Chapter 84 Superheroes.
Shengfang, a young girl, took her niece out for a "relaxation" and accidentally stumbled upon the secret romance between Xiao Gao from the police station and Rachel from the traffic police department. In an instant, both of them blushed from their cheeks to their ears, and Rachel playfully slapped her boyfriend's arm, both shy and anxious.
Zhu Qing knew her colleagues at the police station well. If their relationship were exposed, they would be ridiculed by the entire department, which was why they were dating secretly.
The child proudly puffed out his chest.
With his keen eyes and ears, Fang Sir can catch anything!
Zhu Qing stood behind Fang Fang and covered his mouth: "He will keep it a secret."
The couple didn't look any more relaxed; they were still looking at each other nervously.
Finally, Xiao Gao scratched his head and stammered, "Then you..."
The blooming flower is never afraid of being silenced, because it can break free at any time.
At this moment, he tiptoed, his little mouth darting out, and said enthusiastically, "Don't worry, she doesn't even know who you are."
The air froze. The moment those words left his lips, it was hard to tell who was more embarrassed than the other.
Xiao Gao choked and coughed, Rachel covered her burning face with her hands, and the two of them fled in panic.
"Everyone's happy!" Fangfang said in her childish voice.
Zhu Qing rubbed Fangfang's round face in frustration, then glanced at the huge poster for "Seeking Dreams" as she turned around.
Fangfang didn't mention going home, and neither did Zhu Qing.
They weaved through the crowd, carrying bookstore bags, competing to see who could raise their arms the highest. For children, anything is a competition, but in front of his niece, he never cared about winning or losing. The picture books rustled in the bag; Fangfang hurriedly hugged them, successfully rescuing them as she grinned, her laughter innocent and adorable.
As Fangfang passed the grocery stores in the market, she slowed down.
A dazzling array of everyday items, mostly useless, yet something everyone wants to own. At this moment, what the child most desires is the children's umbrella on the shelf by the door.
Even though the kindergarten has a canopy, Aunt Ping always picks up the children from the school bus on time.
but--
"Qingzai, I want an umbrella."
Ten minutes later, Fangfang's figure, holding an umbrella, appeared longer and shorter under the streetlights.
He held the new umbrella, using it as a walking stick and pretending it was a sword.
A child's happiness is jumping and skipping, turning back joyfully under the streetlights, shaking their head and holding up a new umbrella.
"Qingzai gave me a present!"
When it was time to go home, Shengfang suddenly remembered something important.
"Qingzai, don't forget to drive our car home!"
"Of course, I'm not stupid."
Fangfang, the little girl: "Me neither!"
Zhu Qing told him that this was called "protesting too much" or "confessing without being asked."
"Did you forget to ride your bicycle home?"
In the shadow cast by the streetlights, Fangfang looked up.
As expected, nothing can be hidden from Detective Qingzai.
Sheng Fang told Zhu Qing that last time he forgot to ride his bicycle home, Dr. Cheng accompanied him back to the police station.
"He even said he wanted to compete against me!"
When competing with Dr. Cheng, Shengfang showed a strong competitive spirit.
He angrily complained that Fangfang had stepped on the pedals so fast that his legs went numb.
“But Dr. Cheng’s legs are so—long!” Sheng Fang gestured exaggeratedly, “I can’t catch up with him!”
No matter how hard he pedaled, he could never catch up with Cheng Xinglang's pace.
"You've worn out our little legs so much they've gotten thinner." Zhu Qing couldn't help but chuckle.
One can imagine the scene of Dr. Cheng playing with children in the dark of night.
The little one would always stand there with his hands on his hips in frustration, but after searching the entire police station, there wasn't a more interesting adult than Cheng Xinglang. So, he would turn around and they would play together again.
Zhu Qing chuckled softly.
But Shengfang changed the subject to a new topic.
He clasped his two chubby little hands together and made a sincere wish to the night sky.
Please, please.
"It must rain tomorrow."
He brandished his small umbrella as if wielding a sword: "I want to use a new umbrella."
It was a wonderful evening for the children.
His niece not only took him out to play, but also sat by his bedside reading stories when they got home. Her clear voice had a hypnotic power, and soon Fangfang's eyelids drooped.
On the small pillow, besides his fluffy little head, lay his teddy bear.
