In a warehouse where the edges were out of sight, Su Tang sat slumped on the ground, her hands and feet bound.
Not far away, a figure walked slowly towards her with a rhythmic stride.
Su Tang struggled hard against the ropes, but could not break free.
When she finally managed to get a clear look at the approaching person, it turned out to be her own father, Su Xia!
Just as she was about to joyfully call out for her father to save her, she suddenly noticed a long arrow protruding from his mouth. As the arrow grew longer, her father's face contorted, eventually transforming into a bloody visage with wide-open eyes and a smiling mouth.
"Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!" a voice from who-knew-where pierced her ears like barbs, torturing her until she was drenched in sweat!
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Just then, a pair of large hands pressed down on her shoulders—
Su Tang's eyes snapped open, and she sat up abruptly, nearly scaring Ping An, who was guarding her, to death.
"Girl, you're awake! Are you alright!" Ping An's voice penetrated Su Tang's ears. She looked around and found herself in a stark white room. Oh, it was a hospital.
"Master..." With her senses returning, Su Tang lay back down under Ping An's comforting words. However, upon seeing another familiar face, tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily.
"Don't say anything else, just focus on recovering!" Ping An said tenderly, touching his disciple's bandaged face.
"Oh my, she's awake! That's wonderful!" The hospital room door opened, and Gao Xiaofei entered excitedly, carrying a large bag of fruit. Seeing Su Tang awake, he quickly greeted her.
"My disciple just woke up. You know I'm protective of my own. If you're here to fulfill your godfatherly duties, you're welcome. If you're here to investigate the case, get out!" Ping An glanced at Cheng Jian, who was tiptoeing outside the door, and said grumpily.
"Indeed, today is not the right time!" Gao Xiaofei knew Ping An's stubborn nature well. He looked at Su Tang with concern and asked, "Girl, are you feeling any better!"
"I'm much better. How long was I out!" Su Tang looked at her master.
"About two days. You were brought in the night before last. You slept all day yesterday, with a fever and an allergic reaction. The girl who came with you was discharged last night, but you managed to sleep an extra day!" Ping An said crossly.
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"Master, have I caused you more trouble!" Su Tang said cautiously, seeing her master's displeased expression.
"No, your classmates told me everything about that night. You were very brave, decisive, and did very well. Master is proud of you!" Ping An said dotingly.
"But you're clearly unhappy!" Su Tang observed.
"That's because I want to ask your godfather why those four punks who injured your face haven't been caught yet!" Ping An said through gritted teeth.
Ping An doted on his disciple more than usual after taking her in. Perhaps it was his age, approaching parenthood, but seeing his beautiful young disciple's face injured by others was unbearable for old Ping.
"They've been caught. They were caught in Baicheng and are in detention." Seeing Ping An's murderous gaze, Gao Xiaofei had no intention of being the target.
"Alright, you arrange it. I'll go see them and ask them why they still hit someone after taking the money. Is hitting people right? Hitting people is wrong! Why did they hit people! Is it okay to just hit people randomly!" Ping An became more agitated as he spoke.
"Old Ping, listen, the ones who took them into custody are Lai Xiang and his group. To speak out of turn, they've already been taught a lesson on the way! They were roughed up pretty bad!" Gao Xiaofei quickly said something that Ping An would like to hear.
"Is it easy for me to raise a child! She's only 15 years old! What if there's a scar! I'd rather they cut a piece of flesh from my own body! Wuwuwuwu! You're still her godfather, a heartless godfather!" As he spoke, touching upon a sad point, Ping An actually shed a few tears.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's going too far! The doctor said it's a superficial wound, and there's a hundred percent chance of no scar. Besides, how can a girl be considered grown up without getting a little scratched up! Right!" Gao Xiaofei said, rubbing his temples as he looked at Ping An.
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"Then it's agreed, Su Tang knows nothing, and we'll wash our hands of it!" Ping An finally revealed his true feelings, wiping away his tears.
