Chapter 10 Chapter 9 The Old House

"Yes, just slide like this..." Ji Qiankun raised the reading glasses above his head with one hand, and swipe the phone screen with the other hand, but nothing changed on the screen, it was still a picture of the sunset in the desert. "What are you afraid of? It won't be damaged." Wei Jiong laughed, "Swipe a little harder and slide to the other side of the screen." Ji Qiankun replied humbly, and tried again. With a soft "snap", the screen is unlocked, and icons of more than a dozen applications appear on the screen. Ji Qiankun gave a "hoo" in admiration.

"It's so advanced now, it's amazing." He pointed to the disassembled old Nokia mobile phone on the table, "This old guy can only make calls." "The one I bought for you is only a mid-range product, but it should be enough for you." Wei Jiong bent down and pointed at the screen, "Old Ji, let me teach you how to make calls." But Ji Qiankun turned around and said to the girl standing next to the single bed with a smile, "Girl, sit down and pour tea yourself." Yue Xiaohui also smiled back: "You're welcome, I'll do it myself." After that, she continued to browse the bookshelf by the bed patiently, taking out a book from time to time to read.

Soon, Ji Qiankun learned how to make calls and compose and send text messages by handwriting.The smartphone is a completely unfamiliar object to him, but Ji Qiankun is very interested, although his movements are slow and clumsy, his attitude is extremely serious. "Come on, let me operate it myself." Ji Qiankun put the phone flat on his lap, carefully poking at the screen, muttering, "First press this...then, this..." Taking advantage of Ji Qiankun's time writing text messages stroke by stroke, Wei Jiong turned to look at Yue Xiaohui, who was flipping through a textbook of criminal procedure law.Sensing Wei Jiong's gaze, Yue Xiaohui raised her head, smiled at him, and opened the book, with the pages facing Wei Jiong.

The pages of the book are marked with red handwriting everywhere, densely packed. "The new version." Yue Xiaohui whispered, "Study more seriously than us." Wei Jiong nodded, and nuzzled Ji Qiankun, who buried his hair and text messages: "You have a personality, right?" Yue Xiaohui secretly stretched out her hand and raised her thumb. Since chatting with her about Ji Qiankun last time, Yue Xiaohui has always wanted to see him.When she learned that Wei Jiong was entrusted to buy a new mobile phone, Yue Xiaohui volunteered, not only accompanied him to buy it, but also came to the nursing home to teach Ji Qiankun how to use it.At first, Wei Jiong was worried that she would feel bored, but seeing her enjoying herself, Wei Jiong was more than half relieved.

Just as he was thinking, Wei Jiong heard a "ding" sound from his mobile phone. He took out his mobile phone and saw "There is a new message" displayed on the screen. He raised his head and saw Ji Qiankun looking at him expectantly. "Did you get it?" "Received." Wei Jiong shook the phone, opened it casually, and couldn't help laughing. "Wei Jiong thank you, you are a good boy." Wei Jiong turned the phone screen to Ji Qiankun, "You should add some punctuation." "Hahaha." Ji Qiankun also laughed, "I didn't find it."

"Yes, I will continue to teach you." "There's no rush," Ji Qiankun handed over the phone, "Teach me how to take pictures and videos." "it is good." This time Ji Qiankun studied more seriously, and even took out a small notebook to take notes.Ten minutes later, he looked at his phone and his notes, as if he had a plan in mind. "Come on, try it once." Unlock your phone and enter camera mode.Ji Qiankun held up his mobile phone, stared at the screen, and laughed. "It's so clear." He freed up one hand and waved it at Wei Jiong and Yue Xiaohui, "Come, let's take a photo for you two."

"Oh?" Wei Jiong was a little surprised and looked at Yue Xiaohui. "Why, are you still embarrassed?" The girl didn't take it seriously, walked up to Wei Jiong generously, and even took his arm. "Hey, that's right." Ji Qiankun held up his mobile phone and focused carefully, "You boy, you are not as brave as other girls—take a photo." With a "click", the flash lights up. Wei Jiong leaned over to see the effect of the shooting.Ji Qiankun frowned. "The shutter is too loud." He looked at the phone, "And, do I have to use a flash?"

