Chapter 79 Her Value.
Fangfang and Aunt Ping came out of the mobile phone market in Mong Kok and went to the department store not far away.
The black bicycle in the children's area is as stylish as a motorcycle. Babies lift their little legs to "test drive" it, ringing the bell on the handlebars, clearly enamored with it.
After happily picking up his new car with a credit card, he passed by an eyewear store on his way downstairs, picked out a pair of children's sunglasses, put them on his little nose, and swaggered around as he coolly made his way to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station to stake out his post.
However, unfortunately, this is the busiest time of year for my niece.
In the setting sun, the shadows of the uncle and niece were stretched and intertwined.
Fangfang tilted her head, looking expectant.
Zhu Qing turned to look at Aunt Ping with a slightly questioning gaze—
What's wrong?
She didn't seem to have any proper training when she was little. In the orphanage, there were old, discarded adult bicycles—her first practice tools. No one held the frame from behind, and no one told her how to balance. As a child, Zhu Qing would repeatedly straddle the seat, fall, and grit her teeth to get up. Stumbling and falling, she gradually figured out how to ride, slowly pedaling and traveling long distances.
At that moment, Zhu Qing's gaze fell on Fang Fang's little bicycle. With so many wheels, it was perfectly stable; he couldn't possibly fall or get hurt. Interacting with children is actually very simple; it's like having a conversation with your childhood self. Zhu Qing leaned down and gently patted Fang Fang's little shoulder.
"You are the best kid!"
Fangfang's eyes lit up immediately, sparkling like stars.
This praise is both an encouragement to Fangfang and a gift to the stubborn little girl she once was.
She learned to ride a bicycle after only a few falls, and she rode incredibly fast—she's a little cycling prodigy!
Zhu Qing rubbed her rosy cheeks, suddenly filled with energy, just like the warriors who gained magical power when they watched cartoons together.
She waved to Fangfang: "I'm leaving now!"
The police car roared away, and Zhu Qing left without a word, leaving Fang Fang with only exhaust fumes.
He looked back at the back of his bicycle.
"I was thinking of taking Qingzai for a drive," Fangfang muttered to herself. "Maybe another day."
The little boy had come to the police station specifically for this planned chance encounter, but it had turned into a lonely one-man show. Fortunately, it was the end of the workday, and the colleagues coming and going were all familiar faces. He practiced cycling in the open space, and every now and then he could hear scattered applause behind him.
Aunt Ping's smile deepened. This Yau Ma Tei Police Station, she didn't know when it started, had actually been infiltrated by the young master. He didn't claim to know every officer, but he had acquaintances in every department, and could greet anyone he met.
As Cheng Xinglang passed by, Fangfang was trying to stand and pedal.
Coincidentally, Dr. Cheng and his niece praised him in the same way, saying he was the best kid.
Aunt Ping couldn't help but laugh.
These adults, they all spoil their kids rotten. The spoiled brat might develop a misunderstanding, mistakenly believing he's really something special.
We need to bring him back to reality.
"It would be even more amazing if we could remove the two small auxiliary wheels at the back," Aunt Ping said tactfully.
"Go ahead and take it apart," Fangfang said.
Cheng Xinglang: "It will be flattened."
The air suddenly became quiet.
When you spread your hands, the child's face looks like a balloon, puffing up at a visible speed.
After a brief silence, Cheng Xinglang added, "Being flat is fine too."
Aunt Ping, being older, is very good at judging people. Dr. Cheng used to love teasing the young master, making him scream and laughing heartily. But today was different; he started saying nice things so quickly.
She watched silently, already understanding seven or eight parts of the situation.
After Cheng Xinglang left, Aunt Ping lowered her voice and said, "Young master, have you noticed that the handsome doctor has changed?"
Fangfang looked up with her innocent little face: "What do you mean?"
Aunt Ping smiled and shook her head—
We forgot that our young master is still a child.
...
Ms. Xiang from the women's shelter gave Shu Yingying's address to the police.