Zhu Qing gently tucked the blanket around him, making sure to wrap the little bear up tightly as well.
The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Half-asleep, Sheng Fang heard Zhu Qing speaking in a low voice to Mo Sir, reporting something.
Fangfang's initial desire to become a police officer stemmed from a small seed that sprouted in his heart while having a late-night snack with his colleagues at a food stall behind the police station. Over the next few months, that dream was nurtured and blossomed, not just because being a police officer was prestigious, but also because Qingzai, like his favorite cartoon hero, always radiated the light of justice.
This is also a small blossoming, the kind of thing I most want to become.
A superhero who can protect everyone and punish evil and promote good.
...
The Yau Ma Tei Police Station's Criminal Investigation Department office was brightly lit at night.
Even though it wasn't working hours, several long tables were filled with police officers who had volunteered to work overtime. The latest developments in the case were clearly more appealing than the soft comfort of their own beds at home.
Xu Jiale crossed his legs and chewed on a pen cap.
He frowned and said, "You mean, Liu Wei didn't actually lose Zhou Yongsheng? He saw Zhou Yongsheng unexpectedly at Gu Niman's brother's funeral that day. Out of curiosity, he followed him all the way and even went to Fu Nian Ice Room to confirm Zhou Yongsheng's taste preferences before he was sure he hadn't mistaken him for someone else."
The whiteboard was covered with a dense network of intersecting clues, and Liu Wei's photo was clearly visible in the corner.
"Although we followed him the whole way, he may not have any intention of doing anything."
"The key point is that he met Gu Niman."
Uncle Li opened Liu Wei's confession.
"'I've said everything I need to say, believe it or not—'" Uncle Li chuckled, "You're really stubborn."
"In other words, Liu Wei discovered that Gu Niman was still alive."
Zeng Yongshan chimed in, "Liu Wei isn't just an ordinary movie fan; he's also Gu Niman's high school classmate. During their student days, Gu Niman was like a ray of light shining into his life. Now, to protect that light, it's perfectly reasonable for him to choose to conceal the truth."
The police began to re-examine the case.
Mo Zhenbang flipped through the thick case file and said in a deep voice, "From the day she was disfigured, Gu Niman was 'imprisoned' by Zhou Yongsheng's side, even though she seemed to be doing it willingly."
"For ten whole years, she secretly supported her family, but because of her faked death and disfigurement, she could never reunite with them. Zhou Yongsheng's so-called love was a distorted control and possessiveness. He could not tolerate anyone other than himself occupying Gu Niman's heart. Therefore, while he said he would help take care of Yu Dancui, Gu Guodong, and Gu Hongbo, he secretly eliminated them one by one."
"It's just that because the cases spanned a long period of time and the locations of the crimes were scattered, they were not investigated together. On the surface, they were just three accidents."
In this process of tracing back, the police are getting closer and closer to the truth.
Zeng Yongshan sighed softly, "She only decided to take revenge after finally discovering that he had killed her parents and brother. The person she trusted most in bed was the one who hurt her the most."
Xu Jiale continued, "Eighteen-year-old Gu Niman may have been naive, but ten years have passed, during which she has experienced both physical and mental torment, as well as separation and death... She has long seen through the true face of this devil."
“Although there is no conclusive evidence, she has already become suspicious. Now the immigration bureau is conducting a second verification of dual citizenship. Gu Niman does not have a passport, so she may have paid a high price for a fake document, which is too risky.”
"There are two possibilities: Gu Niman will be left behind and Zhou Yongsheng will successfully leave the country, or they will leave together... Regardless of which possibility it is, the best opportunity for Gu Niman to get revenge is before she leaves the country."
Based on the timeline of the premiere of the film "Seeking Dreams," the movie may have had special significance for them.
"It's an eleven-year-old movie, and they met eleven years ago. Maybe they fell in love while watching this movie."
"With this re-release, Zhou Yongsheng was full of anticipation to relive his old memories, but little did he know that by proposing this date, Gu Niman had already devised a complete plan to kill him."
"This also explains why all the witnesses—from the staff at Fu Nian Ice Room to the ticket sellers at Xia Guang Theatre—mentioned that Zhou Yongsheng was in a good mood that day."
Through meticulous analysis, the case gradually became clear.
That evening, Zhou Yongsheng arrived at Xiaguang Theater ahead of schedule.