"That won't do. Su Tang discovered the body, she's familiar with the situation. That Yang Jiao knows nothing. Our Su Tang is so capable! She probably knows something we don't, right!" Gao Xiaofei objected to Ping An's attempt to distance Su Tang from the matter.
"Alright, alright, go ask the doctor if she can be discharged! We'll talk about it when we get back!" Ping An waved his hand impatiently.
The unconsciousness caused by shock, coupled with the facial injuries, were not serious. The doctor had mentioned earlier that she could be discharged once she woke up. Gao Xiaofei asked the doctor and then proceeded to handle Su Tang's discharge procedures.
Although her legs were clearly fine, her master insisted that Su Tang be taken in a wheelchair. Su Tang reluctantly complied. However, as soon as they stepped out of the hospital room, they saw two rows of unrelated people sitting in the corridor.
One row was led by Cheng Jian, a police officer. Cheng Jian was familiar to Su Tang; he was the captain of the district criminal investigation department. The other group of people was unfamiliar to Su Tang. They included a bald man, a man with dyed hair, and a bald man with a full-arm tattoo, who was carrying a fruit basket and bowing subserviently to Ping An.
"Monk! You know, I'm protective of my own! As I said, this matter is not over! Look at my precious disciple's face, is it going to leave a scar!" Ping An said angrily to the leader of the thugs.
"Brother, it was my poor management! I've given the child some money, please don't think it's too little. This is my personal gesture. I'm not even familiar with those four grandsons. Doesn't everyone around me know you!" The monk, carrying a bundle of cash, said obsequiously.
"Monk! I heard you opened a new bathhouse in the Riverside District?" At this moment, Ping An narrowed his eyes and said ominously, "If anything were to happen to me, given our friendship, a meal would suffice. However, my disciple's father was the deputy director of the Riverside District Bureau before he passed away. His subordinates would cherish this girl like a treasure... I don't need to say more, you figure it out yourself!"
Facing such characters, the worst thing to do is hesitate and be timid. They are looking for your "weakness"! Ping An had not yet decided on a strategy regarding Su Tang's involvement in the case, but for the sake of those four punks, if he didn't make his stance clear, the monk and his gang would become even more audacious. It would be better to be firm from the start!
Reader ID - 563743675
Leaving behind the gritting-teeth monk, Ping An pushed his precious disciple towards home, followed by a few police officers, whom he ignored. In fact, Ping An was also curious about the specific details, but this was not the place to discuss them.
In the hospital parking lot, Hei Dou was already waiting in the RV they had bought from the provincial department.
Seeing Su Tang get into the car with bandages, looking guilty.
"Uncle Douzi, stew me some ribs when we get home! I'm starving!" Hei Dou was straightforward and wore his emotions on his sleeve. After getting into the car, Su Tang looked at Hei Dou's dejected and self-reproachful expression and said comfortingly.
"I'll arrange it right away! If you ask me, ribs aren't very filling anyway, they're so dry. Uncle will stew you some big bones. I know you love bone marrow..." Hei Dou said dotingly, looking at Su Tang.
"Alright, let's go home first! We'll talk when we get home!" Ping An got into the passenger seat and waved to Gao Xiaofei and Cheng Jian, who were following behind, signaling their departure.
On the way home, Ping An pretended to be asleep, while Su Tang eagerly asked Hei Dou about the events of that night. Hei Dou was initially reluctant to speak, but unable to withstand Su Tang's insistence, he glanced at Ping An, who was feigning sleep, and then recounted the events of that night.
It turned out that after Su Tang discovered the body that night, she fainted from shock. As Hei Dou went downstairs to find a signal to call the police, he only found a signal on the 16th floor. He immediately called the police and informed Ping An of the situation.
After reporting, Hei Dou returned to the 21st floor. After knocking on the door for a long time, he heard Jiaozi's shouts. From Jiaozi's intermittent words, he learned about the dead body and Su Tang's fainting.
"I didn't have any suitable tools. A few people from the property management security department came. The leader was the son of Old Gaoda. I asked him how I could get to the rooftop. He took me up another floor via the fire escape and opened a small room. It turned out to be the ventilation room and the elevator control room. I climbed to the rooftop using the ladder in that room," Hei Dou said.