This simple single room was a temporary place arranged for her by the volunteers.
When the knocking sounded, Shu Yingying opened the door and saw the identification of the two police officers.
She looked puzzled, her brows furrowing involuntarily, but she took a step back and let them in first.
The room was spotless, with a suitcase standing alone in the corner.
It was clear that Shu Yingying was going on a long trip and might not even come back, but all she could take with her was this one suitcase.
Zeng Yongshan spoke gently and explained her purpose in just a few words.
“Miss Shu, don’t be nervous,” she said softly. “It’s just a routine inquiry; it will be over soon—”
Will you contact my husband?
Zeng Yongshan: "We will verify through other channels."
Shu Yingying's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
She sat stiffly on the plastic stool, her fingers clasped together, answering the police's questions truthfully.
She didn't know Zhou Yongsheng or Qin Wen. Over the past ten years, she had moved frequently with her husband, and she remembered every address clearly; her neighbors could vouch for her.
It wasn't until a few days ago that she mustered the courage to move out while her husband was away. She didn't know when he might suddenly return, and she was afraid of being beaten again, losing even the chance to escape to Kai Tak Airport.
Over the years, Shu Yingying had tried to resist; she had even called the police, but nothing ever came of it. This time, she didn't want to get entangled with them anymore.
Domestic violence… Even if he's convicted, how many years can he stay in prison? When he gets out, the first person he'll contact will inevitably be her. Shu Yingying knows that fleeing Hong Kong might be a passive move, but it's the best option she can think of.
In the days leading up to her departure, her emotions were mixed. Anticipation and fear intertwined, and Shu Yingying felt she wouldn't be so lucky. Sure enough, at this crucial moment, she was inexplicably drawn into a murder case.
As she cooperated with the police in giving her statement, her hopes gradually faded.
Shu Yingying thought to herself, "I can't leave again this time."
However, the policewoman simply stared at her scarred face, her gaze gradually hardening.
She closed the notebook, her voice steady and strong.
“We will verify it as soon as possible, and it won’t affect your schedule.” After a pause, Zeng Yongshan added, “From now on… live a good life.”
Shu Yingying was stunned.
She remembered those nights when a kitchen knife was held to her neck, threatening her not to divorce him, and she remembered the last time she lifted her sleeve, revealing the bruises and scars to her mother. Her elderly mother, her hands trembling, wanted to touch them, but afraid of hurting her, she urged her—"Just bear with it a little longer, have a good talk with him, maybe he'll change."
Just then, the policewoman's words, "Have a safe journey," reached his ears.
She suddenly felt a little dazed; it turned out that she really could leave like this.
She lowered her eyes, which were filled with tears.
As they left Shu Yingying's residence, Zeng Yongshan and Haozai unconsciously quickened their pace.
The investigation has entered a critical stage, and time is running out.
"She moved six times in ten years. Each time she moved, she never left the house, and the neighbors can testify to that."
"If this can be confirmed, the possibility of her having an extramarital affair will be ruled out."
Meanwhile, the police station received the faxed documents.
Information about Huang Jiewen filled an entire page.
"She's the one who cancelled the ticket." Xu Jiale waved the papers. "Is this the 'new wife'?"
"Could you please provide Huang Jiewen's ID photo?"
"Forget about it—I'll go in a bit."
"But even if we see the photo, so what? Are we supposed to search the whole city for them?"
A few soft laughs echoed in the office.
Weng Zhaolin walked past with a stern face.
The case hasn't been solved yet, but these people are in the mood to joke around.
He couldn't possibly be laughing.
With two loud bangs, Weng Zhaolin slammed his fist on the table: "What are you all standing there for? Keep looking for evidence!"
On the other side, the employee behind the airline counter adjusted his glasses and stared at the printed surveillance photos.
The woman in the picture is wearing a camel coat, sunglasses covering half of her face, and a scarf wrapped all the way up to her chin.
