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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 139: Changes Over Time
It was another day at work. As Lin Qizhao drove to the entrance of the office, he spotted Aeming standing there. The towering figure, nearly six and a half feet tall, was hard to miss, and his fierce appearance seemed perfectly crafted for an undercover role.
After their previous encounters, Lin had developed a favorable impression of his seemingly intimidating yet genuinely honest colleague. He parked at the entrance, rolled down the window, and asked, "Party Instructor, are you waiting for me?"
"Ah... yes, yes. I need to discuss something with you," Aeming replied with a smile, gesturing for him to get in. They drove back into the compound. As they got out of the car, Lin had already put on his recording device, listening to Xiao Mu's analysis of the suspect from the night before. Once they reached the office and sat down, Lin thoughtfully removed his headphones and handed them back to Aeming, who looked at him expectantly and asked, "Lin Department Head, what do you think?"
"Well, it's a bit hard to believe that just from this guesswork we can deduce that the suspect has been hurt by a woman or that someone he cares about has been harmed... Do you really believe in such criminal motives?" Lin Qizhao said seriously as he looked at Aeming.
Aeming scratched his head uncertainly and replied, "If someone else said it, I would think it's nonsense. But since Xiao Mu said it, I can't dismiss it."
"So let's treat this like a dead horse being used as a live one and give it a try... Our mutual friend is a bit peculiar," Lin Qizhao chuckled.
"Indeed! Just a green hat scared someone who was about to jump off a building back to safety; only he could come up with such underhanded tricks... Lin Department Head, based on what we just discussed, do you think there's a good chance? I'm just checking in; capturing someone is fine, but using brains? That's not really my strong suit," Aeming said without much humility.
Lin Qizhao found his honesty amusing and responsibly told him, "In psychology, there's no definitive term for this. Judging from a psychological perspective can lead to two outcomes: one is eerily accurate while the other is wildly off-base. What you're asking about isn't really my forte... But since this comes from Xiao Mu, I think we should be cautious and give it a shot. However, personally speaking, you might want to hold off on pursuing this Trafficker King; when there’s no target in sight, most efforts are usually in vain."
"True enough! I'm almost driven mad by this case. The Provincial Department set a deadline of three weeks to catch someone; it's been three months now with no leads at all," Aeming lamented helplessly.
The extended delay startled Lin Qizhao; he refrained from laughing and shifted the topic by asking, "What about Section Chief Fan? Why isn't she here?"
"She took a night flight back yesterday to revise the investigation plan. We're going to discuss it and give it another try based on Xiao Mu's initial motive or whatever. I'm not really skilled in planning; I can only lead the team for arrests... By the way, Lin Department Head, could I ask you something..." Aeming hesitated.
"Feel free to ask whatever you need," Lin Qizhao encouraged him, noticing Aeming's discomfort—he probably felt embarrassed about not having made any progress.
"It's just that yesterday I discussed with Fan Saili that your Special Training Division's Technical Investigation and big data analysis skills are well-known in our field. Could you possibly..."
"Let me get you some information regarding Counterfeit Crimes, suspect details, and related data on Electronic Identification."
"Yes, you are very considerate."
"Follow me. I can't help much with the big issues, but for this small matter, I'll introduce you to a professional. All police are one family; when it comes to fighting crime, there should be no distinction between us."
Lin Qizhao stood up and led Aeming out the door. He could see the difficulty faced by his colleague from a less developed province. At that moment, he didn't mind lending a hand, even if it was for Xiao Mu's sake. He found it somewhat strange that the notoriously difficult Xiao Mu had such a close relationship with someone like this.
He didn't ask any of those questions and took Aeming to the office of Technical Investigation, introducing him to the relevant professionals. Watching Aeming listen attentively, he actually held a negative attitude in his heart.
It was simple: without accurate leads, no activity range, and no suspect targets to pursue, not even a divine being could accomplish this task.
……………………
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Guan Yiqing had taken leave to come out. She rushed into the hospital at eight in the morning, having not slept all night. When she saw Xiao Mu, she felt embarrassed as a girl to ask for his contact information or address. So, in the late morning, she inexplicably found herself at the hospital, hoping to encounter him here just as she had at the high-speed train station when he had smiled mischievously and guessed her intentions.
It had been over a year, and so much had changed without her realizing it. She didn't know how Xiao Mu had managed over the past year while carrying the identity of an informant, possibly burdened with guilt and worry. She truly had no idea how much pressure he had endured in that sensational national case to reach this point.
She couldn't articulate how she came to think of it, but she felt an overwhelming urge to see him so clearly that it drove her to this only place connected to Xiao Mu.
Often, things don't go as planned; she didn't find him in the ward. As she paced downstairs, she unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance, Su Rongle.
