The young man wasn't an expert with computers, just like she could tell at first glance that the photos on the computer were fake. However, the photo on the phone, to put it simply, had no traces of editing.
After being frightened, the policewoman quickly returned to the station and found a colleague from the technical department to analyze it. After this colleague worked on the photo, a big man swaggered in, and said, "If my ten years of experience and this computer are not wrong, this image hasn't been manipulated. That is, the photo taken by his phone, the date of the photo, basically coincides with the estimated time of death from the forensic doctor. It can be said that this photo was taken within three hours before this person's death."
The policewoman was completely confused. At this point in the case, the appearance of ghosts and monsters turned it into an unsolved case, but the findings of the policewoman's investigation spread throughout the police station, and a discussion ensued. Because of this, the police station specifically held a meeting and imposed a gag order.
The policewoman herself was a meticulous person, and even if she believed in ghosts, she still wanted to find a reason to convince herself - how did the young man die, under what circumstances was this photo taken?
It was in this situation that they coincidentally found Fatty.
When Fatty finished telling the story, Policewoman Chen Jiuli was trembling with fear. In Fatty's recollection, the female protagonist was also a policewoman, which made Chen Jiuli feel very personally involved, and because I and Lin Sanshui didn't know Ren Xue and didn't feel scared, Chen Jiuli was already completely overwhelmed.
"Do you know this Ren Xue?" I asked her.
"I know, a pitiful girl. When I was in college, the people in our dormitory all knew about her. Those who harmed her back then couldn't die a good death. Fatty Liu, what did you do next?" Jiuli called out to Fatty.
"You can call me Sir Fatty, or Uncle Liu, but please don't call me Fatty Liu. Don't forget you're currently seeking my help," Fatty said.
"If you dare say that you dealt with Ren Xue back then, I will definitely not get along with you!" Jiuli stood up, this girl was obsessed with the story.
"How is that possible? I'm not a deity, but when she showed me that photo, I was also puzzled. There was no mention of this situation in the ancient books. And I know that girl, she was quite a good girl, a victim of those abnormal times. Moreover, she has already been saved and prayed for good karma in her next life. This kind of thing shouldn't have happened to her. So I sent that young woman away, but today, when I suddenly saw the video you brought, I wondered if this was an issue with her eyes?"
Fatty paused and said, "Taoism is boundless and learning is boundless, I just inferred, don't take it to heart. In our Daoist tradition, there's talk of the Third Eye, which means being able to see things that ordinary people cannot see. Of course, you also know a similar ability, it's called Ying eyes, it's all about being able to see ghosts. But what about a camera? It's an electronic eye, but is it similar to the Third Eye in our Daoist tradition?"
I found this incredibly tiresome to listen to, as I rarely used a camera and didn't really understand Fatty's meaning. The policewoman, on the other hand, stood up with a pale face and said, "You mean to say that, standing next to you, there's a ghost that you can't see, but if you open the camera, you can capture it?"
Fatty nodded and said, "That's roughly what I mean, but there's a specific condition. In other words, under certain conditions, using the camera on your phone, you can photograph things that the human eye can't see. As for what this specific condition is, I still haven't quite figured it out. Also, if any of you experience sleep paralysis or feel something cold is drifting around you, just turn on the camera on your phone and take a look. You might be able to capture something that the naked eye can't see. When I figure it out, I'll record this discovery for posterity!"
The policewoman was looking extremely grim. During my time at university, I used to see female classmates regularly posting selfies on social media, and this policewoman was definitely part of the selfie generation. However, from today onwards, I suspect she won't dare take pictures of herself when alone. What if she accidentally captures something strange?
After discussing this with Fatty, we seemed to have little else to say. Everyone could tell that the issue with my father was definitely related to the red coffin in the ancestral hall, but no one knew where the problem lay. Fatty also didn't have a solution for dealing with the red coffin.
After a moment of silence, the four of us, including Jiuli, quietly smoked. Whoever said the most terrifying thing is human nature? That's because they haven't seen ghosts!
After smoking for a while, I thought about the second thing I needed to do, so I said to Jiuli and Lin Sanshui, "Colleague Sanshui, I need to speak privately with Sir Liu. Would you mind stepping out?"
Lin Sanshui certainly had no problem, so he nodded and left. Jiuli, on the other hand, is distrustful, and even looked at me a few times before leaving.
"Sir Liu, I've given your business card to my uncle," I said to Fatty after they had left.
Fatty suddenly became interested and said, "Oh? What did he say? Did my reputation scare him off?"
I looked at Fatty's face and felt a bit embarrassed to say, "My uncle said that Purple Mansion Mountain Mystical Truth Temple? What a grand scene! He wants to see you, so you have to go see him!"
"Damn it!" Fatty slapped his thigh and said, "What a big show! Tell him to come see me! Today! It's a time-limited offer!"
I was at a loss, these two were like kids, but getting rid of that red coffin was definitely top priority. Please, you two immortals, can you please not act like children?
We were silent for a while, the four of us, including Jiuli, silently smoking, as everyone knows, the most terrifying thing is human nature.
"Fat Man, Uncle Liu, it doesn't matter who meets whom in this matter. My second uncle is stubborn, but you, Fat Man, are open-hearted and broad-minded. Can you not have the same experience as him? Just consider it as doing me a favor," I said to the fat man.
The fat man pretended to be reluctant, saying, "Alright, this time, I'll give you face, remember, it's me giving you face!"
I naturally expressed my gratitude, and it was agreed that when everyone was taking a nap at noon today, the two of them would meet.
After settling things here, I took the policewoman home. On the way, the policewoman asked me, "What were you whispering about with that fat man?"
"It's a secret," I teased her intentionally.
To my surprise, the policewoman rolled her eyes at me and didn't ask any further. Instead, after a while, she said, "I'll find another place to sleep."
"Aren't you fond of sleeping in a tent?" I wondered why she suddenly said that.
The policewoman's face instantly turned red, and after a while, she stomped her foot and said, "You're just like your father! I can't sleep outside, okay?"
—What she said was indeed a problem. This policewoman was cautious and observant. I had seen that when we were dealing with Lin Erda's ghost. At that time, she was so frightened that she clung to me, but this was difficult. In this small mountain village, where could I find a place for her to stay? She couldn't stay at someone else's house, and she would definitely be scared to stay alone.
"Why don't you just go back? It's not suitable for you here," I said to her.
Pouting, she said, "I won't go back until things are sorted out here!"
"But I really can't find a place for you to stay!" I said.
"I'll just squeeze in with the mother and daughter," the policewoman said and then walked away without consulting me, simply announcing it.
Watching the policewoman walking away, I felt a bit lost, but also somewhat relieved.
This is my sentiment towards the mother and daughter - tangled.
—After returning, I told Wu Miaoke and Lin Xiaoyao about this matter. People are like this, despite their internal resistance, they cannot express it on the surface. No matter what, the policewoman was a guest in my house, and so were the other two. They had to obey my arrangements as the host.
So, my next-door neighbor ended up with three people.
I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if I sneaked into the room tonight?
Of course, this was just my evil thought. During the day, the policewoman moved into the room with the mother and daughter. After lunch, the fat man came to my door. Instead of entering, he called the policewoman to call me out.
"Young man, after giving it some thought, I, Fat Man, think it's beneath my dignity to meet him. So, let him come to the ancestral hall to meet me. Also, we can ponder over this grudge during that time," the fat man said.