"It can be turned off." Wei Jiong took the phone and operated it, "OK." "Okay." Ji Qiankun looked at the notes, pressed the screen in the same way, and opened the gallery, "Well, not bad." He turned the phone screen to Yue Xiaohui: "How is it? My old Ji's skills are not bad, right?" In the picture, Wei Jiong stood upright with a shy smile on his face, and the left arm held by Yue Xiaohui was extremely stiff.On the contrary, the girl next to her was smiling like a flower, with her head slightly to the right and a playful look on her face.

"Haha." Yue Xiaohui looked at the photo and couldn't help laughing, "Look at your arm, it looks like a prosthetic limb—Master Ji, send it to me, it's so funny." "Huh?" Ji Qiankun was taken aback, "How do you hair it? Wash it out?" "Easy to handle." Yue Xiaohui took the phone, quickly pressed the screen, and handed it back to him a few minutes later, "Uncle Ji, I've opened WeChat for you." "Prestige?" Ji Qiankun became even more confused, "What prestige?" It took a full ten minutes for Ji Qiankun to understand what WeChat is, and after fiddling with it on his mobile phone, he was overjoyed.

"This thing is good, it looks like a walkie-talkie." Ji Qiankun looked up at them, "Thanks to you two, I, Lao Ji, have mastered high technology." "Of course." Yue Xiaohui said with a smile, "You are such a fashionable old man, how can you not play this?" "Hahaha." Before the laughter fell, Ji Qiankun's cell phone rang. The sudden pleasant ringtone made him panic: "Oh, why did you pick it up? Take it easy, I'll do it myself..." With a nervous expression, Ji Qiankun stretched out his hand to swipe on the screen, and the call was connected.

