As expected, he was still the coward he was, unable to even do bad things. At the last moment, his hands began to tremble.

The reporter quickly took two photos, and Gao Linxin, who was squatting on the ground, ran after Zhang Yingshu and Hong Meigui.

"Zhang Yingshu, that idiot, insisted on rushing out." He said it was okay. Of course, if something really happened, the top star of Tianshang Renjian was killed by the illegitimate son of the Gao family. This news would become a delicious appetizer before he exposed the serial murder case.

As for Gao Linxin, if he really dared to attack him, he would still respect him as a man, but now? What a coward.

In Zhang Yingshu's arms, Hong Meigui's arm, which had just taken the initiative to face the blade, drooped down, and drops of blood flowed down her white arm. With her other hand, she stretched out and hooked Zhang Yingshu's neck.

Listening to Zhang Yingshu's heartbeat as he ran, Red Rose's breath was as sweet as orchid, as if she didn't feel any pain, and as if she had forgotten what had just happened, that is, the harassment by her former lover, and at this moment she teased Zhang Yingshu again.

Danhong's thumb gently stroked the roots of Zhang Yingshu's hair, and Hong Meigui said in a delicate voice, "I've been wanting to say this for a long time. Although Zhang Yingshu has a dull personality, you look so pleasing to the eye."

"Well, from this angle, the smooth lines, the high Adam's apple, and..." Following Gao Yingshu's shoulder, Hong Meigui placed her hand on Zhang Yingshu's chest, gently stroking the outline of his muscles, and whispered, "They're all very sexy."

Zhang Yingshu paused and said, "Don't move. I'll take you to stop the bleeding."

"What if I say no?"

Zhang Yingshu: "I can change my posture and carry you on my shoulders."

Imagining the scene of being carried on Zhang Yingshu's shoulders like a dead pig, and having to endure the upside-down and bumpy ride, Hong Meigui's smile froze. "I'll just listen to you and stay still. Apart from your face, your personality is really boring."

However, the more rude he was to her, the more she wanted him to break the mask.

Red Rose raised her hand and pointed: "Let's go this way, it's shorter."

Zhang Yingshu finally looked down at Red Rose, who smiled and said, "Let's go to my house."

Without waiting for Zhang Yingshu to refute her, she hurriedly said, "I have a medical kit at home, and it's very close to here. The injury is not serious. Just help me wrap it with gauze when we get home."

On the way to Red Rose's house, Red Rose didn't make any more trouble. Instead, her nose flared, and she suddenly seemed to have thought of something and asked curiously, "Are you a perfumer?"

"Why don't you answer me?"

"Hey, are you deaf or dumb?"

As if he was getting impatient, Zhang Yingshu hummed with a depressed look on his face.

"You are surrounded by all kinds of fragrances every day, so you should be a fragrant stinky man, but why don't I smell any smell from you?" Red Rose sniffed hard again as she said this.

"Hey, you idiot, why are you silent again?"

"I washed it before I went out."

"Oh, I see. Ouch, my arm hurts. Can you talk to me about something else to change the subject? Otherwise, I'm going to die of pain."

To keep his ears quiet, Zhang Yingshu whispered, "Do you like roses?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Isn't your name Red Rose?"

"Oh, that's because they, um, the manager of Heaven and Earth told me that I needed a stage name for my debut. My last name is Hong, and it just so happens that red roses are loved by many upper-class people. They like their charming and graceful appearance, and their buds about to bloom."

"Even though I had never even seen a rose at that time, it didn't stop me from using this name. Later, when I became famous, many people liked to give me roses, but I didn't like them. I once got pricked on my index finger by its thorns. It hurts so much when your fingers are connected to your heart, and I hate pain the most."

Zhang Yingshu reminded calmly: "Your arm hurts right now, it will be better if you don't talk."

"puff."

"I find you quite interesting sometimes. Besides, how can what I make be the same as what others make?"

"Tell me something else quickly."

Zhang Yingshu: "Where are the lilies?"

