Chapter 39: Shi Youfu

"I just want to ask, where was Sakura the night before yesterday?" I interrupted the Japanese woman's words.

"You really are a gentleman who only cares about Sakura," she bit her lip, seemingly teasing me on purpose. "She stayed at my bar all night and didn't go anywhere."

"That's impossible—I saw her that night!"

"Oh? Then where did you see her?"

"It was at…" I couldn't say Xinhu High School. There were too many entanglements.

"Can't explain it, can you?" Onitsuka Ayaka tiptoed to my side, reaching out to touch Sakura's face, but Sakura dodged. "As you can see, this child has never been close to anyone, including me, her biological mother."

It did seem to be true. Sakura appeared very reclusive, unwilling to interact with others.

When I first met Sakura at Xinhu High School, she was the same way. It wasn't until Hideki suggested killing her, and I said I'd protect her to keep up the act, that she spoke to me for the first time.

"My husband passed away early. Ever since he left us, Sakura turned into this. I took her to many psychologists, but none of it worked. Some said my daughter has autism, others said her brain lacks emotional function, and one so-called dream expert claimed he could hypnotize Sakura and enter her dreams. But when Sakura woke up, the expert went insane instead." Onitsuka Ayaka smiled bitterly. "I wanted to give her a healthy, happy childhood, but I failed."

Lighting another slim cigarette, Ayaka stood barefoot. "On the third anniversary of my husband's death, a family elder said it was the curse of the 'Dream Clan.' Every fifty years, one descendant would gain the ability to see things others cannot in their dreams. I begged him to save Sakura, but he only told us to leave Japan and try our luck in Huaxia. That was three years ago."

"Sakura's condition has only worsened. At first, we had basic communication, but a few months ago, she stopped speaking entirely." Behind Ayaka's seductive beauty lay the deep worry of a mother.

"Sakura refuses to interact with anyone. You're the only one I've seen her willingly hold hands with." Her tone became serious. "You said you've met before, so I'm guessing you two have met in her dreams. Judging by her attitude toward you, you must have taken good care of her there, haven't you?"

"In her dreams?" I dared not show any expression, but I knew clearly that Xinhu High School was not a dream, and Sakura's situation was far from what her mother described.

"You may not believe this, but whenever Sakura falls asleep, she sees terrifying things. She lives in nightmares, which is why she has become so numb."

"As her mother, I can't enter Sakura's world. I can only watch her suffer, and it's a torment for me—physically and emotionally." Ayaka placed her hand on my chest, sliding it downward. "I don't ask for much. I just hope Sakura can be a happy, normal child. For that, I'm willing to give up a lot."

Unknowingly, sweat began to form on my forehead. The blue fox-tail tattoo across her chest seemed alive, flashing a cunning gaze.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Dealing with this woman was no less challenging than dealing with Yuanchen's spirit. Ever since I entered this room, the initiative had been in her hands.

"Sakura is a poor girl who refuses to interact with anyone but you. So I hope, if you have time, you can come to visit her more often."

"That's it?"

"What else?" Onitsuka Ayaka sat back on the bed and slipped into her high heels. "Whatever happens in your dreams with Sakura, no one will know. Even if you… never mind. Just be gentle; she's still a child."

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I couldn't refute her teasing words, no matter how embarrassing they were.

"I'll agree to your request, but I need to ask you something." I temporarily set Sakura's matter aside and got back to the main topic. "Huang Guanxing from Qianding Pharmaceuticals died in a drunk-driving accident a few days ago. As far as I know, he left Blue Note Bar that night. Also, you two briefly chatted on WeChat that same evening."

"You think a lonely single mother with a child would be a murderer?"

"Until the real killer is caught, everyone is a suspect. I'll agree to your request, but answer my question honestly—did Huang Guanxing act abnormally that night?"

Ayaka thought for a moment. "Huang Guanxing came here with his little girlfriend very late that night. The two of them argued repeatedly. I remember clearly—Huang Guanxing even slapped her."

"Did he drink that night?"

"No, Huang Guanxing was completely sober. He only ordered a glass of juice."

"What time did he leave?"

"Around midnight. He took his girlfriend to a Home Inn hotel."

The accident occurred around 5 a.m., so Ayaka's likelihood as a suspect was basically eliminated.

"If there's nothing else, I'll get back to work. After all, as a single mother, if we stay together too long, the staff will gossip." Ayaka acted as though her reputation mattered, which left me speechless. Just moments ago, she had been stretching out on the bed.

As I opened the locked door and entered the hall, a drunken fat man came stumbling over. "Where's your boss? I've heard she's even more beautiful than a fox spirit! It's my birthday today—tell her to come sing me a song and liven things up!"

"Sorry, the boss is with a guest in her room. Outsiders can't go in."

"Cut the crap! You think I didn't see it? Move aside!" The fat man pushed through and stormed toward the backroom.

"Captain Shi, what's the rush?" Onitsuka Ayaka swayed her hips and leaned against the doorframe, cigarette still in hand.

Seeing Ayaka, Shi Youfu's eyes went wide, drool practically running down his chin. "Damn, you're beautiful! Come on, it's my birthday! I'll pay extra—just come to my private room and sing me a song. I'll make it worth your while."

"Well, you're making it hard for me. I'm already booked for the evening by this guest here. Why don't you ask him if he's willing to share a minute or two?" Ayaka acted innocent, even reaching out to hold my other hand.

"Booked for the whole night? By this pretty boy?" Shi Youfu, reeking of alcohol, glared at me. "Kid, I'm a big shot at Jiangjin Real Estate. I'm taking her. You got a problem with that?"

"You're really giving me trouble." I stretched my numb fingers and smirked. "Shi Youfu, you're just a watchdog for Jiangjin Real Estate. Don't flatter yourself."

"Kid, don't push your luck. I don't want to see blood on my birthday."

"You Jiangjin Real Estate people are all the same." The fat man before me was none other than Shi Youfu, who had incited the tattooed men to smash up my store. Today, this wouldn't end peacefully.

"Beauty, just come with me!" Seeing me shake off Ayaka's hand, Shi Youfu thought I'd backed down and waddled forward. "Hey, is this your daughter? She's already a beauty—why don't we bring her along and have some fun?"

"Blinded by lust." As I passed Shi Youfu, I grabbed the half-empty bottle of Royal Salute from the bar. "Boss, I heard imported Royal Salute bottles are tough enough to not even break on concrete. Is yours real or fake?"

Shi Youfu reached out for Ayaka, while she remained unbothered and even took a drag from her cigarette. "Of course it's genuine. If you don't believe me, test it."

"Alright, let's test it." Smiling, I grabbed Shi Youfu's collar. The fat man was still reaching for Ayaka, oblivious.

"Let go, you bastard!"

"Don't swear. Didn't your mother teach you to be a polite dog?" I kept my smile. "Aren't you Shi Youfu, security captain for Jiangjin Real Estate?"

"That's me. I'll count to three—if you don't let go, face the consequences!"

"No need to count to three—one is enough."

Raising the bottle high, I smashed it over his balding head. "Crack!"

Glass shards flew, brown liquid mixing with fresh red blood. Shi Youfu's eyes went wide as he collapsed to the floor.

Tossing the broken bottle aside, I smiled at Ayaka. "Women's words can't be trusted. This was fake wine."

The bar exploded into chaos. A few young men rushed out from the private rooms. I gave Ayaka an apologetic smile and pulled out my phone.

"Hey, Ergouzi, we've got a job tonight!"