Chapter 208

The two words 'guilty conscience'

Literal: "The two words 'guilty conscience'." Actually the phrase means "the two words 'guilty conscience'". So translation: "The two words 'guilty conscience'." Keep as is.

It seemed as if it had already been engraved on Yi Zhonghai's forehead.

It seemed as if it had already been engraved on Yi Zhonghai's forehead.

It made countless people see it clearly and distinctly.

It made countless people see it clearly and distinctly.

When he was walking to a point about two meters from the deaf old lady's house.

Translation: "When he walked to a place about two meters from Long Laotaitai's house."

It must be that something in Yi Zhonghai's mind is causing this.

Translation: "It must be that factors in Yi Zhonghai's mind are at work."

His feet were already heavy as if filled with lead, as if countless roots had grown, firmly holding Yi Zhonghai in place, preventing him from moving an inch.

Translation: "His feet were already heavy as if filled with lead, as if countless roots had grown, firmly holding Yi Zhonghai in place, preventing him from moving an inch."

Even if Yi Zhonghai exerted all his strength, he still couldn't manage it.

Translation: "Even if Yi Zhonghai exerted all his strength, he still could not manage it."

An even more noticeable thing.

Translation: "What was even more eye-catching."

It is the change in Yi Zhonghai's facial expression at this moment.

Translation: "was the change in Yi Zhonghai's facial expression at this moment."

As the distance shortened, Yi Zhonghai's facial expression changed as much as possible, going from reluctance to not wanting to go at all, from unpleasant to extremely unpleasant, and even within that unpleasantness, a hint of fear of seeing the deaf old lady appeared.

Translation: "As the distance shortened, Yi Zhonghai's facial expression also changed as much as possible with the distance going from far to near, from reluctance to not wanting to go at all, from unpleasant to extremely unpleasant, and even within that unpleasantness, a hint of fear of seeing Long Laotaitai was mixed in."

Several comrades.

Translation: "Several comrades."

It intensified the speculation that Yi Zhonghai had killed the deaf old lady.

Translation: "This increased the speculation that Yi Zhonghai had killed Long Laotaitai."

The reason is that Yi Zhonghai refused to move!

Translation: "The reason was that Yi Zhonghai refused to leave!"

Even if a young comrade gave him a hard push, Yi Zhonghai remained rooted like a wooden post, not moving an inch.

Translation: "Even when a young comrade gave him a hard push, Yi Zhonghai remained rooted like a wooden post, not moving at all."

This situation.

Translation: "This situation."

It's not that they haven't encountered this before.

Translation: "It was not that they had never encountered it."

The comrades had encountered this before during past investigations, when some criminals, while being taken by the comrades to the crime scene for identification.

Translation: "Comrades had encountered this during past investigations, when some criminals, being taken by the comrades to the crime scene for identification,"

Without exception.

Translation: "without exception."

They all showed signs of guilt and fear.

Translation: "they all showed signs of guilt and fear."

If Yi Zhonghai hadn't killed the deaf old lady, why would he refuse to move when he was still two meters away from her house?

Translation: "If Yi Zhonghai had not killed Long Laotaitai, why would he refuse to move when he was about two meters from her house?"

It's quite obvious.

Translation: "It was quite obvious."

He killed the deaf old lady; her miserable state before death dealt him the greatest shock, plunging him into extreme panic.

Translation: "He killed Long Laotaitai; her miserable state before death gave Yi Zhonghai the greatest shock, plunging him into extreme panic."

A nightmare-like experience.

Translation: "A nightmare-like experience."

The shrewd Yi Zhonghai did not want to go through that again; he did not want the calm he had finally achieved to be disturbed once more by the sight of the deaf old lady's death.

Translation: "The shrewd Yi Zhonghai did not want to experience it again; he did not want his hard-won calm to be stirred again by Long Laotaitai's death scene."

This is the only explanation.

Translation: "This is the only explanation."

A young comrade who harbored such thoughts in his heart urged Yi Zhonghai to move.

Translation: "A young comrade harboring such thoughts in his mind urged Yi Zhonghai to move."

"Yi Zhonghai, go on!"

Translation: "\"Yi Zhonghai, go on. \""

After saying that.

Translation: "Having said that,"

Then, trying to make amends, he deliberately provoked Yi Zhonghai with words.

Translation: "He then deliberately stimulated Yi Zhonghai with words, like mending the pen after losing the sheep."

That was a tactic.

Translation: "This was a tactic."

"From the moment you left your home, you were reluctant; as you arrived, you clung to the spot, your face so grim—could it really be as the neighbors reported, that you, Yi Zhonghai, took advantage of the night to kill the deaf old lady, and thus, guilty and afraid, you dare not face her?"

