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墨書 Inktalez
Old Shao had already written the case report in the car. In the report, Old Shao did not include Jiang He's speculation. At the end of the report, Old Shao wrote down the main thread of the story: Yang Feiwen inadvertently learned about Zhuang Ziming, Song You, and Shih Wenshan's violation of Qin Qingxue. Angered by Kong Anping's inaction, she killed Kong Anping and then impersonated him to murder Zhuang Ziming, Song You, and Shih Wenshan.
However, in Jiang He's eyes, this was merely a highly probable version of the story. There was another version: on the night Qin Qingxue committed suicide, Yang Feiwen was by her side and could have saved her. Jiang He knew that Old Shao focused on psychology, but Old Shao was unwilling to reveal the answer.
When Jiang He brought up this matter for the eighth time, Old Shao finally grew impatient.
Old Shao set down his pen and slowly began to tell Jiang He a story.
Once there were two equally lonely girls. Their shared loneliness gradually brought them together, and they became best friends. They shared everything, and their hearts slowly opened to each other. But at that moment, one of the girls got a boyfriend.
The beautiful moments they spent together became mere memories, and one girl fell back into loneliness.
From then on, she was alone again—eating and playing by herself. She watched her best friend enjoy life and felt happy for her, but on most happy days, she always thought that this happiness should belong to her. It felt as if something she cherished had been taken away by someone else.
If she had never known what friendship was, she might have been able to endure loneliness. Desiring something unattainable might not lead to despair, but losing something once possessed felt like having one's heart carved out with a knife.
So, my best friend, even if I am a kind person, I hate you. Even if I can lend a helping hand to everyone else, I hate you. Even if I love everyone in the world, I hate you.
The more I love you, the more I hate you.
So my best friend, you should die.
So my best friend, I will come looking for you.
After finishing this story, Old Shao noticed that Jiang He still couldn't grasp the emotions involved. Jiang He couldn't understand it at all. Loving someone should mean protecting them; why would loving someone lead to wishing for their death? Was this feeling love or hate?
"Hate and love aren't antonyms?" Jiang He looked at Old Shao. "The definitions in the Xinhua Dictionary clearly show that they are opposites; how can they coexist in the same emotion?"
Old Shao patted Jiang He's shoulder. "The Xinhua Dictionary encompasses all Chinese characters but cannot convey the warmth and coldness of the world or understand human feelings and affairs. One cannot truly understand people from books."
After that, no matter how much Jiang He asked, Old Shao would not say another word; he even leaned against the car window and pretended to doze off, making it difficult for Jiang He to ask again.
Jiang He wanted to ask Xu Yiman if she knew about this matter, but when he looked over, Xu Yiman had already leaned back in her seat and fallen asleep with headphones on; she was likely listening to music.
Jiang He finally turned to look at the driver.
The driver caught Jiang He's gaze through the rearview mirror and quickly spoke up, "I don't understand what you all are saying. I'm just a driver..."
Back at the City Bureau, Xu Yiman silently began to examine the body, while Old Shao went to handle the subsequent matters. The case had been solved, and there was nothing left for the special investigation team to do in Shangxi City.
With nothing else to occupy him, Jiang He found himself once again standing at the entrance of the crematorium. He stood there dazed, watching the people around him wail and cry in anguish. Jiang He knew something was wrong with him, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. Throughout his life, he had one wish: to be able to weep freely from his emotions.
Yet, Jiang He couldn't even manage such a simple thing; he couldn't even feel sad about it.
When he slowly returned to the City Bureau, he saw that Xu Yiman had already packed her belongings and was standing at the entrance with Old Shao, engaged in conversation. As Jiang He approached, he finally understood what was happening. Because of this case, Xu Yiman wanted to leave the special investigation team.
Old Shao was asking Xu Yiman, "You were doing fine in the team; why do you want to leave?"
Xu Yiman tugged at her suitcase. "You all saw it too; I'm simply not cut out for this. In those moments when those dying people needed help the most, I, as a doctor, couldn't step forward. You know? I could only watch them suffer and die."
"Can you tell us why?" Jiang He stepped closer.
Xu Yiman glanced at Jiang He. "Anyway, I'm leaving now. Some things are better left unsaid."
With that, she pulled her suitcase and walked out.