"Lezi?" Guan Yiqing smiled as she spoke.
"Hey, Police Flower Sister, nice to meet you!" Lezi exclaimed as he ran over, his steps light and carefree. Among all their friends, he was the most entertaining, albeit with the worst temperament. He grabbed the woman's hand and wouldn't let go, grinning widely like someone who had just won a lottery. Guan Yiqing finally managed to pull her hand away and asked with concern, "How is that person doing?"
That opened the floodgates for Lezi. "Don't even mention it! He cries for a bit after falling asleep, then sleeps again. We've been up all night without daring to leave him alone. Now that dawn is breaking, we can't sleep at all while he snores away."
"I can see you care a lot about your friend," Guan Yiqing complimented.
Lezi dismissed the praise with a wave of his hand. "Oh please, how could I not care? Ever since he lost everything and became broke, with no friends and his wife gone, if we don’t look after him, what kind of humanity is left? But honestly, he deserves it. He lost so much in the Stock Market that he might as well be in his underwear. And then he went and bought a house to speculate on futures—he's bound to get burned! Even if he has money again, he's still just a retail investor... sigh, there's nothing I can do. He lacks self-awareness and is way worse off than me. Thank goodness I'm smart; I have neither money nor a wife."
Guan Yiqing couldn't help but laugh at his antics. She knew well enough how unique his thought process was and asked directly, "Where's Xiao Mu? Why are you here alone?"
"Oh, I just saw someone at the door... I was getting some food for Brother Hua... Hey, Police Flower Sister, where are you going?"
Lezi hadn't expected Police Flower Sister to leave without saying goodbye.
"Wow, no wonder Xiao Mu doesn't dare to face her; could it be that he's abandoning her after chasing her so hard?"
As he watched the hurried figure of Guan Yiqing leave, those thoughts crossed his mind. However, his curiosity didn't linger long before it was drawn away by a nurse with an attractive figure. As he stared, drool began to drip from his lips.
Meanwhile, Guan Yiqing had spotted Xiao Mu. It seemed like she had lost her bearings; she stopped at the door, staring blankly as she watched Xiao Mu open his arms to greet a woman getting out of a taxi. The woman's expression was somewhat dim as she approached him and hugged him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder as if seeking comfort while whispering something in his ear.
It was Rong Ying.
It was actually Rong Ying.
Guan Yiqing remembered this woman clearly—after Rong Wu's suicide, all members of the Leftover Crowd were arrested. Their residence and assets in Golden Lake were confiscated; even Rong Ying didn't escape this fate. It was confirmed that her properties and vehicles were purchased by Rong Wu through other companies for her sister and were also seized. After that incident, Rong Ying disappeared without a trace. She never expected that she was still living in Binhai, and now she was with Xiao Mu.
The two were extremely close, with Xiao Mu placing something into Rong Ying's hand, gently wiping the tears from her face. After quite a while, he finally sent Rong Ying off in a taxi and waved goodbye. When he turned back, he suddenly noticed that Guan Yiqing was watching him with a scrutinizing gaze, as if she were examining a suspect, filled with suspicion.
Xiao Mu walked towards her calmly, forcing a smile as he asked, "What brings you here?"
"Just passing by, thought I’d check on you," Guan Yiqing replied with an obvious lie. She was at a loss for how to feel about the situation, her heart filled with a mix of indignation, embarrassment, and an inexplicable sense of discomfort.
"Everything is fine; there's no need to worry," Xiao Mu said with a smile.
"Oh, you really don’t need to hide. Rong Wu has been dealt with; no one sympathizes with that great villain. Don’t you think what you’re doing is very dangerous?" Guan Yiqing remarked.
"You mean Rong Ying?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Yes. One day when she finds out that her past life was ruined by you—her brother and her closest friends all fell because of you—how do you think she will react?" Guan Yiqing warned, her instinct as a police officer telling her that Xiao Mu was playing with fire. Such matters were better kept hidden; after all, those who had fallen were all sentenced to severe punishment, and someone would eventually find out.
"Heh, one day I will tell her. People should live openly; what needs to be let go should be released courageously," Xiao Mu replied, seemingly hinting at something. Guan Yiqing furrowed her brow and asked, "Are you talking about me?"
"No, it includes you as well. You have a clear sense of right and wrong and cannot accept someone like me who blurs those lines... Say hello to Old Shen for me, and also to that handsome guy who has been waiting for you."
Xiao Mu smiled, waved his hand to hail a cab, and bid farewell before getting in and driving away.
Guan Yiqing stood there in a daze, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within her. She knew that in the eyes of a psychologist, she was almost transparent; unfortunately, up until now, she couldn’t see through this person at all.