Gu Niman arrived late, after the movie had already started.
“Gu Niman grew up near the Xiaguang Theater.” Zhu Qing pointed to the map. “So close that you could hear the movie dialogue. She was so familiar with the theater that she could go in and kill someone without anyone noticing, and then leave calmly.”
“In Zhou Yongsheng’s eyes, Gu Niman will always be the weak one who needs protection and rescue,” Liang Qikai said slowly, “so he was completely unguarded against her.”
Xu Jiale and Zeng Yongshan exchanged a helpless glance.
Just yesterday, they were protecting the victim amidst a throng of reporters. Gu Niman's trembling shoulders and tearful eyes were so pitiful, but it turns out that even her frequent appearances at the police station were just a performance to speed up the process of restoring her identity.
Xu Jiale slammed his hand on the table: "Could the media have been brought here by her too?"
"After committing the murder, she calmly waited for our investigation."
"Her injuries, helpless eyes, and wholehearted dependence are the most effective cover. As long as she can get away with it, Gu Niman can regain her identity and leave openly and legitimately, going wherever she wants."
"To escape by posing as the perfect victim."
"Focus on investigating Gu Niman and Liu Wei," Mo Zhenbang decided. "Verify Gu Niman's alibi, check the passenger records of the Ping Chau Ferry, and interview all the vendors and taxi drivers at the Central Pier."
"The neighbors, shops, and roadside stalls around the Xiaguang Theater..."
Haozai slammed his face on the desk with a "bang": "This workload, we couldn't finish checking it even if we ran our legs off!"
At this moment, Haozai's exaggerated actions failed to dispel the tense atmosphere in the office.
The officers remained silent.
From the first day Gu Niman appeared, no one doubted her. She stayed in the white house, unwilling to leave, reminiscing about Zhou Yongsheng as a victim who had been kept in captivity for ten years, her trembling, confusion, and helplessness perfectly timed... Even the experienced old police officers couldn't bear to be too harsh on her, who seemed so fragile.
However, in reality, she was the person with the clearest motive for murder in the entire case. A truly talented actress who has swept awards both domestically and internationally at a young age, she used her superb acting skills to teach the police a lesson.
So, is this a revenge plot meticulously planned by a woman who was once deeply infatuated with love after she awakens to the truth?
For my parents, for my younger brother, and even more so for myself.
...
The next morning, Gu Niman was taken back to the police station.
In the interrogation room, she slowly removed her sunglasses and scarf, revealing her scarred face.
"Is there any progress in Yong Sheng's case?" she asked softly. "Who...is doing this?"
Zeng Yongshan sat in her office, feeling a tightness in her chest. She rested her chin on her hands and looked down into the corridor, but ultimately did not go over.
She recalled yesterday, when Gu Niman sobbed in her arms, her pathetic state as she struggled to speak with her head tilted back... It turned out that even the scars she revealed were precisely calculated, everything was flawless.
"Ms. Gu." Xu Jiale knocked on the interrogation room door, his voice colder than usual, "We need to change rooms to talk."
Gu Niman slowly stood up, clutching her sunglasses and scarf in her hands.
As they walked out the door, Xu Jiale led the way. Suddenly, she looked up and met Liu Wei's gaze as he approached.
Liu Wei froze, staring at her face, his pupils suddenly shrinking.
Gu Niman quickly put on her sunglasses, lowered her head, and walked away briskly.
Throughout the entire process, Uncle Li observed calmly and discreetly.
A few minutes later, interrogations began simultaneously in two interrogation rooms.
“You knew all along that she wasn’t dead.” Xu Jiale tapped on the interrogation table.
"Of course I know, it's been in the newspapers and magazines."
“No, you knew even earlier than the newspapers.” Xu Jiale emphasized, “You saw her that day at the entrance of the Xiaguang Theater. You’ve watched ‘Lunar Eclipse’ dozens, even hundreds of times, and you’ve been imagining her in your mind since your student days. So that day, you recognized her immediately just by seeing her figure.”
"Stop making excuses." Uncle Li stood up, pacing around the interrogation room with his thermos in hand. "Even Gu Niman admitted to seeing you."
Liu Wei suddenly looked up: "She...she still remembers me?"
“Of course.” Uncle Li leaned forward, his hand resting on the interrogation table. “You two were classmates. You sat in the first row, and every time she was late, she would pass by you.”
