The End of the Night (8)

(The first two chapters are rewritten, and one is a new chapter. Please read it again, otherwise you will not understand this chapter.)

If Meng Tingzhe was arrested and he had nothing to do with the Hong Zhuang serial murder case, then the clues related to the Hong Zhuang serial murder case have actually been completely cut off.

During this time, Qiqi graduated from university and was looking for a job. Meng Xinghai was able to get up occasionally and wanted someone to help him to a wheelchair. Meng Siqi would go to Meng Xinghai's bedroom to check on him whenever he had time.

Meng Xinghai at this time was almost exactly the same as in her memory, and he was particularly strong-willed, always thinking that he was still a strong and healthy policeman.

He said he couldn't find Qiqi's photo album and insisted on getting out of bed to look for it. Meng Siqi knew that the album was under his pillow, but maybe he had forgotten it because of Alzheimer's disease.

She didn't plan to take it out for him because she knew that Qiqi would find it for Lao Meng, and one day Qiqi would understand the significance of the album to her and Meng Xinghai.

"Meng, take a break and stop struggling."

Meng Xinghai seemed to have compromised. As she arranged, he half sat up on the pillow, but he still took out the mobile phone from the bedside.

I called Qiqi and the phone was connected. Meng Xinghai was using an old-fashioned phone and he was used to using the speakerphone.

A worried voice came from the other end: "Dad, what's wrong? Nothing happened, right?"

"Nothing, just a quick call."

A slightly impatient voice came from the other end: "Dad, I'm busy, please stop calling me."

"Dad just misses you and is afraid of forgetting you."

"Am I still your biological daughter? Can you forget me?"

"Of course not. You are my most precious daughter."

"I won't say any more. I have an interview soon. I'm hanging up now."

"Okay, okay." Meng Xinghai smiled and slowly put down his phone when he heard the busy tone, muttering, "My precious daughter, I wish you a successful interview."

Meng Siqi felt a little uncomfortable and her eyes were red, because these were the words she and Meng Xinghai had said to each other in person.

"Xiao Meng," Meng Xinghai raised his head and said slowly, "Pour yourself some water."

Meng Siqi shook her head slightly, "I'm not thirsty." She licked her lips and said, "Old Meng, I remember when you first came to the Municipal Bureau, you asked me if Team Lu had a lover, and you said he was very nice. What did you mean by that?"

Meng Xinghai smiled, a very honest smile: "Although I had only been in the Municipal Bureau for a short time at that time, I seemed to be able to see that the way Captain Lu looked at you was different. Every time I went to the cafeteria with you, I saw that his eyes were holding you in the palm of his hand... I'm sorry... Why are you still talking about these things..."

"It's okay, Lao Meng. It's quite interesting to talk to you about Lu He. Do you think you would be satisfied if a man like this were your son-in-law?"

Meng Xinghai gently shook the old man's slow arm and said, "How can I dare to hope for that? He is very good, a very good man of that era, but I'm afraid Qiqi probably doesn't like Team Lu's behavior."

"Why?" Meng Siqi asked curiously.

"Lu Dai seems to be a man of few words, a good man who takes care of his family. But Qi Qi is too young, she doesn't understand the nobility of this quality."

Meng Siqi felt that Meng Xinghai was telling the truth. A man like that, with a monotonous and conservative lifestyle, would probably not be liked by girls today.

But Lu He is so strange, he looks cold and calm on the outside, but he is passionate on the inside. As long as you get close to him, you can definitely feel the energy emanating from him, the kind of hot energy that can ignite the night.

Meng Siqi returned to the bureau again and immersed herself in the archives. She began to gradually understand why Meng Siqi in this world had been buried in the archives for nearly thirty years.

Because she is also confused now. It has been 30 years since the Hongzhuang serial murder case, and the details of what happened can only remain in the files.

She remembered every detail because she and Lu He handled it together, but she did not remember the last case of the Hong Zhuang serial murders.

Thirty years later, she read the files and found that Xu Wangtu's granddaughter Xu Zhouyi was the victim of the last serial murder case of red makeup. She died in 2004, ten years after the four serial murders in 1994. That year, Xu Zhouyi should have just turned 16. She was also the fifth victim after Du Lianxi, Yin Mo, Tan Xiaoshuang and Zhao Yuting.

The first four victims were all between 20 and 21 years old, very close in age. She once thought that these female victims had some kind of connection. But after Xu Yizhou was killed, she began to realize that the four victims were probably randomly selected by the murderer and killed. They were not closely related. Xu Yizhou was probably the one the murderer wanted to kill.

But it is very strange, why did the murderer choose to kill Xu Yizhou ten years later?

She had a deep impression that in the last world, Xu Wangtu was imprisoned for child molestation, and it was she who handled it personally. But in this world, Xu Wangtu was not imprisoned. Instead, ten years later in 1994, in 2004, after Xu Yizhou was killed in the Hong Zhuang serial murder case, Xu Wangtu committed suicide by drinking poison and wrote a suicide note confessing his crime of child molestation and murder.

