parasitisme veille

Chapitre 20

“There are three people left now. I’d like to talk about Zhang Song first.” Qin Ge glanced at Zhang Song, whose face immediately showed a nervous expression. Qin Ge smiled slightly, “You don’t need to be nervous. I’m just making a hypothesis. The verification work will have to be left until last.”

Zhang Song gave a wry smile, wanting to say something, but his mouth opened and closed without uttering a word.

“Zhang Song had the opportunity to commit the crime. When Su Hedong and I returned to Tanguantang from the town affairs center, he was the only one guarding the outer hall. When we left, there were still many people in the hall, which means that after we left, everyone else went back to their rooms to rest, leaving only Zhang Song outside.”

Besides Zhang Song, six young female models and Lei Ming were also present at the time.

As Hell: 773 Horror Series 12, Part 5, Chapter 85: Suspicion (4)

Xu Juan then interjected, "About ten minutes after you left, we went back to our rooms to rest."

Lei Ming also said, "I went back to my room earlier than them. I went back as soon as you left."

Qin Ge continued, "We were delayed at the town center for about two hours and didn't return until 11:30. That means Zhang Song had at least two hours alone during that time, during which he could have easily sneaked into Liu Qian's room and committed the murder."

Zhang Song's face flushed red, and he stammered, "I didn't, how could I?"

Qin Ge waved his hand at him: "I said that everything right now is just hypothetical."

Zhang Song stared at him blankly, looking as if he wanted to argue but couldn't.

Qin Ge then turned to Lei Ming: "Now let's take a look at you. You were originally sleeping in the same room as Zhang Song, but Zhang Song was out all night, so you were actually the only one in the room."

His gaze then fell on Huang Tao: "Your situation is the same as Lei Ming's. You originally shared a room with Tong Hao, but Tong Hao disappeared, so of course you were the only one left in the room. Both of you have the opportunity to commit the crime. You should know that the sofa in the living room and the corridor leading to the room are on the same side, so sitting on the sofa, you can't see what's happening in the corridor at all."

Huang Tao and Lei Ming's eyes met briefly, and both remained silent, their expressions becoming increasingly unnatural.

"Since all three of you had the opportunity to commit the crime, then who exactly is the murderer of Liu Qian?" Qin Ge paced back and forth, frowning in thought. At this moment, not only Huang Tao, Lei Ming, and Zhang Song, but everyone showed a tense expression. Who would be so nervous if they knew they were sitting next to a murderer?

Qin Ge remained silent, and the atmosphere in the room became extremely tense.

"It's not difficult to find out who the murderer is. We just need to solve one last problem to determine which of the three of you is the killer," Qin Ge said slowly. "Liu Qian is a bit reclusive and sleeps in a room by herself, which gave the murderer the opportunity to commit the crime. But Liu Qian went back to her room to rest early, so how did the murderer open and close the door?"

The group looked at each other, realizing that this was a problem, but no one knew how to solve it.

"This morning, I kicked open the door. I later carefully checked the lock; it's the kind of spring lock commonly used in hotels. Once locked from the inside, it's impossible to open from the outside without a key. My inspection showed no signs of forced entry. I asked the owner, Old Dong, about the key; only Liu Qian and Su He each have one. The chances of the murderer getting the key are extremely slim. So, how could the murderer have entered Liu Qian's room silently without a key?"

The six young models and Dong'er all looked puzzled, and even the usually expressionless Su He was listening intently. Huang Tao, Lei Ming, and Zhang Song were all trying their best to control their expressions, not wanting to appear overly concerned.

Qin Ge paused for a moment, then said heavily, "The answer is actually very simple: Liu Qian opened the door herself and let the murderer in."

"How could Liu Qian do something like inviting a wolf into the house?" a young model asked.

"That's the crux of the problem. If Liu Qian knew that the man intended to kill her, she wouldn't have let him in. But if the man is someone she knows well and has a close relationship with, then the situation will be different."

Suddenly, Qin Ge rushed to Huang Tao, pointed at him, and shouted, "Only you could make Liu Qian open the door herself, so you are the murderer!"

All eyes turned to Huang Tao. Even with his usual composure, Huang Tao could no longer suppress his inner panic. The muscles in his cheeks twitched violently, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. But his expression was strange; besides panic, there was also a deep sense of disappointment.

