Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Tender Mother's Ruthless Hand

Sister Hao lifted her head, her gaze evasive. “How could I have killed them? They’re my neighbors…”

“Precisely because they’re your neighbors, they trusted you. That’s why you could easily hypnotize them using the ‘maternal hypnosis technique,’” Lu Hehuan interrupted her, speaking with unwavering righteousness.

Sister Hao opened her mouth but could not utter a word. She lowered her head again, recalling the scene when she hypnotized Chen Xiue.

Late that night, Chen Xiue was tidying her room at home when Sister Hao entered.

“Xiue, are you home?” Sister Hao spoke kindly.

“Yes, I am.”

Sister Hao held out a necklace. “Xiue, someone gave me this necklace. Can you help me see how much it’s worth?”

“Oh, who gave it to you? It’s quite pretty.” Chen Xiue stroked the necklace with envy.

“A friend. If you like it, I’ll give it to you. I’ve always regarded you as a dear sister over the years.”

“Really?” Chen Xiue’s face lit up with joy.

“Of course. Good sisters can share everything. Look, isn’t it beautiful?”

Sister Hao let the pendant swing, swaying it back and forth.

Without any guard, Chen Xiue stared at the swaying pendant, her gaze following its movement. Unwittingly, she was hypnotized by Sister Hao.

“You have nothing left to live for. Death is your best release,” Sister Hao commanded.

“I have nothing left to live for. Death is my best release,” Chen Xiue repeated unconsciously.

Sister Hao nodded.

Chen Xiue fetched a hemp rope from a drawer, stood on a chair, tied the rope to a beam, and slowly slipped her head into the noose.

Sister Hao took some locust flower petals from her pocket and scattered them around Chen Xiue, then turned and left.

Lu Hehuan walked up to Sister Hao, snapping her out of her reverie.

“The hypnosis technique you used is ‘maternal hypnosis’—using warmth to break down the psychological defenses of the insomniac, a gentle assault,” Lu Hehuan said in a grave voice.

“I don’t know anything about hypnosis. How could I be a killer?” Sister Hao’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she couldn’t conceal her guilt.

“You’re lying again!” Lu Hehuan rebuked sharply.

Lu Hehuan continued to scrutinize her. “You learned hypnosis at Cheng Zesheng’s clinic, didn’t you?”

Sister Hao ignored Lu Hehuan, turning her face to Cheng Zesheng.

“Don’t blame Sister Hao. I killed them! It was me!” Cheng Zesheng shouted emotionally.

Lu Hehuan paid him no mind, focusing on Sister Hao. “You killed three people in succession, then spread rumors about the vengeful spirits of Jinlu seeking lives, thinking the police would rule them as suicides. You never expected us to keep investigating. When we found Dabao, you panicked and had to consult Cheng Zesheng…”

Sister Hao lowered her head in shame, tears streaming down. She regretted dragging Cheng Zesheng into the locust alley serial murders.

That day, she had gone to Cheng Zesheng’s clinic, flustered and seeking help.

“How foolish! I’ll take care of Dabao for you. If you don’t have money, just tell me. Why did you have to kill?” Cheng Zesheng sighed, lamenting for her.

Sister Hao wiped away the streaks of tears on her cheeks. “I owe you too much… Zesheng, I have no choice but to ask you: if I’m taken away by the police, you must care for Dabao.”

“I won’t let the police take you,” Cheng Zesheng said fiercely, his tone resolute.

Sister Hao emerged from her memories, looking at Cheng Zesheng with boundless gratitude.

Lu Hehuan stepped in front of Cheng Zesheng, his gaze sharp. “After Sister Hao found you, Bai Yulou happened to come for treatment, so he became the scapegoat.”

“It was me, all me! I killed everyone!” Sister Hao broke down, unable to let Cheng Zesheng sacrifice for her, tears pouring like rain.

Lu Hehuan stepped closer to her. “No, you did not kill Xia Yun.”

Sister Hao froze.

