Chapter 26 After returning home, Gu Sheng regained his composure...
After returning home, Gu Sheng resumed his peaceful life.
However, some changes have occurred.
As is customary for the J City Police Department, they will publish the investigation process on their official website after a case is solved.
In this case, when the case was announced, the Public Security Bureau sought Gu Sheng's consent and then included the fact that Gu Sheng had obtained important clues through hypnosis.
Suddenly, Gu Sheng became a celebrity on the J City internet, and the topic of hypnosis became a hot topic online.
However, these minor incidents had no impact on Gu Sheng, who was in S City.
That day, Gu Sheng, who slept until late morning, heard a commotion outside the window.
Gu Sheng stood on the long side and looked out. He saw that a lot of security officers had come to his neighbor's house. The old lady was surrounded by the security officers and stood in her small garden.
In the garden, the lonely tree that the old lady planted herself stood out starkly.
The sheriffs were pointing at the tree and talking, while the old woman watched calmly as they took shovels and began digging under the tree.
She knew this day would come eventually, but she didn't regret what she had done.
There was even a hint of relief on the old lady's face.
Her life was first controlled by her parents, then by her lover. She never lived for herself, except for these last few days, which were the happiest time of her life.
Throughout her life, she always tried her best in everything, just to earn a word of praise from them. However, she almost never heard any words of praise from these closest people.
Compared to praise, beatings and scoldings are more common.
Thinking of this, the old lady remembered the young man who had recently moved in, and imagined him smiling and saying that her cakes were delicious and praising her outfit.
This is what she has always done, but she has never heard these words from her husband.
As she was thinking, the old lady looked in the direction of Gu Sheng's house, and then her gaze met that of Gu Sheng, who was standing by the window.
The old lady smiled kindly at Gu Sheng, and Gu Sheng returned the smile.
Gu Sheng overheard the young sheriff standing under his window say to his superior, "Captain, do you really think Madam Chen killed her husband?"
The young sheriff had always sympathized with Mrs. Chen: "Her husband was a rich scumbag. Mrs. Chen applied for divorce from the court many times, but her husband just wouldn't agree and even beat and verbally abused her. If you ask me, he deserved to die."
The captain turned and glared at the young sheriff, who immediately fell silent.
After a while, she said again, "That's not what I meant. What I meant was, her husband did such a terrible thing, and Madam Chen didn't choose to retaliate. Why would she suddenly kill him? Besides, given her husband's physique, Madam Chen was no match for him at all."
The captain looked at the excavation site and said, "Whether it was murder or an accident, we'll know once the body is dug up. I know you sympathize with her, but the law is the law, and murderers must pay with their lives."
The young sheriff whispered, "If the law were really that effective, then when Mrs. Chen came to the police station because of domestic violence, it wouldn't have been closed as a domestic dispute, and her husband would have been in jail long ago."
The captain heard the young sheriff's complaints, but these were things they couldn't control.
The digging continued, and as Mrs. Chen watched the pit grow deeper and deeper, she unconsciously clenched her hands.
She was nervous and scared.
The fear of her husband was deeply ingrained in Mrs. Chen's bones; she was afraid, even though he was already a corpse.
Soon, a stench began to permeate the air. Someone's shovel touched something different from the soil, and he shouted excitedly, "I've found it!"
At this moment, Gu Sheng made himself a cup of tea. He held the teacup, took a small sip, and looked out the window.
The captain and the young sheriff immediately surrounded them, carrying up the foul-smelling object, and then everyone fell silent.
Even though it was so rotten that it was unrecognizable, people could still tell at a glance that it was not a human corpse, but the corpse of a dog.
The moment they saw the dog's corpse, only Gu Sheng's eyes remained completely unmoved.
The young sheriff looked at Madam Chen and said, "You planted this tree to bury a dog?"
Mrs. Chen looked at the dog's corpse with a somewhat bewildered expression.
The captain's first reaction was, "This is impossible." He refused to believe it and picked up the shovel to continue digging.
He was digging alone, and he couldn't dig very deep. After digging for a while, he still hadn't found anything, so he stopped.
The captain glanced past the dog's carcass and looked at Madam Chen. He stared into her eyes and asked, word by word, "Is your husband really missing?"
