Wang Zeyuan's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at the frantic Old Ma.
Unlike Old Qu, Old Ma had been upright his entire life, investigating cases without regard for the powerful. When Old Qu died, Wang Zeyuan felt he deserved it. But Old Ma? Seeing Old Ma like this tore at his heart.
Wang Zeyuan's hand fell to his gun holster, then slowly withdrew. He turned to his assistant, Xiao Zhou, and said, "Let's go!"
"What… what did you say?"
"We're not arresting anyone today. We don't have any evidence."
Xiao Zhou looked utterly bewildered. "But he admitted to it!"
"Let's go!" Wang Zeyuan shouted at Xiao Zhou. Xiao Zhou sighed, watching Wang Zeyuan turn away, and reluctantly followed. Just then, the agitated Old Ma suddenly coughed, then clutched his stomach and collapsed to the ground. Wang Zeyuan, who had been preparing to leave, rushed back, shouting at Xiao Zhou, "Call an ambulance?"
"It's no use. Before you arrived, I already took rat poison while pretending to be drunk."
"Old Ma, why did you do this?"
"After killing Yu Lin, I knew those brats would be back to sell things tonight. So, I wore Yu Lin's clothes. He was tall, and the clothes were big. I propped up my shoulders with something and hid my head inside the clothes, just wandering around like this. When you write the report, make sure to state clearly that there are no ghosts or demons in this world, only cause and effect. Those brats deserved to die. I… I…"
Old Ma didn't finish his sentence, foaming at the mouth as he died in Wang Zeyuan's arms.
…
Old Ghost knew about these events, though not the details, and sighed heavily after hearing them. He lamented, "Old Ma's death had a profound impact on Wang Zeyuan. He was even suspended for making mistakes afterward."
I gave a wry smile. "Since we've come this far, why don't you finish the story?"
Old Ghost looked puzzled. "Didn't Wang Zeyuan tell you everything?"
"He said the final part of the story should be told by you. I came to Hong Kong precisely to know the ending."
Old Ghost pondered for a moment, then spread his hands. "Alright, with your current abilities, you are qualified to know this matter."
…
After Old Ma's death, the Alphabet Killer case was considered closed. However, from beginning to end, Wang Zeyuan had no evidence to prove that the strange cases occurring in Kyoto were related to Zhu Guang.
In the following month, Wang Zeyuan encountered a case. Although the perpetrator was caught, the sentence was very light. Wang Zeyuan was displeased and severely beat the criminal, leading to his suspension and investigation.
Cao Shi learned of this and went to discuss it with Wang Ren, hoping to help Wang Zeyuan out of his predicament. Wang Ren looked at Cao Shi and gave a wry smile. "Do you know why Wang Zeyuan beat the criminal?"
"I do. Some criminals received sentences that were too light. In Wang Zeyuan's heart, those who destroyed others' families should be executed."
"Yes, the law cannot be like that. People cannot be executed just because they are guilty."
"Sister, you are an expert in psychology. Tell me, how should I persuade him?"
"Let it be. It's good for him to have some quiet time to think. I haven't seen Li Jiu lately either. What has he been doing?"
Cao Shi pursed his lips and remained silent. Li Jiu hadn't returned last night, and there was no movement from Gao Xiaojuan in the west wing opposite. The two of them had gone out overnight. Cao Shi felt a pang of bitterness and didn't think this was a matter he should bring up.
"I don't know. I'm going out to eat."
Wang Ren looked puzzled, but her keen mind didn't pry. Seeing Cao Shi about to leave, she nodded and didn't stop him. However, as Cao Shi reached the doorway, he saw a man about the same age as the eldest senior brother, leading a mixed-race boy around three years old, standing outside the door. The elder asked, "Excuse me, is this Wende Small Garden?"
"Yes."
"Could you please tell Mr. Wende that Gao Ji has come to visit?"
Gao Ji? Gao Xiaojuan's father!
Cao Shi was surprised but said nothing more. He turned back into the house. After a moment, Teacher Wende's voice came from inside, "You little sprite, you have time to come and see this old bone of mine."
Gao Ji bowed respectfully to Teacher Wende in the small garden. "Mr. Wende, it has been many years. You are as hale and hearty as ever."
"Hale and hearty? I'm about to be put in a coffin."
Hearing Teacher Wende say this, Gao Ji became solemn. "Sir, may you live a hundred years. Please do not speak such nonsense."
…
Teacher Wende met Gao Ji's father on the European battlefield. Gao Ji's father was British, and his mother was Chinese. Gao Ji, resembling his mother, looked Chinese. However, he received a proper British aristocratic education.
Despite growing up in England, Gao Ji yearned for Chinese culture. He studied with Teacher Wende, not only speaking fluent Chinese but also deeply understanding Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
In the inheritance dispute, Gao Ji, with his own abilities, obtained the majority of the assets. He then returned to Hong Kong to settle down and has since become a legendary businessman who influences Hong Kong's economy.
