Hospital 444
Chapter 545 - 7: Darkness

Chapter 545: Chapter 7: Darkness

To be honest...

Now, Hai Yunlan’s wariness towards Song Ran had begun to wane.

Although she still had absolutely no recollection of her, at least she could tell that Song Ran truly cared about her. Such genuine concern was very hard to fake.

At least to Hai Yunlan, she at least felt that Song Ran bore no ill will towards her.

"Listen carefully, Yun Lan, no matter what, don’t offend the people from Wumianhui," Song Ran said in a lowered voice, "They’re more terrifying than you can imagine."

"These people commit all sorts of crimes and wear masks, which I can understand. But why do the police also have to wear masks?"

This was what puzzled Hai Yunlan the most.

It just didn’t make sense.

"About that..."

"You’re not going to tell me it’s for fear of retaliation, are you? Have the Wumianhui become so bold that even the police have to wear masks?"

"Yes," Song Ran nodded, "The Wumianhui is that terrifying, not to mention they have their protectors."

"No," Hai Yunlan still felt something was amiss, "if that were true, there would be no need for the police to wear masks, right? After all, in this small Southeast Asian country, the police and the criminals are in cahoots."

Song Ran hadn’t expected Hai Yunlan to spot the flaw in her words so quickly.

"They wear masks for some other reason, don’t they? Is it the same reason as the Wumianhui?"

In fact, the members of Wumianhui all wore masks, kept their identities strictly secret, and even used voice changers, which was quite absurd. If the Wumianhui were really so powerful and had protectors, why would they worry about their identities being exposed?

Combined with the police force all wearing masks, it made Hai Yunlan even more incredulous.

What was the real reason behind their wearing masks or face coverings?

"Criminals..."

Suddenly, she grasped the issue.

The actions of Wumianhui seemed as if...

"Remember, Yun Lan, don’t go outside unless it’s necessary,"

As Song Ran was leaving, she repeatedly emphasized this point to Hai Yunlan.

"I know, I won’t go out..."

After Song Ran left, Hai Yunlan wandered alone inside the room.

She was pondering the strange and eerie phenomena occurring on the island.

Then, the image of a black skeleton resurfaced in her mind!

It was one of the few things on the island... that she felt she had seen before!

She couldn’t even remember her own mother and uncle, yet the black skeleton evoked a sense of déjà vu!

"Criminals... black skeleton..."

For some reason, the thought of criminals always unconsciously brought the image of the black skeleton to her mind.

"What exactly is that black skeleton..."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

She immediately went to the door and asked cautiously, "Who... who is it?"

"Hello, I am a police officer."

Upon hearing the word "police," Hai Yunlan realized that it was probably about the death of the man and woman.

This was normal, too; with the bodies so close, it made sense for the police to come and ask routine questions.

Still, she asked with a hint of caution, "You are... police officers?"

"Yes, that’s right. I’m from the town police station."

"Do you have a police badge?"

A puzzled voice came from outside, "Did you just ask... for a police badge?"

Hai Yunlan suddenly realized...

These people who wore masks probably wouldn’t easily show their police badges.

"Enough, open the door. We’ll just ask a few questions and leave. If you don’t open the door, it means you have something to hide. You’d better think carefully."

Hearing this, Hai Yunlan knew that it was impossible not to open the door.

She could only open the door.

Two police officers wearing uniforms and donning white masks stood outside the door.

"What... is it that you want to ask me?"

The officer in front said, "Listen carefully. You know that there was a death in front of your house, right?"

"Yes... I know..."

"I want to understand some details to compare with the case. Last night, what did you see?"

"I saw..."

"Hold on." The other officer interrupted her and added, "Before you answer, think carefully. Did you go to sleep very early last night and sleep so soundly that you didn’t see anything at all?"

"I..."

"Don’t answer so quickly," said the other officer. "Think it over before answering. Talking recklessly can bring trouble your way. Right? Ah, this... Speaking without thinking could cause unnecessary trouble, and it’s difficult to guarantee what might happen then."

Hai Yunlan understood now.

They weren’t here to gather information at all.

They were here to intimidate the residents nearby.

Could these even be called police?

"Ah," the officer in front quickly said, "how can you talk like that? Didn’t we say that we need to approach our work properly, not to scare people? Miss, now please answer me properly, what did you see last night?"

Hai Yunlan bit her lip and said, "Last night, both my mother and I went to bed early, and we slept very soundly... I didn’t see or hear anything."

The police continued to press: "So you’re certain that you didn’t see the killer, right? You also don’t know who killed them?"

"I didn’t see... and I don’t know."

"Can you guarantee that you’ll give the same answer in the future, no matter who asks you?"

"Of... of course."

"That’s good. If you say something different in the future in front of others, it will mean you lied to us, and then we will have to invite you to the police station."

"I, I understand."

Having received their satisfactory response, the two men left.

Hai Yunlan closed the door, feeling drained and powerless.

She was shaking all over.

These people, dressed in police uniforms, were engaging in such actions!

"They didn’t even show me badges... They’re just like those people from Wumianhui, sneaking and hiding..."

What was their purpose in hiding their identities so thoroughly?

As time went on...

About two hours later, someone knocked at the door again.

Hai Yunlan approached the door and asked, "Who is it?"

"Hello. My name is Su Wen, I’m your neighbor. I have something... I’d like to discuss with you."

"I’m sorry, I’m the only one at home right now, it’s not really convenient..."

"I saw it. Last night... I saw you covering A-Yu’s body with a blanket. She wasn’t dead at that time, right? I saw it all."

"What are you trying to say?" Hai Yunlan became immediately alert.

"I... I know about your father’s situation. Back then, you were only sixteen years old. Your family was forced to kneel, and you all had to publicly declare your father a criminal, denounce him, list his supposed crimes, and completely cut ties with him. But everyone knows... your father was a good man."

"My father..."

Hai Yunlan wanted to inquire further, but to ask would be to reveal her amnesia.

"At six o’clock... I’m supposed to meet A-Yu’s father at a certain place. I hope you’ll go see him. A-Yu said something to you before she died, right?"

"No..."

"I know, I know you’re scared. But I just can’t stand it anymore. A-Yu’s father was my former teacher, and since his retirement, his health has been deteriorating. His whole life was pinned on A-Yu. Now... with A-Yu gone, his life has lost its hope. At least, you could tell him the identity of one of the killers."

"I don’t know any killer’s identity..."

"It’s your choice. I’ve written down an address for you. At six o’clock, you can choose to meet A-Yu’s father or not. Whatever you decide, I’ll understand."

Then, a piece of paper was slipped through the door crack.

"If you choose not to go, I won’t come looking for you again in the future, nor will I tell anyone else about this matter. So... goodbye."