Chapter 6, Shadows of the Past

"I can just take a nap here," Yan Feng said, pointing to the long bench in the interrogation room, as a multitude of entangled memories from years of inner turmoil surged to the forefront of his mind

He did not speak, only gave her a warm glance, and then listened as Gu Long patiently and meticulously inquired about the various details before and after the incident. As he listened, Yan Feng understood that the thirteen people who came to travel belonged to the same company, and there were six others staying at a nearby small inn, and they had been trying to bully the girl named Cheng Linglong from the beginning to the end.

"Have you forgotten me?" The beloved said as usual: "You promised you wouldn't forget me."

As soon as he entered, Yan Feng immediately spotted Linglong among the eight people. Seeing that she had already put on her clothes, his jacket and shoes were neatly arranged on her lap.

He coaxed and frightened these few individuals, successfully escorting them out of the police station. As Linglong passed by Yan Feng, she handed him the clothes and shoes she was holding, expressing her gratitude with a heartfelt thank you

He spoke while gazing out the window. In a moment of distraction, the feeling of being watched, which could arise at any time and in any place, returned to him, as if it were a question of conscience, prompting him to swiftly erase the delicate figure from his mind

Yan Feng was startled, abruptly opening his eyes. Before him, the woman's body was rapidly decaying, and on her neck, there was a man's head

"Alright, don't get agitated. However, we do not have a forensic expert here at www.hetushucomcom; we need to go to the city for that. But rest assured, I know that forensic officer; she is top-notch in her field and has been invited to guide work in many provinces and cities. She will definitely not miss a single clue of criminal evidence."

"Wrong! Wrong!" he shouted as he lunged forward, while Yan Feng suddenly awoke, realizing that the morning sunlight was shining on his face

This aroused his protective instinct to support the weak against the strong, prompting him to interject and inquire about the details of the story told by those individuals. He questioned how it was such a coincidence that a horror story was recounted just before a murder occurred, persistently asking what they did after leaving that independent cabin. This created immense psychological pressure on them, as if the police suspected that their prior narrative was related to the case, causing them to frantically explain.

Here she comes again! Yan Feng thought weakly

The straight yet sorrowful tone of the beloved continued softly, causing Yan Feng to fall into self-reproach in his sleep. He wanted to shout, but could not; he wanted to move, yet felt as if his body were encased in ice, rendering him completely immobile

She understands that your earlier questioning was an outlet for your frustration! So, what do you think, will you consider it?

I apologize, I am a bit confused

"Smart girl!" Gu Long kicked Yan Feng lightly, signaling him to put on his shoes. From the crime scene to here, one unexpected event after another, Yan Feng had not had the opportunity to find a pair of shoes to wear.

The woman chuckled softly, kissing Yan Feng's face with all her tenderness, caressing his body, and then slowly unfolding into a piece of black fabric, wrapping him from head to toe.

This way, you can never escape; you will always be mine

"Old Gu, I would like to get involved in this case," Yan Feng said immediately to Gu Long after returning to the police station

Thus, he had no choice but to give up, allowing the recurring scenes to torment him once again

Gu Long was taken aback

The ancient dragon beside him certainly understood his meaning, but he also felt that those led by Song Xin were being unreasonable. Therefore, he did not stop Yan Feng, waiting until he had caused enough trouble before saying: "Let's call it a day. Thank you all for your cooperation. We have arranged accommodations for you at the town's inn, but as you know, it is currently the peak tourist season, and there is a shortage of available rooms, so the conditions may not be ideal. I apologize for that in advance. However, I hope you all will not leave the area just yet; this matter is quite suspicious, and we ask for your cooperation with our police work. We have arranged accommodations for you at the town's inn, but as you know, it is currently the peak tourist season, and there is a shortage of available rooms, so the conditions may not be ideal. I apologize for that in advance. However, I hope you all will not leave the area just yet; this matter is quite suspicious, and we ask for your cooperation with our police work. Of course, you will still be free to move around tomorrow; after all, you are not here just for a trip, right? There is still time. Xiao Liu, please escort the witnesses back to rest."

