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A Lunatic Says He Loves Me: Chapter 37
Chapter 37: The Divine Comedy 2
Han Rong, while forcibly kissing the “respectable little cat” Demolition like a domineering landlord, calmly said, “The paper consists of the author’s viewpoints and their proofs. So, what examples does he use for validation?”
Ding Ding responded, “The novel website is an open platform with billions of daily views. Can’t he find at least one or two mentally ill individuals among a billion readers?”
Yuan Fei clicked his tongue, “Does he think he’s fishing?”
Ling Feng sneered, “Indeed, it’s a matter of the ‘willing’ taking the bait.”
Han Rong posed another question, “But how does he gather these people together?”
Ling Feng replied, “Offline book club meetings, fan groups. Naturally, he wouldn’t appear in person; there must be a big fan leading the charge for him. Usually, this big fan is actually a friend or relative. That’s how fan circles operate.”
Yuan Fei pulled up information from the global database, “In fact, since 《Yin Yang Killer》 went viral, both offline and online Adu Shisan Fans Support Groups have been established. Additionally, Ge Jiaqi has been maintaining the persona of a ‘rich miner’s simple son’, leading some fans to gradually transition from book fans to author fans.
Of course, astute readers, sensing something was off, quickly distanced themselves. The feedback from Jinjiang indicates that Ge Jiaqi’s three-year contract with their website is about to expire, and he doesn’t intend to renew it. It seems he’s bought out a failing book website at a high price, intending to become his own boss.”
Ding Ding deduced, “Ge Jiaqi arrived early in Xuezhou City under the pretext of attending the Jinjiang Authors’ Conference, but he was actually there for an offline fan meet. So, this series of murders is a gift from his deranged fans?”
“Anything tied to ‘fan circles’ can easily become corrupted. Whether it’s following celebrities or reading books, one must stay rational.”
Bald Head Ling downed the bitter coffee in his cup in one gulp and said in a steady voice, “Yuan Fei and Ding Ding, go assist Wildfire. Besides keeping a close eye on Ge Jiaqi, investigate his fan meet-ups and find out who’s leading them. I suspect this person gave the 《Rebirth Records》 to Qin Jiadong, Lu Qi, and Lin Yueran. Who knows who else they might give it to next. Bai Xinhui, Han Rong, and I will continue to follow Qin Jiadong’s case. Let’s try to find evidence of Qin Jiadong’s murders within three days.”
Han Rong put down Demolition and frowned slightly. “Three days?”
Ling Feng said, “What, think the time is too tight? It can’t be helped; we’re under pressure from above. We’re short-staffed, so each person has to do the work of ten. Women are treated like men, and men like dogs—such is the norm in grassroots public units.”
Han Rong gave him a sidelong glance. “I meant it’s too long. Give me all the information related to Qin Jiadong, and I’ll solve the case in 24 hours.”
“Wow! This is the first time you’ve actively offered to help us. No good deed goes unpunished.”
Han Rong kissed Demolition on the head. “After solving the case, I need Officer Ling to do me a favor.” He looked at Ling Feng with a half-smile. “Don’t worry, it won’t break any laws.”
Ling Feng rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a chill.
“Han Ge, these are the files related to Zhurou Qiang and Lin Qin. I’ll leave them here. Boss, Ding Ding and I are heading out!” Yuan Fei placed a stack of files on the table, waved goodbye, and left with Ding Ding.
Ling Feng nodded. “Be safe.”
Han Rong picked up the top report. Lin Qin had died on her way home from work, her body discovered by a sanitation worker in a park grove the next morning.
“To kill her during her commute, the killer must have known her daily routine well.” He picked up another report. Zhurou Qiang had died in his living room.
“Even kindergarteners know not to open the door to strangers; it must have been someone he knew.” Han Rong set down the files, stood up from the sofa, and tucked Demolition into his coat pocket. “Let’s go check out Zhurou Qiang’s home.”
Zhurou Qiang lived upstairs from Lin Qin. If they had an improper relationship, it would have been easily noticed by family members. However, his stepson Qin Jiadong frequently hung out at gambling dens, and his husband had been bedridden in the hospital for years, giving the two a unique opportunity for an affair.
Ling Feng, not wanting to alert anyone, picked up a thin branch from the community flower bed, twisted it in the lock a few times, and opened the door with a click. He saw Han Rong giving him a “meaningful” look and chuckled sheepishly. “Don’t worry, your house has an electronic lock. I can’t pick that.”
Han Rong snorted a laugh and walked inside without a word. Demolition poked his head out of Han Rong’s pocket, looked around, and gave Ling Feng a pitiful look when their eyes met.
Ling Feng muttered to himself, “Why do I feel like it’s scared? It’s a pity I don’t understand cat language. It would be great if the junior uncle was here. Xinhuai, what do you think?”
