The morning sun was the first thing that made Qian Deming's thick eyelashes tremble slightly. He opened his beautiful dark eyes slowly as he looked at his surroundings. Shen Yuan was sitting next to him silently.
"You're finally awake, Master," He said.
"Father… " Qian Deming murmured as he tried to get up, "Where is my father?"
Shen Yuan stood up fast and put his hands on his shoulders. "No need to worry. Master Qian Wu is completely fine. The operation ended three hours ago successfully"
Upon hearing the good news, Qian Deming sighed in great relief as he sat down heavily. Shen Yuan bent down and got the blue jacket that fell from him without his notice.
Qian Deming asked after taking it between his soft hands, "Did Ye Xiao Xie forget this here?"
Shen Yuan shook his head at him and said calmly, "Yesterday, you fell asleep on his shoulder. He received an urgent call, so he placed you on this chair, covered you with his jacket, and left." He stopped for a while and added, "He told me to tell you that you don't need to give it back to him and that there is no need for him to see you in the police station ever again either…"
Qian Deming kept looking at it indifferently as he said, "So he doesn't want to see me ever again. That's also fine…"
He was silent for a long while before he called calmly.
"Shen Yuan…"
Shen Yuan crouched in front of him coldly like a statue as he waited for his orders.
"Yes, master…"
Qian Deming looked through his brown eyes and said, "I want to talk to you about yesterday…" he was silent for a long while before he said, "I wasn't able to control myself, so…"
What he wanted to tell him was, "Try to forget about the "me" of yesterday." However, it wasn't convenient at all. So he kept being stuck in that "So".
Shen Yuan read through his mind immediately, therefore he started looking down as he said, "Master should understand that what you've done yesterday was not something to be ashamed of…" He stopped for a long while and added, "You didn't make any mistakes. That was just a part of you, so…"
"but I cried…" Qian Deming cut him off. He stopped for a long while and added, "Shen Yuan, yesterday I cried... I broke my own rules and I cried. Do you think that this should be forgiven?"
Shen Yuan looked down as he said, "This simple servant is in no position to tell the master what to do."
Qian Deming started looking through the window. The tiny birds were playing happily under the warm sun's light and between the little decorated trees. He tightened his grip on Ye Xiao Xie's jacket and said, "No… It shouldn't be forgiven no matter what…"
After a long while of silence, Qian Deming asked anew.
"When can I see my father?"
Shen Yuan answered calmly, "We can see him after four hours. He still needs more rest"
Qian Deming nodded at him as he leaned against the chair and started watching the ceiling absentmindedly.
"Get up already, don't crouch any longer. That's enough." Qian Deming ordered calmly.
Shen Yuan stood up and sat next to him again.
"What did you do about yesterday's task? Did you make up the scene?"
Shen Yuan nodded at him, "The task was complete just the way the master had ordered."
Qian Deming smiled coldly as he said, "23, Sui Lan villa streets, huh? Isn't that the localization of the formal president's manor?"
"Yes, it is." Shen Yuan said in a low tone, "As I know, that man had many deals with Abraham and Mr. Huang. They were political rivals and they had many agreements with each other as well…"
"Yes, that was his plan. His real objective was his enemies. All those victims were nothing but appetizers…" Qian Deming said, "Now only one is left. I can leave him to A-Ye." He smiled cunningly and added, "After all, he must also get his share from this, right?"
Shen Yuan was silent for a long while before he said, "Uh, by the way, Master, may I know where your car is?"
Qian Deming puffed a little laugh and said, "Yeah, I just remembered that I left it in the police station park." he sighed and stood up slowly.
"You can go and bring it later. The keys and my phone are with the police, so don't forget to get them too."
Shen Yuan was about to ask him why he left them there. However, he canceled the idea fast.
Qian Deming smiled at him and said after placing his hand under his chin gently, "I need you to fix my hair first, It's been too long since I visited the university."
Shen Yuan smiled at him, took out a hairbrush from his inner pocket, and started fiddling with his beautiful hair carefully.
That was his master, caring about his looks was his first habit since he was little. He would never do something before making sure that everything in him was perfect. As a fact, his second hobby after gathering all kinds of expensive cars was shopping for the best and most pricey clothes. That also explained why Shen Yuan always has to carry a hairbrush on him.
