Zwilling

Kapitel 29

Damn it! Who dares to tamper with my work so subtly?

Another possibility is that he copied my painting, and his painting technique is exactly the same as mine, almost a clone of my skills...

Zeng Men was completely baffled.

Zoe is 35 years old and still unmarried. She must have a boyfriend, right?

Ah Hu proposed a new idea that had been previously overlooked. Love is indispensable for a woman, even for a successful career woman like Zoe.

Following this line of thought, if Zoe's boyfriend had also received that text message or even the pornographic image, wouldn't he have been furious, suspecting that Zoe really had an ambiguous relationship with Mr. Li? Zoe would have tried to defend herself, and her boyfriend, blinded by the rumors, would have broken up with her. In that case, Zoe's suicide would have been perfectly logical.

Nono first went to An Ruohong to inquire about the matter. An Ruohong said that Zoe rarely talked about her private life. However, on several occasions, she saw a man sitting in the Starbucks downstairs waiting for Zoe to get off work. After leaving the clinic, Zoe went down the escalator and entered the Starbucks through the back door. The man stood up, and the two of them walked out of the Starbucks through the front door, leaving the Amy Plaza and disappearing into the night on Huaihai Road.

An Ruohong had only seen this man from afar. In her memory, he was not tall, had an average appearance, and was taciturn.

Nuonuo then went to see Xiao Yu, who provided far more information than An Ruohong.

One happy hour, due to the SARS outbreak, Zoe suggested instead of going out for dinner, a small gathering at the clinic, with a raffle, prizes, and a game of cards ("Dou Dizhu") to have some fun. Everyone thought it was a good idea, so they started preparing. Xiao Yu was in charge of buying food, drinks, prizes, and disposable tableware. Zoe told her to go to the Nonggongshang Supermarket, which had everything and was cheap. She was told to take bus number 146 from the intersection of Huaihai Road and Madang Road to the last stop, which was very close. Xiao Yu was worried about carrying all the bags back alone, so she asked An Ruohong to come with her. The last stop of bus number 146 was a bit of a walk from the Nonggongshang Supermarket, about five minutes. Although Zoe had given them the directions, Xiao Yu and An Ruohong weren't familiar with the area and were worried about getting lost. On the bus, Xiao Yu received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be Zoe's boyfriend and said he would wait for them at the last stop and then take them to the Nonggongshang Supermarket. Zoe must have been worried they'd get lost, so she called her boyfriend. Zoe is so thoughtful.

The terminus of bus route 146 is under the Lupu Bridge. Fifty meters ahead is the Huangpu River, and sure enough, a man was waiting for them. He was in his thirties, wearing an Esprit shirt, and looked like an honest, unassuming man. He led them around, chattering incessantly about the surrounding area like a real estate agent. He told them there were three residential areas nearby, all built on the west side of the bridge: Zijing Xinyuan, Luban Apartment, and Luwan City Garden. Since the Lupu Bridge opened, a bus terminal had been built under the bridge, with seven bus lines terminating there, greatly benefiting the surrounding residents and causing property prices to skyrocket. He and Zoe lived in Luwan City Garden; the tallest building had 32 floors, and they lived on the 31st floor, with an excellent view of the Huangpu River from their balcony.

He led them on a shortcut, entering through the main gate of Luwan City Garden, crossing the center of the community, turning right, and then making a sharp turn to reach the Nonggongshang Supermarket. He accompanied them shopping in the supermarket for over an hour, then carried their purchases and saw them into a taxi, displaying impeccable gentlemanly manners.

This was the only time we met.

"What's this man's name?" Nono asked.

"His name is Ahong, that's what he said himself. As for whether it's his surname or his given name, I don't know," Xiao Yu replied.

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 72: Whether I love her or not

Zoe is sending text messages using her boyfriend's phone number.