Bai Xinhuai, lost in thought, was suddenly addressed and instinctively said, “Sir, don’t you think he’s different from before?”
Ling Feng replied matter-of-factly, “Isn’t he having a relapse?”
“But I feel like this time it’s different from his previous episodes. Maybe I’m overthinking it.” Bai Xinhuai put on white gloves and followed Han Rong inside.
Han Rong stood in the living room, looking around. It was a two-bedroom apartment, with Zhurou Qiang living in the master bedroom and the second bedroom turned into a storage room. Bai Xinhuai opened the bedroom door, and Han Rong walked in, examining the room before finally focusing on the window directly opposite the bed. Through the window, one could see the old neighborhood across the way.
In an old street like Caideng Street, the buildings were densely packed, and the spaces between neighborhoods were narrow.
Han Rong asked, “From this bedroom, could you see the activities in the house directly opposite with a telescope?”
“Let’s try.” Ling Feng pulled a palm-sized mini telescope from his coat pocket, walked to the window, and looked through it. “You can. The opposite is an empty house. Huh?”
Han Rong smirked, “Did you notice there’s also a telescope on the opposite side?”
Ling Feng put down the telescope, smiled with interest, and said dryly, “And it’s a big one.”
“Let’s go. Let’s check the place across the street. We might find something.”
The house directly opposite Zhurou Qiang’s bedroom was a studio apartment. It seemed unoccupied for some time, with a faint smell of dust in the air. There was no furniture like sofas, tables, chairs, or kitchenware, only a long telescope on the windowsill, and the floor was covered with trash: toppled beer bottles, cigarette butts, and various junk food wrappers.
Ling Feng inspected the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, then walked to the windowsill and said, “This place doesn’t look like it’s meant for living; it looks more like a spot used by paparazzi for tracking and secretly photographing.”
Bai Xinhuai asked the obvious question, “Who could be the tenant?”
“It seems likely it’s the killer. But how did you know the killer would rent the house opposite to monitor Zhurou Qiang?” Ling Feng asked Han Rong.
Han Rong said, “If you want to kill a pair of adulterers, aside from daily tracking, you need to know if they are actually having an affair, right? Spying is the best way to satisfy your own desires and increase your hatred.”
Ling Feng touched his bald head, then turned to Bai Xinhuai and said, “Call the forensic department and have them send someone over.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Bai Xinhuai left to make the call, Ling Feng asked Han Rong, “So, what do you need me to do for you?”
Han Rong curled his lips into a smile, slowly leaned close to Ling Feng’s ear, and whispered, “Let’s make a deal. I’ll help you solve the case, but you must…”
Ling Feng said, “It’s my duty anyway.”
****
When Han Rong returned to his apartment, the clock on the wall showed nine o’clock. Chicken soup was simmering in the kitchen, sending out a tantalizing aroma. Ji Yan was sitting on the sofa watching TV. Hearing the door open, he immediately got up and went into the kitchen to ladle some soup into a bowl.
Han Rong sniffed the air, a look of bliss on his face. “Smells wonderful~”
Ji Yan handed him the bowl. “Drink it while it’s hot.”
Han Rong pretended to take a sip, but suddenly remembered something, and placed the bowl casually on the table. He walked towards the bedroom, saying, “I’ll take a shower first. After running around with Ling Feng all day, I’m covered in dust.”
There was a crash as Ji Yan, who had been about to take the soup back to the kitchen to keep warm, dropped the bowl and it shattered.
Han Rong let out a light laugh, turned around to look at Ji Yan’s profile, raised an eyebrow, and in a slightly disappointed and very flippant tone said, “What’s wrong? Figured it out?”
Ji Yan remained silent.
“Surprised, aren’t you? Let me guess what you’re thinking. You’re wondering if I’m really the psychopathic criminal Han Rong, or the Jinjiang writer Han Rong. I resemble him, but I’m not him.” Han Rong’s smile grew as he met Ji Yan’s gaze. “You guessed right. Among all the personalities, I am the one most like him.”
He moved closer to Ji Yan, leaning into his ear and exhaling a warm breath, giggling and lowering his voice, “I possess complete and absolute memory.”
Before Ji Yan could react, Han Rong quickly stepped back a few paces, keeping a safe distance, a playful smirk on his lips.
“Dr. Ji, I advise you not to provoke me. After all, I can ensure he won’t remember me when he wakes up, but if I eat something you’ve tampered with or get hypnotized by you again unconsciously, there’s no guarantee our memories won’t merge. And don’t even think about attacking me. I know you’re skilled enough to handle the Han Rong who trusts you completely, but facing me, you’re bound to fail. Just a reminder, my temper is really bad.”
Ji Yan lowered his gaze, his eyes gradually drifting downwards to see Demolition trembling in Han Rong’s palm.
Author’s Note:
The supervillain Han Rong is online!
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