“That day…she saw me too.” His voice trailed off, muttering to himself with a hint of surprise and flattery. “But just now, how did she end up like this? She was wearing sunglasses then, I didn’t realize her injuries were so severe…”
"Sir, did Manman really recognize me?" Liu Wei straightened his clothes, recalling his expression just now. "I should... greet her."
Xu Jiale lowered his head and pretended to look through some documents.
That's how they tricked me; experience really pays off.
Meanwhile, in the interrogation room next door, Gu Niman reacted completely differently to the same question.
She didn't know Liu Wei, or rather, she had long forgotten that ordinary male classmate from her student days.
When they met at the corner of the police station, Gu Niman put on sunglasses, but it was just a habitual act of self-protection.
Her tone was soft, but her voice was hoarse: "I'm just afraid of how strangers look at me..."
During the subsequent interrogation, she gave the same answer to every question.
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
When Gu Niman used her hands, covered in hideous scars, to tuck her hair behind her ear, Zhu Qing couldn't bear to look away.
However, in the end, she fixed her gaze on him and looked directly at him.
Zhu Qing gazed quietly into those clear yet melancholy eyes.
It's as if you've traveled through time and are gazing into the eyes of the female lead on the screen.
This case has finally come to an end.
...
Hao-zai was right; the new clues kept the police running themselves ragged.
When Zhu Qing returned home, it was already late at night, but a round little face peeked out from the balcony.
Shengfang was standing on tiptoe, waving at her with bright, sparkling eyes.
"Qingzai, Qingzai!"
She promised last night that she would read with Fangfang on the terrace this weekend.
The plan was slightly adjusted, and the sunshine was replaced by the evening breeze.
On the small cast-iron round table on the terrace, books are neatly arranged.
On one side were Zhu Qing's newly bought books on criminal psychology, and on the other side were stacks of picture books. In the middle was a plate of snacks, cute animal-shaped cookies, a favorite of the children.
The wall lamp cast a dim, yellow light on the book cover.
Not wanting to disappoint Fangfang, Zhu Qing sat down under his expectant gaze and casually turned the pages of her book.
"The light is too dim; children cannot read books in this condition."
"And what about the adults?"
"It's alright, sir."
I always hear adults say, "It's okay."
Aunt Ping said so, my eldest sister said so, and even Qingzai said so.
Is it really okay?
Shengfang puffed out her cheeks, stuffed a cookie into her mouth, and mumbled indistinctly, "I'll ask Dr. Cheng next time."
The little boy looked defiant.
Zhu Qing raised her eyebrows: "Then I'll go ask too, will the kids get cavities from eating so many cookies at night?"
"Don't go!" Fangfang waved her little hand.
"Why?"
There's no reason why.
Aunt Ping stood outside the glass door, holding a blanket, and chuckled.
Qingqing and the young master assigned Dr. Cheng many roles. He was a forensic doctor, a pediatrician, a psychologist, and now he was even in charge of ophthalmology and dentistry, seemingly omnipotent.
As the night breeze blew by, Shengfang had unknowingly moved the small chair next to Zhu Qing.
For him, being able to enjoy the breeze on the terrace with Qingzai, without having to read a book and even sneaking cookies, was the perfect evening.
He held a small cookie in his hand, stood on tiptoe, and brought it to Zhu Qing's lips: "Ah—"
"Knock knock knock—"
Aunt Ping knocked on the door, came out carrying a blanket, and wrapped Zhu Qing and Sheng Fang up tightly.
They wrapped themselves up like two rice dumplings, one big and one small, their hair standing on end due to static electricity, and pointed at each other, laughing out loud.
The bookshelf on the small round table was open.
Fangfang didn't know what book Qingzai was reading, but she knew that she was becoming more and more serious.
The table of contents on this page is printed in bold with the title "Symbiotic Relationships in Emotions".
This describes a situation where one party exploits the other's emotions through excessive dependence and covert control, while the other party rescues and dedicates themselves to this endeavor, finding it sweet and fulfilling.
Interspersed throughout the paragraphs are case studies that starkly contrast the relationship between pathological parasitism and healthy attachment.
"What do you mean?" Fangfang asked, her mouth full of cookies.
"It's like... one person is desperately taking, while the other is constantly giving."
"Can't understand."
