Chapter 37: Playing Tricks with the Gods

  The next day, Tang Xiaosheng received good news that his plan to obtain evidence of Xia Bai's crime was adopted by Deputy Director Bao Zhiming of the Public Security Bureau.

  To make Xia Bai more convinced of the fact that Tang Xiao Sheng was dead, the police published a fake news report in that day's "Jinghua Metropolitan Evening News", which roughly read:

  "Last night, a murder case occurred in Shun'an Alley, Fu'an District, where a young man with the surname Tang was killed on his way home. The police found obvious wounds on his body. Currently, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Criminal Investigation has launched an investigation and is making every effort to apprehend the perpetrator."

  XXX

  Baiyi Hotel, office.

  Xia Bai sat quietly, his face a bit heavy. Last night, he had just learned of Tang Xiaosheng's death and hadn't slept well all night. He himself was also clear that murder was a serious crime. Originally, he had only planned to teach Tang Xiaosheng a lesson, telling people to break one of his legs, but unexpectedly, they ended up beating him to death.

  "Director Xia, it seems that Tang Xiaosheng is really dead. Today's newspaper has already reported it." At this time, a bodyguard walked in with a copy of today's Beijing Metropolitan Evening News and said in a low voice.

  Xia Bai was taken aback for a moment, took the newspaper, examined it for a while, shook his head and said: "Tang Xiaosheng is too incompetent, he actually died like this. It's good that he's dead, it's all over." After finishing speaking, he let out a long sigh, sank down, and asked, "Last night when you took action, didn't you leave any evidence behind?"

  "Director Xia, don't worry at all, nothing will happen. I've only been in contact with those thugs by phone and we've never met in person. They don't even know who I am. The police can investigate as much as they want, but they won't be able to find anything on us." The bodyguard said confidently.

  Xia Bai let out a slight sigh of relief and muttered to herself: "It's better this way."

  XXX

  Since the police had published news of Tang Xiaosheng's death in the newspaper, it was not good for Tang Xiaosheng to show his face again. Instead, he stayed at home 24 hours a day, preparing for his next move - inviting Xia Bai to his home.

  As long as Xia Bai makes an appointment, Tang Xiaosheng can make preparations in advance and then use psychological warfare to interrogate him, thus finding evidence of his crime.

  To make Xia Bai show up, Little Dragon Girl is undoubtedly the best choice. As long as Little Dragon Girl asks him to meet, he will certainly not refuse.

  "Over here, what reason should I use to ask Xia Bai out?" Little Dragon Girl asked somewhat perplexedly, as she really had no experience with deception.

  Relatively speaking, Tang Xiaosheng's experience in deceiving people is much richer. He explained: "Long'er, now you should think that I'm already dead, lost your boyfriend, very sad, very lonely, and need a man to comfort you. Then, under such circumstances, you call Xia Bai and let him come to accompany you, it's just that simple."

  "Is it simple? I feel like it's very complicated."

  Tang Xiaosheng smiled and said, "Actually, it's just a play for Xia Bai to watch, and tricking him out is fine."

  Little Dragon Girl's eyebrows curved: "I won't act."

  Tang Xiaosheng replied: "It doesn't matter, if you don't know, we can learn slowly, I'll teach you."

  Little Dragon Girl then began to learn how to act for Xia Bai, from facial expressions and movements to lines, Tang Xiao Sheng guided her one by one. However, she was naturally simple-minded and didn't know how to pretend, her acting talent was really quite ordinary, after learning for a long time, she still couldn't get the hang of it. But in order to find evidence of Xia Bai's crime, she persisted, practicing hard.

  Guo Xiang was also busy, holding a DV camera and learning to shoot. Tomorrow, Xiaobailong will bring Xia Bai to her home, at which time Guo Xiang will be in charge of the entire shooting activity, and the content she shoots may become evidence.

  In short, the three of them had a clear division of labor: Little Dragon Girl was responsible for inviting Xia Bai to come here; Guo Xiang was in charge of using a DV machine to record Xia Bai's words and deeds after he arrived; while Tang Xiaosheng was responsible for pretending to be a ghost, striking at Xia Bai's psychological defenses and making him confess his crimes.

  The next evening, everything was ready.

