My ‘Healing’ Game
Chapter 774 Clues of the Garden Owner

Chapter 774: Chapter 774 Clues of the Garden Owner

"To find out what exactly happened that day, I exhausted all my efforts in pursuit. Butterfly was the only clue I had, yet even after ten years of battling against Butterfly, I still hadn’t succeeded in capturing it. Sometimes, I even suspected that Butterfly wasn’t a real person at all but a symbol of sin."

Li Xue’s teacher didn’t conceal his past. His body couldn’t last much longer, and his greatest wish in his remaining years was to bring Butterfly to justice.

The elderly man’s focus was on the third phrase of the Garden Owner, taking Butterfly as the breakthrough point, while Han Fei’s attention was completely on the second phrase from the Garden Owner.

"Did all thirty children from the Orphanage die? Why exactly thirty children? Could it be that the Blood-colored Night is also related to Xinhu’s Garden Owner?"

Han Fei had always believed that the protagonists of the Blood-colored Night were Kuangxiao and Eternal Life Pharmaceutical. Now he realized that things were not that simple; there were definitely others present that night.

"Old man, the Garden Owner said you were his third piece of work, which means that there were two pieces before you..." The subtext in Han Fei’s mind was—could it be that Kuangxiao was also a piece of work by the Garden Owner? But he didn’t dare to clarify, as Kuangxiao’s existence should not be exposed lightly.

"We’ve investigated for a long time but haven’t found any other works of the Garden Owner. However, we discovered that since that day, Xinhu has seen a rise in major homicides themed around death, all of which should be related to the Garden Owner."

"In the Xinhu Far Suburb, there’s a Murder Club, those beasts treat death and twisted human nature as their artwork. I can confirm that the Garden Owner is the operator of the Murder Club. They score death, seeking pathological reasons for their criminal behavior—all of which are remotely orchestrated by that Garden Owner." Han Fei told the old man everything he knew. When he heard the old man’s voice, for some reason, the image of the Dancer always surfaced in his mind—that blind old man and Li Xue’s teacher seemed to be contemporaries.

Thinking this, Han Fei tried to inquire, "Old man, when you were investigating cases in the past, did you ever come across a very talented dancer? He should have had an old lady who liked gardening with him."

"A very talented dancer?" Li Xue’s teacher thought for a long time. "I remember there was a case related to a Dancer about more than ten years ago. Xinhu’s only master of dance disappeared, and it caused a huge sensation at the time. Several media outlets scrambled to cover the story, but what’s strange is the Dancer’s family didn’t report it to the police nor cooperate with our investigation. It seemed like the Dancer’s disappearance was an unspeakable matter."

"What was the name of that Dancer?"

"His surname was Li. I have forgotten the exact name, but his granddaughter is also an actress, and it seems that you have worked together on a variety show before."

"Worked together?" The only variety show Han Fei had ever participated in, "Secrets of April the Fourth," was banned due to haunting (Chapter 606). After he carefully reflected, he mentioned a name, "Second-tier actress Li Huang?"

"Yes, their family all possessed an artistic Talent and had created many memorable works."

"Old man, the disappearance of that Dancer is definitely not simple. I suggest you restart the investigation centered on him, don’t overlook anyone close to him, there should be rewards." Han Fei hadn’t expected to find out the identity of the blind old man in reality, which was good news for him.

"I’ll pay attention to it." The elder pondered for a moment; his purpose for calling Han Fei that day was not simple: "Han Fei, you’ve asked me so many questions; now, I hope you can earnestly answer my question."

"Go ahead."

"Where did you hear the four words ’Garden Owner’? For ten years, apart from the most trusted Doctor and colleague, I haven’t mentioned it to anyone." Li Xue’s teacher’s voice was serious and somber.

"I..."

"You don’t have to answer, I just hope that you can always remain clear-headed, knowing what you are doing." Li Xue’s teacher seemed to know something, "A Dragon Slayer can become a hero, but they can also turn into a new evil dragon. Many times, our destiny hinges on a single thought."

"Rest assured, I will never change my original intention, no matter how desperate the situation I find myself in."

After ending the call with Li Xue’s teacher, Han Fei went straight to Li Huang’s residence, guided by information provided by Jin Jun, the strongest paparazzi.

As a well-known actor in Xinhu, Li Huang used to be incredibly busy, flying across the country with the crew. But ever since she appeared on a variety show with Han Fei, she had put all her work on hold to rest at home properly.

It was quite astonishing, really. After that variety show was filmed, from the producer Tang Yi to several guests, everyone except Han Fei suffered a severe mental blow. The show was banned from airing, and their work came to a halt.

When it was nearly noon, Han Fei quietly arrived at Li Huang’s front door. He waved at the surveillance camera on the door, and a few seconds later, the anti-theft door was opened from the inside. A disheveled Li Huang looked at Han Fei at the doorway in shock.

"How did you know I live here?"

"I want to ask you some things."

"You could have called!" Li Huang stuck her head out of the room and looked around, "Hurry in!"

"Won’t I be bothering you?"

"You’ve already come this far, and you still ask innocently if you’re bothering me?" Li Huang grabbed Han Fei and pulled him into her room, "You weren’t followed by the paparazzi on the way here, were you?"