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From the rooftop, Hei Dou reached the area above Jiaozi's bedroom. Peering down, he saw a corpse on the balcony and Su Tang lying at the glass door.
After discovering this, Hei Dou ignored everything else and jumped down from a height of over three meters. He first checked on Su Tang and found she had only fainted. He then found Jiaozi at the second-floor stairwell. After ensuring their safety, he began a preliminary examination of the body. About ten minutes later, the police arrived with tools and broke in. After a brief inquiry, they went to the hospital. Ping An had diverted directly to the hospital en route. The rest was to wait for Su Tang to wake up.
"So, Master didn't go to the scene!" Su Tang wanted to extract some information from her master, but seeing that her master seemed indifferent to the case, or rather, completely uninterested, was disheartening.
The RV smoothly drove into the residential area. Ping An, who had been silent all along, got out first with a frown and carried Su Tang on his back towards home.
"Master, I can walk myself!" Su Tang said cautiously.
She could tell that her master had not yet gotten over her transgression, and returning home might not bring good news.
"Let's still carry you, just in case you run off again!" Indeed, Ping An said with a heavy nasal tone.
Although she had displeased her master, finally returning home brought Su Tang a long sigh of relief. Alas, she had left home looking like a delicate jewel, beautiful and radiant. Now, she returned looking like a wreck.
"Go! Go to the bedroom, you're grounded until your aunt gets back!" Ping An imperiously ordered Su Tang upstairs.
"I have to work this afternoon. Please take care of her this afternoon!" Ping An said to Hei Dou, who was carrying luggage back. "Don't be too nice to her. If the police come, say the child is under eighteen and the guardian is not present, so cooperation is impossible! Tomorrow morning, it's Gaoda. I'll trouble you these few days!"
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"It's alright, I'll only be busy for a while in the morning. I'll be free in the afternoon!" Hei Dou said with a grin and then declared he was going back to get bones to stew for Su Tang.
"Master, isn't Auntie coming back in a few days?" Su Tang asked curiously, peeking her head from the top of the stairs.
"I called her. I heard you weren't very obedient and were bullied by hooligans again, so she's coming back to prepare for a summer class, specifically for one-on-one wrestling coaching!" Ping An said, sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, without looking up.
"It's over!" Su Tang thought miserably.
At this moment, Cheng Jian, who was also in pain, was in the same situation.
Three murder cases had occurred in the jurisdiction within a week. His superiors' glares felt like they could devour him. But these damn cases were just too peculiar. Take the most recent one. According to the forensic examination, the balcony was the primary scene, yet the cause of death was a fall from a great height—death by falling!
"This is already the balcony, the top floor of this building. How could the victim have fallen!" In the multi-functional conference room of the River Valley District Public Security Bureau, the "6.28" special case seminar was reaching its climax. Cheng Jian, who was presenting the case, said with disbelief, "Forensic examination indicated that for the body to have fallen to that extent, a fall of at least 10 meters would be required. However, the crime scene was a rooftop. Comrades, how did the victim die by falling? And from where did he fall? There are no other buildings nearby, and no traces of any elevated platforms being constructed at the scene. How should we approach this case?"
"Captain Cheng, could it be that an aircraft..." a criminal investigator interjected.
"No, ordinary drones cannot carry objects exceeding 40 kilograms, and the victim weighed 60 kilograms. How is that possible!" Cheng Jian said with a frown. "As for planes and the like, don't even consider it. State surveillance of aircraft is extremely strict!"
"What about the victim's situation?" Gao Xiaofei, sitting above Cheng Jian, suddenly asked.
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"The victim's name is Wang Shun, residing in Unit 1901, Building C, Unit 4. He was a sales representative for a wind power company, 31 years old, unmarried. Through our investigation of his home, we found a high-powered telescope identical to the one in Zhang Ziteng's home," Cheng Jian said.