  Apart from Tang Xiao Sheng, Little Dragon Girl and Guo Xiang, Lin Shi Shi also came. She mainly served as a witness and was in charge of arresting Xia Bai.

  Seven o'clock in the evening.

  After a day of practice, Xiaolongnv was still not very good at acting, but she had made significant progress and was basically usable. Tang Xiaosheng then asked her to call Xia Bai.

  "However, I'm still a bit nervous." Little Dragon Girl said anxiously.

  Tang Xiaosheng encouraged: "Don't be afraid, just speak as you felt during today's rehearsal."

  Xiao Long Nu was still a bit nervous and said: "When I make the call, don't leave."

  Tang Xiaosheng held her hand: "Let's go."

  Xiaolongnv brewed her emotions for a while, finally gathering the courage to dial Xiaobai's phone number. In less than ten seconds, Xiaobai's excited voice came through the line: "Long Xue, you've finally agreed to call me."

  "Xia Bai, I..."

  Xiao Long Nu said with a sob. She had practiced this sobbing effect for the whole day. A moment later, she cried out again, "Xia Bai, I'm so lonely now, so scared... wu... wu..."

  Xiao Long Nu's performance was spot on, bringing out the full effect of today's rehearsal, whether it was her voice or emotions, both were perfectly in place, and Tang Xiao Sheng couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.

  Hearing Xiaolongnv's crying voice on the phone, Xiabai was overjoyed, thinking that his chance had finally come. He hastily said: "Xiaoxue, where are you now? I'll go find you."

  "Home." Little Dragon Girl replied.

  "Okay, I'll go right away."

  Xia Bai was invited out just like this, and the situation was even smoother than expected.

  Then, as planned, Tang Xiaosheng, Guo Xiang and Lin Shishi hid in the bedroom of Little Dragon Girl, leaving only Little Dragon Girl waiting in the living room. This bedroom was carefully arranged by them today, it will be the main battlefield for interrogating Xia Bai tonight.

  About half an hour later, Xia Bai arrived.

  After meeting, Little Dragon Girl didn't say much, only maintaining a sorrowful and melancholic expression. This expression was designed by Tang Xiaosheng today, and she had practiced for a day to master it.

  Xia Bai saw that she seemed to be in low spirits, comforted her a few words, and then solemnly vowed: "Long Xiaoxue, don't be sad. Tang Xiaosheng may have died, but I'm still here with you. I swear, I will definitely make you the happiest woman in the world."

  Xiao Long Nu paused for a moment, gazing at him, and said softly: "Xia Bai, it's really good to have you."

  This line was also designed by Tang Xiaosheng for her, and even the tone of speech at that time was personally taught by Tang Xiaosheng.

  Xia Bai's bones immediately softened by half as soon as he heard her say that, and he became so excited that he couldn't find his bearings.

  At this time, Little Dragon Girl again put on a shy expression and said softly: "Xia Bai, you go to my bedroom first, I'll be there in a moment."

  "Alright, I'll wait for you in the bedroom." Xia Bai's heart was overjoyed, she had actually taken the initiative to ask him into her bedroom, wasn't this a clear hint? Without thinking much, he hastily walked into Little Dragon Girl's bedroom.

  As soon as he entered the bedroom, he found that it was pitch black inside, and he couldn't see his fingers when he stretched out his hand. Xia Bai walked a few steps forward, just about to look for the light switch, when suddenly there was a "bang" sound, and the door automatically closed.

  At first, Xia Bai didn't pay attention and thought it was the door of Long Xiaoxue's room. But the room was pitch black and he couldn't see anything, so he called out: "Long Xiaoxue, where is the light switch in the bedroom?"

  He shouted again several times, but there was no response at all.

  Helpless, Xia Bai had no choice but to grope her way slowly in the darkness alone.

  Ah!

  At this time, without warning, a crisp sound, the corner of the bedroom suddenly lit up a small red lantern.

  Seeing such a strange scene, Xia Bai was suddenly frightened, her whole body trembling involuntarily, and her face shocked.

  Just as I was puzzled, I suddenly felt a chill on my back, as if a cold wind had blown in. I turned around to investigate and found that a floor fan had somehow started spinning on its own.

  "This room feels kind of eerie."

