Kiyomi Tsuki und sein Fuchs

Kapitel 49

Luo Fei's heart was pounding uncontrollably. Although the figure was dark and small in the shot, Luo Fei felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity upon seeing him. The man's demeanor and bearing, as well as his hat-wearing attire, were strikingly similar to the image deeply etched in his mind: Eumenides.

Luo Fei stared wide-eyed, trying to glean more precise information from the image. Unfortunately, the camera was too far away, and the person was standing in darkness, making it impossible to discern any details. After a moment's thought, Luo Fei instructed the security captain, "Bring me the waiter who was on duty in the restaurant that day."

The security captain naturally dared not disobey the criminal police captain's orders. He ran out in a flash and soon brought the two waiters to the security department.

Luo Fei seemed somewhat dissatisfied with his work: "Just the two of them?"

"We work in shifts—" the security captain quickly explained, "—we can only find the two of them right now."

"Okay." Luo Fei nodded in understanding, then pointed to the screen and asked the two men, "Come and take a look, do you remember this customer?"

The two waiters also pressed their faces close to the screen. After watching for a while, one of them slapped his forehead and said, "Isn't this the customer sitting in the corner? I remember that hat! He gave Zheng Jia flowers, but he wouldn't leave his name, so I have a pretty good impression of him."

"Who is Zheng Jia?" Luo Fei raised his eyebrows knowingly.

"He's a violinist hired by our restaurant," the security manager quickly replied. "The customer in the video was the one who was drunkenly causing trouble for her."

"Oh?" Luo Fei's mind raced, analyzing the possible relationships between these people and events. After a moment, he asked the waiter, "Could you describe what this customer looks like?"

The waiter looked embarrassed: "Um... I didn't see clearly."

"Didn't you see clearly? Are you blind?" the security chief said accusingly.

Luo Fei also found it hard to understand. It was understandable if he couldn't remember, but how could he not see clearly?

"The seat he was sitting in was a small, dimly lit couple's booth in the corner of the restaurant," the waiter explained, sounding somewhat intimidated by Zhang from security. "Besides, he always wore a hat, so it was really hard for me to see him clearly."

The security chief, however, still had reason to reprimand the waiter: "Wasn't that guy alone? Why did you take him to the couples' booth?"

Luo Fei waved his hand, deflecting the other person's attention: "That person definitely chose the location themselves; it has nothing to do with them."

The security chief swallowed hard and remained silent, while the waiter looked at Luo Fei with gratitude, marveling at how, despite his high rank, the criminal police captain was surprisingly kind.

Luo Fei had already stood up. He gently patted the waiter on the shoulder: "Young man, take me to the cubicle where he's sitting."

The waiter led the way, guiding Luo Fei into the restaurant. It was just past nine o'clock in the evening, and the diners were enjoying their final moments. On the stage in the center of the restaurant, a girl in a white dress and green skirt was playing the violin with her eyes closed. The melodious notes danced like beads on the water around the stage, creating a captivating and enchanting atmosphere.

Seeing that Luo Fei's gaze was drawn to the girl, the waiter leaned close to his ear and said, "This is Zheng Jia."

Luo Fei nodded: "Let's not interrupt her—take me to my seat first."

Just as the waiter had mentioned, the couple's booth was located in the far corner of the restaurant, dimly lit, making it difficult for people outside to see what was happening inside. Luo Fei went in, found a seat, and then asked the waiter, "Was he sitting in this chair?"

"Yes. How did you know?" the waiter asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because only by sitting here can you get a complete view of the entire restaurant." Luo Fei knew this reason might be hard for the waiter to understand, but he didn't want to explain in detail, so he waved his hand and said, "That's all for you, go and serve the guests."

The young man gave a crisp reply and turned to leave, leaving Luo Fei alone in the booth. Luo Fei looked around, increasingly suspicious that the customer who had appeared a few days ago was indeed Eumenides. From the perspectives of lighting, line of sight, avoiding cameras, and emergency escape, this booth was the perfect choice in the entire restaurant. That customer had chosen to dine here—could that be explained simply as coincidence?

Luo Fei slowly closed his eyes, consciously relaxing his mind and trying to immerse himself in the situation that person was in.

Why did he come here? What attracted him?