Actually, Fangfang doesn't need to understand.
But Zhu Qing still explained, "Or rather, it's like a hermit crab and its shell."
"Qingzai, I want to eat Typhoon Shelter Crab."
"I'll take you out to eat once the case is closed."
There are so many things to do after the case is closed.
Let the little one not rush, write everything down one by one.
The moonlight was clear, and Fangfang's fluffy little head rested on Zhu Qing's shoulder.
The night breeze was cool, and they wrapped themselves tightly in their blankets, but their backs to each other were so warm that they seemed to melt away the approaching winter night.
...
The case seemed clear-cut, with all the evidence pointing to Gu Niman. The motive, timing, and method all fit together perfectly.
But Zhu Qing still felt something was off, and there were still many doubts that she had not yet found the answers to.
Zhu Qing didn't sleep well that night.
The clues in the case file and Gu Niman's tearful, vulnerable eyes lingered in her mind.
As dawn broke, Aunt Ping was still in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Zhu Qing grabbed two slices of toast and tiptoed out of the house: "I'm leaving now—"
Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared through the doorway.
At 7:30, Fangfang sat down at the dining table with a slight yawn.
In front of him was a breakfast that Aunt Ping had carefully prepared, enough for two people to eat by himself.
Sheng Fang grabbed Aunt Ping's cell phone and skillfully dialed Sheng Peirong's number.
"Big sister, big sister, Qingzi didn't eat breakfast properly!"
This mobile phone is a convenient container for children to tattle on at any time.
He reported to his older sister while gulping down milk.
At that moment, Zhu Qing was the first to arrive at the police station's CID office.
Whenever she lost her way, she would reopen the thick case files and carefully read through each page.
Most of the time, no new clues can be found, and such rereading is futile.
But occasionally, overlooked details will resurface.
Why was the Xiaguang Theater chosen specifically for this location?
Zhu Qing's gaze lingered on the testimony of He Liren, the manager of the Xiaguang Theater—
"It turns out he still remembered the Xiaguang Theater and the time he was forced to participate in a promotional event more than ten years ago."
"He said that when he came here, he was wondering if the host from back then was still there."
If Zhou Yongsheng, a proud and arrogant man, still remembers being forced to participate in commercial film activities back then, and remembers He Liren, whom he once humiliated... has he mentioned it to Gu Niman over the years?
Even now, Gu Niman remains a vulnerable figure, scarred and forced to retaliate, making it hard for people to continue investigating.
But if—
Was He Liren, the scapegoat, carefully chosen by her?
Once He Liren is convicted, she can escape unscathed and remain at large.
"I want this place," Zhu Qing said, closing the case file.
If that's the case, then everything needs to be re-examined.
What was Gu Niman's real motive for killing Zhou Yongsheng?
...
The atmosphere was somber at the case analysis meeting.
Xu Jiale and Haozai slumped in folding chairs, one covering his face with a case file, the other frantically pressing his temples.
"I can't take it anymore... my brain just won't work," Xu Jiale muttered.
"Do we have to start all over again?" Haozai sighed.
Uncle Li gently patted the two men's heads with the case file.
Liang Qikai stood up and summarized the doubts raised by Zhu Qing earlier.
“The day of Gu Niman’s brother’s funeral was also the day of Zhou Yongsheng’s death.” He tapped the whiteboard with his pen. “That’s why we believe that Gu Hongbo’s death was the last straw. With her brother’s death, she chose to kill the culprit.”
But was the younger brother's death really the catalyst?
"Is this a fact, or just our speculation?"
“Let’s look at the timeline again,” Mo Zhenbang said thoughtfully. “After Gu Niman ‘committed suicide for love,’ the Gu family suddenly became rich.”
From factory dormitories to tenement buildings in Sham Shui Po, and then to rental houses on Prince Edward Road, their budget for moving was very limited.
That house on Wenhua Road was inherited from Gu Niman's grandparents.
"But the year after Gu Niman's 'suicide pact,' they bought the current house."
"Given Gu Guodong and Yu Dancui's income at the time, it would have been difficult for them to buy this house... Back then, Wenhua Road hadn't been expanded yet, so there was no compensation whatsoever."
"The house was expensive, there was no mortgage, and it was paid for in full—where did they get so much money? Did they suddenly become rich? This is really strange."
