The voices beside him paused, and the entire underground warehouse fell into a long silence. Only the woman lying on the ground made a few faint and painful gasps, and she was on the verge of death.

Yu Yao felt very painful even listening through the recorder, let alone the person involved.

She glanced at the sticker next to her quietly. After the sound started, there was no more sound coming from it, as if it was no longer listening to the noise here.

But that faint breath made Yu Yao extremely certain that she was still listening.

"Is this... feasible?" After a long silence, someone asked softly.

"Okay... Of course you can! It will definitely work. As long as you use money to feed some people, there will definitely be people willing to help cover it up. She is just a helpless woman. It is very simple." The man said in a low voice. He himself was a little panicked and scared, and his voice was shaking.

"Well... this is your suggestion. If her future actions are discovered, we won't be responsible."

"That's right, you were the one who said you would come here today to teach her a lesson."

"you!"

"This is none of our business. We are just here to say a few words."

"She has quite a few marks from you. It's too late to say it's none of your business now. Come here, both of you, and help drag her out."

"Where are you dragging it to?"

"Night comes to the river."

The second half of the recording then consisted of the sound of a body being dragged on the ground, the elevator door opening and closing, and someone coming down to clean up the blood on the ground. There was so much debris, so they quickly cleaned up the blood and left.

The recorder probably fell when someone fell, and it lay there until it ran out of power and stopped working.

The content of the recording ends here. It clearly records the sound of the entire crime process, which is enough to serve as evidence.

After the voice ended, the living room fell into silence. The two people sitting on the sofa did not say a word, and there was no sound from the other end of the sticker. A heavy atmosphere filled the entire living room.

"Ms. Makoto?" Yu Yao asked tentatively.

"With this recording, can you help me report the case?" The female ghost confirmed on the other end, her voice very cold, like the water in Yelai River, icy yet exuding a thorough calmness.

"Of course they can!" Yu Yao nodded. "The records are so clear, they can confirm it with a little investigation. Besides, the police have found your body now, so this case will definitely stand."

While Yu Yao was making assurances to the female ghost, Bai Fang's phone suddenly vibrated.

She silently picked up the phone and saw that it showed an unknown number.

"A new customer? At this time?" Bai Fang asked in confusion and picked up the phone. Before he could ask the other party, a steady male voice came from the other end.

"Is this Miss Bai Fang?"

Bai Fang was silent, "Who are you?"

"Thank you both for rescuing me today in the underground warehouse. Otherwise, I would have died at the hands of that woman." The voice from the other end was gentle and calm, without any malice in it. If I hadn't just heard the content of the recording, I would never have thought it was the same person.

Bai Fang remained silent and did not respond.

"The underground warehouse is my secret. It's a mistake I made when I was young. Over the years, in order to prevent it from being exposed, I have been watching it all the time. No one has ever broken in until recently."

"I've always heard about the female ghost in Yelai River. Things like this always attract curiosity, and I've been suppressing them to prevent more people from becoming curious. But I believe this rumor is true. I never dare show up in the park, wondering if I'll be dragged into the lake one day."

"You've been sneaking into the Yelai River these past two days. I knew you were trying to catch the murderer, so I turned a blind eye and even relaxed my guard. But if you're trying to expose the secrets of the Yelai River to the public, I can't just let it go."

Bai Fang was silent for two seconds, then replied softly, "I don't know what you're talking about. I just wandered in there by mistake with my friends."

"We planned to divert the guards. I don't think this was a mistake. I've been monitoring Yelai River the entire time. The large number of people doesn't prevent me from knowing it very well. Did you find any important evidence in the underground warehouse?"

“…”

"It doesn't matter if you remain silent. No matter what you answer, I've confirmed my suspicions. I'm calling you just to make a deal with you."

"What deal?" Bai Fang glanced at Yu Yao next to him secretly. She had been looking at this side nervously since the call came, and there was no sound from the sticker side.

"I have money and power. Yelai River is very famous in this city and is also the park with the largest economic circulation. Although this is the foundation laid by that woman, it is also due to my subsequent efforts. As long as you hand over what you find to me, no matter what conditions you put forward, I will meet them. Similarly, you can pretend to be unaware of the matter of Yelai River."

Bai Fang was silent, then slowly said, "What do you think money can buy? From my perspective, you're the same as you were decades ago. Nothing has changed. All your actions are designed to protect yourself."

"Maybe you're right, but now you just need to tell me, are you willing to make this deal or not?"

"I think life is more important than money. We have a female ghost here who can kill people at any time."