Her relatives have all passed away, and she comes to find me every year during the winter and summer vacations. We have been living together, so how could I mistake her body? Yan Feng felt a bit irritated, "She has a palm-sized red maple leaf birthmark on her left rib, and a little higher up, there is a long red mark at the root of her left breast. Ula often says that it resembles a vein of the maple leaf. Also, she has been in a car accident, and her collarbone, ribs, and arm bones have all been broken. Her blood type is AB. If your forensic expert is quick enough, you will soon know whether what I said is right or wrong!"

Because he truly does not know how to express himself. Is it because he still loves her that he cannot forget her? Or is it the relentless torment that makes it impossible for him to forget, even if he wishes to? Just as he said, he is very confused right now; he only wants to find the murderer and also wants to solve the riddle that has remained unsolved for many years

The breeze was still, and the woman in my arms chuckled softly: "This is how it should be; you belong to me alone, now and forever. No matter what I become, you will always be mine. It is you who has caused me to feel this way, so you must continue to love me always."

"Let us not even mention that we are longtime friends; even if we were complete strangers, you would still have the obligation to speak up if this matter is related to the case." Gu Long fixed his gaze on Yan Feng's pale face, "You have identified the body of the deceased, or at least a part of it—"

How could he not remember Ula? She was a beauty of mixed Chinese and Russian heritage. When Yan Feng picked this stunning rose, he garnered countless envious and jealous glances. Every winter and summer vacation, Ula would come from Yuanshui City to visit Yan Feng at their school. During that time, all the boys in the school would delay their return home for a few days, just to catch a glimpse of her beauty, even though she belonged solely to Yan Feng.

"Ula." He could finally speak.

"You said you would help me. If the case is not solved, I will not let you go back." Gu Long said: "It is almost dawn, and the preliminary results of the on-site investigation are not yet available. Would you prefer to go back to my house to rest, or what would you like to do?"

In the darkness, Yan Feng saw a pure white female body appear before him, with a maple leaf-shaped birthmark on her left rib.

Yan Feng did not respond

"After all these years of friendship, why do you say that?" Gu Long patted Yan Feng's shoulder, "You haven't had a steady girlfriend for so many years, is it possible that you still love Ula?"

He lay on the hard chair, initially intending to contemplate the case, but for some reason felt extremely fatigued and soon fell asleep. As he entered the dream, he felt a woman's cool, soft body slipping into his arms, like a writhing snake.

"Alright, we will ask in person." Gu Long replied and, together with Yan Feng, arrived at the inquiry room

"Did you not see it correctly?" Gu Long found it somewhat hard to believe, "There must be evidence; she has none—no head."

Protecting citizens is our duty; if there are difficulties, seek assistance from the police! Linglong spoke so solemnly that Yan Feng felt a bit embarrassed

"What time is it now, and you are still urging me to chase girls!" Yan Feng retorted with a quote from Gu Long to silence him: "Just focus on your grand *map* and *book* project!"

Yan Feng wanted to speak, but was silenced by a cold hand covering his mouth

Yan Feng hesitated for a moment and did not speak

Did you forget me? A man's voice answered him

You are a man, and you must keep your word. Otherwise, I will suffer greatly; you do not understand, being unloved is truly miserable! You do not want me to endure torment in hell, do you?" The beloved continued to speak softly, saying: "You can only love me. If you fall in love with someone else, my heart will be fried in hot oil, and I will be torn apart by many malevolent spirits who covet me, each taking a piece—some will take my arms, some my legs, some my head, and some will take my organs. It hurts so much, it really hurts! It is you who caused me to be like this. If you had not argued with me back then and had gone with me, I would be happily with you now, or perhaps we would even have children. It is you who caused me to be like this. If you had not argued with me back then and had gone with me, I would be happily with you now, or perhaps we would even have children. Do not fall in love with someone else; you owe me that.

"The witness has already arrived, would you like to ask them personally?" a junior officer inquired as he leaned in.

"You really are a stubborn one, moving backward while being pulled along," Gu Long glanced at Yan Feng, "but your change in attitude is too abrupt. What have you discovered? Also, tell me, why did you vomit just now?"

"No, it is also because of the interrogation." Linglong smiled slightly and turned to leave

Old Gu! Yan Feng interrupted his friend's words, truly unwilling to recall that dissimilar situation, "Do you still remember Ula?"