Chapter 138 Killing
In 1993, following the International Fashion Festival, Liancheng ushered in another period of city promotion.
In order to win the title of "Civilized City", the people of Liancheng spontaneously mobilized to carry out actions such as cleaning up the beach and cleaning up the streets, further improving the quality of the people in the city.
On October 25th, the Liancheng City Promotion Gala was broadcast live on various radio stations. Similar to the International Fashion Festival, it featured many international celebrities.
As the promotional ambassador for Liancheng, Sister Qing stood in the middle and spoke fluently in a foreign language with the foreign celebrities.
Despite his striking Western features and naturally superior physique, the dazzling star power of ambassador Ouyang Qing is still undeniable.
She was the star of the show on camera, and her witty banter helped the ratings reach new heights.
Shen Zhenzhu and her staff crowded backstage, watching every move on stage. The government officials around her exclaimed, "This is a true ambassador for Liancheng! She doesn't lose her composure even in front of international stars. This is the right way; we should choose a Chinese person as our ambassador!"
"I can't stand places that hire foreigners as publicity ambassadors. Our Liancheng team has good vision."
"That's Sister Qing. I've never seen her lose, whether it's on the red carpet or at an awards ceremony."
...
Shen Zhenzhu was also proud of Ouyang Qing, and watched her every move with pursed lips, while also keeping an eye on Gai Duoduo.
Gai Duoduo clearly wasn't invited today, yet she still showed up with Ouyang Qing.
But after a week, she hadn't found anything amiss. She could only continue the investigation privately.
Shao Li gently nudged Shen Zhenzhu from behind: "It's almost over. How's your investigation going?"
Chen Zhenzhu shook her head: "There's been no progress yet."
Ouyang Aihua, who was behind Shao Li, yawned and took out a cigarette in front of the backstage staff.
The backstage staff tried to stop them, but were stopped by someone nearby: "This is Ouyang Qing's older brother, don't interfere."
The younger sister was energetically promoting the city's image on stage, while her older brother was smoking backstage.
......
Back in the dressing room, Ouyang Qing was removing her makeup. When she saw Chen Zhenzhu and Lu Ye coming over, she greeted them politely.
Shen Zhenzhu stood in front of her, looking at Ouyang Qing in the mirror, and said, "There are too few clues. For now, we can only send people to continue protecting you."
Ouyang Aihua leaned against the door and said with a smile, "I knew you wouldn't be able to find out."
Lu Ye said dejectedly, "What do you mean? Haven't we solved enough cases already?"
Ouyang Aihua said dismissively, "Then arrest the person who wrote the threatening letter. You suspect a whole bunch of people, why haven't you arrested anyone yet?"
Seeing that Lu Ye was about to argue with Ouyang Aihua, Shao Li came over and said, "That's enough, stop arguing. You're both doing this for Qingqing's own good, so why be so confrontational? Maybe she's just trying to scare you, just as she says."
Lu Ye was pulled aside by Chen Zhenzhu, who whispered to him, "Don't hold it against her brother."
Lu Ye said irritably, "No wonder Sister Qing has a bad reputation outside, he's ruined it all."
Ouyang Aihua walked outside and roared, "What the hell! You're all holding onto your jobs and doing nothing! I'm telling you, I don't need your protection anymore, get out of here!"
Shao Li tried to persuade her gently, but Ouyang Aihua was still cursing: "I thought I was so capable that I could catch you without you having to. Don't hold me back, call the police station now and tell them to leave."
Shao Li said, "Oh dear, what are you doing again? Go back inside and talk. There are so many people waiting to interview your sister outside. What if someone takes a picture of you?"
Ouyang Qing suddenly said, "Stop arguing. Section Chief Shen has already said that there are not enough clues. I believe in her abilities. Brother, you go back first."
Ouyang Aihua was stunned for a moment, then pointed to her own nose and said, "You want me to leave? An elder brother is like a father to me, how dare you disrespect me?"
Ouyang Qing changed his clothes and stood up. Susan quickly packed her things and said, "I'll go to the car first. You two can chat."
After she left, Ouyang Qing said, "I've hired a bodyguard company to protect me. They'll arrive tomorrow. Brother, stop cursing here. Section Chief Shen has already said he's leaving."
