The Brain Science Case 82

Chapter 82: 

The next day, after Ren Liqiong’s diagnosis and confirmation, Zhou Jingxun was finally able to leave the hospital.

But it was already close to the end of the workday. Zhou Jinglin reported to Zhou Zengxiang and got his permission. They didn’t have to go back to the office, but could go straight back to her apartment to settle in.

‘Jingxun is going there. Won’t it be too much trouble for you, Officer Zhou?’

“Not at all. Although it’s a rental, the location is quite secluded, and there are enough rooms… it’s just a little old. The director’s daughter might have to put up with it a little.”

‘Not at all. That girl has been spoiled by her mother. It’s a good opportunity for her to learn some restraint.’

Although his parenting methods were autocratic, it had to be said that compared to Su Huiquan, she was more willing to deal with a parent like Zhou Zengxiang.

As soon as she hung up, Zhou Jingxun, who was in a wheelchair, immediately asked, “What did my dad say?” They had just left the emergency room, and to avoid being recognized, she was wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask.

“We can go straight home. We don’t have to go to the office.”

Zhou Jingxun was clearly relieved, probably because she didn’t have to face her father. She chuckled, put on her backpack, and pushed the wheelchair toward the parking lot.

As soon as they left the hospital, two male police officers discreetly followed them. Zhou Jinglin had already informed her yesterday.

“By the way, my suitcase…”

“Don’t worry, it’s in the service vehicle. Your assistant will be here soon.”

Zhou Jinglin helped her into the car, and while waiting for the wheelchair to be returned, Zhou Jingxun took off her sunglasses and grumbled, “I didn’t even mention it… I’m so angry when I think of my assistant.”

“What’s wrong?”

“This time, the company sent an extra person for me. Because the one who’s been with me is Korean, they thought having a Taiwanese person would give me more care, but as soon as I got off the plane, I was betrayed by them. Honestly…” even after a day, Zhou Jingxun was still indignant about it.

The word “betrayal” was so heavy. “Are you angry that they didn’t tell you about the director’s plan?”

“Of course. The Taiwanese person, I can let it go, but Shi Changyun is different. She’s been with me since my debut, and before I got to know the other members, she was the one who took care of me and helped me a lot. I never thought she would make such a mistake…”

Zhou Jinglin could only give a wry smile as she listened to her complaints. Counting her age, she was only twenty-one this year. She had become famous early and had been spoiled, so it was inevitable that she had a bit of a princess attitude.

A short while later, a message came through her earpiece. ‘Jinglin, we can go now.’ It was Cai Yuwei. ‘Remember not to drive too fast. We can’t keep up.’

“Alright, I know.” She chuckled into her earpiece and started the engine.

“Why are you suddenly laughing?” As the car started, Zhou Jingxun relaxed her guard and took off her baseball cap again.

“Because someone made the same request as you.”

She pouted. “Huh?”

In accordance with the speed limit, Zhou Jinglin drove the car steadily back to her place.

But for Zhou Jingxun, after they arrived, the real ordeal began—

“Keep going, you’re almost there.”

She had forgotten to mention that her place was on the fifth floor. With Zhou Jingxun’s waist and back still a little injured, even without having to carry her backpack and suitcase, climbing five flights of stairs was almost enough to kill her.

Finally reaching the end, even though the temperature was only thirteen degrees, Zhou Jingxun was drenched in sweat and was panting at the door.

“Why is there no elevator…” she was on the verge of tears.

Zhou Jinglin gave a dry laugh, embarrassed to say that the rent here was cheaper.

Cai Yuwei and Xiangrong, who were carrying the large suitcase, arrived soon after. “You’ve worked hard. You can just put it anywhere.”

As soon as he stepped inside, Cai Yuwei couldn’t wait to look around. “Oh, your place is quite big.”

The other one was even worse. “Can I see your room, senior?” The two big men were peeking around, treating her place like a museum.

“N-O.” She put her hands on her hips and took out a hundred-dollar bill. “I don’t have much to offer. Take this and go get a drink… stop looking. Get out.”

“Ugh, so heartless.”

“She just used us and threw us away…”

“You’re so annoying. She needs to get ready, and you two men shouldn’t be lingering here. Get out.” Zhou Jinglin used her hands and feet, and almost used a knee strike to get them out. The two male police officers smiled, took the hundred dollars she had given them, and quickly went downstairs.

Zhou Jingxun was amused by their interaction. “You’re so domineering.”

“Of course.” She dusted off her hands. “By the way, didn’t you say you were going to take off your makeup before you were discharged?”

“Oh, right.” Zhou Jingxun jumped up from the sofa in a panic. “I haven’t taken off my makeup all day. It must be so bad for my skin… where’s the bathroom?”

After carefully removing her makeup and washing her face, she changed into a soft, long-sleeved cotton T-shirt. Refreshed, Zhou Jingxun came out of the bathroom with a bare face and sighed, “I’m finally alive again.”