“I thought you could really uncover the truth, but I didn’t expect it to end like this.” He slowly shook his head at Qin Ge. “I said from the beginning that I wanted to see the real truth and nothing else. Now, I have no hope for you. Although I know you have other evidence to prove I’m the murderer, and no one will believe me no matter what I say now, I still have to say, you’re wrong. How could I kill Zhao Qing? Even if I really hate her now, I would never do anything to harm her.”

Zhao Qing is indeed Liu Qian, Qin Ge knew this from her ID card.

Apart from Lei Ming and Zhang Song, everyone else's expressions turned solemn. Huang Tao had made a very good impression along the way; no one expected him to be the murderer of Liu Qian.

As Hell: 773 Horror Series 12, Part 5, Chapter 86: Suspicion (5)

“I have said that the determination of a person’s guilt or innocence must be made by the court. Right now, I am only treating you as a criminal suspect. Moreover, my reasoning may not be entirely correct. If you have sufficient evidence to show that you are not involved in this matter, then I am willing to retract my current conclusion.”

Huang Tao shook his head in frustration: "I have no evidence, but you must have evidence to prove my relationship with Zhao Qing. I think it should be a newspaper."

Qin Ge paused for a moment, her brows furrowing even more tightly than before: "You are very smart, calm and composed in the face of adversity, and meticulous in your thinking. Do you remember that night when we were keeping watch in the small building, you said that only I could lead everyone out of this predicament, and my true feeling at that time was that without your help, I had no confidence at all."

Huang Tao smiled wryly: "I'm afraid I'll never have another chance to help you."

Qin Ge remained silent, then turned and slowly walked back to the door. Gao Qiao, who had been standing by the door the whole time, took a newspaper from his bag and handed it to Qin Ge. Qin Ge walked back even more slowly, holding up the newspaper and saying, "This is the newspaper I found in Zhao Qing's room. There was a news article in it. I initially thought it was related to Zhao Qing's death, but unexpectedly, I also discovered your secret with Zhao Qing in that article."

Huang Tao breathed heavily, his face showing excitement. He said in a low voice, "Now I really regret not destroying this newspaper yesterday. That way, you wouldn't have made this mistake."

"Perhaps this is the meaning of 'the net of heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it.'"

"Haha." Huang Tao laughed angrily. He shouted, "You actually believe a newspaper like this? It says we're all dead. Do you really believe you're dead now?"

Qin Ge shook his head: "Whether we are alive or dead is another problem that needs to be solved. Right now, we are looking for the murderer. At least I believe everything in the newspapers except for the deaths."

As he spoke, those who had read the newspaper reports of their deaths involuntarily nodded in agreement. Qin Ge and Dong'er had indeed come out of that shopping mall and witnessed the car accident on the street; Zhang Song had indeed been injured by someone falling from a building and had spent a long time in the hospital; the six young models had indeed ridden the bus mentioned in the newspaper for the accident. Therefore, the events between Zhao Qing and Huang Tao published in the newspaper must also be true. Moreover, Huang Tao's expression had already confirmed that there was indeed an unusual relationship between him and Zhao Qing.

"After reading the news in this newspaper, I immediately realized that there was indeed a murderer among us." Qin Ge faced everyone and said with a hint of helplessness, "This murderer is none other than Zhao Qing, who has already died."

The young models immediately began whispering amongst themselves. Dong'er almost reached out to grab the newspaper from Qin Ge's hand, while Su He and Lei Ming also showed expressions of surprise and doubt.

Qin Ge approached Huang Tao and handed him the newspaper: "Now, you have two choices. The first is for me to read the contents of the newspaper to everyone, and the second is for you to tell everyone about your relationship with Zhao Qing. Of course, I hope you choose the latter, because that way, you will have a chance to defend yourself, and I will have a chance to make up for any mistakes I may have made."

Huang Tao neither took the newspaper nor spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Ge, as if he were making a difficult decision. After a long while, he sighed and said, "I already knew what was in the newspaper yesterday afternoon. I came out of my room intending to sit on the sofa in the living room for a while, but I accidentally saw this news among the newspapers on the coffee table. I showed it to Zhao Qing, and she was also suspicious. I wanted to destroy the newspaper then, but Zhao Qing kept it. If Zhao Qing had listened to me, you wouldn't have discovered my secret. Now Zhao Qing is dead, and I'm almost her murderer. At this point, what else is there for me to hide?"