"She spoke very softly, I almost didn't hear her," the clerk said. "The refund procedure was completely compliant and was processed very quickly."
The employee was unable to provide any further clues.
However, after repeated verification, the police confirmed a crucial timeframe. The day she processed her ticket refund was precisely the day the media was overwhelmingly reporting on the "famous director who died, came back to life, and was then murdered."
"Refunds incur high fees, and international trips are usually arranged in advance; refunds are not given without a reason."
"What's more, it just so happens to be at this critical juncture... the timing is too sensitive."
This timing is no coincidence.
Given their relationship, she will at least wait until the truth comes out.
After leaving the airline, the police rushed to the travel agency.
"This lady?"
"Is this a surveillance photo? There's not even a clear view of the face, how could anyone recognize them?"
"I really don't remember. It's peak season now, and we receive hundreds of passengers every day."
...
The investigation into the case is proceeding at full speed.
The investigation into Huang Jiewen, the woman who requested a refund, was fragmented and complex. Searching through the long-forgotten paper files alone would take a considerable amount of time, and it couldn't be resolved in a short period. In the CID office, the ringing of telephones mingled with officers reporting to their families, continuing from dusk until nightfall.
When Tsang Wing-shan and Ho-jai returned to the police station, the clock had just passed eight o'clock.
Shu Yingying's testimony has been verified, eliminating all doubts. Although it is not uncommon for travel agencies to issue tickets at the same time, the police, with a rigorous attitude, still spent several hours investigating this coincidence.
Before returning to the police station, Zeng Yongshan made a special trip to Shu Yingying's temporary residence. She excitedly told Zhu Qing that when Shu Yingying learned that she had been cleared of suspicion, she finally smiled and repeatedly thanked the police.
Zeng Yongshan let out a long sigh: "I said, this is what we should do. Strangely, it's not the first time I've said this, but today I feel a special sense of mission."
Zhu Qing listened and smiled.
She had never met Shu Yingying, but she could imagine the relieved look on the other's face.
"Have you eaten?" Zhu Qing took a piece of bread from a paper bag on the corner of the table.
"Wow!" Zeng Yongshan enthusiastically took it. "Did you hear my stomach growling?"
Zeng Yongshan couldn't wait to tear open the packaging, fill her stomach, and continue her battle.
When the investigation reached a stalemate, Zhu Qing once again brought out that thick stack of files on the double suicide cases.
The thick stack of case files fell onto the table, raising a cloud of dust.
This file, which had undergone multiple layers of approval before finally being retrieved from headquarters, was used by the Major Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation of Zhou Yongsheng's murder at the very beginning of the case. As the investigation deepened, the officers became increasingly convinced that to solve the current murder case, they had to uncover the truth behind the "double suicide" that took place ten years ago.
They are getting closer and closer to the answer to the mystery.
Ten years ago, Zhou Yongsheng had already secretly transferred his assets and planned a "double suicide" to escape with his true love. For ten years, he lived with his lover in the outlying islands under a new identity. Now, the Immigration Department requires a full investigation into his dual residency status, so he must leave Hong Kong before his fraudulent identity becomes invalid.
However, before he could escape, Zhou Yongsheng was murdered at the Xiaguang Theater.
Zhu Qing kept her head down as pages of documents flashed before her eyes.
The autopsy report, witness statements, and other materials were all available, but the most crucial photos of the salvage site were missing.
She carefully reviewed the entire case file from beginning to end, and after confirming that nothing was missing, her gaze lingered on the blank photo section for a long time.
"Yongshan." Zhu Qing looked up. "Why aren't there any photos of the body in the case file?"
Zeng Yongshan, munching on her bread, pointed to the photo section upon hearing this: "There should have been a label here, but I guess it's been too many years and the label has fallen off."
“What we see when we routinely review case files is not the original archive; the photos of highly decomposed corpses are encrypted,” Zeng Yongshan explained. “For sensitive cases, such as close-ups of corpses or images of giant corpses…”
She paused, then frowned: "They will all be stored separately in the original archive location."
