Chapter 39 Part 1
Qi Yu received the investigation results early in the morning. Despite the lack of progress, he immediately called Shi Xu.
Forgetting that Shi Xu was adjusting his sleep schedule, he assumed Shi Xu was already awake, only remembering after the call connected, apologizing profusely.
The background noise was loud, almost drowning out Shi Xu’s voice. He vaguely heard Shi Xu say, “It’s fine.”
“Where are you? Why is it so noisy?”
It was nearing the winter solstice. The large supermarket near Shi Xu’s home had a promotional sale, many items discounted, with limited-time offers on fresh eggs and vegetables in the morning. These sales always attracted large crowds of elderly people.
On a whim, wanting to experience the thrill of competitive grocery shopping, Shi Xu arrived at the supermarket at 6:30 am, waiting with a crowd of elderly people for the doors to open.
When Qi Yu called, the supermarket had just opened. Surrounded by enthusiastic aunties and uncles still trying to set him up with their relatives, he excused himself, moving to a less crowded area.
With the reduced noise, he raised his voice slightly so Qi Yu could hear him better.
“Grocery shopping,” he said simply.
Qi Yu glanced at the time. 7:05 am.
“Seriously? Grocery shopping this early? What are you buying?” He remembered Shi Xu usually shopped after work.
Shi Xu didn’t answer, changing the subject. “You called for a reason, didn’t you?”
Remembering his purpose, Qi Yu said quickly, “The owner of the house parasitized by the Jinzhu Bay pollutant was Zhao Huihuang, a local, 42 years old. Two years ago, during National Day, he went on a trip with his parents, child, and in-laws. They were all killed in a car accident. He was the sole survivor. After that, he became reclusive, cutting off contact with everyone…”
That’s why the pollutant chose him. No complicated relationships to maintain, no need for pretense.
Qi Yu investigated Zhao Huihuang to see if he had any connection to Shi Xu’s sister’s boyfriend. The results were negative. They didn’t know each other.
One thing was certain: the pollutant killed Shi Xu’s sister’s boyfriend before killing Zhao Huihuang.
As for why it used his body before dying, perhaps it simply preferred his appearance.
“I checked the surveillance footage near Jinzhu Bay. The pollutant, disguised as Zhao Huihuang, left the house once this month, on the anniversary of their deaths, to visit their graves.” Qi Yu’s voice was filled with a strange emotion.
Others involved in the case were also puzzled. Someone voiced their shared confusion. “Why would a pollutant do that?”
Shi Xu walked past a shelf, grabbing a can of infant formula from the top shelf, checking the expiration date before moving on.
He could multitask, shopping while listening to Qi Yu, even formulating his response.
“Xiao Liu and Cheng Fan came to see me after being consumed,” Shi Xu said. “Xiao Liu had no intention of harming me. The pollutant came to fulfill his wish.”
Qi Yu was taken aback. “Wish? What wish?”
“Xiao Liu was a fan of mine. He heard Chen Han and the others badmouthing me. After becoming a pollutant, the pollutant learned of his wish, helping him kill them. He thought he did a good deed, coming to inform me, hoping for praise.”
And hoping he would return to the Anomaly Management Bureau, reclaim his position as captain, and bask in the admiration and applause.
He didn’t tell Qi Yu this. It wasn’t necessary.
“What about Cheng Fan? What was his wish?” Qi Yu pressed.
Remembering Cheng Fan’s threat to expose his secret, Shi Xu considered telling Qi Yu about Gu Sui being a pollutant, then decided against it. He would tell him in person later.
He offered a casual excuse, which wasn’t entirely a lie, echoing Cheng Fan’s own words.
“Cheng Fan, like Chen Han and the others, mocked me for working as a security guard, even threatening to expose me online. Xiao Liu stopped him.”
“What the fuck?!” Qi Yu cursed. “Those lunatics…”
He ranted for a minute, then sighed. “That’s insane. Is that pollutant some kind of wish-granting genie? ‘I’ll kill you, take over your life, and in return, I’ll fulfill your wish.'”
Shi Xu: “You might be right.”
Silence. Then, Qi Yu’s voice, “I have a terrifying thought. This could be… beneficial.”
Shi Xu reached for a pack of diapers. “What do you mean, beneficial?”
Qi Yu asked cautiously, “Do you think Zhao Huihuang willingly became a host?”
He was careful with his words, remembering how Lin Zhi used his careless remark against him.
Shi Xu chuckled. “That’s an interesting theory.”
Qi Yu said seriously, “I’m being serious.”
Shi Xu’s tone turned serious as well. “I think it’s possible.”
