"Lü Zhengxian was left-handed."
The old man said, "I used to tease him about it when we were kids. I said he was different from us. He ate with his left hand and wrote with it too."
I thought left-handed people were actually smarter than right-handed people.
Lü Zhengxian was certainly smart enough. Otherwise, he couldn't have transformed himself from a murderer into a major entrepreneur.
"Did he have any other habits or distinguishing traits?" I asked.
The old man thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think so. Who could remember that much after all these years? All I know is that they still haven't caught the kid, and he hasn't come back to see his family either."
"I really never would've imagined it. He was such a well-behaved kid, but he turned out so vicious when he grew up..."
Seeing that the old man was about to go off on another tangent, I quickly asked, "After Lü Zhengxian committed such a brutal crime, I imagine your village wasn't too fond of his family?"
The old man gave me a puzzled look. "That's not right. Lü Zhengxian is Lü Zhengxian, and his family is his family. We're all from the same village. We wouldn't go after his relatives."
"Besides, the people Lü Zhengxian killed weren't from our village."
Song Xiaotian and I exchanged a glance. I thought the people in this village seemed pretty reasonable.
But his next remark made me realize why they didn't target Lü Zhengxian's family.
"And that entrepreneur who comes here to help alleviate poverty stays in our village for two or three days every time. He always stays at Lü Jun's house. They're really close. Our village officials practically worship Lü Jun's family."
"The entrepreneur gets along well with Lü Jun. They're friends."
For some reason, I felt like laughing.
I asked him, "Have you ever spoken to this entrepreneur? Do you think he's friendly?"
The old man shook his head. "I've never spoken to him. He's a big shot, after all. He's not like us. He's worth hundreds of millions. We're already grateful for everything he's done for us. It doesn't matter whether we get to talk to him."
"But I can tell he really likes our village."
I asked again, "What's this entrepreneur's name? I'll help spread the word about his good deeds."
The old man said, "His surname is Du. Du Ruhai."
After we finished talking to the old man and asked for directions to Lü Jun's house, Song Xiaotian and I headed straight there.
On the way, curiosity got the better of me. "Does Lü Jun know that Du Ruhai is his son, Lü Zhengxian?"
Song Xiaotian said, "Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn't."
"That tells me nothing..." I said.
Song Xiaotian said, "Someone like Lü Zhengxian is what we cops call a born criminal. Smart, cunning, and utterly ruthless. I don't think he'd tell his father his secret, even if he is his father."
"The only person he trusts is himself. But whether his father could recognize his son, Lü Zhengxian, from some of Du Ruhai's habits and mannerisms is another question."
"And even if you find plenty of evidence proving that Du Ruhai is Lü Zhengxian, you still won't be able to bring him down."
Song Xiaotian looked at me. "If you hand that evidence to the police or a judge and tell them Lü Zhengxian took over Du Ruhai through soul possession, do you think they'll believe you?"
I sighed, suddenly feeling that this trip had been something of a waste.
Even if I uncovered the whole truth, what would it change?
If I couldn't bring Du Ruhai down, the truth would only satisfy my curiosity and answer my questions. Beyond that, it would be completely useless.
That raised the question: how was I supposed to bring Du Ruhai down?
I wouldn't dare dream of doing that even in my sleep.
By then, we had reached the area near Lü Jun's house. Even from a distance, we could see it was bustling with people, perhaps relatives, perhaps village officials.
Just as the old man had said, the apparent relationship between Lü Jun and Du Ruhai alone was enough to make the village officials put the entire Lü family on a pedestal.
There was no point in going over now. We wouldn't get any answers, and people might even grow suspicious of who we were.
Then Du Ruhai would be alerted.
"Let's go."
Song Xiaotian tugged me along, ready to leave. "We've learned everything we need to. There's no reason to question Lü Jun. Even if he personally admitted that Du Ruhai was Lü Zhengxian, it wouldn't mean much."
I nodded and left with Song Xiaotian.
After making just one circuit of Lü Family Gully, we returned to town.
We didn't stay in town long. We spent another few hours on a coach back to the city, then headed to the airport to fly back to Lanjiang City.
By the time we returned to Lanjiang City, it was almost dark.
As soon as we got off the plane, Song Xiaotian received a call.
I didn't know who had called, but his expression looked grim after he hung up.
"Chen Mo, is that friend of yours named Meng Yifan?" he asked.
I quickly nodded. "What is it, Xiaotian? Have you heard something?"
Song Xiaotian sighed and scratched his head. Seeing that gesture, my heart sank.
"There was an old man arrested along with your friend, right? His surname is Zhao?" Song Xiaotian asked, checking with me again.
I broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly nodded again. "What happened? Come on, tell me. Can't you get him out?"
Song Xiaotian said, "That old man surnamed Zhao was arrested with Meng Yifan that night, but he was released the next morning. He also named you. He said stealing from Du Ruhai's house was your idea."
What?!
My eyes widened as if I'd been struck by lightning.
Seventh Master was released the very next day? And he named me?
"How is that possible?!"
"How the hell is it not possible?"
Song Xiaotian sounded frustrated too. "My contacts have checked everything out. They could've pulled some strings and gotten your friend out, but then that old man confessed and implicated you too. Now it's complicated. We might not be able to get him out."
"The police are looking for you now. You're going to be arrested too..."
I nearly fainted.
I'd gone away for one trip and come back to find someone had sold me out.
Was I going to prison too?
What the hell was wrong with that old man? How could someone his age have so little loyalty or honor?
Before you continue