"The original location of the archive?" Zhu Qing's gaze fell on the case file, and she picked up her cell phone. "That means it's still at the Yau Ma Tei Police Station."
Just thinking about the gigantic state of the corpse made Zeng Yongshan find it hard to swallow the bread, so she gulped down some water. Just as she was about to dissuade her, she saw Zeng Yongshan dial a phone.
Zhu Qing: "I want to see the photos of the body being recovered from the double suicide case ten years ago."
Zeng Yongshan leaned closer to the receiver.
Dr. Cheng's voice came from the other end, considerate yet restrained.
Are you sure you want to see this?
Zeng Yongshan let out a soft sigh—
What is she afraid to look at?
...
Cheng Xinglang's slender fingers turned the key, and with a "click," the door to the forensic imaging room was unlocked.
He retrieved the file bag from the top of the filing cabinet according to the case number.
"The photos of the salvage site may exceed your expectations."
Cheng Xinglang's voice brushed past my ear.
Zhu Qing looked up and was caught off guard by his gaze.
In the enclosed space of the audiovisual archive room, even the slightest sound of fingertips rubbing against a file folder is amplified and becomes clear.
Before coming, Zeng Yongshan specifically pulled Zhu Qing aside and gave her some instructions.
The term "spectacle of giants" may be just a common technical term in textbooks, but what you see with your own eyes is a scene that cannot be described by simple words.
"I can see." She nodded, her voice soft but firm.
This was the first time Cheng Xinglang had seen her with such an expression. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, yet she still stubbornly reached out her hand.
After a moment's pause, he finally slowly opened the file folder.
The gigantic features of the corpse were shocking.
Twisted soft tissue, a swollen and distended body, peeling skin...
These are no longer cold descriptions in textbooks, but concretely presented before our eyes.
Cheng Xinglang had selected the photos, and the first one he handed over was relatively mild, a close-up of the deceased's hand.
Then move on to the collarbone, shoulders, calves, and abdomen.
When he caught Zhu Qing's breathing gradually slowing down, he also slowed down the pace of handing her the photos.
"Is that a close-up of a face?" Zhu Qing suddenly asked, leaning closer.
His swollen and deformed facial features were no longer recognizable.
She then noticed that his fingers were covering part of the photo.
Zhu Qing gently pushed his hand away, and the two of them were stunned for a moment when their fingertips touched.
Now she finally understood his intention.
Those were the most shocking images of the deceased's twisted flesh. Zhu Qing gasped and turned around abruptly.
"It's faster to close your eyes." Cheng Xinglang neatly put the photo back into the evidence bag, his tone helpless yet smiling.
He said most police officers would vomit and be completely embarrassed if they saw such a scene for the first time.
At this moment, Zhu Qing simply took a big step back and struggled to stand firm.
"Another hurdle cleared." A gentle smile played in his eyes. "A valiant detective."
...
The workday ended earlier than Zhu Qing had expected. When she got home, the excited Shengfang children rushed out.
"Qingzai, Qingzai, where have you been!"
"us?"
Aunt Ping pointed to the terrace.
The little one insisted on staying there, waiting for his niece to come home, and wouldn't listen to any persuasion. So she had no choice but to wrap him up like a little dumpling and sit with him outside in the cold wind.
Aunt Ping looked into the distance as if she were just admiring the night view, but she took letting the children out very seriously.
He kept a close eye on her and finally caught sight of Zhu Qing.
Shengfang saw that it was Cheng Xinglang who was taking his niece home.
"You have such a good eye," Zhu Qing said in surprise.
"The police, you know." Fangfang patted her chest.
"Call me next time," he added.
Zhu Qing gently rubbed his little head.
What a generous baby! Even though they secretly went out to play, he just blinked and begged them to take him with them next time.
"It's overtime," Zhu Qing said. "We're working."
Aunt Ping pricked up her ears and listened quietly.
