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âNot sure if he was fortunate or unfortunate⊠Many years later, the man was thousands of miles away from Jin City, in a place called Nanmu. He met a girl⊠donned in ethnic clothing; she was exquisite and warm. With just one look, he knew he liked her a lot. The strong feeling of attraction he felt was as if it was born from the heart. He wanted to take her away⊠not even giving a hoot to expose his identity, so as to threaten the girlâs father to agreeâŠ
âHe loved her very much. Never had he felt such passion as though his youth got rejuvenated. He felt alive once again⊠He spent about two months with her quietly and led a life of extravagance with the girl, giving her everything he could offer⊠The feelings of the young girl are pure, so pure that by just showering her with material things and pampering, she had fallen in love with himâŠ
âIf the story had ended here, perhaps countless lives wouldnât have to end.
âNevertheless, it seemed that our destiny had already been decided in this world⊠What should happen will happen eventually⊠One day, when he was helping to wash the girlâs hair, he accidentally found a large birthmark⊠He found a picture of his daughter when she was several months old and had her hair shaved. He looked at the birthmark similar to the one his daughter had; he was shocked beyond wordsâŠ
âHe knew about all those sins he had committed, and what he was doing now. Even if he died a thousand or ten thousand times, it wouldnât be enough. However, his daughter who didnât know about all these shouldnât be made to bear all these sins⊠He did not tell the girl the truth but gave her a sum of money and returned her safely to her adoptive father⊠The girl had told him that her dad doted on her and treated her like his own⊠In fact, the girl didnât know that they actually adopted herâŠ
âThe man thought that it would be better for the girl to live with that dadâŠ
âHe hoped that she would find herself a dependable guy, get married, and be happyâŠ
There was an abrupt pause.
Just as everyone thought it was over, they heard a sigh.
âHi! My dear darling, are you asleep? Doesnât this story sound a little too cruel? Lima, youâre the little girl with the nickname âLiliâ⊠You didnât die in the flash flood but was saved and survived⊠But Iâm sorry to inform you that, you will die at the hands of your father very soonâŠ
âHe would be coming to look for you and kill you⊠Donât ask me why⊠Whatâs the point of living in a world where your souls are so broken and imperfect? A sad story should have a sad endingâŠ
âHeâs here⊠Did you hear the sound of knocking from the door? My dear darling, are you expecting it already?
âBe good⊠Donât be bitter about it. All human suffering comes from our consciousness⊠In no time, youâll lose your consciousness, and youâll lose the source of your pain⊠quietly, peacefully⊠youâll wait for your father⊠and follow him to a clean place. There is no such thing as imperfections over there, just as you had once lain on the cradle, listening to your mother singing a lullabyâŠ
âGo to sleep, child! Goodbye, my dear darling. Life is too ugly. There wonât be any next life; all of us would go back to being a part of space. There will be no morning, no evening, no sunrise, and no sunset. Of course, there will be no crying, everâŠ
âLeave this horrid world and youâll see the sunlight that brings salvation.
âFrom then onward, youâre free of worriesâŠâ
That voice saddened everyone.
Unknowingly as they listened on, Xiang Wanâs face was covered in tears.
When Lima heard this⊠did she go crazy?
It was now quiet all around.
For a long time, nobody spoke.
That voice recording seemed to have made them immersed in the storyâs sadnessâŠ
It affected even the men for none of them said a word.
âDoesnât the voice sound like Meng Chi?â Cheng Zheng was the first to break the silence.
Sure enough, he had lived up to Xiang Wanâs expectation of being the coldest among them and had the lowest emotional sensitivity. Hence, he was the least affected by the story.
Since nobody answered him, he started to inspect the stereo system.
âWe can bring this back to perform an in-depth analysis of the voice recording, butâŠâ
However, the level of technology used to create this tape was so advanced that they might not be able to differentiate if it was synthesized or if it was really Meng Chi.
Cheng Zheng did not continue his sentence, but his expression turned serious as he spoke in a lower pitch.
âSo the âfatherâ Lima mentioned inside the interrogation room⊠besides Abdul, it could have been Cui Ming as well?â
Cui Ming could have come to get the stuff Lima had collected.
However, during the interrogation, only God would know whether it was Abdul or Cui Ming that Lima had seenâŠ
A detective puffed a sigh. âIt seems that itâs difficult to conclude if Lima had heard this before or after Cui Ming cameâŠâ
âIt should be after Cui Ming had come.â Xiang Wan suddenly turned around and wiped her teary eyes. âIf Lima had heard this prior to Cui Ming coming to her house, Lima could have been acting abnormally after listening to this. Cui Ming would never leave her alone at home if she was like this, right?â
Cheng Zhengâs eyebrows crumpled together. âAt this moment, we canât conclude as to what had constituted to Limaâs abnormal mental conditionâŠâ
Xiang Wan said solemnly as she sniffled her nose, âIf it was only this voice recording, I feel that it would be very unlikely that Lima would go crazy just because of the voice recording. After all, she had been through so many things; she should be more resilient than the average person⊠My take is that she could have been under the influence of some kind of drug.â
At Wen Xin Nunnery, both Xiang Wan and Bai Muchuan had been drugged as well.