"So you're unwilling, huh?" The man remained calm, seemingly anticipating this possibility. He continued calmly, "That's fine. Just take the evidence to the police station. But I want to remind you that I haven't sat idly by for all these years."

"The money I make is enough to feed a lot of people and make them listen to me. Besides, so many years have passed, there are no witnesses, no murder weapon, and the fingerprints and footprints at the scene have all been cleaned up. No matter what you can use to incriminate me, it's an old case, and there are many lawyers with smooth talking skills these days. You can insist on suing me and see who is willing to spend years with me for someone whose identity doesn't match."

"Even if you succeed, as long as I can help, guess how long it will take for me to get out?"

"Aside from my reputation being ruined, there's no benefit to you."

"I can tell you clearly, I have money, connections, and many people I support. They are enough to protect my secret, and what you found is insignificant."

Every word the man spoke from the other end of the phone was calm and steady, without a trace of panic, in stark contrast to the trembling voice in the recording.

His nature has not changed, but he has grown up. The case was discovered too late, and he had even made all the preparations long ago.

Bai Fang remained silent and did not respond.

"Miss Bai is a smart person. I've said enough. I don't care what you find in the underground warehouse. I only proposed a deal to save you some trouble. This deal is not bad for you or me."

"I hope this secret will remain a secret forever."

Bai Fang sighed deeply and glanced at the sticker over there. "I won't make a deal, but your call has really enlightened me. It seems that it will be very difficult to bring you down."

"It's not that it's difficult, but it's impossible. I've investigated the backgrounds of both of you, as well as the other young lady. She may have some background, but her family wouldn't interfere in such matters. In my opinion, it's better for Miss Bai to accept this deal."

Bai Fang stared at the sticker in silence. Ever since she received the call, the temperature in the room had been dropping. She could clearly feel goose bumps on her exposed arms, and there was a faint smell of dampness. "Let's end this conversation here. I want to remind you of one thing: while the people you support and your money and power may protect your secrets, they certainly can't protect you as a person."

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

Yu Yao had already sensed that the temperature in the room was off. She rubbed her arms, carefully looking at the sticker, then at Bai Fang, "Who called... that phone call?"

Bai Fang glanced at the sticker quietly, "...the man in the recording."

Yu Yao was stunned. "How did he know your phone number?"

"He probably knows a lot more, but he didn't do anything because nothing threatened him." Bai Fang put down his phone, picked up his coat and put it on Yu Yao, staring at the stickers on the table thoughtfully, "Did you hear everything that was said on the phone?"

There was no response from the other end of the sticker.

Bai Fang said calmly, "Although I don't want to admit it, what he just said is indeed a problem. After he made all the preparations, it feels like this recorder was a waste of time."

Yu Yao didn't hear the phone call and didn't know what happened, so Bai Fang briefly explained it to her.

After hearing this, she sat there in a daze, then suddenly realized the ghost girl's situation. She stared at the sticker nervously, and could feel the temperature in the room getting lower and lower. The ghost girl's anger at the other end had been forced to the point of emitting resentment.

If she still had some rationality before and maintained her humanity, she would have stayed in the Yelai River honestly, waiting for her enemy to appear, waiting for someone who could help her to appear, but now this phone call completely shattered her last bit of rationality.

The surging hatred and anger transmitted through this small sticker made the two people feel like they were falling into an ice cellar. The whole room was filled with cold and damp, as if the entire living room had fallen to the bottom of a river or lake. The high-pressure resentment made it difficult for them to breathe.

However, at a certain moment, these auras suddenly disappeared completely, without any residue.

It was obvious that the female ghost had left here.

Yu Yao sat there in a daze, glancing around. "She... is gone?"

Bai Fang frowned, his expression tense. "I'm afraid... she didn't leave because she calmed down, but because she completely lost her mind and wanted revenge."

Yu Yao stood up instantly. "If she wants to find that person, she must leave Yelai River. In her condition, she can only leave by possessing someone. Liang Yubai said that her ghostly aura is unbearable for ordinary people, and possessing someone casually will kill them."

Bai Fang nodded slowly. "Having lost her mind, she probably can't care about so many things anymore. After staying rational for so many years, she finally waited for hope, but revenge was so difficult to come by. There's no reason for her to wait any longer."

Yu Yao immediately took out her phone in a panic, "No matter what, we must find Liang Yubai. Only Liang Yubai can help."

She hurriedly searched through her address book, found Shu Wen's number, and dialed it.

"Shu Wen?"

"Well, what's the matter?" Shu Wen responded softly. There was a faint sound coming from somewhere.

Yu Yao explained everything about her situation to her. "You know a lot of people and have a lot of connections. Please help me find Liang Yubai. She has a lot of bodyguards around her. If she didn't answer the phone, it probably means something happened. And she's really needed in this situation."