Translation: "\"From the moment you left your home, you were reluctant; upon arriving, you clung to the spot, your face so grim—could it not be true as the neighbors reported, that you, Yi Zhonghai, took advantage of the night to kill Long Laotaitai, and thus, guilty and afraid, you dare not face her? \""

Yi Zhonghai, panicking inside.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai, panicking inside."

His mind was even more a tangled mess.

Translation: "His mind was even more a chaotic mess."

The feeling it gave the two comrades was that of someone completely flustered, as if their whole person had lost composure.

Translation: "To the two comrades, the feeling was that of someone completely flustered and disoriented."

This feeling is often seen in criminals who have encountered the police.

Translation: "This feeling is often seen in criminals who have encountered the Public Security."

Yi Zhonghai also knew he had violated their taboo.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai also knew he had violated their taboo."

He wanted to make a change.

Translation: "He wanted to make a change."

But he was willing yet unable.

Translation: "But he was willing yet unable."

The panic in his heart, the emotions in his body, and the expression on his face were all beyond his control.

Translation: "The panic in his heart, the emotions in his body, the expression on his face—none were under Yi Zhonghai's control."

This fear came from deep within Yi Zhonghai's bones.

Translation: "This fear came from deep within Yi Zhonghai's bones."

With an ugly face lifted upward.

Translation: "With an ugly face raised upward."

He forced a smile at the two comrades that was even uglier than crying.

Translation: "He squeezed out a smile uglier than crying toward the two comrades."

He then ignored the two comrades' reactions, stood frozen on the spot, staring blankly at the familiar house before him.

Translation: "He then ignored the two comrades' reactions, stood frozen on the spot, entranced as he looked at the familiar house before him, which was not unfamiliar and even carried a hint of familiarity."

How long ago.

Translation: "Once upon a time."

When Yi Zhonghai entered the deaf old lady's house, it was as convenient as his own home—he could come and go whenever he pleased.

Translation: "When Yi Zhonghai entered Long Laotaitai's house, it was as convenient as returning to his own home—he could come and go whenever he wished."

At that time, in the deaf old lady's eyes, he was not merely a candidate for old-age care; she regarded him as her own child.

Translation: "At that time, in Long Laotaitai's eyes, he was not merely a candidate for elder care; she regarded him as her own child."

Yi Zhonghai also treated the deaf old lady as an elder.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai also treated Long Laotaitai as one of his elders."

He had a habit of being greedy for food, but he carried the banner of needing to care for the courtyard's ancestors, and thus he was unrivaled within the compound.

Translation: "He had a habit of being greedy for food, but under the banner of the Dayuan ancestors needing care, he was truly unstoppable within the Siheyuan."

He had come to this point today.

Translation: "He had come to this point today."

Nobody had expected this.

Translation: "No one had anticipated this."

Yi Zhonghai had not expected this.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai had not anticipated this."

Even the deaf old lady who died inside had not expected this.

Translation: "Even Long Laotaitai, who died inside the house, had not anticipated this."

They all thought the alliance would continue, with Yi Zhonghai providing for the deaf old lady's old age and burial, and Huahua providing for Yi Zhonghai's old age and burial; but the result is that the deaf old lady died after being beaten by Yi Zhonghai, and Yi Zhonghai became the main suspect.

Translation: "They all thought the alliance would continue, with Yi Zhonghai providing end-of-life care for Long Laotaitai, and Huaihua doing the same for Yi Zhonghai; but the result is that Long Laotaitai died after being beaten by Yi Zhonghai, and Yi Zhonghai became the prime suspect."

Unless the real killer is found.

Translation: "Unless the real culprit is found."

Otherwise, based on Yi Zhonghai's current expression and reaction, he is almost certain to be regarded as the killer and to pay with his life for the deaf old lady.

Translation: "Otherwise, based on Yi Zhonghai's current expression and reaction, he is almost certain to be taken as the murderer and to pay with his life for Long Laotaitai."

He clearly did not kill anyone.

Translation: "Clearly he did not kill anyone."

Yet he took the blame for killing.

Translation: "Yet he bears the blame for killing."

This result.

Translation: "This result."

This made Yi Zhonghai feel disheartened.

Translation: "Made Yi Zhonghai feel chilled in his heart."

His feelings in his heart are easy to imagine.

After a long while.

A heavy sigh flew out from Yi Zhonghai's mouth.

"Ai!"

Many losses lay within.

There was also loneliness.

Arms cannot overpower thighs.

