"Zishan!" Zhao Thirteen cried out. In an instant, his two sons had their heads severed by the knife of the assailant before them. Before they could even scream, his entire family lay dead before our eyes!
Just as Zhao Thirteen was about to rush forward to exact revenge, the assailant threw a smoke bomb on the ground!
The visibility dropped drastically, rendering it almost impossible to see anything! Even though Zhao Thirteen charged forward recklessly, he ultimately failed to capture the assailant, who had already vanished. All that remained were the brutally murdered bodies of Zhao Thirteen's family.
He clutched the three corpses tightly, yet he did not cry. At that moment, he seemed remarkably calm. We gradually drew closer, and Liu Yuning, unable to suppress a gasp, began to tremble...
Later, Zhao Thirteen contracted muscle atrophy for reasons unknown. Ever since that incident, he lived in seclusion and required care. It was then that our friendship was forged. Initially, it stemmed from my admiration for his written works, which led me to discover my own talent for writing. Zhao Thirteen was, in essence, my mentor in the literary world.
It is precisely because of this that I have maintained such close contact with him. Yes! Zhao Thirteen was the one guarding the tomb. Back then, his health was still good, and I was unaware of his true identity. It wasn't until after the sports meet, when I encountered him again, that things began to change. For years, all the works I've written have been a collaboration between the two of us...
If I don't write this down, people won't know how these works came to be. It's my way of ensuring everyone acknowledges the existence of my behind-the-scenes strategist, who, despite the torment of muscle atrophy, remains resolute in his dedication to the arts, a former international police officer.
My name is He Sheng. I am the Director of the Guangming City Public Security Department, affiliated with the Ministry of Public Security of China. My ancestors, however, were morticians.
Recently, I met a remarkable fellow named Dao Zhiyong. He hails from a lineage of character analysts, and his grandfather was a renowned expert in the field.
He has a fondness for betel nuts, but it's more than just fondness; I believe he's obsessed. He's rarely without them, chewing a few bites wherever he goes. His sharp and mischievous demeanor often prompts me to call him "kid" or "monkey."
I am now on a beach somewhere, having a barbecue with everyone. I'm not sure what possessed me, but I accepted Dao Zhiyong's suggestion to come to this place called Fengming Sea for a barbecue. His rationale was that we've been so busy, it's time to relax and not be consumed by work our entire lives.
So, here we are, eating barbecue, drinking beverages, and admiring the beach scenery. The lingering sunset rays create quite a picturesque setting. Since becoming a police officer, I've had very few opportunities like this. Perhaps that's why I agreed to this outing.
Liu Yuning and He Xin were engaged in conversation about the latest mobile phones and handbags. Xie Chuchu, having eaten her fill, picked up a book to read. Xiaoling stood by the sea, gazing at the distant landscape. Dao Zhiyong said to me, "Team Leader He... Team Leader He, this island has been quite famous in our Guangming City for many years. It's said to be full of attractions and has incredibly natural hot springs. Why don't we try them out later?"
"It seems the barbecue was just a pretense, wasn't it, Dao Zhiyong? Your real intention is the hot springs here?"
"Ahaha, you've seen right through me, Team Leader He!"
"Alright, when we're out, don't call me that. Just He Sheng. Let's leave the work titles behind."
"Really? That's great! Has everyone eaten enough? We're heading to the hot spring area!" Dao Zhiyong clapped his hands and suddenly stood up, beckoning everyone to go. We, however, were leisurely. Only He Xin enthusiastically stood up: "Dao Zhiyong, you said there are hot springs here? Where are they?"
"Don't you see? Over there, near the coconut trees, where the wooden planks are!"
"Ah, I see them! Let's go then!" He Xin moved to Dao Zhiyong's side, urging him to lead the way. This instantly lifted everyone's spirits, and they followed suit. We walked along a tree-lined path on the island and arrived at the hot spring area. At that moment, a woman with a graceful figure approached us: "Hello everyone, you're here for the hot springs, aren't you?!"
"Yes, madam boss. Is the hot spring area open now?" I asked.
"Of course. Oh? How did you know I'm the boss?"
"Your skin is very well-maintained, you're wearing expensive jewelry on your wrist, and these ornaments bear phoenix markings. Combined with the island's name and the scent of coconut emanating from you, you must have lived on this island for a long time. You also seem to enjoy coconuts, which I can tell from your complexion," I analyzed.
"Hmm, it seems you're a fan of deduction. I still don't know your name?" The graceful woman extended her hand towards me.
"He Sheng!"
"Oh? I'm Zhou Zijuan. A nice name. Ah, could you be that..."
"No, you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm just an ordinary person. How could I possibly be him!"
"That's right. He must be very busy and wouldn't have time to come here for a visit. I just thought you looked very similar."
"Yes, people often say that! Hahaha!"
I let out a deliberate laugh, and the proprietress led us into a hot spring resort. Looking at the abundant bamboo and coconut trees wrapped around, I realized this environment was truly suitable for busy people to relax. Since I had the time now, perhaps I really should enjoy myself, just like Dao Zhiyong. Otherwise, if a case were to arise unexpectedly, we'd have to leave immediately.
Zhou Zijuan first explained the layout of the hot spring resort. It turned out there were several classifications of hot springs: public areas, couple's zones, and separate male and female sections. Different springs were suited for different groups, and we could choose accordingly. As I listened to Zhou Zijuan's explanation, I noticed several other people were also here to soak in the hot springs: a burly man, a seemingly refined woman, and an old woman with a face full of scars.
As we chatted, we discovered the man was a retired soldier who claimed he was here to soak in the hot springs. The woman was a painter seeking inspiration for her art, and the old woman, who had previously worked at a bank, was now retired. Her husband had recently passed away, leaving her feeling a bit down, so she came here to clear her head.