Shu Wen was silent for a while, then sighed softly and said, "Okay, I'll help you look for it."

"Thank you!" Yu Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course I will try my best to fulfill your request. I hope this matter of yours can be concluded as soon as possible."

"Well, I hope so."

"I have something else to do here, so I'll hang up first."

"Okay." Yu Yao nodded and hung up the phone.

She turned around and looked at Bai Fang next to her. She was also sending messages on her phone.

If you're looking for someone, the gangsters must have a lot of information.

"There are restrictions in Yelai River. It is unlikely that she will move during the day. She will probably move tonight. We must find Liang Yubai before dark... otherwise we have to go to Yelai River to stop her." After sending the message, Bai Fang put away his phone and sighed softly.

Yu Yao nodded, her expression somewhat complicated, "Miss Makoto's enemies... is there really no way?"

Bai Fang leaned back on the sofa and stared quietly at the information displayed on the computer screen.

"We are commoners. This city isn't particularly large, but it's not small either. Ye Laihe has been here for decades, like an old tree, with intertwined connections with the upper classes. That man was born into a powerful family, and over the years, he has purposefully and systematically made money and bought people's hearts. He's probably socialized with everyone involved in this kind of business."

"Look at our situation now."

"We're just two ordinary people. Liang Yubai is here alone. A professional family like that wouldn't get involved in this kind of thing. Miss Makoto's case happened decades ago. There was no blood, no footprints, and no murder weapon in that underground warehouse. The body had been soaking in the lake for decades. He probably disposed of all the surveillance footage or witnesses from that time."

"Considering his existing background and connections, I can't think of any way to help Ms. Makoto make this incident and the truth public."

Bai Fang pondered for a moment and said calmly, "On the contrary, I feel that... the only one who can help Miss Makoto now is herself."

Yu Yao listened quietly to Bai Fang's words, staring at the stickers on the table. It was a feeling of powerlessness, especially after knowing the truth. This feeling weighed on her heart and was indescribably uncomfortable.

Other things may not be confirmed, but Miss Makoto is a good person, otherwise she would not have waited quietly in the Yorai River for so long relying on her rationality. If she really wanted revenge at all costs, she would have found someone to possess and go looking for the murderer long ago.

But the price of possession must be borne by the innocent person who is possessed.

She knew better than to do that.

As the two of them were sitting on the sofa, dazed and anxiously waiting for news, Yu Yao's phone suddenly rang.

She quickly raised her hand and looked, "It's Liang Yubai!!!"

Bai Fang was also stunned, "Shu Wen so fast?"

"I don't know, but it's good to have contact!"

Yu Yao hurriedly picked up the phone, "Liang Yubai?!"

"Yeah," Liang Yubai responded from the other end, still confused by Yu Yao's excited voice. "What's wrong with you? You're so excited? Did you find something in the underground warehouse?"

"I have something important to tell you." Yu Yao immediately told Liang Yubai what had happened since they separated, detailing the key points about the man and Makoto. Then, anxiously, she waited for Liang Yubai's response. "What should I do? Do you have any ideas? Can you stop her? Or is there any way to make sure that man gets the punishment he deserves?"

Liang Yubai was silent for a moment, "It sounds like... there seems to be no way to deal with him..."

"Yeah, what should we do? I guess Ms. Makoto is going to go tonight."

Liang Yubai thought for a moment and said, "I'll go to Yelai River tonight and talk to her. You don't have to come. I'll tell you after the matter is over."

"Okay." Yu Yao nodded and asked, "Where did you go? I couldn't get through on the phone before."

"This... is quite strange," Liang Yubai said in a troubled voice. "I was attacked in the amusement park. My bodyguards got into a fight with them, and then I suddenly saw the soul I was looking for, the one that escaped from the puppet. I immediately chased after it and was led into a forest. It was very foggy here, and I even lost my phone. I guess it must have been the soul I was chasing."

"I was wandering around in the woods for a long time, and then suddenly I found my phone on the ground. The fog had thinned a little, so I walked out." She was still a little scared as she spoke. "I don't know why she let me out so suddenly, but there was a chance I would have been trapped in the woods forever, and no one would have known."

Yu Yao thought about it and felt scared. "Anyway, it's good that you come out. I'll leave Ye Laihe's business to you."

"Well, leave it to me. I will judge and handle this matter myself. I am an exorcist and I will not watch ghosts harm people at will." Liang Yubai's voice sounded faintly on the other end of the phone, as if he had heard the whole incident and made his own decision.