Before coming to the party today, Shen Zhenzhu received a call from Director Liu, who stopped the protection mission and asked others to follow her, as there were other cases that required her participation.
With five days left until the 30th deadline, no one knows whether the hidden threat actually wants to take action on the 30th or is just bluffing.
Shen Zhenzhu could no longer "waste time" here, so she had to say goodbye to Ouyang Qing.
Originally planning to leave tomorrow morning, but since Ouyang Aihua is making such a fuss, Shen Zhenzhu called Director Liu. Based on the family's strong attitude, Director Liu told her to leave today.
Upon hearing that Shen Zhenzhu and the others were leaving, Ouyang Aihua's expression softened a bit, and she grumbled, "This makes me pay such high taxes every year, and all that money goes to people like this."
Ouyang Qing frowned, wanting to say a few words in support of Shen Zhenzhu, but Shen Zhenzhu walked over to her and squatted down, whispering, "There will be agents protecting you from a distance. Although there are no clues yet, please be careful of Gai Duoduo, and don't easily trust the people around you."
Ouyang Qing looked up in surprise, and Shen Zhenzhu looked at her firmly.
Ouyang Qing lowered his eyes and thought for a few seconds before nodding: "I've remembered what you said, Section Chief Shen. I will try my best to protect myself."
"Yes, don't take any danger lightly."
After saying this, Shen Zhenzhu called Lu Ye to leave together. Lu Ye was furious: "They're clearly doing this for Qing Jie's own good, so why are they treating us like this? They keep saying they're doing this for Qing Jie's own good, but they're so inconsiderate at this crucial moment."
Gai Duoduo, who had just come from the party, walked towards us. She spoke shyly to the city leaders next to her, and left Chen Zhenzhu and Lu Ye without looking at them.
Because the party was held at Labor Park under the TV tower in the city, Chen Zhenzhu and Lu Ye didn't have to go through the trouble of taking a suburban bus and getting on a public bus amidst the crowds.
My cell phone rang again on the bus.
Outside the window, traffic was heavy; inside the carriage, it was noisy.
Shen Zhenzhu could only shout to speak, which drew the dissatisfaction of the elderly men and women.
"Girl, watch your manners."
"Let me be rude for a minute, just five minutes," Chen Zhenzhu said quickly, earning a glare from the older woman.
Director Liu inquired about the mission, and Shen Zhenzhu answered him one by one. Director Liu said on the phone, "It's good that you're back. Don't be discouraged. If they make any moves over there, they'll definitely need you to go and investigate. The publicity event was a complete success, and the city bureau leaders and I know you did your best."
"Okay, I understand."
After exchanging a few words with Director Liu, Chen Zhenzhu put away her cell phone and swung back and forth in the carriage, her hands reaching for the handrails.
She was almost squashed flat.
I'm not very happy today, so I'll just go home and find my mom.
Lu Ye got out of the car first: "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
After riding for five more stops, they returned to the restaurant. Shen Zhenzhu washed her face first, and then gave her mother and Yuan Jiangxue the autographed photo of Ouyang Qing.
Everyone sighed and kept praising Ouyang Qing's beauty and elegance in the photo. The diners at dinner also saw her and asked Chen Zhenzhu about Ouyang Qing's gossip.
Chen Zhenzhu said over and over, "She's such a good person, gentle, considerate, and smells wonderful. She's making me feel intoxicated by her charm."
"Really? That's not what the news said."
"Really? Would I lie to you?"
"You call yourself a gentlewoman?" Shen Liuhe hugged Shen Zhenzhu and rubbed her for a while. "I haven't seen you for several days. Luckily you haven't lost weight. Every time you go on a mission, I feel like you're reminiscing about the past."
Yuan Jiangxue said happily from the side, "My grandma has a saying that goes, once a piglet is raised, it won't lose weight as long as it gets a scoop of food."
"I'm not a little pig!" Shen Zhenzhu wanted to resist angrily, but her mother grabbed her ponytail and said, "Why is your hair all messed up? Come here and let me comb it for you."
Shen Zhenzhu immediately pressed her hand to the corner of her eye, sat behind the counter, and muttered, "Be gentle."
