Коллекция Хироми

Глава 28

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Dazhi opened the filing cabinet beside him, took out a blue plastic file box labeled "Specimen Registration," and then pulled out files from 1999, searching through them one by one. "M9960...M9963...M9966, M9968." Zheng Dazhi paused, then flipped through the files again—but couldn't find the information for M9967 he was looking for!

"That's not right, I filled it out myself back then," Zheng Dazhi thought. Although more than three years had passed, he could still remember it. Although these corpse files were not as important as the files of the living, they were never carelessly thrown around in the teaching and research office; they were always neatly categorized and placed in the filing cabinet. "It's M9967 again! Damn, this is really weird!" Zheng Dazhi cursed fiercely, then dialed Zhou Yifeng's office number.

"Old Zhou, I haven't found the detailed information yet. Sigh, but I do remember some things about this body. It was voluntarily donated in 1999. Male. We don't know the cause of death. I did a routine check before the embalming—at least it didn't look like external injuries or a serious illness."

"Where did you get this from?"

“The hospital! The family said the deceased had a will to donate his body before his death,” Zheng Dazhi said after thinking for a moment. “I took over the case. Old Master Lan always treated it like a treasure, storing it separately in the No. 9 mortuary, saying that the deceased’s motives were noble.”

"Donation?" Zhou Yifeng pressed on, "What's your name? How old are you?"

"Hey, how would I remember that? It's been three years. Do you still think we're beat cops? No matter who he is, he's just a pile of bones and flesh under my knife. Who cares about that? If the information hadn't been lost, it would be fine, but now the file is gone too. Damn it, this is unbelievable!"

"Think about it again!" Zhou Yifeng said anxiously, banging his hand on the table.

"Well, right, it seems to be a student from our school... I think, it should be surnamed Jiang... either from the class of '97 or '98, his death was quite suspicious. They say he was alive and kicking the day before, and then he was dead the next day. That's all I know."

Zhou Yifeng chuckled awkwardly, said thank you several times, and then hung up the phone. Zheng Dazhi's words, "a living ghost," were still ringing in his ears. He thought to himself, "Luckily, Zheng Dazhi didn't ask me why I was investigating the specimen files; otherwise, how would I explain my ghostly encounter?"

Zhou Yifeng leaned back in his chair, his lips twitching as he muttered to himself, "It's him...it really is him...I should have known this sooner..."

His thoughts quickly flashed back to that winter night three years ago, and to the urgent ringing of the telephone.

"Hello, Professor Zhou? This is Zhang Zheng from the Department of Psychiatry at the Second Municipal Hospital. Your student."

"Hehe, Director Zhang, long time no see, long time no see!" Zhou Yifeng chuckled politely. The person making the call, Zhang Zheng, was also a medical school graduate; Zhou Yifeng had taught a few classes for his class. After graduation, Zhang Zheng was assigned to the Second Municipal Hospital, and within a few years, at a young age, he became the director of the psychiatry department. Due to professional connections, Zhou Yifeng had interacted with him several times and even collected some case studies from him. However, the two hadn't seen each other for over a year.

"Professor Zhou, we wouldn't dare bother you so easily. But this time we have to ask you to come out of retirement again." Zhang Zheng's tone was very polite.

"What's wrong? Just say it!"

"Professor Zhou, we need your help with a forensic psychiatric evaluation. We're not very senior, and they only accept candidates with associate professor or higher titles."

This wasn't Zhou Yifeng's first time performing a forensic psychiatric evaluation. He was one of the city's leading experts in the field, having obtained his forensic psychiatric evaluation qualification certificate seven years ago. Besides, the job would come with a substantial fee—so of course he wouldn't refuse.

“Okay, you set a time, and I’ll come over.” Zhou Yifeng said almost without hesitation.

"Hehe, Professor Zhou, I wouldn't dare trouble you with your scolding. We'll come pick you up at 2 PM tomorrow!" Zhang Zheng's voice sounded overjoyed.

The next day, a black Audi took Zhou Yifeng directly to the psychiatric ward on the sixth floor of the Second Municipal Hospital.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Zheng led Zhou Yifeng directly to the conference room. There, Zhou Yifeng met a middle-aged man and woman. They were sitting on a sofa in the corner of the conference room. They both looked quite dignified and elegant, but the woman seemed troubled. The man, on the other hand, was relatively calm and was whispering something to her.