"Okay." Yu Yao nodded and hung up the phone.

She sat on the sofa in a daze for a long time.

"What's wrong?" Bai Fang asked softly.

Yu Yao slowly turned her head and threw herself into Bai Fang's arms, her voice muffled, "I just suddenly remembered that Liang Yubai is a ghost exorcist, and I always feel... a little panicked."

Bai Fang patted her head and said, "This matter is no longer something we can interfere with. Liang Yubai is more experienced in ghost matters than we are. She has her own decisions to make."

Yu Yao nodded silently.

As time passed, the sky grew darker and darker. Liang Yubai walked directly back from the woods where he got lost to the entrance of Yelaihe Park.

At dusk, Yelaihe was about to close, and she hurried the last batch of customers in.

Suddenly, small ripples appeared on the surface of the Yelai River, and the entire lake was turbulent with small waves. This scene attracted many tourists to gather by the lake to watch. This actually facilitated Makoto's possession plan. As long as it got dark and there were still people by the lake, she could use the last group of tourists to leave here.

Liang Yubai put his hands in his coat pockets and walked step by step along the edge of the Yelai River. His eyes stayed on the bright lake surface at dusk. The entire lake was rippling with waves, reflecting the sunset and dusk, which was particularly beautiful. The people on the shore could not feel the resentment under the lake at all.

She silently fumbled with her fan in her pocket, and slowly walked to the shadow of a tree on the shore. Suddenly, she stopped and stared at the waves under the lake.

"It's getting dark. Are you going to come up?" Liang Yubai asked while standing on the shore, looking into the lake.

She was answered by silence.

"Don't try to avoid me. Do you think you can slip away right under my nose?" Liang Yubai frowned, and his fingers in his pockets gently stroked the fan bones in his pockets. His thoughts were as fluctuating as his fingers touching the bumps on the fan bones.

The lake was still silent, the sky was getting darker and darker, the last ray of sunset hung on the horizon, and the sky had been dyed a dark blue.

At the moment when the sky became completely dark, a pale hand suddenly stretched out from the lake on the shore, grabbed Liang Yubai's feet, and pulled her into the lake.

Liang Yubai instantly fell into the icy lake water. The wet water quickly poured into his clothes. The icy chill enveloped his entire body and penetrated into every pore of his skin. Liang Yubai shivered from the cold, knowing very well that he was surrounded by more than just the icy lake water.

Although she was pulled down, she was not immediately pulled into the lake after falling in. Instead, her body was dragged from behind and pressed to the shore.

"You want to stop me?" A cold voice came from the back of Liang Yubai's neck, and at the same time, a slight touch came from his back, like a cold liquid sticking to his back.

Liang Yubai sneered, a hint of anger on his wet and frozen pale face, "If I don't stop you, I'll just watch you find someone to possess, and then, while taking revenge, take another life?"

There was silence behind her, and a chill slowly climbed up Liang Yubai's slender neck, gently pressing her rolling throat.

"Is it cold?"

Liang Yubai did not respond.

"I have felt this chill in the Yelai River for decades, staring at everyone who passed by it every day, constantly thinking about revenge. No one knows the pain I felt when I died, my resentment, and my unwillingness."

"When I die, I'll be the same age as you. I'll know how to be independent, how to navigate the business world, and how to build a successful career. But why have I stayed in this lake without sunlight for so long?"

"Is my death my fault?"

Liang Yubai's cheeks were pale from the cold, and there was a chill in his throat. He said in a trembling voice, "Of course it's not your fault."

"Then why are you stopping me from taking revenge?!" The voice behind him became sharp and angry. Decades of anger erupted in an instant, and even venting it now made people feel a little sad.

"That man deserves to die! He destroyed everything I had and made me stay in this lake for decades. I resent him and I'm unwilling to accept this. I want to kill him right now!"

"Why are you all helping a perpetrator? Doesn't he deserve to die?!"

"If I don't take revenge, who else can help me take revenge?"

Liang Yubai also shouted back with gritted teeth, "When did I say I would stop you from seeking revenge?! Did I say that?!"

"As human beings, we can't do anything for you in this matter! You are a victim! Your death is not your fault!"

"If the living cannot punish him accordingly, only you can do something for yourself."

"You are not killing, you are taking revenge, revenge for yourself."

The chill in my body suddenly subsided.

In the cool night, the lake rippled. Liang Yubai took a deep breath and calmed his shivering anger. "I'm not as smart as you, but I understand the ghost's perspective better than you do. This is my judgment as a ghost exorcist. It has nothing to do with others, and I don't represent everyone's opinion."

"Now, I'll let you possess me, and I'll let you go."