Chapter 6, The Disappearance of the Father

Li Weixi slowly walked into the room, checked his father's bedding and wardrobe, and found nothing unusual. He touched the items his father had used, then turned to the coat hanging in the corner, which he had bought for his father before going to the United States. It was a gray cashmere sweater knitted from soft yarn, looking elegant and gentle when worn.

What if you were not there last night

Li Weixi looked at Yan Zi and asked, "Are the Wang family the ones at the end of the second floor?"

He is referring to situations similar to that of a van, where supplies and daily necessities are often delivered at night. Due to the unpredictable timing, he has to open the door at whatever time they arrive

Wu Cong's anger had not subsided, "As a psychologist, you lack even this little bit of patience! The last case of Guo Hongquan also occurred because you did not attend to Wei Lei's emotions in a timely manner. I think you are truly unsuitable for this profession; you should prepare to leave!"

Li Weixi's gaze was half lowered, and his complexion turned cold again. Judging by his expression, what he said was indeed true; it seems that his father's disappearance has nothing to do with him.

Li Weixi said meaningfully: "Like an ear"

Swallow pushed the door open and entered, glanced at Grandma Wang, and then said to Li Weixi: "The item you asked me to find, I could not locate it"

Night has fallen, and the apartment that was originally supposed to be locked has added an extra layer of protection due to the disappearance of Li Weixi's father. A nurse has been specifically assigned to stand guard in the courtyard, marking the first time in the history of this aging apartment that it remains brightly lit throughout the night. The director sighs repeatedly; having been established for several decades, this nursing home is experiencing such an event for the first time, which is truly distressing.

Robbery? Kidnapping?" Song Zhaixing looked at Li Weixi

Grandma Wang lowered her head and said, "We parted ways after having dinner."

She tugged at the corner of his clothes, crying and pleading, her face resembling a pear blossom drenched in rain, her voice hoarse from calling out. Wu Cong initially intended to leave, but as he watched Hu Li continuously apologize and admit her mistakes, his previously tense expression softened, and his heart followed suit.

Song Zhaixing let out a sigh. The house was too old, lacking surveillance, and given that it was a patient, it was difficult to distinguish between a runaway and a kidnapping nowadays. It seemed that finding his father's whereabouts would be a challenging task for the time being

Just let Guo Xiaohan fill it out by himself, and do not interrupt. After Guo Xiaohan has completed it, you can come to find me again

Song Zhaixing received a phone call from Yun Yuehua. In the call, her voice was anxious and urgent, repeatedly inquiring about the news of Li Weixi's father, even expressing a desire to visit the sanatorium in person. Song Zhaixing first calmed her down and promised to convey the latest news to her at any time. Only then did Yun Yuehua feel somewhat reassured, continuously entrusting Song Zhaixing with the care of Li Weixi's emotions, as her greatest concern remained Li Weixi.

Grandma Wang did not pay any attention to Grandpa Wang, but she moved to the side of the table, poured three cups of water, and handed them to Li Weixi, Yan Zi, and Song Zhaixing

Just as Song Zhaixing was about to step out the door, her foot had already moved forward, but upon hearing her words, she was forcibly pulled back.

She quickly moved away from him and apologized shyly. Just as she was about to leave, unexpectedly, he pulled her back.

She hurriedly urged him to leave, saying, "Children with ADHD, why don't you go and see how their focus training is progressing?"

Li Weixi naturally blocked her, "My father usually has a good relationship with you, right?"

You accompany me to the sanatorium. My father has gone missing

Grandma Wang was taken aback for a moment before handing him the cup in her hand. However, at the age of sixty, her hands appeared extremely rough, covered with scars and wrinkles

The swallow shook its head, "I completely do not understand, nor do I know if this can be considered abnormal"

Guo Hongquan nodded slightly, his fingers instinctively scratching his back, as if it still itched there. After the Wei Lei incident, his words suddenly became few, allowing Hu Li to become anxious and agitated, yet he showed no reaction at all

There had been no sound from the other side for a long time, and Hu Li furrowed her brow, "Hello? This is Jingda Hospital."

Last night we were still having dinner together, and I don't know how to say it, but it just disappeared

Wu Cong coldly said: "I have the right to bring you in, and I also have the right to dismiss you"

Li Weixi continued, "This symptom is called 'selective deafness', which is a psychological disorder. There is no damage to the organs, but one simply does not wish to hear another person speak, and the ears automatically and selectively block out the sound."

Grandma Wang smiled gently, her demeanor exceptionally kind, "Is there really such a disease? I am old and have never heard of it before"

Suddenly, the phone rang in the measurement room, and Hu Li snapped back to attention and pressed the answer button

The room was in complete disarray, and all the money was gone

"But that doesn't mean Dr. Song is always right, does it?" Hu Li said defiantly, "Even Dr. Li cannot guarantee that he is 100% correct, so why should we have to obey Dr. Song's words unconditionally? I am here for an internship, not to be her slave. Moreover, regarding Guo Hongquan's case, we should at least ask the patient if they want to do a self-assessment. Why should we just do it because she says so? If it were a patient without money, they would suddenly have to pay several hundred more for the assessment fee. Would she cover that?"

