Chapter Nine, The Contract of Death

However, that person carefully explained many principles to her, and gradually she was persuaded by the other party, even though she barely understood everything that was said, to the point that it could not even be described as a superficial understanding. Thus, in a state of confusion, she signed the contract with the other party. However, the very next day, she had a change of heart, as she could not accept that the continuation of life could only begin after the passing of a loved one. She called that person, who informed her over the phone that the contract had already taken effect and that she could not unilaterally terminate it. Regardless, the other party would proceed according to the terms of the contract. Therefore, in a state of confusion, she signed the contract with the other party. However, the very next day, she had a change of heart, as she could not accept that the continuation of life could only begin after the passing of a loved one. She called that person, who informed her over the phone that the contract had already taken effect and that she could not unilaterally terminate it. Regardless, the other party would proceed according to the terms of the contract.

Wen Hui, I sincerely want to help you

After he gave me his cousin's phone number, he looked a bit awkward: "Zhiqiang, you know that our department usually has a lot of matters to attend to, and we deal with numerous patient complaints every day, so I really can't spare the time to follow up on this case. If you find out anything, please let me know."

So what is your perspective on this matter? I asked him

Before I could finish speaking, Zhou Lan's expression changed; she widened her eyes and said, "Really?"

Thus, Zhou Lan decided to resign, which led her to approach us. To be honest, this matter is something we cannot prevent on our own. After obtaining the approval of the leadership and consulting Zhou Lan herself, we applied for police intervention. After all, if the terms of the contract they signed are indeed as stated, then the other party may very well attempt to commit premeditated murder against Zhou Lan's father.

"Sister Zhou, do you still remember me?" He Meng asked with a smile

I hurriedly took a taxi to her residence, knocked on the door for quite a while, and finally it was opened

I am fine, she said as she closed the door

I was taken aback; Zhou Lan actually did not have that contract in her hand. What could this mean? Da Zhang told me that Zhou Lan clearly remembered signing the contract with the other party at https://www.hetushu.com.com, after which she took a copy for herself while the other party kept one. However, no matter how hard she searched later, she could not find that contract.

I believe you, but if you want to become a criminal investigator, you must lose weight

I don't think Zhou Lan is lying. After so many years as a police officer, I can tell at a glance whether someone is lying or not said He Meng with a serious demeanor

I was stunned, and I thought of Luo Hua's death

After parting ways with Da Zhang, I called Wen Hui again. The phone rang for a long time but no one answered. I dialed four or five times, and it was the same each time. This made me a bit worried; could something have happened to her

The woman is Zhou Lan. She is wearing a moon-white sweater and jeans, and it is evident that she maintains her figure well, with her features being quite delicate. She glanced at He Meng and nodded, saying: "You are that police officer"

I pursed my lips and said, "Could you please give me Zhou Lan's contact information?"

Sure. Da Zhang did not hesitate to give me Zhou Lan's phone number

Is it really pointless? I am a bit anxious: How could it be a trivial matter? What if the other party actually takes action? Dazhang, you are also involved in handling this matter, could you please speak to the police? This is not a joke; it is possible that the other party might actually harm the elderly during this half-month period.

I nodded to indicate my understanding. Doctor-patient disputes are a common issue at present, and he has to handle many similar complaints every day, which indeed leaves him overwhelmed. However, I also noticed that he does not seem to care much about this case.

Then he seemed to remember something: "By the way, make a note of this phone number. My cousin He Meng is a police officer, and he will also be here in the afternoon. He is quite interested in the hetushucom.com case. Of course, he cannot make any decisions, but if you need assistance, you can reach out to him."

He swallowed half of the fried egg in one bite: "I can't quite put it into words, but I always feel that this matter is very strange, and my intuition tells me that this is a major case." When he spoke of the answer, his eyes sparkled, much like a hunter who has spotted its prey

I want to meet Zhou Lan I said directly and straightforwardly

I know she must have mistakenly thought that I was here to treat her father, so I hurriedly explained: "Hello, Sister Zhou, I am a psychologist. Previously, one of my patients had also had contact with the medical institution called Future, so..."

Before long, Zhou Lan opened the door and led us to a tea house

No. What I said is also the truth. The only opportunity Wen Hui had to contact the other party was that afternoon when the other party took away the letter sent to Luo Hua. She told me that when she opened the door, she fainted and slept for a full hour and a half. When she woke up, the letter was gone

He Meng quickly nodded: "That's right, my name is He Meng, you can just call me Xiao He."

He Meng does not give me the impression of a police officer; he is not very tall and is slightly overweight. He always seems to have a faint smile on his face, and when he sits on the sofa, he resembles a Maitreya Buddha

She appears more haggard, yet her eyes still retain some spirit

"Doctor Pan, has your patient also seen them?" Zhou Lan asked me, looking at me.

I shot him a glance and said, "Are there some things that can be said in front of her father?"

