Chapter 58 A Sweet Night's Dream.
The school anniversary ceremony was not yet over when the live broadcast suddenly cut off, and the image on the television screen froze at the moment Lin Xiyin was rescued.
The image that lingered in his mind was that even more thrilling moment from before.
At this moment, he stood next to the television with his little head tilted to the side.
In those large, clear eyes, not only was Qingzai's figure reflected, but also those of her colleagues who had fearlessly rushed towards the railing. Everyone's expression was tense, their arms bursting with astonishing strength, their blood boiling, eager to rush forward and reach out their own little hands.
The headmaster found the remote control, and with trembling hands, pressed the power button forcefully.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her chest was still heaving violently. Looking around, she saw that the other young teachers in the audiovisual room were also pale-faced, exchanging shocked glances.
Everyone knew perfectly well what that terrifying moment just now meant—
The girl in the white dress was clearly about to jump; if the police hadn't caught her in time... the consequences would have been unimaginable.
The principal whispered to a teacher beside him, "Report this to the principal of the main campus immediately."
In the various audiovisual rooms of Weston Kindergarten, children from the toddler, preschool, middle, and senior classes were all eagerly anticipating the school anniversary performance.
Hundreds of innocent eyes were glued to the screen, almost witnessing the passing of a vibrant life.
The principal became increasingly frightened as she thought about it, and the teachers' hearts were pounding.
I watched as the older girls from Heard College released balloons, and they "released" themselves along with the balloons—
How deep a shadow will it leave on their young hearts?
Teacher Ji's brow was still furrowed as she pondered how to appease them. When she turned her head, she saw that they were getting more and more excited as they talked.
"It's like a 'whoosh,' it flies over!" A child gestured excitedly, his eyes sparkling, imitating the policeman's leaping motion, raising his little fist high, "Like Superman!"
"He grabbed the older sister's wrist in an instant!"
The children were having a heated discussion when the older girl almost fell off the building. Falling hurts a lot; one child shared their experience of falling off the bed, saying it hurt so much it made them cry. And just now, the police were able to catch someone about to fall from such a height!
"Even more powerful than Ultraman..."
"When I grow up, I want to be a police officer who can fly!"
The children's innocent and lively conversation gradually eased the furrowed brows of Teacher Ji.
Fortunately, this scene did not frighten them; instead, it inspired the children's yearning for justice.
Madam and the officers not only saved the girl who attempted suicide, but also unintentionally protected the pure world of these young hearts.
"Does everyone want to be a policeman?" Teacher Ji squatted down, teasing them with a smile. "Isn't that taking away our jobs from Sheng Fang?"
Shengfang crossed her arms like a little adult, looking completely calm.
In his eyes, this wasn't stealing anyone's job at all—police academy admissions were based on real ability, and the honor of being the best graduate of the year was destined to belong to him alone. As for the other kids, they could at most become the police officer's capable subordinates.
The young police officer solemnly brought over a small stool and began assigning police teams to the students.
In addition to selecting team members, the major crime squads A, B, C, D, etc., also need to assign capable superiors to be their leaders.
Little Coconut was inexplicably chosen as the leader of Group D.
The other children were incredibly envious.
shredded coconut is fine. I'm friends with Fangfang, so I can be promoted to headmaster right away!
Coconut Baby, however, pouted and looked unhappy.
"What's wrong with you?" Sheng Fang keenly noticed her unusual behavior.
"Being a madam is glamorous," Yesi said wistfully, "but becoming a model has been my dream since I was a child!"
"Of course kids should hold onto their ideals too!" Sheng Fang dismissed her. "Who wants to be the head of Group D?"
"I!"
"Me! Me! Me! Pick me!"
Jinbao is an easy-going boy and is happy to join the police force.
Being a police officer is so cool; you can save so many people.
The children were having a great time playing house.
Looking at these young children, the principal was filled with emotion.
She secretly resolved to personally visit the Yau Ma Tei Police Station to express her gratitude, and to prepare several beautiful banners.
A little girl suddenly asked, "Which group was Juan assigned to?"
The little stickler always likes to raise his hand to tattle, causing the young master of the Sheng family to be criticized and educated by the teacher many times.
Shengfang pretended to be deep in thought for a long time.