"So, it's possible he was also someone who spied on Wang Huangan?" Gao Xiaofei continued to ask.
"Although there's no definitive evidence, it's highly probable." Cheng Jian said.
"What about the occupants of the crime scene residence?" Gao Xiaofei asked.
"Two senior executives from the wind power company. The male homeowner is Yang Jie, the chief engineer responsible for project development at the wind power company, a leading expert in national wind power research and development, a professor-level senior talent. The female homeowner is Liao Yuan, deputy head of sales channels at the wind power company. They also have a daughter named Yang Jiao, 15 years old," Cheng Jian said. "On the day of the incident, the couple were both busy at the company, and only Yang Jiao was at home. Around 6 PM, her classmate Su Tang came to visit, followed by four thugs who broke into the house. After forcibly taking money, they fled. According to the surveillance cameras in the building corridor, as soon as the thugs entered the elevator to go downstairs, Yang's family's 'smart butler' malfunctioned. Later, our technical experts discovered that the 'smart butler' installed in Yang's home was hacked. The system entered 'self-defense' mode, domestic power was cut off, and all doors and windows were locked. At 8:10 PM that night, Hei Dou, who was responsible for picking up Su Tang, discovered the problem and called the police. During this period, we also found that the mobile phone signals of Yang's family and the five floors below Yang's residence were forcibly shielded. Later, our comrades promptly broke down the door and rescued the two children, and found the body."
"Besides the forensic and technical investigation reports, are there any other situation reports!" Gao Xiaofei asked.
"According to Yang Jiao's account, her family has been experiencing hauntings these past few days. In the middle of the night, she always sees a black cloth floating into her bedroom." Cheng Jian said that on the night of the incident, she and Su Tang had also witnessed this. They were currently investigating this matter.
"Are you sure that the first person to discover the body was Su Tang?" Gao Xiaofei confirmed once again.
"Yes! Yang Jiao said that she was basically stunned that night. On the other hand, Su Tang remained very calm and should have made some discoveries. Moreover, she is reportedly a disciple of Teacher Ping An, so she might have some discoveries useful for solving the case," Cheng Jian said expectantly, looking at Gao Xiaofei.
"Alas! You don't know, that Ping An is very protective. His disciple ended up like this, he definitely won't let it go." Gao Xiaofei sighed and said, "How about this, although the case has now been transferred to the municipal bureau, Director Xiang's intention is still to primarily rely on our district bureau's strength. I will provide some cooperation. As for Su Tang, I'll go ask her later!"
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After the meeting, Gao Xiaofei was kept back by Qiao Yidan, the director of the River Valley District Bureau.
This Qiao Yidan, although a woman, was Gao Xiaofei's superior before taking office at the River Valley District Bureau and was the previous captain of the criminal investigation detachment.
"Xiaofei, let's cut to the chase. Sister will just ask you, do you have confidence in this series of cases?" With her half-disciple, there was no need for politeness. As soon as she entered the office, Qiao Yidan got straight to the point.
"It will take time, Sister. You are also an experienced investigator. Cases like these must have a story behind them, and we need to unravel it slowly!" Gao Xiaofei said.
"Unravel what crap! You have no idea the pressure I'm under! The case you solved last year led to a province-wide crackdown on crime. At this critical juncture, such major cases have occurred in my jurisdiction, and I'm not anxious?" Qiao Yidan said, taking a sip of water from her cup. "Cheng Jian was chosen from a group of mediocrities to fill the gap. River Valley District is a small bureau with weak criminal investigation capabilities. Please put some effort into it! Also, isn't that Ping An supposed to be a detective? Aren't you super close with him! Can you see if you can invite him as a consultant through the municipal bureau?"
"Highly unlikely. Ping An privately told me that he doesn't plan to get involved in this case. Last year's case took too much out of him, and he plans to take a break!" Gao Xiaofei said apologetically.
"Does he look down on our small bureau, or does he dislike the case being small?" Qiao Yidan glared with her sharp eyes.
"He just doesn't want to get involved and wants to rest!" Gao Xiaofei said with a fawning smile.