Cheng Zheng did not forget about this incident. âI can conduct an autopsy on Lima!â He said calmly, âCaptain Bai?â
When everyone was discussing over this, Bai Muchuan had shown no reaction.
His tall stature was like a stone statue.
He was cold and stiff as if he was petrified, unmoving and mute.
Cheng Zhengâs voice pulled him back to reality. A good while later, he managed to say a few words with a low, hoarse voice.
âWhatâs up?â Xiang Wan drew closer to him.
Bai Muchuan saw Xiang Wanâs eyes which were red from crying.
He took a piece of tissue and wiped her tears gently. âItâs okay now! Donât be sad.â
She could swear that she was not particularly sad.
The people mentioned in the story that the recording spoke of were so intricate and selfish.
There was also⊠some kind of emotion that the story had shredded into pieces.
Which was why she sobbed and felt a conflicted emotion.
She did not know why either.
Maybe that was why she couldnât become one of the top authorsâŠ
She couldnât even find the words to express what she was feeling.
âBai MuchuanâŠâ She puffed a sigh.
âMm?â responded Bai Muchuan gently.
âWhy is it⊠that the story took place in Jin City again?â
Xiang Wan sniffled slowly as she looked at his well-defined face. She felt her head fumbling in a mess.
âIf this recording is indeed the same as the one in Wen Xin Nunnery, and that Meng Chi left it himself, how is he related to that story? Why did he know so much about it?â
Bai Muchuan gently brought her into his arms and stroked her hair with his palm.
âIâll investigate all of these, trust me.â
âMm.â Xiang Wan buried herself in his arms and snuggled against him a little.
âThe case mentioned inside the recording⊠is that the reason why you came to Jin City?â
Hence, she dared not look into Bai Muchuanâs eyes.
Her strong sixth sense seemed to be indicating the contents of her soul.
When she heard that part of the recording, she had already thought about that.
Nevertheless, she did have some hesitation on plucking up enough courage to ask Bai Muchuan about it.
She wanted to touch those things⊠that he didnât want anyone to touch.
After all, the human heart was fragile.
Bai Muchuanâs chest seemed to quiver for a moment.
For a good while, he did not reply.
His breathing seemed irregular as they fell onto Xiang Wanâs forehead and fringe, tickling herâŠ
She moved and brushed her hair with her hand, then looked at him with her pair of bright eyes.
The crisp, pleasant voice was filled with bewilderment, yet it was so gentle that he could not deny her an answer.
Bai Muchuan gave a gasp. âYeah?â
Xiang Wan was taken aback. âIs this story also related⊠to you?â
Bai Muchuanâs gaze felt cold. âYes, but Iâm different from them. Iâm the police, and I have my mission!â
He would not let his emotions get the better of him.
He would not be led by the nose.
And he would always keep a clear mindâŠ
âEverything will come to light.â He patted Xiang Wanâs head.
This habitual movement seemed to give him some strength and comfort and that reassures him.
When his fingers ran through her smooth hair, his mood had calmed down. He would even smile gently at her.
âTeacher Xiang, donât you have confidence in me?â
Xiang Wan was still immersed in the sorrowful mood.
âUmm⊠I think I do!â
Bai Muchuan patted her on the back. When he turned around, he was steady and peaceful.
âLetâs go, everyone! Time is of the essence!â
This was a really tough case, and finally, they got a major breakthrough.
They carried the investigative work out in an orderly manner; they had also held all relevant personnel.
From the looks of it, he was the biggest suspect in this case.
Xi City, Nanmu, the officers in these two places carried out their investigative work simultaneously.
After they left Limaâs house, they had the relevant evidence kept safely at Nanmu Police Station. Bai Muchuan then led the team to pay a visit to the film crew of âThe Grey Listâ.
The case had seriously affected the progress of the shoot.
They took away the main actors involved in the case for investigations just like that. Meng Entertainment Groupâs investment funds was flowing away in large amounts every day⊠There was also some gossip that had spread to the internet which caused the shares of Meng Entertainment Group to plummet sharply⊠The affected shareholders were in a panic. Everyoneâs emotions in the film crew were also shrouded in haze.
Xiang Wan met Xie Wanwan when they arrived at a shooting location of the film crew.
She seemed tired and sat lazily under the sunshade her assistant had set up for her. She was wearing a pair of aviators, and no one could see her eyes clearly.