It's only a few steps from the police station, right? If Qingqing ran, she could get there in two minutes. The handsome doctor even went out of his way to walk her home!
"Qingqing, um—"
Aunt Ping wanted to casually inquire about the young lady's situation, but in the blink of an eye, the uncle and nephew changed the subject.
On the soft carpet, Zhu Qing lay down lazily, while the little one found a spot next to her.
Whenever his niece is home, this little boy wants to stay close to her all the time.
The little one is also very kind-hearted; when his niece turned around, he massaged her shoulders and back.
"Little Shengfang, you really are a massage master."
"Of course, you should look for me next time you come!"
"Okay, which master are you?"
"I am 8888!"
Zhu Qing laughed out loud: "I still remember."
The whiteboard is right next to it.
The clues were densely packed, but the simple illustrations painted with vibrant colors added a touch of life to the somber case file.
In just a few days, the police were busy working on this case.
Jiang Xiaowei, the first wife; Jiang Yifan, the son; Liu Wei, the avid movie fan; Shu Yingying, the victim of domestic violence... one name after another flashed through Zhu Qing's mind.
Each time, it seems to be close to the truth, but at the last moment, it turns out to be completely different.
Her gaze settled on the three names in the center of the whiteboard. She raised her hand and erased "Shu Yingying," but kept the key information about her. Could the "wife" living with Zhou Yongsheng in the outlying islands district be Huang Jiewen?
Salvation-type personality...
Where on earth did he find so many women who "need to be saved"?
...
In the early morning, none of the officers from the Major Crimes Unit B had scouted the CID office.
Even now, the case has yet to find a breakthrough. Weekly paparazzi are "revealing" sensational stories in their pages every day, and his superiors are constantly calling Weng Zhaolin's office. Now, the sound of the phone ringing gives him a headache. Weng Sir was furious. He walked around with his hands behind his back, but couldn't find anything wrong with the case. He could only cough twice and then stroll back.
"This case is really bizarre. He just died, and she canceled her plane ticket the next day. Who would believe that they had absolutely no connection?"
"But after investigating, it seems that there is absolutely no overlap at all."
“The landlord in Pingzhou said that after the house was rented out, the rent was initially paid once a year, but later ‘Qin Wen’ was very straightforward and paid every three years. Over the years, the landlord and the tenant have never had any unpleasantness. Everything was handled by ‘Qin Wen’. I have never seen the landlady.”
"Huang Jiewen used to work in foreign trade, but her company went bankrupt a long time ago. We found her former colleagues, and they all said they hadn't been in contact with her for several years."
"She's still using the old 1983 ID card, which doesn't even have a photo. How are we supposed to find her?"
Yesterday, my colleagues were joking that even if they could get her ID photo, they couldn't possibly go around looking for her with that photo on the street.
But now, they don't even have that chance.
Hearing the whispers of her colleagues behind her, Zhu Qing sat down at her computer and reopened the surveillance video provided by the airline.
She stared intently at the screen.
She has watched the surveillance video, which is only three seconds long, more than fifty times.
Zhu Qing got up and asked the technical department to help slow down the video frame by frame.
The video played frame by frame.
In the blurry image, the woman wearing sunglasses raises her hand to adjust her scarf, her movements broken down.
The angle stopped at her back view.
Zhu Qing's pen stopped on the screen: "Wait a minute, this is it!"
Can it be slowed down any further?
The image freezes again.
Zhu Qing suddenly turned around and started rummaging through a pile of records, the papers rustling loudly.
Zhu Qing asked, "Are all the statements from the entire 'Lunar Eclipse' crew here?"
Xu Jiale looked up: "They're all there."
"What about the stunt double's testimony?"
"A stunt double?" Xu Jiale pulled out the list. "They're not registered on the crew roster."
At 10 a.m., Zhu Qing and Mo Zhenbang arrived at the film set.
They found Lao Liu, the production assistant from the "Lunar Eclipse" crew.