This little girl was naturally beautiful, and she was beautiful even without makeup. “It’s not that exaggerated, is it?”

“By the way, this is the first time I’ve been so casual in front of other people. Usually, only my family and the group members see me like this.”

“Should I say I’m honored?”

She grinned. “You could say that.”

While Zhou Jingxun was packing her luggage, she also changed her clothes. As soon as she came out of her room, she saw Zhou Jingxun tapping her phone. “They’re almost here.” The two assistants. She puffed out her cheeks, not looking very happy.

“Are they staying here?”

“Changyun might need to. Is your place big enough?” Zhou Jingxun asked tentatively, then quickly changed her mind. “No, that’s too much trouble for you. Let her stay at a hotel.”

“It’s no trouble. I’m just worried I don’t have enough quilts.”

“Tell her to use her own clothes to cover herself. And it’s much colder in Korea than in Taiwan. Heave-ho.” She jumped onto the sofa, her movements still a little strained. “Huh, this is…”

Zhou Jinglin loosened her ponytail, and when she saw that she was staring at the picture frame on the coffee table, she couldn’t help but freeze.

“Is this a photo of you and your mother?”

Her smile faded. “Yes.”

Zhou Jingxun’s eyes lit up, and she grabbed the picture frame to look at it closely. “Oh, so this is what your mother looks like. You two look so much alike…”

Zhou Jinglin quickly approached. Not noticing the change in her emotions, Zhou Jingxun continued to ask, “So you live with your mother? Why don’t I see her… ah.”

She snatched the picture frame, and Zhou Jingxun almost fell off the sofa in a sorry state. The scene suddenly became awkward.

“Are… are you angry?”

“No.” She bit her lip and shook her head sadly, wiping the thin layer of dust from the picture frame. “You’re right. I live with my mother… until last November.”

Even if Zhou Jingxun was not good at reading people, she should have known what that meant. “I’m sorry…”

With a sad smile, she put the picture frame back. “It’s fine. I forgot to tell you.”

“What happened to your mother… can I ask?”

“She was involved in a case.”

Zhou Jingxun covered her mouth in defeat. “Okay, I understand.”

Fortunately, her two assistants arrived soon after, which broke the awkwardness.

The two of them came in and greeted the owner. Shi Changyun quickly spoke to Zhou Jingxun in Korean, and the other two could not intervene and could only stand on the side and watch.

After a few words, Zhou Jinglin learned that this temporary assistant’s nickname was Vicky, and her Korean was quite fluent. She had been specially sent to help Shi Changyun take care of Zhou Jingxun.

But after yesterday’s incident, Zhou Jingxun was furious, and her trust in them had plummeted.

“Actually, Changyun and I both thought we were done for yesterday.” Not only had she angered Zhou Jingxun, but she had also almost caused the company to lose a popular artist—although half of it was Zhou Jingxun’s own fault. Fortunately, in the end, it had been a close call, otherwise losing her job would have been a small matter, and she would have definitely been sued.

Zhou Jinglin could understand. “You’ve worked hard.”

“…In any case, I’m staying with Officer Zhou for now. You don’t have to follow me at night. Go to the hotel and take care of yourself.” Zhou Jingxun pointed to the main door, wishing she could kick them out immediately.

“Xiao Xun…”

She turned her head. “I’m tired. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Facing Zhou Jingxun’s attitude, Shi Changyun shook her head helplessly. “Vicky and I will be back tomorrow. Take care of yourself.” She placed a box of pastries on the table. “Remember to eat.”

After the two assistants had left, Zhou Jinglin said, “That’s not right.”

“What’s not right?” her reply was sharp.

“They’re caught between the company and the director. Their situation is also very difficult. Everyone’s goal is the same, to protect your safety. You don’t have to be so hard on them.”

Zhou Jingxun’s body was stiff. She hugged her knees and stubbornly turned her back to Zhou Jinglin.

Seeing her stubbornness, Zhou Jinglin didn’t say any more. “Think about it yourself. Let me know when you’re hungry. We can buy a bento box or go out to eat, and also see if you want to go for a walk and get some fresh air.”

Zhou Jinglin stretched and walked into her room. She looked up and her gaze fell on the box of pastries Shi Changyun had left. She opened it and was stunned. Inside were two lemon tarts, which she had casually mentioned she wanted to eat on the plane… she hadn’t expected Shi Changyun to remember.

Staring at the yellow lemon tarts, her eyes welled up with tears.

**

In the large holding cell, only one of the partitions was continuously emitting a low whisper.

The guard and his partner looked at each other. “That old man… I don’t know what he’s muttering about again.”

“Should we tell the brainy teacher?”

“Oh, no need.”

The partitions here were few, and those who were held here were mostly criminals who still needed to be interrogated. For George Miller, it was perfect. He didn’t need a roommate.