The enticing aromas of various dishes filled the air, while the beautiful violin music soothed the nerves like a gentle breeze. Even the most weary person could quickly relax in such an environment.

Luo Fei suddenly had a thought; he remembered the personality analysis Mu Jianyun had done for Eumenides.

"He might have a passion for food or music... and recently, he might develop unusual feelings for someone."

Like someone in the darkness suddenly seeing a ray of light, Luo Fei abruptly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the stage in the center of the restaurant. Although the two places were quite far apart, from this angle, his view was unobstructed, and he could clearly see the performer, as pure and beautiful as a lotus flower.

Mu Jianyun's analysis of Eumenides still echoed in his ears.

"Women are safer for Eumenides. To further refine this woman's characteristics, she should be very weak, so weak that she poses no threat to Eumenides. At the same time, she should have similar experiences to Eumenides in some way, so that Eumenides would have the desire to approach her, they could resonate with each other, and thus have an emotional exchange."

Luo Fei was almost impatient to have a conversation with the performer!

About twenty minutes later, the girl finished playing her last piece, stood up, and bowed to the audience. Luo Fei then got up and walked out, intending to intercept her as she retreated backstage.

The girl didn't move immediately, seemingly waiting for something. Then, the same waiter quickly went to the stage and took the girl's left hand. The girl, holding the violin in her right hand, slowly walked off the stage, guided by the waiter.

Luo Fei was stunned for a moment, then realized: the girl was actually blind, no wonder she hadn't opened her eyes during the performance.

Such a beautiful and serene girl, yet she suffers from such a disability, evokes a particularly poignant feeling. Luo Fei quickly ran forward, gently supporting the girl's right arm, and reached out to take the violin: "Here, let me help you with that."

The girl turned her head at the sound, her eyes were blank and lifeless, but her face clearly showed a look of unfamiliarity and confusion.

"This is Officer Luo from the Criminal Investigation Team," the waiter quickly introduced. "He needs to speak with you about something."

"Officer Luo..." The girl smiled with relief, seemingly having a natural affinity and fondness for the title. She handed the violin to Luo Fei with a sense of reassurance, and said softly, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's alright." Luo Fei carefully followed the girl, feeling that she was like a beautiful but fragile vase, and that no amount of care and protection was too much.

The three of them walked through the restaurant and arrived at the backstage lounge. After helping the girl to a seat, the waiter discreetly withdrew. Luo Fei first helped the girl put away her violin, then moved a chair over and sat down opposite her.

The girl had been listening intently to Luo Fei's movements. Once he was seated, she spoke first, asking, "Officer Luo, are you new to the criminal investigation team?"

"Yes. I was just transferred to the provincial capital last week..." Luo Fei found it rather strange. "How did you know?"

"My father used to tell me stories about the criminal investigation team, so I've heard about most of his colleagues." The girl lowered her head, her expression somewhat saddened, perhaps as she recalled the past.

Luo Fei was even more surprised: "Your father also works in the criminal investigation team?"

The girl looked up in surprise: "You didn't know? Didn't you find me because of my father?"

Luo Fei was completely confused. Although it was very impolite, he had to bite the bullet and ask, "Your father... what's his name?"

The girl shook her head with a wry smile, her eyes lowered, and she looked very disappointed: "I was wrong, I thought..."

Luo Fei was also somewhat embarrassed. Although the other party hadn't finished speaking, he could guess most of what was going on. Since the girl's father was also in the criminal investigation team, she must think his visit was related to him. No wonder her attitude immediately became friendly and trusting upon hearing his identity. He hadn't expected that he didn't even know who her father was, which would obviously cause her a huge emotional shock.

"I'm sorry..." Luo Fei could only express his apologies, "I didn't explain myself clearly."

The girl forced a smile, accepting Luo Fei's apology. Then, in a voice filled with endless longing and sorrow, she said, "My father... his name was Zheng Haoming."

Overwhelmed with grief, the girl spoke softly, but the name "Zheng Haoming" resounded like a thunderclap in Luo Fei's ears. He stared wide-eyed in shock, his gaze fixed on the girl's delicate features.

