Chapter 46 Detective
At the moment when the light came in again, Qing Bai's eyes did not open, but he "saw" Chang Qiuqiu standing in the light. She was still wearing a red long skirt, but the skirt and small high-heeled leather shoes were just the right size. She also had slender and straight limbs, thick hair and a round head, looking like a young girl.
She looked a bit annoyed and a bit proud. "This is the dress I'm going to wear to my high school graduation party. Doesn't it look good?"
Chang Qiuqiu lifted the hem of her skirt and spun lightly, the bright red skirt fluttering like a half-opened rose.
Qing Bai nodded. At this moment, he had no distracting thoughts in his mind. As if he knew what to do next naturally, he took a step forward and stood in front of Chang Qiuqiu. Then he raised his hand and gently touched Chang Qiuqiu's forehead with his pale fingertips.
Chang Qiuqiu didn't hide. She looked up at Qing Bai's hand quietly for a moment. Her cloudy eyes gradually cleared. After the last streak of blood faded, she blinked her eyes, which were now clear and distinct. She sighed softly, her tone sad, "Actually, I've truly changed for the better... but I was deceived again."
Qing Bai hummed, not saying whether he believed it or not... He was a little tired, and at that moment, he was so tired that he couldn't even keep his hand raised, and could only let his arm fall.
Perhaps Chang Qiuqiu wasn't trying to gain the trust of a stranger like him. After saying this, she waved her hand, as if sweeping away all the sadness. Then she added, "Alright, I'm going back to face my punishment... Handsome guy, you look smarter than me, but be careful. The person who deceived me... looks a lot like you, and has a similar temperament."
"These days, it's true that the more handsome a man is, the more deceptive he is..." This was Chang Qiuqiu's last sentence, and after she finished speaking, it dissipated like the morning mist under the sun.
But the fog was filled with densely packed black dots, like swarms of small flying insects dancing under street lights in the summer evening. Although their lethality was not great, it always made people frown... Not as clean as when Li Cangcang disappeared.
When Qing Bai fully opened his eyes, he realized that they were on the large rooftop on the 17th floor of the hospital. They were standing high and the wind was strong, blowing in all directions. The resentment that he had brought with him after just coming out of the crack could not withstand the wind and disappeared completely in a few seconds... Qing Bai rubbed his shoulders, which suddenly felt relaxed after being blown by the wind, and thought that the wind came at the right time.
Except for him, everyone else fainted on the ground. He turned around to look for Jiu Nian, but there was no one beside him. Qing Bai was not surprised. When he put down his hand that was rubbing his shoulders, his eyes swept over the place where Jiu Nian stood in his memory. He found an umbrella in the place that should have been empty. It was a small folding umbrella, clean, with the words "Shangjing Third Hospital" written on the handle. It was obvious that it was picked up by hand.
Just as Qing Bai picked up the umbrella from the ground, a soft voice rang in his ears: "Hello... hello."
It’s Zhou Xiaoya.
Qing Bai raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The little ghost in the umbrella didn't mind his indifference. After a polite greeting, he continued to speak softly, "He said I can still exist for another quarter of an hour. I want to see him again. Can you help me?"
Although Zhou Xiaoya didn't mention a name in her words, Qing Bai still instantly recognized who the two 'he' were. Four quarters of an hour, that is, one hour...
Qing Bai pursed his lips and whispered, "How can I help you?"
Folding Umbrella was silent for a while, as if he hadn't made up his mind yet. When he spoke again, his voice was even lower and weaker: "Just put me next to him..."
Qing Bai looked up at the sky. Although it had gotten dark in the crack, the sun was still shining brightly outside and it was not yet afternoon.
Qing Bai was about to nod when Fat Qi, who was lying on the concrete floor, jumped up from the ground with a hiss, like a fat fish escaping from the iron plate by wagging its tail.
"It's hot, hot, hot! Oh my god! Why is there forced coma this time? I've seen everything. You underestimated me..." Fat Qi, who had some experience in entering and exiting crevices, started to make amends for himself before his eyelids were fully opened in order to cover up the shocking scream before he came out of the crevices. He even managed to hold back his accent. As a result, when he opened his eyes completely, he saw that only Qing Bai was standing there.
