Chapter 82: Eighty-second

After hanging up the phone, Wang Sihua finally pulled himself together. Some things couldn't be undone, but as a police officer, there were more people he needed to protect, more cases to solve.

When Cheng Xiaodong returned from interrogating the suspect and saw his improved spirits, he said, 'Who called you? That was so effective. I couldn't talk you out of it no matter how hard I tried.'

'There's a new case,' Wang Sihua said.

'Another new case?'

Wang Sihua said, 'It's in Tsim Sha Tsui. The victim had my informant help report it.'

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaodong looked envious. 'Ahua, that informant of yours is still Doctor Su, right? She gave you another lead. If you make another merit, you'll get promoted soon, maybe even be on par with me.'

Wang Sihua said, 'Doctor Su has really helped me a lot.'

Cheng Xiaodong said, 'Hey, now the Police Station is calling you a detective genius. You've cracked two cold cases in a short time. Even Lin Xiaoli's case, you managed to solve it.'

Lin Xiaoli's case wasn't actually difficult; the hard part was that the body was destroyed, no one knew it was Lin Xiaoli, so naturally her beastly foster parents couldn't be found. But Wang Sihua's informant was able to analyze clues and identify Lin Xiaoli. That allowed Wang Sihua to solve the case. 'Ahua, maybe this time you'll really get promoted. Ma Sir has been in the spotlight this time. As soon as the other party confessed, he immediately called the reporters. He's still in his office giving interviews. You made him look good, so he'll give you a chance.'

Wang Sihua felt no joy at the prospect of promotion and raise.

He only felt it was pathetic that his superior was that kind of person. Compared to upholding justice, Ma Sir probably cared more about being in the spotlight. No wonder Doctor Su didn't trust the police.

That evening, the case made the local evening paper.

After all, the impact was too terrible, which also meant it was newsworthy. The newspapers scrambled to be the first to report.

Su Jueming also bought a copy of the newspaper. After reading it, he angrily cursed the foster parents as worse than beasts. If they didn't like children, they didn't have to adopt. If they didn't like them after adopting, they could return them. Why kill a child?

Zhou Huijuan, as a mother, also found the matter heartbreaking. She sighed, 'At least they caught them.'

Su Jueming said, 'Yeah, those police finally aren't just eating for free.'

He then instructed his two sons and Su Fuling, 'Remember, protect yourselves outside. There are still many people with human faces but beastly hearts. Look at those two beasts, and they're rich people.'

Zhou Huijuan said, 'What's wrong with rich people? Rich people can be very bad too.'

Su Fuling agreed with that. For example, today she had discovered something bad in a rich family.

It wasn't just Su Jueming's family cursing; basically everyone in Harbor City who bought the newspaper was cursing those beastly things. At that moment, regardless of who they were, they shared the same thought on this matter.

Especially families with children, and families whose children were missing...

Old Master Jiang looked at the information in the newspaper, veins bulging with anger.

'Truly beasts. A child without parents' protection is already pitiful. How could anyone be so cruel?'

After cursing, Old Master Jiang suddenly burst into tears. It was as if he saw his own son wandering outside, being bullied and tormented. He even felt that the child might have already died young in the chaos of war.

There were so many bad people outside, so many...

Jiang Minghe didn't dare breathe too loudly. He only hated that his son was so clueless, reading the newspaper during dinner and cursing loudly, letting the old man see the news.

He had to soothe his own father. Jiang Minghe took a handkerchief and wiped the old man's tears. 'Dad, don't let anger ruin your health. Don't worry, I'll hire the best lawyer and send those two beasts to pay with their lives.'

Old Master Jiang said, 'They must pay with their lives! To serve as a warning to others!' Jiang Minghe hurriedly agreed.

Jiang Minghe coaxed, 'Of course. Speaking of which, the Orphanage was built on our family's land. It's our duty to stand up for this.'

Lin Meilian said, 'Dad, tomorrow I'll send some supplies to the Orphanage again.'

Old Master Jiang said, 'Tell them not to let just anyone adopt children anymore. At least check if they're human or ghost!'