  Xia Bai felt that the room was a bit strange, with a somewhat eerie feeling, and a inexplicable fear suddenly surged up in his heart. He concentrated his mind and looked around under the dim red light of the small colored lamp.

  Suddenly, he saw a face.

  Next to the small red lantern, a pale face suddenly appeared.

  Then, a strange figure slowly stood up, and under the reflection of the red neon lights, it seemed like a bloody corpse. Seeing such a bloody and terrifying scene, Xia Bai's eyes widened in shock, her whole body trembling, cold sweat pouring down.

  At this moment, the blood-colored body suddenly moved and took a step forward. Xia Bai was so frightened that she almost couldn't breathe, staring at the blood-colored body in extreme horror.

  All that could be seen was that the other party seemed to be wearing a white robe, with disheveled hair and a pale face. Under the red light, it also showed a blood color. The eyes stared straight ahead, and after a moment, they called out in a low, cold, and trembling voice:

  "It's... you... who... killed... me..."

  "Is that Tang Xiao Sheng?" Xia Bai suddenly cried out in surprise, her legs almost giving way beneath her, her face turning pale and trembling with fear as she stammered: "Y-you... aren't you dead?"

  "It... was... you... who... killed... me..." The blood-colored figure repeated in a cold tone, slowly moving closer, its footsteps seemingly making no sound.

  "Are you human or a ghost?" Xia Bai's whole body began to convulse, panting heavily, and was surrounded by an enormous fear that almost suffocated her.

  "It's... you... who... killed... me..."

  "No, it's not me!" Xia Bai exclaimed in terror, shaking his head frantically and arguing loudly. His mind was completely muddled, he had thought Tang Xiao Sheng was already dead, but now suddenly seeing him appear here again, just like a mouse seeing a cat, his emotions were on the verge of collapse.

  While remaining rational, Xia Bai may not have believed that the world had ghosts. At this time, he was afraid, and besides fear, he was still afraid, unable to think, just constantly shouting: "I didn't hurt you, I really didn't hurt you."

  "It's... you... who... killed... me..."

  "No, I didn't. I just told them to break your legs, it was their mistake that they killed you instead, really has nothing to do with me."

  Xia Bai explained nervously, perhaps because he was too afraid, even his voice changed. Before he finished speaking, suddenly, he felt a hand lightly placed on his shoulder, and he let out a sharp cry like a slaughtered pig, his legs went soft with fear, and he fell to the ground with a thud, hugging his head, curled up into a ball, and trembling all over.

  "It's... you... who... killed..."

  "Alright, Tang Xiaosheng, he's confessed everything. Don't scare him anymore." Just then, a sweet and gentle female voice sounded, and the speaker was none other than Detective Lin Shishi.

  Right after that, with a "click" sound, all the lights in the bedroom lit up, and the dark room suddenly became bright. The pale-faced, white-clothed, disheveled-haired blood-covered body was exactly Tang Xiaosheng, for this look, he had spent quite some effort.

  "Xia Bai, you've already incriminated yourself just now. We suspect that you are the mastermind behind last night's alleyway brawl. I'm arresting you according to law. You have the right to remain silent, but every word you say will be used as evidence against you."

  The situation changed too quickly, Xia Bai was a bit slow to react, and it wasn't until after a while that he finally understood the situation. He looked at Tang Xiao Sheng and said: "So you're not dead?"

  Tang Xiaosheng shrugged and said lightly: "Sorry, I've let you down."

  At this time, Lin Shishi swiftly put a pair of silver handcuffs on Xia Bai. Xia Bai struggled for a few moments and retorted: "What right do you have to arrest me? I was just talking nonsense, it doesn't count."

  "Whether it counts or not, let's leave that to the police to say!" Tang Xiaosheng continued to turn his head and said to Guo Xiang who was still hiding in the corner of the room, "Xiang'er, quickly hand over the DV machine to Sister Lin."

  "Uh-huh."

  After finishing, Guo Xiang took the DV machine and ran over with a jump, then handed it to Lin Shi. She had been hiding in the corner all along, and then shot all the scenes of Xia Bai in the bedroom. And this video she took will become a major breakthrough in the investigation of Xia Bai's murder case. Because once the identity of the criminal is confirmed, it will be much easier to investigate the facts of the crime.

  Then Lin Shishi took the DV machine and escorted Xia Bai to the police station.