Fang Yuan looked at Zhang Yibao and made a face, “Zhang Yibao, do you even know how to talk?”
Zhang Yibao shrugged as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. “I talk to people one way, and I talk to ghosts another.”
Fang Yuan pointed at Zhang Yibao’s retreating back. “Are you calling me a ghost?”
“I didn’t say that,” Zhang Yibao waved dismissively. “Don’t take it personally, Master of Speeches.”
“Alright, alright, let’s get moving.” Cheng Ye waved them off. “Go catch up on sleep. Where are you headed?” he turned to Pei Qinghuai.
“Prison, for a visit,” Pei Qinghuai replied.
Cheng Ye was taken aback. “Who are you visiting?”
“Sun Sheng.”
Cheng Ye checked the time. “I’ll go with you.”
Sun Sheng was supposedly the mastermind behind the 327 case years ago, but now it seemed he was just a pawn discarded after use.
“32378, you have a visitor.” The prison guard called out from outside the cell. In the corner, a figure lay curled up, motionless. Since arriving at the prison, no one had ever come to visit him.
“32378!” The guard knocked heavily on the cell door. “You have a visitor.”
This time, the man finally stirred. Sun Sheng moved his limbs, slowly getting off the bed. He peered out, “Are you sure it’s for me?”
The guard glanced at his list. “32378, yes, it’s you. You have a visitor.”
Sun Sheng chuckled, stretching his muscles. “I never thought anyone would ever come to visit me.”
He followed the guard, unhurriedly making his way to the visitation room. Seeing who it was, Sun Sheng raised his eyebrows and lazily sat down, scrutinizing Pei Qinghuai.
“I never expected it to be you.” He seemed incredulous.
Pei Qinghuai smiled slightly. “Didn’t you already guess?”
Sun Sheng shrugged, shaking his head. “After all these years, I still can’t fool you. So, what brings you here?”
“How many people were in your group?” Pei Qinghuai asked.
Sun Sheng put on an innocent face, frowning. “How many you caught is how many there were. I always tell the truth. I never lie.”
Sun Sheng then leaned forward, staring intently at Pei Qinghuai. “I’m curious. After your sister died, what did you do? Did you cry in bed?”
Cheng Ye, standing by, found the question jarring. However, Pei Qinghuai remained composed, his voice calm. “Unfortunately, no.”
Sun Sheng sighed, leaning back again. “Alright, pretend I didn’t ask.”
“I’m surprised how dedicated you are as a pawn,” Pei Qinghuai remarked. “I remember your code letter was H, right?”
Sun Sheng’s eyelids twitched, his gaze turning cold. Pei Qinghuai continued with a smile, “Not enjoying your stay in there, I presume? Guess where I work now?”
Realizing the question might be too vague, Pei Qinghuai rephrased, “Or rather, guess when your accomplices started their crimes outside? You want to know, don’t you?”
Sun Sheng, unnerved, lowered his feet from the bench and glared at Pei Qinghuai. “When?”
“You guess,” Pei Qinghuai teased with a grin.
Feeling unsettled, Sun Sheng stood up abruptly, slamming his hand on the table. “You think I’ll believe your nonsense?”
Pei Qinghuai remained unperturbed, still smiling. “Belief is your choice. I just remembered you’re in here, so I came to see you. Now that I’ve seen you, I should leave.”
Pei Qinghuai got up and raised his voice slightly. “Captain Cheng, let’s go.”
Cheng Ye, noticing Sun Sheng’s increasingly agitated state, responded and followed Pei Qinghuai out. Behind them, the sound of Sun Sheng slamming the table echoed.
“Do you think what you said will affect him?” Cheng Ye asked as they walked out.
“I don’t know,” Pei Qinghuai admitted. “Maybe a 50-50 chance.”
He explained, “I gave him a mix of truth and lies. It’s up to him to piece it together. People like him thrive on suspicion.”
Outside, the sky was overcast. Pei Qinghuai checked the weather forecast. “It might rain tomorrow. How’s your leg?”
Cheng Ye scoffed, “Why the concern? Need a favor?”
“You guessed it,” Pei Qinghuai said as he opened the car door and got in.
Cheng Ye sighed, “The leg’s fine. What do you need?”
Pei Qinghuai found a comfortable position and leaned back, “I need two days off. Don’t bother me during that time.”
“That’s it?” Cheng Ye looked puzzled.
“Yes,” Pei Qinghuai confirmed, and he turned his head to sleep.
