Wenn die Liebe naht, ist es wie Schnee

Kapitel 20

In such terrible weather, nothing could be done. The other girls in the dormitory gradually returned, but Xuan Xiaotong was the only one who hadn't. She paced back and forth in the dormitory. Her classmates assumed she was worried about Xuan Xiaotong, unaware that she was worried about the mute mother and the two children. Tian Zi suddenly stopped. In the midst of the wind and rain, she heard the mute mother's screams. She flung open the door and rushed out.

The cold rain soaked her clothes, and the large raindrops pounded so hard she couldn't open her eyes. The strong wind made her sway from side to side, but Tian Zi still walked resolutely toward the house where the mute girl lived.

It took Tian Zi half an hour to walk that short distance. She stood by the window and looked inside, but the house was pitch black, and she couldn't see anything.

Tian Zi gently opened the door, and a strong smell of blood hit her. Something must have happened! After hesitating for half a minute, Tian Zi continued walking into the room.

The room was utterly silent; so quiet that Tian Zi could hear her heart pounding faster and her heavy breathing. Relying on her usual instincts, she walked to the center of the room and stopped.

A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, bringing a brief moment of light. In those few seconds, Tian Zi witnessed a scene that struck her like a heavy hammer blow, almost making it hard for her to breathe.

The mute woman lay in a pool of blood, blood still flowing from two round holes in her neck. Ade lay on top of her corpse, his eyes bloodshot, his face contorted in a grimace, his body covered in blood. Duan Ganxuanbang lay not far away, a horrifying hole in the center of his head, white brain matter spilling out onto the ground.

Xuan Xiaotong stood expressionless not far away, holding Duan Gan Xiaosheng in her arms, oblivious to his fate.

"Ah..." Tian Zi screamed in fright. Ade turned around and pounced on Tian Zi.

At the critical moment of life and death, Tian Zi's heterochromatic eyes awakened, releasing a golden light before she fainted.

When she woke up, it was already the next morning. Realizing the horrific events of the previous night, she was too frightened to open her eyes. After a very long time, she finally opened them. Xuan Xiaotong, Ade, the mute mother, and the two children were all gone, and the bloodstains on the ground were also gone. Tian Zi thought she had a nightmare, but since that day, Xuan Xiaotong and Ade had disappeared, and Xuan Xiaotong's father had closed his factory and left the city. Tian Zi, on the other hand, developed a strange illness; she was terrified whenever it was cloudy, rainy, or thundering. Not long after, Tian Zi also disappeared. From then on, vampires began to haunt the school. Whenever it rained and thundered, if you remained in the old building, the vampires would find you, kill you, and drink all your blood!

Hu Rongrong's story successfully frightened Shui Lan and Zheng Yubing, who clung tightly to each other, their bodies still trembling. Hu Rongrong laughed and said, "Look how scared you two are, it's just a story, isn't it?"

Shui Lan said somewhat angrily, "Didn't you keep emphasizing at the beginning that this is a true story?"

Hu Rongrong pointed at Shui Lan's head with her finger, "It was the old lady who told me the story who repeatedly emphasized that this story is true. You don't really believe in the existence of vampires, do you?"

Zheng Yubing thought of Luo Shimin, "Our story is over, it's time to let her come back to sleep."

"I almost forgot about her," Hu Rongrong called from the doorway. "Luo Shimin, you can come back to sleep now."

There was no movement outside the door.

Shui Lan said worriedly, "I hope nothing bad has happened."

Hu Rongrong flung open the door and rushed out, finding Luo Shimin lying on the ground outside. She screamed and pounced on her, "Shimin, what happened to you?"

Luo Shimin mumbled in a daze, "Xia Chen, you're so handsome, I like you so much."

Hu Rongrong's face twitched a little. This guy fell asleep sitting on the ground, and even dreamed about Xia Chen.

007 Luo Xie

Ye Cheng led the police to search along the river all night, but found nothing. The demon had vanished like a block of ice under the scorching summer sun. Ye Cheng was in a bad mood. He'd made such a big fuss, and not only had the criminal not been caught, but all the villagers' chickens had died. Ye Cheng could imagine how grim the police chief's face must be.

