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墨書 Inktalez
Gravekeeper
The next morning, after we finished washing up and had breakfast, I said, "We need to go to Lin Fan's workplace. Zhang Yuru, are you coming?"
Zhang Yuru nodded, "Of course I'm going! Let's hurry and get rid of that annoying ghost!"
I agreed, and after we finished eating, we set off.
After breakfast, I immediately got into my car and let Zhang Yuru and Lin Fan in. We drove toward Lin Fan's workplace.
Lin Fan worked in Lingshui City, Shandong Province.
Lingshui is most famous as a logistics hub; it used to be a wholesale market. Although the roads in Lingshui City are well-maintained, there are just too many cars, making traffic quite congested. Lin Fan's workplace was at the Public Security Bureau in Lanshan District. We exited the highway and headed straight for the bureau.
Upon arriving at the Public Security Bureau in Lanshan District, I parked the car. Lin Fan took the lead as we walked directly toward the director's office.
It was already past four in the afternoon, and the bureau wasn't very busy; most people were packing up their things, preparing to go home.
When we reached the director's office, Lin Fan knocked on the door. A woman inside invited us in.
Lin Fan pushed open the office door, and Zhang Yuru and I followed him inside. The office was quite spacious. I quickly scanned the room; there were several desks, but only one had someone behind it—a woman with short, styled hair sitting at a desk marked "Director."
I was surprised to find that the district director was a woman.
"Director Hao," Lin Fan saluted her.
The Female Director looked up at us three and paused for a moment. "Lin Fan? Weren't you on vacation? What brings you back to work so soon? Are you worried about your job?" she asked with a smile.
Lin Fan awkwardly chuckled and said, "Director Hao, I... I have something I need to tell you honestly. I... encountered a ghost and need your help."
The Female Director frowned slightly. She stood up, walked over to close the office door, then gestured for us to sit down. "Lin Fan, you're also a graduate of the Police Academy. In terms of education level, you're one of the highest here at our bureau. If you start believing in superstitions like this, what will happen to our police work?"
"Director Hao," Lin Fan said immediately, "I know, that's why I'm here just to talk to you. I really need your help, otherwise... otherwise, I'm really going to die."
"Enough!" the Female Director replied, a bit impatient. "Just tell me what's going on and how I can help you."
Lin Fan quickly recounted his ordeal. "Director Hao, I need to see that suspect, the bald one. He must know what happened with Sunny Doll!"
The Female Director's mouth dropped open as she listened to Lin Fan's story. She looked at him, then at us, and finally reached out to touch Lin Fan's forehead. "Lin Fan, you’re not running a fever, are you? Do you really believe this kind of thing?"
Lin Fan grew anxious. "Director Hao, I'm not lying to you. We can't delay this any longer."
The Female Director stood up, her expression serious. "Alright, I'll discuss this matter with your department head before making a decision. There are still several criminals in this batch who haven't fully confessed; it's not something we can just arrange casually."
"Hey! How can you be so unreasonable?" Zhang Yuru couldn't hold back any longer. She stood up and pointed at the director. "Do you understand the consequences of this? A life is at stake! What’s wrong with giving us a green light?"
The Female Director turned around and glared at Zhang Yuru. "Is this a matter of life or death? You’re the ones causing trouble! What kind of society are we living in? What era is it? And you're still playing these games! Get out first! Lin Fan, this matter cannot just end here; your mindset needs serious reflection!"
Zhang Yuru was about to say more when I quickly grabbed her arm. "Alright, let’s step outside for now."
Once we were outside, Lin Fan rubbed his forehead and said, "What’s going on? The director seemed fine; her last name is Hao, and she’s usually nice. Why is she acting so strangely today?"
I replied, "This is normal; after all, most people wouldn't believe something like this. Your Female Director probably doesn't have a background in criminal investigation; her previous role was likely in administrative files or something similar. She hasn't dealt with these matters before, so naturally she doesn't believe it. Let’s think of another way."
"What other way can we think of?" Zhang Yuru tugged at Lin Fan's arm. "Lin Fan, you shouldn't work under that old woman anymore. Quit and join me! It's settled!"
