Chapter 31 - 1#

Back when I was still in college, whenever Cheng Chen couldn’t sleep at night, he’d switch on the Discovery Channel and insist on dragging me to watch with him.

I remember one scene: a gray rabbit was snatched up in an instant by a giant python, disappearing without even a struggle. I couldn’t help but shiver, and in a flash, I pulled the plug, making Cheng Chen howl nonstop beside me.

—Why did you turn off the TV?

I lay on the sofa, facing away from him.

—Ha, Fatty, what’s got you sulking? You’ve heard of survival of the fittest, right? That fat snake looked lazy, but who’d have thought it’d move so fast and fierce? Look at that rabbit—it usually hops around so high, yet it still jumped straight into the snake’s mouth.

I pulled the blanket over my head.

—Speaking of which, Fatty, you’re born in the Year of the Rabbit, aren’t you?

…

I haven’t slept well these past few nights.

Not only is my face sallow, but there are dark circles under my eyes that won’t fade. My complexion looks really terrible at first glance.

Earlier, at the party, I left without notifying Du Yijie. Later, I called to apologize, but he didn’t say much—couldn’t tell if he was happy or angry. He sounded a bit busy.

If there’s one thing that’s been uplifting these past few days, it’s probably the turning point in Desmond King’s case. That goes back to two days ago, when I went to see Desmond King alone.

Desmond King doesn’t trust Catherine—or rather, he’s not the kind of person who easily trusts others. That’s probably related to his long-term upbringing, and also the betrayal of the driver he thought was most loyal, which has made him a bit neurotic.

Compared to before, Desmond looks much more haggard. His once neat and noble appearance now has stubble on his chin and messy hair. He’s not doing well at all.

I adjusted my glasses. Desmond sat upright—he’s well-educated, and you can hear his good cultural upbringing in his speech. But he’s emotionally volatile. Aside from claiming he’s innocent, he doesn’t seem to be able to think of anything else.

“That guy didn’t come?” Desmond glanced at me and scoffed. I looked at him in confusion. Desmond said, “Du Yijie. That bastard who got his status only because of me.”

I knew Desmond King and Du Yijie had a close but complicated relationship. But since it was their personal feud, I didn’t want to meddle. I only said, “Old… Mr. Du has been busy lately. But don’t worry, he’s also very concerned about this case.”

Desmond snorted and turned his head away, his expression as if he was mocking me.

I forced a natural smile and explained the recent progress to him, then asked about other things concerning Red Manolo. Desmond King thought for a moment before saying bluntly, “Before I took over, he did handle some things for my father, but not much. He’s a decent guy, just overly cautious and a bit cowardly.”

“So, as your father’s former assistant, Red Manolo would indeed be capable of providing strong evidence to the police…”

“All bullshit. That ungrateful bastard. If I’d known earlier, I should have finished him off when he wanted to die.”

I paused, as if catching something, and asked, “Did Red Manolo once attempt suicide?”

“That coward got scared out of his wits after the boss was attacked and turned into an idiot. He went crazy, slit his wrists a few times… but nothing happened.” Desmond spread his hands and sneered.

I said, “Your father and he seemed to be very good friends.”

Desmond King nodded. “Very good. Extremely. I pitied that useless guy and let him stay on as a driver.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

“How long ago was that?” I asked.

“A year ago.”

I pondered for a moment. “Does Mr. King know about Red Manolo’s religious beliefs?”

“Hmph.” He snorted coldly. “Of course I do. That coward even told me, all neurotic, that I had to atone for my sins.”

At that point, based on the information Desmond provided, I personally visited the psychological counselor who had treated Red. But the kind-faced old man wasn’t willing to divulge much. He had the right to keep his patient’s secrets. He only said to me, “Red Manolo’s condition isn’t serious, but it still needs observation.”

Actually, considering Desmond King’s current situation, there are still many doubts. I’ve been thinking for several nights, and it seems a bold hypothesis is forming in my mind.

I compiled a report and submitted it to Catherine yesterday. As expected, she called me into her office for a long talk today.

“Ren, I have to say, this is a… somewhat hard-to-believe claim.” Catherine looked quite troubled. “From your point of view, is Red Manolo possibly a mentally ill person?”

I bit my lip and explained all my assumptions to Catherine.

All of Red Manolo’s changes began after Desmond King’s father’s accident. Red was present when it happened and even underwent brief psychological counseling afterward. Although all results showed that Red was only under excessive psychological stress, he then turned to religion with devout faith, even once urging Desmond King to turn himself in.

“So you think Red Manolo framed his master to get him punished by law, to make him atone? Ren, that’s absurd. A kilo of heroin—the worst outcome is life imprisonment. That’s an extreme method.”

I said, “But if you think from the perspective of a religious fanatic, life imprisonment or letting Desmond King end up like his father—I think he would choose the former.”

“You mean Red Manolo did it for Desmond King’s own good? So he’d rather see him locked up for life?”