///////
When Ye Xiao Xie reached the police station last night, Mei Han refused to spare him a single look. Xian Wen was also so disappointed in him. Anyway, the only ones that weren't aware of the situation were Sing Tao and Ying Yang Li.
Ye Xiao Xie leaned against his chair as he threw a file on the desk and said, "This will be the plan we'll follow tomorrow, take a look, and if there are any questions I want them to be raised here."
Ying Yang Li caught the file, and after a long while of reading, she raised one eyebrow as she asked, "So the plan is a beach performance?"
Ye Xiao Xie clapped his fingers, "Exactly."
Sing Tao raised one eyebrow and said, "So you want to make a fake performance and catch the criminal red-handed?"
Ye Xiao Xie put his legs on his desk as he yawned, "Yes, that's what will happen. We agreed with one of the minor rock and roll groups, the whole spectators will be secret police officers. We've chosen that group based on the liking of the five suspected boys in this case." He was silent for a while and added, "The boys that I extracted that day from what you've selected, Sing Tao."
Sing Tao nodded at him.
Ying Yang Li put her finger on her chin as she asked, "So that was the reason why you told us that day to pay an eye on those five guys… I see."
Sing Tao moved her glasses up and down as she said, "All of them are between 175 and 180 in height. They were wearing black clothes at the performance that day, they all had cats in their house, and all of them had a relationship with Feng Xuan. That makes sense. However…" She stopped for a while and then she asked, "Could you explain how we're gonna catch him? What even told you that he's gonna be there?"
Ye Xiao Xie pillowed his hands as he yawned, "It's simply because tomorrow is the day he must take down a new victim."
Ying Yang Li snapped her fingers as she said after an idea flashed through her mind.
"I got it now!" She said, "If we looked closely at the crimes that happened in the first year, there were times when we found a victim once every eight days. The second year it was six days, and this year..."
"It'll be four days. That's exactly the matter. Excellent attention, little girl." Ye Xiao Xie sipped his cigarette and added, "That's how I managed to know that tomorrow there must be a victim for sure."
Sing Tao was silent for a long while, "Then could you explain the plan in detail?"
"No need for that, young ladies. What matters now is that you know what we are up to. You can ask Xian Wen for more information."
"..."
Ying Yang Li looked at him indifferently as she said, "Just tell us already that you are exhausted. No need to go through such a loop."
Ye Xiao Xie Yawned anew and said, "Yes, I need to go home."
Sing Tao stood up and nodded at Ye Xiao Xie, "If it's like that, then we'll take our leave." She was about to walk away, but she stopped and added, "Ye Xiao Xie, you must go easy on yourself. Sleep well…"
"Okay, okay. Take care of yourselves." Ye Xiao Xie said.
After the door was closed, his eyes closed along with it as he took a deep breath. What flashed through his mind was Mei Han's broken gaze.
He felt so guilty for letting them down, but he didn't have any choice.
That man ruined everything for him in his childhood, and now he was ruining everything for him in his twenties. From the fake police officer who tried to kill him that day to the repeated threats, he received each time he tried to make a move. Those people wanted him to keep shutting up about their crimes. If he did not, the first people that would be affected were his friends and his little sister.
He also thought about Qian Deming who just popped out of nowhere in front of him.
He started losing it…
He started losing the passion to fight back. He no longer wanted to do anything.
By the time Ye Xiao Xie opened his eyes, he found himself facing the door of his house. He didn't stop thinking even when he was riding his car. He was truly lucky that he reached his home safe and sound. The repeated thoughts made him drunk without even touching a cup of alcohol.
When he stepped inside. A little brown puppy hurried to him happily.
When Ye Xiao Xie saw it, he squatted in front of it and hugged it while wearing a calm smile.
"Woof! Woof!"
"Su Su! What a good girl you are!" Ye Xiao Xie carried it between his hands as he said "Did you miss me?" he patted its head and went directly to give it its food, "Are you hungry?"
The puffed puppy started barking happily between his arms.
