Chapter 240: Doctor

Zhou Hui was found!

But what was found was a corpse already decayed!

When Gu Changzheng heard this news, he was momentarily stunned! In that “hoodie” hideout, Zhou Hui’s name had been specifically listed on the roster, and this entire investigation had led him to firmly believe Zhou Hui was the true killer behind the serial murders!

Yet now the corpse of this key suspect had appeared—and judging by its level of decay, it was likely the same day he first visited the orphanage; Zhou Hui was probably killed shortly after he and the others left that day!

“Strange! Too strange!” Gu Changzheng simply couldn’t make sense of it! If Zhang Shaodong was the “hoodie,” then who was his accomplice?

Who was the “hoodie” that deliberately lured him and Gao Ye to the hideout that day? What was his motive? Was he an ally or an enemy of the killer who murdered Fang Shengnan?

Countless mysteries tangled like a chaotic chessboard, leaving Gu Changzheng utterly lost.

Thinking as he drove, he unconsciously arrived at City No. 1 Hospital; remembering Luo Fei was still hospitalized, he pulled over and went straight to the ward.

It was just past seven in the evening; Zhou Hui’s body had been found near Qingjiang River, not far from the hospital. Unlike the other girls, the killer had not sexually assaulted Zhou Hui—but he still gouged out her eyes and disemboweled her.

This time, however, the killer seemed even more brutal: after disemboweling Zhou Hui, he removed her internal organs—liver, intestines—and replaced them with uneven stones, then sealed her abdomen and sank her body into the riverbed. She was discovered only because recent heavy rains had raised Qingjiang’s water level, causing the current to shift her corpse underwater; the stitching on her abdomen had been worn through by submerged rocks, the stones fell out, and her body finally floated to the surface.

Recalling the scene just witnessed, Gu Changzheng found himself standing before Luo Fei’s bed.

Luo Fei, who had been gloomy, immediately brightened upon seeing Gu Changzheng and called out: “Master! What are you doing here?”

That “Master” pulled Gu Changzheng back to reality. He glanced around and smiled: “Huh? Why are you alone? Where’s Xiao Su? Aren’t you two inseparable?”

He knew that during Luo Fei’s hospitalization, Su Ruonan had visited nearly every day; their bond had deepened steadily, and he suspected they were on the verge of marriage.

So seeing Luo Fei alone now, he teased him.

Luo Fei chuckled: “Ruonan… just left.” Then he asked: “Why are you free today? Did you catch the killer?”

Gu Changzheng’s smile faded. He sighed wearily: “Hmph! Things are getting more complicated.” He paused, realizing he shouldn’t show negativity in front of Luo Fei, then added: “But we’ve narrowed down the hoodie’s identity. We’ll catch him soon. Just focus on healing—you don’t want to be stuck here when we finally arrest him, huh? Ha!”

His words struck a nerve. Luo Fei grumbled: “Yeah, Master, I was just going to talk to you about this. Can you…”

Before he finished, Gu Changzheng snapped his eyes wide: “No! Don’t even think about it! You’re badly injured—you won’t return to duty until you’re fully recovered. If you try anything stupid, I’ll transfer you to the records department!”

Luo Fei hung his head, silent—but his expression still radiated defiance.

Gu Changzheng couldn’t help smiling, about to tease him further, when a doctor in a white coat entered the ward.

Gu Changzheng sat facing the ward door. The doctor walked in normally, but as Gu Changzheng lifted his head to speak to Luo Fei, his gaze passed the doorway—and locked onto the doctor about to enter.

In that instant of eye contact, Gu Changzheng sensed the doctor’s gaze flicker—like someone who recognized him but hadn’t expected to see him here, now.

Gu Changzheng froze. His professional instincts made him study the doctor again. This time, he felt he’d seen this figure before.

The doctor was on duty in the surgical ward today and had come to check on Luo Fei as routine. After asking a few simple questions, he prepared to leave.

Throughout, Gu Changzheng kept his eyes on the doctor from the corner of his vision. As the doctor turned toward the door, Gu Changzheng suddenly called out: “Wait!”

The doctor’s body tensed slightly, then stopped in place—still facing forward, not turning back, not speaking.

For a few seconds, the air seemed to freeze. Luo Fei on the bed sensed something was off. Gu Changzheng had risen to his feet. Then slowly, the doctor turned his head toward Gu Changzheng and asked: “What do you want?”

“Oh, Doctor, I’d like to ask—when can he be discharged? How’s his recovery going?” Gu Changzheng asked.

The doctor wore a blue medical mask, hiding his face—but now, Gu Changzheng felt the man suddenly relax.

If moments ago he had been like a cat suddenly facing a predator, radiating tension, now that tension had vanished entirely. He adjusted his posture, turned fully toward Gu Changzheng, and calmly described Luo Fei’s condition.

His explanation was fluent, professional—convincing Gu Changzheng he was indeed a real doctor.

Gu Changzheng nodded silently in thanks. The doctor asked: “Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

Gu Changzheng shook his head, thanked him again. The doctor gave him one last look and left Luo Fei’s ward.

Gu Changzheng’s eyes no longer concealed their focus as he watched the doctor’s back. After the doctor left, Gu Changzheng leaned close to Luo Fei and whispered one quick sentence, then hurried out.