The operation was successful, Ji Qiankun was very satisfied with himself, and answered the phone with a smile on his face.However, after chatting for a few words, his face slowly darkened. "Well, I see... I'll go now." After hanging up the phone, Ji Qiankun held the phone and sat silently for half a minute, with his brows furrowed and his expression solemn.Wei Jiong and Yue Xiaohui looked at each other, not knowing what happened, and did not dare to ask questions easily. Finally, Ji Qiankun raised his head and forced out a smile. "Go, Wei Jiong, open the wardrobe, there is a leather bag inside." Wei Jiong obediently followed suit, took out a bulging old-fashioned black leather bag from the closet, and handed it to Ji Qiankun. Ji Qiankun opened the leather bag, rummaged through it, and took out several bound printing papers. "Wei Jiong, do you have class in the afternoon?" "No." Wei Jiong shook his head, "Why?" "I'm sorry." Ji Qiankun handed over the few pieces of printing paper, with an apologetic expression, "I have to trouble you to run for me." Du Cheng turned the steering wheel, and as soon as he drove into the Xiyuan County community, he saw several police cars parked in front of No. 4 building.There are uniformed policemen maintaining order, and dozens of community residents around them are looking curiously at the front of the building. Du Cheng parked the car, thought for a while, took out a file from his bag, flipped through a few pages, shook his head with a wry smile. Get out of the car and lock the door.Du Cheng walked straight to Unit 2 of Building 4.No sooner had he squeezed through the crowd than a uniformed policeman stopped him.Du Cheng was about to take out his ID, but he saw Zhang Zhenliang standing beside the police car smoking a cigarette, and called him hastily. "Shake the beam!" Zhang Zhenliang turned around following the sound, saw that it was Du Cheng, and walked over quickly. "Master?" Zhang Zhenliang waved his hand, motioning for the subdued policeman to let him go, "My own." "Re-investigate the scene or identify?" Du Cheng asked. "Identify." Zhang Zhenliang answered briefly, "Why are you here? We can handle this matter ourselves." "Investigate other cases." Du Cheng walked towards Unit 2, "Where are the two drug dealers?" "Upstairs." Zhang Zhenliang followed into the corridor, "Master, didn't the bureau let you rest? Why are you..." "An old case, I don't feel at ease if I don't finish it." Du Cheng didn't want to explain, walked quickly to the elevator, and pressed "8". The two stood in the car, speechless for a while.Suddenly, Zhang Zhenliang said softly, "Murder to pieces?" Du Cheng was taken aback, turned his head subconsciously, and found that Zhang Zhenliang was looking in from the open pocket of the bag—half of the cover of the dossier was exposed. "It's that case." Zhang Zhenliang looked at Du Cheng and asked softly, "Right?" Du Cheng thought about it, and decided not to hide it from him: "Yes." "In this building?" "One of them." Du Cheng pouted upstairs, "Room 803." "Damn it!" Zhang Zhenliang opened his mouth wide, "It can't be such a coincidence, can it?" "It's such a coincidence." Du Cheng smiled, "Fate." The elevator stops on the 8th floor, and the car door opens slowly.Du Cheng stepped out of the elevator and saw that the door of Room 803 was open, a security tape was stretched across the door frame, and two uniformed policemen were standing by the door. "Where are people?" Zhang Zhenliang asked. "Up to the 15th floor." "En." Zhang Zhenliang turned to face Du Cheng, "Do you want to go in and have a look?" Du Cheng nodded, walked under the security belt shortly, and when he stood up straight again, he was already in Room 803. This is a one-bedroom, one-living house with distinctive architectural features of the 20th century.The interior furnishings are simple, and the double bed, wardrobe, and writing desk are all old objects.Suddenly, Du Cheng thought he was back in the 90s.He walked from the bedroom to the living room, the kitchen, and walked around the bathroom. Looking at the dried water stains in the huge bathtub, he turned around and asked Zhang Zhenliang, "Where is the owner?" "He was notified, but he hasn't arrived yet." Zhang Zhenliang looked at his watch, "It should be almost here." "Is your surname Ji?" "Yes." Zhang Zhenliang raised his head, "He is?" "The husband of one of the victims." "Oh." Zhang Zhenliang looked around and asked softly, "Did you find anything?" Du Cheng shook his head: "Depending on the situation, the owner has not lived here for a long time." Zhang Zhenliang immediately took out his phone: "I'll find him right away." Before he pressed the number, a timid voice came from the door: "No need, I... I'm here." Du Cheng and Zhang Zhenliang turned around at the same time, but saw a boy standing by the door with a tense expression, and the girl next to him was much more relaxed, looking into the room curiously from time to time. "You are..." Zhang Zhenliang was surprised, "The owner?" "No." The boy became even more nervous, "Lao Ji's legs and feet are handicapped, so he couldn't come, so he entrusted me..." As he said, he handed over an ID card and a few pieces of paper. Zhang Zhenliang reached out to take it, and glanced at his ID card first. "Ji Qiankun." He looked at Du Cheng and handed over his ID card. Du Cheng still remembered this face, but it was much older than Ji Qiankun in his memory. Twenty-three years ago, he watched