"Let's call it a day, we can't find it." The sky was beginning to lighten, and dawn was approaching. Ye Cheng had no choice but to call it a day.

Back at the farm, Ye Cheng saw Li Xiao squatting in the sewage, collecting something with a small test tube. He walked over and asked, "What are you doing? Didn't you hear us call to pack up?"

Li Xiao glanced up at Ye Cheng, then continued her work, saying with her head down, "I saw some bloodstains in the sewage. If you weren't injured, it must have been left by the demon. I'll collect them and take them for testing. I want to see what this legendary demon really is."

Ye Cheng carefully examined himself and found no wounds except for a slight pain in his chest, which meant that the bloodstains in the sewage were from the demon.

Ye Cheng immediately said, "Let me help you. Give me a test tube, and I'll collect the samples for you. I've also studied sampling."

Li Xiao lowered her head and said, "Move aside, you're blocking the light. Staying away from me is helping me."

Ye Cheng awkwardly stepped out of the sewage and held up a flashlight to illuminate the way for Li Xiao.

As dawn broke, the villagers who had remained at home rushed out of their houses. The police had been working all night, and no one had slept, anxious to know the outcome. It would be best if the police defeated the demon, and Chenguan Village would be at peace forever. But if the police failed, it wouldn't matter, since even Chen Banxian had died at the demon's hands.

Aunt Wu ran ahead, while Ye Cheng and Li Xiao were still collecting blood. The other police officers were setting up searchlights, water cannons, and other equipment. Aunt Wu rushed into the chicken coop, only to find it full of dead chickens. She walked out with a disappointed expression.

Ye Cheng said apologetically, "Auntie, we're sorry. The criminal escaped and made a mess of your place. We'll clean it up before we leave, and we'll try to compensate you for your losses."

Aunt Wu sighed, "Oh! Child, I don't blame you. You police officers did your best, you were busy all night without sleep, I know. You all go and rest, you don't need to clean anymore."

Ye Cheng was about to speak when his phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was the bureau chief calling. Could it be that the old man had received the message and was about to unleash his fury? Ye Cheng quickly answered the phone.

"Still in Chenguan Village? You don't need to investigate this case anymore, come back quickly." The bureau chief's voice was filled with annoyance.

"Why? The case hasn't been investigated yet, and the people have suffered great losses. We should give them an explanation."

"I told you not to worry about it, so just leave it alone. The higher-ups have said someone will compensate for the losses. Come back quickly. I'm going to get some more sleep." The director hung up the phone.

Has someone from above intervened? Who could possibly want the investigation to stop? It couldn't be the people of Chenguan Village, and even if they wanted to, it wouldn't matter. Someone who could drag the bureau chief out of bed is no ordinary person, and they'd even compensate the villagers for their losses... Could it be... the Xia Group? What if it really is the Xia Group? Could it be related to the 'Nuwa Project' again? Xia Chen, that's right, go find Xia Chen, he'll definitely be interested in this case.

Li Xiao stood up after collecting enough liquid and saw Ye Cheng staring blankly. She asked, "Thinking about your lover again?"

Ye Cheng pulled Li Xiao to a secluded corner and whispered, "The bureau chief won't allow this case to be investigated anymore. Take the materials back and secretly have them tested. Notify me immediately when you have the results."

Li Xiao was puzzled, "Why can't we investigate anymore? The murderer hasn't been found yet."

“The higher-ups have intervened. You’ll understand some things gradually. I’m going to find someone. Be careful. If anyone asks you what you were tested for, just make something up. Don’t tell the truth, understand? Call me when you have the results.”

Li Xiao said excitedly, "This is so much fun! It's like making a movie. Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

"If you see the director when you get back to the station and he asks me where I've been, just say I was too tired and went home to sleep."

Li Xiao gave a military salute and said, "Understood!"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Ye Cheng found a secluded path and headed towards Yishi Academy. Li Xiao watched Ye Cheng's retreating figure and chuckled. As for what she was laughing at, only she knew the answer.