“Right? I knew you would understand.” Qi Yu’s excitement faded, his voice turning dejected.
He had this thought after learning about Zhao Huihuang’s past.
After waking up in the hospital, learning that everyone he loved was dead, Zhao Huihuang became reclusive, shutting himself off from the world for two years, until he met the pollutant.
The pollutant promised to reunite him with his family, so he willingly became a host.
In return, the pollutant granted him peace through death, visiting his family every year on the anniversary of their deaths, disguised as him.
Qi Yu shared his theory, his voice choked with emotion, moved by his own story.
After he finished, he realized Shi Xu hadn’t responded.
“Hey, are you even listening?”
Shi Xu replied indifferently, “I am.”
Qi Yu still sounded unhappy. “You’ve been ignoring me ever since you got a boyfriend.”
Shi Xu: “That’s a strangely suggestive remark for a friend.”
Qi Yu: “You’ve changed! You’re getting impatient with me!”
Shi Xu: “If I were truly impatient, I would have hung up when you started being unreasonable. I’m still talking to you, which means I still care.”
“…” Qi Yu suddenly realized, “You’re right.”
Shi Xu smiled. “Since you agree, can you stop being unreasonable now? And apologize.”
“Sorry!” He apologized instinctively, then paused. “Wait, are you manipulating me?!”
Shi Xu, having found what he needed, walked towards the fresh produce section.
The limited-time sale started at 7:30 am. The area was already packed with people, mostly elderly.
Today’s special was eggs, discounted to 3.58 yuan per jin, large and fresh, a limited-time offer.
Many had traveled long distances, waking up early, just for this sale.
The noise intensified. Qi Yu asked, puzzled, “Where are you shopping? Why is it so noisy?”
At exactly 7:30 am, the staff removed the barrier, and the seemingly frail elderly people charged towards the egg display, swarming it in seconds.
“Don’t push! I was here first!”
“What do you mean, first? I’ve been waiting since 6:30!”
“6:30? I was here at 6! I’m first!”
“Line up! Have some respect for your elders!”
“Line up for what? Who said we have to line up?”
“You mentioned respecting elders? You look younger than me, get to the back of the line!”
Qi Yu: “…”
What the hell?
Why were they so aggressive?
Like they were about to kill each other!
“This is a tough mission. I’ll call you back.”
Before Qi Yu could respond, Shi Xu hung up, joining the fray.
Qi Yu: “…”
What kind of dangerous mission was Shi Xu on???
At 6′ tall, Shi Xu had a height advantage, but…
He was immediately pushed back.
This was more difficult than facing a horde of pollutants. He could kill pollutants without hesitation, but not these elderly people. If he pulled out his sword, he would be arrested.
He had to avoid physical contact, afraid of accidentally injuring them. This was the most challenging situation he had ever faced.
“Such a handsome young man, competing with us old folks? Excuse me, young man, I have a heart condition!”
“Hmph, I have asthma! Don’t push me, I can’t breathe!”
“Ouch, ouch…”
“Ouch what? If you’re not feeling well, go home! Make room for us!”
Amidst the chaos, someone even groped his butt. He was pushed out of the crowd.
In less than five minutes, the eggs were gone, those who didn’t manage to grab any still arguing with the staff.
“Are they all gone?”
Staff: “The next batch will be available in an hour.”
Seeing the still energetic crowd, ready for the next round, Shi Xu gave up.
He was confident he could defeat a pollutant.
But not these elderly people.
…
He went to the self-checkout counter. Just as he was about to pay, a hand reached out, scanning the QR code and paying for him.
He smelled the familiar lemon scent, recognizing the person even before seeing him.
Gu Sui picked up the bags, offering his hand. “Wife, I’m… here… to take you… home.”
Shi Xu patted his hand, his hand immediately captured by Gu Sui.
Gu Sui, still holding his hand tightly, complained, “Wife… so cruel… I washed… my hands… carefully…”
He had meticulously cleaned himself, just for this moment.
“I… always want… to hold… Wife’s hand… Doesn’t… Wife… want to?”
Shi Xu didn’t answer, nor did he pull away. Gu Sui, anticipating his reaction, didn’t need a verbal response.
His lack of resistance was answer enough.
“It’s okay… if Wife… doesn’t want… I want to…” He swung their joined hands, his earlier dejection replaced by a cheerful energy. “Wife, I… like you… so much…”
Sunlight streamed through the bare branches of the plane trees lining the path, falling on their intertwined hands.
Shi Xu’s gaze fell on their joined hands, the cold wind no longer feeling as biting.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay home and watch Sui Sui?”