When Section Chief Shen returned home, he nestled in his mother's arms. With his mother gently rubbing his head, his hair was styled into a high ponytail, his eyes sparkling, and he excitedly recounted the funny things that happened on set. Amidst everyone's laughter, his hair quickly returned to its fluffy state.
The shopping street was nearing closing time, and it seemed like Brother Leng and his group had already closed up shop. At Sister Liu's restaurant, there were still a few tables of late-arriving diners.
Two luxury cars were parked on the side of the road, drawing gasps of surprise from passersby.
Shen Zhenzhu leaned out from behind the counter and exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Qing?!"
Ouyang Qing, wearing sunglasses and a long overcoat, stood at the restaurant entrance, spread his arms, and said, "Section Chief Shen, I've received another award nomination. They said they wanted to have a celebration banquet, so I thought I'd invite everyone over to try Sixth Sister's cooking."
Shen Zhenzhu went around the counter and rushed into Ouyang Qing's arms for a hug, saying with a face full of surprise, "I didn't expect to see you so soon."
"It's because I was worried about you." Shao Li walked over and whispered, "I was afraid that you'd feel uncomfortable if you hadn't caught someone while you were young, so my sister insisted on bringing everyone over for dinner."
Ouyang Qing pinched the lively ponytail again and said with a smile, "It seems I worried too much."
"No, I'm really happy that Sister Qing could come." Chen Zhenzhu found the large round table in the corner: "Sit here."
All the other diners in the restaurant turned their attention to Ouyang Qing; she seemed to have an innate ability to attract attention.
Seeing that everyone seemed uncomfortable with her presence, she smiled and said to the diners still eating in the restaurant, "Hello everyone, I'm sorry to disturb your meal. I'm also here to enjoy the delicious food at Sister Liu's Restaurant. I hope you all have a wonderful evening."
"Wow, this is really Ouyang Qing! I thought Pearl was just bragging."
"I wasn't bragging!"
"Wow, her personality is really nice, it's different from what's been reported."
"I knew it!"
"Wow, her skin is amazing. Is she 30? She has such a powerful presence and is so beautiful."
"She's great inside too!"
"Sister Qing, I'm a fan of yours, can I have your autograph?"
"I've already given it to you!"
"I want an autograph too! Oh, and there's an uncle outside taking photos of people, can we take a picture together?"
......
"It's alright, let me chat with everyone since the food hasn't been served yet." Ouyang Qing chuckled and pulled over Chen Zhenzhu, who seemed to be his straight man, to patiently sign autographs and take photos for the diners.
Once everything was finished, the table was set with a full meal.
Upon seeing this, the accompanying staff couldn't help but exclaim, "It looks and smells delicious! No wonder Sister Qing insisted on coming to eat here."
Shen Zhenzhu didn't disturb them while they were eating. She sat behind the counter, propped her chin up, and chuckled as she watched Ouyang Qing chat and laugh with them.
The abundant food on the table was devoured in no time; everyone's stomachs were already full, but their mouths still wanted to eat more. All the staff members were clamoring to come back for another big meal in a couple of days.
Standing at the kitchen door, Ouyang Qing specifically said to Shen Liuhe, "Would you like to take a picture with me? I've seen many businesses that have taken pictures with me put the photos on their walls for advertising. You can also put my picture next to Section Chief Shen's wall of honor."
The first thing she saw when she entered the restaurant was that the walls were covered with clippings of Shen Zhenzhu solving cases. She looked at them carefully while eating and couldn't help but admire the cleverness of the young girl.
"That's great, Pearl, call Uncle Lu to take a picture." Shen Liuhe took off her apron generously and came out smiling to talk to Sister Qing.
"Hey!" At this moment, the pearl was so fluffy that it was about to explode.
They took several photos with Shen Liuhe inside the store, and Uncle Lu and the others also posed for photos with Ouyang Qing.
Yuan Juan saw the radiant Ouyang Qing from afar and felt a little embarrassed to walk over.
Ouyang Qing saw it and waved, saying, "Sister, your updo is so beautiful. I've never seen a style like this before. Could you teach my makeup artist how to do it?"
