“Phantom?”

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Xie Wensheng slowly nodded and turned to look out the door.

“Twelve years ago in 1994, extending from our village several miles ahead, it was all called Yang Lake group.”

“Yang Lake is still there, but it’s no longer as grand as it was back then. I don’t like that place, not just because of my father. From a young age, I grew up surrounded by the legend of the Yang Lake Phantom. My grandmother and my mother mentioned it to me countless times.”

“Especially my grandmother. She said countless people have died unjustly in that lake. Some drowned there, and in the far-off past, those who made mistakes were thrown into the lake. As a child, I was afraid, but as I grew up and became a policeman, my father and I held deep disdain for the so-called Yang Lake Phantom.”

“After all, those are baseless legends, tales of wronged spirits seeking revenge are just mere stories people talk about.”

“But I never thought in my father’s life, in the trajectory of my own life, I would actually encounter such an event. Of course, I still don’t believe my father’s death was due to being bewitched by the so-called Yang Lake Phantom to take his own life.”

“Moreover, I’m convinced that if anyone is still using those frightening legends to commit murder, I will definitely bring them to justice!”

“It’s just a pity that in 1994, I didn’t have the abilities I do now, or rather no one had today’s knowledge and methods.”

Saying this, Xie Wensheng paused and turned to look at Chen Xiao again:

“In fact, that night when Caixia’s body was thrown away and a large number of police appeared on the scene, I saw some clues. But I didn’t expect you would so openly admit it, and it was at that moment of your confession that I no longer guarded against your involvement in the case.”

“Now we’ve somewhat built a friendship, so I want to help you, and even more, I want to resolve some of the regret in my heart.”

Chen Xiao nodded slightly: “As soon as you started talking about your father’s matter, I already knew why you were looking for me.”

“Our goals at this moment are actually quite similar; I want to uncover the truth behind the Yang Lake Phantom. Although fewer people mention the Phantom in our area, it’s undeniable that its influence still remains. Especially people of my age, we all know about this incident.”

“I think if you’re willing to spend time investigating, it should help your Dragon Cauldron. Plus, I can tell you there’s likely to be significant development in our area in terms of land soon. I don’t understand the commercial intricacies, nor do I know how to operate them.”

“But I do know, the bigger your reputation, the more advantageous it is; at least it would save you a lot in advertising!”

Chen Xiao took a deep breath: “You have that much faith in me?”

“From the Jiang Anguang case, there are several details that left a deep impression on me. First, it’s that half-smiling face painting. Even though it wasn’t of Jiang Anguang, it captured his spirit!”

“Second, in the morgue, you touched the skeletal remains and could identify smells that even Director Zhu hadn’t noticed!”

“Third, it’s your confidence. You always believed the case wasn’t something major. When you said that, I wanted to contradict you because it involved numerous killings, but eventually, your suspicion proved correct!”

“Just from this one case, I can confirm your abilities far exceed mine. Of course, I don’t have full confidence in your ability to unravel the Yang Lake Phantom, but I have to rely on you now.”

Chen Xiao understood Xie Wensheng’s feelings.

However, he didn’t plan to keep discussing the Yang Lake Phantom, but instead seriously asked:

“Do the doctors have an optimistic view of your condition?”

Xie Wensheng sighed deeply, pointed at his head, and said: “They’re about to operate on my brain; it’s a gamble between life and death. But I still have unfinished responsibilities. I haven’t brought my mother back to care for her, I haven’t raised my children to adulthood, and I haven’t made up for my neglect of my wife over the years.”

At this point, Xie Wensheng suddenly asked: “Chen Xiao, do you believe people can have a chance to start over?”

This question left Chen Xiao unsure of how to respond.

Xie Wensheng seemed disinterested in the answer, speaking to himself: “If I had an opportunity to start over, I wouldn’t become a cop again, nor defy my father. I’d choose an ordinary job, just quietly accompany my wife and children.”

Chen Xiao knew Xie Wensheng was feeling deeply troubled.

Yet, no amount of words can alleviate that kind of regret and self-blame.

Perhaps many people only stop to quietly consider changing their way of life when facing life and death.

Patting Xie Wensheng’s shoulder gently, Chen Xiao said:

“I think life might have a chance to start over, so next, calmly accept the doctor’s advice and undergo treatment. After surgery, if you can’t continue in your current job, then change to another and make up for the time you owe your family.”

“That’s how I see it, and I’ve consulted Dr. Huang; though the chances aren’t great, there’s still hope of recovery.”

Chen Xiao smiled broadly: “That’s good, you had me thinking you were preparing your last words.”

“Haha, I’m just worried I won’t wake up after surgery, so I wanted to trouble you.”

Chen Xiao: “Have you told your family everything?”

“The kids don’t know yet, neither does my mother.”

“You decide what to tell the kids, but I think you should inform your mother.”

Xie Wensheng sighed deeply: “I donated my father’s remains according to his wishes; she initially agreed with that. But later, she let go of her obsession with investigating the truth behind my father’s death, wanting to discuss with me about laying him to rest.”

“I know my father’s remains hold no more use for the case. But I understand him; he had expressed more than once when alive that he didn’t want his body to end up as useless bones. He said, use it for as long as it can be used, whether it’s a year, two years, five… ten, even twenty years.”

“Now, twelve years have passed, and maybe I truly should bring him home.”

Xie Wensheng spoke once more, lowering his head.

Chen Xiao pondered and replied: “Give me some time; I need to learn about the so-called Yang Lake Phantom. If it’s possible to investigate, I’ll make sure you’re guilt-free when you bring your father home.”

Xie Wensheng raised his head and smiled: “Thanks in advance, though my surgery isn’t soon. Before I undergo surgery, I’ll do everything I can to push this matter forward. You should understand, for a case unresolved after twelve years, struggling to restart an investigation faces many obstacles.”

Chen Xiao nodded.

Such cases aren’t difficult to understand.

Even if everyone thinks it’s far from a simple suicide.

But when a case has been stagnant for over a decade without progress, it’s inevitable to shelve it.

Because time won’t stay frozen in 1994….

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep