[02/27, 11:34, Nanyi City Third People’s Hospital]
Jian Ru and Zou Bin found the hospital where Yang He (Lu Caiyun’s son) was being treated and happened to see a middle-aged woman who resembled Lu Caiyun, sitting with a frail boy in the infusion area in front of the nephrology department.
Jian Ru took out a photo, nodded at Zou Bin, and said, “That’s him.”
Yang He was about the same height as Tao Tao but in much worse condition. His complexion was waxy yellow, his cheeks swollen, and his lips pale. A sense of illness was palpable. Perhaps due to his severe illness, the child’s mental state was also poor. He sat on a stool, silent, with a vacant and lifeless gaze, as if he had lost his soul.
Zou Bin went through the back door of the waiting room to the director’s office and found Yang He’s attending physician. After inquiring, he learned that the child had congenital kidney failure and also had lung function issues. He had been relying on money to stay alive since birth. Currently, his kidney function was severely impaired, and the only way to prolong his life was through dialysis. The hospital’s expert team had held a meeting and unanimously agreed that only a kidney transplant was the final solution.
“Yang He has been receiving conservative treatment, taking medication daily, and coming in every month to check creatinine and urea nitrogen. This approach only slows down the progression of his kidney disease. This child is unfortunate. Last winter, his left kidney had already died and was removed through surgery. The remaining one won’t last much longer. Recently, with the change of seasons, pneumonia has relapsed, and despite intermittent treatment for more than half a month, it hasn’t improved. His mother and aunt are both struggling, taking turns to care for him.”
“Did you hear that his parents have been planning for a kidney transplant? Are they considering using their own?” Zou Bin asked.
“They wanted to donate their own kidneys to their son, but they couldn’t match. They did a compatibility test years ago, and it wasn’t suitable.” The doctor flipped through the medical records. “However, a few days ago, they brought a little girl, claiming she was their daughter, who had been living elsewhere and was just recently brought back to match with Yang He.”
Zou Bin realized that the family was indeed using Tao Tao as a reserve kidney source and quickly asked, “When did she come? What were the results of the matching?”
“They drew blood last Wednesday. The blood type is compatible, but the matching results haven’t come out yet. The little girl was a bit scared and initially refused to have her blood drawn. Her mother had to coax her for a long time.”
Zou Bin cursed inwardly. It was unbelievable that they were using this little girl as a kidney source. Lu Caiyun seemed kind and gentle, but who would have thought she was so cruel behind the scenes?
“Did she come back to the hospital after the blood draw?”
“No, her parents haven’t seen her either. Recently, it’s been her aunt bringing her to see the doctor.”
Jian Ru stood outside the infusion room, quietly observing the child huddled in a chair, dozing off. He was wearing a mask and undergoing nebulization. His aunt, afraid he would be bored, held up a phone screen showing cartoons. Even though the other children were attracted to it, he remained uninterested, his face showing a complete lack of enthusiasm.
There’s an old saying that a difficult child at home is a debt collector by birth. But from another perspective, the child is the most pitiful, dragged along by illness on the path of life, losing the light in his eyes at such a young age.
Back at the city bureau, the forensic report arrived. Jian Ru brought back the results of the black hair sample, which did not belong to any of the hostages in the kidnapping case.
“Not a match? Then you must have taken the wrong sample,” Zou Bin said as he put down the report and took a sip of water.
“But think about it. Yang He has never been at home. Lu Caiyun has yellow hair, and the old lady has white hair. The hair on the comb could only belong to Tao Tao.”
“That’s not certain. They run a wedding photography business. What if they borrowed it out to a customer?”
That explanation seemed plausible. Jian Ru sighed in frustration, “Alright, I have to assume we took the wrong hair sample. Otherwise, where did this little girl come from?”
Suddenly, the office fell silent.
Zou Bin’s expression grew strange: “…Maybe the girl really isn’t one of the hostages. I don’t think I’ve seen her face in the hostage album.”
Jian Ru had suspected this for a while and quickly said, “That day, Xiao Shitou’s mood was very odd. He clearly recognized Tao Tao but refused to admit it, only saying she was a child from kindergarten and that they hadn’t spoken much.”
Zou Bin picked up the report again, staring at the data intensely: “Not in the hostage list, but in the hands of Tu Laogui. Where did this child come from?”
They exchanged glances and hurriedly left the office, heading back to the hospital to get the blood samples. It was easier to compare the blood samples if they were indeed from Tao Tao.
“If Tao Tao is indeed an additional hostage, this news must be reported to Captain Lin immediately!”
Jian Ru, rarely silent, finally whispered, “No need. I think… Captain Lin already knows about this.”
—
[02/27, 16:48, Turtle Back Mountain, Nanyi City]
Lin Heyu and Yuan Maoqiu found Pang Nengshui’s uncle, who lived at the foot of Turtle Back Mountain and was an honest farmer. When he mentioned his nephew, he looked worried: “This kid has been no good since he was young. He’s in his fifties, hasn’t achieved anything, and often causes trouble. My sister had a hard life; several of her children died young, and only he survived. What could we do?”
Pang Nengshui originally had three older siblings, but due to the lack of resources and harsh conditions in that era, only this debt collector survived. His son had been troublesome since childhood, and Zhu Xuying had to constantly clean up his mess. Their family’s conditions had once been good, but after many losses, their savings were depleted. While other families had already built two-story villas, their home was still a ten-square-meter small tile house, smaller than others’ pigsties.
However, Pang Nengshui didn’t care. He always said he would make a fortune and become successful, not just a small-time player. His uncle didn’t believe his dreams at all. Zhu Xuying initially had some hope, but after repeated disappointments, she considered him just a dreamer.
“He has a distant cousin in Southeast Asia. Do you know about that?” Lin Heyu asked.
“Southeast Asia? Our family has been poor farmers for three generations. Who could have gone abroad?” The uncle said with an awkward smile, “Is it the northern part of Myanmar? I often see in the news that it’s all about scams and drug trafficking there. I wouldn’t go there even if you paid me.”
“Has he really been at home all the time recently?”
“Yes, when I went, he was home sleeping all day. My sister said A-Shui is very honest and stays at home with her every day.”
“Our colleagues said there are friends who often visit him. Is it Zhao Chenghu?”
“Zhao Chenghu? Who’s that?”
The uncle clearly didn’t understand Pang Nengshui’s social connections and was clueless. The only information he could provide was related to his sister, such as her deteriorating health since spring. The last time Dr. Ma from the health station visited, he bluntly said the old lady was running out of time and wouldn’t last much longer.
According to the information provided by Yi Shi, the old lady died three days after Zhao Chenghu was captured. Pang Nengshui’s crime timing might be closely related to his mother. The recent patient companionship might have been his final farewell?
At four-thirty in the afternoon, on the rugged mountain path of Turtle Back Mountain, a man in a jacket carrying a bag was heading up the mountain. This man was Zhao Chenghu, the first target discovered by Wen Huabei. He patted the nearby officer Xiao Lu on the shoulder: “Let’s go, stop him!”
Xiao Lu immediately stood up from behind a two-meter-high stack of straw: “I’m going. You should inform the police station.”
He took another mountain path and intercepted Zhao Chenghu on the field path about two acres away from Pang Nengshui’s home.
“Pang Nengshui!”
The man turned around, and Xiao Lu grabbed his arm: “We’ve been waiting for you. The documents still aren’t signed. Do you still need your annual subsidy?”
The man immediately denied, “I’m not Pang Nengshui. You’ve got the wrong person!”
“Then who are you? I’ve seen your ID photo and recognize you.” Xiao Lu said, acting skillfully, “Don’t try to fool me. Since Aunt Zhu is bedridden and unable to sign, we’ve agreed to let family members sign on her behalf. How come you, the son, are making such a fuss over this minor matter?”
“…” The man looked speechless. “How can you not understand? I’m telling you, you’ve mistaken me for someone else!”
“Really?” Xiao Lu examined him. “You’re really not Pang Nengshui? Don’t mess with me; I’m newly transferred here. Where’s your ID?”