After Mrs. Chen reported her husband missing, the Public Security Bureau conducted a thorough investigation.
According to the investigation, no records were found of her husband entering or leaving the community, nor were any clues found about her husband leaving home.
On the contrary, Madam Chen exhibited many unusual behaviors.
Especially this tree. According to a survey of other residents in the community, Mrs. Chen has never had the habit of tending to flowers and plants, let alone planting trees.
After her husband disappeared, she suddenly planted a tree overnight, which seemed very abnormal.
Based on his years of experience in handling cases, the captain immediately realized that Madam Chen was hiding a body.
However, to everyone's surprise, they ended up digging up a dog's carcass.
Mrs. Chen gave the same answer as always: "Yes." However, while she used to say those two words with certainty, this time her tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
The captain, naturally skeptical, raised his voice and asked, "Where did you hide him?"
The young sheriff quickly grabbed the captain and whispered, "Captain, Captain, don't be impulsive."
Gu Sheng took another sip of tea and silently watched the farce unfold outside.
Mrs. Chen murmured, "I don't know." She really didn't know. She clearly buried that person here, so how could he have turned into a dog? She even began to doubt whether her husband had really disappeared, and whether what she had experienced was just a dream.
The sheriff then searched Madam Chen's house but found nothing unusual, so the matter was dropped.
However, judging from the captain's demeanor, he wouldn't let the matter rest so easily.
After the sheriff left, Mrs. Chen seemed lost in thought, sitting in the living room all afternoon, staring blankly at the trees outside the window.
After watching the excitement, Gu Sheng stretched, grabbed his phone, and went outside.
He returned quickly with the things he had purchased.
These past few days, he saw someone online teaching people how to make a very simple cookie, and today he decided to give it a try.
Following the instructions in the video, Gu Sheng made the cookies without much effort.
Although it looks quite different from how it appears in the video, it tastes alright.
He packed some up, intending to send it to Madam Chen.
Gu Sheng stood in front of his neighbor's door and knocked. After a long while, Mrs. Chen opened the door, looking exhausted.
"What's wrong with you?" Gu Sheng asked with concern.
Madam Chen forced a smile upon seeing Gu Sheng and said, "It's nothing, I'm just in a bad mood."
She forced herself to stay alert and asked, "Is there something you need?" This was the first time Gu Sheng had ever reached out to her on his own initiative.
Gu Sheng picked up the cookies he had made and said, "I tried making some cookies and wanted to give you some."
Mrs. Chen's expression visibly relaxed: "Cookies? Did you make them? Then I must try them," she said, stepping aside. "Please come in. I got some black tea a couple of days ago, which is perfect to go with the cookies."
Gu Sheng did not refuse, walked into the living room, placed the cookies on the coffee table and sat down.
Mrs. Chen quickly came over with the brewed tea. She poured a cup for herself and Gu Sheng, then picked up a cookie, took a bite, and praised repeatedly, "Is this your first time making this? It tastes so good on your first try, you're amazing!"
Gu Sheng was a little embarrassed by the praise, and he said, "Well, it's not as good as you say."
As he spoke, he looked out the window at the trees and asked, "What were those sheriffs doing here just now?"
Madam Chen paused, picked up the teacup but didn't drink it; she just thought about the things in her hands.
Mrs. Chen also looked out the window and said, "I'm sorry, I disturbed you because of me."
Gu Sheng said, "No, I just saw it after I got up."
Madam Chen looked at the teacup in her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "They've come looking for something."
Gu Sheng nodded and said, "What are you looking for? That dog? I saw them dig it up."
Madam Chen was silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No."
"Besides the dog, is there anything else buried down there?" Gu Sheng asked curiously.
Looking at her reflection in the teacup, Madam Chen said, almost as if possessed, "My inner demons are buried under there."
She realized her mistake as soon as she finished speaking and quickly added, "No, I was just joking," she said. "My husband, you may not have met him, he's missing, and the sheriff is helping me find him."
Mrs. Chen continued with the story she had rehearsed countless times: "He has disappeared. The sheriff suspects that I killed him and that I buried him under the tree."
So what's the truth?
The truth is, she did bury that person there, but he disappeared.
Where did he go? Could it be that he's not actually dead, and is he hiding in the shadows watching me?
