To think from the criminal's perspective might have led me to understand, but I slapped myself, wondering where my thoughts had strayed. What did it matter to me how they thought or competed?
I should focus on finding evidence. I hid near a dilapidated building; it was secluded, but lacked a bed or food. It seemed I would have to live like a beggar for a while.
However, wandering was a minor issue; I needed sufficient means to hide and avoid the police.
When utterly exhausted, I could only sit inside the decaying structure, contemplating the case details in the dim corner. I had heard a hoarse, raspy voice in A502, which drew me to B503. The place was incredibly dark, the curtains drawn. But after I was taken hostage, he deliberately opened them, allowing Liu Yuning and others in A502 to see my head. He, however, hid behind me and then deliberately half-closed the curtains, making them believe the arm holding the dagger was mine!
Liu Yuning was wearing a body camera at the time. She must have recorded everything she saw. If they reviewed the footage later, they would likely be very puzzled.
Yet, I hadn't seen any sign of his escape. The man had appeared like a phantom. Then, I looked back at the window and saw someone smiling coldly at me. Also, I had received his call earlier. He had said, "I'll kill Ma Biao shortly and then leave B503. You have two choices now: either pursue me, or see if Ma Biao can be saved. But if you chase me, Ma Biao is dead. Heh, does this remind you of the island case? Now, choose!"
The man was actually telling me his next move. I wanted to curse him out, but knew I needed to stay calm. Just as I was about to say something on the phone, I was seized from behind.
I wondered if they were more than one person. Were the caller and the one holding me captive not the same person?
But how did the person behind me escape?
I pondered, unable to figure it out, too exhausted to continue. I could only fall asleep temporarily.
After an unknown period, I woke up to find it very quiet outside. I didn't know how long I had been living like this. In any case, I was starving. I stood up and felt my pockets. I had initially thought I still had betel nuts or chocolate from Dao Zhiyong, but unexpectedly, I had eaten all these snacks over the past few days. Now, I suddenly missed my disciple. Perhaps he was working with Liu Yuning at this very moment to rescue me.
I walked out of the alley, intending to find something to eat. But I had used up most of my money, and my phone was gone. I could only take it one step at a time. For some reason, as I entered a certain alley, someone called out from behind me, "Ah! Are you, He..."
Terrified of being recognized, I ran desperately, thinking, please don't chase me!
I didn't know how far I had run. Later, I heard no movement behind me. Unexpectedly, a child walked up and handed me a letter, saying, "Hello, brother. An uncle asked me to give you this letter!"
You...
I took the letter and let the child leave. Upon opening it, I found it was blank paper again. Fortunately, I still had white vinegar.
After using it, the text reappeared: "Coroner He, aren't you very skilled at examining corpses? I heard you were a forensic doctor before. Perhaps because coroners are becoming obsolete in society now, fortune tellers have become forensic technicians, coroners have become forensic doctors, escort agencies have become express delivery, and barbers have become hairdressers... Ahaha, professions like yours, from the 'lower nine,' can't compare to emperors, sages, scholars, literati, farmers, artisans, merchants, warriors, or students. But you are quite capable. However, you have no opportunity to examine corpses now. What use is a coroner like you?!"
Since it was a letter, there was no point in cursing. I could only read it and tear it to shreds. This person seemed to know me well. No, it should be 'these people.' I felt I was being targeted by the entire group of 'Challengers.' They were orchestrating a vast, astonishing killing trap, drawing me deeper in, making it impossible to escape.
No, if I continued like this, I would surely become a fugitive. Looking at my surroundings, I suddenly felt light-headed. Coupled with a slight breeze, I noticed my wound starting to ache. It was a cut from glass when I accidentally fell while escaping the hotel. Now, I felt like I had a fever.
Under these circumstances, illness was like adding frost to snow. Was I truly going to be defeated by these scoundrels this time?
I leaned against the wall, feeling groggy, and moved forward cautiously. But I didn't know how long I had walked before I felt the heat in my body increasing. Finally, my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground with a thud...
In a high fever, I was tormented by something. Then, someone seemed to lift me up. I didn't know who it was, but I was taken away.
Fuzzy, still in a fever, I felt some relief. A gentle person was taking care of me. I smelled a strange fragrance and wondered if it was my wife Yuning. But this scent wasn't like hers.
Just as I imagined I had been taken in by that wealthy woman and was being cared for at her home, and that a cliché story of a rich beauty saving the male lead was about to unfold, I opened my eyes and found myself in a room painted entirely in shades of purple and blue. There were teddy bears by the bed, and many wind chimes hung overhead. The vanity table next to it was also painted purple-blue, adorned with many cosmetics and a very cartoonish computer.
Whose room was this? Did I know her?
I touched my forehead, feeling the fever had subsided. Just then, someone pushed the door open and walked in.
"Oh, He Sheng, you're awake?"
The person who entered was none other than Ling Xiaotao!
In the past, she hadn't treated me very well, but after I "disciplined" her, she slowly changed. Once, He Xin even secretly told me that Ling Xiaotao liked me.
But by then, I was already married to Liu Yuning and had been for some time.
Before she entered, even if I had thought of my colleagues, I would have expected Xie Chuchu, Su Yaxin, or Zhang Keying, but I never expected it to be her!