The reporter from Focus Light delved deeper into the conversation: "Regarding Li Haoyu's hypnotic abilities, do you think it's possible for him to exercise remote control?"
"1" furrowed her brow slightly and countered, "You mean '74's death is somehow connected to Li Haoyu?"
The reporter nodded, explaining, "The hypnotic techniques he employs are far from conventional, and few hypnotists in history have been able to manipulate memories and thoughts to such an extent. Thus, theoretically, remote control is well within his capabilities. As one of the people who has worked with him the longest, what is your take on this?"
"1" shook her head, correcting, "Actually, Yongjie has spent the most time with him. Although we share the same space, our interactions were limited."
Encouragingly, the reporter said, "Even so, please reflect carefully. Sometimes, crucial clues hide in the most inconspicuous details."
After a moment of contemplation, "1" firmly shook her head again: "I can't find any clues. After I uploaded that video, I intended to confront him directly, but he vanished into thin air. He's shrouded in mystery; even Yongjie, who was about to marry him, didn't know his true hometown was XX Town. He always told us he lived in YY Town."
A flicker of confusion crossed the reporter's eyes as she said, "That's intriguing. I recall an interview with Yongjie by a rival station where her account seemed to differ from yours. She claimed to have known Li Haoyu's real background early on."
"1" shook her head firmly, stating, "Yongjie genuinely didn't know. When the police revealed that Li Haoyu had stolen the identity of a YY Town resident, her reaction was more of heartache than surprise. She mentioned to me that she claimed knowledge during the interview, but it might have been a lie to protect him. Her affection for Li Haoyu ran deep, almost to the point of obsession. She was willing to sacrifice everything for him, including her reputation and interests. She not only defended him but also fought to keep his managerial position, even taking on his workload voluntarily while maintaining her own demanding duties as an administrative assistant, often working late into the night. All of it crumbled when the truth came to light, and her heart broke with it."
The reporter from Focus Light, thoughtfully, asked, "Then, do you think it's possible that Yongjie was also influenced by Li Haoyu's hypnotic abilities, leading her to give so unconditionally?"
"1" paused for a moment before responding, "Colleagues who have worked with her for years have described her as the selfless 'tool person' who habitually gives unconditionally, whether it's in the workplace, social circles, or her family. This personality trait may make her more susceptible to influence, but to say she was completely hypnotized by Li Haoyu, I believe more evidence is needed to confirm it."
As if drawn deeper into a fog of contemplation, "1" continued slowly, "Speaking of which, there's always been a mystery lingering in my mind. Let's assume for a moment that Yongjie spoke truthfully and nothing inappropriate occurred between her and Li Haoyu. The tragedies of those victims, all taking place in nightclubs half a year ago, just before Li Haoyu's transfer south, seem to mark the end of his criminal endeavors. His eagerness for an immediate transfer and even relocating overnight suggest a desperate escape. Back in the south, he swiftly met Yongjie, and their relationship blossomed rapidly towards marriage. I've always wondered what force drove him to flee his past so hastily and start anew."
Upon hearing this, the reporter's lips curled into a smile that seemed to suggest she already knew the answer. "Regarding that, I happen to have some inside information."
"1" immediately pressed, "Please, tell me. What was the reason?"
The reporter lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret that must not be spoken aloud, "During Li Haoyu's time in the north, a woman emerged with damning secrets about him, threatening to expose everything. Li Haoyu tried to stop her, but the situation spiraled out of control, ultimately leaving the woman in a vegetative state. That incident was the true reason behind his hasty escape from the north."
"1" furrowed her brow, inquiring urgently, "And where did you acquire such crucial information? It's of utmost importance."
The reporter from Focus Light spoke with a mix of pride and solemnity, saying slowly, "I personally investigated and reported on that shocking case, which marked a significant turning point in my career." As he spoke, he extracted a yellowed newspaper from his backpack and gently placed it in front of "1." The bold headline screamed out from the page: "Woman Sexually Assaulted and Left for Dead in Alley Struck by Speeding Car; Doctors Fear She May Become Vegetative."