Old Liu was still adjusting the prop box when he heard the police's purpose and started scratching his head.
You mean that body double?
"I can't remember her name right now, I don't think I've ever mentioned her. When I need to call her, I just call her 'stand-in'."
Old Liu remembers that the stunt double was personally chosen by the director. Director Zhou taught her step by step, repeatedly refining every movement and every angle in pursuit of perfection.
The girl also cherished this opportunity, as it was a rare opportunity to work with a well-known director, and she performed with exceptional seriousness and professionalism.
"Speaking of this stunt double... She arrives at the set earliest and leaves latest every day, and even her boxed lunch is just a quick bite. For a newcomer like her, this is like a pie falling from the sky, so of course she will do her best."
"Everyone in the crew knew about it at the time, but Director Zhou told us not to tell anyone. After all, it doesn't sound good if word gets out that we were using a stunt double; people will say the actors are unprofessional."
Later, when the movie became a classic, the film company never mentioned this incident during its promotion.
"Director Zhou was very proud when he was on set. He said that he couldn't tell the difference between the stand-in and Gu Niman at all, and there wasn't a single mistake in any shot."
"You guys have probably seen 'Lunar Eclipse' too, right? Sure enough, after the movie was released, no one noticed it."
Old Liu suddenly seemed to remember something: "The matter of body doubles...it seems to have never been reported before, how did you know about it?"
Just a few days ago, Zhu Qing bought a rare videotape at a high price and watched that movie.
She didn't notice anything amiss; it was only when the male lead, Lu Yongyan, mentioned it in his statement that she realized it was a lie.
"That was all ten years ago, so I really can't remember the specifics. She seemed to be quiet and always huddled in a corner of the set, but as soon as Director Zhou yelled 'Action,' she would immediately rush over."
"Looks? Average, I guess. She's a stand-in for the crew—looks aren't important anyway, it's not like she's the one showing off for Gu Niman."
"Close-up shots are only shown on the real female lead. Sometimes we feel that the stunt double is working too hard and is really naive."
Old Liu sighed, "Back on set, everyone said that Gu Niman was born for this job. With her looks, it was only a matter of time before she became famous. We even joked that whenever Gu Niman ate meat, her stunt double would always get a sip of soup. Being a stunt double to this extent is definitely worth it."
"She was lucky to be selected by Director Zhou."
"But who could have imagined? Gu Niman did become famous, but she's long gone..."
Zhu Qing reopened the notes of the male lead, Lu Yongyan.
She turned to Mo Zhenbang: "Lu Yongyan said that Zhou Yongsheng had very strict requirements for stunt doubles. In a scene where someone jumps from a high building, even the curve of their arm cannot be flawed."
Mo Zhenbang: "Is there any way to contact that stand-in?"
Old Liu rubbed his hands together, looking troubled. "Let me think... this is really a problem for me."
Zhu Qing handed over her business card: "If you remember anything, feel free to contact us."
...
When Mo Zhenbang pushed open the door to the CID office, a few officers were sitting at their workstations, engrossed in reviewing case files.
Zhu Qing retrieved the statements of relevant personnel from the film crew ten years ago and compared them with Lu Yongyan's latest testimony.
A psychology book lay open in front of Liang Qikai; he had borrowed it specifically from the library.
The page was currently stuck on one of the chapters, with several creases unconsciously folded into the corners. The content of this page was an analysis of the causes of rescuer-type personality disorder.
He copied down the key points, his handwriting strong and powerful.
Liang Qikai frowned in thought.
Dependent rescue... Is Zhou Yongsheng's protection out of love, or because the woman in Pingzhou just happens to be the perfect person he wants to save?
The clock on the wall ticked away, the second hand moving incessantly.
At 2 p.m. sharp, Zhu Qing received a phone call.
Mo Zhenbang came out of his office and, after the call ended, asked, "What did you say?"
Zhu Qing frowned slightly and slowly put down her cell phone.
