Case 5: Reincarnation

Chapter 74

On the other end of the phone, Li Luanfang said, “You, how do I say this about your dad, Little Wolf, wait a moment, your dad left a message for you, let me find it…” The old lady mumbled, “Where did I put it…”

At this point, there was a rustling sound of searching through things. Song Wen suppressed his impatience and waited. After a while, it seemed like Li Luanfang found it. She read from the note, one word at a time, “Stinky kid, your hair hasn’t even grown out yet, just obediently follow orders. The case your dad couldn’t solve back in the day, do you think it’s that easy to crack?”

The message left by Song Cheng was indeed not pleasant. Li Luanfang imitated Song Cheng’s tone, and Song Wen could almost imagine the old man blowing his mustache and staring fiercely. It amused him, and he chuckled, “That old man, why is he so sure I can’t solve the case he couldn’t? Is he afraid that if I really crack the case, he’ll lose face? Also, to prevent me from touching this case, the old man had an overnight meeting yesterday, right?”

Li Luanfang said, “Yes, he left at three in the morning.” This time was slightly later than when Song Wen received the news. It showed how much importance Song Cheng attached to this case.

After thinking for a moment, Song Wen said to Li Luanfang, “You tell that old man…”

Li Luanfang cut him off directly, “Tell what? Both of you, back and forth, do you really think I’m just a messenger? Your dad says, if you don’t listen and insist on investigating, there are two outcomes. First, he’ll come to Nancheng and have a chat with Commissioner Gu. By then, you won’t be a cop anymore. Second, he’ll transfer you to the Provincial Bureau. Choose for yourself between these two outcomes.”

With these two sentences, Song Wen’s next move was directly blocked. Moreover, these two sentences left him some face. If it really came to action, the old man had a hundred ways to deal with him. Openly, Song Wen was like Sun Wukong trapped in the palm of the Buddha, unable to escape from the Five-Finger Mountain.

Song Wen felt both anger and resentment in his heart, but he also understood that at this stage, with orders coming down layer by layer, it was impossible to reverse the decision. From the perspective of the overall situation, Song Cheng’s approach was justifiable. He just thought habitually about exchanging a few words with Song Cheng. Now, hearing Li Luanfang say this, Song Wen frowned slightly, feeling that things were not simple, “Really? Is this elderly care home case so life-threatening? Does he have something he hasn’t told me? Is there a hidden agenda behind this case?” Although Song Wen had always resisted his father’s discipline, the rebellious period had long passed. He understood his father’s temperament, and in general, Song Cheng let him do as he pleased, disdainful of interfering.

Song Cheng, a person with strong purpose in his actions, suddenly blocking like this, there must be a reason. Song Cheng probably wants to pull him out of the case at the Wushan Elderly Care Home. They haven’t pieced together the complete story yet; Xia Weizhi’s death is not that simple.

“Your dad… always keeps things to himself, never tells anyone. If you want to find out, go ask him in person.” Then Li Luanfang changed her tone and added, “I guess the case at Wushan Elderly Care Home was investigated together by the 519 Task Force back then, and there must be some involvement. Your dad, he’s sharp-tongued but kind-hearted… he cares about you.”

Song Wen chuckled, “You don’t need to waste your efforts whitewashing the old man. How did our father-son relationship come to this? You witnessed it from the beginning.”

“This time, I’m on your dad’s side.” Li Luanfang’s voice lowered, “Xiaolang, listen to your mother. Don’t touch the 519 Task Force; that case is too mysterious.”

Back then, this case almost cost her son and husband, putting the entire family in danger. Wu Qing fell from a building due to this case, and other people in the police force also died because of it. She still had lingering fears about it, and Song Wen was still young at that time, unaware of the reasons behind many things, so he didn’t understand the dangers involved.

Song Wen dismissed it, “You, a doctor, also believe in feudal superstition?” But in his heart, he was thinking that it was a case from more than a decade ago. Those bad guys, who are still alive, are just some middle-aged and elderly people. Many of them have been eliminated by time, and how much energy do they have left to stir up trouble?

Li Luanfang straightforwardly explained, “Being a criminal investigator is inherently high-risk. Your dad and I only have you as a son. You can crack any other case casually, but please, for your mother’s sake, don’t touch this matter. There’s no room for negotiation, only this case.”

After thinking for a moment, she added, “Xu Changying is your dad’s direct disciple. He has more experience than you, and everyone under his command is elite. He has solved several major cases. He will investigate this case properly. It’s all for serving the people. Isn’t that right, son?”