Lu Hehuan fixed his eyes on her. “Bai Yulou’s suspicion was cleared, Zhu Wolong had an alibi, and Cheng Zesheng knew that if the investigation continued, it would surely lead to you. So he mimicked your method and killed Xia Yun, deliberately leaving footprints… He wanted to take the blame for everything.”

“Zesheng, why did you do this… why would you kill for me…” Sister Hao cried out in shock, looking at Cheng Zesheng in anguish.

Cheng Zesheng remained silent, sobbing softly.

“Because he loves you,” Lu Hehuan sighed.

Sister Hao finally broke down, wailing uncontrollably.

Cheng Zesheng had cherished feelings for Sister Hao for years, ever since she worked as a nurse in his clinic.

Young Cheng Zesheng treated patients while Sister Hao busied herself with organizing medicines. After the patients left, Cheng Zesheng would gaze at her busy silhouette, his eyes full of affection.

Little Dabao, limping and crying, entered.

“Mother, they all bullied me, called me a cripple,” Dabao complained, hurt.

Sister Hao hugged the frail Dabao, her heart aching.

Cheng Zesheng went over and lovingly picked up Dabao. “Dabao, come! Let Uncle Cheng help you confront those bullies!”

Dabao wiped his tears, innocence all over his face. “Uncle Cheng, will you protect me?”

“Of course. Uncle will protect you and your mother for a lifetime.”

Sister Hao was moved to tears, smiling through her sorrow.

She looked at Cheng Zesheng with tearful laughter, just as she had years ago when he promised to protect her and Dabao for life.

Cheng Zesheng gazed at her with deep emotion, his eyes full of pain.

“You were ill—why didn’t you tell me?” Cheng Zesheng asked, anguished.

“The doctor said it was terminal, incurable. Telling you would only burden you,” Sister Hao smiled bitterly.

“Well then, let me walk this last stretch with you,” he said.

Sister Hao was overwhelmed, caring nothing for the others present. “Zesheng, in the next life, I will marry you.”

Cheng Zesheng nodded vigorously, tears streaming down.

Lu Hehuan was moved by the scene, and the officers wiped their tears.

Ying Xi blinked hard, trying to force his tears back, muttering, “Why is there sand here? It’s getting in my eyes…”

The afternoon sunlight was no longer harsh or blinding, but gentle. The breeze rustled the vines on the police station wall.

Sister Hao and Cheng Zesheng were escorted away by the officers. Everyone stood in the courtyard, watching them go.

Dabao, having heard the news, limped in, crying.

“Mother…”

“Dabao, I can’t take care of you anymore.” Sister Hao hugged Dabao, weeping.

“Why did you kill, Mother? Why?” Dabao wiped her tears as he questioned her.

“Dabao… I’m sorry…” Sister Hao sobbed uncontrollably.

“Mother, please don’t leave me. Come home with me, Mother. I don’t want money or a house, I just want you. Let’s go home…” Dabao pleaded desperately.

Sister Hao stroked Dabao’s head, perhaps for the last time. She had so much left to say, but only the most important words could be spoken.

“Dabao, listen to Mother. Go home and live well. Don’t care about what others say. Be a kind and happy person.”

“I don’t want to go home alone. Wherever you go, I’ll go.” Dabao shook his head, refusing to leave.

“Son, I can’t go back, I can’t…” she cried.

Mother and son clung to each other, weeping.

Cheng Zesheng watched them, tears streaming down. He glared at Lu Hehuan, resentful. “Is this the truth you all wanted? Is this it?!”

Lu Hehuan was stunned, momentarily speechless.

Sister Hao patted Dabao. “Don’t cry, son. If you cry, Mother won’t rest in peace.”

“Mother, can’t you come home?” Dabao pleaded, still crying.

Sister Hao wiped his tears. “Silly child, Mother killed. She must accept punishment… Dabao, promise Mother you’ll live well. Mother will watch over you from heaven.”

“If you’re gone, I don’t want to live either,” Dabao sobbed.

