The Last Mr. Dongguo

The interrogation is still ongoing!

"Why kill Cheng Lun?"

Liu Zheng did not expect Bai Xin to ask Cheng Lun first, ignoring Fei Li. It seemed to be following the plot he had set, which made Liu Zheng think for a few more seconds.

"Because of Baizhugou, haven't you guys never given up on that case these past few years? Cheng Lun and I are both researchers at Baizhugou, but Cheng Lun is more qualified than me, and some of his theories are accepted by most people. I originally wanted to use Cheng Lun's prestige to express my own views, but what I didn't expect was that in the end, all my research results went to him, and I ended up with nothing. Cheng Lun made me who I am and then destroyed me with his own hands, making me fall heavily from the sky into the abyss. Captain Bai, if it were you, could you bear it?" Liu Zheng's lips curled into a contemptuous smile.

"So you killed him?"

"That's right!"

"It's that simple?"

"Captain Bai, people like you in criminal investigations deal with academic papers, right? You should understand how important academic insights are to a researcher. From another perspective, if Cheng Luan treated you like that, how would you feel when you're down on your luck and living on the streets?"

"But Cheng Lun was kind to you, and besides, killing him doesn't seem to do you any good. It might even be worse than before. You've lived the life of a fugitive for ten years. Isn't that pathetic?"

"Hahaha!" The laughter was unusual, like a fully inflated balloon being punctured by a sharp object. "A debt of gratitude for being recognized and valued? You're not kidding, are you? There's only hatred between us."

"Is it because of that person you can't let go of?" Dongfang Lin continued the question.

"Beautiful lady, stop guessing. I know your psychological tactics are effective, but they only work on those who are hoping for a lucky break. I confess to the murder, and Cheng Lun did indeed die at my hands. As for the rest, I know nothing." Liu Zheng had clearly lost patience, but his defenses remained impenetrable. Dongfang Lin understood the meaning of his "rest" and leaned forward slightly, staring intently at him.

Where is Fei Li now?

"I don't know." Liu Zheng's smile returned to smugness. "To be honest, I don't know Fei Li. The organization overlooked him during the planning process, which ultimately led to the plan's failure. Do you think he's still alive?"

Liu Zheng stretched his back. "I killed Cheng Lun, the evidence is conclusive, Captain Bai, will I be sentenced to death?" There was no question in his voice, only a hint of mockery. "Back then, you, Cheng Luan, Shui Mingyue, and Zeng Qiang participated in an undercover operation, but you were unfortunately exposed. Zeng Qiang sacrificed himself to cover Cheng Luan's death, and your girlfriend Shui Mingyue died at the boss's house because there wasn't time to move. You also developed a fear of heights because of that operation. Haha, Shui Mingyue, it's ridiculous, she was just a seemingly innocent person with an unruly heart. Do you know what she did in the organization? Do you know how she spent every night? Hahaha! That figure was really hot!" Liu Zheng's eyes narrowed; he was reminiscing, he was enjoying himself, he was provoking!

Anger blazed in Bai Xin's eyes. He strode around the table and gripped Liu Zheng's collar tightly with his hands like a vise, but Liu Zheng's laughter became even more unrestrained.

"What? Do you police officers all like to beat people? Can't stand it anymore? Yeah! Your girlfriend sleeps next to another man every day, who could stand that? But aren't you all focused on the mission? What's this little grievance?" Liu Zheng didn't resist, letting Bai Xin lift him up, his anger and smile a stark contrast.

Dongfang Lin quickly stepped forward and grabbed Bai Xin's hands. "Calm down, Captain Bai, calm down!"

"Calm down? You want him to calm down? How can he possibly calm down? Do you know what he's thinking right now? Haha! If the mission had succeeded back then, maybe none of this would have mattered, but the mission failed, which means Shui Mingyue is branded with a label she can never shake off. Haha! The fact that he hasn't killed me is already a sign of his composure, isn't it, Captain Bai!" Liu Zheng's smile vanished, his eyes flashing with the same resentment. "Now you understand how I feel, don't you?"

"Bai Xin, calm down! This is the Criminal Investigation Team, everyone is watching you! Besides, there's video footage and..." Before Dongfang Lin could finish speaking, "bang!" The entire room went dark—the power was out! Before Dongfang Lin could react, she was pushed to the ground by an unknown force, followed by the sound of a chair overturning.

Han Zhen then opened the door and groped his way forward in the dark to stop Bai Xin's actions. The backup power started, and a spotlight shone on Liu Zheng's pale face, a trickle of black blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Fei Li slowly processed the information he heard, and the answers gradually came to mind. He looked at Gu Hezhi, who remained calm, a stark contrast to the almost frantic old man in the secret room.

"What's wrong? Is the tea not to your liking?" Gu Hezhi looked at Fei Li with the eyes of an elder, greeting her like an old friend who hadn't seen her for many years. "Fei Li, everything you experienced today may seem ephemeral, but it's actually worth reflecting on. Don't dwell too much on today's experiences, but don't completely ignore them either. Find the right balance for yourself."

"Who exactly are you?"

"Child, didn't you want to know what happened fifteen years ago?"

"So what? This is just a virtual illusion, and I don't believe the answers I get here."

"Haha." After a burst of laughter, the world returned to darkness.

"Fei Li, although this is an illusion, believe me, the answer you seek is here." The voice this time was completely unlike the chilling one from the speakers; it sounded like a teacher's concern and reminder. "You need to help me solve a murder case. Once it's solved, not only you, but Cheng Luan, Li Mengying, and Bai Xin will all get the answers they want. What follows is a real case being solved. Don't think that just because this is a virtual world, there's no danger. I must warn you, this place is fraught with peril; a single misstep could cost you your life. To die here is to die in reality. Good luck. Also, here's a hint: this murder case involves the infamous Richard Chase, the 'Bloodthirsty Demon' of Sacramento, America."

The sound faded into the distance, slowly disappearing. What followed was a long, silent darkness, without the earth-shaking tremors or the clamor of loud noises. Everything seemed to be paused, everything within sight shrouded in darkness. But this darkness did not evoke tension or fear; instead, it brought Fei Li a sense of comfort.

"Click".

It was as if someone had pressed the shutter button; the sudden flash made Fei Li unable to open her eyes.

Fei Li shielded her eyes from the glaring light. As her eyes gradually adjusted, she looked more closely and found herself on a street in 1970s America, where a murder was unfolding before her eyes.