After Zhang Zheng's introduction, Zhou Yifeng learned that they were a married couple. They had just flown in from Wuhan last night. Listening to the titles and ranks listed after their names, Zhou Yifeng thought to himself—they were quite impressive.

It appeared to be a pre-arranged secret meeting. Zhou Yifeng did not immediately meet the person who needed the psychiatric evaluation, nor did he see any law enforcement or judicial personnel present.

“Professor Zhou, Minister Wang and Aunt Guo are both my elders. Their daughter has had a bit of an accident and they urgently need your help!” As Zhang Zheng spoke, Aunt Guo kept casting anxious and inquiring glances at Zhou Yifeng.

"Girl? What happened?"

“Oh, I see, Professor Zhou. Minister Wang’s daughter is studying at our medical university. A few days ago, when she was looking after a classmate with a severe cold, she kindly bought him some oral penicillin tablets. Unexpectedly, that person had a severe penicillin allergy. And...and couldn’t be saved!” Zhang Zheng said, carefully choosing his words, and occasionally glancing cautiously at the couple.

“I’ve heard about this!” Zhou Yifeng said calmly.

"Minister Wang's daughter usually behaves very well; it wasn't intentional at all! This accident caused her great emotional distress, and she's been hospitalized. She's here with me!"

"What do you want?" Zhou Yifeng asked, then fell silent.

“Professor Zhou, Wang Danyang really didn’t mean to harm that student. I heard, I heard they were dating, otherwise she wouldn’t have gone to take care of him.” Aunt Guo—Wang Danyang’s mother—was already sobbing uncontrollably. “If she gets arrested again! I don’t want to live anymore…”

Zhou Yifeng nodded slowly, indicating understanding and sympathy. Then he looked at Zhang Zheng. "You said that girl was hospitalized here; is she mentally unstable after being traumatized?"

Zhang Zheng rubbed his hands, looking slightly nervous. "Professor Zhou, after that incident, she came straight to me. She's just a kid, she was really scared! She was crying as she spoke, asking me for advice! I, I just..." Zhang Zheng stammered, but Zhou Yifeng already had a good idea of what was going on.

“Professor Zhou!” This time it was Wang Danyang’s father who spoke up. “Zhang Zheng has always been a very good junior to us, and also a relative. My daughter is only 19 years old, we can’t let this ruin her life! Her mother’s health isn’t very good, and I will retire sooner or later. In the future, we’ll still be relying on her. We will definitely have to make some financial compensation to that student, after all, it was Danyang’s fault. But in other matters, we really need Professor Zhou’s help!”

Zhang Zheng stared expectantly at Zhou Yifeng. "Professor Zhou, the family of the deceased child is making a huge scene at the school and the police station. We've heard that the police are planning to ask you to do a forensic examination tomorrow. We'll tell her what to do and how to cooperate. As long as she doesn't end up in jail, anything is fine!"

As they spoke, Zhang Zheng placed an envelope on the coffee table and slowly pushed it toward Zhou Yifeng. “Minister Wang is very familiar with the city leaders. We’ll smooth things over with the rest! If Professor Zhou or his family needs any help in the future, Minister Wang will be very accommodating!” Zhang Zheng paused, then added in a low voice, “This 30,000 yuan is a small token of Minister Wang and Aunt Guo’s appreciation. Please, Professor Zhou, accept it!”

"No need for money!" Zhou Yifeng took a sip of the tea in front of him.

"I...I'm kneeling before you, Professor Zhou!" Wang Danyang's mother suddenly rushed over and knelt down in front of Zhou Yifeng with a thud. Zhou Yifeng was so startled he almost dropped his teacup. "Please, please get up, speak slowly, speak slowly!" He frantically tried to help her up, who was sobbing uncontrollably. The conference room erupted into chaos!

"Zhang Zheng! Let me think about it some more!" Zhou Yifeng's forehead was covered in sweat! "This forensic identification is no joke!" Zhou Yifeng said as he stood up, turning to leave.