Even knowing that the man was dead, Madam Chen couldn't help but think that way.
That person became her inner demon again; she would live in fear every day if she couldn't find him.
Suddenly, Gu Sheng's voice reached Madam Chen's ears: "Inner demon? A devil? If it's a devil, then it must have gone to hell. They didn't find it, probably because they didn't dig deep enough to break through hell."
Madam Chen paused for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at Gu Sheng.
Feeling Madam Chen's gaze, Gu Sheng turned to look at her. Gu Sheng smiled at Madam Chen and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, the devil can't escape hell."
Madam Chen felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if someone were grabbing it, and her breathing became rapid. She knew, and Gu Sheng knew.
How did Gu Sheng find out? When did he discover it? However, Madam Chen also knew that her methods were not very sophisticated, so it was normal that she was discovered.
But what did Gu Sheng mean by that?
Could it be...?
"Is he still under the tree?" Deeper still, beneath the dog.
Who buried him so deep, and who buried that dog here?
Gu Sheng seemed to know nothing, and asked with a puzzled look, "What 'him'? Under which tree?"
He looked out the window and said, "You mean this tree? I remember it's a crabapple tree, it can bloom."
Madam Chen didn't know why Gu Sheng was saying all this; she just watched him silently.
Gu Sheng turned to look at Madam Chen and continued, "We need to fertilize it properly. I heard that rotten leaves are the best fertilizer."
He smiled. "But I feel that using a rotten soul should be just as good." He looked at the tree. "It will definitely bloom with the most beautiful flowers next year."
At this moment, Madam Chen had only one thought: it was this person in front of her who did it; he had deceived the sheriff and helped her, but why?
It was because of those small cakes, or because of sympathy for the weak.
But none of that matters. What matters is that Madam Chen now knows that the person is still under the tree. Knowing this puts her mind at ease.
Mrs. Chen struggled to suppress her trembling hands, placed the teacup on the coffee table, and solemnly said to Gu Sheng, "Thank you."
Gu Sheng took a sip of tea and said, "I should thank you. Your little cakes were delicious. I'll order them again next time."
After saying that, he stood up and said, "Thank you for the hospitality, the tea is very fragrant."
After Gu Sheng left, Madam Chen sat in the living room all night without closing her eyes, but she was more excited than ever before. The next day, she went out to look for a job.
She didn't want to use the money her husband left behind.
Although she is very old, she believes she can support herself with her own hands.
The only regret is that she can't move away from here and completely break with the past.
Because she wanted to stay by that person's side and make sure he didn't crawl out of hell.
For Gu Sheng, this was just a good deed he did each day. Seeing Madam Chen cheer up, Gu Sheng's mood improved considerably.
However, Gu Sheng's leisurely days didn't last long before he received a call from Li Qingyue.
Li Qingyue asked him to come over, saying he needed his help with something.
At the same fast food restaurant, Li Qingyue revealed the reason she had called Gu Sheng: "I saw the announcement from J City. You didn't even tell me you could hypnotize people?"
Gu Sheng didn't know how to explain it. Could it be that he didn't know it before, and then one day he suddenly had an epiphany and knew it?
Even Li Qingyue wouldn't believe him.
Gu Sheng could only say, "I was quite interested in these things for a while, so I learned a little about them." Fortunately, J City wrote the content in a relatively brief way when it was released, so it all looked quite normal, just like ordinary hypnosis in people's minds.
Li Qingyue said, "That's not just a little bit. There are no more than five people in the world who can do what you do."
Gu Sheng thought silently: Five people? If there were four more like him, the world would be in chaos long ago. It's only because he's kind-hearted.
Li Qingyue continued, "Sometimes I really admire you. You can learn anything and master it." Actually, it would be more accurate to say I envy you.
Gu Sheng looked puzzled. Why was he suddenly praising him? "So, what do you need me for?" Didn't you say you needed his help?
Li Qingyue's expression turned serious, and she got to the point: "There is something I hope you can help me with using your hypnotic abilities."
Gu Sheng asked, "What is it?"
Li Qingyue said, "There was a case from two years ago that you should have heard of. It was a sensation at the time. A madman killed thirteen girls and dismembered them."
