In the abandoned unfinished estate of Panlong Bay, a strange scene appeared in the middle of the night.
Luo Chen, a security guard, and three police officers.
The leading officer was that female police officer. Even in the dead of night, Luo Chen was certain she was a true police beauty.
It was already very late at night. Xia Jingjing, as a young woman and a police beauty, really should not have come.
However, this was the first case she had taken on. After all, two people died here last night. Xia Jingjing held quite a high position in the police station, but she did not want others to think she rose through connections. Although she had some background, she had advanced through real ability.
Still, everyone knew about her background, and on top of that she was very beautiful, so people tended to overlook her actual competence.
This made Xia Jingjing feel an urgent need to prove herself.
Although the veteran seniors in the police force had repeatedly warned her not to come at night, she lived in the new century. From childhood she had learned about Edison and Marx, received education on atoms and molecules. What era was this? Why still cling to feudal superstitions and talk about ghosts and monsters?
Besides, the Captain Zhou beside her was also a young man who had received higher education abroad since childhood, so he too scoffed at any talk of ghosts.
As for the last one, he was the new comrade who had persuaded them to come tonight. Although he looked rather unfamiliar, Xia Jingjing and Captain Zhou were eager to handle the case and did not pay much attention.
“You over there, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?” Xia Jingjing spoke with icy coldness. Even when she opened her mouth, she still gave off an extremely aloof feeling.
“Just got lost.” Luo Chen replied briefly.
“Hmph. From the perspective of criminal investigation, you are very likely a suspect.” Captain Zhou sneered, his hand already resting on his gun.
“From the perspective of physiognomy, the space between your eyebrows is turning dark. I’m afraid both of you are going to have bad luck.”
“Hmph, nonsense, talking about strange forces and chaotic spirits.” Captain Zhou scolded. He now strongly suspected the man in front of him.
Of course, if one really wanted to be precise, Luo Chen actually was involved.
“Put your hands out.” Xia Jingjing coldly scanned Luo Chen with her eyes, then walked up to him and took out handcuffs.
“You’re going to cuff me?” Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. He had not expected this woman to be so unreasonable, deciding to arrest someone at the slightest disagreement.
“I now suspect you. You must come with us to the station for investigation. Please cooperate.” Xia Jingjing straightened her chest. It was very impressive. Her police uniform was almost bursting at the seams. If this were not the wrong place, it would have been a rare beautiful sight.
“Comrade, you’re wronging an innocent person. This place is haunted.” Luo Chen reminded her.
But clearly, no one would believe him when he said that.
“Put your hands out. Haunted? Do you think you can fool us with stories meant for children?”
Xia Jingjing looked at Luo Chen with great contempt. The man in front of her was either a suspect deliberately talking rubbish, or he had never received higher education and still went on about ghosts.
“Fine.” Luo Chen extended both hands, because he did not want to clash with the police. After all, these two were not bad people.
After cuffing Luo Chen, they asked him to show his ID.
Captain Zhou took Luo Chen’s ID and glanced at it.
“Hmph, came from a rural county town. No wonder he talks about ghosts. Sure enough, no higher education.” Captain Zhou looked at Luo Chen with disdain again.
Rural areas were hotspots for feudal superstitions. People from the countryside usually had some belief in ghosts and gods.
“Many people have died here.” Luo Chen kindly reminded them once more.
“Are you that timid? People died here and you’re scared? Come on, follow us back to the station for investigation.” Captain Zhou looked down on Luo Chen even more. So young, yet such a coward.
“Also, let me say this upfront. Even if you turn out to have no problem, I will still give you a proper criticism and education. Talking about strange forces and chaotic spirits. In an earlier era, you would have been publicly denounced.”
Xia Jingjing acted like an old veteran, fully embodying the police manner.
She hated it most when people around her mentioned ghosts or gods. In her eyes, there were only science and the law.
So whenever anyone mentioned ghosts in front of her, Xia Jingjing would instinctively look down on them. If it were an older person, it might be forgivable, but she never expected a young man to do the same. This made her despise Luo Chen even more.
“In this day and age there are still weirdos like you? Talking about fierce ghosts? Truly brain-dead.” Captain Zhou spoke with mocking disdain, his face full of contempt for Luo Chen.
“Comrade security guard over there, please lead us out.” Xia Jingjing said.
“Sure.” The security guard turned around. The face hidden in the darkness suddenly grinned, the corners of his mouth stretching all the way to his ears, looking extremely exaggerated.
The security guard led the way in front, with Xia Jingjing, Luo Chen, and the other two in the middle. The police officer behind them kept his head lowered the whole time, silent, always hidden in the shadows.
As they walked, Xia Jingjing and Captain Zhou shone their torches everywhere, because both firmly believed there were no ghosts in this world.
“Anyone want a taxi?”
Suddenly a taxi lit up ahead at the exit, waiting there. A driver stuck his head out and asked.
“No need. What are you doing picking up passengers here in the middle of the night?” Xia Jingjing questioned.
“Just dropped someone off and now the car is empty. Happened to see you all.” The driver explained enthusiastically.
“Our car is parked at the main entrance. This estate is huge. Going around would take too long. How about we take his car and let him drive us to the other side?” At that moment, the police officer who had been silent finally spoke.
“Yeah, comrades, if you go out the back gate and circle around the estate outside, it really is quite far.” The security guard added.
“Makes sense.” Captain Zhou suddenly agreed, because the estate was indeed very large.
“Then sorry to trouble you. Give us a lift for a bit.” The three men sat in the back row, while Xia Jingjing readily took the front passenger seat.
But just after getting in, Xia Jingjing suddenly said she wanted to change seats.
“Little Luo, how about you sit in front? I still have a few questions to ask the suspect.”
But Little Luo did not reply. He kept his head down, face unseen.
Luo Chen noticed that at this moment, Xia Jingjing could no longer maintain her cold and proud demeanour. Sweat covered her palms, the backs of her hands, even her forehead.
She was desperately trying to stay calm, but it was ultimately in vain. Her body kept trembling.
“You noticed?” Luo Chen smiled at Xia Jingjing, showing no tension at all.
Xia Jingjing gave a difficult nod, her face deathly pale.
“Noticed what?” Captain Zhou still had not realised. He frowned and asked.
Luo Chen pointed at the taxi driver’s licence plate.
Captain Zhou looked over. At that exact moment, the driver also turned his head and looked at Captain Zhou.
Captain Zhou first looked at the driver, then at the photo and name on the licence. After their eyes met, he let out a scream even more awful than a pig being slaughtered.