The first four occurred between 1993 and 1994, so why did the fifth occur ten years later in 2004?

She had met Xu Wangtu before, a very stubborn and shrewd man. Why did he commit suicide by taking poison, and why did he write a suicide note confessing the crime of molesting and murdering children?

This is not like his character, unless someone forced him to do this? Who is that person? Is it the murderer of the Red Makeup Serial Murder Case?

54 years ago from today, that is, around 1970, the Red Paint Serial Murder Case occurred. Four female victims were Xin Yameng, Bao Xue, Xie Wenjuan, and Lu He's mother Qiao Jingyun.

Because Xin Yameng was a female worker in a paint factory at the time, and it was the first case, and the red paint case was related to paint, the police conducted a lot of investigations on Xin Yameng, but to no avail.

Therefore, the Red Paint Serial Murder Case has always been a mystery.

In her previous profile, the Red Lacquer Case and the Red Makeup Case were related. She once told Lu He that perhaps when the Red Lacquer Case occurred, the murderer of the Red Makeup Case was still young. When he was young, he had seen the crime scene of the Red Lacquer Case, which led to the imitation of the Red Makeup Case.

Now, she seems to be able to connect the two cases again, that is Xu Wangtu. 54 years ago, Xu Wangtu’s wife Xie Wenjuan was the victim of the red paint case, and 20 years ago, Xu Wangtu’s granddaughter Xu Yizhou was the victim of the red makeup case.

Is there any special coincidence or connection between all this? It was precisely because she didn't know that Xu Yizhou would also die in the Hongzhuang case thirty years ago, so she didn't think about it at all at that time, but now it's different, these clues seem to be related to Xu Wangtu.

But no matter which world it is, Xu Wangtu is already dead. One is that he was executed, and the other is that he committed suicide by taking poison. Xu Wangtu can no longer give an answer, so where is the real answer? Who can tell her?

Meng Siqi seemed to be stuck in a deadlock. She seemed to be stuck in the same deadlock as Meng Siqi in this world. She finally understood why Meng Siqi in this world made people feel mentally abnormal.

Because the knot has not been untied, no matter how normal a person is, he or she will develop mental disorders, especially since it is not just a year or a month, but thirty years.

If a person has a knot in his heart that has been pent up for thirty years, who wouldn't go crazy?

Meng Siqi had already forgotten her situation. She sat on the floor of the file room, surrounded by a pile of files.

Some colleagues who came to borrow files had to avoid her when they saw her behavior. Although they didn't understand it, they had to admire her.

Because in the past two days, news came out from the bureau that the provincial department was going to award Meng Siqi a second-class medal of merit to reward her for her contribution in cracking the Da Ting Group's gang-related case, and also to reward her for her original aspirations, unyielding spirit, and willingness to dedicate herself over the past 30 years.

Zhao Lei Ting told her the news yesterday, saying that it would be implemented within a month. Meng Siqi just smiled faintly at the time. Perhaps she needed such rewards too much when she was young. She cared a lot even if it was a small compliment from the Korean team and her master. But today she can no longer be happy. As long as the truth has not been revealed and the darkness is still lingering, she needs to maintain that kind of calmness at all times.

Although she said she was neither sad nor happy, when Zhao Leiting walked into the file room alone that afternoon and told her something, she was stunned for a long time and her eyes hurt.

"Siqi, the cause of Lu He's death has been confirmed. He died from a gunshot wound to the chest. He probably didn't suffer before his death..."

He paused for a moment and continued, "There is one more thing. I just received news that Comrade Feng Shaomin has passed away."

Perhaps because Meng Siqi didn't say anything, he didn't stay for long, wanting her to digest her emotions. When he left, he said, "Siqi, Brother Feng is old, don't be so sad. In three days, it will be Brother Feng's funeral, I'll take you with me."

"I'm not going." Meng Siqi said slowly.

Zhao Leiting was stunned for a moment. He felt that Meng Siqi looked a little dull. He might have been quite stimulated because Feng Shaomin was the most important person in Meng Siqi's career.

"It's okay. I understand that you are not in good health," Zhao Lei Ting comforted him. "Don't think too much. I believe that the spirit of Old Feng in heaven will definitely bless his apprentice."

After Zhao Leiting left, Meng Siqi lay on the ground, hugging the files and crying. She remembered deeply every conversation between her master and her, especially the last one, which was not about work. That time, Feng Shaomin hoped that she would agree to let him do the matchmaking. He wanted to be the matchmaker between her and Lu He.

Thirty years later, she still remembered the way Feng Shaomin spoke at that time. He must have thought that she would walk down the aisle of marriage with Lu He.

Three days later, Feng Shaomin's funeral was held at a funeral home in Jinyang City, and people who knew Feng Shaomin came to pay their respects and mourn.

The mourning hall was filled with white flowers, and it was solemn and quiet. The crystal clear and pure flowers exuded the fragrance of sorrow, as if time had stopped at this moment, and as if life had stopped at this moment.

