A helicopter descended on the helipad of Tian-Ci Sanatorium. Shentu Tian-Feng, Shentu Yi and two burly bodyguards jumped out of the helicopter and stepped quickly to the entrance of the building. The father-and-son duo could not help the expressions of excitement and glee on their faces but they were a little panicky too.
“Fu Chuan-Fu will soon be here; he’s coming by sea. We must get the bodies and take them away before he does,” said Shentu Yi.
Shentu Tian-Feng nodded. He turned back to the bodyguards following him and said, “When we see the corpses of Shentu Tian-Yin and that punk later, you guys take them to the helicopter straightaway. Don’t care about anything else.”
“Understood,” said the bodyguards in one voice.
Shentu Tian-Feng let out a laugh. “The helicopter shall have a malfunction above the sea and the body of the chairperson of Vientaine Group, Shentu Tian-Yin will sink into the depths. Tomorrow’s headlines will all be about this, won’t it?”
Shentu Yi could not quell the excitement he felt. “That bitch is finally dead. This is great! Vientaine Group is ours!”
Shentu Tian-Feng quickened his steps. “Dad, the police will investigate for sure. Have you thought of how we’ll handle this?”
Shentu Yi snorted. “Investigate? I know nothing. Even if they suspect us, where’s their evidence? They won’t have corpses to investigate. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this. Besides, Grandfather is willing to sacrifice for the Shentu clan too. Hang far back to observe and if it reaches that point, the old man will shoulder it all. Laws now make it so that an old man over 70 won’t get the death penalty. That old fart is just going to be switching to a different home for the elderly.”
“Hahaha…” Shentu Tian-Feng was too happy to hold back his laugh.
The Chinese laws at that time indeed would not sentence an old man to death and his sentence would be lighter as well. With Shentu Wei-Ye acting as their last ace, the price of committing the crime was negligible, plus, Vientaine Group would fall into his hands. How could he not be happy about something like this?
Before they got close to the morgue, Wang Fang came rushing over, supporting Shentu Wei-Ye. The four of them met in the corridor with eyes full of joy and excitement.
“That little bitch and that punk’s corpses are in the morgue. I saw them myself - they were shot full of holes like a sieve and a tragic sight,” Wang Fang could not help saying.
“She deserved it.” Shentu Yi had not one ounce of pity.
Shentu Wei-Ye sighed. “Stop talking about it. She was still of the blood of Shentu. She’s gone now; leave her some dignity.”
Shentu Tian-Feng followed up with his own words. “Mother, Father, stop discussing it. This is also not the place to talk - the walls have ears. Let’s go to the morgue and take a look.”
Four Shentus and two burly bodyguards quickly came to the door of the morgue.
Several people were at the door, including Jin Zhen-Huan.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” asked one of the hotel security staff.
Shentu Yi was spoke aggressively, “I am Shentu Tian-Yin’s Second Uncle. This is her grandfather! Get out of my way!”
The security staff did not dare stand in his way after hearing that they were Shentu Tian-Yin’s Second Uncle and grandfather; he stood aside.
Jin Zhen-Huan blocked the way.
“You too, out of the way!” said Shentu Yi angrily.
Jin Zhen-Huan said, “Butler Fu has instructed that we have to wait for him before…”
Before he could finish, Shentu Yi interrupted, “What dog-shit butler is this? I’m firing him now! And you - you’re fired too. Scram!”
Anything Jin Zhen-Huan had to say was unsaid as the two burly bodyguards grabbed him by the arms and shoved him aside savagely.
The medical staff led by Dean Zhang did not dare speak after witnessing that scene.
Shentu Yi pushed the morgue door open and Wang Fang and Shentu Tian-Feng followed, supporting Shentu Wei-Ye. The two bodyguards went in too and shut the door behind them.
Jin Zhen-Huan went to a corner and pulled out his phone to make a call…
In the morgue, two mortuary beds were placed in the centre of the room. Cold air blew, bringing with it an eerie feeling and bone-chilling cold.
The two mortuary beds were covered by white sheets and the bodies underneath could not be seen. However, the body shapes of a man and a woman were still clearly visible. Shentu Tian-Yin’s breasts made big mounds in the sheets and were very obvious.
Wang Fang walked over and pulled the sheets off Shentu Tian-Yin, exposing her face and upper body. She then pulled at the sheets over Xia Lei, revealing his face and upper body.
There was blood everywhere on Xia Lei and Shentu Tian-Yin’s bodies. The blood had dried up and become dark red. Both of them had several bullet holes in their chests and from the looks of the position of the bullet entry points, both had bullets in their lungs and hearts. Wounds like these made one believe that they were long-dead.
“Tian-Yin, why didn’t you just hand over Vientaine Group? You’re just a single woman and you’d have to marry sooner or later. You should be staying at home to tend to husband and children.” Shentu Wei-Ye sighed and shook his head. “You wouldn’t have ended up this way if you’d just handed over Vientaine Group. Forget it, you’re already gone. Grandfather doesn’t want to say any more. I forgive you for the mistakes you made. Be at peace on your journey at life’s end. Your Second Uncle will take good care of your father; you don’t have to worry. Don’t blame your Second Uncle or Tian-Feng either. They did this for the good of our Shentu clan.”
“You’re so kind, Grandfather,” said Wang Fang.
Shentu Tian-Feng went to Shentu Tian-Yin’s side, a faint sneer on his face. “Tian-Yin, don’t call your Big Brother vicious - you forced my hand. I didn’t have anything to say to you but you’re departed now so I should say my goodbyes as your Big Brother. Didn’t you like the sea? Big Brother will fulfil your wish and let the sea be your final home.”