“In the end, it’s because he doesn’t trust me.” Song Wen muttered, but his own mother had said so much, and he didn’t want to argue with his parents.

Moreover, Lu Siyu was extremely persistent in the previous case, even to the point of obsession with some aspects of it. If creating some distance could be a good thing, Song Wen thought. Thinking of this, he turned to Li Luanfang and asked, “By the way, Mom, I have a question for you. How do you quit painkillers if you’re addicted?”

Li Luanfang’s voice trembled, “You’re not…” Being a criminal detective is a high-stress profession, often working day and night. She had always worried about Song Wen. Today, when Song Wen asked this question, it startled her.

Song Wen quickly explained, “It’s not for me, it’s for my colleague.”

Only then did Li Luanfang feel relieved and resumed her doctor’s attitude. She had worked in the emergency department before and later shifted to clinical work. She had seen various diseases and conditions. Walking while asking, she said, “How much is he taking?”

Song Wen considered for a moment, “Probably three or four times the normal amount. The name of the drug is…” He looked it up and told Li Luanfang the name.

Li Luanfang’s voice suddenly increased by eight decibels, “Isn’t this nonsense?! Does he want to die? Such a large amount, taken for a long time, will lead to addiction and drug dependence. Moreover, this drug is dominant; once taken, it makes other painkillers ineffective.”

Song Wen’s eardrums were almost pierced by her exclamation, so he quickly moved the phone away, “So isn’t this a way to quit?”

“Why is he taking the medicine? Is it for an injury or an illness?”

“Stomach illness, gastric ulcer, and he likes to endure it.”

“Then this is a slow process, and he needs proper rest.” Li Luanfang sighed, “Firstly, the medication should be kept out of his reach, not in a place he knows. This thing is like a drug; it’s addictive. Especially for someone used to taking it, at the slightest discomfort, they would want to take it. Ordinary people’s willpower can’t resist it. If you put it where he knows, he won’t be able to restrain himself from reaching for it. The second step is to control the quantity. Only give him what he says he’ll take, measured by time. And then, you have to gradually reduce it, bit by bit. If he can’t bear it, then he can take it again.”

At this point, Li Luanfang suddenly paused, realizing something and asked sensitively, “Is this colleague of yours male or female?”
*SW’s mom uses the Chinese equivalent of they/them which is also used for he.

Song Wen felt a headache. Everything somehow ended up revolving around this topic. “Male!”

Li Luanfang acknowledged with an “oh.” Her tone sounded somewhat disappointed. Perhaps it was the sixth sense of a woman; she felt that Song Wen cared particularly about this patient.

Thinking of Lu Siyu, Song Wen’s heart moved and he tentatively asked Li Luanfang, “If I find you a delicate daughter-in-law, would you be willing?”

Li Luanfang got entangled in his words and muttered softly, “Life is so short, and we should know ourselves. Just find someone similar to you; as for the rest… do I even have a say in selecting?” After finishing, she added, “You need to figure out the cause of your colleague’s illness, whether it’s physiological or psychological. Sometimes, emotional issues can’t be solved with medicine.”

Song Wen nodded, “I know.” He knew that Lu Siyu had a heavy heart, but he kept everything inside, concealing secrets that others couldn’t touch. To enter his heart, it seemed one would have to warm up the entire person.

“If you have any concerns, don’t hide them from your mom.” Li Luanfang advised, “There’s nothing that can’t be overcome. After Wu Uncle broke his leg back then, didn’t he pull through?”

As she said this, Song Wen lifted his head and saw Lu Siyu coming out of the conference room. Looking at him from a distance, with his tall and graceful figure, the sunlight shining on his delicate face gave him a pure and untainted youthfulness. It seemed like he heard the conversation and turned his head to look in their direction. Song Wen quickly spoke into the phone, “I got it. Thanks, Mom.” He hung up and walked directly towards Lu Siyu, “Why did you come out so late?”

The meeting should have ended by now. Song Wen had talked to Commissioner Gu upstairs for a while, and then made some calls. He didn’t know what Lu Siyu and Xu Changying had been discussing during this time.

Lu Siyu whispered, “Asked about some details of the previous cases. Captain Xu is not familiar with the area, so he’s investigating the situation. Also, they didn’t just summon me; several others in the team were summoned too. I didn’t tell you earlier since you weren’t here…” Then Lu Siyu glanced at Song Wen, somewhat worried, and asked, “Commissioner Gu called you… nothing serious, right?”

“Nothing important. Just afraid I couldn’t let go and hand over the case.” Song Wen waved his hand, “He didn’t expect that I was eagerly seeking this. It’s a good time to take a couple of days off and move houses.”