Even if Yi Zhonghai lingered on the spot, he would likely have to follow the two comrades' wishes and go inside to see the corpse of the deaf old lady, whom Yi Zhonghai knew well but now dared not face.

He tried to move his hands and feet.

Limbs not under his brain's command returned to Yi Zhonghai's true state.

He calmed his emotions a bit.

He exerted twelve percent of his strength.

With heavy steps, he walked step by step toward the house interior.

During this process.

Yi Zhonghai's brain began to work at high speed; relying on his own imagination, he tried to imagine as much as possible the state of the deaf old lady's corpse inside the house.

He basically took out an insurance for himself.

One step.

Two steps.

Ten steps.

Finally, in anxious unease.

Yi Zhonghai steeled himself and entered the house.

First he closed his eyes, adjusted to the indoor light, then turned his gaze toward Liu Jianguo, his master, and his colleagues, instantly feeling mixed joy and worry.

He was glad that there were comrades.

There were comrades present.

He inexplicably gained some confidence; facing the deaf old lady, he was not so afraid.

The worrisome matter.

It was that his emotions were out of control.

Yi Zhonghai overthought that, upon seeing the deaf old lady's corpse, he would be startled, cry out, collapse to the ground, and wet his pants.

All these actions would only strengthen the suspicion that Yi Zhonghai was the murderer.

It was unfavorable to Yi Zhonghai's survival.

He would be treated as a scapegoat.

"Ai!"

Again a heavy sigh.

In conflicting feelings.

Yi Zhonghai slowly turned his neck, slowly moving his gaze from the three comrades to the wooden bed he knew very well.

The atmosphere instantly became silent.

The three comrades stared unblinkingly at Yi Zhonghai, sizing up his bodily movements and facial expression to make a corresponding judgment.

Only when Yi Zhonghai's gaze fell upon the deaf old lady's wooden bed did the three comrades' highly tense minds ease somewhat.

Yi Zhonghai was not frightened into becoming a fool by the deaf old lady's corpse state.

Know that Liu Jianguo, a newcomer who had just started work seven days ago, was so frightened by the deaf old lady's corpse that he vomited more than ten times, even bringing up bile.

Yi Zhonghai's composure was stronger than Liu Jianguo's.

It might also be because Yi Zhonghai, being upright, fears no crooked shadow.

He did not kill the deaf old lady; her corpse's grim state has nothing to do with Yi Zhonghai.

He is merely an outsider.

But the calm composure Yi Zhonghai shows now contrasts sharply with his earlier fear of lingering at the doorway and refusing to enter.

Such a polarizing person.

The master had never encountered such a person before.

The well-traveled, knowledgeable master, having a thought, tried a probing idea and said these words.

"Comrade Yi Zhonghai, you are the Head Steward of the Siheyuan, quite respected by the neighbors; you have always taken care of the deaf old lady; I think her after‑arrangements should be handled by you, Comrade Yi Zhonghai."

"You don't need to order me; I will naturally do it. I didn't expect the deaf old lady's affair either. If I had slept a little lighter last night, or gotten up a few times, this wouldn't have happened; I blame myself."

The final words of my self‑blame.

Full of self‑blame.

He fully played out the persona of a good‑old‑person to perfection.

But his tone carried a hint of something odd.

Without even heeding the master's advice, Liu Jianguo poked his head out and scrutinized carefully.

Upon looking.

Liu Jianguo's blood pressure couldn't help but rise.

Damn Yi Zhonghai.

Really can fool people.

A blind man lighting a lamp—you're playing tricks.

While Yi Zhonghai, in front of the three comrades, gazed at the deaf old lady's corpse, he unexpectedly, as if possessed, closed his own eyes.

His eyelids cut off Yi Zhonghai's contact with the outside world.

He couldn't see.

He naturally felt no panic in his heart.

Liu Jianguo gave a glance to his master and comrades, pointing his hand at Yi Zhonghai and then at his own eyes.

The master understood everything.

He said in a calm tone: "Comrade Yi Zhonghai, you've taken care of Long Laotaitai for twenty or thirty years; this Long Laotaitai's corpse, huh, what's under her feet?"

Unaware it was a scheme, Yi Zhonghai instinctively opened his eyes; what met his gaze was indeed the ferocious, terrifying sight of Long Laotaitai's gruesome death that could scare someone to death.

His head, originally covered in silver-white hair, had become a large bald head as big as a lightbulb.

Blue and purple hues alternated on his face.

His eyes stared wide, his eyeballs bulging outward.

His mouth hung open, with traces of blood trickling from the corners, his tongue half lolling out.

