NOS Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Fish Cliff Island (10)

Chapter 67: Fish Cliff Island (10)

What caused the Big Bang? Why did the dinosaurs become extinct? How can the stars in the sky be so bright? Where is the end of the distant glaciers? Where will the rushing river go?

Countless strange questions flooded Guan Yao’s mind, then scattered like fireworks exploding into a sky full of light beads. He vaguely thought, Yu Chunming is kissing me.

Yes, Yu Chunming is kissing him.

Right in this small hospital room, outside, nurses are hurrying to remove needles from patients, old ladies are pushing wheelchairs and walking unsteadily, there are crying children, and adults arguing endlessly…

Outside the window, the snow is still falling. The neon lights on the roof of the shopping mall across the street cast a colorful glow on the ice flowers on the glass. In the distance, a train speeding north suddenly passed over the bridge across the river. It roared away, turning the snowflakes in the wind into swirling silver-white masses.

Songlan is so big, so no one will know that under the dark night, two people are kissing. Their lips and teeth are intertwined, their breaths mingle, and their bodies are pressed tightly together.

This was the first time Guan Yao had truly felt Yu Chunming’s warmth, Yu Chunming’s scent. Even though decades ago, he had embraced him passionately, and even just a few dozen days ago, he had personally touched the blood flowing from his body.

But that was different, because at that time, Guan Yao didn’t know that Yu Chunming’s hands were cold, but his lips were soft, his teeth were hard, but his tongue was nimble. So, he was easily breached of his last line of defense, allowing Yu Chunming to drive straight in, crushing his tightly sealed formation, and finally raise a banner of victory.

Guan Yao finally couldn’t pretend anymore.

“You like me, don’t you?” After the kiss ended, Yu Chunming asked softly.

Guan Yao moved his lips, suddenly wanting to desert the battle.

But Yu Chunming didn’t need an answer. He smiled and continued, “I like you too.”

So, what caused the Big Bang? Why did the dinosaurs become extinct? How can the stars in the sky be so bright? Where is the end of the distant glaciers? Where will the rushing river go?

Guan Yao couldn’t figure it out, just like he couldn’t figure out how he should respond to Yu Chunming.

He did like Yu Chunming. No, he didn’t just like him, he was completely and utterly in love with Yu Chunming. When did he start to fall in love with Yu Chunming? Was it at first sight, or during some inexplicable quarrel? Or was it the first step he took with this man into his own home?

No one could say for sure how love came so quietly and yet so intensely. Guan Yao had lived for over thirty years, and finally, for the first time, he clearly realized what it was like to fall in love with someone.

— It was becoming weak, becoming hesitant, becoming cautious, becoming indecisive, becoming anxious.

And Guan Yao’s appearance of falling in love with someone was no different.

He wanted Yu Chunming, but he was also afraid of losing Yu Chunming, just like… losing Jiang Xin back then.

*Pa!* Guan Yao suddenly stood up, and the IV drip reminder beeped at just the right moment. Soon, a nurse came in to replace the liquid.

“Let’s go to the sanatorium,” Guan Yao suddenly said after the nurse left.

Yu Chunming looked at him, not saying a word.

“This afternoon, news came from Za Mu Er, saying that the on-site investigation and appraisal report from Beilin Village is out. They determined that the two people who fought in the hunter’s house were very likely He Wang and ‘Yi Jun’. When Wang Zhen heard this, he wanted me to go back a few days early to supplement the missing manpower at Linchang Police Station.” Guan Yao paused, not daring to look into Yu Chunming’s eyes. “When I go back, I can’t possibly let Yu Huan take care of you here every day, right?”

Yu Chunming’s eyes flickered slightly, still not saying a word.

Guan Yao finally mustered up the courage to turn his head and look at him: “Chunming, there are many people who are good to you, not just me.”

These words made Yu Chunming laugh. He looked at Guan Yao and asked back, “Are you really good to me?”

Guan Yao’s breathing tightened, unsure how to answer.

“Forget it,” Yu Chunming sighed silently. He said, “Since I’m the one bothering you, then I’ll listen to you and go to the sanatorium.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Guan Yao wanted to explain.

But Yu Chunming didn’t want to hear it: “Before you leave, remember to turn off the lights. I’m not afraid of the dark.”

This was late October in Songlan, the official start of winter in the Northern Kingdom.

After three days of heavy snow, the sky finally cleared again, and Yu Chunming, as everyone wished, left the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical University with Wang Meng and headed to the sanatorium on Fish Cliff Island.

Before leaving, led by Wang Zhen, he came to the intensive care unit on the fifth floor and, through a thick door, saw Zhang Lei lying inside.

“He was moved to a different room yesterday. This place has 24-hour monitoring, so his family doesn’t have to watch over him every day. You can take a look through the door.” Wang Zhen said.