He paused again, then said loudly, "My name is not actually Huang Tao. My real name is Zhong Zhenyu. A month ago, I was the director of the city's construction committee, but now I am a fugitive."

The words shocked everyone, intensifying their curiosity. There was a huge gap between the construction committee director and the fugitive, and moreover, there was a murderer who had already died in the story.

As Hell: 773 Horror Series 12, Part 6, Chapter 87: Lust (1)

The reunion with Zhao Qing felt like a dream. The little girl with the bow in the rainy alley became clear again in Zhong Zhenyu's dream, and he could almost reach out and touch her. Zhong Zhenyu recalled the exhilarating feeling he had experienced for the first time in his dream when he was fourteen years old, and he could immediately feel the changes in his body and the surging of the current within him.

Zhao Qing clearly didn't recognize the boy from the rainy alley twenty years ago; perhaps she had completely forgotten what happened years ago. But she did recognize the construction committee director today. When Zhong Zhenyu stood behind her, lost in thought, she turned around, first looking puzzled, then smiling shyly and lowering her gaze.

“You remind me of a friend I had many years ago,” Zhong Zhenyu said later as they went upstairs together.

"It is truly an honor for me to be friends with Director Zhong," Zhao Qing said.

“I find it really strange that there are two people in this world who look so alike,” Zhong Zhenyu said.

"Then Director Zhong, you can just consider me your friend," Zhao Qing smiled gently, her charm captivating Zhong Zhenyu. Zhong Zhenyu was mesmerized, his attention momentarily diverted. The perceptive Zhao Qing immediately noticed, her smile vanishing and her expression becoming composed. Realizing his lapse, Zhong Zhenyu coughed twice, and as he ascended the stairs, his eyes remained fixed straight ahead, no longer glancing at the woman beside him.

When they parted ways that day, Zhong Zhenyu offered Zhao Qing his business card. Zhao Qing was slightly surprised, but like many others, she showed a flattered and respectful expression, accepted the card with both hands, and returned it after repeatedly saying "thank you."

Back in his office, Zhong Zhenyu closed the door and held Zhao Qing's business card in his hand, examining it for a full half hour. The card indicated that Zhao Qing worked as a room manager at a four-star hotel, a hotel Zhong Zhenyu was very familiar with and could be considered a regular customer, though he always dined there and never stayed there.

Zhong Zhenyu thought for a moment, then called his secretary in and asked which hotel was the designated hotel for the construction committee's activities. He then asked the secretary in a consultative tone if they could change to another hotel. The secretary was slightly taken aback, seemingly finding it unusual for a director of the construction committee to inquire about such a trivial matter. Zhong Zhenyu shook his head helplessly and said that a relative of his had just been transferred to work at that hotel and insisted that he bring in some business for him.

Even if Zhong Zhenyu didn't explain, how could the secretary not do such a small thing?

Two days later, the hotel manager called to invite Zhong Zhenyu to a dinner that evening. He and Zhong Zhenyu were old acquaintances, having interacted many times over drinks, and this dinner was a way of thanking Zhong Zhenyu for his support of his work. Zhong Zhenyu readily agreed on the phone, and during their subsequent casual conversation, he inadvertently mentioned Zhao Qing's name. The hotel manager didn't ask any further questions, and at the dinner that evening, Zhong Zhenyu was pleased to see Zhao Qing. Moreover, the hotel manager had specially arranged for Zhao Qing to sit next to Zhong Zhenyu.

The following evening, Zhong Zhenyu and Zhao Qing met alone in a coffee shop. Zhong Zhenyu said, "Don't you really remember? Twenty years ago, in the alleys of the old town, you helped a lost boy find his way home. That boy was me. I was the lost boy that night."

Zhao Qing stared wide-eyed in confusion, as if she were desperately trying to recall, but in the end she shook her head in disappointment.

Zhong Zhenyu thought that she was only seven or eight years old at the time, so it was normal that she couldn't remember. But what did it matter? He had finally seen her now, and he finally had the chance to bring her out of his dream.

“Twenty years have passed, and you look very different from before, but I still recognized you at a glance. How have you been all these years?” Zhong Zhenyu said.