Both hands formed a five-pronged flame-like pose, arms raised halfway in the air, as if fighting someone or trying to grab something, while his legs twisted into an irregular braid-like shape…

He had imagined Long Laotaitai's death as quite miserable, but he hadn't expected her death to be this horrifying; the scenes he had imagined in his mind suddenly had no place to play out.

He let out a loud howl.

His right hand trembled as it pointed at Long Laotaitai.

His body went limp.

He slumped limp onto the ground.

A pitiful sight.

This deepened the comrades' suspicions of Yi Zhonghai.

Otherwise, how could one explain what was before their eyes?

"Take him back."

"Not meaning to take him back to the Yi family."

"But to the office."

Bright handcuffs appeared on Yi Zhonghai's wrists.

The two comrades dragged Yi Zhonghai, who seemed to have all his strength drained and could not muster any effort, like dragging a dead pig, out of Long Laotaitai's room, through the rear courtyard, through the central courtyard, and just as they were dragging him toward the front courtyard, an aunt from inside the house unexpectedly rushed out, legs spread, arms wide, hands claw‑like, grabbing the bricks of the doorway where the central and front courtyards meet, shouting hoarsely at the two comrades, refusing to let them take Yi Zhonghai away.

"Comrades, you've misunderstood; our Old Yi could never have killed Long Laotaitai. He did beat her yesterday, but who let Long Laotaitai be in the wrong first? If it weren't for Long Laotaitai first slapping a chamber pot of feces onto our Old Yi's head, saying that his caring for the Jia family's widows and orphans showed designs on Qin Huairu, our Old Yi would never have clashed with Long Laotaitai. For over thirty years we've been the ones caring for Long Laotaitai; this kindness wouldn't lead to a criminal case."

The aunt brought up Long Laotaitai's habit of being greedy for food.

That habit.

It was deeply disliked by the neighbors.

"Long Laotaitai is the same—she'd spread rumors about our Old Yi just for a bite to eat, even snatching meat from a five‑year‑old child. She doesn't think: Old Yi is Dong Xu's master; Dong Xu died, leaving the Jia family's old and young widows and several dependent children. If our Old Yi didn't support the Jia family, that household would fall apart. I can't fathom how our Old Yi's help could be mistaken; neighbors, am I right?"

The neighbors inside the courtyard watching the commotion.

They were all being used by the aunt.

"Jia Pozi, Qin Huairu, tell me—without our Old Yi, would the Jia family still be the Jia family? Qin Huairu probably would have been expelled long ago; widows' gates attract gossip. Our Old Yi knows this, yet he still aids the Jia family, simply not wanting them to collapse. What do you call this?"

Jia Zhangshi's face suddenly changed.

This is indeed a life‑or‑death dilemma.

Telling the truth is hard.

Lying is also hard.

The neighbors all knew Yi Zhonghai helped the Jia family, endlessly supporting them.

After Jia Dongxu's death, the Jia family truly lived the days Jia Zhangshi had dreamed of—meals improved two or three times a week, the coarse triple‑blend flour became mixed‑corn steamed buns, and thanks to Yi Zhonghai's aid, the Jia family members changed their clothes inside and out.

This is a fact.

Beyond doubt.

If one were to agree with the aunt's words.

Otherwise Jia Zhangshi would be taken away; she thinks that if Yi Zhonghai were arrested, Long Laotaitai's death would have a scapegoat.

Qin Huairu could go to work, and she could continue to loaf around at home eating and being lazy.

Lying.

It would put the Jia family in a bind.

After the neighbors witnessed Yi Zhonghai's all‑round aid to the Jia family, you, Jia Zhangshi, at the critical moment of his death, instead of acknowledging his kindness, you lied, claiming his help to the Jia family was mistaken.

The key is that your Jia family gained benefits.

You took the benefits, then kept saying you didn't get any.

It would leave the Jia family with a bad impression of being ungrateful.

Thus.

How could the Siheyuan neighbors still help the Jia family? How could the Jia family, in the name of being widows and orphans, bleed the Siheyuan neighbors dry?

Helping an ungrateful wretch.

Even a fool wouldn't do that.

Jia Zhangshi, having considered these consequences, felt torn and truly didn't know how to answer.

His gaze turned to Qin Huairu.

Seeing Qin Huairu turn her head aside.

He couldn't help cursing Qin Huairu a few times in his heart.

He bluntly said Qin Huairu was a little ingrate, not giving this mother‑in‑law a way out.

Afterward, he really had no recourse.

They brought up the old trick again, speaking of the Jia Family's difficulties.

An old, oft-repeated topic.

It gave the neighbors a faint feeling of disgust.

Jia Zhangshi is still so disgusting.