"What?"

“The lilies are very fragrant and beautiful.”

"Are you asking me if I like lilies? They are pretty, but they are too white and don't suit me at all, so I don't like them either."

"oh."

"Are we there yet? Why did you suddenly stop?"

He raised his head from Zhang Yingshu's arms: "Isn't it still some distance away..."

Following Zhang Yingshu's gaze, I saw a black kitten stretching in the middle of the road.

"Hey, my hand is still bleeding, and you're still giving way to this little guy."

Zhang Yingshu reminded him, "You were the one who just said the injury wasn't serious."

Red Rose: "...I dare say you really believe it."

The injury wasn't particularly serious.

At Hong Meigui's home, Zhang Yingshu was about to leave after bandaging the patient, but Hong Meigui didn't want to let him go.

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave? You helped me today? How about you stay and let me thank you properly?"

"unnecessary."

Hong Meigui poured the red wine into two glasses with one hand, pushed one in front of Zhang Yingshu, and took the other glass herself, blocking the door.

"What if I don't want you to leave?"

Zhang Yingshu did not answer, but looked around the house.

"What are you looking at?"

"Look for a window."

As for why he was looking for a window? Of course, since he couldn't go through the door, he would just jump out the window.

Fortunately, Hong Meigui originally just wanted to tease Zhang Yingshu and didn't really want to do anything to him. In addition, Hong Meigui also saw a light bulb named Wu chasing after her.

She simply opened the door, and when Zhang Yingshu left, she yawned and assigned him a task:

"I'm so tired. I'm going to sleep. I'll help them to the end. Mr. Zhang, please help me stop that paparazzi named Wu. I don't want people like that entering the private space of the most beautiful girl in heaven and earth."

After this plot, the clues about the real murderer in the movie seemed to be cut off again, and the progress of the investigation was stagnant both on the protagonist's side and on the detective bureau's side.

As the deadline for the inspector's military order drew closer, the atmosphere in the entire detective bureau became tense, and the deputy inspector under the inspector became more and more aggressive in his tricks.

The only thing to be thankful for is that no new serial murders occurred during this period.

The door of Zhang Yingshu's house was broken open again, and then he was taken to the detective bureau again, to the same interrogation room, the same other people, and the same detective.

The inspector didn't say anything, and no one else dared to speak. Even Hong Meigui just threw a coquettish glance at Zhang Yingshu and didn't make any more unnecessary moves.

The inspector smoked three cigars today. Amidst the smoke, he finally spoke.

"How's it going? Have you guys found the murderer hiding among you?"

The inspector was too lazy to pretend at this time and said that the murderer was among these people.

Everyone present had a changed expression. The wealthy businessman's butler even tried to defend himself: "Inspector, you must be joking."

"Are you kidding? I never joke." The inspector suddenly stood up from his chair, walked around the interrogation table and several people, and suddenly he opened the belt around his waist, took out the wooden compartment from it, and placed the black wooden compartment opening on the head of the butler who had just spoken.

"Are you the murderer?"

The butler's voice changed with fear. "Sir, how could I be the murderer? Be careful, or there might be an accidental discharge."

"You are not the murderer, why did you refute me just now?"

"It's my fault, sir. The murderer is among us, but it really wasn't me."

The black wooden hatch moved away from behind the butler's head. The butler, frightened with cold sweat, slumped on the spot. Before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the wooden hatch hit the back of the driver's head again.

The detective's sinister voice sounded:

"He said he wasn't the murderer, so are you the murderer?"

"Sir, I'm a good citizen. I wouldn't even dare to step on an ant, let alone kill someone."

"Okay, another one who says he's not the murderer."

As the inspector's leather shoes made a nerve-wracking tapping sound as they touched the ground, the wooden hatches hit the backs of Xiao Pang, Hong Meigui, Zhang Yingshu and the others' heads one by one.

"Who is the murderer?"

The inspector's voice, like a venomous snake, echoed in everyone's ears: "Is it you, you, or you?"

