Chapter 28 A Fish is Hooked
Yu Hao stood at Luo Xin's door, carrying two large bags of food. He knocked gently, and hurried footsteps echoed from inside. "Uncle Yu!" Luo Xue opened the door, her face flushed with excitement. "You're really here!" Yu Hao leaned over and ruffled her hair, handing her the bag. "How could I not come when I promised you? Look what I brought you?" Luo Xue eagerly opened the bag. "Wow! Fried chicken! And strawberry cake!" Her eyes lit up like stars. "You got such great grades, we should celebrate." Yu Hao smiled and walked into the house, closing the door behind him. The house was warm but unusually quiet, with only the sound of cartoons playing from the TV. He had been busy with cases for the past few days and hadn't been home until that afternoon when he received a message from Luo Xue. She said she had gotten good grades and missed Uncle Yu. She asked if Yu Hao could come over so she could make him scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spicy and sour shredded potatoes. Yu Hao said he would definitely come over that evening, but later, so she wouldn't have to cook. He would bring something delicious. Luo Xue happily agreed and waited for his arrival. "Where's your mom?" Yu Hao took off his coat and hung it behind the door. Luo Xue packed up the food Yu Hao had brought. "Mom's still on her way home. She said she'd be back around eight." She looked up at Yu Hao. "But I didn't tell her you were coming. I wanted to surprise her!" The clock on the wall read seven-forty. Yu Hao looked out the window. The snow had begun to fall again, flakes dancing under the streetlights. "Uncle, go pick up your mom from the bus station. It's snowing outside." "Okay, Uncle Yu, go ahead. I'll have the food ready before you get back. We'll have cake together when we come back." Yu Hao smiled, gave a few instructions, put his coat back on, and left the room. * A police car parked not far from the bus stop. Yu Hao sat in it, looking out. Under the bus stop lights, a tall figure stood there, motionless in the wind and snow, his eyes occasionally glancing in the direction of the passing cars. Yu Hao checked his watch—seven-fifty. Luo Xin should be arriving soon. Soon, the sound of a bus engine could be heard in the distance. Yu Hao looked up and saw a bus with the number "Route 22" slowly approaching and stopping at the platform. The doors opened, and several passengers disembarked. The last person, despite being clad in a thick down jacket, had a slender figure, long hair flowing down her shoulders, and a gentle gait that confirmed him to be Luo Xin. He smiled and stepped out of the police car. Just as he raised his hand to greet them, something unexpected happened...
Yu Hao stood at the door of Luo Xin's house, carrying two large bags of food. He knocked gently, and immediately heard a burst of hurried footsteps from inside.
"Uncle Yu!" Luo Xue opened the door, her face flushed with excitement, "You're really here!"
Yu Hao bent down and ruffled her hair, then handed her the bag. "How could I not come to do what I promised you? Look what I brought you."
Luo Xue couldn't wait to open the bag: "Wow! Fried chicken! And strawberry cake!" Her eyes lit up like stars.
"We got such great results on the test, we should celebrate." Yu Hao walked into the house with a smile and closed the door behind him.
The room was warm but unusually quiet, with only the sound of cartoons playing on the television.
He had been busy with the case these days and had not come home until he received a message from Luo Xue in the afternoon.
She said that she had gotten good grades and missed her Uncle Yu, so she asked Yu Hao if he could come home so that she could make him scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spicy and sour potato shreds.
Yu Hao said that he would definitely go over in the evening, but it would be later, so she wouldn't have to cook, and he would bring some delicious food.
Luo Xue happily agreed and waited for his arrival.
"Where's your mother?" Yu Hao took off his coat and hung it behind the door.
Luo Xue packed up the food Yu Hao brought. "Mom is still on her way home. She said she'll be back around eight o'clock." She looked up at Yu Hao. "But I didn't tell her you were coming. I wanted to give her a surprise!"
The clock on the wall read seven forty. Yu Hao looked out the window. Snow had begun to fall again, fluttering in the air under the streetlights.
"Uncle, go pick up your mother at the station. It's snowing outside."
"Okay, Uncle Yu, go ahead. I'll have the food ready before you come back. Come back and eat cake together."
Yu Hao smiled, gave a few instructions, put on his coat again and left the room.
*
The police car was parked not far from the bus stop, and Yu Hao sat in the car looking out.
Under the lights of the bus stop, there was only a tall figure standing there, motionless in the wind and snow, his eyes occasionally looking in the direction of the oncoming cars.