"Let him go to the Zhaolin Group." Fang Fang waved his hand and said decisively, "He'll be under John's control."
...
On the rooftop of the new teaching building at Hart College, the autumn wind still howled.
Lin Xiyin huddled by the railing, her head bowed.
She was trembling uncontrollably, and her pristine white skirt was already covered in dust.
The red ribbon that was originally tied around her waist was gently untied by Zeng Yongshan and tossed aside.
Zeng Yongshan speculated that the matching color of the red ribbon and the balloon string was definitely a gimmick carefully crafted by Xu Mingyuan for subsequent media reports. It had no special meaning, just like the "water ghost" phone call received during the premiere of the paranormal program—eerie, bizarre, yet highly viral.
"It's alright, it's all over." Zeng Yongshan's voice was soft but firm as she took off her coat and draped it over Lin Xiyin.
The surrounding Major Crimes Unit officers were still panting heavily, their heartbeats not yet calmed down.
Just seconds ago, Lin Xiyin's body was already suspended in mid-air; she was only a moment away from slipping from everyone's fingertips.
But now, she is safe.
"Can you stand up?" Zhu Qing asked, supporting her arm with her hand.
Lin Xiyin did not answer, and trembled even more violently.
The photographers, presenters, and faculty members around them finally snapped out of their shock and began whispering amongst themselves in hushed tones.
How did the police suddenly appear?
"I didn't even notice them going upstairs."
It didn't appear suddenly.
The Major Crimes Unit had been working tirelessly for six hours to prepare for this moment.
Rewind six hours, and the entire Major Crimes Unit was racing against time to conduct the final search.
Of the names on the healing group's still pending final confirmation, only three remained, but attempts to visit them encountered obstacles. Lin Xiyin was still a student, without a personal contact number, and dared not obtain her parents' or family's contact information, so she made up a pager number. Every time the police dialed, they only heard an impatient response from the other end.
"Wrong number!"
The address is fake, the phone number is fake, and the school is fabricated...
At that point, the officers had no other options but to hope that the name she left behind was accurate.
This name was the only information they had, but more than 20 years ago, a Cantonese feature film became a hit across the country, and the female lead was named "Xi Yin". Many people followed suit and named their children after her.
There are countless people in Hong Kong with the same name as her, and a conventional investigation would simply not be enough time to find them.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Mo Zhenbang's mind.
Is Xu Mingyuan playing the "countdown" game again? Just like You Minmin, will the time he sets for Lin Xiyin's death coincide with a public event?
Meanwhile, Zhu Qing and Uncle Li went into the observation room next to the interrogation room once again, keeping a close eye on Xu Mingyuan, who remained silent.
He checked his watch four times in fifteen minutes.
It's possible that Xu Mingyuan is counting down the days, waiting for his detention period to reach forty-eight hours.
Or perhaps, he was mentally counting down, waiting for the death of his fifth "prey".
The Serious Crimes Unit has begun investigating a large-scale event held in Hong Kong recently.
Ultimately, the 60th anniversary celebration of Hart College came to the attention of the police.
They rushed to the middle school and got the program schedule for the performance.
They searched mechanically, afraid to even consider the possibility of missing the real countdown—
Suddenly, the target stopped.
When the name "Lin Xiyin" appeared on the list of names for the ceremony's wish-making ritual, everyone held their breath.
At this moment, everything has temporarily settled down.
Zhu Qing helped Lin Xiyin to her feet.
A gust of wind swept through the girl's disheveled hair.
Several scabbed scratches remained on the scalp behind her ears, as evidence of her struggle.
The media captured this scene, causing an uproar.
Zhu Qing and Zeng Yongshan flanked Lin Xiyin as they walked downstairs.
The girl's steps were unsteady, and she was still in a daze.
However, as soon as they stepped out of the teaching building, blinding flashes of light came like a storm.
Reporters swarmed around her, dozens of microphones crowding in front of her.
"What happened to this student?"
Did you jump off the building because of despair?
"Was the school aware of this? Why hasn't it taken any action?"
Zhu Qing and Zeng Yongshan raised their hands almost simultaneously, using their bodies to block the girl.
"Step back, don't take pictures."
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Amidst the noise, Lin Xiyin slowly raised her head.
She stared at them blankly, her eyes empty, yet as if searching for something.
So this is what it feels like to not have to face everything alone.