The inspector started from the butler and walked in a clockwise direction. Finally, he stopped behind Xiao Pang, who was sitting on the other side of the butler.

Even though Xiao Pang himself was a fraud, cold sweat couldn't help but slide down his forehead at this moment. There was no moment more thrilling than this.

Especially with a click, he heard the sound of a pistol being loaded.

"I said the murderer is in this interrogation room today, and you all say you are not the murderer. Could it be that I am the murderer?"

The interrogation room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and everyone could hear their own violent heartbeats. The male protagonist was also pale, his back was already wet with cold sweat, and he was sitting next to Xiao Pang, less than an arm's length away from the wooden warehouse entrance.

The inspector's arm moved, and the wooden warehouse tube moved away from behind Xiao Pang's head and suddenly pointed in the direction of the servant, before anyone could react.

The inspector's finger pressed the trigger, and the servant's eyes suddenly widened: "Ah——"

The imagined pain did not come. Half a minute later, Xiao Pang's stiff eyes rolled around and he spoke in a hoarse voice: "Gang, is the wood warehouse open?"

Xiao Pang realized that he had been to the gates of hell, and the inspector was right behind him. Xiao Pang didn't know who the inspector pointed the wooden warehouse at in the end, but that was enough.

The servant who was pointed at by Mu Cang was also breathing heavily on the table, with tears and snot all over the floor. There was a puddle of water under his chair with a fishy smell.

"I'm not dead, I'm not dead." The servant, who was already somewhat unconscious, murmured to himself: "It's great to be alive, I don't want to die."

The inspector put the empty magazine back on his waist and said leisurely, "There are no bullets in the magazine. You are lucky."

"I originally thought that we could solve the case today and kill the murderer in the police station." The inspector joked, but there was no smile in his eyes, and the laughter he made in everyone's ears made them shudder.

"Don't be so nervous, it's just a joke. I just want to tell everyone that I am serious about solving this case. The next time you sit here, I hope you can find the real culprit and hand him over to me."

"otherwise……"

The inspector didn't say the following words, but they were even more chilling.

Would he randomly find a scapegoat and shoot him dead, or would he kill everyone in the room?

At Zhang Yingshu's home, he sat blankly in a chair, the chatter of reporters beside him: "Are you just going to wait for death? Have you really no clues about the real murderer?"

"I don't have what you want here, please leave."

After that, no matter what the reporter said, Zhang Yingshu remained silent, as if he had imprisoned himself in a separate space. The reporter was finally disappointed with Zhang Yingshu and pushed the door out cursing. He was afraid that he would never come to Zhang Yingshu to look for news again.

At Red Rose's residence, Xiao Pang, whose hair had turned half white, sat opposite Red Rose.

Both of them looked extremely haggard.

"Only a few days left."

"I know."

"No, you don't know at all." Xiao Pang suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. He no longer had the gentleness and decency he pretended to have. He spoke to Red Rose word by word, "If we don't give him what he wants, that madman will really drag us all down with him to hell."

"I know." At this time, Red Rose seemed much calmer.

"The answer to this question is actually very simple. Either everyone dies together, or one person is forced to die for everyone, even if he is innocent."

After a pause, Red Rose shook her head and whispered, "It's still sinful. Everyone comes into this world with their original sin. Some are greedy, some are angry, some are resentful, and some are foolish."

"Even if I am suffering in this hell on earth, I still don't want to die."

If you don't want to die, then you can only let others die.

Not only Red Rose knew this truth, Xiao Pang also knew it, and several other people knew it as well.

Infected by the red rose's emotions, Xiao Pang regained some of his sanity.

Loosening the crooked tie around his neck, he lowered his voice and said, "We are both on the same boat. At least in this matter, I trust you more than anyone else."

Just like butlers, maids and drivers, they naturally belong to the same faction.

"Before I came, they contacted me and asked me who I thought was the killer."

Red Rose's long eyelashes flickered slightly, and she hummed softly, "They contacted me too."