Yu Hao checked his watch—seven fifty. Logically, Luo Xin should be arriving soon.
Soon, the sound of a bus engine could be heard in the distance. Yu Hao looked up and saw a bus with the number "No. 22" slowly approaching and stopping in front of the platform.
The car door opened and several passengers got off one after another. The last person, although wearing a thick down jacket, his slender figure, long hair and gentle walking posture made him sure that it was Luo Xin.
He smiled and got out of the police car. Just as he raised his hand to say hello, something unexpected caught him off guard.
The man who had been waiting at the station took the initiative to greet him. Luo Xue seemed to be very familiar with him. The two of them walked towards him, one step apart.
Yu Hao felt panicked for the first time. He instinctively wanted to avoid it, but it was too late.
Just like that, Yu Hao ran into them face to face. At this moment, he also saw clearly the appearance of the tall man next to Luo Xin, it was Sun Yong.
"Yu Hao?" Luo Xin was equally shocked. "Why are you here?" ...
"I...I'll pick you up." Yu Hao tried to keep his voice steady. "Xiaoxue said you'll be home at eight..."
When Sun Yong saw Yu Hao, his face still didn't show much expression, but he still said, "Since Captain Yu is here, I'll go back first." After that, he stepped forward.
"Brother Sun, thank you." Luo Xin said softly as he watched Sun Yong leave.
Sun Yong didn't look back.
Yu Hao stood there somewhat awkwardly.
Luo Xin smiled and took a step closer to him. The two walked side by side towards the police car. Luo Xin did not speak during the walk. When the police car started, she slowly said, "Are you wondering why Sun Yong picked me up at the station?"
"Huh? Oh."
"I guess that's what you think." Luo Xin put his backpack on his legs, leaned back in the car seat, and looked straight ahead. "A few days ago, I met a stalker at the station."
"What? Stalker?" Yu Hao braked suddenly, the car shook twice and stopped.
"It wasn't a big deal. I don't know if he was a drunkard or a pervert, but I ended up running to the snack street. Sun Yong took me back home."
Luo Xin explained easily. She looked at Yu Hao and said, "He has been picking me up every day out of kindness these days, so I have to thank him."
"Then why didn't you tell me about this?" Yu Hao looked at her with a hint of annoyance and worry.
"For such a small matter, do you think you'd arrange for the police to come and protect me? Who do you think I am? Besides, it hasn't happened again in the past few days."
Luo Xin looked at Yu Hao's frown and said, "Okay, okay, seriously, if this happens again, I'll tell you the first time, okay?"
The police car restarted and slowly moved forward.
"Say something, why are you still here?" Luo Xin elbowed his shoulder hard and looked at him with wide eyes.
"good."
"cut."
*
The next morning, Yu Hao woke up from his sleep and the window was still shrouded in hazy morning light.
He stretched, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to have eased a lot, especially the warm time he spent with Luo Xin and Luo Xue last night, which made him feel calmer than before.
Last night, the indescribable barrier between him and Luo Xin seemed to have disappeared, and there was a harmony between them that had not been seen in recent times.
After a quick wash, I cooked a bowl of oatmeal porridge. After eating the hot porridge, I felt warm all over.
Just as he was about to go out, he suddenly found a man standing at the door - Sun Yong.
Sun Yong's tall figure appeared somewhat hunched in the morning light, his dark face was full of fatigue, and the dark circles under his eyes were particularly obvious.
He put his hands in the pockets of his greasy cotton coat and looked straight at Yu Hao.
Yu Hao was a little surprised, thinking that he was here to explain what happened last night, so he took the initiative to say, "I heard about what happened last night from Luo Xin, thanks to you."
In fact, everyone in the village knew about his relationship with Luo Xin. They were both orphans and had been together for a long time. Their deep feelings for each other were also seen by outsiders.
Sun Yong shook his head, his voice hoarse: "It's not about this."
He paused and pulled a crumpled contract from his pocket. "I came here to ask if the cordon around Wang Shun's house can be removed."
Yu Hao took the contract and frowned slightly: "This is..."
"Before he died, Guo Zhong sold both 201 and 202 to me," Sun Yong's voice was soft, but every word was clear. "A total of 150,000 yuan."
Yu Hao opened the contract and quickly browsed the contents.
The contract did state that the payment would be made in three installments over three years, with each payment of 50,000 yuan in cash, with the first payment to be made on the day the contract was signed. Guo Zhong's scribbled signature and fingerprint were at the end of the contract.