Guo Hongquan was slightly taken aback, "Yes, indeed."

Grandma Wang still kept her head down, not responding to him. The bottom of the wheelchair scraped against the floor, making a hissing sound. Due to Grandpa Wang's movements, the wheelchair became increasingly difficult to control, making it even harder for Grandma Wang to push. Song Zhaixing sighed, and when he turned back, he saw Li Weixi gently touching the broken heart-shaped pattern on the wall, lost in thought.

Li Weixi's complexion showed a hint of chill, "Who has the key to the apartment?"

Song Zhaixing followed Li Weixi over and also saw those heart-shaped scratches, frowning slightly, "Has your father regained consciousness?"

The swallow had been waiting at the door, and when Li Weixi appeared, it hurriedly approached to explain, "I personally saw him fall asleep last night, and when I looked again this morning, there was no one in the room."

Grandfather Wang's expression was indifferent, and his long eyes revealed a hint of hostility. He did not respond to her for a while. Grandmother Wang stood up and slowly said to Song Zhaixing: "There is nothing unusual, it is the same as before"

General Sun snorted coldly, "Who else could be here if I am not? Moreover, with so many vehicles coming and going, what if..."

The scene, oh the scene, it is all gone

The blanket on his legs fell off, and Grandma Wang squatted down to pick it up for him. Taking the opportunity, Grandpa Wang raised his hand and struck her on the back, delivering blow after blow, "You can't do anything right! Can't do anything right! If it weren't for you, our son wouldn't have died! It's all your fault!"

However, just as she finished speaking, Wu Cong happened to come in and, with a cold expression, asked her: "Who are you calling crazy?"

Song Zhaixing and Li Weixi stood by the door, watching Grandma Wang silently massage Grandpa Wang's legs and feet in his wheelchair, while Grandpa Wang incessantly chattered, endlessly criticizing her. According to Yan Zi, the two were of similar age, both in their sixties, but Grandpa Wang appeared older, likely due to having just undergone surgery.

However, he has now seemingly become Lin Guan's boyfriend, which has left Song Zhaixing feeling somewhat unaccustomed

Bai'an Sanatorium, behind the main entrance, is surrounded by a sea of bamboo, with the chill of winter striking directly at one’s face

Grandma Wang did not respond to him, nor did she make any movement, still sitting blankly in her original spot

Song Zhaixing was taken aback, "General Sun?"

"With such little evidence, it is indeed difficult to make a judgment." Song Zhaixing exclaimed, "Winter is dry, and fires are inevitable. However, even if there was a fire, it seems it was extinguished in time."

The gaze followed the scratches all the way down to the table leg, where the gap between the pillow and the table was filled with a wall covered in broken heart shapes, overlapping and densely packed. It was evident that these had been etched by my father’s fingernails, sharp and slender, mostly depicting half hearts, which was a sight that evoked sadness.

General Sun raised his eyes slightly and said, "It should be around twelve o'clock"

Song Zhaixing let out a sound of "Eh," took out his phone from his coat pocket, and saw the text message that had come in on the screen

The swallow quietly told them on one side: "Since Grandfather Wang became paralyzed, his temper has been poor, and he scolds Grandmother Wang every day. They have no children, and it is all Grandmother Wang who takes care of him, yet he is still not satisfied"

Her tone of speech is strange, and she herself does not know what is going on; it is awkward and completely beyond her control

The swallow closed the door again, and the room fell silent once more. Grandma Wang slowly stood up, intending to leave. Li Weixi said nothing, watching Grandma Wang walk step by step towards the door

There are five of us. General Sun raised his head and said, "The Wang couple, Yan Zi, your father, and I, often we five eat together."

Li Weixi brought Song Zhaixing to the wall, where the red bricks had turned green and were already quite worn. The wall was about one and a half meters high, making it easy for an adult to climb over. Some broken bricks were piled in the corner, remnants of the wall's surface that had peeled off over the years due to wind and rain, collected and stacked by the caretakers.

Li Weixi raised his head, his gaze fixed intensely on her, "Go call Yan Zi, I have something to discuss with her"

The stern reprimand left Hu Li's face pale, and he quickly explained: "Director, I truly did not mean to do it. The person on the other end of the phone was silent for so long that I thought it was a prank."

Li Weixi pointed at those patterns and said to Song Zhaixing: "Half a heart, what does it resemble?"

He silently stared at her for a long time, until her voice trembled, and she asked him shakily: "May I have a glass of water?"

Hu Li was in a panic and quickly hung up the phone, saying, "I, I didn't."

General Sun said with a bitter smile: "He has had the key for a long time; I lost to him in Go six months ago."

Grandma Wang paused, her hand that was resting on the doorknob slowly fell down. She turned around, her smile vanished, and she looked at him with a gloomy expression.

Just as Grandma Wang was about to open the door, Li Weixi suddenly stood up and shouted at her back: "The piece of clothing you burned is a sweater"

Song Zhaixing suddenly thought, "National Ear Care Day is on March 3, right?"