Her chapped lips moved slightly, but she said nothing and simply lowered her head again.
...
By the time we got back to the police station, it was getting dark.
Lin Xiyin was placed on a chair in the corner of the interrogation room, draped in a policewoman's coat, and holding a disposable paper cup in her hand. The warm water in the cup seeped through the cup walls, transferring its warmth to her icy palms.
Zeng Yongshan gasped as she bent over.
Under the harsh white light, the deliberately concealed scars were laid bare.
Scratches and scabs were visible on the bare scalp between the stubble. When she raised her arm, the cigarette burns on the inside of her upper arm were even more shocking.
Lin Xiyin's parents arrived one hour and forty minutes later.
The father, briefcase tucked under his arm, frowned as he borrowed a phone from a police officer to handle work. The mother, supporting her pregnant belly, followed behind with faltering steps.
According to the investigation, Lin Xiyin's parents are divorced and have each started new families.
She sometimes stayed at her mother's house, and sometimes she stayed at her father's house temporarily.
"Are you even fit to be a mother? You didn't even know your child was being bullied like this!"
"You still have the nerve to question me? Last month was our daughter's birthday, and besides calling to give you a perfunctory answer and saying you'd buy her a toy—what else did you do? Xi Yin is already seventeen; she doesn't need toys at all!"
"Did I mean buying toys for Xi Yin? I meant school supplies! How many dictionaries and reference books have I bought? And you? You always only ever bring up toys!"
“At least I tried to understand her, while all you said was ‘Go find your mother!’”
Seventeen years old.
Zeng Yongshan looked at the girl huddled in the chair. She was clutching the hem of her school uniform skirt, her knuckles white, and her thin shoulders were trembling, as if the bullying she was experiencing was her own fault.
Liang Qikai lowered his voice: "Do you remember what Xu Mingyuan said? He was that psychologist who offered you free counseling."
Lin Xiyin did not respond.
Zeng Yongshan squatted down to look her in the eye: "How about we talk about things at school first? We'll definitely help you."
Her response was still a long silence.
The clock in the interrogation room ticked away until Zhu Qing suddenly spoke.
"Did you regret it when you were suspended in mid-air?"
Lin Xiyin's hand, which was gripping the hem of her skirt, froze.
The memory of that moment kept replaying in her mind. Everything had happened so fast; she swayed precariously, the wind whistling in her ears. Only one thought crossed her mind: if she fell, crashed down in front of them—would it be the end?
But the warm hand that held her wrist constantly reminded her of her attachment to this world.
“Death won’t make them pay the price,” Zhu Qing whispered, “but the courage to testify will.”
A cheerful voice came from outside the door, belonging to the office worker, Sister Zhen.
“My son’s classmate also had his head shaved.”
"Those delinquents are now cleaning toilets in juvenile detention centers."
Sister Zhen spoke casually, as if she were talking about a supermarket having a big sale.
It's like, even if the sky falls down, it's not a big deal.
"Let her have some peace and quiet."
"It's okay if you don't want to talk now..."
Just as the policewomen were about to leave, Zhu Qing's clothes were gently tugged.
Lin Xiyin looked up.
The Madam who pulled her back from the rooftop is now looking down at her with a determined gaze.
Perhaps Madam will save her again.
She finally spoke: "I..."
...
The officers from Major Crimes Unit B split up again.
First, the technical department expedited the sound wave comparison.
Meanwhile, Xu Jiale, Haozai, and Xiao Sun returned to Hede College. The college was still brightly lit in the twilight, and the school anniversary ceremony, after a brief period of chaos, continued. As Xu Jiale pushed open the back door of the auditorium, cheerful choral singing could be heard from the stage. Based on the clues provided by Lin Xiyin, they quickly identified the student group involved in the bullying and notified their parents one by one to come and cooperate with the investigation.
Xu Jiale sneered: "Some parents actually said that this is just children playing around. Even a three-year-old knows that malicious bullying is not normal behavior."
"The most ridiculous thing was that lawyer father, who was teaching his daughter how to defend herself on the spot."
"I'd like to see what excuse they can come up with."
"Now that the media has taken notice of this matter, and the school itself is in dire straits, who would dare to cover it up?"
Liang Qikai and Uncle Li rushed to Xu Mingyuan's psychological clinic.