While listening to music and waiting in the restaurant, Luo Fei had already analyzed and speculated about the situation he was about to learn, but the current turn of events was still far beyond his expectations. This girl, who possessed both extreme beauty and fragility, was actually the father of Zheng Haoming!

Luo Fei met Zheng Haoming eighteen years ago because the latter was the first-generation detective of the Eumenides series of murders. At the same time, the curtain was raised on the fierce battle between the new generation of Eumenides and the police by this man: he was the first to discover the prelude to Eumenides' resurgence, and Eumenides ruthlessly chose him as the sacrificial offering for the full-scale launch of a new round of killings.

Luo Fei truly did not know that Zheng Haoming had such a blind daughter, and he would never have imagined that this girl would also be involved in the case!

Now Luo Fei is almost certain that the diner who appeared in the corner of the surveillance footage is Eumenides—and his acquaintance with the girl was definitely not a chance encounter; he must have actively sought her out for some reason!

This sudden change contained a wealth of information worth exploring, and even Luo Fei, with his sharp mind, was finding it hard to keep up. He rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself down.

The girl couldn't see the change in Luo Fei's emotions. Because he remained silent for a long time, she asked in disappointment, "Don't you recognize my father?"

"No, we've known each other for eighteen years," Luo Fei said with deep emotion. "Your father sacrificed his life while investigating a case. He was the most dedicated detective in the world, a role model for all of us."

The girl sensed the sincerity in Luo Fei's words. She smiled slightly, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth but also a sense of pride as the daughter of a hero.

"I should thank you," she then said. "Thank you for finding the murderer so quickly. My father can rest in peace now, and I won't be as grief-stricken as I was at the beginning."

Luo Fei was taken aback, his face burning. He knew the girl had been influenced by media reports and believed that Yuan Zhibang, who had been killed in the bombing a few days earlier, was the real murderer of her father. Her sincere expression of gratitude sounded so grating to Luo Fei, almost like a mockery and ridicule of the police's incompetence.

Hearing Luo Fei fall silent again, the girl changed the subject: "Let's not talk about my father. You must be here on business, right? Don't keep me from coming."

Luo Fei hesitated, unsure how to answer. If it were any other girl, he could have simply stated his purpose directly; but now, facing this frail woman who had just emerged from the grief of losing her father, how could he bear to tell her that the murderer who killed her father was still at large?

So he decided to tell a little lie: "I'm investigating another case. Um... it's a car accident, but it could also be a criminal case. The deceased ate here before the accident; you should remember him, right?"

"You mean that drunk guy who caused trouble?" The girl immediately remembered. "He really terrified me that day."

Luo Fei nodded: "Yes, that's the person." At the same time, he was thinking about how to avoid the April 18th case while still finding out information about Eumenides.

"You're not the first person to ask me about this, that's strange," the girl said, tilting her head again. "If my father were here, he might give him a good scolding. But what can a weak woman like me do to him?"

"Oh, of course we wouldn't suspect you." Luo Fei's mind raced, and he smoothly changed the subject. "We're just keeping an eye on one of your friends."

"My friend?" The girl vaguely realized something, but her expression didn't change.

"Yes. He's a young man who must really like your performance—because he once gave you flowers." Luo Fei asked casually, "Are you familiar with him?"

The girl shook her head and said, "Someone did send me flowers a few days ago, but he sent them anonymously, and I don't know who it was."

"Oh?" Luo Fei seemed somewhat unwilling. "He's never contacted you directly?"

"No." The girl gave a negative answer again, then asked Luo Fei, "What's wrong? Could that drunkard's death be related to him?"

Unable to see the girl's gaze, Luo Fei found it difficult to determine if she was hiding anything. However, her last concerned question seemed to offer some clues. Luo Fei pondered and replied, "No, it's not that, but he might have seen something, so the police want to talk to him."

"Oh." The girl secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said in a nonchalant tone, "Anyway, I don't know him."

Luo Fei pondered for a moment, then shook his head helplessly and said, "Since that's the case—it seems I won't find anything today. But if you have any news about this person in the future, please let me know as soon as possible, okay?"

The Fate of the Death Sentence (28)

8:35 PM on November 5th.

The Jianhe Stadium in the provincial capital was packed with people, their cheers deafening. The first round of the National Football League this season was underway there. The provincial football team, sponsored by "Longyu," was facing off against another strong team in the domestic football scene.