A year ago, Gao Ji was very disappointed with his younger daughter's wild and unruly personality and sent her to Teacher Wende's care to receive a proper Chinese cultural education. Every time she called, Gao Xiaojuan said she was doing very well. Gao Ji also spoke with Teacher Wende regularly and was relieved to learn that his daughter was not, as in England, consorting with different men. This time, Gao Ji came to Beijing on business and specially brought his grandson to pick up his daughter.
After a few pleasantries, Gao Ji asked in surprise, "Where is Xiao Juan?"
Teacher Wende smiled and asked Cao Shi, who was standing nearby, "Where is Xiao Juan?"
Cao Shi looked at the little boy and said thoughtfully, "This morning, Xiao Juan went out with Senior Brother Li Jiu."
Gao Ji, being exceptionally intelligent, observed their expressions. A hint of displeasure crossed his face, but he said calmly, "Then I will wait for her to return."
Teacher Wende looked at Gao Ji's demeanor and chuckled softly. He then looked closely at the three-year-old child beside Gao Ji and instructed Cao Shi, "Xiao Shi, take the child out to play for a while. Mr. Gao Ji and I have some things to discuss."
"Okay!"
Cao Shi took the child to play and bought him a sugar figurine. Upon returning to Wende Small Garden, they played for a while longer before Li Jiu and Gao Xiaojuan returned hand in hand. They had been out all night, deeply intimate, and were now beaming with joy.
As they entered the courtyard, Gao Xiaojuan saw the child and her hand instantly separated from Li Jiu's as if struck by electricity. Li Jiu looked confused, then at Gao Xiaojuan's ashen face, and then at the child. He seriously asked Cao Shi, "Whose child is this?"
"A guest brought him. He is speaking with Master."
Cao Shi avoided the sensitive topic, but Gao Xiaojuan grabbed Li Jiu's arm. "I'm sorry, Jiu Ge, I lied to you. He is my son."
"Wh… what?"
Li Jiu instinctively pushed Gao Xiaojuan away, taking two steps back, and looked at her in disbelief. Gao Xiaojuan, with tears streaming down her face, looked at Li Jiu. "Jiu Ge, can you forgive me?"
"Let me think about it!"
Li Jiu fled into the east wing as if escaping. Gao Xiaojuan tried to follow but was stopped by Cao Shi. "Xiao Juan, let your senior brother calm down. He loves you; he will surely accept everything about you."
"Zi Ming, come to Mommy."
Cao Shi said to the child beside him. The child blinked his bright eyes at Gao Xiaojuan. Gao Xiaojuan wiped away her tears, opened her arms to the child, and gave a brilliant smile. "Darling, come to Mommy."
Gao Zi Ming blinked and then hugged Cao Shi's leg. Cao Shi gave an awkward smile. "This little fellow was probably bribed by a sugar figurine. Xiao Juan, why don't you go buy him a candied hawthorn?"
The little fellow loved them, and he was lured away by his mother's candied hawthorn. Cao Shi returned to the room and saw Li Jiu, who looked like he had turned to stone. He slowly squatted down below Li Jiu, propped his chin on his hands, and watched Li Jiu's pensive face with blinking eyes. Li Jiu came back to his senses, saw Cao Shi like this, and said unhappily, "Are you sick?"
"I don't know who is sick in the heart."
"Then what do you want me to do? Gao Xiaojuan has deceived me again and again."
"That's not deception; that's concealment. She concealed it because she was afraid of leaving you. Li Jiu, you are not someone bound by worldly norms. How can you not accept a child?"
Li Jiu, unhappy, shouted loudly, "If it were you, could you accept it?"
Cao Shi, hearing Li Jiu's loud voice, went to cover his mouth. Li Jiu dodged angrily. "Don't touch me with your stinking hands."
"You can be heard outside."
Li Jiu sighed and sat on the bed. Cao Shi also stood up, quietly accompanying Li Jiu. Li Jiu looked at Cao Shi and said with disappointment, "Give me some advice. You're like a block of wood."
"Since childhood, we've grown up together. When have I ever persuaded you? How can I give you advice?"
"If it were you, what would you do? Could you accept that Gao Xiaojuan has a child?"
This finally angered Cao Shi. He stood up and pointed at Li Jiu's nose. "Don't talk such nonsense. I have no right to choose."
…
Cao Shi finished speaking and went out. Soon after, Gao Ji left. Gao Xiaojuan was also about to leave. Cao Shi quietly walked to Gao Xiaojuan's side. "Xiao Juan, I'll try to persuade Senior Brother again. Wait for my news."
"You were talking very loudly, I heard everything."
"No…"
"In Chinese, this is called the end of fate."
Gao Xiaojuan's understanding of idioms was questionable, but this time Cao Shi didn't find fault. The end of fate was perhaps the best outcome.
After Gao Ji left, Teacher Wende had the eldest senior brother deliver a message: he had something important to say after dinner, and no one could be absent.