After he gave it its food, Ye Xiao Xie headed to the bathroom. He removed his uniform and threw it aside as he stood under the shower.
His bare torso seemed to be strong and hot. His whole body was well-built. He raised his front hair with his white hand and started the water.
Under that cold stream, the questions started raising again.
Who was exactly that Qian Deming? Why did he show up from nowhere in his life? What was his real purpose?
Ye Xiao Xie moved his hand to the bathrobe and stopped the water. He dried his hair and threw himself on his bed completely naked. He started watching the ceiling quietly as both Qian Deming's pictures flashed through his mind. One of them was with that cunning look in his eyes, and the other one was when he was crying on his shoulder hopelessly.
Which side of you shall I believe? Ye Xiao Xie thought.
Are you trying to help me for real, or am I just a pawn that you're trying to win to your side for something you're planning?
I can't trust you easily…
For now, you are also an enemy, just like them. I won't let my guard down, Professor Qian.
///
When Qian Deming entered the class, absolute silence was the first thing that welcomed him. Everyone sat calmly on their chairs as they waited for him to start the session.
Qian Deming smiled at them calmly and took up the microphone. He sighed and said something that made everyone's eyes expand in surprise.
"I'm sorry but today there will be no session." he stopped for a while and added, "Not only today, but also for the rest of this year. I'm sorry, I can no longer be your teacher."
Upon hearing his last words, everyone started talking, there were even some students who rushed to him to ask if there was anything wrong.
"H… how is that, Professor Qian?" One of his female students asked.
"I have my problems…" Qian Deming eyed all the students and added, "Just the way nothing can last forever in this world, me too, as a normal human, I also won't last forever here…"
"But professor, you're still too young to say it like that…"
Upon hearing that, Qian Deming's face darkened a little.
"Young…" he murmured to himself sarcastically, "Yes… maybe I'm still young for saying such words…"
Everyone in the class noticed his weird expression, but no one dared to say a single word.
One of his female students couldn't help but start crying. She sobbed as she said, "But what will mathematics become without you explaining it?"
Qian Deming faked a smile at her and put his hand on her head. He said, "Even if I left, mathematics will remain the same. If you love it sincerely, you will keep it in your heart, right, Ning Mei Yang?"
The girl nodded while dripping her tears.
He looked at everyone and said, "Those words are not only hers. All of you should understand this…" he stopped for a little second and wore an expression full of devotion as he said in a soft tone that made everyone's heart move, "...my students."
A long silence spread for a little while. One of the male students bowed for him as he said, "If that was Professor Qian's decision, then we have nothing to do but wish you the best. We thank you for all the great sacrifices you made those two years you were willing to be with us." He stopped for a while and added, "We were truly honored by having such a great genius leading us."
All the students couldn't help but bow to him and say in one voice, "Thank you, professor!"
Qian Deming smiled at them and then bowed as well, "You were the best students ever. I wish you all the best in your future. " he raised his head and said softly, "You were more than my students… you were my family."
Upon hearing those words, the majority of students couldn't help but feel an unexplained sympathy toward him.
Actually, he was playing with their feelings.
He waved at them and then left the hall calmly without looking back.
After fixing his matters with the director of the university, he finally got the chance to get inside his car.
He leaned on his seat indifferently as he kept watching the big gates of the university.
"Do you even merit that sad look in their eyes, Qian Deming?" he put his hand on his front and puffed a sarcastic laugh, "How pitiful…"
He was silent for a long while before he took out his phone and paid a call.
"Shen Yuan, I've done my business with the university. It's your time to move."
Shen Yuan was in front of Ji Tian City's jail. Unlike all the other times, at that moment, he was only wearing simple clothes. It seemed as if he wanted to keep his identity secret. He even changed his hairstyle from the 1990s style to a normal haircut.
"Understood." He nodded.
"By the time I'll go to Professor Hiu's house, I want everything to be arranged." Qian Deming said with a serious expression while fiddling his hair, "It's time to blow things up and finish this show."
///
When it was nearly 9:00 AM Ye Xiao Xie had already parked his car in its usual place. When he got out, he examined his surroundings just to see if the black Buggati had left the place or not yet. When he didn't see it, he finally felt relieved that he won't see that man ever again.