Susan had already noticed Yuan Juan's impressive updo and had even commented on it while standing next to Ouyang Qing. Hearing this, she said, "Sister, can you teach me? I'm willing to pay."
"I don't need the money, but... I can't do it."
“Why not?” Chen Zhenzhu urged Yuan Juan forward, saying quickly, “We should be brave enough to express ourselves.”
“This…I…” Yuan Juan was pushed forward by Chen Zhenzhu.
Shen Zhenzhu told Ouyang Qing and the others, "Sister Yuan's hairstyling skills are famous on this street, and many tourists come here because of her reputation. She's just too introverted and doesn't know how to promote herself."
Yuan Juan hadn't realized how strong Chen Zhenzhu was, and after struggling for a bit, she gave up. Her face flushed as she listened to Chen Zhenzhu boasting in front of the big star.
Ouyang Qing, whose hair was down, turned around without saying a word: "Could you please teach us? Can we use my hair?"
Before Yuan Juan lay her hair, which cascaded like a black waterfall. She stroked it tenderly, thinking of Chen Zhenzhu's words, and swallowed hard before saying, "Your hair is so beautiful, like silk. Let me style it for you."
Yuan Juan's hands were trembling a little at first, but she quickly forgot about the stares surrounding her once she got into work mode.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she skillfully rolled up strands of hair to make a bun, and then decorated the hair with small items that she and Shen Zhenzhu had bought at the beauty salon.
"The high bun makes Sister Qing's skull look really elegant, with a kind of beauty that is both modern and ancient church."
Susan kept a record of the steps for making a high bun in her notebook. Every time she pointed to a spot, Yuan Juan would explain to her that it was an innovative technique modified according to her face shape and temperament.
Susan benefited greatly from the experience and said with emotion, "You are a good teacher, thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Ouyang Qing took the small mirror from Chen Zhenzhu, looked at it from head to toe, and said, "It's good enough for a photoshoot. I'm very satisfied. The hair accessory is common, but it's not tacky."
As he spoke, he took Yuan Juan's hand and patted it: "Sister Yuan, you have a pair of skillful hands and a soul that creates beauty."
Yuan Juan was surprised to receive such high praise, and her face turned even redder: "If you want to learn, you can come to me. I will teach you for free. Some of the unconventional hairstyles are ones I figured out myself."
"What you've come up with is the proper, artistic creation of your own." Ouyang Qing praised generously: "You know, you'd have to hire a master craftsman to do this kind of updo on set."
"Why haven't you finished eating yet?" Ouyang Aihua, who had been sleeping in the car, hadn't had an appetite lately. Seeing that the women hadn't returned to the car, she yawned and got out to urge them.
Under the moonlight, Ouyang Aihua looked tired and his lips were dry. He scratched his arm, stood at the door without going in, and stared intently at the passersby around him, feeling like he was being watched.
Uncle Lu went back to change the film. As he walked past him, he smelled a foul odor. He gave Ouyang Aihua a disgusted look, then went to Yuan Juan to help take a group photo.
Shao Li went to the counter to pay, and Shen Liuhe gave her a discount in a good mood.
Just before leaving, Susan picked up her handbag from the next table and suddenly screamed, "Ah! A letter! Another threatening letter!"
Ouyang Aihua rushed over, shoved Chen Zhenzhu aside, snatched the threatening letter, and tore it open. Inside was only a single word written in red lipstick: "Die!"
Ouyang Aihua, who had been perfectly fine just moments before, suddenly flew into a rage: "Who? Who did this? The police are right here! Who released them?! Get the bodyguards here right now!"
The diners didn't know who he was, but when they heard that Ouyang Qing had received a threatening letter, they all became nervous and flustered.
"What's going on? Is someone trying to kill someone?"
"Pearl, are we in danger?"
"I can't let anything happen to me."
Shen Zhenzhu stepped forward and said, "Everyone, don't be nervous. I'm here to protect your safety."
Just now, almost all the diners passed by Ouyang Qing's table to get her autograph and take photos. Shen Zhenzhu glanced around but didn't find anyone suspicious.
At this moment, Ouyang Aihua grabbed Ouyang Qing's wrist and dragged her outside, saying, "Don't stay here. I think everyone here is a suspect."
These words again aroused dissatisfaction among diners and neighbors.