this man cry until he fainted while hugging his wife's stump in the autopsy room. He also witnessed him sitting on a bench in the corridor of the branch office day after day, grabbing everyone who walked by him. The policemen around him asked about the progress of the investigation of the case, and even remembered that he broke free from the obstruction of the three bailiffs at the trial scene and rushed straight to the defendant... Du Cheng looked at the date of issuance on the ID card: 2001. The person became thinner and more wrinkled, but the misery and hatred on his face remained unchanged. Zhang Zhenliang had already read the lease agreement in his hand, turned his head and said to Du Cheng: "The time is right, those two drug dealers did not lie, they have indeed been producing and selling drugs here since 2013. Besides, Ji Qiankun should not be accomplice." Du Cheng nodded, turned to face the boy, looked him up and down, and asked, "What's your name?" "Huh?" The boy was a little surprised, "My name is Wei Jiong." "Who are you from Ji Qiankun?" "It's... a friend." "You said just now that his legs and feet are not flexible," Du Cheng continued to ask, "What happened to him? Where does he live now?" "He is paralyzed." Wei Jiong scratched the back of his head, "Now he lives in a nursing home." Du Cheng and Zhang Zhenliang looked at each other.Du Cheng took out his notebook and recorded the address of the nursing home in detail.Zhang Zhenliang asked, "Do you want me to take you there now?" "No need." Du Cheng shook his head, "Let these two children go." Wei Jiong heaved a sigh of relief, turned around to greet Yue Xiaohui, only to find that she had already walked into the room, with her back turned to him, looking at something. Wei Jiong squeezed out a smile at Zhang Zhenliang, walked quickly into the bedroom, and stretched out his hand to pull Yue Xiaohui.As soon as his fingers touched her sleeves, Wei Jiong noticed that she was shaking. He was startled, and before he had time to ask, he heard a strange "grunt" sound from Yue Xiaohui's throat. Immediately afterwards, the girl shook off Wei Jiong's hand, covered her mouth and rushed out of Room 803. Wei Jiong hurriedly got up and chased, leaving Zhang Zhenliang and Du Cheng standing there inexplicably. "It's not a murder scene..." Zhang Zhenliang looked around, "Why is this girl so frightened?" Du Cheng didn't speak, just sniffed, turned around and looked at the elevator room, just in time to see the girl crashing into the elevator, with the frantic boy behind him. The elevator went down to the first floor. As soon as the car door opened, Yue Xiaohui rushed out, ran outside the building, leaned against the wall and vomited. Wei Jiong hurriedly followed, wanting to pat her on the back, but felt it was inappropriate, looked up and saw a small supermarket at the entrance of the park, said "wait for me", and hurried over. When he ran back with a bottle of water, Yue Xiaohui had stopped vomiting, leaned her back against the wall, and was panting with her hands on her chest. "Are you okay?" Wei Jiong unscrewed the water bottle and handed it to Yue Xiaohui, "Is it better?" "Thank you." Yue Xiaohui's face was pale and her voice was weak, "Dirty, stay away." She took a mouthful of water, rinsed her mouth, spit it out again, and raised her hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. "It's much better." She forced a smile at Wei Jiong, "Don't worry." "What's wrong with you?" Wei Jiong handed her another pack of tissues, "Do you feel unwell?" "I don't know either." Yue Xiaohui shuddered again, "As soon as I walked into that room, I felt cold—the coldness from the inside out." "Aren't you freezing?" "No." Yue Xiaohui shook her head, "There was a smell in that room, didn't you smell it?" "Huh?" Wei Jiong thought for a while, "Not really." "Strange." Yue Xiaohui said to herself, tightening the down jacket on her body again. Wei Jiong looked at her and put her satchel on his back. "Come on, I'll take you to something hot to drink." Half an hour later, Wei Jiong and Yue Xiaohui were sitting in a Pizza Hut restaurant.Yue Xiaohui held the cup with both hands and sipped the fruit tea, her face became much rosier. "Would you like something to eat?" Wei Jiong pushed the plate containing the mousse cake towards her, "You should be hungry now." Yue Xiaohui nodded, picked up a small piece of cake, and slowly licked it in her mouth. "I'm so sorry that I caused you to run with me, and I'm not feeling well." "Hey, it has nothing to do with you." Yue Xiaohui waved her hand, "I also find it strange -- but Lao Ji is really interesting." "Yes." Wei Jiong also laughed, "This old man has a special vigor." "Speaking of this," Yue Xiaohui suddenly thought of something, "Don't you need to send the rental contract back today?" "No, just bring it to him next time." Wei Jiong looked at his watch, "Besides, we have to go back to school." "Well, when you go to Lao Ji's place again, call me." "Are you still going?" "Yeah." Yue Xiaohui drank the fruit tea in the cup, "Have you seen the movie "The Grandmaster"?" "The one directed by Wong Kar Wai? I've seen it." "All the encounters in the world," Yue Xiaohui looked out of the window, the sun was setting at the moment, the crowds on the street suddenly surged, strange faces hurried away in different directions, and there were occasional brief intersections of eyes, Then quickly avoided, "It's a reunion after a long absence."