Ah Hu revealed a little bit of what he had found out, and Xiao Yu suddenly realized: When Zoe was promoted to medical director, she treated everyone to konjac milk tea, which was ordered from a milk tea shop inside the Huangpi South Road subway station. It turned out that the milk tea shop was owned by Hong Bentao, and he was the one treating them.

Ah Hu and Nuonuo took bus 146 straight to the terminal station at Lupu Bridge. Their destination was Luwan City Garden, which should be the place where Zoe fell to her death.

"That's strange!" Nuonuo said, looking at Ahu. "We went shopping at the supermarket, and An Ruohong was there too. Why didn't she mention it at all? Is she that forgetful?"

Ahu glanced at Nuonuo but didn't answer, turning her eyes to the scenery outside the car window. There wasn't much to see along the 146 bus route; the streets were just a constant flow of cars and people, which was many people's impression of Shanghai.

As the car approached the Lupu Bridge, the oppressive view suddenly opened up. This bridge, completed and opened to traffic in June 2003, cost 2.5 billion RMB and was entirely constructed of steel, consuming 37,000 tons of steel. With a span of 550 meters, it exceeds the span of the Virginia Grand Arch Bridge in the United States by 30 meters, earning it the title of the world's longest arch. Standing beneath it and looking up, the bridge resembles a giant steel dragon lying across the east and west banks of the Huangpu River, its imposing presence truly awe-inspiring.

The Jiangnan Shipyard is located to the east of the bridge, so all three residential areas were built to the west of the bridge. The Zijing Xinyuan, closest to the riverbank, was built in 1999 and consists of low-rise buildings (six stories). The Luban Apartments, in the middle, were built in 2001 and consist of three 15-story buildings. The Luwan City Garden, the last of the three, was built in 2002 and consists of four slab-style high-rise buildings. The three complexes are arranged in a trapezoidal shape, allowing most residents to enjoy views of the Huangpu River.

They strolled around Luwan City Garden. Although the complex wasn't large, the buildings were spaced far apart, offering a wide view, unlike other residential developments where buildings were cramped and close together. Walking here, the sounds of ship horns on the Huangpu River could be clearly heard.

There was a swing chair in the garden. Nuonuo, in a childlike mood, pulled Ahu to sit on it, swaying back and forth, thoroughly enjoying herself. Since taking on this "case," she had rarely had such leisure time. Nuonuo couldn't help but recall the night she spent with Sanwen at Purple Mountain to watch the "Mars opposition." Sanwen had lifted her clothes and sucked on her two "stars"—that tingling, numb feeling still faintly lingered in her chest…

"Let's go to the property management company and ask if there's a resident named Hong Bentao. If they refuse to help, we'll visit each of the 31st-floor residents in every building; Hong Bentao must be among them," Ah Hu suggested.

"Do you think Hong Bentao will still live here?" Nuonuo asked him in return. "If it were me, and my live-in girlfriend committed suicide by jumping off a building, regardless of whether I loved her or not, I would move without hesitation, far away from here, and find a ground-floor apartment to live in. At least that way I would feel safe."

Nono's words make a lot of sense. However, since there are no other clues about Hong Bentao at the moment, it would be better to find the place where Hong Bentao used to live. Perhaps the new residents can provide some clues.

Not far away, a security guard from the residential complex passed by. "Master!" Nuonuo called out and waved to him. The security guard strode over.

"Master, I have a question for you. On August 16th of this year, was there a case of someone falling from a building here, and the deceased was a woman?"

The security guard looked at Nuonuo but didn't answer immediately.

"She jumped from the 31st floor," Ah Hu added.

The security guard looked at Ah Hu again and asked, "Why are you asking about this?"

Although neither confirming nor denying, it seems that Zoe did indeed fall from this building in this residential complex.

The two presented a pre-prepared explanation: Ah-Hu had become a freelance writer, working on an investigative report analyzing urban suicide, arguing that the immense pressures of modern life were contributing to the rising suicide rate. Nono, on the other hand, was an investigator for an insurance company; if the death was confirmed as suicide, the company would not pay compensation.