I nodded. “Catherine, such strange and bizarre things aren’t unheard of. You should know that.”

Catherine clasped her hands together, thinking for a long time. Finally, in a steady tone, she said, “You mean we should challenge Red Manolo’s mental state and credibility in court. That’s very risky.”

“Desmond King has insisted on his innocence from start to finish. Moreover, on the day in question, he rushed from City D to City B because his entertainment complex in City B—his largest asset—was trashed by rival troublemakers. In a state of extreme anxiety, would he have the mood to transport drugs? And he was intercepted by the police midway—that’s attempted crime at best. Yet Red Manolo chose that moment to testify against Desmond King and produce evidence.”

Furthermore, leaving aside the evidence Red Manolo provided, as the key witness in this case, if we could cast doubt on his testimony, according to U.S. law, if the witness is discredited, Desmond King might be acquitted on the spot.

Also, as Desmond King said, Red Manolo is a timid and easily influenced person. Perhaps there’s someone behind the scenes directing or inciting him.

I thought about this but didn’t say it out loud.

“Ren? So what do you think…”

“Ren? Ren?”

I paused and immediately looked up, “Ah.” Catherine smiled and said, “You’ve been spacing out too much lately. But as a reward for your hard work, I’ll treat you later.”

I was slightly taken aback and instinctively wanted to refuse—after all, there were plenty of gossips. Although eating together didn’t mean anything else, it was better to avoid suspicion…

“Ren, I know what you’re thinking.” Catherine closed the folder and said with a hint of threat, “This is an order from your boss. If you don’t have a valid reason to refuse…”

I asked subconsciously, “What happens?”

Catherine shook the tip of her pen at me. “I’ll deduct your salary~”

Catherine didn’t take me directly to her usual restaurant. Instead, she drove to an elementary school in the city and turned to me and said, “Want to get out with me?”

She didn’t wait for my answer and opened the door. I naturally hurried out and followed.

It was just after school. I followed Catherine to the school gate to wait. Besides us, there were other parents, and children in groups were streaming out of the school.

I watched the kids in uniforms walk by, not blinking, my heart… filled with affection.

Catherine teased, “Ren, the look in your eyes right now is like a child trafficker.”

I withdrew my gaze, blushed slightly, smiled, and rubbed my nose. Catherine tilted her head and asked, “Do you like children?”

“Hmm…”

Before, I could occasionally dream of my little boy. But as time went on, no matter how I tried, I couldn’t dream of him anymore.

Catherine opened her mouth to say something when a loud call came from behind: “Mommy—!!”

Catherine turned around quickly, with a smile I rarely saw on her face.

She crouched down and opened her arms. A little girl with two braids and rosy cheeks ran over from not far away. Catherine caught her with a smile: “Judy.” She hugged and kissed the girl in her arms for a while before standing up, looking at me calmly, holding Judy’s hand.

“Ren.” She smiled and gently pushed Judy in front of me. “This is my daughter, Judy.”

I was still a bit dazed at first, staring blankly at Judy, then foolishly beamed a bright smile at the little girl.

Judy first tilted her head to look at me. I bent down to her eye level and said softly, “Hi, little princess.” I waved at her. She glanced at Catherine, then back at me, grabbed her mother’s hand, and shyly smiled at me.

“Alright, let’s go eat first,” Catherine said.

Judy cheered. I glanced at Catherine subconsciously. She looked natural and said with a smile, “Let’s go.”

Judy was a very lively child. Even old jokes would make her giggle—very adorable.

After dinner, we went for a stroll. I bribed the little beauty with an ice cream cone. When she threw herself into my arms and shouted, “Uncle is awesome!”

I was floating on cloud nine.

By the end, Judy was too tired to walk, so I had to carry her on my back. Catherine said apologetically, “Sorry for the trouble.”

I quickly shook my head, glanced at the little beauty sleeping on my back, and said, “How could it be trouble? Judy is very obedient and adorable. Having a daughter like her is a blessing.”

“Ren, you seem very experienced with children.”

“Heh, of course.” Without thinking, I said, “Compared to Judy, my naughty son…”

Catherine blinked. I “uh”ed and laughed dryly, “I mean, my nephew in Singapore. He’s a real little devil. Compared to him, Judy is much more obedient and easier to care for.” That naughty boy—I’ve never seen anyone wilder than him, and he’s as sly as anything, just like Bai…

I paused and shook my head.

Really, why do I keep thinking my son resembles Bai Junrui?

I didn’t rush to leave. I went to Catherine’s apartment first, put the sleeping Judy on the bed, tucked her in, adjusted the room temperature, then carefully tiptoed out of the room.

Catherine made me a cup of coffee and said, “Thank you for today.”

“No… don’t mention it. I should thank you.”

Catherine sat on the sofa opposite me, shook her head with a smile, and said, “Ren, I wasn’t wrong. You’re really a good person.”

I smiled, took a sip of coffee, and we fell into silence for a moment.