Old Shao had hoped that Jiang He could say something to persuade her, but Jiang He merely stood there watching Xu Yiman leave. He had no intention of trying to convince her because he believed that whatever choices one made were their own, and others had no right to interfere.
Old Shao shook his head; he shouldn't have placed his hopes on Jiang He.
"Xu Yiman," Old Shao called as he hurried after her.
Xu Yiman turned back.
Old Shao sighed and spoke slowly in a voice only he and Xu Yiman could hear. "Xu Yiman, I've seen your records. I know why you left the hospital. But don't worry; that matter is known only to me."
Hearing Old Shao's words, Xu Yiman felt a bit nervous.
Old Shao noticed Xu Yiman's tension. He understood that the matter was too much of a shock for her, but he gently said, "You're still young, and there are many burdens in life that you may find hard to bear. However, you must face them. When you truly confront this issue, you'll realize it is not as daunting as it seems. But if you keep avoiding it, it will constantly disrupt your life."
"Avoidance will only make your fears grow stronger." Old Shao pointed to Jiang He in the distance. "You are all similar; it's just that Jiang He faced a sudden family crisis at a very young age. At that time, he was just an innocent child, and that shock caused him to lose his emotions early on, turning him into the peculiar person he is now."
"And you, having had a smooth and successful life, encountered a setback at the peak of your career. This has made it difficult for you to accept, especially regarding your emotions."
"You see, one lacks feelings, one is emotionally rich, one is desperately searching, while the other is desperately escaping."
Old Shao said meaningfully, "But this case has come to an end. Take some time to rest. The special investigation team still needs someone like you as a Forensic Doctor. I hope we can meet again for the next case."
Xu Yiman nodded. "I will think about it carefully."
With that, Xu Yiman walked away. After covering a hundred meters, she turned back to look; Old Shao and Jiang He were still watching her from afar. She observed Jiang He's frail figure and saw Old Shao leaning slightly while gazing in her direction. A strange feeling suddenly arose in Xu Yiman's heart.
Old Shao and Jiang He were indeed two odd individuals.
Despite being over sixty years old, Old Shao often seemed like a child, retaining a sense of innocence. Jiang He was even stranger; this was Xu Yiman's first encounter with someone devoid of emotions. Compared to these two, Xu Yiman felt that her own peculiar behavior was insignificant.
Jiang He approached Old Shao and asked, "The case is over; should we head back?"
Old Shao nodded. "Yes, unless there's a major case, our special investigation team won't be deployed again. We will take you back first."
"Aren't you coming back?" Jiang He asked.
Old Shao turned to walk back. "I have something else to do."
"What is it?" Jiang He inquired again.
Old Shao slowly replied, "You'll find out soon enough. However, I need you to do one more thing for me. We need someone who can stay close by and maintain contact with the local police stations and departments. This person doesn't need high intelligence or exceptional physical abilities; do you remember Wang Chao?"
Old Shao patted his own head. "Of course you remember. When we go back, make sure Wang Chao is prepared. We'll need him for the next case. There aren't many people I can talk to like this, and Wang Chao happens to be one of them."
"Mm." Jiang He agreed.
Old Shao shook his head helplessly. This job didn't really require someone particularly skilled, and a big part of the reason he chose Wang Chao was that he was somewhat annoyed by Jiang He's relentless questioning. In this world, there simply weren't that many reasons or explanations.
Old Shao handed over the task of answering a hundred thousand questions to Wang Chao, which could be seen as making good use of his resources.
Afterward, Old Shao took Jiang He back to Dragon City.
Upon returning to Dragon City, Jiang He immediately sought out Wang Chao to share what was inconsequential for him but was significant news for Wang Chao.
Wang Chao felt joy for a moment but gradually calmed down.
In fact, Old Shao could have easily informed Wang Chao about this matter with a phone call from Director Wen. However, Old Shao chose to let Jiang He deliver the news himself, perhaps fearing that Jiang He might harbor resentment due to not recommending him earlier. Thus, he intentionally had Jiang He do this favor.
Old Shao truly had a knack for seeing through people's hearts. Meanwhile, Wang Chao was almost the first to recognize Jiang He's talents and also the first to accept his peculiarities.
Wang Chao certainly hoped to work with the best in the country on cases; he just didn't know how long he would have the chance to be with them.
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