Lin Meilian quickly nodded. But in her heart, she felt it wasn't simple. That couple had a good reputation too; who knew what they were like behind closed doors? But to soothe the old man, she had to nod to everything.

After finally coaxing Old Master Jiang to rest, Jiang Minghe took the opportunity to scold his own children. He told them to be careful from now on and not to bring up anything about orphans or children in front of the old man, so as not to upset him and harm his health. The Doctor had just managed to regulate his health. If something happened again, it would be dangerous.

'This family can't do without your grandfather. You think about it yourselves. If something happens to your grandfather, you'll all be sleeping on the streets,' Jiang Minghe said sternly.

The two children obediently admitted their mistake and quickly ran off.

Lin Meilian looked at her husband. 'Don't scare them like that. They're teenagers, almost adults. They need some face.'

'Give them face, but who gives me face? Do you think I'm joking? I really can't do without the old man right now. He's not just my father, he's also my protector. Alian, I'm not as all-powerful as you think.'

This was no joke. Although he had taken over the family business and secured his position, the situation in Harbor City was unstable. There were so many old foxes; relying on himself alone was really hard. Even though the old man had trained many capable subordinates, after the old man was gone, it would be very difficult for him to keep these sharp people in line. And there was the connection with the Mainland, the future direction of the Jiang Family—all of this needed the old man to steer. Jiang Minghe sometimes thought, if his elder brother were still here, he would definitely be more outstanding. His father often said that his elder brother had been a steady child since childhood, destined to be the head of the family. But now only he was left in the family, so he had to bear this heavy burden.

Seeing her husband, usually so dignified outside, show vulnerability, Lin Meilian hugged him with sympathy. 'Do you ever regret it? If you had married into a wealthy family through an alliance, you might not have to work so hard.'

'Nonsense,' Jiang Minghe laughed. 'The old man said our family are all romantics; we only marry the ones we love. I inherited the old man's devotion.'

Lin Meilian also laughed.

Jiang Minghe reached out and patted her shoulder. 'I was just joking with you. I'm not that useless. If I can't expand the family's territory, at least I can hold onto the old man's foundation. After all, the old man left such a large business and so many political connections. Nothing will happen.'

He held his wife, feeling complete. The only regret was that he still hadn't found his elder brother.

'Big brother, when are you coming home? If you come back, you can enjoy life. Come back soon.'

...

'Hongjie, do you think that child will go find those parents for revenge tonight?' In the dim light of night, Liang Wenkai held the newspaper and said to Gao Hong.

When Gao Hong heard this, her heart trembled. 'Don't say that. I don't like hearing these things. Didn't the master say not to mention it often? How could you forget?'

Liang Wenkai said, 'Alright, I won't say it. Let's eat well. Do you like today's candlelight dinner?'

Gao Hong looked at the candlelight and felt the color seemed strange. But she didn't think much of it, afraid it was her own psychological effect. Because the environment in her eyes sometimes twisted. Probably in others' eyes, it was still normal.

'Let's not do this next time. I don't like candlelight dinners anymore.'

Liang Wenkai smiled. 'I was afraid you'd miss it. Since you can't go out to eat now, I personally learned to cook Western food so you can enjoy the best steak at home.'

Gao Hong was a bit touched. 'Akai, do you remember? The first time we met was in a Western restaurant. You were working there as a waiter to support your studies.'

Liang Wenkai's smile froze slightly, then he smiled even more brightly. 'Yeah, I remember. At that time, you were negotiating a business deal, very confident and beautiful. I never thought you'd be willing to be with me.'

Gao Hong said, 'Of course I would like you. I really like your detached attitude. The business world is full of deceit and too tiring. When I come home, I naturally want to be with someone I like. And it turns out I wasn't wrong about you. No matter what happened to me, you never left me. You even helped me solve problems. When I get better, you won't have to work so hard. You can continue singing, continue doing the work you like.'

Liang Wenkai said, 'By the way, I heard from Ami that someone came today, some master? What did you talk about? Did the master have any solutions?'