He Meng pressed the doorbell, and the door opened. The person who opened the door was a woman in her thirties

Originally, Zhou Lan had not paid any fees to the other party, as they had not made any requests in this regard. The contract clearly stated that the services were provided free of charge. However, there was one point: according to the terms of the contract, the other party would end her father's life in advance. This meant that within half a month after the contract took effect, the other party would use what they deemed appropriate methods to terminate her father's life, which was something Zhou Lan could not accept.

He Meng was somewhat perplexed: "What is this all about? They won't even let us in the door!"

"There is nothing funny about this; sooner or later, I will become an outstanding detective," he said with a very serious expression.

The moment I saw Wenhui, my anxious heart finally settled down

This contract is their death pact

Da Zhang shook his head: "Not for the time being. To be honest, I find this matter quite bizarre. The police are wondering if it might be a prank by someone. They mentioned that their current manpower is already severely insufficient, and it is impossible to allocate more officers to engage in futile activities."

Was that car accident really just an accident? I have previously harbored doubts about this. If we assume that Luo Hua's situation was similar to that of Zhou Lan's father, then Luo Hua's death would not be an accident. It is very likely that Luo Hua was also suffering from some terminal illness and, under the deception of the medical institution in that future, signed a similar contract to end his life under the guise of an "accident".

Zhou Lan is indeed skeptical about the idea presented by the other party of continuing her father's life in another form. She believes this is nothing but a fantasy. She told Da Zhang that it resembles the concept of borrowing a corpse to return a soul as described in supernatural novels, thus she regards that person as a charlatan and a fraud

I called you but you didn't answer, so I came directly over

We were at a small noodle shop not far from the clinic, where one person ordered a bowl of intestine and blood sausage noodles, requesting extra noodles and two fried eggs on the side

Da Zhang paused here and said: "This afternoon, Zhou Lan called that person in front of the police, but the other party's phone was turned off. There was no way to reach them, so the police asked Zhou Lan to try to contact them again. As soon as there is any news, she should inform the police immediately"

I said there is no rush at this moment, it is already mealtime, let us first find a place to have a meal

Zhou Lan looked at me again. He Meng introduced her: "This is Dr. Pan Zhiqiang. He has heard about your father's situation and would like to understand some details from you. I accompanied him here."

I nodded affirmatively: "Mm."

"Then please wait for me for a moment, let us go outside to talk." With that, she closed the door

I smiled

Although Da Zhang had already given me the answer long ago, I still couldn't help but ask it out loud

Hearing this, I couldn't help but think of Luohua's accident, which now seems to not have been an accident after all; perhaps it was merely a stipulation in the contract that Luohua had signed with the other party

He cleared his throat lightly and said, "Not for the time being, but being a criminal investigator is my dream"

She shook her head and said, "You cannot help me, and I do not need your help. I only hope that you will not come to find me again. I want to be alone and have some peace and quiet." After saying this, she closed the door again.

Zhou Lan raised her teacup and took a sip: "May I ask, without being too forward, is your patient also suffering from a terminal illness?"

He put down his chopsticks: "Brother Pan, I don't like hearing that. Don't be fooled by my weight; it doesn't affect my agility at all. I may be a fat man, but I am also a nimble one."

However, this matter is currently only Zhou Lan's word; we have not even seen that contract. Under these circumstances, we have done our utmost by requesting the police to intervene

Sister Zhou, do you still remember what the person who spoke to you looked like

The door has reopened www.hetushu.com.com

The next day at noon, I met with He Meng. I called him, and he hung up the phone and quickly arrived at the clinic

Is it now? he asked

While eating, they also talked about Zhou Lan's father

I felt a subtle disappointment in my heart, yet I did not show it on my face

"I told you, my matters are none of your business, just leave." Her voice was very cold, as if she were a completely different person from before. I do not know what exactly went wrong between us, how her attitude could have changed so suddenly.

I asked, "How much longer can that elderly person live?"

I feel somewhat uneasy. To be honest, I have put in a lot of effort regarding her matters, yet I never expected it would turn out this way. However, seeing that she is fine has eased my worried heart. Regardless of the circumstances, I do not wish for anything to happen to her

I asked, "What about her father’s side? Does the police have any protective measures in place?"

Zhou Lan lives in Shangcheng Wealth Plaza, which is about a twenty-minute walk from my clinic

"How did you get here?" she coldly asked, blocking the door and not allowing me to enter.

Da Zhang shook his head: "The doctor did not say, but judging by the situation, living for another year or half a year should not be a big problem, this is what Zhou Lan said"

"Are you a criminal police officer?" I asked him

"Wen Hui, can we have a proper talk?" I said as I knocked on the door

"I apologize, there is a patient at home, so we can only talk here," Sister Zhou said as she brewed a pot of tea.

Zhou Lan frowned and raised her eyebrows: "Doctor?"

She shook her head: "I can't remember. I haven't forgotten a single word he said, yet I have no impression of what he looks like at all. I don't even remember whether he is a man or a woman. I know you might think this is absurd, but I am truly not lying."