Chapter 24: Unqualified

Chapter 24: Unworthy

How foul, the harsh stench of antiseptic;

How painful, each breath drawn, so terribly agonizing;

Who am I?

I am Zhou Xun...

No,

I am Karen.

Karen slowly opened his eyes, but the sunlight was too blinding, forcing him to shut them once more;

Only after a long while, having gradually adapted to the brilliance, did he attempt to open his eyes again.

He beheld white sheets, a white quilt, and noticed the blue-and-white striped hospital gown he wore, as well as his younger cousin, Mina, sitting by the bedside doing her homework.

Sensing something, Mina turned her head and looked toward Karen; upon seeing his open eyes, she instantly covered her mouth, tears welling up and spilling over.

Forthwith,

Mina kicked her younger brother, Lunt, who was also doing homework just below her, causing him to tumble straight sideways to the floor.

"Brother is awake! Brother is awake! Lunt, go get the doctor, quickly, get the doctor!"

"Right, right!"

Scrambling up from the floor, Lunt didn't even bother to pick up his homework before rushing out of the ward.

"Brother, are you alright now?" Mina asked with deep concern.

"Water... water..."

Karen felt his lips were utterly parched, the sort of dryness where a mere touch seemed as though it would peel the skin right off.

"Right away, brother."

Mina swiftly brought over a water cup, placed a straw inside, and guided it to Karen’s lips.

Karen bit down on the straw and began to drink.

Having finished,

Karen parted his lips.

Mina then took a damp towel and gently wiped his face.

Just then, Lunt returned with the doctor in tow.

The doctor first examined Karen’s physical condition, then undid the dressing over the chest wound to inspect it, nodding with a smile:

"Young man, you’re fine. Though the wound is deep, it didn't damage the spleen. You are very fortunate, truly."

Karen nodded slightly.

The doctor gave some instructions to the nurse, presumably regarding the dressing change, and after finishing, said to Karen:

"Be sure to get plenty of rest. Since you are already awake, after two more days of observation, you can be discharged."

"Thank you, Doctor," Mina expressed gratitude on Karen's behalf.

"You're welcome."

The doctor and nurse departed.

Karen tried to sit up using both hands,

Seeing this, Mina and Lunt each helped from one side, raising Karen up, and then stacked two pillows behind his back so he could finally lean against them.

"Mina, how long have I been asleep?"

"Two days. The doctor said you lost too much blood, brother."

"Oh."

Karen gently twisted his neck a few times; as long as he didn't disturb the wound on his chest, other movements posed no real issue.

"Officer, this is a ward, you cannot smoke here."

"I am not smoking, I am puffing a pipe."

"You cannot puff a pipe either..."

"I haven't lit it, move aside."

Chief Duke walked in, and upon entering, let out a direct, hearty laugh:

"The moment I stepped into the hospital, I heard from the doctor that you were awake."

"Chief..."

Chief Duke pulled over a chair and sat down right by Karen's hospital bed:

"You were right, absolutely right. The killer really is stupid beyond measure. If we hadn't spent so long investigating the identity of the first victim, the killer would have been discovered ages ago."

Karen looked at Chief Duke and spoke:

"Mrs. Hughes..."

"I am deeply sorry. When I led the officers into the office of the Hughes Crematory, I saw you tied to a chair, and in your chest, there was a..." Chief Duke gestured with both hands. "The only saving grace was that you were still alive at the time, and we rushed you to the hospital for emergency treatment just in time."

At this point, Chief Duke sighed:

"Unfortunately, it seems our arrival must have startled Mrs. Hughes. She fled, and we failed to catch her."

"Alas..." Karen also let out a sigh.

"I've already heard your aunt describe the events of that night. She really is a lunatic, specifically targeting those around her!"

Karen nodded.

"By the way, do you have any idea where she might have fled?"

Hearing this, Karen shook his head and explained:

"When I escorted her back, she held me at gunpoint."

"A lunatic, a total lunatic," Chief Duke uttered that word once more. "She really has no rationality in her killings."

Perhaps because he had witnessed and deeply understood Mrs. Hughes's "stupidity" as a murderer,

Chief Duke did not intend to continue discussing the details of the case with Karen.

Once you know the answer, you realize that for such a killer, an overly meticulous analysis and investigation is practically akin to repeatedly throwing flirtatious glances at a blind person.