"Try to persuade him again!" Qiao Yidan said. "It's a pity that Old Yan that bastard had an accident, otherwise, let him— Forget it. I don't know Director Xiang well now. Do I have to go to the front lines myself?"
"I'll try, I'll try!" Gao Xiaofei said with a fawning smile, walking out of the office helplessly.
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Hei Dou's cooking skills were naturally not to be underestimated.
In Ping An's dining room, three people were tearing into meat bones.
Logically speaking, someone who had just been discharged from the hospital should be served light, bland food. But Ping An's household didn't adhere to such customs; meat was the best tonic.
Just as the three were feasting, Gao Xiaofei and his wife, Fei Keqing, paid a visit.
"Poor child, you must have been scared! Your godmother discovered you had wet your pants when she was changing your clothes!" Fei Keqing hugged Su Tang as soon as she saw her and doted on her.
Su Tang, with a wronged expression, was about to act spoiled when her godmother's mention of "wetting her pants" made the young girl wish she could disappear into the ground.
"Alright! Stop talking. She's a 15-year-old girl, she has pride!" Ping An couldn't stand it and pulled the blushing Su Tang back.
"However, this also indicates that the situation that night was truly not optimistic!" Gao Xiaofei said with a chuckle. "Right, goddaughter!"
"Don't try to trick me. You'll naturally tell us everything in a few days. Not now, understand?" Ping An, being a sharp person, immediately saw that this pair of scoundrels were trying to extract information.
"I genuinely care about my daughter!" Fei Keqing took out a box of cosmetics from her handbag. "The day the girl had the accident, I called my friend abroad. It cost over ten thousand, and she rushed it back by express mail. My dear, apply this to your face when you recover, and I guarantee there will be no scars!"
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Seeing that she was getting a good gift, Su Tang, without any principles, leaned in again, took the cosmetics with delight, and gave her godmother a sweet smile.
Ping An sighed. It seemed that Gao Xiaofei would not give up today without getting what he wanted.
"Tomorrow, I'll bring the child to the bureau tomorrow. You organize your people and ask whatever you need to ask!" Ping An said helplessly.
"Good brother, I know you're a good guy. Don't worry, I'll pick you up personally!" Gao Xiaofei rubbed his hands together and said, "Brother, Director Qiao has a request, hoping you'll come out of retirement!"
"No!" Ping An refused decisively.
"Can you ignore such a bizarre case?" Gao Xiaofei tempted him.
"I have a lot of things to do! I still have to help those damn An Jing and Mei Qian with their wedding in the second half of the year. Who has the time?" Ping An did not engage.
"Are you afraid? Don't worry, this case has nothing to do with you!" Gao Xiaofei said persistently.
"I told you I don't want to, why are you still so persistent!" Ping An said with a frown. "Who says there's no danger? What is this girl's situation?"
"Wasn't that your negligence? Besides, the child wants to learn something from you!" Gao Xiaofei said.
Reader ID - 563743675
"No, I have a meeting this afternoon! You guys should go!" Ping An began to usher them out.
"What meeting is more important than the case!" Gao Xiaofei and Fei Keqing were directly escorted out by Ping An.
"Oh, I sent him an email this morning with a topic: The Art Symposium for Elderly Cheongsam Enthusiasts!" Fei Keqing suddenly recalled.
"Hey! Aren't you causing trouble!" Gao Xiaofei said with a frown.
"Oh, you've gotten bold! I'm cooperating with you to see Su Tang, and you're complaining about me giving Ping An a task? Do you want to die!" Fei Keqing, with her fiery temper, immediately became angry.
"Grandma, it's not that! Actually, it doesn't matter whether Ping An participates or not. It's just that I'm afraid the case last time has drained his spirit, and he might be like an ordinary person from now on!" Gao Xiaofei said worriedly.
"Isn't being an ordinary person good? Living an ordinary life is great!" Fei Keqing said, not understanding.
"You don't understand!" Gao Xiaofei waved his hand irritably and left in a huff.