"The condition is that I will take care of Yingzi at the right time. I won’t let her go hungry or suffer any grievances, nor will I let her end up on the streets. I will do everything in my power to ensure she lives like an ordinary person—even if it means living a mundane life... just like you did for her."
He suddenly recalled the last conversation between Xiao Mu and Rong Wu. It was a shocking turning point; from the mouth of a great villain, he learned who Brother Five was behind the scenes. Little did he expect that after more than a year apart, Xiao Mu had actually fulfilled that promise made before his death without fail.
"Hey, Master... I need to tell you something. It seems that Xiao Mu is getting pretty close to Rong Wu's sister..."
She felt a bit anxious and the first thing she did was alert Shen Lingchen about this discovery.
...
After a restless night caused by Baldy and the Ruhua, Xiao Mu returned to Liugang Street, the location of the studio. He hurried upstairs, ready to catch some sleep. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he heard a loud voice shouting; there was no need to identify who it was.
Big Gourd had already been promoted to vice president, second only to the general manager, Le Zi.
This matter didn’t really concern him much; instead, it was Le Zi's father, the Real Estate Developer, who discovered an opportunity through Big Gourd. He had his inept son take on a prominent role and teamed up with Big Gourd to tackle the challenging development in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Surprisingly, it turned out quite well; at least they didn’t encounter the usual problems faced by typical developers.
The only negative effect was probably that it inflated Big Gourd's and Le Zi's confidence; these two were starting to see themselves as successful businessmen. When he pushed the door open, Big Gourd was tugging at Liu Yang, likely giving little Liu Yang another tough time. Xiao Mu asked, "What’s going on, Big Gourd? Are you here to disrupt our business again?"
"I came to find you some work, but this little brat refuses to take any jobs," Big Gourd exclaimed angrily while pulling at Liu Yang.
Liu Yang helplessly replied, "Bro, he wants us to bring equipment to Suzhou and Hangzhou and have his subordinates tattoo a flying tiger on their chests."
"Oh, that's quite creative," Xiao Mu said in surprise.
Big Gourd laughed and pointed at Liu Yang. "See? I told you it’s a creative idea."
That was definitely impossible. In a tattoo studio, each design and session not only charged a hefty fee but also needed to consider skin tone and body condition. It couldn't be like those tattoos on Big Gourd that clearly looked like they were hastily drawn with ink. Liu Yang didn’t dare to expose that fact and just smiled at Xiao Mu.
Xiao Mu shifted the topic, saying, "Think about it again. Creativity doesn't necessarily mean it's what you want. If you get a tattoo of a clear water pattern and something goes wrong, it’s like you’ve labeled yourself; you won’t be able to escape... Also, my skills are well-known. Even if they weren't, I work quickly. If their tattoos turn out better than yours, how embarrassing would that be?"
"Oh, that's true. I can't let them outshine me," Big Gourd suddenly realized.
"So, just let them poke a few needles in and dip them in ink to make random tattoos. The uglier they are, the more impressive yours will look," Xiao Mu suggested.
Big Gourd nodded earnestly, saying, "Right, you're absolutely right."
Liu Yang chuckled. Just as he was about to leave, Big Gourd pulled him back. Setting aside that matter, he extended his hand and said, "Then, give me a tattoo of a beautiful woman, someone like Cang Teacher or Lin Chiling."
"What’s this about?" Liu Yang was taken aback.
Big Gourd scoffed, "Are you really that clueless? It’s just for convenience."
Liu Yang burst into laughter at the joke. Xiao Mu looked closely at the serious Big Gourd and sensed he wasn’t joking. Curiously, he asked, "What’s up with you, Gourd? Don’t you have girls? Why rely on a tattoo?"
"Yeah, Gourd Brother, you’re always with women; why do you need this?" Liu Yang laughed.
Big Gourd didn’t seem to be joking but appeared to have some unspoken thoughts. He murmured, "Not really; it reminds me of when I was wandering with Er Er at the train station. We used to sit under big billboards watching TV. He taught me this method... but I haven’t tried it since."
The mood turned somber as the three fell silent together. Xiao Mu patted Big Gourd on the shoulder and said, "You’re here to remind me... come with me."
He led Liu Yang and Big Gourd straight to the Second Floor, which was Master Mu's design studio. The room was filled with various tattoo designs. It was evident that Xiao Mu favored flame patterns; there were dozens of them. In the center hung a piece that wasn’t flames but rather a cheerful face of Erhu Lu. Xiao Mu pointed to a piece of blue stone on the table that had already been engraved; it depicted that smiling face outlined in lines made up of countless small flame-shaped dots.
