Criminal Psychology Chapter 149

Published at 6th of April 2023 07:01:25 AM

Where is Song Shengsheng? This was the first question that needed to be solved urgently.

In addition, there were complicated issues about the girl who slit Li Jingtian's throat. Why did Xu Ran run away and then get hit and killed? What role did CA play in Song Shengsheng's unjust imprisonment? These questions needed to be resolved, but before that, they had more important things to do, and that was to rest.

This time they came to Yongchuan on official business, so according to accommodation standards, they checked into an express hotel near the embassy street. The triple hotel room had an extra bed in the double room, so the space was a bit cramped.

Lin Chen and Xing Conglian sat on both sides of the simple desk. After they finished eating the takeout, it was already nine in the evening. For nearly 48 hours without sleep, though Xing Conglian looked as energetic as when he was getting enough sleep, his bloodshot eyes still betrayed him.

Looking at the newly grown stubble on Xing Conglian's chin, Lin Chen pointed to the bathroom and said to him, “I'll clean up. You can take a shower first.”

Xing Conglian said, “Leave it. Wang Chao will come back and clean it up.”

Lin Chen looked at the time again. That young kid was busy all afternoon while they were like two retirees waiting to die. Now they were leaving leftovers for children to clean up, which seemed inappropriate. “It's so late…”

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence.

The doorbell rang hurriedly. Lin Chen knew that it was Wang Chao based on the rhythm of the doorbell.

Xing Conglian pulled back the safety bolt and opened the door. Wang Chao rushed into the room, quickly took off his shoes, threw himself face down on the pillow, and then let out a long cry. “I… am… dead…!”

After shouting, he began to mumble in a low voice, similar to the sound of a pig rolling in a haystack.

Lin Chen and Xing Conglian glanced at each other. Suddenly, Wang Chao sprang up from the chair, rushed to the table, and began to eat. The teenager broke apart a pair of bamboo chopsticks and wiped out the remaining leftovers on the table.

Lin Chen finally knew what Xing Conglian meant when he said to leave it to Wang Chao.

For the first five minutes, the only sound in the room was the boy's desperate slurping of food. Five minutes later, when he started to drink his soup, Lin Chen had the time to ask, “It's so late. Didn't the Yongchuan police give you something to eat?”

“They did, but I don't want to eat it.” Wang Chao started to gnaw on a duck leg.

“Why?”

“I want to come back to see you sooner.” Wang Chao put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, “A'Chen, is your hand okay?”

The teenager's eyes were so sincere that Lin Chen couldn't help laughing. He always felt that Wang Chao's sweet-talking skills might have something to do with Xing Conglian.

“I'm fine. It'll heal in a few days,” he replied.

“Then you still have to pay attention. Don't get it wet, avoid meat, and don't drink carbonated drinks or alcohol. They say that food with a lot of soy sauce isn't good because it will color your wound…”

“I know. Dr. Xing has already ordered it.”

Xing Conglian slapped the back of Wang Chao's head. “Eat your food. Why are you talking so much!”

Wang Chao put down his chopsticks and raised his head. “Captain, I'm done, but I'm not full yet!”

Sure enough, all the takeout boxes were empty. Xing Conglian glanced over with a little shock. “Did the Yongchuan police abuse you?”

“I did a lot of physical work today. Advanced technicians like me have to eat more to replenish their brain power when they do physical work.” Wang Chao knocked on the table and emphasized the word “advanced”.

“So, what do you want?” Xing Conglian narrowed his eyes and asked.

“I want to eat at Bali Crayfish…” The teenager's tone suddenly became flattering. “I know, there's a chain not far from here!”

“Hm?”

“And… Captain… also, can you go out and buy me a set of pajamas, t-shirts, and underwear? I'm all smelly!” As the teenager spoke, he fanned the wind. Sure enough, there was a faint smell of sweat. He laid on the table and said weakly, “I really can't walk anymore. Please.”

“Why didn't you buy them when you were coming back?” Xing Conglian said it coldly.

“I was in a hurry to see A'Chen Gege!” Wang Chao replied smoothly.

A perfect logical chain.

Xing Conglian didn't bother to talk to him anymore. He turned and walked to the door. When he opened it, he stood at the entrance and suddenly glanced back. “Consultant Lin?”

Looking at the gentle questioning eyes of Xing Conglian, Lin Chen could probably translate his intentions: Are you tired? If not, let's go for a walk together?

He couldn't refuse.

Lin Chen nodded, stood up, and said, “Let's go. I'll go with you.”

……

It's already late at night. If they went out at this time in Hongjing, they would probably only see empty streets and lonely streetlights glowing peacefully.

However, they were in Yongchuan. The nights in major cities were always bustling. There was a long river outside the express hotel where they were staying. On one side of the river were old and new buildings and food stalls, and on the other side was a peaceful trail through a forest along the river.

Lin Chen followed Xing Conglian across the bridge. In the early summer night, there was a cool breeze blowing by the river. The opposite bank of the river was bustling with people, but the forest was so quiet that frogs croaking could be heard.

The tree shadows were still, and the ink-like river surface rippled with floating lights.

Walking side by side with Xing Conglian, he felt at peace. Most of the malice and fatigue from facing Li Jingtian today seemed to have dissipated.

He suddenly understood why Xing Conglian asked him if he wanted to go with him. Walking was indeed a great way to rest, especially after a thrilling day. Taking a walk with the person you like, even if it was just casually walking by the river without saying anything, was extremely comfortable and relaxing.

“Consultant Lin,” Xing Conglian said suddenly.

“Captain Xing?”

“It's always necessary to chat for a bit while walking,” Xing Conglian said slowly.

“What are you talking about?” Lin Chen was a little surprised. “To be honest, I am very worried about Song Shengsheng.”