He closed the door and stepped away just for him to hear a female voice and halt fast.
"My son…" A middle-aged woman called, "Could you wait for a few minutes?"
When Ye Xiao Xie turned around, he immediately acknowledged her. He rushed to her.
"Madame Feng? What are you doing here?" He asked after catching her arms gently.
The woman was no one other than Fei Wang's mother, XTDX's first victim this summer.
"Madame Feng, didn't I tell you not to come here until we catch the killer? Your health is not helping going back and forth, madame."
The woman's state was so miserable. The eyes were swollen and the face was so pale. It was obvious that she didn't rest or sleep a single night after her son's death. She sobbed as she parted her colorless lips, "My… my son… Could you do me a favor?"
Ye Xiao Xie found her state so delicate, therefore he requested softly, "Alright, madame Feng. Try to sit down first so that we can talk calmly."
Madame Feng did not have anything to do but nodded at him and sat down.
Ye Xiao Xie rushed to bring her a bottle of water and then sat next to her.
"So what's the matter, madame Feng?" He asked, "It's been too long since I haven't seen you around."
Madame Feng was silent for a long while before she said, "Yes… I've had many problems without my son being around…" Her voice seemed to be so exhausted, it even gave Ye Xiao Xie the impression that her sickness augmented. So he asked, "Madame… how is your state?"
Madame Feng gave him a little smile and then said, "Just how I've always been… thank God…" She was silent for a while before she spoke anew, "My son… I want you to find me someone…"
"Who's it? A man or a woman? Are they from your family?"
The woman kept forcing her sad smile as she said, "No… he is not from my family. He was even better than them. I… I wronged that person even when he was the only one helping me and my son… I even… I even hurt him with my words, but now… when I'm at my worst…" The guilt was so evident in her eyes as tears started streaming down. She sobbed and tightened her hands around his arms. She added in great grievousness, "I found out that I misjudged him… I blamed him for something he wasn't even a part of, I cursed him with the worst words you could ever imagine..."
Ye Xiao Xie was a man of manners who had never accepted seeing someone's tears even if they were in their nineties. Therefore, he took out a tissue and handed it to her, "No… no need to cry, of course, I'll help you find him. Can you tell me his name?"
The woman accepted the tissue and said while sobbing, "he… he was my son's teacher. I… I don't remember his name, but he was an angel that I'd wronged… Please help me see him just for once! All I want is to apologize and say thank you…"
"A teacher? Could you please give me more details?" Ye Xiao Xie asked after raising one eyebrow in full doubt.
"He was a young man… just like you, he seemed to be in his twenties… he has tall hair and wears eyeglasses from time to time. Have you ever seen him, my son?"
Ye Xiao Xie refused to believe what he hear, so he didn't hesitate to ask her for a moment to bring Qian Deming's picture and show it to her, "Is this the man?"
The woman was shaking as she caught the picture between her hands.
"Y...Yes, it's him…" She broke out in tears as she said, "That is him… Oh dear god… I wish he could forgive me…" The woman left no chance for Ye Xiao Xie to feel surprised, as she handed him the picture again, "Please… could you help me meet him? I have…" she sobbed, "I have to apologize for what I've said…"
Ye Xiao Xie tried not to show her anything, so he nodded and said, "Of Course, I'll help you meet him, but…" He stopped for a while as he reconsidered the question he was about to ask. After some minutes of thinking, he finally let it out.
"But could you tell me what was happening exactly between this man and Feng Xuan?"
Author's not:
Never trust Qian Deming. I repeat, never trust him.
Mini interview:
Xiao Xiao: So, Sing Tao, we've heard a lot about you being a mole in Ye Xiao Xie's team, could this be true?
Sing Tao: I'm not a mole, It's just that I have a big deal with Qian Deming. I can't do anything about it. Anyway, I'll never hurt A-Ye…
Xiao Xiao: I think that I've got it. Anyway, do you know who else calls Ye Xiao Xie A-Ye? *Winks*
Sing Tao: *stands up Indifferently* Nah, this bullshit again. I'm going now.
Xiao Xiao: hehe… see you in the next chapter, guys.