“Dabao, remember: Mother is willing to die for you, so you must live well for me, understand?” Sister Hao scolded him through her tears.

Dabao nodded, crying.

“My son, Mother is leaving. Remember your promise, live well,” Sister Hao said with a tearful smile.

“Mother, I’ll remember,” Dabao choked out, nodding.

“Go home, son. Mother is watching you walk.”

“I want to watch you leave.”

Sister Hao shook her head. “Mother won’t feel at ease unless she sees you home safe. Go now, don’t look back—if you do, I’ll feel reluctant to leave you.”

Dabao wiped his tears, nodded, turned, and limped slowly toward home.

Sister Hao watched his limping figure disappear, sobbing aloud. Everyone present was deeply moved.

Cheng Zesheng held Sister Hao’s shoulder. She leaned on him, weeping.

Dabao’s figure faded from sight.

The officers, though unwilling, stepped forward to remind them, “It’s getting late. Time to go.”

Cheng Zesheng looked at Sister Hao. “Let’s go.”

She nodded.

Cheng Zesheng gripped her hand tightly and followed the officers.

Lu Hehuan watched them, hand in hand, feeling infinite sorrow, memories swirling in his mind.

Sunlight streamed through the dense leaves, casting spots of shimmering light on the ground.

Lu Hehuan and Ling Yan walked hand in hand beneath the shade, their shadows flowing like musical notes. Ling Yan stepped on the broken patches of light, feeling a strange sadness.

She turned to Lu Hehuan. “Hehuan, if one day I’m gone, will you miss me?”

“Where would you go?” he asked, worried.

“I said if.”

“Then I won’t let ‘if’ happen.”

Ling Yan smiled sweetly, and Lu Hehuan smiled with her, squeezing her hand as they continued on together.

Lu Hehuan longed to hold her hand again, even if, like Sister Hao and Cheng Zesheng, it was on the road to the underworld.

He sighed, lamenting, “If only they could have ignored society’s judgment and been together years ago… Now, with the Locust Alley case resolved, all that awaits them is a death sentence.”

Bao Rong witnessed the scene, his face full of sorrow. “Ten miles of cold lake, frost over the sky; inch by inch, black hair worries away the years. Facing the moon, alone and longing for protection, envying the mandarin ducks, not the immortals. Such tragic beauty in love, yet a bitter ending—truly heartbreaking.”

Liu Rushuang clung to Ying Xi’s arm, crying with snot and tears all over her face, then wiped it off on his sleeve.

“So filthy! There are germs!” Ying Xi pushed Liu Rushuang away in disgust.

“Have you caught Lu Hehuan’s bug? You never cared about dirt before!” Liu Rushuang said jealously.

As they spoke, Bao Kang happily led Zhu Wolong out of the police station, deliberately approaching Bao Rong.

“Xiao Rong, Zhu here suffered much injustice this time. You should comfort him more,” Bao Kang tried every means to match Bao Rong with Zhu Wolong.

“Miss Bao, after all that’s happened, I realize even more how important you are to me. Please accept my feelings,” Zhu Wolong confessed, trying to curry favor.

Bao Rong’s face turned cold. “Save it. I don’t know how many times you’ve recited such lines to girls in the brothels.”

Bao Kang was embarrassed, puzzled at how Bao Rong knew about Zhu Wolong’s visits to brothels.

“I think Zhu should go back to the brothel to calm his nerves and relieve his grievances,” Bao Rong pressed on.

Zhu Wolong was mortified, wanting to say more, but seeing Bao Rong’s stern face, he could only give up.

Bao Kang glared at Lu Hehuan, suspecting him of telling Bao Rong, and his resentment deepened.

Liu Rushuang, seeing Zhu Wolong released, thought of Bai Yulou and hurried to Bao Kang. “Director Bao, Bai’s name is cleared now too, he should be released, right?”

Bao Kang pointed behind them. Bai Yulou stood in a corner, his gaze vacant.