Did Grandma Wang give him a shoulder massage

Where have you been

He breathed slightly unevenly, staring blankly at the pitch-black night outside the window. Even the clues here had been severed.

The palm-sized wall is covered with broken heart shapes. At first, he always thought this was his father's random doodling out of disappointment in him. Now, upon reflection, perhaps this pattern holds significant meaning.

Li Weixi sniffed his palm and after a while said coldly: "There is very little ash"

"Last time you also came out to seek peace and quiet." Song Zhaixing felt a pang in her heart and couldn't help but blurt out, "You said we were going to the psychiatric department together, but isn't it just to avoid Lin Guan? We can't keep using me as a decoy every time, can we?"

It would have been better if he hadn't reminded me; now that I think about it, Song Zhaixing suddenly shivered: "Does this mean that... it's about to happen?"

The key in the apartment hallway, is it the one you gave to my father

What does it mean

The two individuals passed by room 202 without stopping, continuing on towards room 216. The voice of Grandpa Wang could be heard shouting continuously: "My shoulder hurts, rub it for me! Hurry up and rub it for me!"

After a long while, he finally managed to speak with difficulty, leaving Song Zhaixing momentarily bewildered

Wen Jing did not notice her change, and then said: "Guo Hongquan's case is definitely not an isolated incident; in the future, there will be more patients with this situation. Do whatever Dr. Song asks you to do, and do not voice so many opinions."

There was no sound coming from the phone. Hu Li glanced at the microphone and muttered under her breath, "Crazy person"

Wen Jing smiled meaningfully and said, "It is indeed wise to listen to Doctor Song."

The elderly man on the bed is not yet in his sixties, yet he appears completely dazed, with his eyes closed in the darkness, continuously murmuring: "Soon, soon..."

Director Yun has asked you to find time to give her a call

First, go find General Sun to have a chat

When is it inappropriate to speak during the Minor Cold?

Li Weixi took the empty glass, and Grandma Wang looked at her own hand and muttered: "He hit it. The old fool."

The two of them walked from the north side of the wall to the south side, ultimately stopping at the broken bricks. Song Zhaixing tiptoed up, tried for a long time, and finally jumped down in disappointment.

Only the room at the end is occupied by a couple, while the rest are single rooms

In the psychology department, Hu Li was at a loss while holding Guo Hongquan's measurement chart

You have wanted to kill Uncle Wang for a long time, haven't you? You just need to prepare well, after all, it is not that easy to kill him.

Does my father often go to the bamboo sea?

The afternoon breeze caressed the surface of the Emerald Lake, creating ripples that echoed, while the sun cast its golden rays, spreading over the vast bamboo sea and the treetops. The entire sanatorium once again fell into silence, as groups of elderly ladies and gentlemen returned to their apartments for a midday rest, leaving the path deserted.

"No, it's the same as usual." After a moment of thought, Yan Zi added, "I often mumble 'It's coming soon, it's coming soon' before going to bed every night, but it doesn't make me any clearer; I just keep on murmuring like that."

Song Zhaixing hurried to catch up, and it took the two of them almost more than half an hour to finally emerge completely. As the sky darkened, just when they were about to give up entirely, Li Weixi discovered dark gray marks at the base of a bamboo, as if it had been burned by someone

Li Weixi supported her. She hunched her body, lowered her head, and her frail arms rested against his long fingers, making him realize just how thin she truly was

After spending several days together, Song Zhaixing understood that Li Weixi had discovered something about Grandma Wang; otherwise, he would not have repeatedly asked her the same question. She followed Li Weixi as he walked outside, but saw him lean against the wall, nearly stumbling.

Song Zhaixing called Hu Li over, "Also conduct an evaluation for Guo Hongquan. Please send the evaluation results to my office."

A commotion was heard in the corridor. Song Zhaixing looked outside and saw Grandma Wang pushing Grandpa Wang, who was just coming this way.

Due to Jian Yifan's insistence, Song Zhaixing simply took a break at home, only daring to come to work after her wound had formed a scab. Fortunately, it did not injure the bone, and Song Zhaixing was not concerned about the long scar, as she had many similar wounds on her body. However, before she even reached the office, news about Li Weixi and Lin Guan had already come flooding in from all directions.

The little nurse nodded and said, "This is indeed the strangest part. He truly disappeared from his own room"

The swallow did not even turn its head, and the sound resonated throughout the entire hall

Li Weixi pondered for a moment, and his feet had already begun to move.

General Sun said, "Hey, there is no fixed point. Even if I lie down to sleep, if someone comes, I still have to get up to open the door"

He slowly stood up and gently called to her: "Let's go. Call General Sun over to take a look."

Before Li Weixi could speak, Yan Zi was already astonished, "Have you ever been clear-headed? Never. I have always been in a state of confusion, as if I couldn't understand anything others were saying."

Li Weixi asked her: "Is there anything missing?"

"Thank you very much, just scold me a little less on ordinary days," Hu Li murmured as she turned around.