Hasn't Brother Qing seen all the cowardly looks he has? Qi Xiaopang's shoulders slumped instantly, and he stopped pretending.
"Brother Qing, where's Nine Years' thigh?"
Qing Bai thought for two seconds, trying to find a more precise word to express it, but Qi Xiaopang just asked casually, and his attention was attracted by the other people who were still lying on the ground.
"Ouch! The ground is so hot you can fry an egg on it. Hurry up and give me some help! I finally made it out of the crack safely. Don't get burned... Brother, brother, brother! The teacher is as hot as the ground!"
The folding umbrella in his hand moved slightly, and Qing Bai hurried over to help. Although it was not as exaggerated as Qi Xiaopang said, Ban Bieyi was indeed running a fever.
Thinking of what Jiu Nian said in the gap, these people would all fall seriously ill after coming out of the gap... Qing Bai couldn't help but frowned. Others were fine, but Ban Bieyi was getting worse.
"Brother Qing..." Qi Xiaopang swallowed and whispered, "How about... call 120?"
Qing Bai glanced at him and said, "There's a hospital right under your feet. If you need help, call 110."
"Why do we have to call 11--" Before Qi Xiaopang could finish his words, a shrill siren sounded from downstairs.
Qi Xiaopang felt a little guilty for some reason: "Hahaha, what a coincidence..."
Qing Bai shook his head, intuitively feeling that the police call was most likely related to them, and the remaining one or two were either Ban Bieyi and his three companions or a certain monk, so rounding it off, they were also related to them.
Sure enough, within five minutes, the big iron gate on the rooftop was kicked open... and it was someone I knew.
Officer Yang, who had taught Qing Bai a lot about how witnesses in serious crimes should keep a low profile during the crematorium case, had a complicated expression on his face. "Tell me, how did you get inside the rooftop when the gate was locked from the outside?"
Qi Xiaopang has been a law-abiding person since childhood. He would hand over any large sum of money he found on the roadside, equal to or greater than ten yuan, to the police officer. He had never seen such a scene before. He shrugged his head, turned his feet inward, and grabbed his right hand with his left hand, looking guilty as if he had put himself in the position of a criminal suspect.
Compared to him, Qing Bai looked like a seasoned veteran. His face remained calm and he started to shirk responsibility without hesitation: "You should ask the hospital about this. We're just here to visit the counselor who had surgery here... the one who was just taken to the emergency room."
The hospital manager nearby broke out in a cold sweat and quickly said, "Comrade police officer, our rooftop is permanently closed to patients and their families. You just saw how thick the dust is on the door lock. How could we have known someone was trapped inside?"
It was indeed unexpected and shouldn't have happened. Everyone who was present and aware of the situation knew that according to common sense, there shouldn't be anyone on the rooftop. It wasn't just a problem with the door, there were also cameras, and how the patient had just finished surgery and disappeared under the noses of the doctors and nurses for three days without anyone noticing... You can't think too much about any of these things. The more you think about it, the more unstable your worldview becomes.
But the people’s police cannot be perfunctory, even though everyone can see that there are too many things that cannot be said.
Although Officer Yang looks young, he has handled many major cases and is very experienced, especially in this type of case. He immediately put the "old fox" Qing Bai aside and started with the "soft persimmon" first.
“Why did the hospital close the roof?”
"Well, it wasn't sealed before. Occasionally, patients and their families would come up to get some fresh air. Then, a terminally ill cancer patient got so upset that he secretly used pliers to slowly unscrew the protective netting and then jumped down from here..."
“…”
"Brother Qing, Brother Qing!" Fatty Qi slid closer to Qing Bai and asked anxiously in a low voice, "What are we going to talk about later?"
Qing Bai took the initiative to find a chair and sit down. Ban Bieyi and the other two had been sent to the emergency room. They were now waiting for news and undergoing investigation in the lounge temporarily vacated by the hospital.
Qing Bai glanced at the time: "Tell the truth."