Shen Zhenzhu blocked the doorway, saying, "Don't leave! The suspect has finally made another move, I have to—"
"Must be my ass!" Ouyang Aihua tore the threatening letter to shreds in front of Shen Zhenzhu and threw it into the air.
"You're destroying evidence!" Shen Zhenzhu was also angry. She tried to grab the threatening letter that was fluttering away, but the fragments that shattered in the wind scattered messily in front of her.
Ouyang Aihua pointed at Shen Zhenzhu's nose and angrily said, "Get out of my way!"
Ouyang Qing shook off his hand and said sternly, "What's wrong with you? I've already said I believe Section Chief Shen has the ability to solve cases. Are you helping me or hurting me?"
Ouyang Aihua's eyes widened, her pupils contracting sharply as if provoked by her words: "I was doing this all for your own good, you...you've hurt me so much!"
Seeing that his face had lost all color, Shao Li quickly ran over and shoved him towards the luxury car: "Don't be angry, you and your brother must not quarrel outside, so many people are watching."
Sensing something was wrong, Chen Zhenzhu ran over and called out, "Wait, you can't leave."
When Ouyang Aihua saw Shen Zhenzhu chasing after them, she closed the car door and urged the driver, "Hurry up, I don't want to talk to her."
Shao Li also pulled Ouyang Qing into the car: "Let's go, they have cameras."
The group left in a hurry, and Ouyang Qing only had time to wave his hand at the car window: "Sorry, see you later."
Uncle Lu and the others ran out, wanting to help Shen Zhenzhu stop the car. Seeing that the car had already started moving, Shen Zhenzhu, fearing for their safety, stopped them from chasing it.
"What should we do? Is there something wrong with that person?" Shen Liuhe came out with a large spatula.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make a call,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “He can’t run away.”
The restaurant staff were calming the diners down. While eating, Shen Zhenzhu kept an eye on Ouyang Qing's movements and didn't notice any strangers leaving threatening letters.
It must have been done by someone close to you.
Gai Duoduo was not there, and only a few fragments of the threatening letter were found.
Shen Zhenzhu picked up the phone and called Gu Yanzheng, who answered quickly.
“Brother Zheng, I request to have Ouyang Aihua examined,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “I suspect he is using drugs.”
"An addict? I understand." Gu Yanzheng asked on the other end of the phone, "How are you?"
“A sixth threatening letter appeared, but it was destroyed by Ouyang Aihua. He is a prime suspect.” Shen Zhenzhu said, “I’m fine, at least I’m not completely without any clues.”
"Wait a moment, I'll arrange a urine test."
"good."
After waiting a few minutes, Gu Yanzheng said, "I've notified the anti-drug team that they need to send someone over tomorrow morning."
Shen Zhenzhu knew that although urine test kits could be used for drug testing in the 1990s, they were very expensive and not widely available, and the types of drugs that could be tested were limited, mainly morphine, heroin, and opioids.
It's already past midnight, so the approval process can't be completed. But even if the monk can run away, the temple can't hide.
After making the arrangements, Gu Yanzheng asked, "How did you find out that Ouyang Aihua might be using drugs?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "He was either listless or agitated and irritable. He couldn't make eye contact with me, and he smelled bad. As soon as we met, his pupils contracted to pinpoints, and he also scratched his arm."
"It's probably eight or nine out of ten," Gu Yanzheng said. "You discovered it very quickly."
The two chatted for a few more minutes on the phone. After hanging up, Chen Zhenzhu returned to the lobby to chat with the diners, hoping they wouldn't mind the earlier incident.
I also indirectly asked them if they had noticed anything unusual, and the answer was no.
......
Ouyang Qing didn't speak to Ouyang Aihua the whole way, gazing at the scenery rushing past the window. When they arrived at the hotel suite, he prepared to wash up.
The film crew arrived at the door and told Ouyang Qing that the script had been changed. That night, Ouyang Qing and the other actors stayed in the suite until late at night to review the script and rehearse their lines.
Ouyang Aihua came into the room, saying he was there to protect her. After coming in, he stayed asleep on the sofa. Even in his sleep, he was restless, constantly scratching his arm.