At that moment, Zhao Qing appropriately displayed the demureness and shyness of a mature young woman. Although she couldn't confirm whether Zhong Zhenyu's words were true, she wondered how a dignified director of the Construction Committee would fabricate such a childish story to win the heart of an ordinary woman. So, she used all her imagination to conjure up a story in her mind: a rainy night where two children met and parted ways in an alley. Her romantic nature added many beautiful elements to that encounter, and before long, she truly felt like that little girl with the bow in her hair.

Zhong Zhenyu and Zhao Qing maintained a normal relationship for more than half a year. During this time, they acted like true friends, meeting up secretly every now and then, but never displaying any intimate behavior. Until six months later, Zhao Qing suddenly became somewhat uneasy in front of Zhong Zhenyu, and several times seemed to want to say something but then stopped herself.

“Just tell me what’s on your mind, we’re old friends,” Zhong Zhenyu said.

Zhao Qing hesitated for a moment before revealing that the hotel manager's son was the head of a real estate company and had his eye on a plot of land in the development zone. He wanted Zhong Zhenyu's help. Zhong Zhenyu knew all about the land; four developers were vying for it. A week later, the four developers would decide the land's usage rights through a bidding process. Zhao Qing's intention in bringing this up was clear.

"If you feel uncomfortable, just pretend I didn't say anything." Zhao Qing blushed and lowered her head to say softly, "Actually, I didn't want to trouble you at all, but I really couldn't refuse the boss."

That day, Zhong Zhenyu remained noncommittal about the matter, and Zhao Qing promptly changed the subject. A week later, the bidding results for the land in the development zone were announced, and the hotel manager's son's company won the bid, acquiring the land use rights. That evening, Zhao Qing proactively invited Zhong Zhenyu out, again to the same coffee shop, where she handed him a bank card.

Asi Hell: 773 Horror Series 12, Part 6, Chapter 88: Lust (2)

Zhong Zhenyu held the card in his hand for a moment, then handed it back to Zhao Qing with a stern face: "I admit that I contacted the relevant parties about this bidding, but I did it only because of you and to help a friend. If I put this bank card in my pocket, then the nature of this matter will change."

Zhao Qing was a smart woman; after a moment's thought, she understood Zhong Zhenyu's meaning. She didn't insist further, and after taking back her bank card, she placed her hand in his. "I can only say two words," she said, gazing at him with a warmth in her eyes that he found irresistible. "Thank you."

Zhong Zhenyu's heart pounded. The changes in his body gave him an uncontrollable urge. Over the years, women had become dispensable in his life; he couldn't even remember the last time he had been intimate with his wife. Men have many ways to release their desires. Freud's famous theory of sexual sublimation essentially attributes human culture, art, science, and technology to the release of desires through alternative means after they have settled. But why, after meeting this woman, did the desire lurking within him, like a hibernating snake, stir and constantly gnaw at his heart?

But that time in the coffee shop, he still calmly concealed his impulse. He felt that if he did anything to Zhao Qing at that moment, it would be somewhat like asking for a favor in return, so he had to try to hold back. Moreover, from Zhao Qing's enthusiasm at that moment, he already had a premonition that the moment would eventually come.

Not long after, Zhao Qing contacted him several more times, all on behalf of friends asking him for favors. These matters were nothing to him; he could easily resolve them with a few words, so he never disappointed Zhao Qing.

The following spring, he went on a business trip to a southern city. In his hotel room, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. When he opened it, Zhao Qing's smiling face surprised and delighted him. It was then that he tasted forbidden fruit for the first time, completely possessing this woman. When he lay on the bed, limp as a pile of cotton, the woman still tirelessly rode on top of him. He heard her say, "I love you. I've waited so long for this moment. Today, let me die on top of you."

Zhong Zhenyu felt that he should be the one dying today, but his heart was filled with immense joy.

Some say women need men's nourishment, but in fact men need women's nurturing even more. Zhong Zhenyu, returning from a business trip, radiated the vitality only teenagers have, and he himself could feel the passion surging through his body every day.

During another date, Zhao Qing handed him several bank cards that were lying around: "These were left by friends who asked you for help before. I knew you wouldn't want them, so I've been keeping them for you."

Zhong Zhenyu was startled, realizing that things were not as he had imagined.