“You can't center your life around cases. You have to live more,” Xing Conglian said. “Tomorrow morning, we'll have news on Song Shengsheng.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen looked to the other side.

Although he couldn't see clearly what was being broadcast on TV in the food stall opposite him, he could vaguely hear the words Song Shengsheng coming from the news across the banks.

Many diners were drinking beer while watching the news. They were talking to each other. It might be difficult for the police to find Song Shengsheng alone, but the power of people was a bottomless ocean. If Song Shengsheng was still living freely in this world, then he should be found by tomorrow at the latest.

“I understand.” Lin Chen nodded. He suddenly looked at Xing Conglian. “Is Captain Xing doing my ideological work?”

“That is better done by Consultant Lin.” Xing Conglian replied. “I obviously just wanted to talk to you.”

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. When Xing Conglian was coaxing people, it was really heartwarming and unobtrusive.

Some old songs came from the other side of the river that sounded like they were sung by Song Shengsheng. There was another gust of wind by the river, blowing rose-red petals onto Xing Conglian's shoulder. Lin Chen subconsciously reached out to wipe off the petals, then said, “I found that Captain Xing is really a loyal lover of walking.”

Whether it was early in the morning or in the evening, whether it was before breakfast or after dinner, Xing Conglian was always happy to walk; sometimes with him, sometimes with Wang Chao, and sometimes the three of them together. They would talk about work, the weather, or how food prices had increased recently. In this place, Xing Conglian always showed an easy-going side that wasn't in line with his temperament.

Xing Conglian laughed and continued to walk forward. “When I was a kid, no matter how busy my parents were at work, as long as they were home, they would take me for a walk. Therefore, I always feel that walking is a very pleasant thing.”

“It's very good research,” Lin Chen murmured.

“What research?”

“For example, research on family walking time and the happiness index.” Lin Chen looked at the couples or groups of friends sitting close to each other on the opposite bank.

Xing Conglian laughed dumbfoundedly. “Does it matter?'

“Family happiness and personal growth are always closely related,” Lin Chen said as he walked. “You must have grown up in a strong, loving, free, and democratic family, while Li Jingtian probably has an unfortunate family. Although he was spoiled, he lacked true love and correct guidance. His family relationship is tense. Both his parents, especially his father, are likely to have personality disorders or mental illness…”

“Listening to what you say, it made me think that Li Jingtian is quite pitiful, and it was out of his hands, so he became what he is now,” Xing Conglian interrupted him.

“Of course I'm not excusing Li Jingtian.” Lin Chen lowered his head slightly. He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it into the river. He looked at the ripples on the dark water and said, “But humans are really not as rational and powerful as people think. Even the simplest stone thrown into the water will cause ripples on the entire water's surface. The influence of parents on their children's lives is the same. Even the casual words and actions of an ordinary person on any mundane day may affect others to a greater extent.”

“A very profound statement,” Xing Conglian said with emotion. “Didn't we come for a walk?”

“I've been feeling a lot lately. Can't you let me say a few words?” Lin Chen said helplessly.

“Of course, truthfully, it's a good walk when there's Consultant Lin talking by your side.” Xing Conglian also picked up a stone from the side of the road and threw it into the river.

This was almost like hot milk with honey. It wasn't sweet, and it wasn't expensive. Lin Chen thought for a moment and could only say, “Thank you, Captain Xing, for your compliment.”

They were about to reach the end of the trail. The voices of people came through the trees beside the road.

Only then did Xing Conglian speak again. “There's a reason why I don't like that kind of argument very much. For example, people can't choose their origin, can't control themselves, and then commit those despicable choices—I feel like it's shirking from responsibility.”

Lin Chen thought for a while and said, “I did a thesis when I was in college. It was a study on the creativity of painting. Basically, we gave the subject a proposition and asked them to paint, and then we asked them to explain what they saw based on the painting we gave them.”

“Hmm… then?” Xing Conglian asked.

“That was the first time I realized how fantastic and magnificent human thinking was. The same proposition would never have the same answer. Among those people, there are those who are morbid and dark, those who are kind and beautiful, some who are rigid in their thinking, and some who are full of whimsical ideas. To be honest, although we always emphasize the proposition of individual differences, it was only then that I really discovered that everyone's mind is so different. We must admit that there are indeed people in this world who cannot control themselves, and the pain of mental illness lies in this. But we must also admit that among those who are fully capable of behavior, there are people like Li Jingtian and people like you. Some shirk from responsibility, some take responsibility; some people choose to use harm to others to solve problems when facing a desperate state of mind, and some people have ordinary lives, but in desperate situations, they shine the greatest and brightest light of human nature. The world is like this, so the key to the problems is, in this world, what you agree with, what you choose, and what you have done—all of these, in the end, determine how you will affect the entire world.”

While talking, they had already walked off the trail.

Xing Conglian hadn't spoken for a while. At the end of the water bank was a night market street. There were various stalls full of various stalls, and the smell of fireworks suddenly reached their noses.

“I understand,” Xing Conglian said earnestly. “I thought about it for a while, and I think Consultant Lin was praising me just now…”

“I spoke so euphemistically. You can hear it?” Lin Chen was a little surprised.

“I'm smart. I want to express my gratitude to Consultant Lin. I'll buy you a drink.”

As Xing Conglian spoke, he walked to a small stall on the street. He stood in front of the counter and observed the selection of drinks in the cupboard.

Standing in the night outside the store, Lin Chen watched Xing Conglian carefully order a drink in the small shop and pay for it. He thought the feeling of having someone take you on a walk and buy you a drink was really a joyful thing.

Suddenly, Xing Conglian turned his head and gazed at him deeply, with a gentle smile in his eyes.

Lin Chen also smiled back.

Chapter end