The film crew was in a frenzy when the police visited them again out of the blue.
They were afraid and worried.
They did not know who the police would bring away this time.
Xie Wanwan did not have much reaction when she saw them. It was as though she had met an old friend and greeted Xiang Wan normally, still sitting on her seat.
Bai Muchuan did not bring any of them away. The team he brought with him just did a round of identification and information verification. Those who had come in contact with Yu Ning, Ye Lun, and Meng Chi would be questioned on the spotâŠ
For such matters, Xiang Wan could not help them out.
She sat beside Xie Wanwan and looked at her exquisite side profile, thinking about the latest âsecretâ about her she just got to know and finally showed a relaxed smile.
Xiang Wan asked, âAre you⊠alright?â
Xie Wanwan removed her shades and seemed to examine Xiang Wanâs face carefully.
âWhat about you?â she replied with a question.
Xiang Wan was a little startled. Looking at Xie Wanwanâs gorgeous face with nice makeup, her lips pursed in a smile.
âItâs just as what you say!â Xie Wanwan leaned back against her chair. âBut you donât look very well.â
Xiang Wan said in a low voice, â⊠Is that so?â
As she asked that, she touched her face slowly. âMaybe Iâm just tired.â
Xie Wanwan smiled. âSeems like Little Bai has quite a lot of stamina, huh?â
Xiang Wan looked at her seriously.
Things had come to such a state, and she still had the mood to crack a joke.
âThis woman⊠is she heartless?â
Regarding Meng Chi, did they not have much sibling ties with each other?
Xiang Wan did not hear from Bai Muchuan why Xie Wanwan used a stage name or if she was on good terms with her brother Meng Chi.
Moreover, she did not need Bai Muchuan to remind her⊠that this was a secret Xie Wanwan had really hidden deep in her heart. She had no right to ask Xie Wanwan about all these, and she did not need to sell out Bai Muchuan.
âFine!â she seemed shy as she lowered her head. âNow that you praise him, I darenât refute that, or he might get even with me!â
The corners of Xie Wanwanâs lips lifted upward. âItâs nice to be so energetic! He didnât forget to work hard on the case as well!â
Xiang Wanâs eyes turned grim with the mention of the case.
âYouâre not worried?â
Xie Wanwan stretched her shoulders. âWorry about?â
Xiang Wan looked at the messy situation in the film crew and gazed at Xie Wanwan. âIf the filming of the drama gets stalled, wonât it also affect you? There are so many people waiting to watch this dramaâŠâ
âMaybe I would!â Xie Wanwan seemed relaxed, not affected by what Xiang Wan said. âWhen people open their eyes, they wake up seeing yet another day of solving problems. Whatâs the use of worrying?â
A notification came in from WeChat.
Xiang Wan took out her mobile phone and swiped her phone.
It was that Gossip WeChat group.
The one who sent a message was Tang Yuanchu.
âCaptain Bai, Teacher Xiang, whatâs the situation like over there?â
Immediately, another message appeared.
Tang Yuanchu directly pinged Xiang Wan.
âTeacher Xiang, are you there? Did something happen to the film crew? There are so many posts about the film crew of âThe Grey Listâ⊠I donât know why, but Iâm feeling uneasy about this!â
Xiang Wan glanced at Xie Wanwan who was sitting beside her.
Coincidentally, she had looked over as well.
Her gaze fell onto Xiang Wanâs mobile phone screen.
Tang Yuanchuâs WeChat profile picture was a funny cartoon which looked very special and unique. Just one glance at it was enough to identify that it was him.
Xiang Wan did not shy away from Xie Wanwan as she typed her reply. âDonât worry. We might be back in Xi City tomorrow!â
Tang Yuanchuâs response was quick as well.
âOkay then, see you tomorrow! I feel that I can totally get back to work, but the hospital simply refused to discharge meâŠâ
Xiang Wan replied, âAll right, see you tomorrow!â
She smiled at Xie Wanwan after she put down her phone.
âActually, I feel that your current emotional state is pretty good.â
Xiang Wan paused for a moment and continued. âSometimes, people tend to entangle in some matters, and they couldnât withdraw themselves from it. It was clear that it frustrates them when they behaved in that manner, yet they could not convince themselves. No amount of positive thinking or motivational quotes could help at all!â
âWhen they thought it through, they will be fine!â Xie Wanwan said indolently.
Behind them, a group of people would come and go, busy with their work.
Bai Muchuan walked over to them.
He placed his hands on Xiang Wanâs shoulders and squeezed them.
âThis time around, Iâm afraid you might need to come with us to Xi City!â
He said that to Xie Wanwan as he turned to face her.
âAlright.â Xie Wanwan seemed like she was feeling very drowsy as she replied with little energy and did not seem bothered at all. âIâll cooperate.â
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