Chapter 049: I Am a Person Who Follows the Rules

Inside the two file folders, one contained crime scene photos from ten years ago, when Yu Nie committed his offense. The other held everything Captain Cui witnessed that night in the ancient Baolian temple in the southern part of the city.

Captain Cui lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and waved his hand at me, saying, “Let’s not talk about who I was ten years ago. Just look at three days ago—three girls who had just stepped into society, and one of our own colleagues, all dead without a clear reason!”

As he spoke, he tapped the table in agitation. “What did they do wrong? Did they deserve to be killed by Yu Nie?”

He struggled to control his emotions. “I don’t know how Yu Nie got out, but people like him can only give us peace when they’re dead!”

Captain Cui was furious; his anger was written all over his face and in his voice.

But his anger didn’t affect me. I knew exactly who I was and what I did.

I smiled at him and said, “Officer, it seems like there’s not much I can do to help you with this.”

He was about to say more, but my words cut him off. “Hmm?”

“Officer, you know I run a one-stop funeral service, and occasionally take jobs like Sun Tianyu’s. You’re asking me to help catch someone and solve a case, and… ”

I paused, feeling a bit awkward. “That’s really beyond my scope of business.”

I looked at Captain Cui seriously and said, “Grandpa always said, our main business is funerals, our side business is catching ghosts. Catching people, I really can’t do.”

My words calmed him down. He sat back in his chair, cigarette in mouth, squinting at me for a long moment.

Suddenly he leaned in, his eyes shifting. “Then let’s talk differently.”

He continued, “Before you left, you said I’d die within seven days. Today, you probably don’t want to see me die, do you?”

He was a clever man. Hearing this, I smiled.

“I’m asking you to save my life, to keep me safe.”

The meaning was clear. At present, the only one likely to kill him was Yu Nie.

Whether he asked me for help catching Yu Nie or for protection, it was really the same thing.

The only difference was, he’d pay me, since I was in the business.

---

I finished my Fanta in one gulp and said cheerfully, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ll take the job. But Officer, I have to say, I don’t believe Yu Nie is a murderer.”

Captain Cui’s eyelids drooped. “Jiang Huai, this isn’t your place to comment. You’re here to protect me, not catch anyone.”

Well, what a guy. I gave him a thumbs up. Who would’ve thought that people my uncle’s age could be so petty.

But there was nothing I could do. Grandpa set the rules. Only by keeping to them does our business keep running smoothly.

Otherwise, today I’d help catch someone, tomorrow I’d help with something else, and the funeral home would fall apart.

Protecting him and catching someone may not be much different, but I won’t break the rules, nor do I want to stand completely opposed to Yu Nie.

In my heart, I don’t believe he killed anyone. But nothing is absolute; when we find him, the truth will come out.

I told Captain Cui that I needed to go home for some things, and asked him not to leave the station until I came back to avoid any accidents.

If you ask what’s the fastest means of transport for Jiang Huai, it’s my electric scooter. I zip through streets and alleys without ever touching the brakes.

I got home and parked for charging.

As I took out my keys to unlock the shop door, I noticed it was ajar.

Someone had been inside—my grandpa?

Impossible. Grandpa had just left, no reason to turn back. At this hour, he should be eating with my parents.

I looked down and saw drops of blood on the ground, trailing from far away right up to my door.

My eyes narrowed. I tiptoed in, sneaking into my own house like a thief.

As soon as I stepped inside, I heard urgent, heavy breathing coming from Grandpa’s bedroom.

Could Grandpa really have returned?

“Who’s there?”

I pushed open the door and shouted.

---

I didn’t see Grandpa. Instead, I saw a bald man, bare-chested and drenched in blood, lying on Grandpa’s bed, gasping for air.

His left leg was loosely bandaged with gauze, but it couldn’t stop the blood from oozing out.

I turned on the light and saw his face clearly. I took a deep breath. “Yu Nie…”

I truly hadn’t expected Yu Nie to show up in Grandpa’s room.

He lay on the bed, drenched in cold sweat, eyes shut tight, brow furrowed.

I stepped forward and felt his forehead—good grief, hotter than a furnace.

I hadn’t studied nursing, but I’d seen enough TV.

Yu Nie had been shot. With his current status, he couldn’t find anyone to help remove the bullet.

The bullet must have caused an infection, leading to his persistent high fever. If it wasn’t treated soon, he could really die.

But I had no idea how to treat this, nor could I find someone who could.

I stood helplessly beside the bed, looking at the unconscious Yu Nie, and sighed deeply. “Since you came to me, you must trust me. So please keep trusting. As long as I’m here, I’ll keep you safe.”

Only when alive can one think about anything; dead, there’s truly nothing left.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Captain Cui’s number without hesitation.

“Officer, my scooter’s out of power. Could you come pick me up?”

He didn’t hesitate, said he’d be right over, and he was nearby.

After hanging up, I looked down at Yu Nie, my gaze lingering.

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Chapter 049: I Am a Man of Principle – Free to Read