Ami was the family's Filipino Maid.

At that moment, the atmosphere was good. Gao Hong really wanted to share the good news with Liang Wenkai. But her fear-dominated heart made her dare not say a single word. Master Su had said that if she spoke it out, it would make that thing hide, and it would haunt her forever, with no chance to catch it.

So she shook her head. 'No, the master said he didn't see anything.'

'Is he a fraud? I heard he was brought in by a business partner. That's why he said he didn't see anything. Are you lying to me?' Liang Wenkai said angrily.

Gao Hong said, 'Alright, let's not talk about it.' She didn't want to speak ill of the master.

'I'm not talking about you. I'm telling you that people outside have evil hearts. Now that you're sick, they all come to cheat you. Behind your back, they call you crazy, mentally ill,' Liang Wenkai continued.

Gao Hong said, 'Really, don't say anymore. Akai, I don't want to bring up those things.'

Liang Wenkai finally quieted down and asked, 'So, the master didn't say anything else?'

'No, she had no solution and left.'

Liang Wenkai nodded, then frowned. 'Hongjie, you'd better not see people casually anymore. Who knows where these people have been? What if they bring something dirty? Have you forgotten? Last time someone came to see you, at night you saw... that thing?'

Hearing this, Gao Hong shrank in fear. 'No, it can't be.' She looked around the house, feeling the whole house start to twist again.

She stood up. 'I'm going to sleep.'

'Okay, I'll take you to sleep.'

Liang Wenkai checked the time and led her into the room. Once inside, Gao Hong burrowed under the covers, hiding her head.

Liang Wenkai skillfully held her and sang a soothing song. His voice was soft, very gentle. His singing quickly eased Gao Hong's fear.

'Akai, when I get better, let's travel around the world. I want to bask in the sun,' Gao Hong said, nestled in Liang Wenkai's arms.

'Okay, Hongjie, go to sleep now. If you really can't sleep, take a sleeping pill.'

For Gao Hong, falling asleep was not easy, and she also remembered the master's instructions. Tonight, she absolutely could not fall asleep. So she stayed awake. At midnight, she pretended to be asleep.

If it were someone else, even pretending to sleep, after a long time they would inevitably really fall asleep. But Gao Hong was different. In her state, no matter how long she pretended, she couldn't fall asleep. Because the master had said that tonight was the best time to catch it, meaning that thing would come... it really would come.

Just thinking about it made it impossible for Gao Hong to sleep. After catching that thing, she would definitely ask the master to perform a ritual to make it vanish into thin air, so it could never harm anyone again!

After an unknown amount of time, there was a slight movement beside her. 'Hongjie, Hongjie.'

It was Liang Wenkai calling her. Gao Hong almost subconsciously responded, but remembering Master Su's instructions, she held back. She was about to catch that evil ghost; she couldn't fail now.

Gao Hong felt Liang Wenkai get out of bed. Then he left the room.

She was a bit anxious. Why would Akai get up and go out at this time? The master bedroom had a bathroom. Why go out? The master said that thing would come back.

Gao Hong thought, every time that thing came when Akai wasn't by her side. Sometimes when Akai was on a business trip, sometimes when Akai was in the bathroom. Sometimes even when Akai was sleeping right beside her, she couldn't wake him up.

Could it be this time...

Suddenly, the familiar sound of footsteps came from outside. That thing was here!

Gao Hong, as every time before, felt her heart suffocate with fear.

No, no, this was all wrong. She shouldn't be afraid of it! The master had invited a protective spirit for her to restrain it!

The master told her to shout for help, and the protective spirit would immediately come in and catch it.

So Gao Hong suddenly sat up, closed her eyes, and shouted, 'Help! Help!'

Her shrill voice was clear in the night.

Some neighbors heard it, but many pretended not to. Because everyone knew that a crazy woman lived in this building who would occasionally make such a ruckus at night. So no matter how loud Gao Hong shouted, no one came to help.

This time was different. Wang Sihua and his classmate A Li, who were outside the door, heard the screams and immediately took out the key to open the door and go in to rescue.