They took out a photo of Lin Xiyin: "Have you seen this person before?"
“Her? I remember her, she’s been here a few times.” The nurse hesitated for a moment. “But Dr. Xu manages all his medical records himself, and the consultations are conducted in a soundproof room inside the examination room, so we can’t hear anything.”
"What about the medical records?"
“There was a medical record at the front desk, but it suddenly disappeared a while ago for some reason. We were all shocked, but Dr. Xu said not to worry about it.”
The nurse paused, then suddenly lowered her voice: "Sir, is Dr. Xu really related to the case?"
The police officer didn't give a direct answer, but instead asked, "What do you think?"
“I don’t know. He rarely talks to us and is always very polite.” She shook her head. “I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.”
Inside the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, Xu Mingyuan was still kept in the interrogation room even though the 48-hour detention period had expired.
Mo Zhenbang pushed a stack of documents in front of him.
"You are now being formally arrested for instigating four suicides and one attempted suicide."
Xu Mingyuan remained unfazed.
“Lin Xiyin identified you.” Zhu Qing looked directly into his eyes. “You probably wouldn’t believe it, but this girl who gets the top scholarship every year secretly records every class to review the key points in order to maintain her grades and get her parents to pay more attention to her.”
Out of this habit, Lin Xiyin put her voice recorder in her bag when receiving medical treatment.
The technology team used voiceprint analysis to confirm that the voice belonged to psychologist Xu Mingyuan.
"Lin Xiyin wrote down your words and listened to them repeatedly; she trusts you so much."
"The voiceprint comparison results are right here." Mo Zhenbang pointed to a report and tapped the interrogation table: "It's time to confess."
Xu Mingyuan sighed softly.
“What a pity,” he said. “It could have ended perfectly.”
...
A long silence fell over the interrogation room.
Xu Mingyuan didn't care about being arrested; he was just regretful.
What was supposed to be a great show ended prematurely.
The meticulously planned performance was thus interrupted.
"I jumped down when the whole school was cheering, and was then abandoned by everyone... I timed it perfectly." He smiled. "Those kindergarten kids would see the balloon go up and the person fall down, it would be quite a spectacle, wouldn't it?"
Why do this?
“Because I want to know,” his eyes glazed over slightly, “if someone had stopped my mother back then, would she still be alive?”
Twenty-four years ago, Xu Mingyuan watched as his mother swallowed pills, and his father subsequently committed suicide out of love.
"When you rescued her, did the kindergarten children cry?" he asked.
He clearly remembers crying at the time. He cried his heart out, and his neighbors even called the police for him.
At that time, young Xu Mingyuan did not understand why his father ultimately chose to leave with his mother.
He tried to convince himself to understand, to understand that she was tormented by depression, struggling and suffering every second, and that death might be a relief. But for the father? Perhaps death was nothing more than following, a pathological emotional dependence.
But as he grew older, his thoughts underwent subtle changes.
Is it truly a relief? Or is it because of cowardice that I've dragged everyone down with me?
My father didn't have to die; he didn't have to grow up with my aunt; and my aunt could have gone and found her own happiness.
But because of her willful decision, the lives of the three people began to change and fall apart.
“That year, I was just a child,” Xu Mingyuan said. “There was nothing I could do; I couldn’t stop her.”
"Her decision ruined the lives of the three of us."
The files were spread out on the interrogation table.
Xu Mingyuan described the victims to the police as he saw them.
The first victim was a woman who despised herself because of infertility. She felt like a useless thing that couldn't have children, as if she didn't deserve to live if she couldn't become a mother.
The second victim was a mother with a mentally disabled son. Her life consisted only of the identity of "mother". At the scene of the crime, she remained in the posture of protecting her son until her death.
The third victim was the eldest daughter, who had worked tirelessly in the hope of gaining special treatment. Even her breathing was filled with flattery, and she was always groveling for favor.
The fourth victim was a girl who grew up in a family that favored sons over daughters. She hid in the shadows, yet longed to be seen, a contradiction that was both puzzling and foolish.
Xu Mingyuan's gaze swept over the photos as if he were looking at lab rats.
Over the past two years, he has seen the shadow of his mother in each of them.
Xu Mingyuan wanted to know if his mother would still die if someone intervened.