The man impatiently took out his ID. Xiao Lu took a close look: Zhao Chenghu, 39 years old, from Chi Li Shui.
Chi Li Shui is a long way from Nanyi City, a thousand miles apart, even by high-speed rail it takes overnight. Xiao Lu took a photo and sent it to his colleagues, chuckling, then returned the ID to him: “Sorry, it seems we did mistake. At first glance, you two do look quite alike. Are you a friend of Pang Nengshui?”
“So what if I am, and so what if I’m not?!” Zhao Chenghu was nearly glaring at him. “Can I leave now? I have things to do!”
“Hey, if you’re his friend, then it’s just right. Get him out here quickly and have him sign the documents.”
Zhao Chenghu’s expression clearly changed. He thought to himself, why was he so unlucky today, being held up by a petty cop? Why hadn’t Pang Nengshui handled these trivial matters before leaving?
Xiao Lu had already noticed his odd behavior and sneered, determined to delay him on the field path.
At the same time, Lin Heyu and Yuan Maoqiu followed Pang Nengshui’s uncle up another path, arriving at Pang Nengshui’s doorstep. Wen Huabei reported that he had been monitoring the place and confirmed no one had come out. Pang Nengshui must be inside.
The uncle reached through the fence, skillfully removing the door bolt: “A-Shui is definitely sleeping now. I’ve seen him in that same lifeless state several times. He never goes out to work, it’s really frustrating.”
When the door opened, there was only the old lady lying in bed. There was no sign of Pang Nengshui.
Zhu Xuying, with cloudy eyes, blinked in and out of consciousness for a long time. The uncle pushed her gently: “Sister, where is he? Where did he go?”
“… Gone… for many days…”
The uncle was astonished: “Impossible! Sister, I saw A-Shui sleeping on the floor just the day before yesterday!”
Zhu Xuying, with her skinny, bony right hand, waved it weakly and slowly turned her eyes to look at the old-fashioned small clock on the table.
Lin Heyu suddenly froze and asked Wen Huabei: “What time did Zhao Chenghu come each time?”
“Once at 4:58 PM on the 24th, and once at 4:55 PM on the 25th,” Wen Huabei raised his wrist, “It was around this time. If Xiao Lu hadn’t held him up, he should have arrived by now.”
“That’s right,” Lin Heyu’s voice turned cold instantly, “Aunt Zhu couldn’t be mistaken. He hasn’t been at home for a long time.”
—
Zhao Chenghu, increasingly frustrated, had been tangling with Xiao Lu for almost half an hour. These annoying cops were so irritating, dragging out such a small matter. If he weren’t trying to stay low-profile recently, he’d have made this little cop lie on the ground.
At worst, he would have to stay in the detention center for a while, which was as familiar as his own home. He wasn’t afraid of that.
“How about I go to the station to get the documents and go with you?”
Xiao Lu asked deliberately, and Zhao Chenghu, with a guilty conscience, rejected quickly, preferring to rush to get the documents himself rather than let him come along. Xiao Lu pretended to be curious: “What does Pang Nengshui do all day at home? His house doesn’t have a computer or internet, isn’t he bored?”
“… He’s quite filial and puts all his attention on taking care of Aunt Zhu.”
Xiao Lu smiled without speaking. No one would believe such a story. If he were truly filial, he wouldn’t have made so many mistakes. Didn’t he see how badly his mother had been treated over the years?
Zhao Chenghu’s words were not entirely false, as Pang Nengshui’s “filial piety” was relative. Compared to those who had been away for years and never called home, a man who frequently mentioned his mother and returned home often was seen as a “great filial son.”
Zhao Chenghu himself had a son, but he had only seen him once as a baby and hadn’t seen him again in all these years.
The “big event” he planned was delayed because Aunt Zhu kept putting it off. With the old lady’s health deteriorating rapidly, Pang Nengshui knew he couldn’t delay much longer, which is why he finally decided to act.