Initially, the police suspected that the inheritance left by Gu Niman had improved the lives of her parents and younger brother.
However, the film company emphasized that her salary at the time was not high.
"This is the film fee contract." Xiao Sun placed a record on the table. "With the money left by Gu Niman alone, the Gu family could never have bought a car and a house, and the three of them could live such a comfortable life."
"Let's go back to Zhou Yongsheng. After he transferred his assets, he made a living by writing screenplays for the past ten years. But it would be almost impossible for him to support the Gu family and Gu Niman with that kind of income."
"After all, he's using a pseudonym, so he doesn't have the influence of a big-name director. Plus, he's got that intellectual pride; he'd rather starve than touch a commercial film. How much can a completely unknown screenwriter earn?"
"Gu Hongbo's car is quite expensive... Tang Tingting's parents don't approve of their daughter dating him because his job is precarious. With his unstable income, plus his brother-in-law's financial support, he could never afford that car in his next life."
Even though all the evidence pointed to Gu Niman, everyone still subconsciously regarded her as a victim and believed that she had a deep relationship with her parents and brother.
But what if she wasn't a helpless victim, and didn't have such a deep attachment to her family?
The family photo displayed in the Gu family home only shows Gu Guodong, Yu Dancui, and Gu Hongbo.
Tang Tingting once said that for a long time, she even thought her boyfriend was an only child.
Even in front of his close girlfriend, Gu Hongbo never brings up his sister. Is it because he doesn't want to touch on painful memories, or because... Gu Niman has already been forgotten?
"Investigate to the end and get to the bottom of this case," Mo Zhenbang said. "I refuse to believe that Gu Niman is all we can outsmart."
In the afternoon, Zhu Qing and her colleagues stood in front of the glass doors of the film company once again.
The production manager explicitly stated that Gu Niman was not an actress signed by Zhou Yongsheng.
So, where did her acting dream first take off?
Overturn all preconceived assumptions and re-examine—
Was Zhou Yongsheng really responsible for the sulfuric acid disfigurement?
Just like hermit crabs, when their old shells are depleted and no longer suitable, they will seek new places to attach themselves.
But who can be sure that the shell it's currently inhabiting is the same one it was in the first place?
...
“Our Qingzai will be home very, very late today.”
Wherever Fangfang goes, he sits down anywhere, and this is no exception at the sanatorium.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, looked up at his older sister and said that when he finished work, he called Zhu Qing. Her voice was cheerful as she got back into the case.
"It's too cold," Sheng Peirong said. "Sit on the mat."
Aunt Ping gave the young master a soft cushion.
Fangfang sat on it, her little schoolbag spread out on her lap.
Coco didn't come; this was the siblings' time for a late-night chat.
He took things out of his bag one by one and introduced them to his older sister in a serious manner.
"Look at this." Sheng Fang held up a doll and politely said to it, "Good evening."
Soon, the doll replied—
Good evening, good evening.
“Oh, this is a parrot,” Sheng Peirong said.
"Big sister!" Fangfang corrected seriously, "This is Ultraman!"
That's incredible! How could anyone not know Ultraman?
Sheng Fang tilted her little face up and solemnly introduced the life story of Ultraman. Sheng Peirong nodded and listened, then accidentally yawned, immediately covering it up with a cough.
“This is a Transformer.” Sheng Fang took out another toy and nimbly twisted its joints with her little hands. “The joints can make a ‘crackling’ sound, listen.”
"Clang, clang, clang—"
Sheng Peirong opened her eyes wide in agreement: "This joint can actually make a 'crack' sound!"
Shengfang proudly declared, "Isn't that cool?"
"That's cool."
Fangfang's younger brother suddenly looked up: "What's so cool about it?"
"The joints can make a 'crackling' sound."
Aunt Ping, who was dozing nearby, was startled awake by the conversation and rubbed her eyes.
She stared in bewilderment at the scene before her, where the siblings were not only saying the exact same things, but even their expressions were identical.
Aunt Ping rubbed her shoulders.
Have you been not resting well lately and are you confused?
"And there are Lego sets, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles models..."
"This, this!" Sheng Fang pulled out a glowing belt, fastened it around her stomach, and pressed a button.
"This is a transformation belt!"
The child looked very excited.
Sheng Peirong laughed and asked, "Where did all these toys come from?"
Aunt Ping helped explain.