But this thought was fleeting, replaced by another idea.
Why is it that only he has to bear the pain, while others can live a peaceful life?
He had never been saved, so he simply pushed them into the abyss as well.
“They are like my mother, lives without value.” Xu Mingyuan’s voice was cold, his eyes filled with indifference. “Helping them find relief is actually a contribution to society.”
"Did you find out about that phone call where you pretended to be a single mother?"
"So that was you?" Xu Mingyuan's eyes flickered. "I didn't recognize you at the time."
Xu Mingyuan recalled.
He had met the policewoman once before the call, but he hadn't recognized her voice on the phone. However, he was always careful in choosing his targets; someone who truly wanted to die wouldn't talk about the future.
The short twenty-minute call felt like a back-and-forth test of each other.
When he hung up the phone, Xu Mingyuan already knew that this "single mother" would not be easily swayed.
His gaze swept over the case files on the interrogation table, as well as the autopsy report of the You Minmin case.
Forensic pathologist Cheng Xinglang's name was signed at the end of the report.
Not everyone will buy into his argument.
Like Cheng Xinglang, who suffered from post-traumatic amnesia and forgot everything that happened on the day of the incident, yet still instinctively resisted hypnosis. Like Song Sijia, who was deaf and mute and lived in a cramped room without even ventilation, but that day, he saw her holding a book titled "A Guide to Speaking for the Deaf and Mute."
They all clearly chose the path they wanted to take.
“There will always be people who don’t know what’s good for them.” Xu Mingyuan shrugged, the shackles clanging loudly.
...
In the adjacent observation room, the police officers looked at Xu Mingyuan behind a one-way glass window.
The seemingly gentle and refined psychologist sat upright in the interrogation chair, his eyes still filled with tender regret.
For the first project, I chose Wang Yingtong.
Without any stimulus or trigger, without any warning, everything just happened naturally.
"There was no clear motive for the crime."
"Perhaps Xu Mingyuan didn't realize that his thinking had already become distorted."
As he recounted his story, names echoed through the interrogation room.
Ding Panxiang, Deng Qiaorong, You Minmin... It was as if he was inviting the police to appreciate his perfect work. When recalling the process, his eyes gleamed with a morbid excitement.
"In line with our investigation, he screened his targets through healing sessions, using free treatment as bait, and then carefully designed death traps during the treatment process."
“He even provided a ‘tutorial’ process, teaching You Minmin how to use a toothbrush to transfer DNA and frame her brother You Yikang. He also instructed Lin Xiyin on how to win the opportunity to release a wishing balloon.”
“After completing his ‘creation,’ Xu Mingyuan would withdraw beforehand to ensure that he left no trace.”
“It was not unexpected that he contacted You Minmin using his private number. He believed that the girl’s will to die was not firm enough. It just so happened that the Yin Yang program was scheduled to air earlier, so he called to remind her that the opportunity should not be missed.”
That was an unregistered private number, which is normally safer than a registered clinic number or a public phone booth that might be monitored.
But unexpectedly, his number was similar to "Coco's" birthday, which led to Shengfang's discovery of the flaw.
"As the manipulator, he patiently built psychological dependence on the patients, equating 'death' with 'relief'."
"To him, it was just an experiment to slowly erode their hope of living."
"If the 'experiment' on Lin Xiyin is successfully completed today, Xu Mingyuan's next step will be to wait for the children in the kindergarten who witnessed death to grow up... and guide them to become the next version of themselves."
The young officers felt a chill run down their spines.
Uncle Li shook his head: "Do you know what the most ironic thing is?"
"Wang Yingtong's husband has remarried and had children, and they are living a happy life."
"Ding Panxiang and her son have completely disappeared, and the only one who is unlucky is their landlord."
"Deng Qiaorong's family has simply lost an ATM."
"You Minmin's parents are indeed grieving, but who can say for sure whether they are heartbroken by their daughter's death or their son's imprisonment?"
They are gone forever, but the earth continues to turn.
As time goes by, their traces of existence in this world will fade to almost nothing.
The door to the observation room opened.
This case has gone through many twists and turns, from identifying You Yikang through DNA from the wine bottle, to closing the case with You Minmin's "suicide," and then to the arrest of You Yikang, uncovering a deeper truth behind it all...
Now, everything has an answer.