He gestured when he was done speaking. The bodyguards walked forward and covered Shentu Tian-Yin and Xia Lei with the sheets again, then pushed the two mortuary beds towards the exit.
Shentu Yi opened the door.
Dean Zhang, who was watching the door, grew anxious. “Where are you taking the corpses?”
“She is of the Shentu clan and the fallen leaf must return home, so she is going home,” said Shentu Wei-Ye.
“This…” Dean Zhang looked troubled. “She died here, and it’s the middle of the night - the police haven’t sent anyone over to investigate yet. How can you take the bodies away? How about this - wait for the police to do their investigations before you take them away tomorrow.”
“How does this concern you?” Shentu Tian-Feng glared at Dean Zhang. “I’m taking my Little Sister home. The police can come investigate at my home! Get out of my way, all of you!”
Dean Zhang remained in the door and refused to budge.
Shentu Wei-Ye smashed at him with his crutches. “You brat! Scram, or I’ll bash my head on you!”
These words were most effective and there was no need for the bodyguards Shentu Tian-Feng had brought. Dean Zhang and the hospital staff stood aside.
“You take Tian-Yin back. Leave things here to me,” said Shentu Wei-Ye.
“Let’s go.” Shentu Tian-Feng did not want to waste a single minute.
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from one of the mortuary beds. “Where are you thinking of bringing me?”
“Who’s talking?” Shentu Tian-Feng did not realise that the voice was coming from the mortuary bed.
The bodyguard pushing Xia Lei turned white and pointed at the mortuary bed in front of him. “It, it’s....”
“Are you stupid?” Shentu Tian-Feng said angrily, “How can a corpse speak? Push it away, quick!”
At this moment, another voice came from under the white sheets. “Young Master Tian-Feng, are you going to push me into the sea to feed the fishes? Oh, how cruel of you. Killing me wasn’t enough - you have to feed me to the fishes too. I’ll settle the score with you, even if I’m in the netherworld.”
The words were heard loud and clear by Shentu Tian-Feng. His handsome face drained of colour.
Shentu Yi and Wang Fang were also scared silly and they stood, stupefied and mute.
Shentu Wei-Ye was the bravest. He prodded at Xia Lei with one of his crutches to see if he was dead.
Xia Lei grabbed the crutch and sat up, flipping the sheet away. He stuck his tongue out at Shentu Wei-Ye.
“Ah-” Shentu Wei-Ye stumbled in fright and fell to the floor.
Xia Lei raised his other hand, revealing a mobile phone. The conversation between Shentu Tian-Feng, Shentu Yi, Shentu Wei-Ye and Wang Fang had been recorded.
Shentu Tian-Feng then realised something and his voice trembled, “You, you… You’re not dead!”
“It’s not just me.” Xia Lei reached to flip the sheet off Shentu Tian-Yin’s body next to him.
Shentu Tian-Yin lay quietly on the mortuary bed with tears dripping from the corners of her eyes and two glittering trails of tears down her cheeks. The four people of the Shentu clan, including her grandfather, had not shed a single tear at their ‘last goodbye’ and not uttered a single word of apology. Instead, they had discussed how they would be rid of her body. How could she not cry with heartache at something like this?
Seeing Shentu Tian-Yin cry silently, Shentu Yi and Wang Fang seemed to have lost the bones in their bodies and both thumped to the floor like sacks of soft mud.
“Argh-” Shentu Tian-Feng suddenly let out a roar and lunged at Shentu Tian-Yin like a madman. He had lost all reason; he thought he would still have some hope if he finished off Shentu Tian-Yin.
Before he could touch Shentu Tian-Yin, Xia Lei jumped up from the mortuary bed and kicked him in the face.
Bam! Shentu Tian-Feng crashed to the ground, face-up. His nose was crooked and front teeth gone. However, he did not seem to feel the pain as he shouted, “I won’t lose! I won’t lose! This is not real, this is not real…”
Shentu Wei-Ye crawled to his feet and went shakily to Shentu Tian-Yin. He suddenly swung his hand in a slap aiming for Shentu Tian-Yin.
Shentu Tian-Yin caught Shentu Wei-Ye’s hand and looked at him tearfully.
“You bitch! How could you set this sort of trap for me, and your Second Uncle’s family!” said Shentu Wei-Ye angrily, “How can I, Shentu Wei-Ye, have a granddaughter like you! Why didn’t you die? Why?!”
“Grandfather,” Shentu Tian-Yin said quietly, “This is my last time calling you ‘Grandfather’. I shall have no ‘Grandfather’ from now on. I do not have a cruel grandfather like you.”
Shentu Tian-Yin tossed Shentu Wei-Ye’s hand aside. She hopped down from the mortuary bed and walked to Xia Lei. She looked at him and paused, then suddenly flung herself in his arms, burrowed her head in his shoulder and let out loud sobs.
Xia Lei patted her gently on the back and said in gentle consolation, “Don’t cry, don’t cry… It’s all over. Tomorrow will be better, believe me.”
Shentu Wei-Ye stood frozen on the spot. He seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.
Two helicopters came thundering down from the sky. One had the markings of the police while the other carried Fu Chuan-Fu and the brothers Pak Tai-Ji and Pak Can-Lie. All that remained was the simple matter of handing the criminals over to them and the police.
It was like a scene from a movie - the police coming to apprehend the already-subdued bad guys while the lead actor and lead actress hugged each other, then the movie ends with them having a passionate kiss…
The only thing missing was that passionate kiss; that deeply moving kiss.
Xia Lei did not do so, however, because he knew well that this was reality and not a movie. He would do it though, if the person in his arms was Liang Si-Yao. He could even…