"It's been two months, and you're still investigating?" The security guard's tone was somewhat contemptuous. "I was off that day and didn't see anything. I only heard about it from others the next day."

"From which building did the deceased jump?" Nono asked.

"That building—" the security guard pointed, "the house number is 6."

After saying that, he looked at Nuonuo and asked, "Aren't you from an insurance company? How come you don't even know this?"

"Of course I know that, I'm just confirming. Also, it would be best to find an eyewitness."

Nono was very clever and immediately changed the subject.

The security guard shook his head and suggested, "You'd better go to the police station and ask; they've already questioned all the witnesses."

This area falls under the jurisdiction of the Wuliqiao Police Station in Luwan District. At the police station, Nuonuo, with her pretty face, easily found Officer Zhang, who had handled the case. According to Officer Zhang, the person who dialed 110 was from the property management company, and the witness was a landscaping maintenance worker hired by the property management company, surnamed Tao.

Nono and Ahu returned to Luwan City Garden and found the landscaping maintenance worker. The honest and simple Master Tao firmly believed in Nono's identity as an "insurance company claims investigator" and Ahu's identity as a "freelance writer," and tried hard to recall.

"I've forgotten the exact date, but since you all say the 16th, let's just say the 16th. Around noon, after lunch, I was mowing the lawn in the central garden using a push lawnmower. I was wearing a straw hat, and it was very hot. When I took off my hat to wipe my sweat with a towel, I saw something dark fall from building number six. I immediately thought, 'Who's so inconsiderate as to throw trash downstairs? How come this keeps happening?' Later, judging from the speed and size of the falling object, I felt something was wrong. It actually stretched out two hand-like things in the air, waving frantically, as if trying to grab something. That's when I realized it was a person! By the time I realized it, the person had already fallen. In our community, the ground floor residents don't have balconies, but they have a small yard, about ten square meters. Some people grow flowers and grass, some keep dogs. The family on the ground floor of building number six keeps more than ten pigeons and has built a simple pigeon coop out of fiberglass. The person crashed into the roof of the pigeon coop, smashing a large hole through it with a loud, muffled thud."

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 73: The Family That Raised Pigeons

I didn't have my phone on me, so I ran back to the property management office and dialed 110. Two minutes later, police cars and an ambulance arrived. The piercing sirens attracted a lot of people, and everyone realized someone had jumped. But I think I was the only witness. I heard the deceased was from apartment 3102, and was a doctor. As for why she jumped, who knows? Everyone says men commit suicide because of bankruptcy, and women because of heartbreak. I think, since she chose to end her life, she must have had her reasons. Why pry? Let her rest in peace…

Electronic call gates are commonly used in the community, but the gate to No. 6 was wide open. Nono and Ahu entered smoothly and stood in the OTIS elevator that was climbing upwards. Nono's eyes were fixed on the row of floor buttons, as if she was deep in thought.

"Ahu, I know now! The reason there's an extra clock in the painting, and why it shows twelve o'clock, is because Zoe died at noon. The clock in the painting is a 'death knell'!"

Upon hearing this, Ah Hu couldn't help but shudder and get goosebumps.

The elevator had already climbed to the 20th floor. A chill emanating from the bottom of the elevator shaft chased after the ascending steel cage and penetrated it, the chill subtly spreading throughout the elevator.

The corridor was quiet. Each floor had two elevators serving four apartments. Apartment 3102 had a green Panpan brand security door, like the door of a post office. Ah Hu rang the doorbell, and soon heard footsteps inside. The sound stopped behind the door, presumably because the person was looking out through the peephole.

Could it be Hong Bentao who opens the door? Ahu and Nuonuo were thinking the same question.

If it really is him, what should I tell him? Should I tell him about the painting? I absolutely cannot say that Nono is Zoe's cousin or anything like that, or I'll be found out...