Xu Mingyuan will be punished, and the silent dead will finally be able to speak out.
In the police station corridor, Song Sijia, a deaf-mute girl, retrieved her notebook and gave Zhu Qing a sign language response.
Zhu Qing awkwardly curled her fingers and pushed her palm outward.
Zeng Yongshan was completely confused and asked curiously, "What does this mean?"
She was expressing her gratitude.
"So your reply is 'You're welcome'?"
The door to the interrogation room was open, and Lin Xiyin was still sitting in the corner, looking gloomy and silent.
Song Sijia suddenly turned to her, made a few more gestures, and smiled, sharing warmth with this lonely figure.
Zeng Yongshan asked, "What about this time?"
Zhu Qing looked at the girl's straight back and said, "It's probably 'holding on'."
She paused, then added, "It could also be that life is a long journey, and once you get through this, the future will be bright."
Zeng Yongshan laughed and patted her: "How can there be such complicated hand gestures!"
Before she could finish speaking, Zhu Qing suddenly frowned and clutched her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Zeng Yongshan asked in surprise, immediately becoming anxious. "Were you injured while rescuing people?"
...
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed into the living room, where children walked barefoot on the floor.
He was a little patrolman, wandering around in circles, humming a little tune.
"Qingzai, Qingzai, my amazing niece..."
"Catch the bad guy and run fast..."
The melody is simple and upbeat, and the lyrics are catchy.
Aunt Ping poked her head out of the kitchen, her apron covered in flour: "What song is this? I've never heard it before."
Fangfang proudly raised her chin: "I made it up myself."
"The young master can also write lyrics and compose music," Aunt Ping said with a smile. "He can become a singer when he grows up."
Shengfang waved her little hand: "It's nothing serious—"
Suddenly, the phone rang, interrupting their conversation.
Aunt Ping quickly went to answer the phone.
"Hello, Qingqing?"
Shengfang immediately climbed onto the sofa and put her little ear into the earpiece.
Qingzai, Qingzai, his brave niece!
"Aunt Ping, I'm at the hospital. I got a minor injury while on duty. I'm getting bandaged up and waiting for the report." Zhu Qing's voice was deliberately lowered on the other end of the phone. "You guys eat first, don't tell Sheng Fang."
A sweet, childlike voice burst forth: "I heard you!"
After hanging up the phone, Liu Fang's little feet scurried across the floor with a "pat-pat" sound.
He rushed to the entrance, stood on tiptoe to reach the car keys, and did it all in one smooth motion.
"Aunt Ping, to the hospital!"
"Young master, are you driving?"
Sheng Fang stared at the car keys in her hand, her face fell, and she silently put them back.
Aunt Ping quickly turned off the stove, grabbed a bag of toast slices, and muttered, "This will be a snack for the young master on his way."
The old man and the child rushed into the elevator like a gust of wind, quickly putting on their shoes.
In the taxi, Aunt Ping kept patting the driver's seat: "Driver, can you go faster?"
As soon as the taxi stopped in front of the hospital, Sheng Fang was the first to rush inside.
He ran like a little rocket, not even having time to brake with his little feet when turning, until he caught sight of his niece out of the corner of his eye and hurriedly stopped.
"A minor fracture of the collarbone?" Zhu Qing frowned at the X-ray, puzzled. "Is it made of tofu?"
When Aunt Ping arrived, she was so frightened by the words "bone fracture" that her legs almost went weak.
"Doctor, what is a bone fracture?" Aunt Ping asked anxiously. "Will it have any impact? Do I need surgery?"
Shengfang asked worriedly, "Does it hurt?"
Pointing to the X-ray, the doctor patiently explained, "It must have been when your shoulder hit the edge of the rooftop during the mission. Look here, there's a small crack in the middle of your collarbone. This level of fracture doesn't even require a cast."
"However, it's best to apply a figure-eight bandage. This is to restrict shoulder joint movement; otherwise, if the tear widens, it will be quite troublesome."
"Young people have strong bone healing abilities, and it will heal in three or four weeks, so you family members can rest assured."
The curtain was pulled back, revealing Zhu Qing with a figure-eight strap wrapped around her shoulder, the white bandage slung over her shoulder, making her look like she was carrying a strange schoolbag.