Yu Chunming didn’t clearly see Zhang Lei’s face covered with an oxygen mask. He tilted his head and found that he couldn’t quite remember what the kid looked like when he was lively and energetic.

“Zhang Lei’s parents are still doing well, and the team is taking care of them from time to time. Last month, I persuaded his fiancée to leave, telling that girl not to hold any hope and to live her own life.” Wang Zhen wiped his face and forced a smile. “But the doctors said that Zhang Lei’s indicators are slowly getting better. Although the chances of him waking up are slim, there’s still a chance. Maybe one day, you’ll have another apprentice.”

Yu Chunming raised the corners of his mouth, turned around, and slowly walked outside.

The sun was good today, and the new snow that had just covered Fish Cliff Island was already beginning to melt.

After arriving at the sanatorium and settling down, Yu Huan stood on the balcony and stretched. She turned her head and smiled: “Big brother, I remember that you were caught by our dad near here, right?”

Yu Chunming opened his eyelids and glanced at the person who brought up something they shouldn’t.

Yu Huan cheekily sidled up to him: “Big brother, were you so eager to go back to Za Mu Er back then because of… Officer Guan?”

Yu Chunming didn’t deny it. He grunted “mm” and took out his phone to transfer two hundred yuan to Yu Huan: “Go out and buy me a pack of cigarettes, the rest is yours.”

“What’s that!” Yu Huan shouted, “Mom, big brother is asking me to buy him cigarettes!”

Unfortunately, Wang Meng was in the doctor’s office talking to the doctor and didn’t hear this high-pitched cry.

Yu Chunming frowned and sized her up: “It’s the end of the month, do you have any savings left from your salary?”

Yu Huan immediately closed her mouth. She stretched out her hands and blinked her eyes: “Then… how much are you planning to give?”

Yu Chunming raised an eyebrow: “It depends on your performance.”

Yu Huan happily said: “You have to give me a rough idea first. I have my eye on a bag, twenty-seven thousand. Currently, dear Professor Wang has sponsored twenty thousand, can you… give me the change?”

Yu Chunming took a deep breath: “Twenty-seven thousand? Can you even earn twenty-seven hundred a month doing that crappy job of yours?”

“Of course I can earn twenty-seven hundred, but I’ve spent it all,” Yu Huan leaned against Yu Chunming’s side and, regardless of whether he liked it or not, began to hug his left arm, acting coyly in a coarse voice. “Mainly, Yu Lao Er has been acting strangely lately and hasn’t been home. He used to support me, but now I can’t even see him… Big brother, I know you, you love me the most.”

Yu Chunming struggled to pull his hand away: “Alright, alright, just buy me the cigarettes first.”

As they were talking, Wang Meng came into the room, and the important matter of buying cigarettes was forced to come to an end. Before leaving, Yu Huan patted her chest, indicating that she would definitely satisfy the boss.

Thus, Yu Chunming, who had been feeling depressed for several days, finally had something to look forward to. He walked onto the balcony, moved his functional left hand, and suddenly felt that the sun was indeed good today.

But this “good” only lasted until the afternoon — Yu Huan came back, but with Guan Yao following behind.

“I bought a smoke detector and installed it for you at the bathroom door.” The first thing he said was something that Yu Chunming didn’t want to hear.

Yu Huan smiled a little embarrassedly: “Big brother, it’s really not my fault. I happened to run into Officer Guan when I was buying cigarettes. I said I was buying them for myself, and he didn’t believe me.”

Yu Chunming looked at Guan Yao in disbelief: “How did you come?”

Guan Yao was still the same composed and generous person in front of others. He installed the alarm in all seriousness and answered frankly: “I came to see you.”

Yu Chunming glanced at Yu Huan: “How much did he give you?”

“Hey, hey, hey, what kind of talk is that?” Yu Huan pretended to be upright and honest: “Am I the kind of person who would sell out for a little bit of money?”

Yu Chunming gritted his back teeth, his gaze landing on the new bag Yu Huan was carrying.

He hadn’t even transferred the money yet, but she was already carrying the bag. This sister of Yu Huan’s was really, whoever paid the highest price won.

Moreover, she definitely pocketed the two hundred yuan he gave her to buy cigarettes before turning around and going to Guan Yao to curry favor and ask for a reward. This person really didn’t shortchange herself by even a penny.

“I’m going back to Za Mu Er next Friday. In the meantime, I probably won’t have time to come see you.” After Guan Yao installed the smoke alarm, he looked around and nodded. “Not bad, the environment is indeed good.”

“Then how long do you want me to stay here?” Yu Chunming asked coolly.

“Of course, until you get better…” Guan Yao said halfway, suddenly stopping, because just as he turned his head to look at Yu Chunming, the latter was unconsciously licking his lips. The already distracted Guan Yao suddenly recalled what those soft lips tasted like.

