Chapter 32: The Hammer Demon Case (Part I)

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Harbin Second Hospital.
Li Rui hurriedly rushed into the ward, only to see Wen Rou lying on the bed, chatting and laughing with Qi Wei.
Seeing Li Rui’s concerned expression, Qi Wei couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s going on?” Li Rui asked with concern.
“Forensic Doctor Li, you finally arrived,” Qi Wei said with a smile. “Don’t worry, Sister Wen Rou is fine. The doctor said she’s just overworked and will recover after some rest. You two talk; I’ll step out for a bit.”
Li Rui frowned in confusion. “Overworked? No, Wen Rou, what exactly happened? Please don’t hide anything from me.”
Wen Rou rolled her eyes at him and said, “Hey, are you secretly hoping something happened to me?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I was just wondering why you suddenly fainted.”
After Qi Wei left, Wen Rou sighed and said, “You just got back from clearing your mind too, right? But unlike you, I’m not so carefree, able to leave whenever I want. Some things have been stuck in my heart for too long, causing a physical reaction—I fainted because of it.”
Only then did Li Rui understand. Wen Rou, like him, was deeply entangled by this case.
“The provincial department awarded me a first-class merit. I’m grateful, but behind this honor, I’m filled with conflict and struggle. I can’t forget Liu Meixin—she was the one I processed before she was sent to trial. Though she’s been brought to justice, her image haunts my mind,” Wen Rou said.
Li Rui understood her feelings well. “Though Liu Meixin was involved, she was actually a victim of this case. She was kind-hearted but forced down a wrong path by Jia Wenming’s coercion, with no way to turn back.”
“I often wonder, if I hadn’t given her that pack of sanitary napkins, would she have confessed the truth? That thought haunts me like a curse. I suffer from insomnia and am frequently jolted awake by nightmares filled with Liu Meixin’s terrified, desperate eyes.”
Li Rui pulled over a stool and sat beside Wen Rou, grasping her familiar hand to comfort her. “Wen Rou, don’t torment yourself anymore. Everyone must pay for their actions, whether forced or willing. You didn’t faint from exhaustion; it was the heavy psychological burden that caused it.”
Wen Rou looked at Li Rui, recognizing the familiar gesture but hesitated.
She wanted to pull her hand back but was held more firmly.
“Wen Rou, actually... I’ve been wanting to tell you what’s been on my mind,” Li Rui finally spoke after much hesitation. “The past was my fault. Because of that incident, I became withdrawn and unwilling to interact, locking myself in a lonely world and hurting you directly. I want to apologize for what happened.”
Wen Rou was surprised by Li Rui’s sudden change of tone. “Li Rui, why are you suddenly saying this... You—you should let go first.”
She withdrew her hand awkwardly. “By the way, I already know about your father’s situation. I understand it’s your emotional knot, so there’s no need to apologize. And now that the truth is clear, you no longer have to carry such a heavy burden.”
Li Rui exhaled deeply. “For a long time, I tried to forget myself through work, neglecting your feelings. Even though my father was exonerated, the emptiness and guilt inside me remain unfilled. Recently, I’ve suffered from insomnia too. I dreamt of Liu Meixin reaching out to me from the underworld, begging me to save her, but I felt powerless to help.”
“At that moment, I gradually understood. Mental shackles don’t solve problems. If we shut ourselves off, we only suffocate and break down. We should look forward, see the people around us, see the vast majority of this society.”
“I’m saying this not only about us but also from my experience as a police officer. I hope it can guide you, be helpful,” Li Rui said earnestly.

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“Pfft,” Wen Rou suddenly laughed.
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious.”
“I never expected Forensic Doctor Li to say something so heartfelt,” Wen Rou smiled lightly, covering her mouth. “But it’s quite touching. Ah, too bad I’m no longer a young woman in her twenties. If I were younger, I might really have fallen for you.”
Li Rui shot her a glance and sat up in mock indignation. “Wen Rou, that’s going too far! I’m trying to help you, and you’re making fun of me.”
“Are you mad?” Wen Rou teased.
Li Rui turned away, silent.
“How boring,” Wen Rou said with a smile. “You’re so petty.”
Li Rui spun around sharply. “What did you say? I’m petty?”
Wen Rou playfully stuck out her tongue. “Of course, you are. Don’t you know?”
“Uh...”
Just as the two bantered, the door suddenly opened.
Wen Rou immediately stopped smiling and said seriously, “Director Han? What brings you here?”
Li Rui was startled and straightened up. “Director Han.”
“I thought it was someone else. So this kid’s here too,” Han Junshan glanced at Li Rui, then walked straight to Wen Rou with concern. “You’re so exhausted you ended up in the hospital. How could I not come? How are you? Are you okay?”
“Thank you for your concern, Director Han. It’s nothing serious. A few days’ rest and I’ll be discharged,” Wen Rou replied.
“Then take more rest. I’ve specially approved it!” Han Junshan said.
“No need, Director Han. I’m fine.”
“Ah, it’s settled then,” Han Junshan waved his hand decisively.
Then he looked up at Li Rui, scolding, “You just got a first-class merit, and your head’s already in the clouds? You even dared to skip the commendation meeting—impressive.”
Li Rui smiled sheepishly. “Director Han, I already asked for leave, didn’t I?”
“That’s not leave, that’s a notice!” Han Junshan pretended to be angry.
“That’s not...”
“You what?” Han Junshan glared at him. “You’re hopeless. If it weren’t for Wen Rou’s sake today, I’d have given you a formal warning!”
“Uh...” Li Rui was embarrassed.
Seeing this, Wen Rou quickly intervened. “Director Han, Li Rui’s leave was for work. Today is the execution day for Jia Wenming. Watching the criminal face justice marks the end of the Nacheng case.”
Hearing Wen Rou’s words, Han Junshan softened. “Look at Wen Rou, lying in bed but still defending you everywhere. You should make things easier for her.”
Li Rui hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, I will learn my lesson and improve.”
Han Junshan sighed. “Since you’re both here, the Nacheng case may be closed, but its impact is far from over. The department is taking it seriously, requiring us to deeply analyze the causes. What kind of social environment breeds a monster like Jia Wenming? And why would a woman like Liu Meixin go astray? We must explore the underlying reasons.”
Wen Rou answered, “Director Han, we’ve been reflecting these days. This case exposes shortcomings in public security and the legal system, as well as deeper issues of human distortion and moral decay. Liu Meixin’s story is but a microcosm of many tragic cases. To uphold justice, we must save more people like her who are trapped and helpless.”
Han Junshan nodded approvingly. “Well said. Your insight reassures me I didn’t misjudge you.”
“Director Han, you came specifically to see me today. It’s not just a simple visit, is it?” Wen Rou smiled.
Han Junshan smiled back. “You caught me. Actually...”
At that moment, Li Rui, leaning against the wall, quietly tried to inch toward the door.
This couldn’t be good. If not now, then when?
Han Junshan’s gaze was sharp; he wasn’t about to let him slip away.
“Stop right there!”
“Uh...” Li Rui turned around. “Director Han, if you have important tasks to assign, I’m not convenient to listen right now, so I’ll...”
“Stand still. You’re involved in this assignment too!” Han Junshan said sternly.
“Heh, what assignment?” Li Rui asked awkwardly.
Han Junshan said, “Recently, multiple home invasion robberies and murders have occurred in Xiping. Local police found a common trait among the victims: blunt force trauma to the head. Although a manhunt is underway, there’s been no substantial progress.”
“Oh dear, so it’s a hammer-wielding maniac,” Li Rui said.

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