"Sister Shao Li isn't here?" Gai Duoduo came over with a late-night snack. When she saw Ouyang Aihua wake up impatiently, she glanced at him and said, "I brought you a late-night snack too, which was for Sister Qing."
"Are you being too kind? You won't poison me, will you?"
"If you don't want to eat it, then forget it."
She peered inside and saw Ouyang Qing still memorizing his lines. She swallowed hard and said in a tense voice, "I put it here."
Gai Duoduo placed two lunch boxes on the coffee table. One was a stewed high-end medicinal dish.
The other dish was soy sauce fried rice from a street food stall, garnished with scallions and cilantro, which smelled quite delicious.
Gai Duoduo put the food down, and seeing that Ouyang Aihua was dozing off again, she glared at him and walked away.
...
After finishing his work, Ouyang Qing was a little hungry. After seeing off the other actors, he went to the living room and saw that Ouyang Aihua was still sleeping. There was fried rice on the coffee table, and he didn't care that it was cold. He picked it up and ate a few bites.
Next to the lunchbox was a gossip tabloid that Ouyang Aihua used to kill time. Its colorful, flashy cover and large font made it easy for her to see what it said:
"Ouyang Qing's dirty secrets exposed"
"The voluptuous figure of a mainland Chinese film queen"
Breaking News! Ouyang Qing is suffering from a mental illness and has been admitted to a mental hospital.
Ouyang Qing was imprisoned for tax evasion.
"Boring." Ouyang Qing dismissively threw all the gossip magazines into the trash can.
The weather had turned cool, and even though they had argued, Ouyang Qing still woke up the sleeping Ouyang Aihua: "Brother, go to bed."
Ouyang Aihua was unusually tired today. With droopy eyelids, he said, "Aren't you going to sleep again? Do you know how much I worry about you? Why don't you listen to me at all..."
Ouyang Qing ignored her words and saw Ouyang Aihua staggering as she stood up. She helped him to the second bedroom.
But Ouyang Aihua was determined to annoy her today, so she deliberately went to the master bedroom: "You went to the master bedroom last time, I want to enjoy myself too!"
Ouyang Qing glanced at the bed; it had been cleaned by the hotel staff. Thinking he could simply change it tomorrow, he ignored Ouyang Aihua and went to the bar.
Ouyang Ai slammed the door shut. Ouyang Qing sighed, opened the cabinet door, and picked up the sleeping pills.
“‘I’m great.’ ‘I’m strong.’ ‘I’m exceptionally talented.’” Ouyang Qing thought of what Chen Zhenzhu had told her during the day. Even though she was younger than her, she spoke with a mature air.
The little girl is quite good at coaxing people.
She couldn't help but recite the "good mood mantra" to Chen Zhenzhu a few times, and then tried some boxing. She swung until her arms ached, and her mood did indeed improve a lot. She really knocked her troubles away.
Having worked up a sweat, and remembering that there was a swimming pool outside that shouldn't be occupied at this hour, Ouyang Qing decided to go for a swim.
She put the sleeping pills back in the cabinet, walked around the bar, and went out the door.
The swimming pool water was slightly cool, and as he soaked in it while gazing at the tranquil night sky, Ouyang Qing's heart calmed down.
By the time the hotel staff found her, she was already asleep wrapped in a towel by the pool.
"Sister Qing, it's already past eight o'clock, be careful not to catch a cold." The staff member considerately brought a bathrobe for Ouyang Qing to put on, and suggested, "Breakfast time is almost over."
Ouyang Qing rubbed her eyes sleepily; she had never slept so soundly before.
She attributed her sweet dreams to the "good mood spell."
Accompanied by hotel staff, Ouyang Qing went to the penthouse suite.
I had just stepped out of the elevator when I heard a bloodcurdling scream: "Aaaaaah—!"
"Sister-in-law?" Ouyang Qing rushed over: "Sister-in-law! What's wrong?"
......
Shen Zhenzhu arrived at the office early in the morning, still waiting for news about Ouyang Qing's urine test.
Suddenly Gu Yanzheng came in from outside and said, "Ouyang Aihua is dead, and Shao Li is convinced that Ouyang Qing is the murderer."
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Author's note: See you tomorrow, there's a red envelope coming! [Let me see]
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