"Professor Zhou!" Wang Danyang's father's voice suddenly rose. He grabbed the envelope from the coffee table, stuffed it into Zhou Yifeng's hand, and then grasped Zhou Yifeng's hands with both of his, saying, "Please! Our whole family begs you!"

Zhang Zheng picked up Zhou Yifeng's briefcase, which was still on the sofa, took the bulging envelope, and put it into the briefcase, saying, "Professor Zhou, I guarantee everything will be perfect. Don't worry! Just say the word! When have you ever trusted me, Zhang Zheng, to get things done?"

The next morning, the police indeed contacted Zhou Yifeng by phone. They had cooperated many times before.

The police officer in charge of the case gave a brief overview of the case over the phone—similar to what Zhang Zheng had said. He then said, "The girl is currently mentally unstable; her family says she has a history of mental illness that hasn't improved. At the family's request, we've asked Professor Zhou to conduct an evaluation of the suspect to determine if she should bear criminal responsibility!"

Zhou Yifeng didn't say much, only agreeing to arrive at the appointed time.

In the afternoon, accompanied by two investigators, Zhou Yifeng visited the psychiatric department of the Second Municipal Hospital again.

In Zhang Zheng's director's office, the older-looking policeman handed a case file to Zhou Yifeng. "Professor Zhou, the key and difficult point of the case is that although the suspect did not commit manslaughter out of ignorance, during questioning the suspect, he insisted that the victim told him he was not allergic to penicillin. Professor Zhou, please take a look at the questioning record at the top."

Zhou Yifeng opened the file wrapped in kraft paper and pulled out the interrogation transcript.

...

Q: Did you know that a skin test is required before taking oral penicillin?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you know about allergic reactions and consequences caused by penicillin?

A: Yes.

Q: Did you carefully read the instructions for use on the outer packaging of the penicillin V potassium tablets that the victim took?

A: Yes, I saw it.

Q: When you gave the victim the medication, did you know if he had a history of penicillin allergy?

A: I don't know, but I asked.

Q: You asked how the victim responded at the time?

A: He...he said...he said no.

Q: Are you sure he said no at the time?

A: Yes. He said no!

Q: Do you have any witnesses to prove that what you just said is true?

A: It was just him and me there at the time; there was no one else.

Q: According to our investigation, you two had a conflict three days before the incident, is that right?

A: Yes, it's a small thing, he wants to break up with me.

...

Zhou Yifeng looked up. The policeman who handed him the case file continued, "Judging from the confession and the suspect's background and education, she had sufficient knowledge and ability to foresee the danger. This constitutes negligent homicide. Furthermore, since there were no eyewitnesses at the scene, the suspect's claim that the victim told her she had no history of penicillin allergy is unreliable. Now, the suspect's family is requesting a forensic psychiatric evaluation. If a mental illness is confirmed, she can be exempted from criminal liability."

Zhou Yifeng nodded slowly, seemingly lost in thought, indicating that he understood.

Later, in a private ward, he met Wang Danyang. Wang Danyang was disheveled, looked haggard, and sat on the bed in a hospital gown. Her eyes were unfocused, and she occasionally let out a strange chuckle.

According to relevant regulations, a forensic psychiatric evaluation requires the joint efforts of three people. In this case, Zhou Yifeng was the lead evaluator, and the other two were Zhang Zheng and an attending physician from the psychiatry department.

After a brief inquiry and physical examination, Zhou Yifeng had roughly determined that the girl had no mental problems and that it was all an act! However, apart from Zhou Yifeng and Zhang Zheng, who stood beside him with a blank expression, no one else knew this.

Next came the standard procedure used in the assessment: a series of scales, a series of tests, and a series of questions. It took Zhou Yifeng more than two hours to complete all the items.

Still in Zhang Zheng's director's office, under the watchful eyes of the two investigating police officers, Zhou Yifeng painstakingly wrote "moderate schizophrenia" in the "Assessment Conclusion" section of the report, and then signed his name. Zhang Zheng and another doctor also quickly signed their names.

Finally, when the two police officers shook Zhou Yifeng's hand to express their gratitude and handed him 1,000 yuan as a fee for the forensic examination, Zhou Yifeng's palms were covered in sticky sweat!

He just hoped this matter could be resolved quickly and he could forget about it! He never wanted to see Wang Danyang's terrifying face again!