Suddenly removing Song Wen, the captain, from Xia Weizhi’s case made everyone in the bureau speculate excessively. However, in reality, this wasn’t some workplace upheaval; at most, it was a family dispute.

Hearing this, Lu Siyu said, “I’ve left the documents there, so I can go back later if there’s nothing else. I’ll help you move when the time comes.” Today, he was wearing a stylish white shirt with black casual cropped pants. The sleeves were slightly puffed, revealing delicate wrists and ankles.

Song Wen hurriedly said, “No need, you’re delicate and fragile. I don’t want to visit a patient in the hospital if you end up getting sick again.” Then he comforted Lu Siyu, “I don’t have much stuff; one trip will be enough. You just stay at home and wait.”

Lu Siyu agreed, and the two planned that Song Wen would go back to pack his things, and they would move to Lu Siyu’s place later. Following the plan, Song Wen’s belongings were packed in the afternoon. Suddenly living together was indeed a bit gossip-worthy, so Song Wen didn’t invite anyone and came over by himself.

Although Lu Siyu wanted to help Song Wen move, Song Wen didn’t allow it. Little Wolf, seeing Song Wen arrive, quickly got used to him and excitedly wagged his tail, bustling around the luggage.

After moving Song Wen’s things, wiping off some sweat, he saw Lu Siyu sitting on the sofa, hugging a pillow, holding a phone with a dark screen. Song Wen’s heart stirred; Lu Siyu’s state seemed a bit off. “What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”

Interrupted by his words, Lu Siyu put down his phone and took a sip of water from the cup in his hand. “Thinking about the previous case.” They had been busy day and night a few days ago, and now suddenly going from busy to leisure felt like releasing a tightened spring.

Zhang Peicai’s case had been solved, but who killed Xia Weizhi back then?

There were still many mysteries in that case, like solving the first step of a difficult problem.

Song Wen didn’t disturb Lu Siyu much; he tidied up the things in the house. Then, he solemnly collected all of Lu Siyu’s painkillers.

In the evening, Lu Siyu cooked a few dishes. Song Wen placed the bowls in the dishwasher. Lu Siyu took him up and down the stairs, explaining where everything was, how to use the washing machine, giving clear instructions. Then he said, “I don’t have any taboos. Feel free to enter the room, use anything, no need to inform me.”

The villa had a total of four bathrooms, and Song Wen didn’t know what all those bathrooms were for. Now, with just two men and a dog in the house, even if they were all using a bathroom, one could still be left empty. But having multiple bathrooms did make bathing convenient. Tired from moving, Song Wen tossed his dirty clothes into the washing machine and took a shower.

By the time it was past eleven at night, Lu Siyu was still struggling in bed, unable to sleep. The more he feared something, the more it seemed to haunt him. Since around ten in the evening, his stomach had been gradually aching. In the past, he would have easily resolved the issue with a few painkillers. However, now the medication had been taken away by Song Wen.

Just after taking a shower, Song Wen came out of the adjacent guest room. He was wearing a loose-fitting T-shirt, and his hair was still dripping wet. Seeing Lu Siyu curled up in bed, his face unusually pale, Song Wen asked, “What’s wrong? Stomach ache?”

Lu Siyu didn’t speak, closed his beautiful eyes, and gently nodded.

“Did you take the stomach medicine?”

“I did.” However, it didn’t have much effect, and the pain wasn’t severe, but enduring it was a bit irritating. Lu Siyu didn’t know if his current desire for painkillers was a physiological or psychological need.

He had been taking those pills for several years, and for him, having those pills was essential for a peaceful sleep, providing a sense of security. Suddenly, having them taken away made him feel anxious. His mind seemed to turn into a mush, and his eyes instantly reddened. Unconsciously, his fingers reached his lips, gnawing on them in confusion.

Feeling a bit sorry for him, Song Wen fetched a pill, poured warm water, and handed it to him. “Today’s dose. It’s already the maximum, can’t take more.”

Lu Siyu took the pill, his hands trembling. In the past, he used to take at least two pills, sometimes without effect, getting up to take two more. This single pill wasn’t even enough to get stuck between his teeth. However, he also knew those things were poisonous. They could numb him and help him sleep, but prolonged use could be fatal. He understood that Song Wen did it for his own good, and he needed to quit these pills for good.

With these thoughts, Lu Siyu accepted the warm water from Song Wen, closed his eyes, and swallowed the pill.

Observing him, Song Wen still felt uneasy and said, “I’ll go to bed now. If you feel uncomfortable during the night, just call me.”

Lu Siyu nodded silently, bowing his head.