I cannot say this; it is a personal matter of mine

Swallow introduced him, "Uncle Sun, this is Old Gu's son"

It was Li Weixi's idea to bring Grandma Wang to room 202, with the aim of giving Yan Zi time to search room 216. He needed to find a piece of clothing that had not been completely burned, but unfortunately, Yan Zi found nothing.

"Ahem." Song Zhaixing attempted to interrupt the prince, "Did you notice anything unusual when you met with Old Gu last night?"

Swallow explained: "Uncle Sun is well-versed in military affairs, often mentioning revolution, troops, and strategy. General is his nickname, and everyone in the courtyard calls him that"

Wen Jing sighed, "I find that you are just stubborn. Patients come to the hospital for treatment, yet they are afraid of spending a few hundred yuan? Instead of wasting time on this, you might as well learn more professional knowledge."

Before leaving, General Sun specifically instructed him: "This sanatorium is situated at a relatively high elevation, while the walls of the bamboo forest are built low. I inspected it this morning and found nothing particularly unusual; however, if someone does not exit through the main gate, the walls of the bamboo forest provide the most convenient exit"

Song Zhaixing opened his mouth, hesitated to speak, and finally said: "Since General Sun cannot inquire, now only Grandma Wang can ask. She does not seem to be a bad person; perhaps there are hidden circumstances that led her to lie to us"

Li Weixi subconsciously touched the phone in his pocket, and just like before, there was no response at all

He had not finished speaking when Li Weixi immediately interrupted him, "You have been stationed at the gate for many years, so you must be well aware of the vehicles that come at night. As for the only variable, the van, you must have contacted the driver to ensure he arrives before 12:00. The sanatorium is so remote and sparsely populated that there are no variables left; you need not worry any further."

Uncle Sun quickly grabbed him, his throat trembling violently

As he walked along the wall, memories of his father flooded his mind. He recalled the time when, at the age of ten, a crowd gathered at his doorstep, cursing and berating his father; he remembered the journalists' insulting reports and mockery directed at his father; he thought of the colleagues in the hospital who took advantage of his father's misfortunes, and the neighbors who avoided him. Amidst these memories, his fingertips grazed the rough and damp wall, a wave of bitterness surged in his throat, until the tip of his index finger touched some even coarser scratches, a chill seeped into his heart, and he suddenly came to his senses.

Song Zhaixing had been quietly listening all along, and even when she received a text message from Jian Yifan, she did not reply. She remained in a daze, fixated on the two words "Gu Lao" that Yan Zi had mentioned at the beginning, until Li Weixi turned around to look at her. She hurriedly stepped forward and cautiously asked: "Does your father have the surname Gu? Which Gu? Aren't you surnamed Li?"

Li Weixi moved a little closer to Grandma Wang and gently asked her: "Has my father ever been awake?"

The caregiver, Yanzi, tucked the corners of the blanket for the elderly person in bed, placed the medication in the drawer, and finally checked the ventilation pipe and the window before安心ly turning off the light and leaving

At the Baian Sanatorium, several individuals knocked on the door of apartment 216

Song Zhaixing looked at General Sun, somewhat puzzled by his words, and asked: "Uncle Sun, until what time will you be on duty tonight?"

General Sun raised his head and replied to him: "You asked this in the morning, it was when you met him together with the Wang couple."

Hu Li was almost on her knees begging him, crying out for mercy, "I was wrong, Director, I truly did not mean to. Next time, I will definitely treat the patients well, I will never bring you shame again"

Li Weixi leaned against the bamboo forest, the wind blowing across his back, bringing him a tremendous chill. He turned around, gazing at the clusters of bamboo behind him, as well as the narrow path trampled by footsteps beneath the bamboo leaves. Suddenly, his forehead furrowed tightly, and he slowly walked towards the center of the bamboo sea

General Sun, at first glance, appeared to have never served in the military. He was short and stout, with a notably large head, resembling a big rubber ball perched atop a short wooden stump. However, his expression was kind, and as he approached to greet them, a string of keys hanging from his waist clinked noisily.

Song Zhaixing listened in a daze until Jian Yifan said he was thirsty, at which point her ears finally found peace

Swallow hurriedly entered through the main door, running up to the second floor. Song Zhaixing quickly asked her: "What did Li Weixi ask you to find?"

Six months ago, my father had not yet developed dementia, and Li Weixi had never considered returning from the United States. If it had not been for the news of my father's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, he might never have returned to the country.

Hu Li curled her lips, refraining from commenting on her words

Li Weixi: "It may also be due to the burning of other substances, which have caused the smoke to rise."

As soon as he finished speaking, General Sun's expression immediately fell, and he slumped down onto the chair, letting out a heavy sigh

That was a classic micro-expression of lying. Li Weixi felt a sinking sensation in his heart and continued to ask: "After my father went missing, Uncle must have searched the nursing home several times, right?"