In the room, Gao Hong was being choked by a long-tongued ghost.

She stared wide-eyed at the long-tongued ghost in front of her. She couldn't scream anymore. Not only could she not scream, but the terrifying face of the other party made her eyes roll back.

Suddenly, the door to the room was kicked open.

'Police! Don't move!'

Hearing this voice, Gao Hong felt as if she had heard the voice of 'heavenly soldiers and generals.' She was no longer afraid. And the 'long-tongued ghost' was also scared by the 'heavenly soldiers and generals,' letting go and trying to run.

But this elusive long-tongued ghost had no power to resist in front of the 'heavenly soldiers and generals' and was easily caught.

Seeing this, Gao Hong cried tears of joy. 'Caught! Caught!'

'Master, make it vanish into thin air! Don't let it escape!'

Wang Sihua, of course, couldn't make this person vanish into thin air. He wasn't a master, and this person wasn't a ghost. How could he make it vanish? But he could make it show its true colors.

Wang Sihua directly reached out and pulled off the other's mask, revealing a face that was both unfamiliar and familiar to Gao Hong.

Unfamiliar because the usually gentle face was now somewhat ferocious. Familiar because... this was the person who shared her bed... Liang Wenkai!

'Akai, it's you! How could it be you?!' Gao Hong couldn't believe it.

Liang Wenkai still hadn't given up. 'Hongjie, I was just joking. The master said you need to get used to it often, then you won't be afraid anymore.'

But the excuse was too flimsy. After being caught red-handed, he couldn't find a better excuse. At this moment, all excuses only made Gao Hong see his hypocrisy clearly.

Wang Sihua said, 'Ms. Gao, we need to take him back. Please come with us to give a statement.'

But Gao Hong had no mind to listen to others. She thought of all her past experiences, and at this moment, everything clicked. It turned out that from beginning to end, it was Liang Wenkai who was pretending to be a ghost to scare her.

Gao Hong thought of the fright she had suffered these days, turning from a bright businesswoman into a madwoman in others' eyes. She felt so wronged, so angry.

'Ah—' Gao Hong let out a loud cry, climbed out of bed, rushed over, and beat Liang Wenkai indiscriminately. 'Why did you do this to me? Why, why? Why did you scare me?'

Liang Wenkai now knew that everything was exposed. He stopped pretending. Angrily, he said, 'You treat me well? Treating me well means letting others laugh at me for being a kept man? I'm a man. I want to live in the light too. But you wanted me to be detached from the world. I had to pretend in front of you. It was so hard, you know?'

Hearing Liang Wenkai's accusations and seeing his ferocious face, Gao Hong felt she had truly been blind. Blood rushed to her head, and then everything went black...

Seeing this, Wang Sihua's classmate A Li asked, 'What do we do now?'

The two young police officers didn't know how to save someone. Wang Sihua pinched her philtrum, managing to bring Gao Hong back to some consciousness, but she wasn't very clear-headed.

Wang Sihua said, 'Call an ambulance.'

Fortunately, the Gao family had a phone, so calling an ambulance was easy. But after A Li made the call, he turned around and saw someone standing behind him, making him scream in fright.

That person also screamed and quickly ran into the room.

Wang Sihua said, 'It's the Filipino Maid in this house.' Before coming, Doctor Su had already told them about the family members.

'But we still need to take her back for a statement. Now, quickly call your colleagues to take over. I need to go back and rest.'

A Li said, 'Aren't you afraid of someone stealing the credit?'

'I'm not in it for the credit. I agreed to help Doctor Su, and I came specially because I was afraid you'd mess things up. I'm going back to sleep. I really haven't slept well in a long time.'

A Li naturally quickly called his colleagues.

While waiting, he asked, 'Hey, how is your informant so amazing? She even knew when the crime would happen.'

Wang Sihua thought of Doctor Su and said to himself, if he told A Li about Doctor Su's abilities, he'd probably be scared.

By the way, he needed to get up early tomorrow to apply for Doctor Su's bonus as soon as possible.