After about half an hour of tugging and pulling, Xiao Lu finally received a call and had to hurry back to the station. Before leaving, he reminded Zhao Chenghu to make sure Pang Nengshui went to the station to sign the documents.
Zhao Chenghu breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as Xiao Lu had walked past the straw stack, he crouched down, watched the man’s retreating figure, and sent a message to Wen Huabei: [Everything went smoothly. The person has arrived.]
When Zhao Chenghu arrived at Pang Nengshui’s house, it was already past five. He greeted the old lady lying on the bed: “Aunt, I’m here to keep you company. The uncle hasn’t come yet?”
Zhu Xuying, with half-closed eyes, seemed not to hear. The room was almost the same as before he left. Zhao Chenghu relaxed, skillfully boiled water, swept the floor, wiped the tables and chairs, and finally shook out the blanket on the floor, preparing to continue pretending to sleep when the uncle arrived.
Every time Pang Nengshui’s uncle came, he would bring two or three days’ worth of food. Fortunately, it was just the beginning of spring. If it were summer and the uncle came every day, their little trick might not have worked.
“Aunt, let me help you arrange the bed,” Zhao Chenghu’s rough hand reached for the pillow, but his wrist was seized. He quickly supported the wavering arm, “What’s wrong?”
Zhu Xuying, using all her remaining strength, whispered faintly: “Where’s that boy…”
“Brother Pang is busy with important matters outside and can’t come back for now.” Zhao Chenghu tucked her hand back into the blanket and made up a story, “When he earns big money, he’ll take you abroad to enjoy life.”
Zhu Xuying knew very well that her son would not do anything good outside. Overcome with grief, she half-closed her eyes, tears gradually wetting the corners of her eyes: “Such a sin… such a sin… cough, cough, cough!”
The old lady suddenly started coughing violently, clutching her chest and gasping for breath, her eyes rolling back. Zhao Chenghu was startled and hurriedly helped her up, using one hand to pat her back continuously: “Aunt, don’t talk. If you’re not feeling well, just rest more! I’ll get you a glass of water!”
He tried to get up, but the old woman’s dry, twig-like hand grabbed his collar tightly, and he couldn’t break free. Zhao Chenghu looked down and saw Zhu Xuying’s skeletal face, her cloudy eyes wide open, staring intensely at him, as if this action had exhausted her last bit of strength.
“I’m dying soon… Huzi, tell him his old mother can’t see him for the last time… I can’t even close my eyes!…”
Zhao Chenghu’s heart sank, and his whole body broke out in a sweat. He struggled to calm down “to live a long life,” and, with great effort, managed to get Zhu Xuying to lie down again. At this moment, the lock on the courtyard door made a sound, and Zhao Chenghu hurriedly motioned for the old lady to help cover up the deception, then rolled into the quilt and wrapped himself up.
Sure enough, the uncle came in carrying a lunchbox. Seeing someone covered in a quilt on the floor, he called out several times but got no response, so he could only shake his head and go around to serve his sister dinner.
Zhao Chenghu’s head was covered by the quilt; the damp cotton mattress soaked through, with the moldy smell hitting his head. He endured it silently, even making snoring sounds to make his performance more convincing. The uncle, frustrated, came over and kicked the quilt, then left angrily.
Zhao Chenghu breathed a sigh of relief and emerged from the quilt to catch his breath. According to the usual routine, he should have left by now, but today the old lady was somehow unable to catch her breath, as if she was forcing herself to hang on to a breath, and could pass away at any moment if not watched closely.
Fearing that Zhu Xuying might pass away right under his nose, he couldn’t help but call Pang Nengshui. After several attempts with no results, he could only sigh and sit by the bed.
Zhu Xuying lay facing the ceiling, her eyes slightly closed, seemingly struggling to breathe. Zhao Chenghu cautiously walked over, sitting at the bedside, uncertain how to start. Zhu Xuying suddenly reached out and pushed him.
“… Go away…”
He gritted his teeth, stood up, and bowed to the old lady, about to say “I’ll come to see you again,” but thinking of the plans for the following days, he swallowed the promise.