Ever since she got a mobile phone, whenever Fangfang has free time, she starts dialing numbers—to her niece, her older sister, and even Cheng Xinglang.
Aunt Ping told the young lady that after school, the handsome doctor and the young master had arranged a time for the doctor to hand over the toys to him.
Dr. Cheng is extremely efficient.
In less than three days, I've collected all the limited edition items.
“We conducted the transaction at the Yau Ma Tei Police Station,” Fang Fang added.
Previously, we relied on children to relay messages, but it was completely unclear.
Now, with this entire backpack full of toys as proof, Sheng Peirong finally understood.
"Having been entrusted with a task, one should be loyal to it." Sheng Peirong leaned closer. "Shouldn't we say a few good words for them?"
"No need." Sheng Fang buried her head in fiddling with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles model, not even looking up. "Dr. Cheng isn't that kind of person."
Although Dr. Cheng is pursuing his niece, he is still sincere in making friends.
"Is that so?" Sheng Peirong raised an eyebrow.
Children's hearts are as pure as a mirror, and their eyes are as sharp as a mirror. The young elders, without even realizing it, actually helped to keep an eye on things.
Before even meeting him, Sheng Peirong's impression of Dr. Cheng had improved even further.
She laughed and ruffled her messy hair: "That's really nice."
Suddenly, the little girl looked out the window and asked, "Aunt Ping! Does the weather forecast say it won't rain tomorrow?"
Aunt Ping told the young master some heartbreaking news.
The weather forecast says it won't rain tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after that... all week.
Sheng Peirong asked curiously, "Why are you hoping for rain?"
"Qingzai bought me an umbrella!"
Shengfang finally put down the Ninja Turtle and ran to the locker next to the door of the Kangfu suite, where she pulled out a light yellow umbrella.
He brought this specially after school.
Fangfang opened the umbrella and showed it to Sheng Peirong—
Walking back and forth, walking back and forth, walking back and forth...
Heaven has failed Shengfang Baby.
Not a single drop of rain fell.
...
The police recalled what Liang Qikai had said the day they found Gu Niman.
When the desire to save becomes pathological, it breeds an intense need for control. Victims typically fall into two categories: those who, like Zhou Yongsheng's first love, rebel and resolutely leave, or those who are completely tamed and willingly depend on him.
“But perhaps there is a third possibility,” Zhu Qing said.
“We always thought that it was her brother’s death that made Gu Niman realize her mistakes and start taking revenge.”
"But for her, her brother's death may have meant precisely that Zhou Yongsheng had finally lost his last bit of value."
Therefore, the third possibility is that Gu Niman was not a victim.
She was exploiting Zhou Yongsheng's desire to save him, turning him into her pawn.
The officers of Major Crimes Unit B had barely caught their breath and were still reeling from the shock when a new round of investigations began.
That evening, in the interrogation room, the evidence was laid out in a row.
Mo Zhenbang opened his notebook: "The Gu family used to live around the corner from the Xiaguang Theater. We contacted the theater owner, who was recuperating, and he said—"
Gu Niman slowly raised her eyes.
Ten years, thousands of days and nights of examining herself in the mirror—she was more resilient than anyone expected.
Gu Niman was unfazed by the inquiring, sympathetic, and astonished gazes.
All of this was merely a convenient weapon for her; those pitying voices would naturally help her charge into battle.
He said that there was once a little girl named Manman who always loved to sneak into the theater.
"That child would stand on tiptoe to look at the lights and shadows on the screen, and would secretly imitate the heroine's every smile and frown, as if he was born to be chased by the spotlight."
That was where Manman played when she was a child.
More than a decade later, she personally brought Zhou Yongsheng to his knees in this very theater.
Is murder a desperate act of the weak, or a carefully calculated choice of interests?
"Back then, the Xiaguang Theater was incredibly prestigious, and countless classic works premiered there. Until one day, by chance, the boss of a well-known film and television company noticed this young girl who was both beautiful and talented," Mo Zhenbang continued.
"Manman was seventeen years old that year, and there was only one year left before the tragedy struck."
There was no longer any fear in Gu Niman's eyes.
With her disguise gone, she calmly gazed ahead.
All assumptions were overturned.
The story is only just beginning.
This time, however, the only protagonist is Gu Niman.
Everyone else was just a supporting actor playing a supporting role to her.
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