26 Buddha's Eyes

Fang Cheng remained silent, smoking a cigarette as Lin Long boasted about their university days.

Lin Long rattled off a string of words, and Zhou Yun gradually began to listen.

"That year I was eighteen. It was the first time we met in the dorm. Oh my god, Lao Fang's face was like an ice cube. I'd never seen anyone with such an icy face before. I thought it was just a novel making me think. I like cool beauties, especially since this guy always got first place in the grade. I had to get close to him, so every day I'd walk arm in arm with him to the library to study..."

"If you ask me, this guy is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He's actually quite a closet pervert. Before, when I had a dizzy fever and fainted, this guy carried me to the military hospital two miles away without saying a word and cured me completely..."

As they were talking, the waiters outside brought out the dishes.

The dishes are divided into two types, one in a large circle, half of which is light Cantonese cuisine and the other half is more spicy Sichuan cuisine.

Lin Long was very enthusiastic and turned the plate around for him. "I heard that Captain Zhou likes spicy food, so I specially arranged it for you. Give it a try."

The roast goose, glistening with fat, made a crisp, silky sound as it was sliced. Lin Long picked up a piece for Zhou Yun, who took a bite, savoring the rich, savory sauce. Next came the braised pigeon, its meat tender and juicy, the skin slightly charred, and its flavor perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. Then came the lobster baked in broth, a whole large lobster displaying its incredibly tender meat on a pristine white plate.

Zhou Yun enjoyed her meal. She noticed that Fang Chengjin only drank a little abalone seafood porridge and ate some blanched bok choy.

These two dishes are light and flavorful, and quite refreshing.

Zhou Yun later learned that this dish had been recommended by Michelin.

Lin Long continued rambling, "He only ever eats those two things, he can't eat anything else, he'll throw up if he does, he's really unlucky... If it weren't for that fire back then..."

At this point, Lin Long seemed to have thought of something, and immediately fell silent, changing the subject.

"Try it, this dish is all yours today, Captain Zhou, hehe."

Zhou Yun listened intently, her ears perked up at this crucial point, only to hear half of it. However, she realized that Lin Long likely knew many things about Fang Chengjin, but simply couldn't say them.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yun thought that she should ask Lin Long again sometime in the future. Right now, she should just enjoy the delicious food. It's a rare treat, as one meal can cost as much as her monthly salary.

Zhou Yun ate heartily, while Lin Long continued talking.

"Besides not being able to eat good food, this guy hasn't really gotten involved with many beautiful women. I've been following him for so many years, and he still hasn't found a girlfriend. I even thought he liked me, but thankfully I checked him out, and he's a real man. Captain Zhou, how about you take a look at our Lao Fang?"

Cough, cough, cough, Zhou Yun couldn't help coughing, and almost choked.

"Hey, Captain Zhou, what's wrong? Drink some water. This food is delicious, no need to rush. I'll bring you here again next time." Lin Long immediately waved and handed her a glass of cold water. Just as he was about to pat Zhou Yun's back, his hand was brushed away.

Lin Long looked up.

Fang Cheng glared at him with a dark expression, and Lin Long shrank back.

"Let's go, we should go back to school."

Fang Chengjin grabbed Zhou Yun's arm and pulled her out of the private room.

Caught off guard, Zhou Yun glanced back at the food; she hadn't finished eating yet.

**

As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze enveloped them.

Zhou Yun immediately became much more alert.

Zhou Yun looked up at Fang Chengjin beside her. He was already wearing a mask, and his expression was obscured by the autumn wind.

Zhou Yun didn't know what to say for a moment, so she just walked quietly. Fang Chengjin also kept walking, and the two didn't exchange many words.

As they walked, Zhou Yun felt she should say something, but Fang Chengjin spoke first.

Fang Cheng watched the red taxi approaching from the front. He had specifically called the car with that license plate number. After thinking for a moment, he said, "When the car arrives, send me a message when you get back to school."

Zhou Yun was stunned for a moment, then realized that Fang Chengjin had actually called a taxi for her.

The car quickly stopped in front of the two of them. As they turned around, Zhou Yun couldn't help but call out to Fang Chengjin, "Wait."

Fang Cheng gazed at her intently without moving. His eyes were deep, and the mask he wore only accentuated his bright black eyes.

Zhou Yun asked, "Are we going to see Jiang Yang tomorrow?"

Fang Cheng nodded silently.

Seeing this, Zhou Yun understood and turned to get into the car.

As the car started, Zhou Yun kept glancing at Fang Chengjin behind the car through the rearview mirror. She saw him standing there waiting, seemingly watching her leave.

Zhou Yun couldn't help but think of what Lin Long had said during dinner earlier...

What exactly happened during that fire...?

**

When Zhou Yun returned to school, she felt exhausted. When she got back to the dormitory, she heard the dormitory supervisor chasing people away. Some couples were kissing right there in the woods, which startled the supervisor.

The dormitory supervisor has planted vegetables in the grove of trees and seems quite relaxed.