"There's no news about that stand-in. The production assistant, Lao Liu, the film company... they can't find that girl. She's vanished into thin air; we can't even find her name."
Zhu Qing thought about the teasing that Lao Liu, the stage manager, had made on the phone earlier.
"She was Gu Niman's personal body double. Now that Gu Niman is dead, what value does she have left in this industry?"
"The value of existence..." Zhu Qing repeated these words softly, as if the answer was right on the tip of her tongue.
What is the value of this stand-in?
Zhu Qing pondered the plot and every shot of that movie.
Which scene was performed by a stand-in? She couldn't tell at all.
With a loud bang, Xu Jiale practically burst through the door and rushed in.
"I'm so angry."
"The immigration department's data wasn't connected, and it took so long to find out it was yet another fake identity!"
"What do you mean?" Haozai leaned closer. "A fake identity?"
Xu Jiale threw the printed paper on the table: "The signature on the refund form doesn't match the signature on the immigration form at all. You see, it wasn't signed by the same person."
"Just like Zhou Yongsheng, his current wife's identification documents were also used fraudulently."
"If it weren't for the coincidence of putting the two signatures together for comparison, I would never have thought to investigate the possibility of identity theft."
"Zhou Yongsheng faked his death and used a false identity; who could have imagined—"
The sound stopped abruptly.
His body double has vanished without a trace, and his current wife's identity is a lie...
The two messages, when linked together, point to the same possibility.
The office fell silent, save for the sound of Liang Qikai capping his pen.
Xu Jiale was both angry and exhausted. Despite the weather, he was sweating profusely and took out a tissue to wipe his sweat.
Someone asked in a low voice, "Is it her?"
"The woman who lived in that white house in Ping Chau for the past ten years—" Hao Zai looked up blankly and said, "was she the stuntwoman?"
A chorus of boos erupted.
Xu Jiale crumpled the tissue into a ball and threw it accurately at Haozai's head.
Liang Qikai gently closed the book.
He had countless experiences of standing up for his mother and protecting her. Later, when his mother fell ill, he took on the role of caregiver, kneeling by her bedside. He was still young then, and when his mother cried, he always felt like a little hero, never thinking there was anything wrong with it. It wasn't until some moments later in life that he would feel a moment of bewilderment.
For example, in the case of the real and fake Lin Tingchao, Liang Qikai stood in front of Rong Zimei's mother's sickbed—he knew how hard it was to take care of patients, and that even something as simple as feeding them would take a lot of time.
Yesterday at the police station cafeteria, the forensic doctor mentioned the specialized term "psychological rescue."
He never imagined he could completely understand this mentality. He refused to believe it; the more he tried to deny it, the more vivid the memories became. So after work, he went straight to the library to try and understand it more deeply.
"Is it really 'her'... So, where is she now?" Zeng Yongshan snapped out of her daze and found her voice.
Liang Qikai's hand holding the pen was slightly sweaty.
His gaze fell on the books and notes he had copied down.
“If this is Zhou Yongsheng’s psychological problem…” he suddenly said.
When this desire to save others becomes pathological, it breeds a strong need for control.
“The other party might resist, just like Zhou Yongsheng’s first love, who left him completely.” Liang Qikai paused. “Or, the other party might be completely tamed, willingly becoming dependent, and then finding it difficult to break free.”
“She even cancelled her plane ticket.” Uncle Li’s knuckles tapped lightly on the desk. “Then it must be the latter.”
“Pingzhou?” Liang Qikai said. “She may have gone back to that white house.”
...
Without any delay, the police rushed to Ping Chau.
Amidst the howling sea breeze, discussions rose and fell.
"Everyone says it's a deception, but what if it's love?"
"Is this 'love' beautified by a desire for control? I always thought the great director was just making art, but I never imagined he was 'real art'."
This is the second time the police have visited this white house in Ping Chau.
Walking along the pebbled path, the flowers in the courtyard were in bloom, but they looked desolate in the cold wind.