Qing Bai had noticed during the crematorium case that Officer Yang was no ordinary person. Whether he was investigating and collecting evidence or providing comfort and advice later, his gaze would always drift a little towards the empty space beside him. At the time, he'd thought it was just a habit, but now, looking back, it seemed a bit more subtle. Furthermore, his final and most serious suggestion was for him to go to the Shangjing City God Temple to pay his respects, repeatedly emphasizing its efficacy...
Thinking of the things that happened in the cracks, Qi Xiaopang took a deep breath and said, "Can you tell the truth?"
Will anyone believe me if I tell them? If they believe me, will they record it truthfully? If they record it, will they be allowed to go? Will they be able to return home safely after they leave?
The young policeman who was following Officer Yang on the patrol looked at Qi Xiaopang silently, his eyes as bright as lightning.
Qi Xiaopang shuddered, and the few remaining memories from his military training came back to him. He stood still reflexively: "Tell the truth, I must tell the truth! Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist!"
Qing Bai silently held his forehead, wondering if it was too late to say they were unfamiliar with each other...
Officer Yang, who was experienced, quickly finished his conversation with the hospital director. After sending him out, he sent the young officer out to get some information. After the door closed, he sat down opposite Qing Bai, pretending to want to have a deep conversation. He also greeted Qi Xiaopang, "Don't stand there. Sit down. You and Xiaobai are classmates, so I won't say those polite words..."
Xiao...Xiaobai? Classmates and polite remarks? Qi Xiaopang sat down dazed, not understanding the logic.
"Let's get straight to the point. What did you encounter in this hospital?"
It's really straightforward... Qi Xiaopang, who was facing the police investigation for the first time, was at a loss and subconsciously looked at Qing Bai.
Qing Bai was as calm as ever, and spoke the truth. His language was concise and detailed, and his logic was clear and organized, without damaging the reputation of Peking University's Academy of Arts.
What surprised Qi Xiaopang even more was that Officer Yang didn't seem to doubt the truthfulness of what Qing Ge said at all. He didn't interrupt their narration, nor did he think they were talking nonsense because they were high. His expression became more and more serious and solemn.
"...So, there are two lives involved here," Officer Yang concluded.
Qing Bai nodded: "Ten years have passed since Zhou Xiaoya's father and her physical education teacher Li Nan. I wonder how they are doing now..."
He also really wanted to know why Li Nan, as a teacher, had a grudge against a student. If there was a result, it would be a belated explanation.
Officer Yang said sternly, "Don't worry, we will conduct a serious investigation."
Seeing the interrogation... no, it couldn't even be called an interrogation, it could only be called a conversation, about to end, and Fat Qi, who had nothing to do with the entire process, was almost bursting with questions. Finally, when Officer Yang was escorting them out, he couldn't help but whisper, "Well, I don't mean to question it, really. I'm just a little curious and wanted to ask... Do you believe it? Of course, we are telling the truth and there is absolutely no adulteration. It's just that this matter is really... very feudal and superstitious and outrageous... Why do you..."
"I've been in this field for so many years, what kind of outrageous cases haven't I seen?" Officer Yang smiled, his eyes brimming with righteousness. "And I specialize in these kinds of 'outrageous' cases."
Qi Xiaopang stood up solemnly. This, this, this... could this be the legendary metaphysical detective who shuttled between yin and yang, enforced the law with strict discipline, and upheld justice in both worlds?
So... so damn handsome!
Qing Bai unlocked his phone and checked the time. He was about to ask where Ban Bieyi and the other two were receiving emergency treatment when a broadcast suddenly rang out in the corridor. The nurse's gentle and calm voice read out the following words clearly:
"Qing Xiaobai and Qi Xiaopang, Qing Xiaobai and Qi Xiaopang, after hearing the announcement, please hurry to the service desk on the 8th floor. Please hurry to the service desk on the 8th floor. Your brother is waiting for you here! Your brother is waiting for you here!"
Qing Xiaobai: “…”
Qi Xiaopang: "...Is this floor the pediatrics department?"
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