The Last Mr. Dongguo

The room shook, and a loud rumbling sound filled the air.

When everything returned to calm, Fei Li found herself in another space.

Dim lighting cast shadows on the familiar corridor, silent and spacious. A faint smell of disinfectant, simple yet iconic white floor tiles, and a large character for "quiet" brought Fei Li's thoughts back to the mental hospital where he received treatment.

"Snap!"

As the lighter's gears rubbed together, a flame rose before Fei Li's eyes. The orange flame flickered incessantly, moving like a ghost through the corridor as Fei Li moved.

The limited light could only illuminate the darkness before him. Fei Li groped his way forward, relying on his memory to slowly approach his goal. The words "Academic Archives" gleamed in the firelight. Fei Li subconsciously looked around, then slowly turned the lock on the door with his right hand.

The room remained dark. Fei Li didn't turn on the light. After placing the lighter on the table, she turned on the computer. The blue backlight illuminated Fei Li's face, highlighting her clear facial features. Her slender fingers rapidly tapped the keyboard, typing her name into the search bar.

Soon, a document outlining her own treatment plan appeared in the search results, and Fei Li double-clicked the mouse to open it.

The document was nine pages long, containing nothing more than a self-introduction. Fei Li didn't have time to read it carefully, quickly scrolling to the last page. A striking red stamp pierced his eyes. Fei Li closed his eyes slightly, turning his gaze to the signature beside it. Case Handler: Cheng Luan. Psychotherapist: Li Mengying.

Fei Li shook her head slightly, thought for a moment, then turned off the computer, picked up a lighter, and walked out of the archives.

"Fei Li? Is that you?"

A familiar voice came from behind, followed by a beam of light that cast Fei Li's shadow onto the opposite wall. Fei Li turned and tilted her head to avoid the light, then extinguished the lighter.

"It really is you," Li Mengying said anxiously, stepping forward to take Fei Li's arm. "Didn't I tell you to call me if anything happened and not to wander around? Why didn't you turn on the lights? It's so dark." A reproachful tone arose in her voice. Because she was holding Fei Li's arm, the beam of the flashlight shone on their shoulders, revealing a face that was slightly shadowed but made even more exquisite.

"It's nothing, maybe the power went out. I just went to the bathroom," Fei Li asked, looking into Li Mengying's bright eyes. Fei Li couldn't see any premeditation or hatred in her gaze. "When can I leave here?"

"Soon, tomorrow! Just one more night's sleep and I can go home!"

Li Mengying helped Fei Li into the bedroom and gently closed the door.

"Did you find it?" A question came from somewhere in the darkness, the voice deep and resonant like that of a wild beast.

Fei Li nodded.

"Now you understand what I'm saying! Your so-called friends are all lying to you, all using you." His words were laced with a low growl, like the roar of a wild lion in a vast mountain forest.

Fei Li remained unmoved and slowly lay down on the bed.

"Don't you want to find that person from fifteen years ago? Back then, he was sentenced to fifteen years in court, while you were sent to juvenile detention because of that hearing. Fifteen years later, he's about to be released, while you're trapped here, using therapy as an excuse to erode your spirit. Where has your wildness gone? Where has your mind gone? And think about your sister!"

Suddenly, a cold wind blew into the room, and Fei Li's mood was like a calm lake being broken by a thrown stone, creating ripples. Fei Li abruptly sat up in bed.

"Very good, deal with Li Mengying first, then I'll take you to find the murderer you're looking for."

A pistol was handed to Fei Li, its gleaming black barrel radiating an alluring cold light. Hatred had consumed his heart. Desire took flight, dragging Fei Li out of the room.

"Mengying, are you asleep? Open the door."

As the door opened, sparks instantly flew from the dark muzzle of the gun.

"Clap clap clap".

"Silence! Silence!"

The presiding judge struck the gavel three times, and the rustling sounds from below the courtroom instantly fell silent.

Fifteen-year-old Fei Li sat in the courtroom, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared intently at the defendant's dock.

After surveying the room, the presiding judge solemnly announced, "The court will now resume. Through the court proceedings just now, this court has heard the defendant Li Feng's confession, defense, and final statement. Witnesses called by the prosecutor have testified in court, and the prosecutor has presented relevant evidence. Both the prosecution and defense have examined the evidence and fully articulated their arguments during the debate. The collegial panel has carefully deliberated on this case and, after deliberation, finds that the witness testimonies given in court and the testimony of absent witnesses presented and read aloud by the prosecutor are legally obtained and corroborate each other, thus serving as the basis for the verdict. This court hereby confirms these evidences and will now pronounce judgment."

The clerk gave the order: "Everyone stand up."

"This court finds that the defendant Li Feng, after hitting a pedestrian with his car, fled the scene to evade responsibility. His actions constitute the crime of causing a traffic accident and should be punished. The facts alleged by the Huzhe City People's Court against the defendant Li Feng for the crime of causing a traffic accident are clear, the evidence is conclusive and sufficient, and the charge is established. Given that the defendant Li Feng is a first-time offender and was able to truthfully confess to the crime, and has a good attitude of admitting guilt and showing remorse, he can be given a reduced sentence in accordance with the law. The relevant defense opinions of the defense counsel are adopted by this court. In accordance with Article 133 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, the judgment is as follows: The defendant Li Feng is guilty of causing a traffic accident and is sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 yuan."

"Crack." The gavel struck solemnly once again, a sound that seemed to resonate deeply within Fei Li's heart.

"This judgment is delivered orally. The written judgment will be served on you within five days. If you disagree with the judgment, you may file an appeal with this court or directly with the First Intermediate People's Court of Huze City within ten days from the second day after receiving the written judgment. If you file a written appeal, you should submit one original and two copies of the appeal petition. Defendant, do you understand?"

"I heard you clearly." Li Feng said without hesitation, bowing his head.

"Court is now adjourned."

"Crack." The solemn sound of the gavel signaled the end.

The defendant, Li Feng, was pulled from the dock by two bailiffs and slowly walked towards the door. The people in the courtroom also slowly left their seats, their hearts still heavy, except for Fei Li, who remained seated, motionless.

"Fei Li, let's go, it's all over." Dou Diqiu patted Fei Li's shoulder and said slowly, "Go home with your uncle."

Fei Li did not answer, her gaze following Li Feng as he slowly moved.

Suddenly, Fei Li stood up abruptly and ran quickly towards Li Feng. In the blink of an eye, she caught up with Li Feng, and before the two bailiffs beside her could react, Fei Li swiftly sidestepped and knocked Li Feng to the ground, pulled out a pen from her pocket, and thrust the pen tip towards Li Feng's neck.

Faced with the sudden attack, Li Feng instinctively turned his head to dodge, his hands gripping the deadly pen tip tightly. Fei Li, being young and lacking strength, quickly lost the pen to Li Feng.

Two bailiffs acted swiftly, pulling the two wrestling men apart. However, the pen tip grazed Fei Li's forehead, drawing blood. Through the flowing blood, Fei Li finally saw the other man's face clearly.