The abrasions on my knee have been bandaged up; they're just superficial injuries.
"Hospitalize him/her," Sheng Fang ordered with a stern face.
"?" Zhu Qing looked down at her bandages, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the tightness at her shoulder. "Really, I don't need them, and besides, there aren't any hospital rooms here—"
“Transfer to a private hospital.” The little boy turned to Aunt Ping, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The doctor coughed lightly and adjusted his glasses: "Although it's just a minor fracture, it's still an injury to the collarbone, so it's best to stay in the hospital for observation overnight."
The young master frowned and tugged at her sleeve: "Listen to the doctor."
The young master of the Sheng family persisted, refusing to budge an inch.
Before long, the ambulance pulled up to the side of the road, and the medical staff deftly lifted Zhu Qing onto the stretcher.
She covered her face with her coat.
Fangfang jogged along, reminding her, "Be careful! Slow down!"
Half an hour later, Zhu Qing was transferred to a VIP ward in a private hospital.
Aunt Ping peeled an apple, the peel remaining intact, forming a long spiral. Her niece and uncle each held one, munching away with relish, enjoying the rare tranquility of the moment.
Soon, the hotel delivered steaming hot pork bone soup, its aroma filling the entire room.
"Pork bone soup is believed to replenish what it resembles." Little Sheng Fang stood next to Zhu Qing, supervising her as she drank the soup.
He took a sip himself, enjoying the distinct grains of rice and the five light and delicious dishes, his cheeks bulging as he ate.
As night fell, Zhu Qing tossed and turned in her hospital bed.
"I want to go home."
"no!"
"Then you should go back and rest first."
"No way!"
What is he doing here?
Zhu Qing said she can move around freely, there is warm water by her bedside, and she can press the nurse call button if she needs help.
She continued, "And—"
"I want to be with Qingzai."
That soft, sweet coquettish voice instantly shattered all of Zhu Qing's resolve.
The children in the picture tilted their heads and smiled.
He's amazing! He won over Qingzai with just one sentence.
Before the end of visiting hours—
Zhu Qing lay on the hospital bed, while Fang Fang lay on the nursing bed next to her.
Shengfang propped up her fluffy little head and waved to Aunt Ping.
Take care.
...
The nights are exceptionally quiet in the private hospital room.
This is the fourth place where Fangfang and Qingzai have lived together.
Unlike the cramped pigeon coop at the Wong Chuk Hang Police Academy, the opulent haunted house on the Mid-Levels, or their cozy home, this white hospital room, filled with the smell of disinfectant, gave the uncle and nephew a unique memory.
"It's best if you never have this kind of experience again."
The days in the hospital were really boring.
Zhu Qing stared at the ceiling. The curtains at the window didn't block out the light well, and the streetlights shone through, casting dappled patterns that danced across the wall.
Shengfang imitated her, folding her hands behind her head.
A simple nursing bed houses the youngest caregiver in history.
Zhu Qing unconsciously recalled the thrilling scene on the rooftop of Hede College that afternoon, and her collarbone still ached faintly.
“Bloom.” She suddenly spoke, her voice exceptionally clear in the night, “If you are bullied, you must tell me. No matter what happens at school, you must tell me.”
"Okay," Fangfang agreed readily.
"Also, you're not allowed to bully others."
"No problem."
No one had ever said these words to her during her childhood.
Similarly, the minor villain who eventually turned evil in the original story probably never heard such advice.
Fangfang turned over and lay on her side on the narrow nursing bed.
Without the support of a pillow, his little face pressed against his arm, creating adorable chubby cheeks, and his eyelashes, like two small fans, gradually slowed down their fluttering frequency.
"Go to sleep if you're tired," Zhu Qing said softly.
Goodnight, Qingzai.
They didn't know when they fell asleep, but they slept exceptionally well that night.
Moonlight streamed through the window, enveloping the ward and protecting its tranquility.
The uncle and nephew had a good night's sleep.
...
The next morning, there was a gentle knock on the ward door.
Colleagues arrived in waves, making it feel like a victory celebration.
The first group to arrive were young police officers, carrying fruit baskets and flowers.
Zeng Yongshan placed the flowers by the hospital bedside, smelled them, and then presented them to Zhu Qing.
"Would you like to smell it?"
Does it smell good?