Liu Rushuang urged him, “Bai, what are you doing over there? Come here!”

Hearing her, Bai Yulou walked straight over.

Ying Xi began to flatter Bao Kang. “Director Bao, this case was solved thanks to your support, your persistence, and your guidance. The credit belongs to the Old Zha Police Station—and to you!”

Bao Kang laughed heartily. “Detective Ying deserves the credit.”

“Brother Xi… you’re amazing!”

Liu Rushuang praised him, attempting to lean on Ying Xi, but he dodged and she fell onto Bai Yulou.

Bai Yulou did not react. Liu Rushuang glared at him and ran after Ying Xi.

“Brother Xi, you’ve made a great contribution. I’ll treat you to dinner!”

“It wasn’t just me—why treat me alone?” he protested.

“Then I’ll treat everyone!”

Everyone cheered, even Ying Xi had to admit, “That’s the Liu family’s eldest daughter for you, truly generous!”

As night fell, the largest restaurant in Old Zha was bustling.

True to her word, Liu Rushuang reserved the whole restaurant for the police.

The table was piled high with delicacies. Bao Kang, Ying Xi, Lu Hehuan, Bao Rong, and others sat with Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou.

Liu Rushuang raised her glass to everyone. “Today, I’m the host…”

Before she could finish, Zhu Wolong burst in, facing the group. “Sorry, but I would like to treat everyone tonight as well…”

Liu Rushuang cut him off, annoyed. “What do you mean, Zhu? Do you think I can’t afford one meal?”

“Miss Liu, don’t misunderstand. I only wish to invite Miss Bao to dinner,” Zhu Wolong explained, not wanting to offend her because of his business ties with her father.

Bao Rong, seeing Zhu Wolong’s persistence, grew anxious and angry, quickly standing up. “Zhu, you see, I already have plans tonight.”

“This gathering isn’t specifically for you, Miss Bao. Whether you’re here or not doesn’t matter. My dinner is prepared just for you—just us two,” Zhu Wolong pressed.

Lu Hehuan, seeing Bao Rong in distress, got up to help. “Zhu, if Xiao Rong doesn’t want to go, don’t force her.”

Bao Kang was irritated to see Lu Hehuan interfering again. “Lu Hehuan! Shut up—this is not your place to speak!”

Lu Hehuan wanted to protest, but Ying Xi signaled him to keep quiet. He hesitated, then fell silent.

Bao Kang put on a smile, looking at Zhu Wolong. “It’s rare for you to invite my sister. She’ll gladly accept.”

“Brother, I don’t want to go…”

“Don’t say such nonsense…” Bao Kang cut her off, lowering his voice to threaten her. “Don’t forget our agreement: if you won’t be friends with Zhu, you can’t be friends with Lu Hehuan either.”

Zhu Wolong looked at Bao Rong for confirmation. She sighed helplessly and nodded.

He was delighted, quickly suggesting, “Miss Bao, shall we have Western cuisine?”

“Whatever,” she replied coldly.

Reluctantly, Bao Rong followed Zhu Wolong out. Lu Hehuan watched the door, worried.

Bao Kang watched them leave, then turned to glare at Lu Hehuan. “Don’t look where you shouldn’t. Don’t covet what you shouldn’t.”

Lu Hehuan quickly withdrew his gaze, afraid Bao Kang would make trouble for him.

Liu Rushuang, seeing Bao Rong gone, looked at the group. “May I continue?”

Everyone nodded.

Liu Rushuang cleared her throat, picking up where she left off. “Tonight’s my treat—order anything you like, drink as much as you want. Don’t hold back!”

She raised her glass to toast everyone.

“Thank you, Miss Liu,” Bao Kang said, draining his glass.

Everyone ate and drank merrily. Only Bai Yulou did not touch his food, staring at a dinner knife on the table, muttering.

“I killed them. I sent good people to their deaths. I must pay with my life…”

With that, his eyes grew fierce. He grabbed the knife and plunged it toward his throat.