It was not yet seven o'clock when we arrived at the gate of Yishi College. The security guards at the gate had not yet changed shifts. The guards who had worked the night shift were yawning listlessly.

Ye Cheng took out his police ID and was about to explain his purpose when he heard the roar of an engine behind him. Only the engines of expensive high-end cars could make such a sound. Ye Cheng stepped aside to see who it was.

A convoy of motorcycles roared in, all Harleys. In this city, only one person could own such a convoy. Ye Cheng's expression turned serious. What was he doing at Yishi Academy?

The security guard saw the Harley team and opened the gate without asking any questions, a fawning smile on his face.

Ye Cheng saw clearly that the leader of the convoy was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a well-tailored black suit that perfectly accentuated his physique. He had long hair, but it was dyed silver-white, giving him an eerie look. He was handsome, and his handsome face always carried a wicked smile.

A scar on his face, far from ruining his appearance, added to his masculinity and made him even more manly. His eyes were as sharp as knives; a single glance from them would terrify the timid. This man was Luo Shimin's brother, the infamous Luo Xie. A ruthless character whose very name instilled fear in many. A figure who gave the police a headache yet left them helpless.

Wasn't he out of town? When did he come back? Ye Cheng wanted to follow him and see what was going on.

Ye Cheng was stopped by the security guard at the gate before he could even step inside. "You, you, you, it's you! Look around, is there anyone else? What are you doing here? This is Yishi School, not just anyone can come in."

"How come those people on motorcycles were allowed to go in?"

"It's none of your business."

The security guard impatiently shoved Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng grabbed the security guard's hand, blocked him, and twisted it behind his back. The security guard cried out in pain and immediately begged for mercy, "Brother, I won't do it again, my arm is about to break."

"Take a look at who I am." Ye Cheng took out his police ID, showed it to the security guard, and then let go of his hand.

The security guard rubbed his sore arm. "Oh, it's a police officer. You're in plainclothes. If you were in uniform, I wouldn't dare stop you even if you gave me two lives."

Ye Cheng asked coldly, "Who went in just now?"

"Yes..." The security guard was in a dilemma. Neither the police nor Luo Xie were people he could afford to offend.

"It's Luo Xie, right?" Ye Cheng said for the security guard. "Do they come here often? What do they come for?"

Seeing that Ye Cheng didn't make things difficult for him, the security guard told the truth, "Luo Xie comes here often. His younger sister, Luo Shimin, studies at the academy. However, he doesn't come to see his sister; he comes to find a girl named Hu Rongrong. Luo Xie has been pursuing her for a long time. It is said that the two are childhood sweethearts who have known each other since they were little."

Hu Rongrong? Ye Cheng was taken aback. That shrewish woman who was always arguing with him? Luo Xie liked her? Impossible. Hu Rongrong was fairly good-looking, and to be able to study at Yishi Academy, her family must be quite wealthy. But Luo Xie would never lack money; he was practically broke except for his money. Could it be that he was attracted to Hu Rongrong's character? Even less likely. That shrewish woman had some loyalty, but she was also extremely capricious, verbally abusing him at the slightest provocation. Marrying such a woman would be a nightmare for the rest of his life. So why was it? Ye Cheng's curiosity was piqued, and he decided to find out.

"Can I go in? I promise I won't cause you any trouble." Ye Cheng had used the excuse of investigating cases to go in the last few times.

“No problem,” the security guard readily agreed. “Our chairman has already stated that police officers can freely enter and exit Yishi Academy.”

"Is that so?" Ye Cheng felt that the rules were a bit strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

"This rule has been in place since I started working here. It's said to have been established at the very beginning of the college's founding, but I don't know the exact time."

"I'm leaving now." Afraid of missing out on the exciting scenery, Ye Cheng left the security guard and quickly ran in the direction Luo Xie had gone.

In the academy cafeteria, Ye Cheng found Luo Xie, who was talking to Luo Shimin. Hu Rongrong stood to the side, her face turned away as if she were angry. Luo Xie's subordinates sat some distance away eating. Ye Cheng quietly approached, wanting to hear what the three were saying. There was a large tree not far from them, and Ye Cheng went around to hide behind it.