To further emphasize the significance of this report, the photographer deftly climbed onto a nearby flowerbed, adjusting his angle to capture "1" from behind her left shoulder, slowly panning down. In the frame, "1" read the newspaper intently, her brow furrowed, her eyes betraying both a thirst for truth and empathy for the victim's plight. This image transported viewers to that suspenseful and tragic night, inviting them to uncover the truth behind Li Haoyu's flight.
That night, the alley outside V-Club was shrouded in an unusual gloom.
As the bustle of the nightclub faded into silence, a sudden chain of jarring sounds—piercing brakes, a heavy thud, terrified screams, followed by the wail of police sirens and the urgent beeps of ambulances—ruptured the tranquility of the night. Whispering crowds gathered at street corners, where a chilling message spread stealthily.
Pushing open the car door, the "Light and Shadow Explorer" badge pinned to the reporter's chest glinted faintly in the darkness. A nervous citizen rushed towards him, whispering the disturbing news under his breath.
"This was no accident," the man said with unwavering certainty.
Not far away, a woman lay still on the icy pavement, her dress once adorned with vibrant yellow petals now stained with ghastly crimson, a haunting beauty amidst the carnage. Despite her grievous injuries, her grip on the female police officer's hand spoke of unyielding life force. The reporter swiftly raised his camera, capturing the heartbreaking moment forever in time.
The reporter's gaze instinctively wandered to the left of the woman's body, landing precisely between two ancient structures – an abandoned church and a slightly forlorn temple, which seemed like two silent sentinels, bearing witness to countless epochs of change. And now, this very locale had once again transformed into the stage of tragedy.
The reporter realized that this was no coincidence. According to statistics, over a dozen similar accidents had occurred in this area, with each one involving a vehicle crashing into the same wall and the victims falling at eerily consistent spots. In that moment, he profoundly comprehended the profound meaning behind the citizen's words, "It wasn't an accident." It seemed that this cursed land harbored some unknown secret.
As a journalist committed to objectivity and an open mind, Fang held both reverence and curiosity towards the mysterious legends that swirled around Wanxi Alley. Yet, driven by professional ethics, he inclined more towards delving into the truth through official channels.
As the medical team hastily intervened to provide emergency treatment to the injured woman, the steadfast policewoman discreetly stepped aside, making room for the rescue efforts. Seizing the opportunity, the reporter once again raised his camera, focusing on her resolute yet slightly weary back, capturing the moment of unwavering perseverance and selflessness. Thereafter, he approached her, introducing himself and expressing his desire to obtain more firsthand information.
The female officer turned around, repeating with unwavering conviction, "This is far from a simple accident." Her eyes then flashed with a barely suppressed anger as she spoke low but forcefully, "She was sexually assaulted."
She recounted the moment of discovery: "As I approached her, stepping out of my car, she was frail, yet her eyes shone with an uncanny intensity, as if they could pierce through the soul. Despite her weakness, she followed my every move, her lips barely moving, as if a thousand words were trying to escape. When I knelt down to offer comfort, she clutched my hand with all her might, saying, 'Please, don't let me fall asleep. I need to stay awake.' In that instant, I felt her fierce will to survive."
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, revealing the depth of her own emotions. "I asked for her name, but she didn't respond. Instead, in an even weaker voice, she told me, 'He invaded my dreams, raped me there.' Those words were like a sharp blade, piercing deep into my heart."
The reporter, Fang, listened intently, his pen and camera working in unison to capture every detail.
...
The audience's gaze seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, naturally shifting towards Mr. Fang, the reporter, whose face was etched with gravity, his eyes betraying a mixture of self-reproach and deep contemplation.
"After that report was published, I never anticipated it would ignite such a swift and fervent public debate about urban legends," Mr. Fang began, his voice tinged with regret. "Yet, at the root of it all lies a mere oversight on my part – a crucial detail that slipped through the cracks."