"I heard about your condition from the doctor. Your problem isn't severe; some rest and recovery should see you well."

Saying this, Chief Duke reached out and patted Karen's face,

"Most importantly, this face is unharmed. Thank heavens."

Karen turned his head away, signaling his speechlessness toward Chief Duke.

"Hahahaha." Chief Duke stood up. "The wanted poster has already been issued. Thanks to the fact that this case wasn't leaked by reporters, the pressure on our police department isn't too great.

Still, I look forward to your recovery. Your analytical methods left a deep impression on me; we can exchange thoughts more often in the future."

"Very well, Chief."

I cannot fulfill this request.

"Mr. Cullen, considering how young you are, I must confess my curiosity—how did you acquire the skills for the psychological profiling you do for the police?"

"I learned it."

"Learned it from whom?"

"A friend of mine. I've always had a keen interest in psychology because I suffered from mild autism as a child, so I tried to step out from the shadow of my affliction through books on the subject, supplemented by the guidance of that friend..."

"The question I asked, sir, was which friend?"

"Myself."

At the doorway, Piaget’s silhouette materialized, dressed in casual attire that he somehow managed to carry with the exquisite refinement of nobility.

"And you are?" Roddy inquired, directing his gaze toward Piaget.

"I am Cullen's friend. He is a remarkably gifted young man in the field of psychology. This is my card."

Roddy accepted the business card, his eyes narrowing slightly the moment they fell upon the surname.

"Your father is..."

"Compa Adams."

The Minister of Energy and Development for the Kingdom of Rylance.

"Has your questioning concluded? My friend has only just awakened, and I believe he requires further rest rather than disruption."

"We are finished here."

Roddy strode out of the ward, the female assistant in the gray dress following close at his heels.

Sheriff Duke waved a hand toward Cullen and departed alongside them.

Piaget walked over to Cullen's bedside, offering a gentle smile.

"My friend, I learned of your misfortune yesterday, but you had not yet regained consciousness. I prayed to God for your swift awakening, and it appears He has heard my prayers."

"Thank you, Piaget."

"Ah, and there is this."

Piaget handed a thermos flask he had brought along to Mina.

"If you would be so kind as to find a bowl and a spoon, please feed your brother a little later."

"Of course, sir."

Piaget turned back, his gaze lingering on Cullen as he lowered his voice.

"It is a nourishing medicinal chicken soup."

Utilizing medicinal herbs to concoct remedies was a practice common to many ancient civilizations, giving rise to numerous traditions passed down through generations.

When Mina uncorked the thermos, Cullen caught the delicious aroma of chicken broth mingled with herbs.

He could never quite appreciate the thick stews Aunt Mary and Aunt Winnie prepared at home, but what Piaget had brought was infinitely close to the familiarity of stewed chicken with mushrooms.

"Did you make this?" Cullen inquired with genuine curiosity.

Piaget shook his head with a smile.

"I had Linda 'awaken' and allowed her to control my body to prepare it. How could I possibly know anything of cooking?"

"Heh." Cullen chuckled.

Perhaps such a macabre topic could only ever sound like casual pleasantries between the two of them.

"By the way, I heard from your family that you dropped out of high school?"

"Yes, owing to psychological issues—autism."

The all-purpose excuse of autism.

"A pity. Once you are fully recovered, would you care to return to school? I mean university; you would only need to pass the entrance examination, and my letter of recommendation would suffice."

The influence of that recommendation would undoubtedly be formidable. Cullen had previously noted the shifting expression of the aquiline-nosed man upon hearing of Piaget’s father; his background was evidently far more complex than that of a mere university professor of psychology.

"I shall need to discuss it with my family. As you know, I still must earn a living for the household."

Piaget asked in genuine bewilderment, "Must one still earn money?"

"..." Cullen.

For a moment, Cullen found himself at a loss for words. Though the Inmmers family was by no means destitute, compared to the background of the gentleman standing before him, they were impoverished indeed.

"My apologies." Piaget realized his social misstep. "You ought to discuss it thoroughly with your family. If there are any matters concerning finances, you may come to me at any time."

"Thank you."

No matter the era, no matter the year, anyone who proactively offered to lend you money was a true friend.