Fangfang had already climbed onto the hospital bed, crossed her short legs, and shook her head knowingly.
Having known each other for so long, Yongshan still didn't know that Qingzai was incapable of showing any surprise or delight at the sight of flowers—
Because she's a niece who lacks romance.
"I was thinking of bringing you some good food, but I don't know if there's anything you should avoid eating."
How serious is the injury? Will it leave a scar?
"It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, so my dad specially made some crucian carp soup for you."
"Make way, make way, hot soup is here! It's freshly made, let it nourish your bones."
Xu Jiale's father stewed crucian carp soup, using dried octopus to enhance the flavor; the aroma was irresistible. Haozai specially brought his mother's stewed chicken soup with notoginseng, emphasizing that the notoginseng must be aged enough to be effective. Aunt Ping prepared a deluxe version of fish maw chicken soup, without even adding cooking wine, but her cooking skills were superb; the chicken soup had no fishy smell at all.
Various soup bowls were placed on Zhu Qing's bedside table.
They meant well, so drink it all!
Even after everyone else left, Zhu Qing was still working hard.
Fangfang, a young child, stood on the side, cheering on his niece.
"One more bowl! Hang in there!"
Qingzai said plaintively, "I really can't drink anymore."
The second group to visit consisted of Uncle Li and Mo Zhenbang.
Inspector Mok brought the latest developments in the case. This morning, Ong Siu-lun briefed the media on the case, and her and the officers of the Major Crimes Unit B's heroic actions were captured on camera.
"That's a meritorious deed," Uncle Li said with a smile.
"What will happen to Lin Xiyin?"
"Sister Zhen couldn't stand it anymore. When her parents came with her to give a supplementary statement this morning, she scolded them. The group of people who bullied Lin Xiyin at school have also been found, and the matter will be resolved properly."
Weng Zhaolin arrived in the evening and just happened to pass by Cheng Xinglang who was leaving.
Watching the young forensic pathologist's retreating figure, Inspector Weng couldn't help but recall when Zhu Qing first arrived at the police station three months ago, Uncle Li had given her the nickname "Ice Queen." Who would have thought that even the forensic department would now have people visiting her?
My popularity is really getting better and better.
Aunt Ping had prepared a whole thermos of chicken soup. She carried the hot soup into the ward, thinking of persuading the child to drink one last bowl.
Zhu Qing said, "Officer Weng, have some soup to nourish yourself."
"Me, drink it?" Inspector Weng smiled broadly and reached out to take it.
Aunt Ping's hand was empty; she couldn't believe it.
What kind of boss is he? He's so rude, actually trying to steal soup from a patient with a fractured bone.
"Perfect timing." Weng Zhaolin did not refuse Zhu Qing's kindness, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
This young man finally learned the ways of the world.
"Take good care of your injuries." Weng Zhaolin blew on the hot soup in his spoon and said, "The case is closed. The team is well-staffed now, and the police station can function just fine even if someone is missing."
While he was speaking, little Fangfang was lying on the cot reading comics.
The comic book was brought by the motorcycle driver, specifically to help the uncle and nephew pass the time.
Upon hearing Zhao Lin's words, Sheng Fang lazily raised her eyelids.
The unpleasantness from last time hasn't been resolved yet.
"Oh, by the way, come to my house for dinner the day after tomorrow," Weng Zhaolin added. "I've already made plans with the private chef in Repulse Bay."
The young master of the Sheng family raised his eyebrows, and the chubby baby sat up in one swift motion.
He walked around in front of Zhaolin with his hands behind his back.
The young master was very generous and decided to reconcile with Zhaolin.
After all, he admitted his mistake and corrected it.
“Alright, John.” Sheng Fang waved her little hand and shook her head. “A grown man like you doesn’t need to argue with a junior.”
Seeing that the child had offered him a way out, Weng Zhaolin cleared his throat: "I'm not trying to argue with you..."
Fangfang looked at him incredulously.
It is said that adults don't hold grudges against petty people.
Zhu Qing reacted quickly, pressing down on his small shoulders as a warning.
Don't cause trouble!
"Oh?" Little Fangfang squinted.
Zhu Qing held the baby's lips tightly.
Oh what? Oh la.
A small, pouting mouth slipped through Zhu Qing's fingers: "Do you know who the adult is?"
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