15
The air was pitch black, thick with dampness and a sticky, murky atmosphere. The windows were tightly shut, and the smell of stale noodles was almost unbearable. Shentu Hai flicked on a small flashlight, illuminating the small area before him. The floor was filthy, evidently untouched in ages. There were three or four cigarette butts alone. As they walked forward, the coffee table was cluttered with unfinished instant noodles, cigarette butts, and a mountain of beer cans. The sofa was piled with used clothes, greasy and sour. Several balls of toilet paper were casually tossed beside the sofa.
There was clearly nothing in this area.
Standing here, Zhuang Xiaodie felt that this was something completely unnecessary.
Regardless of whether Wei Dahe actually killed Wei Yuling, so much time had passed, and the police had already ruled it a suicide. Could there really be any evidence left in this house? Furthermore, the police must have searched the house before making the ruling. If they found no trace at all, and if Wei Dahe had been so meticulous, was there really any point in their coming today?
Shentu Hai had obviously been visiting Wei Yuling often. She was very familiar with the layout of this house, and she led Zhuang Xiaodie straight in one direction, almost like she knew the whole place by heart. Zhuang Xiaodie muttered to herself, "How can someone rummage through things like this?" But she kept silent and just followed quietly. A few steps later, they arrived at the door of a room. The door was closed. Shentu Hai pushed it, but it didn't budge. Could it be locked? Zhuang Xiaodie was about to suggest going home when Shentu Hai turned the doorknob - and the door opened.
Shentu Hai walked in, and Zhuang Xiaodie naturally followed closely behind him. This room must have been closed for quite a long time, and there was a dusty smell in the air, which was different from the outside. The flashlight shone on the bed - the bedding had been removed, leaving only the bare bed board. The wall was clean, with some childhood drawings left, all of which were already mottled. The things on the desk were still there, very neatly arranged, although covered with dust. Shentu Hai opened the drawer, which contained some small odds and ends, and a biscuit tin. Shentu Hai stopped moving.
Zhuang Xiaodie looked at her and then at the box.
Shentu Hai picked up the box, but didn't open it. Zhuang Xiaodie was about to speak when she heard the door lock outside. The iron door creaked open. The two of them exchanged glances. Shentu Hai put the box in his pocket. Zhuang Xiaodie turned around and saw that the door was still open. She rushed over to close it. Her blood seemed to freeze. Shentu Hai's flashlight was still on, and Zhuang Xiaodie pointed at it, and she finally remembered to close it.
As soon as the lights here went out, I heard the door outside open, and the lights in the living room came on, and light came in through the crack in the door. Zhuang Xiaodie, who was originally lying on the door, took a few steps back at this time.
The person outside had heavy footsteps, almost dragging his feet. He coughed a few times and cleared his throat. Hearing the noise, he first went to another room next to him. Zhuang Xiaodie listened carefully and suddenly felt her arm being grabbed. She was startled and looked back at Shentu Hai. The latter pulled her again, indicating that she should hide under the bed. Zhuang Xiaodie was hesitating when she heard footsteps again. They walked from the next room to the door, but did not continue to walk, but stopped at the door. The light in front of the door was slightly blocked by a pair of feet.
The two of them, not caring whether there were any dust or bugs under the bed, hurried inside. Before they could adjust their positions, they heard the door open. Light streamed in, casting the man's shadow beside the bed. Shentu Hai tensed suddenly, and Zhuang Xiaodie clutched her back, worried that the girl would do something impulsive.
The person at the doorway was about to turn, but Shentu Hai moved her legs slightly. Something in the iron box made a small, creaking sound, and her legs stopped and turned back. Zhuang Xiaodie's heart leaped into her throat. She shrugged against the wall, wanting to pull Shentu Hai toward her, but she was afraid the box would make another noise. Shentu Hai stopped where he was and instead pushed her back.
The man approached, first going to the desk and leaning over to take a look. Zhuang Xiaodie's heart raced, and she gripped the handle of the fruit knife tightly with her other hand, grabbing the sheath with her other, ready to stab him if he was discovered.
The man stood up and slowly walked to the bed. Suddenly he sneezed several times and coughed violently. He turned around and left in a hurry.
The door closed again, and the two of them stopped where they were, neither moving. Zhuang Xiaodie then realized that she had been holding her breath. She moved to the edge of Shentuhai and whispered, "That person is—"
Shentu Hai nodded. Zhuang Xiaodie noticed that she was clutching her pocket with one hand, probably protecting the iron box.
"Now we can only wait until he falls asleep or goes out before we leave." Zhuang Xiaodie said, "You should rest for a while." She slowly lay on the ground, feeling only sore legs and back.
Shentu Hai shook his head.
However, they didn't have to wait long. In less than five minutes, Wei Daha received a phone call and reopened the door without saying a few words.
After the sound of the door being locked and the iron gate slamming shut, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief and emerged from under the bed. To be on the safe side, they didn't leave immediately, but waited for ten minutes to make sure Wei Dahai hadn't returned and was no longer in the yard before crawling out from under the bed.
They looked around but found no evidence. After making sure that there was no one in the corridor, they left Wei Da's house.
As she smelled the scent of grass and wood again, Zhuang Xiaodie took several deep breaths. Shentu Hai, on the other hand, wore a serious expression. She walked quickly, almost jogging. She probably wanted to get back to the contents of the iron box.
"What's in that iron box?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked, "Why did you think of taking it? Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
"It would be strange if he could remember anything about her," Shentu Hai replied.
Zhuang Xiaodie said, "You can't gamble on this."
Shentu Hai didn't say anything. After a while, he said, "This box is full of little things I gave her. They're not worth much."
"I didn't say you stole anything." Zhuang Xiaodie replied.
Shentu Hai looked at her without saying anything. They continued walking in silence for a long time before the girl suddenly spoke up: "If your friend suddenly died one day, for example, because her husband killed her, what would you do?"
Zhuang Xiaodie was speechless for a moment.
"Will you seek revenge?"
"What is your definition of revenge? Helping the police collect evidence and telling everything you know, or revenge in kind?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked.
"You seem to be very familiar with this process." Shentu Hai said.
"It's on TV."
"I mean, of course, revenge."
Zhuang Xiaodie suddenly felt a chill on her back. She turned around abruptly and saw a group of people behind her, all of whom were out for a walk after dinner. She didn't see anyone suspicious.
"——What's wrong?" Shentu Hai looked back at her a few times, a little confused.
"Nothing, go back quickly."
They didn't stop anywhere, heading straight for the residential complex. People in the courtyard were still square dancing, and the elevator was empty. Having just crawled out from under the bed, covered in dust, Zhuang Xiaodie felt somewhat relieved that they didn't have to meet anyone.
They arrived at the door smoothly. Zhuang Xiaodie walked in front to open the door, and Shentu Hai was one step behind. Zhuang Xiaodie took two steps and didn't hear the door closing. She turned around and saw that the door was almost closed. Suddenly, a hand blocked the door from the outside. Zhuang Xiaodie rushed forward to push the door, but it was too late. A foot got stuck in and the door was instantly knocked open from the outside.
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