Li Weixi handed her the cup at hand, and she drank the water slowly, remaining silent once again

Li Weixi's father has been missing without a trace, and the caregivers are still checking every corner in the middle of the night. Song Zhaixing followed Li Weixi throughout the entire nursing home, yet they found nothing. Regardless of whether his father was kidnapped or wandered off on his own, the disappearance of a patient suffering from dementia for 24 hours is a serious matter, as the mortality rate significantly increases, and it is highly likely that what they will find is his father's corpse. Everyone's face is shrouded in a layer of sorrow, unsure of what to do.

Li Wei looked at her with a half-smile, saying, "I thought you could help me"

Li Weixi slowly released her, walked back to Song Zhaixing's side, and spoke coldly: "Let's go."

Li Weixi looked at him and asked, "What time did Uncle go to bed last night?"

My father had been constantly saying that it was getting late, getting late

Song Zhaixing walked in and looked at the expressionless Guo Hongquan and Guo Xiaohan, who was completely "at a loss for words" standing beside him. He frowned slightly and gently asked him: "How long has your back been itching?"

Did he serve in the military

Li Weixi asked her softly: "Was the last time you saw my father last night during dinner?"

Did the surveillance at the main gate capture my uncle leaving

Close to 1:00 AM, in the disordered Room 202, there were only Li Weixi and Grandma Wang.

Song Zhaixing let out a sigh, momentarily at a loss for words

Li Weixi quietly looked at her for a few seconds, the corners of her lips curling up as she repeatedly apologized, "It was my lack of consideration that caused you trouble. After I find my father, I will properly thank you. Is that acceptable?"

The surroundings fell silent all at once, and Song Zhaixing asked him: "It has been an entire day, and there haven't been any extortion or blackmail calls, has there?"

She flipped through several pages of the attendance sheet and finally found Gu Yongbai's signature at the end. The tension in her heart suddenly eased, yet there lingered a hint of regret. Her intuition always led her to believe that Li Weixi had not revealed the true name of Old Gu, but now it seemed that she had overthought it.

In a low and subdued tone, there was an underlying sense of restraint, as if there were many words that were difficult to express. Song Zhaixing looked at his tightly furrowed brow, feeling a twinge of worry in her heart. The sunlight above was even more intense, and the sound of the wind by the lakeshore was faint and distant, leaving one to wonder if his father would still be able to find him

Hu Li paused for a few seconds, then approached her and said: "The director mentioned that we cannot conduct assessments for ordinary people casually, and the additional costs are difficult to reimburse"

Li Weixi weakly waved his hand and said to her: "She is lying. My father must have seen her before he went missing"

Song Zhaixing looked at the signature for a while, then leaned forward to ask the nurse: "Gu Yongbai returned to his room at a quarter past eight last night?"

Grandma Wang moved slightly and shook her head

Swallow: "I have one here, and there is another one at the gate with General Sun."

"Did you sneak home?" Song Zhaixing asked

Song Zhaixing let out a sigh, as the clues here had also come to an end

Grandfather Wang began to mumble: "When someone asks you what time it is, what nonsense are you talking about? Whether you listen or not, everything is your business. Hurry and pour me a glass of water, I am thirsty!"

Where can we go!" The swallow stamped her feet anxiously

Hu Li murmured a few times, reluctantly going to fetch the measuring instrument for Guo Hongquan

The sound of the swallow diminished, "There is only one surveillance camera at the main entrance, most of the other cameras are broken and have not been repaired in time"

Guo Hongquan slowly raised his head, the lean chin still bearing the wound inflicted by Wei Lei's cut. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke softly: "It has been half a month, hasn't it"

Wen Jing finally sent off the last patient, and Hu Li hurriedly approached her and asked, "Guo Hongquan is actually suffering from severe anxiety? What is going on?"

Li Weixi stepped forward and asked again, "What time did you last see my father last night?"

Li Weixi touched the cracked heart-shaped patterns on the wall and softly said, "I always thought that I had hurt my father's heart, which is why he was so disappointed in me. It seems now that these patterns may not only mean that."

If you still do not want to admit it, just call the van driver and you will know. You must have contacted him yesterday

At that moment, there was a knock at the door, it was Swallow

Swallow shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, "I have checked everywhere, there is no trace of Uncle at all. It's as if he has evaporated from the world, just disappeared like that. He is also suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which is truly concerning"

Li Weixi remained silent, raising his hand to gently wipe the bamboo stem, and his fingers were immediately stained with a layer of black. He then spread his hand open and touched the fallen leaves beneath the bamboo stem, even his palm was covered with a layer of dust

Hu Li was more surprised, "On the surface, Guo Hongquan seems to be fine, how did she know to investigate him? Moreover, every time she investigates, she gets it right, it's truly remarkable"

The Bai'an Sanatorium is located adjacent to the Forest Park and the Reclining Buddha Temple, surrounded by numerous old buildings. At night, it transforms into a particularly tranquil and serene environment. The grounds feature gently rolling hills, with vast expanses of bamboo groves, and the forest is dotted with pavilions, lotus ponds, winding corridors, and pathways. A jade-green lake runs through the area, connecting the library, chess room, and restaurant, adding a unique charm to the entire sanatorium.