The door was ajar. Zhu Qing gently pushed it open, and with a creak, the wooden door swung open.
Zeng Yongshan and Zhu Qing exchanged glances.
They walked in quietly, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Suddenly, she stopped walking.
The lady of the house, as expected, has returned.
The figure looked even more frail than I had imagined.
On the windowsill sat a pair of enormous sunglasses.
She is the figure in the airline's surveillance footage.
The sea breeze was so strong that it slammed the door against the wall with a loud bang.
The woman slowly turned her face.
Zhu Qing instantly recalled those photos—
A bloated corpse with blurred facial features.
She had seen similar case files at the police academy.
The key to finding a scapegoat is matching height, weight, facial features, and bone structure.
At this moment, they saw Gu Niman, who should have died ten years ago as a suicide pact.
Zhou Yongsheng carefully selected a scapegoat, ostensibly to keep the real woman by his side.
Now, the room is brightly lit to the point of being blinding.
She turned her head slightly, her short, wispy hair being tossed by the sea breeze, revealing the face that had once amazed everyone.
Now, from his cheeks to his shoulders, there are hideous, festering scars.
Gu Niman was barefoot and curled up on the windowsill.
His pale and thin figure resembled the classic scene in the promotional tagline of the film "Lunar Eclipse," where he was described as "pure as moonlight."
These ten years were the ten years of Zhou Yongsheng faking his death.
It was also the ten years that Gu Niman lived in his shadow.
...
As school was about to end, the children in the toddler class chattered amongst themselves.
It was like thirteen little sparrows chirping and chattering incessantly.
A former classmate of Ms. Ji, who used to teach at a middle school, advised her to think more positively.
"Be content. Luckily, this is a kindergarten. It's a bit noisy, but at least the baby voices are cute," she said. "The middle class I used to teach was in the middle stage. Those students were going through puberty, and when several of them spoke at the same time, it sounded like they were in a cattle farm."
Teacher Ji burst out laughing, then turned around and heard the children excitedly discussing their plans after school.
"I want to go to the seaside park."
"Mommy's taking me to ride the tram!"
"I want to go to my third aunt's house!" Jinbao said.
Jinbao proudly told his classmates that not only was it his own family, but he also had a large group of nouveau riche relatives.
My third aunt was one of them.
A nouveau riche family? Teacher Ji couldn't help but feel envious.
I wish she could become a nouveau riche too.
"Because Daddy and Mommy are going out on a date," Jinbao explained, "so I went to my third aunt's house to play with my little sister."
He lowered his voice mysteriously, "My daddy even prepared flowers!"
The children started talking about new topics, and the discussion became even more lively.
"Is today Valentine's Day?" Coconut Baby blinked.
“Maybe!” Jinbao answered seriously. “Daddy told Mommy that every day is Valentine’s Day when he’s with her.”
Several teachers simultaneously softened their movements, smiles playing on their lips.
"My mommy is wearing her prettiest dress."
"They're going to see a musical together."
The children sat quietly in the corner, holding their snacks in their little hands and eating them in small bites.
He listened intently, his ears perked up; these discussions about dating were topics he knew nothing about.
"My daddy and mommy are on a date too."
"My sister and brother-in-law went to see a movie together last week!"
Teacher Ji hid behind the picture book shelf, covering her mouth and chuckling.
These precocious children brought out their family gossip and shared it with each other like they were having a tea party.
Shengfang finally spoke up: "Is going to the movies a date?"
"Of course it's a date."
"Don't worry, it's shown in TV dramas!"
The little boy's brows were furrowed tightly.
Like Aunt Ping, he has never been interested in watching TV dramas about romance and dating.
"Someone invited my niece to the movies." Fangfang's tone revealed a hint of worry.
"Swish, swish, swish..."
All the children in the class turned their heads toward him, their round eyes filled with curiosity.
Someone invited my niece, who can fly, to the movies—
This is terrible!!!
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