Big Gourd carefully picked it up and held it in his hands, momentarily speechless.
"Gourd Brother, Brother Mu has been working on this design for days. Let’s go together during Qingming Festival and carve it onto the tombstone," Liu Yang said softly. Big Gourd nodded while sobbing quietly.
"Big Gourd, what needs to be let go will eventually be let go. One must look forward... Don't dwell on it. The day after tomorrow, we’ll go see the Second. That kid is living better than us, just lying there without a care in the world, while we worry for him."
Xiao Mu spoke softly, slowly taking the drawing from Big Gourd's hands, fearing that he might become lost in memories. Big Gourd was likely to struggle with this for a while, wiping away tears as he did.
But how could Xiao Mu let go either? He traced the pattern with his fingers, unable to suppress the sour feeling in his nose and eyes...
...
Clang! The iron door swung open, and two prison guards stood at the entrance. Inside the maximum-security cell, Nie Qifeng glanced disdainfully at the guards before closing his eyes again.
"Nie Qifeng, do you have any final matters to address?" one of the Discipline officers asked coldly.
"No," Nie Qifeng replied just as coldly.
The Discipline officer began outlining the procedures. From the day the verdict was issued, there would be a fifteen-day period during which family visits could be arranged and some basic living requests could be made. After all, he was a death row inmate; even in his final moments, some human rights would be granted.
Such moments often showcased the baseness of humanity at its most vivid—people crying out in despair, losing control of their bodily functions, desperately trying to prolong their lives by any means necessary. Today was no different; before him sat a man who seemed cast from iron and stone, utterly unmoved by the situation. His indifferent expression suggested that he viewed his impending execution as something entirely unrelated to him.
"If there’s nothing else, we will proceed with arrangements. Once the appeal period ends and the Supreme Court approves it, your execution will take place. If you need to leave a will, you can inform the Discipline officer at any time," the officer stated.
"No need. I won’t appeal," Nie Qifeng said lightly, lifting his eyelids slightly.
He had already been disabled before being imprisoned, having lost a leg and an arm. Yet this formidable man still managed to take care of himself. The prison officials had seen him dragging his injured leg along the walls of his cell more than once. Such resilience earned him respect, even if he was a notorious criminal; at least he had never denied his crimes.
The Prison Warden tossed two inspected boxes into the cell and informed him, "A person named Rong Ying came to visit you. If you are willing to meet, we can arrange it later... This is what she brought for you."
Nie Qifeng remained expressionless as the heavy iron door slammed shut. The moment the door closed, he moved, dragging his frail body towards the entrance in a strange manner. His face was filled with astonishment as he rummaged through the contents: instant noodles, sausages, several bags of soft drinks, and in the other box, a few sets of clean underwear and a shiny suit.
"Yingzi... Yingzi... Your two brothers have really put you through a lot."
The meager visiting items made Nie Qifeng feel an overwhelming sadness. He touched the clothes; they were new, with tags still attached. At this moment, he could imagine how difficult things must be for her outside. The items were neatly stacked, and he couldn't bear to wear them or eat the food. Beneath the box lay an unsealed letter that had been inspected. With one functioning hand, he unfolded it and read a hastily written note:
"Brother, I am Yingzi. I have searched many times but never knew where you were being held. I only found out after the verdict that you were in the Fourth Detention Center... I came late; you won't blame me, will you? Actually, I was watching from outside when they announced the verdict. It hurt me deeply... both of my dearest brothers are going away.
I know it's all my fault. I used to spend money recklessly and when I ran out, I forced you to give me more... I know my brother works so hard just to give me a good life, so I wouldn't have to struggle like when we were kids, unable to pay tuition and he secretly sold blood at the blood bank... He worked tirelessly to support my education, yet in the end, I didn't do well and kept causing him trouble... I regret it so much.
Brother, you don't hate me, do you? I truly regret it... You always spoiled me, but now that you're in trouble, I can't even buy you a decent piece of clothing... I've hired a lawyer to defend you, but no one is taking your case; they all say you're doomed... Brother, I know they must have made a mistake... They must have made a mistake. I will definitely hire the best lawyer for you; we must appeal..."
Nie Qifeng looked at the wrinkled bottom half of the letter, soaked with tears. At that moment, everything felt futile; no one understood his crimes better than he did. Yet this futile act had an almost magical power over him. It slowly softened his stone-like face; his expression transformed from indifference to an unshakeable concern as if reminiscing about past days—remembering that timid little girl peeking at him from behind Rong Wu's back. He had watched her grow up and become spoiled but never imagined that in his final days of despair, she would still care for him as family—this one remaining person.
His eyes moved slightly as two clear tears traced down his indifferent face, leaving two distinct wet trails...
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