Just then, the door opened, and a handsome man with delicate features appeared in front of him. He wore glasses, looked like Jeff Chang, and was holding an adorable baby in his arms.

Nuonuo and Ahu were both stunned. This face shouldn't be Hong Bentao, right?

The man was the owner of apartment 3102. After hearing Nono's self-introduction, he invited the "insurance company claims investigator" in and gave them two pairs of slippers. Ahu lowered his head and changed his shoes. At this moment, his role became Nono's assistant.

A woman emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron and rubber gloves. The man handed her the baby, and she walked away without a word; she appeared to be the family's hired nanny.

"Please have a seat, both of you!"

"Zhang Xinzhe" brought two bottles of Coke and placed them on the coffee table. Such warm hospitality to two complete strangers was perhaps due to Nuonuo's pretty face once again. If Ahu had come alone, the other party probably wouldn't have even opened the door.

"I bought this secondhand apartment through a real estate agency. Actually, the apartment itself is new; the original owner had only just started paying off their bank loan. After I took over, I transferred the mortgage to my name. It's a two-bedroom, one-living room apartment, with a total price of 810,000 yuan. The original price was over 600,000 yuan, but the renovation and appliances were all included—it was all free. Secondhand apartments have been rising sharply lately, so I think it's quite a good deal."

"Is the seller of the house named Hong Bentao?" Nuonuo thought she would get a positive answer, but to her surprise, "Zhang Xinzhe" shook his head and said, "I don't know any Hong Bentao at all. The seller is a young lady named Yu Linle."

Yu Linle? This is the first time I've heard this name. It's only one character different from Yu Linyin, so she's probably Zoe's sister.

"The real estate agent was very responsible. They clearly told me that the reason the seller was selling the house was because someone had committed suicide by jumping off a building. My wife and I discussed it and felt it wasn't a big deal. If it had been a hanging, and the person had hanged themselves in the room, we wouldn't have dared to buy the house, no matter how cheap it was. Since it was a suicide by jumping off a building, and the person died outside, we didn't have any psychological issues. When we moved in, we chose an auspicious day and had a ritual performed, and so far nothing strange has happened. My wife and I are very satisfied with the house. There's a bus terminal right at the entrance of the complex, so transportation is convenient. It's close to the city center, only a 20-minute drive from Huaihai Road. After crossing Zhongshan Ring Road, there's the Luban Road Station of Metro Line 4. The location is excellent. Plus, with the World Expo going to be held in 2010, and the venue located east of Lupu Bridge, property prices have been rising steadily. I'm making money steadily every day from home."

"Zhang Xinzhe" spoke with great enthusiasm.

After obtaining "Zhang Xinzhe's" consent, the two went up to the balcony, which was equipped with frameless windows. These are currently popular in high-rise residential buildings in Shanghai. Their advantage is that they can enclose the balcony, blocking wind, rain and dust, and can also be retracted like curtains, without affecting the view.

Standing on the 31st-floor balcony, the view is expansive, with the winding Huangpu River stretching out before you, and the massive ships sailing on its surface clearly visible. Across the river stands a large steel plant, its enormous chimneys belching black smoke, a major source of dust. According to the World Expo's blueprint, the steel plant will be relocated to make way for a modern exhibition hall, which will likely cause property prices in the surrounding area to rise further.

The balcony railing was about 1.2 meters high. Ah Hu leaned out and looked down at the ground. Although he didn't have a fear of heights, he still felt dizzy. It was at least 90 meters above the ground. Pedestrians in the community looked like moving sesame seeds, and a car was smaller than a mobile phone screen.

Back then, Zoe stepped over the railing from here and took a leap. In just four or five seconds, she plummeted to the ground with a thud, shattering into pieces the instant she hit the concrete. How much courage did it take for her to take that final step in her life?!