When Zhou Yifeng snapped out of his reverie, the sun was already setting. The cup of "Lion Peak Longjing" tea in front of him had long since cooled, its color turning from green to brown. Zhou Yifeng felt a terrible headache. He rubbed his temples, and suddenly the image of that disheveled person in "Yan Hao's" pupils flashed before his eyes again—it was Wang Danyang! Despite the many years that had passed, Zhou Yifeng had recognized her at a glance. In that moment, he felt the greatest fear and helplessness of his life.

But now he just can't understand how Teacher Xia could be involved with Wang Danyang and that deceased student surnamed Jiang.

He had no way out; he had to keep going! At least, he hoped it was a path that offered him a chance for redemption. "There are gods watching over us"—this was the last thing Zhou Yifeng murmured as he left the office.

Heart Dust, Part Eight

Professor Xia Tian has been on personal leave the whole time—that's what Professor Luo, the "old maid," told Zhou Yifeng when he called the Physiology Department. Professor Luo had even given him Xia Tian's phone number. But no matter how many times Zhou Yifeng called, Xia Tian's phone remained switched off.

Zhou Yifeng also went to the single staff apartment building. Teacher Xia Tian lived with another female teacher from the Social Sciences Department named Yao Lingling. However, Yao Lingling said that she hadn't returned to live there since Xia Tian's boyfriend's car accident. She was probably at the hospital taking care of him. Yao Lingling promised to deliver Professor Zhou's message to Xia Tian when she returned.

Leaving the apartment building, Zhou Yifeng could only dejectedly go home. After all, he had been caring for a patient that summer. It wouldn't be appropriate to bother her again now.

The next morning, when Zhou Yifeng left home, he took a bankbook with him—his secret stash of money, a secret even his wife didn't know, included bonuses, holiday allowances, and teaching stipends. Of course, the 30,000 yuan was also deposited in it in full!

Zhou Yifeng went to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China opposite the east gate of the school and withdrew the money that had been bothering him. After taking it to his office, he simply stuffed it into the bottom drawer of his executive desk.

It was a week later when Zhou Yifeng finally met Xia Tian.

Lei Ming had already been discharged from the hospital by then. After Xia Tian returned to the apartment, Yao Lingling told her about Zhou Yifeng's visit. So she used her cell phone to call Zhou Yifeng's office.

The person who answered the phone was Zhou Yifeng. "Xia, could you come over to my place? I'd like to talk to you about something!" Xia Tian readily agreed, without asking Zhou Yifeng what he wanted to talk to her about, but she had a vague feeling that it was related to Yan Hao. They arranged to meet at Zhou Yifeng's office at 3:30 that afternoon.

Five minutes early, summer knocked on the door of the Department of Medical Psychology.

With final exams and holidays approaching, teachers no longer need to be in the office. Apart from Zhou Yifeng, there was no one else in the office.

Zhou Yifeng stayed in the office to wait for Xia Tian. Xia Tian noticed his excitement the moment the door opened.

She had been Zhou Yifeng's student. So she still greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Professor Zhou!" Perhaps because she hadn't rested well after taking care of patients for a long time, Xia Tian's voice was a little hoarse.

"It's good that you're here, it's good that you're here!" Professor Zhou said as he hurriedly led Xia Tian into the small conference room.

After they sat down, Zhou Yifeng inquired about Xia Tian's boyfriend's health, expressed his sympathy and condolences, and then got down to business.

"Xia Xia! You should know a student named Yan Hao, right?" Zhou Yifeng asked slowly, holding a cup of freshly brewed "Lion Peak Longjing" tea in both hands.

"We've done more than just know each other; we've been together these past few days!"

"Oh?" Zhou Yifeng leaned forward, looking quite surprised.

“He’s a student in my class. A few days ago, because he has Rh-negative blood, he even donated blood to my friend. I don’t know how to thank him enough!” Xia Tian sighed and lowered her head.

"So that's how it is! I haven't seen him during these exam periods. I never expected so many things to happen. Unbelievable, unbelievable!" Zhou Yifeng slowly twirled a Parker pen between his three fingers.

"Professor Zhou, I heard him say that he's getting some kind of treatment here with you, is that right?"