"How did you answer?" Xiao Pang asked nervously.

Red Rose's voice became softer: "Don't worry, I didn't choose you. I said I need to think about it again."

"I didn't choose you either." Xiao Pang breathed a sigh of relief. He answered the other party in the same way. Apart from the few people over there and himself, the only ones left were Hong Meigui and Zhang Yingshu.

Now that Red Rose has not betrayed him, the real murderer will actually be revealed in the final interrogation three days later.

"Rose, use your own phone to contact the housekeeper and tell them our results now."

This way, you don't have to worry about Red Rose changing her mind due to any unexpected circumstances.

Red Rose didn't stop painting her nails, but asked, "Is this really okay?"

Xiao Pang, who had already stood up from the sofa, looked down at Hong Meigui. His posture made him look more oppressive and aggressive.

"Didn't you say it yourself, 'I'd rather die than let my fellow Taoist die?'"

"only……"

Without giving Hong Meigui a chance to finish, Xiao Pang suddenly leaned over, propping himself up on the table with both hands, staring intently into her eyes. "What's the matter? Miss Hong, are you truly in love? What's so good about Zhang Yingshu? Just because he said you looked like a lily, ha, you could fall for such a low-brow love talk?"

"No, you misunderstood."

"So what do you mean? If you don't choose him, do you want to choose me?"

"Put away your aggressive attitude, Pang Dalong. I have no intention of betraying you. You said I was in love..." Red Rose twitched her lips sarcastically. "I don't know whether you are mocking me or the word love."

"Don't even mention being with me. Whether it's you, Zhang Yingshu, or the butler and driver, if only one person survives, I won't hesitate to push you all into the fire pit. Now, can you sit down and listen to me?"

Xiao Pang sat down on the sofa again, frowning: "So what do you mean?"

Not sure if she was asking Xiao Pang or herself, Red Rose murmured, "He hasn't contacted me, nor have he contacted you. What is he thinking? Is he really so naive as to think that everyone will die together?"

"What does it matter? He's the one who died in the end anyway, no matter if he took action or not. I don't understand what you're so hung up on."

Biting her lower lip, Red Rose shook her head and said, "Actually, I don't know either. I just feel that I can't quite see through him. There are very few men I can't quite see through."

If you ask, that's a woman's sixth sense.

[I'm the only one with a love-brain problem. I thought Sister Hong had fallen in love with the guy.]

[Yesterday she was flirting with the male lead, and today she kills him without hesitation. Hiss.]

"Is that why? It seems you're not as calm as you appear. You're just a man, after all. I've also met ladies who didn't fall for my sweet talk. These are all insignificant and won't affect our next decision at all. All you need to do now is stop overthinking it."

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door: "Miss Hong, are you home? I'm Zhang Yingshu, and I want to discuss something with you."

Xiao Pang stared into Hong Meigui's eyes and said, "It's the same for him. If a man doesn't work for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth. As expected, no one wants to sacrifice himself. Let him come in. We'll agree to whatever he says first."

Hong Meigui nodded gently and opened the door. Outside the door was Zhang Yingshu, who was ashamed and had his head bowed deeply.

He didn't want to lie, and even less wanted to hurt anyone, but he still had dreams to fulfill and really didn't want to die.

Hong Meigui and Xiao Pang pretended to discuss with Zhang Yingshu. Xiao Pang curled the corners of his lips in a mocking manner, as if to say: Look, there are no saints when it comes to life.

The three of them agreed to vote for the driver together, but Hong Meigui and Xiao Pang knew that if they really had to choose one person, that person would be Zhang Yingshu, who had no power, no relatives, and no one would even care about him.

Hong Meigui and Xiao Pang agreed to go to investigate the case together the next day, but no one expected that when Xiao Pang knocked on Hong Meigui's door the next day, he couldn't open it. After using the spare key to open the door, he found the whole house covered with blood and a withered rose lying in a pool of blood.

【Huh? The red rose is dead.】

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