“…Remember those who are in prison, as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are in trouble, as if you were in trouble with them. (Hebrews 13:3)” he prayed, reciting the scripture with a devout and solemn posture.

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (13:4)”

He opened his eyes slightly, glanced at the yellow sunset, and then returned to his prayer.

**

Even after normal working hours, the Criminal Investigation Division was still busy.

“Wang Conghong, thirty-five years old, joined a gang in his youth, has been in and out of juvenile detention centers several times, has committed multiple thefts and robberies, and has also joined a violent debt collection group…” Looking at the long list of prior offenses on the whiteboard, Yingli couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s really ‘experienced,’ isn’t he?”

“Although he has stolen, swindled, and robbed everywhere, and has a record of violent crime, this is the first time he has committed a major crime like kidnapping for ransom.” Chen Huomu held a red pen and added another line to the almost full column.

Lightly pursing her rose-colored lips, Yingli turned to George Miller. In contrast to Wang Conghong, his column was much cleaner, but his crime was the serious one of inciting murder.

The two of them were completely different in terms of experience, education, and social status. The only connection was that they had both had contact with an unknown organization.

Fang Zijun rubbed his temples. “What are your thoughts on these two, Teacher?”

“According to Wang Conghong, the person who contacted him was a woman. Miller has not yet spoken… but their level of contact with the unknown organization is not the same.” Yingli tapped the whiteboard with her finger. “Based on this, the person who contacted Wang Conghong is not necessarily the mastermind. On the contrary, Miller not only provided photos, but also had direct contact with the sender more than once. It’s clear that their cooperation was very close. I have a feeling… I think the real mastermind behind this case is also a woman.”

His eyes lit up. “Oh, how do you know?”

“This is my personal deduction.” Her index finger on her glasses, her tone was filled with disappointment. “Unfortunately, I can’t prove it yet. So far, I haven’t found a way to break through Miller’s defenses.”

Chen Huomu scratched his head. “Ah, so even the teacher is at a loss.”

“Ah Mu.” Fang Zijun warned.

“It’s fine. It’s natural to think that. But Officer Chen, you’re only half right.”

“Hm?”

Yingli’s confident smile returned. “Mrs. Chomsky will be arriving in Taiwan soon. I asked her to have a face-to-face conversation with Miller, and she agreed.” As one of Miller’s few emotional weaknesses, Elena Larsen was very likely to be the secret weapon to break through his defenses.

The two of them said in unison, “As expected of the teacher.”

“Before Miller reveals the truth, it’s better not to have too high expectations. By the way, during the last interrogation, I noticed that his expression was a little strange.”

“Strange?”

The twitching of Miller’s mouth and the corner of his eye slowly appeared in her mind. Yingli rested her chin on her hand. “That look, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before…”

As Miller’s student, they had had countless meals together. When it came to food, Miller was not a picky eater, except for a few specific flavors.

That expression was as if he had tasted something unpleasant. The question was, why would Miller suddenly have that expression?

And how did it happen?

Chen Huomu asked, “What kind of look?”

“Well…” Yingli was about to explain when her phone suddenly rang. The caller ID was Zhou Jinglin. “Is it Officer Zhou?”

“Listen, Teacher. Maybe Jinglin has something important.”

“Yes… excuse me.” The two of them continued to discuss the case, and she walked a few steps away to answer. “Hello?”

‘Teacher.’ Zhou Jinglin’s voice was cheerful. ‘Are you busy?’

“I’m discussing the case with Chief Fang. What’s wrong?”

‘By the way, I haven’t stepped into the office at all today. I thought you would have sent me a message.’

“I’m so busy with the details of the case, I can barely keep up.” Yingli crossed her arms and asked, “Are you still at the hospital?”

‘Wrong. I’m at home.’ She’s back at her place? But her next words immediately extinguished Yingli’s hopes. ‘I’m with Miss Zhou at my place. I’ll be staying here for a while… after all, I don’t think you’d welcome another guest, would you?’

“Oh… oh, it’s fine.” She pushed up her glasses.

‘Really? I’m one thing, but with another princess?’

Yingli chuckled. “You used to see me as a princess too, didn’t you? No more small talk. What do you want to say?”

‘I just wanted to tell you—I just had a comfortable two-hour nap, and I’m going out with an idol star for a walk.’

“You.” Yingli’s eyes widened. “That’s too much. You can be even more of a jerk, Zhou Jinglin.”

Her triumphant laughter came from the receiver. ‘Ha, I won’t bother you anymore. I’m going to focus on my ‘mission’ now. Good luck.’ Beep, beep… she hung up?

She just hung up like that.

“Teacher, what did Jinglin say?”

Yingli gritted her teeth and glared at her phone. “She said some things to make me jealous.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing, don’t mind her.” She turned, reorganizing her thoughts. “Where were we…”