The old prince, in a fit of anger, shouted at her from his wheelchair: "Are you out of your mind! I asked you to pour me a glass of water! If you have any grievances, just vent them on me!"

Lin Guan, who claims to be Li Weixi's girlfriend, comes from a wealthy family and enjoys favorable conditions. She is attentive to Li Weixi, frequently bringing soup and water to the department, and even pays attention to the patients under his care. She personally goes to the treatment room to check on each patient, clarifying that she is Li Weixi's girlfriend, which has garnered her countless envious glances and, in turn, received everyone's blessings

Hmm? It seems, it seems there isn't any

Hu Li's tears fell all at once, repeatedly pleading with him: "Director, I truly know I was wrong. I will definitely work hard! Please do not dismiss me; I have only just arrived not long ago. I beg you for another chance."

The ever-busy Wenjing quickly came out to pull Hu Li, "If you are told to do it, just do it. There are no ordinary people."

Li Weixi once again sat in his father's room. At this moment, he was sweating lightly, and his usually calm and serene face showed a rare sense of panic

Li Weixi supported himself with one hand on the table, his clear face becoming even more pale under the illumination of the indoor lights. He sat upright, half-leaning on the chair that belonged to General Sun, which was an old-fashioned stool that was not comfortable to sit on.

Hu Li held a stack of documents in her hand, her tone quite anxious, urging Guo Hongquan to fill out the form quickly

Li Weixi circled two half hearts from the chaotic patterns, connecting them vertically, and then asked her: "How about this?"

Song Zhaixing felt a bit bewildered, not understanding why he was so concerned about this place. A slight grayish-black mark appeared rather ordinary in the bamboo forest, and she truly could not see any connection to her father's disappearance

The old prince hung his head and continued to scold her: "Walking so slowly, it's no wonder you lost your son!"

Li Weixi slowly stood up, fixing his gaze intently on General Sun

Song Zhaixing nodded slightly, feeling somewhat dejected, as if unwilling to accept the situation, and asked, "Why did you bring me here?" Jian Yifan replied, "Lin Guan is waiting for you in the department."

The surveillance footage once again played the recordings from after 11 PM last night, showing several vehicles entering one after another, and there was no further movement at the gate. The last vehicle to enter was a van, which, when it came through the gate, drove on the right side, revealing more than half of its body, and then slowly disappeared from the camera's view. General Sun sighed and lamented, "Have you seen the bamboo sea's surrounding wall? It's such a small area, how can a person just vanish without a trace?"

Just when Li Weixi thought she was going to continue speaking, Grandma Wang suddenly changed her tone and retorted, "Isn't it normal for couples to have their disagreements and arguments? However, the thought of killing someone, I truly do not have that. In the future, please do not speak such nonsense."

General Sun paused and said, "Because... it is the most convenient place to go out from there"

Song Zhaixing hurried to help him, "What happened? Where do you feel unwell?"

Li Wei replied to her after a while: "Let's talk about it once there is a result."

You appear to be reckless and careless, yet in reality, you are meticulous and cautious. The furnishings in the room lean towards a modern minimalist style, but the chair you are sitting on is an old wooden one, indicating that you are an extremely disciplined person who wants everything under your control. Yan Zi mentioned that you are a military enthusiast; you cannot be unaware of the geographical situation and operational environment in the courtyard. You deliberately had us check the low wall to divert our attention from the flaw at the gate. The reason for the flaw is that you were not here at all after midnight last night.

Wen Jing gestured for her to lower her voice, "After studying psychology for so many years, do you still not understand that a person's psychological issues cannot solely be attributed to the patient? The environment and family relationships can also have an impact on the patient. In the future, you should listen more to what the doctors say; it will be beneficial for your internship"

When it came to serious matters, she noticed that Li Weixi's complexion had turned a few shades paler.

Li Weixi had long arranged a room for Song Zhaixing to rest for a while, and she came here in the middle of the night solely to clarify a matter

It has been confirmed that my father is not at home

Upon reaching the second floor, the corner revealed Room 202. Yanzi hurriedly opened the door, and indeed, as she had described, the small room was in complete disarray. The bedding had fallen to the floor, and the rough walls carried a damp odor. The chaotic scene made it hard to imagine what her father had experienced the previous night

His expression was extremely fierce at that moment. Song Zhaixing was just about to step forward to defend Grandma Wang a few words when he was abruptly pulled back by Li Weixi. Looking at Grandma Wang again, she had already poured another cup of water and handed it to Grandpa Wang. Only then did he relent, snorting coldly through his nose, showing his disdain for Grandma Wang

Li Weixi was momentarily taken aback, then gently said to her: "I take my mother's surname. My father's surname is Gu, and his name is Gu Yongbai"

Then why do you want to go to the bamboo sea wall

Song Zhaixing: "Is it fast? What does this mean?"