Ah Hu couldn't help but admire Zoe; whether she was a woman, a dentist, or a ghost, she always possessed an imposing aura.

Nono cautiously peeked out, then quickly withdrew, took two steps back, and moved away from the railing.

"Ah Hu, do you think she... Zoe, will really jump from here?"

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 74: Let's do a physics problem.

"If it were me, I'd be scared to death before I even hit the ground."

"People say that those who jump off buildings are the bravest. Leslie Cheung jumped from the rooftop of a hotel on April 1st, and Zoe jumped on August 16th. If there were an award for 'Best Courage of 2003,' the male and female awards would definitely go to them."

As they walked out of the Luwan City Garden gate, Ahu couldn't help but turn back and glance at the tall buildings one last time, asking Nuonuo, "About how much does Zoe weigh?"

Nono was stunned by his abrupt question.

How would I know?

"You're a girl, so take a look and you'll understand in a bit."

"Looking at her photos, I think she weighs no more than 55 kilograms."

"Okay, let's say it's 55 kilograms. Let's do a physics problem. The balcony on the 31st floor is about 90 meters above the ground. A 55-kilogram object falling from that height will generate a huge impact force when it hits the ground due to gravity. This force accumulates on Zoe, allowing her to easily push a heavy air conditioner outdoor unit away from its original position."

Nono finally understood why Sanwen died so tragically.

Zoe traded her flesh and blood for this terrifying power, which, carrying a woman's resentment towards the masses, erupted instantly, enough to destroy every bone and even every joint of her opponent, turning them into a mollusk.

Yu Linle is four years younger than her older sister, Yu Linyin. She works as a Chinese language teacher at a boarding school in Pudong, while her husband works for the Pudong New Area People's Government. The couple has a stable income, owns an apartment and a Buick Excelle, and has a pet dog; they are typical middle-class people.

The sisters' father was a professor at a music academy, so the elder daughter was named Yin (音) and the younger daughter was named Le (乐).

Professor Yu hoped his daughters would follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves in music, so he taught them to play the piano and violin from a young age. However, the two sisters chose careers that were completely different from music.

Using the home phone number provided by "Zhang Xinzhe," Ahu and Nuonuo found Yu Linle, who was resting at home. She was eight months pregnant and doing some light exercises as shown in a prenatal education book.

Nuonuo and Ahu really racked their brains trying to figure out what identity to use to visit Yu Linle, as they could no longer use either their identity as an insurance company employee or a freelance writer.

"We are an investigation team sent from White Dental headquarters. The company's senior management is deeply shocked by Dr. Yu's death. The chairman has vowed to find the person spreading rumors behind the scenes, and then the company will hire lawyers to file a civil lawsuit in your family's name. Regardless of whether we win the case or not, the bad guys must be punished, and your family must be given an explanation."

Judging from Yu Linle's attitude in receiving them, she most likely believed this claim.

"I don't believe my sister would commit suicide, and I still do. If she wanted to, she should have left a suicide note, asking me to support our parents and fulfill her filial duties, since our parents are both alive. But she didn't leave a single word. Before this, she had never discussed anything like this with me; she just suddenly disappeared. I still find it hard to accept. Even if it was suicide, there should have been a convincing reason!"

Compared to the people in the clinic who were wiping away tears and speaking haltingly, Yu Linle was quick-witted and outspoken, without any reservations.

"Have you mentioned this idea to the police?" Nono asked her.

"I told them, but the police said they value evidence. They ruled out suicide, leaving only homicide. To classify it as murder, there needs to be sufficient evidence, but based on the scene, there wasn't a single piece of evidence to support that claim. So, after ruling out homicide, only suicide remained. As for the motive for suicide, that's not within the scope of their investigation."

At this point, Yu Linle appeared quite helpless.

"If even the police can't find out, what can ordinary people like us do? All we can do is wipe away our tears and bury the dead."

"Where do your parents live?" Ah Hu asked.