“I…” Catherine broke the silence first. “I have a daughter this old. She was born when I was in middle school—I wasn’t careful with contraception, and a man and I had her.”

I looked at Catherine, a little surprised by her frankness. Single mothers aren’t rare, but Catherine is a very wise woman who knows how to protect herself. It was unexpected that she had a child at such a young age.

“I haven’t kept this a secret, but not many people know. Judy used to live with her grandmother in W City. Her grandmother passed away a year ago, so she came to live with me.”

“I’m sorry…” I said to her. Catherine waved her hand and said frankly with a smile, “It’s nothing. I’m glad I didn’t make the wrong decision back then and kept Judy. As you can see, she’s a little angel.”

I lowered my eyes and nodded in agreement.

“Ren, if you don’t mind me asking, you and Charles… oh, I mean Mr. Bai. I haven’t seen him around lately. Are you two…”

“Oh.” I put down the cup. “Brother Bai has been very busy lately, but it should be better after next week.” Bai Junrui has been almost invisible these days, only leaving a message or calling daily. He really seems busy. But after Wang Zheng and Shu Yuan’s engagement party next week, it should ease up.

Catherine hummed in acknowledgment, then quickly added, as if afraid I might misunderstand, “Ren, I don’t mean anything else. I just want to know… what do you think of Mr. Bai?” She looked a bit cautious.

I thought for a moment and honestly said, “Brother Bai is a very good friend and very caring.” But when he sets out to mess with someone, he’s really not human.

“Is that so…” Catherine smiled, but it looked a bit bitter.

By the time I got home, it was already dark and raining heavily.

With the rain and wind, I shivered. The light bulb in the hallway had been flickering annoyingly before, and now it had completely gone out. Walking along in the dark, I had to use my phone as a flashlight.

As usual, I started fumbling in my briefcase for my keys while walking down the hallway. Just as I reached my door, I seemed to trip over something.

I squinted and shone my phone on it. I was startled.

—It was a person.

I quickly bent down and shook the person sitting at my door. “Sir? What’s wrong with you?” Why are you sitting at my door in this stormy weather? It’s terrifying.

“You…”

He seemed to move. He had been sitting with his knees hugged, and now he slowly raised his head.

I looked closely.

Terrifying doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings at that moment.

He was soaked, looking very disheveled, without any warm clothes. When he saw me, his eyes opened slightly.

“Why are you…?” I called out to him. He lifted his head with some difficulty and suddenly grabbed my outstretched hand with both of his.

“Wang Zheng, you—” His hands were burning up. I instinctively reached out my other hand to feel his forehead and said loudly, “Are you…”

He had a fever.

I helped him into the room, quickly grabbed a clean towel, wrapped him up tightly, then rummaged through cabinets to find the medicine box. I took out fever-reducing pills and poured a glass of warm water. When I returned to the room, Wang Zheng was already lying sideways on the bed, looking exhausted and in pain.

“Wang Zheng, sit up and take the medicine first.” I gently patted his face.

Wang Zheng stirred and looked at me with hazy eyes. I shook him gently and instructed, “Take the medicine first. If the fever doesn’t go down, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

He sat up groggily, looked at the pill in my hand, and slowly pulled my hand over. Since he was sick, I went along with his movement and gently pushed the pill into his mouth. Wang Zheng’s lips touched my palm, and his eyes slightly closed. I handed him the warm water. “Drink some water.” Slowly, I pulled my hand back without making a fuss.

I couldn’t leave him lying there in wet clothes, so I took out new pajamas from the wardrobe. Half coaxing, half persuading, I got him to change. When he took off his clothes, I instinctively looked away.

Maybe because of the fever, his movements were very clumsy. He struggled to button up his shirt for a long time, so I had to steel myself and button them for him one by one. Wang Zheng lay on his side on the bed, his eyes slightly open, watching me. I definitely didn’t dare to help him take off his pants directly. I said stiffly, “You should change your pants too. How can you sleep like this?”

Wang Zheng nodded, then shook his head. His mind was clearly unclear.

God, I was at a loss for words.

My feelings were so complicated I couldn’t even describe them.

After all the trouble, I was sweating a little.

I glanced at the bed occupied by Wang Zheng. I’d probably have to sleep on the couch tonight.

I sighed and shook my head, about to head to the bathroom, when Wang Zheng suddenly opened his eyes wide. His bright, crystalline eyes sparkled, and before I could take a step, he reached out and grabbed my hand.

Actually… that hand didn’t have much strength.

It would be really, really easy to shake it off…

“Qi… Qiri…”

Maybe because of the fever, his voice was hoarse.

He pulled my hand closer, almost unconsciously, and rubbed it against his cheek.

“Qiri… Qiri…”

…

Sigh.

———————

It was a long-lost feeling, as if in a dream.

The surroundings were hazy and ethereal, with a nostalgic touch.

I looked around for a long time, until gradually, a figure approached from afar.