Only then did she see the unease and panic surging beneath his silent expression

Wen Jing finished speaking and went to the office, leaving Hu Li standing alone in place for a long time, feeling quite uncomfortable. She turned around, put down the measuring instrument, and picked up a thick stack of materials that Li Wei Xi had given her, her lips gradually regaining a smile. The materials still bore Li Wei Xi's clear and powerful handwriting, which was a very beautiful semi-cursive script. As Hu Li touched those characters, she felt much comforted in her heart.

Li Weixi's eyes misted over as he took a breath and looked down at the hem of his pants. The clock ticked away the seconds, and he spoke again: "How long has it been since you last heard Uncle Wang speak?"

This is not how it should be filled out, look at you, you've wasted another sheet.

Li Weixi was not surprised by her answer; he also smiled, softly, like the moonlight in the courtyard

Before Li Weixi could speak, Song Zhaixing instead smiled and pointed to the place where the van appeared in the surveillance footage, saying: "If we are talking about the most convenient way to exit, it would certainly be easiest to go out through the main gate, right? The camera cannot capture the entire main gate at all. Doesn't the uncle at the gate know this?"

Twilight descends. The bamboo forest sways with the wind, fallen leaves cover the ground, and the afterglow of the setting sun gradually fades at the horizon

Hu Li was somewhat angry, but seeing Guo Hongquan with his head down and sulking, she did not want to continue her outburst. She turned around and took an extra watch for him, placing it in the corner of the table

The clock pointed to 10:20 PM, and the swallow yawned before going downstairs to close the last door of the apartment

Grandma Wang twitched the corners of her lips slightly, her voice low, "Before he became senile, he looked forward to your visits every day"

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Li Weixi stroked his jaw, his slender fingertips gliding over his thin lips

Li Weixi expressed his gratitude. The swallow turned and walked ahead, leading him to find Grandma Wang and Grandpa Wang

Li Weixi walked to the door, glanced at the layout of the corridor, and then examined all the rooms on the second floor, asking her: "Is it one room per person?"

Li Weixi noticed that his eyes dimmed, displaying a look of silent endurance, and his voice softened somewhat

Wen Jing frowned slightly at her unfriendly tone and said, "Why are you always arguing with others, you girl? I am doing this for your own good"

After several days apart, he still carries a faint fragrance, his brows and eyes are clear, warm, and clean

Song Zhaixing let out a sigh, just as he was about to head to the office, he saw Guo Hongquan with Guo Xiaohan in the measurement room

It was already late at night, and this was undoubtedly an "interrogation." In the end, Grandma Wang, feeling exhausted, asked him: "If there is nothing else, I would like to go back to sleep."

Song Zhaixing looked at Yan Zi and said, "Is there surveillance? Check the footage from last night."

Nursing apartment, second floor, room 202

Upon entering through the main gate, the roads on both sides are lined with ginkgo and dawn redwood trees, which remain lush and green even in winter. The cobblestones embedded in the ground have been polished by the passage of time, appearing as white and smooth as jade, extending all the way to the nursing center. Under the illumination of the streetlights, they emit a soft, hazy glow. The garden is rich in greenery, with the shadows of wild geese resembling silver threads, flowing gently and continuously.

Song Zhaixing had many questions she wanted to ask him, but seeing Li Weixi, who was walking in front, with a grave expression and a distracted demeanor, she forcibly held back her curiosity. After quickening her pace and catching up to him, she saw that "General Sun" had already been waiting for them at the entrance.

Li Weixi looked up at her and asked, "Has my father been acting unusually lately?"

His voice was gentle and clear, like the morning dew lightly swaying the branches and leaves. Song Zhaixing suddenly felt a sense of relief, casting aside all the words Jian Yifan had said to herself that morning into the clouds. She secretly sighed, realizing that her own abilities were no match for this great Buddha.

Song Zhaixing nodded slightly, and just then, her phone received a text message. She instinctively reached for it, but the flashlight slipped from her hand and fell to the ground, rolling twice before hitting the charred bamboo stalk nearby. Song Zhaixing bent down and brushed aside the leaves around her, finally picking up the flashlight that was covered in dust. Meanwhile, Li Weixi, who was standing nearby, hesitated several times to speak, and only sighed when Song Zhaixing looked over at him blankly.

The swallow shook its head, "He is simply interested in the military, but it seems he has never served in the army."

Yan Zi made a sound of acknowledgment. Li Wei Xi then asked General Sun a few more questions, ultimately deciding to pay a visit to the couple to see if he could obtain some useful information

At a loss for words, it was also difficult to attach any additional meaning to his father, who had been diagnosed with dementia. Li Weixi remained silent for a moment before asking, "Is the apartment locked at night?"

The swallow nodded on one side, "I want to feed Uncle, Grandma Wang wants to feed Grandpa Wang, so we often stay together"

Song Zhaixing found it very strange, "Is someone burning something against the bamboo?"

Guo Hongquan looked at the little person beside him and sighed, "It has been more than twenty days."

Li Weixi remained silent for a moment before saying to her: "Just now, Deputy Director Wu told me that the psychology department's office received a phone call, but the other party did not speak at all."