Outside the mourning hall was a spacious living room where the waiting guests stood solemnly in black clothes.

Before the funeral officially started, Liang Yunfeng, Zhao Leiting, and Zhao Leiting's wife Lin Minjia arrived together.

Han Changlin, who was leaning on a cane and had sparse white hair, asked: "Director Zhao, where is Xiao Meng?"

"Team Korea, Siqi is not feeling well and may not be able to come."

Everyone knew about the master-disciple relationship between Feng Shaomin and Meng Siqi. After Zhao Leiting finished speaking, no one spoke, and some even felt a little sad.

"It's okay, take care of yourself." Han Changlin said.

Next to him, a woman in her thirties supported him and said to him, "Dad, let me help you sit for a while."

"No, no," Han Changlin said stubbornly, "I have to be there for Old Feng's funeral."

"Captain Han, you're not as strong as me." A deep voice came from a man in his sixties, with a bald head and short white hair.

"Lao Luo, you were full of muscles when you were young. Who can compare with you?" said Tang Xiaochuan, who already had gray hair and a slightly hunched body.

Luo Xiaoguo said, "Let's not say anything more. The protagonist today is Lao Feng. You see Director Liang and Director Zhao are here. Lao Feng is satisfied today."

Liang Yunfeng said, "Captain Luo, you are wrong. Lao Zhao and I came here, and Brother Feng can only say that we are satisfied."

Liang Yunfeng's words seemed to contain deep meaning, because in order to be truly satisfied, naturally only Feng Shaomin's direct disciple could come here.

Liang Yunfeng immediately said: "But I believe Brother Feng is already satisfied."

"Of course." Zhao Leiting said, "Siqi will soon receive the second-class merit from the provincial government. Brother Feng likes Siqi the most. He should be satisfied with his life."

Han Changlin sighed: "Who doesn't like Siqi? When Lao Feng was ill, I even called him. Lao Feng said that what he was most proud of in his life was having a disciple like Xiao Meng."

Soon, all the familiar colleagues came, including the elderly Yan Chun, Cai Shuangxi, and Lin Tao, and everyone chatted for a few more words.

At this moment, a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her early fifties walked in. She was wearing a black long dress, had a few tufts of white hair on her head, and a small white flower on her head. She walked gracefully and had an outstanding temperament.

"Aunt Rong." The woman next to Han Changlin walked towards the middle-aged woman and took her hand, "Aunt Rong, you are here."

"Sister Rong." Lin Mingjia also walked towards her and called her.

Chen Jierong took their hands and looked at them. "How are you? Minjia, Duoduo, long time no see."

"Long time no see, Aunt Rong." Han Duowei replied.

"Sister Rong, I've seen you less and less since you retired, and I miss you more and more," Lin Mingjia said, "Sister Rong, please come to my house for a simple meal this weekend."

"Okay, Minjia." Chen Jierong looked around, "Where's Siqi? Why can't I see her?"

"Sister Siqi is not feeling well." Lin Mingjia sighed.

"Oh." Chen Jierong didn't say anything else.

We exchanged a few pleasantries.

After a while, Feng Shaomin's funeral officially began. Everyone looked solemn and walked into the mourning hall one after another.

Feng Shaomin had an only daughter. As the elegy was sung softly, everyone was sad and expressed their condolences to her and her family.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the mourning hall to observe a moment of silence. At this time, there was some movement outside the mourning hall, and everyone looked towards the door.

Everyone was stunned.

The person at the door was none other than Meng Siqi. Not only did Meng Siqi appear at the door, but she was also wearing a standard olive green police uniform and her hair was tied in a ponytail like when she was young.

This is the police uniform that was only worn in the 1990s. It is the uniform that Meng Siqi wore when he first started working. The olive green color seems to carry a different emotion.

Everyone's eyes were red, as if they were filled with the impact that had taken decades to settle.

Meng Siqi walked to the center of the mourning hall. The first thing she saw was the portrait in the sea of ​​flowers. It was Feng Shaomin with white hair, but he was not the same as in her memory. There was a faint smile on his face.

She walked towards him step by step, heavy-heartedly, and her eyes were filled with those familiar faces.

They were all old, so old that they were almost unrecognizable, but she recognized them at a glance. She saw Han Dui, whose hair was sparse and mostly white, and who was leaning on a cane; Xiaochuan was also old, with a slightly hunched figure; Luo Xiaoguo had lost all his hair, and Yan Chun, Cai Shuangxi, and Lin Tao were all so old that their faces were covered with wrinkles.

Lin Minjia, who she remembered as a little girl with a little baby fat, now has wrinkles all over her face, but she is still so gentle and sweet. Sister Rong is still so beautiful, even though she is old, she is still beautiful, as if time is flowing very slowly on her face.

Meng Siqi walked to the front of the mourning hall with tears in his eyes and knelt down, "Master, I'm here, Siqi is here to see you! I'm sorry I'm late!"

At that moment, Chen Jierong and Lin Minjia both held their eyes with the back of their hands and cried. Everyone's eyes were wet.