God really didn’t want to let him off the hook.

And Yu Chunming heard Guan Yao talking halfway and didn’t hear the rest, so he was also puzzled. He raised his head and asked in surprise, “Is there something on my face?”

“No.” Guan Yao quickly turned his gaze away, coughed awkwardly twice, and tried to adjust his emotions.

But unexpectedly, just as he was ready and composed, preparing to face Yu Chunming directly, Yu Chunming suddenly understood. He deliberately ran his tongue over his lower lip, where a mark that Guan Yao had inadvertently bumped into was still left.

This is bad, this is bad, there’s still someone else in the room, Guan Yao’s heart was already on fire.

“Big brother, what do you want to eat tonight?” Yu Huan was still asking silly on the side, “Officer Guan, are you staying for dinner?”

Officer Guan didn’t want to eat, Officer Guan wanted to eat Officer Yu’s mouth right now.

Yu Chunming laughed inwardly. He leaned back and ordered two dishes: “Get some soy-braised spareribs, and some stir-fried dried tofu with chili peppers.”

“No problem.” Yu Huan made an OK sign, carried her new bag, and happily went out the door.

After she left, the room instantly became quiet and awkward.

Guan Yao, with his hands empty, touched the table top for a while, then pressed the air purifier on the head of the bed, making small talk as if nothing had happened: “Are you thirsty? I… I’ll pour you some water.”

“I’m a little thirsty, but I don’t want to drink water,” Yu Chunming said leisurely.

After being kissed once, Guan Yao seemed to have gained an epiphany in life and instantly understood what Yu Chunming meant. His ears turned red, and he blurted out, “This is a hospital room.”

“I know what this place is,” Yu Chunming hooked the corners of his mouth, feigning ignorance. He deliberately asked, “You said before that the on-site investigation report from Beilin Village is out. What’s the situation? Besides the footprint identification, did they find any other clues?”

This topic changed too quickly, and Guan Yao couldn’t react for a moment. He replied blankly: “What new clues?”

Yu Chunming raised an eyebrow: “He Wang fired the gun outside the cornfield on the edge of the forest. In theory, he should continue running north. Didn’t the task force find any traces of the suspect’s movements in the north? And the fight in the hunter’s house… I remember that the station checked before. This hunter’s family moved away from Beilin a year ago, and the house was listed for sale, but it hasn’t been sold. Who is occupying the magpie’s nest, occupying this empty house, and hiding a gun inside?”

Guan Yao was forced to turn his thoughts around and follow Yu Chunming’s words to ask: “You mean…”

“Has the ballistics analysis come out? Has Han Chen said anything?” Yu Chunming continued, “And the internal parts of that shotgun, have you looked at them later? Are they similar to the barrel of the homemade gun in Li Ying’s hand?”

“The shotgun that He Wang took away is a bolt-action carbine, Soviet design. Han Chen said it should be a substandard product eliminated from the arsenal in the early years. I checked the firearms management registration information at our station and didn’t find any record of this gun. The ballistics analysis hasn’t come out yet, but I took a look at it at the time. Han Chen didn’t say anything wrong, it was indeed a bolt-action carbine,” Guan Yao replied. “And the barrel of the homemade gun in Li Ying’s hand is purely the type used by the militia. During the ‘crackdown,’ Za Mu Er confiscated a lot, and many of them are so old that they can’t be used anymore.”

“That’s strange,” Yu Chunming lowered his head and looked at the injury on his right shoulder. “In theory, the recoil of a bolt-action carbine is much smaller than that of a general militia gun, but I clearly remember that He Wang took a step backward when he fired the gun. It didn’t look like what a bolt-action carbine would have. Did Han Chen have someone take the gun apart to see?”

Guan Yao narrowed his eyes: “You think that gun was modified?”

“Since it’s now confirmed that He Wang did have a head-on conflict with ‘Yi Jun’ before we went that night, then it’s hard to say whose gun it is. If after the gun is taken apart, a homemade gun barrel is found inside, then Li Ying…”

“There is indeed a problem with Li Ying. When you were still at Za Mu Er Municipal Hospital, Na Fei told me that before Fang Wang and Meng Changqing had an accident, they encountered two villagers, one tall and one short, one strong and one thin, on the road. It was these two villagers who made Fang Wang and Meng Changqing change their route.” Guan Yao paused. “Na Fei said that the thin one looked a bit like Li Ying in shape. I also watched the video, and it does look a bit like him. But Li Ying’s neighbor corroborated that he had never left his house that day. However, this testimony is also very vague and cannot be used as conclusive evidence.”

“What about Xiao Meng?” Yu Chunming couldn’t help asking, “Fang Wang is currently unconscious, what about Xiao Meng? Can’t he recognize him either?”

“This…” Guan Yao hesitated, not expecting Yu Chunming to suddenly ask about Meng Changqing.