Gu Sheng had no idea that such a horrifying thing had happened.
However, judging from Li Qingyue's tone, the case should be closed.
Gu Sheng said, "A case from two years ago? The murderer should have already been executed by now."
Li Qingyue frowned and shook his head, saying, "He was sentenced to death, but because his family signed a letter of understanding, the death sentence was commuted to a suspended death sentence."
"Huh?" They can sign a letter of understanding for this? Who is this madman? Is he the mayor's biological son?
Gu Sheng's thoughts were written all over his face.
Li Qingyue said, "It's not what you think. The reason the families signed the letter of understanding is that although the girls' bodies have been found, their heads have not been found yet."
"You haven't found any of the thirteen?" Gu Sheng was somewhat surprised.
Li Qingyue said, "Yes, the reason for keeping the murderer alive is to pry open his mouth and find the girls' heads."
His tone carried a hint of sadness: "This is the wish of the girls' parents; they only hope that their children can be whole."
He looked at Gu Sheng: "It's been two years already, and the murderer's probation is about to expire. If we can't get him to talk, then the girls' heads will be taken to the grave by him."
Gu Sheng immediately understood Li Qingyue's meaning: he wanted him to use hypnosis to get the location out of the murderer.
It sounds pretty simple.
Gu Sheng said, "I can try. When can I go see the murderer?"
Li Qingyue gave a wry smile and said, "Things won't be that simple." He added, "I'm not saying it's difficult for you to meet him, but rather that he himself has a lot of problems."
Li Qingyue said, "I have a feeling that the madman is waiting to die. He is hoping for the execution. I had this feeling when we caught him. He deliberately hid the girls' heads, but I don't know the specific reason."
Gu Sheng said, "That sounds pretty crazy."
"Sigh, I didn't want to drag you into this unless absolutely necessary," Li Qingyue said apologetically.
Gu Sheng repeated his previous statement: "I can give it a try. When can we arrange to meet?"
Hearing Gu Sheng's answer, Li Qingyue was very pleased. Sure enough, when encountering problems, Gu Sheng was the only one she could rely on.
Li Qingyue said, "It'll be in the next couple of days. Wait for my notification."
Li Qingyue acted quickly, and Gu Sheng received a notification the next day that everything was arranged and they could meet the following day. Li Qingyue gave Gu Sheng an address and told him to go there and that Li Qingyue would wait for him at the door.
The next day, Gu Sheng took a taxi to the gate of a prison based on the address.
Li Qingyue led Gu Sheng inside, and during the visitation, Gu Sheng saw the madman.
On the way here, Li Qingyue showed Gu Sheng the man's file. The murderer's name was Jiang Lin, a native of City A. He was an orphan who came to City S for the first time five years ago. He had been doing heavy physical labor and people who had been around him said that he was taciturn and unsociable.
Based on the traces left at the crime scene, the sheriff judged him to be a meticulous and cruel person.
He committed his crimes very cleanly and efficiently, never leaving any clues. It wasn't until the last time that the sheriff found a bloody fingerprint on the ground and followed it to find him.
The sheriff arrested Jiang Lin in his rented room, during which he offered no resistance.
The entrance to the visiting room.
Li Qingyue said, "I won't go in with you. I'll stay next door and watch the surveillance. If anything happens, be sure to call me immediately."
Gu Sheng nodded, indicating that he understood.
The prison guard opened the door, indicating that Gu Sheng could pass.
The visiting room was small and looked somewhat like an interrogation room.
Jiang Lin was chained to his hands, feet, and neck, which shows how much the prison cared about him.
As soon as Gu Sheng entered the room, he met a pair of eyes filled with madness.
One glance was enough to send shivers down Gu Sheng's spine; it was the first time Gu Sheng had ever felt danger.
The person in front of me is dangerous.
However, he quickly calmed down. Even in danger, with his whole body chained up, how could he possibly break free of the chains and eat himself?
Gu Sheng sat down in front of Jiang Lin, and neither of them spoke, and the room fell silent.
"Bang!"
"Ugh, this is so annoying, who are you?"
The loud noise startled Gu Sheng. Jiang Lin, who had been quiet just moments before, suddenly kicked the table in a fit of rage and began to speak loudly.
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