Cherish You as My Life - Chapter 22.1

 Chapter 22.1

It rained in Nanquan City. In addition to the fresh scent of leaves and dirt, the air was refreshing after the rain.

At the foot of the Lotus Mountain, a farmer walked over from the path carrying a hoe. He saw someone had set up a large iron pot on the small slope at the foot of the mountain, with firewood and charcoal burning underneath.

Steam was rising from the pot, and there was a pleasant spicy aroma in the environment. 

It was noon, and the farmer was going home for a meal. Smelling the delicious food, his stomach growled loudly. 

As he approached, the farmer noticed the man was preparing a hot pot.

The man who cooked the hot pot was holding a bowl with vinegar, minced garlic, beef sauce, and other sauces in his hand. Using a slotted spoon, he removed a few pieces of pig or duck blood from the pot and placed them into the bowl. And then he ate.

When the farmer stopped and looked at the pot, he felt the food inside the pot looked very appetising. “The hot pot is delicious with some meat, potato slices, enoki mushrooms, and some beef balls. Oh, is it duck blood? Is it delicious?”

“Here,” the man said, pulling another set of bowls and chopsticks from the luggage.

Following the man’s lead, the farmer squatted down and prepared a bowl for him. After tasting the food, the farmer pondered for a few seconds. “The blood in your dish tastes a little strange, but it’s soft. It doesn’t seem to be pig or duck blood. What type of blood is it?”

“Human blood,” the man who was sitting on a large rock behind the farmer stated without looking up.

“Oh! Human blood is good,” replied the farmer, laughing. “I haven’t eaten human blood before, so I’ve learnt a lot today.” He said while thinking, ‘Brother, you are really good at joking.’

While eating, the farmer asked, “Are you a relative of someone here? I’ve never seen you before.”

The man remained silent. He appeared quite reclusive and disliked social interaction.

After emptying the bowl, the farmer placed the bowl and chopsticks on the ground and said, “Thank you. I’m going now. Clean up this place when you leave; otherwise, the village chief will fine you if he sees it later.”

The farmer went home, ate his lunch, and then took a nap.

After a short nap, the farmer switched on the TV. A horror movie was broadcasting, and the farmer decided to watch it. 

The movie was about an elderly woman who operated a small inn. 

She specialised in making human meat buns and blood tofu with human blood and sold them to passersby. 

‘Blood tofu?’ The more the farmer thought about it, he felt something was off. Then he ran in the direction of Lotus Mountain’s base.

*****

After turning to the office, Ji Yao was appreciating his new screensaver while seated in his chair. He couldn’t stop grinning widely. 

At that time, the phone in the office rang, and Zhang Xiang answered it. “Captain, there is a call from the branch near Lotus Mountain saying that someone is cooking and eating human blood at the foot of Lotus Mountain. Offices have already inspected the scene,” Zhang Xiang said after hanging up the phone.

In general cases, each branch was responsible for its own jurisdiction, and they reported to the City Bureau. However, if there was a difficult case, they would transfer the case to the City Bureau.

Ji Yao looked at Zhang Xiang and asked, “Did Director Cai approve it?”

Zhang Xiang nodded and replied, “Approved.”

Before leaving work, Ji Yao received the information.

According to the forensic examination, the blood stains on the inside of the ice bag left at the scene revealed that the blood belonged to Qiao Jiang, who was killed a few days ago.

Ji Yao immediately asked the police to bring the witnesses at the scene to the City Bureau.

With a sour expression, the farmer said, “If I had known it was human blood, I wouldn’t eat it even if I were killed.” He felt gas rise from his stomach after saying this, and it felt like it was about to burst out of his throat, making him want to throw up.

The kind and considerate Deputy Zhao offered him a glass of water, placed the garbage can beside him, and said, “Slow down a moment and speak slowly.”

“The farmer took a sip of water with a painful expression. “I will never eat blood again in my life. I don’t want to eat duck blood, pig blood, or tofu. It’s too oozing.”

“Now that when they see me, the kids in the village flee, accusing me of being a cannibal.”

“Don’t feel any psychological burden. You didn’t know it at all,” Zhao Jingjing said, sitting up straight and opening the record book.

With a pen in his hand, Ji Yao leaned back in his chair and said, “Just think of it as going out and having a hot pot meal.”

Upon hearing those words, the farmer felt even more pain. “I beg you, comrade police, please don’t mention the word hot pot.”

Ji Yao: “Tell me again what you saw at the foot of Lotus Mountain at noon. The more details, the better.

“The farmer went on to explain the situation again.

Ji Yao checked that with the records he received from the branch. “Describe the physical appearance of the person who boiled human blood.”

“His skin is a little dark, and he is very tall—taller than an average person. His face—oh, there is a scar below his ear. Let me think more,” the farmer said after thinking for a few seconds. “Hair, hair is black. Then he’s pretty strong. He dislikes talking and is dressed in a black T-shirt.”

 After exchanging glances, Ji Yao and Zhao Jingjing were pretty sure that Liu Qiangshan, the Burmese murderer, was the one who killed Qiao Jiang.

 End of chapter 22.1