"Rest well, then. I shall take my leave."

"Very well, safe travels."

Piaget departed.

Mina began to feed Cullen the chicken soup, and he drank a considerable amount; the flavor of the broth was truly excellent.

The remaining soup and meat Cullen had Mina and Lunt divide between themselves.

Afterward,

Cullen drifted off to sleep.

Upon awakening, he sensed someone fumbling about his body.

Opening his eyes,

he discovered his aunt standing beside his hospital bed, his blanket already pulled aside, and even his trousers partially removed.

Perhaps owing to his injuries, his previous slumber had been uncharacteristically deep.

Aunt Mary’s eyes were rimmed with red, and seeing that Cullen was awake, she explained:

"Do not move. I am going to give your body a wipe down. It is inconvenient to bathe just now, and you will feel more comfortable once you are clean. You have always been so particular about cleanliness."

"Thank you, Aunt."

"There is no need for thanks, Cullen. You suffered this tribulation in my stead. If I had not insisted on dragging you out for barbecue that afternoon, you would never have..."

At this point, Aunt Mary began to weep anew.

"Everything is perfectly fine now, Aunt. As long as you are well, all is well. Truly, nothing ails me."

"Say no more, Cullen. Lie still. Your aunt has wronged you."

"It really is nothing, Aunt."

"Be a good boy and lie still."

Thereupon, Cullen dutifully remained still, permitting Aunt Mary to wipe down his body.

Because this flowed from the genuine affection of an elder, Cullen's heart remained as tranquil as still water, devoid of any awkwardness.

Furthermore, Aunt Mary’s movements were exceedingly practiced;

one needed not even ponder where such proficiency had been honed.

In the afternoon, Aunt Mary stayed by the bedside, feeding Karen a bit of fruit.

Finally, at Karen's earnest insistence, she was urged to take Mina and Lunt back home; the children had school tomorrow, and the family business could not manage without her.

Furthermore, this was a VIP ward, equipped with a call bell by the pillow; aside from medical issues, one could summon a nurse to tend to every daily necessity, making a private caregiver unnecessary—though, of course, the cost was far grander than hiring one.

When evening fell,

Karen asked a nurse for today's newspaper to while away the hours.

The thoughtful young nurse also generously lent him a novel she had been reading herself;

The newspaper was soon set aside, and Karen began to read the book;

Indeed, it was a melodramatic romance web novel;

More surprisingly, Karen actually found himself reading it with immense relish.

In the dead of night,

The ward door was pushed open.

A black cat darted inside, leaping onto the hospital bed.

Immediately following,

The figure of Dis appeared.

Karen licked his dry lips, trying his best to sit a little straighter.

Dis walked over to the edge of Karen's bed,

And asked:

"Does it still hurt?"

"I am fine; the doctor said it missed the vital organs," Karen replied with a smile.

Perhaps he ought to fear Dis, for on that very night, entirely without warning, Dis had plunged a dagger straight into his chest;

Yet, he found no reason to fear the man, because he was still drawing breath.

"Is there anything you wish to eat?"

"I have heard that stewed cat meat broth is highly beneficial for wound recovery."

"..." Purr.

Dis offered a faint smile and walked over to the ward window.

Purr glared intensely at Karen, and Karen glared right back.

"Karen."

"Yes, Grandfather," Karen said, immediately turning his gaze toward Dis by the window.

"You must have many doubts in your mind."

"Yes."

"Do you wish to ask?"

"I have never been entirely certain whether I ought to ask or not."

Before this, he had always feared that once the illusion was shattered, his life would forfeit, forcing Dis into a corner where he had to kill him.

But that night, when he, Alfred, and Ms. Molly stood by the window and locked eyes with Dis downstairs, that thin veil had already been torn to shreds.

Now, he felt a great deal of relief, given that Dis had already stabbed him once.

"The next time you sense danger nearby, if I am not at home, it is best to take Purr with you when you go out."

"Understood, Grandfather, I will keep that in mind."

"This time, if it had not been for the coincidence of crossing paths with those two from Number 128, your life would have been forfeit."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Facing the window, Dis

Let out a soft, heavy sigh:

"The mistake that began with me should be ended by me."

With those words,

Dis turned around,

Fixing his gaze upon Karen in the hospital bed:

"No one else has the right to interfere."