"Have you paid one installment?" Yu Hao looked up and asked.
Sun Yong nodded and took out a receipt from his pocket: "This is the receipt written by Guo Zhong."
Yu Hao took the receipt and examined it carefully. The handwriting on the receipt was consistent with the contract, and the date was two days before Guo Zhong's death.
"This price..." Yu Hao hesitated, his eyes sweeping over Sun Yong's rough hands and washed-out collar, "It's not cheap."
The corner of Sun Yong's mouth twitched: "I know." His eyes drifted to the distance, "It's close to Leizi School, and I'm used to living here."
Yu Hao nodded thoughtfully, but he still didn't quite understand this decision.
"How do we pay the rest of the money? Guo Zhong has already..." Yu Hao didn't finish his words.
Sun Yong frowned. "I don't know." He rubbed his hands. "The contract says it should be paid to Guo Zhong, but now..."
Yu Hao suddenly thought of Gou Rong. As Guo Zhong's partner, was Gou Rong aware of this transaction?
He pondered for a moment and said, "I can help contact them and see how to fulfill the contract later."
Sun Yong's shoulders relaxed slightly: "Thank you."
"As for the cordon," Yu Hao put away the contract and handed it back to him, "I'll arrange for someone to check it again. If there are no special circumstances, it can be removed today."
Sun Yong nodded to express his gratitude, then turned and prepared to leave.
Yu Hao suddenly stopped him, "Buying a house is a big deal. Are you sure you want to choose this place? After all, there was a murder in 202..."
Sun Yong's back stiffened for a moment, then he slowly turned around. In the morning light, his eyes were particularly profound. "I don't believe that." He paused. "Besides, Lei Zi likes it here."
"I understand," Yu Hao nodded, "I'll arrange it as soon as possible."
Sun Yong nodded slightly and strode away. His back gradually receded in the morning light, his steps heavy but firm.
Yu Hao looked at his back and suddenly had a strange feeling - did Sun Yong choose to buy the house at the murder scene just to be close to the school?
He shook his head, took out his phone and called Lu Chao: "Arrange someone to go to Wang Shun's house again and check it carefully. If there is no missed physical evidence, the cordon will be removed today."
After hanging up the phone, Yu Hao walked towards the police car.
The early morning air was filled with the scent of ice and snow, but his thoughts drifted to Gou Rong and the strange contract.
One hundred and fifty thousand, paid in three installments in cash... This transaction method is quite interesting.
Guo Zhong selling his house was not a strange thing, as he learned from Gou Rong, but why was Sun Yong willing to buy a haunted house at a high price?
The police car slowly drove out of the village, its tires making a dull sound as they rolled over the snow.
* As soon as Yu Hao stepped into the police station office, Liu Kai hurried in with an unconcealable excitement on his face.
"Captain Yu!" Liu Kai took two steps forward and said in a low voice, "There's a fish on the hook!"
Yu Hao raised an eyebrow and took the coffee from Liu Kai. The aroma of hot coffee hit him, and he took a sip, motioning for him to continue.
"Someone broke into Guo Zhong's house last night." Liu Kai's eyes lit up, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the folder. "Although there's no surveillance, the trick I kept in my pocket worked—the fluorescent powder shows that the intruder's footprints match the murderer's perfectly!"
Yu Hao's hand suddenly stopped, and he narrowed his eyes: "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely true!" Liu Kai opened the folder and pointed at a few photos. "Size 43 sneakers, stride length of about 80 centimeters, walking habits are exactly the same as the footprints at the crime scene!"
In the photo, fluorescent footprints clearly extend towards the bedroom.
Yu Hao's eyes were fixed on the last footprint - it stopped in front of the bedside table, where Guo Zhong's personal belongings and the tenant records of the rental house were originally placed.
"What is he looking for back..." Yu Hao muttered to himself.
Liu Kai moved closer: "What's even more amazing is that I found this inside the drawer of the bedside table--" He pulled out another photo with a blurry fingerprint on it.
"Have you compared them?"
"We're doing it, but the location is too tricky," Liu Kai scratched his head. "The murderer must have been rummaging through something with gloves on and accidentally bumped into it."
Yu Hao suddenly put down his coffee cup, grabbed his coat, and walked out. "Let's go to the scene. Now, besides..." He turned to Zhang Min, "Bring all the items we collected from Guo Zhong's house that day to the conference room. When we get back, we'll check them one by one."
"Okay, Captain Yu." Zhang Min turned and left the office.
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