Hearing the commotion, Zhou Yun hurriedly went upstairs. Back in her dorm, she quickly took a hot shower and then collapsed onto her bed, too lazy to even pull out the quilt. Although it was a bit chilly tonight, it wasn't cold enough to need a blanket.

She closed her eyes to rest, recalling the current case and carefully reviewing the information and clues she had obtained.

Jiang Huai is dead. Who would want her dead? Motive-wise, only someone with a grudge against her would commit such a heinous act. Looking at Jiang Huai's social connections, although she came from a wealthy family, there weren't many family disputes, and even the division of assets had already been settled. So, from Jiang Huai's birth until now, who has been involved in any revenge killings with her…?

Chunxia didn't say anything, and about what happened in their dormitory back then...

After much thought, Zhou Yun felt that it was too early to make a judgment and that more investigation was needed, with social relationships being ruled out one by one first.

And what about her secretly married husband, Zhou Yiming? Could he also be a suspect? Judging from past cases, the perpetrators are usually close to the victim.

As she pondered these thoughts, Zhou Yun gradually drifted off to sleep.

**

It seemed like she hadn't slept enough; Zhou Yun felt sleepy, and her ears were ringing.

Zhou Yun struggled to open her eyes, reached for her phone, and answered it without even glancing at the caller ID.

The words were cool and detached, accompanied by soft music, a slightly melancholic yet elegant melody.

Zhou Yun was instantly more awake. She quickly got out of bed and realized it was already daylight.

The alarm clock on the wall showed: 8:30.

Zhou Yun immediately went to the wardrobe, took out the clothes, and returned the phone call, "Okay, I'll be there right away. Send me the address."

This is the coffee shop inside the university!

Zhou Yun quickly washed up, put on all-black sportswear, and went out. All her hair was tied up, and with a slight turn, a beautiful ponytail arc remained in the air.

Half an hour later, after spending more than 100 yuan on a taxi, Zhou Yun arrived at the school gate. As soon as she got out of the car, she saw Fang Chengjin standing at the gate.

Fang Chengjin was also dressed in all black today, with a black shirt, black sweatpants, and black sneakers. He was wearing a mask, which accentuated his cool and aloof demeanor.

"Professor Fang!" Zhou Yun called out from afar and walked towards him.

Fang Chengjin turned slightly to the side and stood still, waiting for her to come over.

As Zhou Yun approached, just as she was about to speak, Fang Chengjin suddenly leaned closer, lowered his head, and even bent over.

Zhou Yun was startled and took a step back. "You... what's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Realizing that she might not have rinsed off all the toothpaste residue from brushing her teeth, Zhou Yun quickly wiped the corners of her mouth.

Fang Cheng, unusually concerned, asked, "Your eye bags are so deep? Haven't you been sleeping well?"

It turned out that he was staring into her eyes, and Zhou Yun was helpless.

Zhou Yun said one thing but meant another: "No..."

Fang Cheng pulled back, saying, "Tell me if you're too tired."

Zhou Yun paused, a cool autumn breeze carrying a sticky yet refreshing scent in the air.

Fang Chengjin had already walked away after saying those words. Zhou Yun followed him, wondering to herself, "Why is Fang Chengjin acting so strangely? Does he actually care about his students?"

After walking for a while, the two arrived at the coffee shop. Inside, Jiang Yang sat by the window waiting for them, his somber face reflected in the transparent glass.

Zhou Yun couldn't help but ask, "How much do you think Jiang Yang knows?"

Fang Chengjin: "At least he should know about the major events that happened in Jiang Huai's dormitory back then. The police checked the records and found that Jiang Yang has been in contact with Dong Qingqing since graduation. He should be pursuing Dong Qingqing. However, Dong Qingqing's mental illness is quite serious. We also checked with the hospital. The doctor said that Dong Qingqing is timid, keeps things to herself, and is unwilling to let go of herself."

Zhou Yun: "So, Dong Qingqing should be willing to confide in Jiang Yang. After all, someone like her would have a hard time finding good friends after entering society."

Making friends also requires being proactive and outgoing in interacting with people. Dong Qingqing has a tendency towards depression, which will only make her more withdrawn.

The two entered the coffee shop, and Jiang Yang immediately stood up to greet them upon seeing them.

The three sat down, and Jiang Yang sighed.

The waiter brought over two cups of hot coffee, steaming hot, but Jiang Yang had arrived earlier than them and ordered coffee first. He looked like he had been sitting there for a while, as he had drunk more than half of the cup in front of him.

Jiang Yang didn't exchange pleasantries. After the waiter left and the surroundings were empty, he slowly spoke: "Actually, I cried softly once after learning of Jiang Huai's death."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun and Fang Chengjin exchanged a glance, but neither of them responded to Jiang Yang, waiting for him to continue.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yang continued, "Speak softly, this is retribution... Xia... Yi... has come to seek revenge, it's her."

When Xia Yi was mentioned, Jiang Yang shook his head, his expression pained.

Back then, Dong Qingqing, Chunxia, ​​Jiang Huai, and Xia Yi lived in the same dormitory. Xia Yi was the girl who had the incident in the dormitory that year.