Lin Fan rolled his eyes in resignation.
I thought for a moment and asked, "What’s the director's full name?"
"Hao Yun," Lin Fan replied.
I nodded and picked up my phone to call Chen Shan. Right now, he was my only hope; I just hoped he could help us out.
The phone was quickly connected, and I heard Chen Shan's voice on the other end. "Song Fei."
I replied, "Brother Chen, I need to ask you something. Do you know the director of Lanshan District over by Linshui?"
Chen Shan responded, "What’s his name? Do you know?"
I said, "His name is Hao Yun. I'm running into some trouble here, so I wanted to see if you could help."
"Hao Yun?" Chen Shan said. "I know him. We've attended meetings together. Our relationship isn't too close, but we've been in contact, so we have a bit of an acquaintance. What kind of problem are you facing?"
I explained the situation involving Lin Fan to Chen Shan.
After listening, Chen Shan said, "That's serious. Hao Yun is quite straightforward; she doesn't believe in these kinds of things. Just persuading her might not be enough. Here’s what I'll do: I'll pay her a visit. I'm not very familiar with Hao Yun, but I'm good friends with the director of the Linshui City General Administration, Buddy. I'll go with him to talk to her. Is it okay if it takes a night?"
"That's fine," I assured him.
I hung up the phone and sighed in relief. I turned to Zhang Yuru and Lin Fan and said, "We need to wait a bit longer. Tomorrow morning, Chen's team and the director from Lingshui City will come together. With their presence, many issues can be negotiated. Let's wait one more night."
Zhang Yuru and Lin Fan both breathed easier.
I suggested, "Tonight, let's head back to the scene where we found that Sunny Doll and see if we can gather any clues."
We got into the car, and Lin Fan said, "The arrest took place at the Xiangyun Business Club on Yimeng Road in Lanshan District. We can check it out."
As I drove along Yimeng Road, we arrived at the Xiangyun Business Club and parked in front of it. The club was a multi-story building with luxurious decor. The parking lot in front was spacious, and two security guards dressed like British royal police stood at the entrance, looking particularly impressive.
As we approached, the guards saluted us and removed their hats in respect before bowing. The door opened without them asking for identification, and we walked inside.
After getting out of the car, we headed straight into the club. Lin Fan explained, "This building is a comprehensive complex; cars can drive in here while pedestrians can't access it easily. Inside, there are discussion lounges, hotels, and even some antique shops. The group we arrested for smuggling ivory products operated on the third floor."
I understood now; ivory trade is illegal on the mainland. However, as a logistics hub, Linshui makes it easy to smuggle ivory products among other goods. Those who could enter Xiangyun Business Club were generally wealthy individuals who favored such items for their exclusivity and safety. It seemed these people had gone through considerable effort to choose this location for their transactions.
Lin Fan displayed his Police Badge and directly entered the elevator. The elevator stopped on the third floor, and as he stepped out, he noticed that many of the rooms on this floor were sealed with police tape, clearly indicating that the case was still ongoing.
There were surveillance cameras above, but we paid them no mind. Lin Fan said, "That's the room. It was quite messy at the time. I was in charge of watching that bald guy, and he took the opportunity to give me the Sunny Doll." We walked toward the room Lin Fan pointed out. It had been decorated to resemble an antique art shop.
At the door, Zhang Yuru and Lin Fan both paused. Although it wasn't completely dark yet, neither of them dared to enter.
I held the Peach Wood Sword, peeled off the police seal, and stepped inside. Many items in here were well-preserved. As I looked around, I spotted a Rag Doll lying on the floor.
I stared at the black-and-white doll on the ground, momentarily taken aback. Was this really the legendary Sunny Doll? It seemed too simple; in reality, it was just a towel shaped into a doll—round head on top with a skirt below, lacking arms and legs; it was essentially just a head.
I examined the Sunny Doll closely and then bent down to pick it up.
I squeezed it in my hand; it felt somewhat damp, though I couldn't tell what it was made of.
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