He does not allow me to tell you

Li Weixi asked him: "How many of you had dinner together?"

General Sun, however, remained unperturbed and retorted: "You mentioned the main entrance; previously, some doctors were playing football and accidentally knocked the camera slightly askew. I later reviewed the surveillance footage and found that the change in perspective was minimal, so I did not bother to adjust it again. If Old Gu were to go out, even if the camera in the blind spot could not capture him, I would still be able to see him from here"

Li Weixi breathed lightly and nodded. Swallow bid him good night, "At this hour, it's better to let Grandma Wang go back early."

Song Zhaixing furrowed his brows, uncertain whether this phone call had any potential connection to his father's disappearance

Swallow: "The apartment is locked every night, and in addition, the hospital's main gate is also locked. However, after asking around, no one has seen my uncle."

Did Xiao Han also check before, finding no issues at all with his body, except that he cannot speak

Li Wei comforted her: "Perhaps he got lost on his own, rather than being kidnapped"

Kyoto University Department of Psychology

Once the crowd had dispersed, Song Zhaixing quietly slipped into the nursing center's lobby and requested a hospital admission sign-in list from the on-duty nurse

Li Weixi confronted her in this manner, his fingertips pressed against the corner of the table, his gaze deep and cold.

Li Weixi narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Let's go check my father's room first."

Li Weixi shook his head and said gently: "Since she does not want to speak, asking again will not yield any results. We cannot force someone not to lie"

Song Zhaixing turned on the flashlight to shine it on him, "Accidental fire?"

Song Zhaixing stepped forward, furrowing his brow, "Crescent Moon?"

Wait for me to come back! I will return to continue gossiping with you

Song Zhaixing comforted him: "Perhaps uncle will come back by himself tonight"

Every word he spoke turned into a fist that struck Grandma Wang's back, and Song Zhaixing quickly got up to stop him, only to see Grandma Wang remain unmoved, slowly standing up, lowering her head in submission, and returning behind him, once again pushing him forward

Song Zhaixing found General Sun's words strange just now, precisely because he was clearly trying to divert their attention to the low wall by the bamboo sea, but in reality, an old man could not escape from there at all

Grandma Wang nodded

It is not possible. Even standing on these broken bricks, with the physical strength and mobility of an elderly person, it is completely impossible to turn over.

Grandma Wang's hand holding the cup trembled slightly

This is a royal decree from Gao Can, how could Jian Yifan be negligent? As soon as she mentioned it, he hurriedly ran towards the treatment room

Wu Cong, filled with anger, pointed at her and scolded: "Do you have any idea how important the phone calls to the psychiatric department are? There are calls from those contemplating suicide, those suffering from depression, and those feeling helpless. We cannot afford to miss any of these calls! What kind of work attitude is this? Do you still want to keep your job?"

Song Zhaixing furrowed his brows, feeling a knot in his heart. It was evident that Li Weixi had already noticed some clues, yet he remained oblivious, unaware of what Li intended to do, and still wanted to distance himself from the situation

Song Zhaixing did not dare to meet Li Weixi's gaze, coughed lightly, and stammered, "Trash, junk advertisement"

Several individuals were walking towards the nursing apartment, and along the way, the director specifically came over to explain that the police had already been notified, but there had been no results so far. By the time they arrived, it was already noon, and the winter sun warmly and gently illuminated the entire building. Due to age and lack of maintenance, parts of the exterior walls of the building had become mottled and peeling. Song Zhaixing found it somewhat strange that Li Weixi would place his father in this nursing home. Although the environment was serene, the location was remote with few visitors, and most of the facilities in the courtyard were quite old. He could have easily placed his father in a nursing home with better conditions.

General Sun nodded and said, "Of course. After all, we are old friends. Before your father became completely senile, I had the best relationship with him. When I heard from Yan Zi that he was missing, I immediately checked several places your father used to frequent."

After several days of tumultuous events, the psychology department finally settled down on the day when Lin Guan did not appear

General Sun swallowed and asked, "How can you be so sure?"

Song Zhaixing was even more bewildered, staring for a while, "The number 3?"

His smile was bleak and pale. Song Zhaixing realized that his words had not been effective, and quickly added, "Since Grandma Wang has something to hide from us, why don't we go find her and ask again"

No, he is not clear-headed and cannot go anywhere

Grandma Wang slowly raised her head and gazed intently at Li Weixi, before finally saying: "Your eyes resemble those of your father."

Was the last time you saw my father also when everyone was present?

Swallow listened to a few sentences through the door and only sighed and left after he fell silent. She could not understand what concerns a patient with dementia could possibly have, as he had been rambling on for the past few days, making her feel uneasy

Li Weixi took a deep breath, adjusted his sitting posture, and slowly smiled at her, saying: "There is no need to comfort me. I will find him."

Song Zhaixing originally wanted to wait for her to finish and explain a few things to her, but seeing her expression, it seemed she would not give him a chance. He simply decided to go out, only to bump straight into Li Weixi's embrace.

I was negligent for a moment, but I assure you, I truly do not know how your father disappeared