Ahua sat upright in the center of the podium. He wore sunglasses, had a call receiver hanging from his ear, and wore a cold and serious expression. Clearly, his attention was not drawn to the exciting match at all, because he was waiting for some more thrilling challenge.

Today is the execution date announced by Eumenides in the latest "death sentence notice," and his target is Ahua.

Eumenides seemed to have deliberately chosen this special day, a day that Ahua had no way to avoid.

Longyu Group acquired the provincial football team two years ago and, after investing heavily, has finally transformed this once-weak team into a rising force in Chinese football. Today's match marks the team's debut in the national top-tier league. Naturally, this game has attracted widespread attention. Even Deng Hua, the owner of Longyu Group, announced early on that he would personally attend the match to oversee the game.

However, the Longyu Group subsequently experienced a massive upheaval. First, Deng Hua died at the airport, and then Eumenides issued a series of death notices, targeting other high-ranking figures within the group. Following Deng Hua, two vice presidents, Lin Henggan and Meng Fangliang, also perished simultaneously. The once-renowned Longyu Group faced the imminent danger of complete collapse!

Faced with this situation, Ahua decided to step forward and attend this highly anticipated football match as the group's representative.

The Cam River Stadium, with its 54,000 seats, was packed to capacity that night. Such a noisy and chaotic environment naturally provided the assassin with excellent conditions to carry out his crime. Ahua, a bodyguard for many years, was more aware than anyone of the danger of the situation, but he resolutely refused the police's advice.

"I will never hide away like a coward. This is the most critical moment for the group. Those rivals we've defeated are lurking in the shadows, eager to seize power. They think the Longyu Group is finished and are eyeing us with greedy eyes! I want to show them through this match: the people of the Longyu Group are not all dead, and Longyu will not fear any challenge! I want to sit in the stands and watch my team win; at the same time, I will wait for Eumenides, wait for him to come before me, and let us settle this once and for all!"

After Ahua delivered these powerful words, Luo Fei seemed to be moved as well. The latter no longer insisted that Ahua hide under the protection of the police, and decided to dispatch police forces to cooperate with Ahua's appearance in the stadium, in order to jointly meet the bloody challenge from Eumenides.

Plainclothes police officers, posing as fans and staff, were stationed around the presidential platform, keeping a close watch on any unusual activity. On the platform, Ahua and his most trusted men were on high alert. These were seasoned veterans of the underworld, and even if Eumenides were to appear before them, they would not be intimidated.

They were even looking forward to Eumenides' arrival. Because their vengeful rage also needed an outlet!

On the surface, Ah Hua appears to be Eumenides' prey, but the situation is actually much more complicated. The police and Ah Hua are also hunters waiting to be hunted.

The other person on the podium seemed rather strange. His gaze darted around, sometimes looking at the field, sometimes at his surroundings, and sometimes at Ahua sitting next to him. His expression was sometimes excited, and sometimes rather bewildered.

He was also one of those who had received death threats from Eumenides. However, his presence here today stemmed from another identity he was extremely proud of: a journalist.

This person is naturally Du Mingqiang.

Two days ago, his report on the Longyu Building murder case was published, and it immediately had an explosive effect. Many readers, guided by the article, began to question Eumenides's actions. This was exactly the effect that Ahua and the police wanted, so they provided Du Mingqiang with even greater opportunities. Du Mingqiang then seized the opportunity, immediately going to Meng Fangliang's home to conduct an exclusive interview with the victim's widow and daughter, and using this as a basis to write a heart-wrenching and extremely emotionally charged article. Public opinion quickly turned against Eumenides, casting a thick shadow over his image as a "dark hero."

At the end of the article, Du Mingqiang also made public the latest "death sentence notice" that Eumenides had given to Ahua, and called on Eumenides to stop killing and seek other gentler ways to resolve the problem.

Ahua was extremely satisfied with Du Mingqiang's work and officially hired him as his mouthpiece in the war against Eumenides. He also invited Du Mingqiang to the podium for this stadium battle, so that if Eumenides were to raise their swords again, Du Mingqiang could write an even more compelling article based on his firsthand experience, further exacerbating Eumenides's bitter experience of media attacks.