Wu Ermaitai dragged his body forward with his elbows, leaving a shocking trail of blood behind him.

With every inch he moved, the broken bone churned within his flesh, causing him excruciating pain that made his vision blur.

But he didn't stop.

That was a gift from Jianguo, the only proof in his life that he had ever been treated like a human being.

Finally, his fingertips touched the cold frame of his sunglasses.

The lenses of the sunglasses were completely shattered and detached, and even the frames were severely deformed after being kicked by San'er.

With his last bit of strength, Wu Ermai clenched it in his palm and pressed it against his heart.

Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on his face.

In a daze, he seemed to have returned to the afternoon.

His brother Jian Guo put sunglasses on his nose and patted him on the shoulder.

"Awesome! So fucking handsome!"

"Brother Jianguo..."

Wu Er's lips curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.

"I...didn't lose it..."

The cacophony of voices grew louder as it approached.

Grandma Wang's screams, Grandpa Li's exclamations, and the children's curious questions mingled together.

Wu Er was no longer able to hear clearly.

His consciousness gradually blurred, but the hand gripping the glasses frame tightened more and more.

In the last moment before he was plunged into darkness, he seemed to see Brother Jianguo standing in the light, waving to him, just like when he took him to the river to catch fish when he was a child.

"Second brother, come on, let's go catch fish and have some fun."

"Wait for me..."

Wu Er's lips moved slightly.

"I...I'm here..."

This is what the first neighbor saw when he rushed into the yard.

A man covered in blood lay on his back on the ground, a sinister smile playing on his lips. His left leg was bent at a right angle, white bone spurs piercing his skin, bits of flesh hanging from them, embedded in the pool of blood. All ten fingernails were torn off, and his right hand clutched a broken piece of a pair of glasses.

...

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Su Jianguo was fast asleep at home. He had been so angry about Su Yuzhen's matter that he stayed up very late last night.

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

"Knock knock knock!"

The knocking grew louder and louder.

Su Jianguo suddenly opened his eyes and instinctively reached for the pillow, where a wrench was always kept.

Who is it?

He asked sharply, his voice still drowsy.

"Is this Comrade Su Jianguo? We're from the police station."

A deep male voice came from outside the door.

Su Jianguo's heart tightened immediately.

He threw off the blanket and quickly pulled on his pants.

Wang Xiulan was also startled awake, and sat up while rubbing her eyes.

"Honey, it's so early in the morning..."

"Don't make a sound."

Su Jianguo lowered his voice and casually grabbed the shirt hanging on the headboard.

"I'll go take a look."

He walked to the gate, took a deep breath, and unlatched the door.

Two uniformed police officers stood outside the door; they were the same two who had handled the dispute involving Mrs. Zhang yesterday.

The older ones are surnamed Li, and the younger ones are surnamed Wang.

The two men looked grave, their eyes bloodshot beneath their hat brims, clearly having not slept all night.

"Comrade Su."

Officer Li took off his hat, his voice hoarse.

We have an emergency that we need to inform you of.

Su Jianguo's heart suddenly sank.

The police showing up at your door first thing in the morning is definitely not a good sign.

"Has...something happened?"

Officer Wang nodded and took a crumpled piece of paper out of his briefcase.

"Last night, Comrade Wu, whom you arranged to rent a room at No. 42 Chang'an Street, was robbed in his home and is currently receiving emergency treatment at the First Hospital."

"What?"

Su Jianguo felt a rush of heat to his head, and his vision went black.

He grabbed Officer Wang's arm.

How badly are you injured? How are you?

The two police officers exchanged a glance.

Last night, they were the first police officers to arrive at the scene; their condition was so pitiful.

Officer Li took a deep breath.

"Comrade Su, you need to be prepared. The scene... was horrific. When we arrived, the injured were already in hemorrhagic shock, and the doctor said..."

He paused.

"The chances of survival are less than 10%."

These words struck Su Jianguo like a heavy hammer blow to the chest.

He staggered back a few steps.

"Master!"

Wang Xiulan's exclamation came from behind.

She ran over, wearing her coat, and caught her swaying husband.

Su Jianguo blinked hard, forcing himself to calm down.

"Please wait a moment, comrades."

Su Jianguo's voice trembled.

"I'll go to the hospital with you right now."

In less than three minutes, Su Jianguo was dressed and rushed out of the house with a canvas bag in his hand.

"Walk!"

He grabbed the bicycle that was leaning against the wall.

The three of them hurriedly left the courtyard.

"What exactly happened?"

He pedaled his bicycle furiously while asking the question to the police officer Li who was riding alongside him.

"Around 3 a.m., the neighbors called the police."

Officer Li explained, panting.

"They said they heard screams. When we arrived, the room was covered in blood, and the injured person was lying in a pool of blood, still clutching a broken pair of glasses in their hand..."

Su Jianguo's heart clenched.

Eyeglass frames?

Those round-framed sunglasses he bought for Wu Er.

There were signs of a struggle at the scene.

Police officer Wang added.

"Preliminary assessment indicates that multiple people were involved. The victim suffered multiple fractures, including an open fracture of the left leg, four broken ribs, and skull damage..."

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