“I know you did all those things to please me, but this is a society where you are paid for what you do. If you've done something for someone, you have the right to be paid. You might scold me, or even think I'm with you because I want your power. But if you just open your eyes and look around, you'll see that this is a common practice in society. The people around you, those you lead or those who lead you, all exist within this practice. You are human too, you have emotions and desires. When you reject the order formed by this practice, then that order will eventually abandon you.”

Zhao Qing had said a lot to him that day, leaving him somewhat bewildered. Zhao Qing's words had long been in his heart, but he had built a strong barrier to prevent them from spreading. Now, that barrier had crumbled, and he was like a lost ship, adrift in the vast ocean.

Like a nightmare, or perhaps a demonic possession, many things changed without his realizing it. After that day, Zhong Zhenyu continued to work and live as before, but he knew that the content of his work and life had undergone earth-shattering changes.

What happened next? While Zhong Zhenyu was reminiscing in the official hall of Asi Town, he suddenly felt dizzy, accompanied by a sharp pain in his chest. Buddhism emphasizes cause and effect; there is no such thing as a result without a cause in this world. Therefore, he had no right to complain about what happened afterward.

One night, he suddenly received an anonymous phone call. The caller said that a working group from the province would be stationed in his city in two days, at which time a group of department-level cadres would be placed under investigation. After hanging up, he sat there for half an hour, took out a suitcase he had prepared beforehand, and began his escape.

Before fleeing, he had to see Zhao Qing one last time and tell her that it was all because of her. He also had a question that had been hidden in his heart for a long time that he wanted to ask her: was all of this within her expectations? Was she with him just to use him?

Zhao Qing paused for a moment on the phone, then said, "I just need you to wait for me for one day. That way, you'll know the answer yourself without me having to say anything."

Zhong Zhenyu considered it for a long time before deciding to risk waiting for her for a day. Her answer was very important to him, because it would determine whether everything he had done was worthwhile. The next day, he went to the office as usual with his suitcase. The long and unbearable day finally passed. Before leaving get off work in the evening, he received a call from Zhao Qing. Zhao Qing told him to be patient and that he would know her answer soon.

Asi's Hell: 773 Horror Series 12, Part 6, Chapter 89: Lust (3)

That evening, he anxiously waited for her answer at his usual coffee shop. Every half hour, she would call to reassure him and ask him to wait a little longer. Zhong Zhenyu didn't know what she was up to, but he had already waited all day, so what was a few more hours?

At one o'clock in the morning, her phone rang again.

“Now, you can come to my house. I have my answer ready,” Zhao Qing said.

When he arrived at Zhao Qing's building, she was already waiting for him at the entrance. He followed her upstairs and into the room, where the answer she had prepared for him lay before him. At that moment, his body trembled violently, and he had an urge to run away immediately.

In Zhao Qing's bedroom, a man's corpse lay on his back. Blood stained the entire bed sheet, and some splattered onto the wall, leaving red spots. The man's face was mangled, with several bones protruding; it was clear he had died from multiple stab wounds.

"Why did you do this?" he asked heavily, suppressing the churning in his stomach.

"This is the answer I prepared for you. Aren't you satisfied?" Zhao Qing said calmly. "I know that no matter what I say, you won't believe that I truly love you, because I have caused you the greatest disaster of your life. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. All I can do now is to stay with you forever, through thick and thin, through life and death. Only then will you understand that I truly love you."

"But why did you kill your husband?" Zhong Zhenyu demanded sharply.

“Because I killed him, I became a criminal, and I became just like you.”

Zhao Qing said sadly, "If we become the same kind of people, you won't doubt me anymore, and you won't abandon me. Let's go to a place where no one knows us, and live like a real couple. What do you say?"

Zhong Zhenyu was stunned and speechless. This was Zhao Qing's answer to him, giving him no chance to doubt or refuse. He pulled the woman tightly into his arms, truly feeling that his life and hers were now intertwined.

"I had poisoned his tea; he always drinks tea when he comes home every night. But tonight he drank too much and fell asleep as soon as he walked in. I didn't want him to die such a gruesome death; after all, we were husband and wife. But I couldn't keep you waiting too long. I had to become like you tonight, so I had to choose this brutal method. Fortunately, the dead don't understand beauty or ugliness. Since the outcome is already predetermined, who cares about the process in between?"

Zhao Qing whispered gently in his ear, "Now that I'm yours, you can't do anything to betray me. Otherwise, I'll kill myself just like I killed him."