"Rongrong, as soon as I heard you were injured and hospitalized, I rushed back immediately. Are you alright?"

"It's Luo Xie's voice."

"Thank you for your concern, I'm still alive." It was the voice of that wicked old woman, Hu Rongrong.

"Rongrong, you haven't seen my brother for a long time, have you? Look how he rushed back from outside. Don't blame him, okay?" This was Luo Shimin's voice.

Luo Xie then said, "That happened many years ago, do you still hate me?"

Hu Rongrong shouted, "Shut up! You're not allowed to mention that again!"

Ye Cheng was delighted; he hadn't expected such an unexpected discovery. What was that matter? Given Luo Xie's character, it must be related to crime. Ye Cheng pricked up his ears, wanting to hear more carefully.

Suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind, "Hey kid, what are you doing sneakily?"

Ye Cheng broke out in a cold sweat. If Luo Xie found out he was eavesdropping on their conversation, he would definitely suffer a terrible fate. "My back is itchy, but I can't scratch it, so I'll rub it against a tree."

The person behind me asked, "Is your back located in the front?"

Ye Cheng wanted to turn and run, but when he turned around, he saw a familiar face—his good friend Xia Chen. "You've really got me into trouble!"

"What's wrong with me?" Xia Chen was completely confused and didn't understand what Ye Cheng meant.

Luo Xie had noticed someone behind the tree long ago, but remained silent to try and understand their intentions. Xia Chen's actions attracted the attention of the others present. Luo Shimin saw Xia Chen and exclaimed happily, "Xia Chen, it's you!" Then she saw Ye Cheng, whose face was ashen, and greeted him very politely, "Officer Ye, you're here too. Another case?"

At that moment, Ye Cheng wanted to smash his head against a tree and die.

Xia Chen saw Luo Xie and his men behind him, and immediately guessed Luo Xie's identity and understood what was going on. If things weren't handled carefully, Ye Cheng would be in big trouble. Xia Chen stepped out from behind the tree, "Good morning, everyone. Have you had breakfast? If not, it's on me."

Ye Cheng emerged from behind the tree, smiling and waving to the crowd. He was surprised to see Hu Rongrong smile at him, saying in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Officer Ye, you haven't seen me in so long! Little Rongrong missed you so much!"

Xia Chen and Luo Shimin felt their hair stand on end. Luo Xie's eyebrows furrowed, and a chilling murderous aura emanated from him. Ye Cheng had only one thought in his mind: It's over! He felt as if Death himself was beckoning him from hell. Tomorrow's front page headline might read, "Jealousy Stirs Up: Police Officer and Gangster Defeat Woman, Officer Dies from Injuries." Would that be considered a death in the line of duty?

Luo Shimin finally sensed that something was wrong and grabbed Luo Xie's hand to introduce him, "This handsome guy is my new deskmate Xia Chen. Officer Ye Cheng is his good friend and has helped Rongrong and me a lot. This handsome guy is my brother Luo Xie."

Luo Xie snorted coldly, "Who do we have here? It's Ye Fanye's son, the captain of the criminal investigation team. Your dad's a hero, but I wonder what you're like?"

Hu Rongrong chimed in, "Officer Ye is amazing! He's saved me from danger so many times, I don't know how to thank him enough."

Ye Cheng's face turned pale! Absolutely deathly pale!

Luo Xie's joints were cracking; he was on the verge of going berserk. Several of Luo Xie's men sensed something was wrong and were approaching.

"Brother, eat something." Luo Shimin pressed Luo Xie into a seat, waved to Luo Xie's men, and told them to go back and wait.

Ye Cheng sat down next to Luo Shimin, hoping she could protect Luo Xie if he lost his temper. Hu Rongrong pushed Xia Chen aside and sat next to Ye Cheng, placing a piece of cake in his hand and saying affectionately, "Brother Ye, look at your dark circles. You must have stayed up late again last night. Were you working on another case? You need to take care of yourself. I'll be worried if you overwork yourself."

With a snap, Luo Xie broke a steel fork in two. His eyes looked like he wanted to devour someone.

"God, please save me!" Ye Cheng cried out in his heart.