"It was a paparazzo who told me your address." Han Fei stood by the door, uncertain whether he should take off his shoes. It was his first time visiting another female actor’s home, and he felt a bit awkward.

"You’re really bold!" Li Huang didn’t know what to say about Han Fei, "I’m almost ten years older than you. If this leads to a scandal, it would have a really bad influence on you. A lot of your fans that like your looks, the girl fans and the mother fans, would leave you."

"You really don’t have to worry about that, my fans are all law-abiding." Han Fei touched his own face, feeling that Li Huang had high emotional intelligence, perhaps indirectly complimenting him for being handsome.

"I’m at a loss for words with you. Go ahead and take a seat. I’ll go get you something to drink." Li Huang fixed her hair a bit, now remembering that she hadn’t put on makeup, was still in her pajamas, and her hair was a mess, "Sorry, I’m quite sloppy in private."

"I’ve been too abrupt." Han Fei looked around Li Huang’s room. The home of this second-tier female star was not as big as Jin Jun’s and was very simple. On the bookshelf against the wall, there were various trophies, numerous certificates of charitable donations, and many photos with children.

There were very few reports of Li Huang doing charity work online. The actress was quietly doing good deeds in private.

"Don’t look, it’s embarrassing." Dressed in new clothes and with her hair tied up, Li Huang looked very capable. She stood in front of the bookshelf with two drinks in hand, "During the last variety show shooting, you saved me, and I haven’t formally thanked you. If you ever need any help in the future, just let me know."

Li Huang had a very nice personality; she was the only one who wanted to go back and save Han Fei during the show that day.

"Actually..." Han Fei was a bit socially anxious. He gazed at Li Huang for a while, his mind echoing the words of Li Xue’s teacher. The Dancer’s family hadn’t called the police, which meant that they must have had some unspeakable issues. By doing this, he was reopening their wounds.

"What’s with the shyness? If there’s something on your mind, just speak up!" Li Huang placed a cup of drink in front of Han Fei and sat opposite him: "You’ve saved my life before, so as long as it’s not against the law, I’ll help you with anything."

"This isn’t something you can decide on your own, can you get your uncle and aunt here too?" Han Fei wanted to inquire about Li Huang’s grandfather’s disappearance. At the time of the disappearance, Li Huang was just a little kid, certainly knowing less than her parents did.

"You want to see my dad and my mom too?" Li Huang’s hand holding the drink stopped mid-air, and after a moment of blankness in her mind, her cheeks grew slightly warm: "I warn you, don’t joke around with me."

"I’m being very serious," Han Fei looked at the juice in his cup: "I know this might seem sudden to you, but I have to do this."

"Absolutely not!" Before Han Fei could continue, Li Huang flat-out refused.

"Why?" Han Fei hadn’t expected Li Huang to reject him so decisively.

"You’re at a rising stage in your career, with great potential, and you’re young, so I can’t hold you back for any reason," Li Huang earnestly advised Han Fei: "I’ve seen too many popular stars destroyed by scandals. You should know that fame is both your halo and your shackles. Finish this drink and leave. If any disreputable media makes up stories, just say I invited you over, and it has nothing to do with you."

Their eyes met, Li Huang holding his gaze, not allowing herself to show any sign of relenting.

"Are you misunderstanding something?" Han Fei always felt they were not talking about the same thing: "The case I’m investigating is related to your grandfather’s disappearance, so I was hoping you could get your parents here for a good review of the facts."

"A case?" Li Huang held the same pose, and it took her a full three seconds to comprehend, as she clumsily tried to sip her juice to cover up her embarrassment and ended up choking, coughing nonstop.

"Are you alright?"

"An actor running around to people’s houses investigating cases first thing in the morning?!"

"That’s why even I find it a bit difficult," Han Fei handed a tissue to Li Huang.

"Can I curse now?" After wiping the juice from the corner of her mouth, Li Huang took a while to compose herself. She sat back opposite Han Fei—with her face somewhat red and hot, perhaps from choking on the juice, or maybe something else.

"This case is critical, involving the lives of more than a dozen people. I have to investigate thoroughly," Han Fei’s voice was calm and determined, and when he was serious, he indeed looked very charming.

"The topic of my grandfather’s disappearance is a family taboo, but... I can try to persuade my parents." Li Huang made a video call to her parents.

The call was answered after just a few rings, and Li Huang’s father appeared very amiable. He seemed happy to receive a call from his daughter.

"Sweetheart, what made you think to call home? Don’t sell stuff to the family anymore, we don’t lack anything, don’t waste your money."

"Move aside, let me have a few words with her." Li Huang’s father had just spoken when he was squeezed out of the phone screen by Li Huang’s mother: "How old are you now? You’re almost forty and not yet married? When your dad and I were your age..."

Li Huang’s mother was in the middle of speaking when suddenly her eyebrows rose, noticing Han Fei’s reflection in the TV screen.

"So young?" Li Huang’s mother, as if she discovered a new world, tapped her husband’s shoulder: "Look! Look at this!"

"There are guests here, can you keep it down?" Li Huang flashed an apologetic smile towards Han Fei, wishing she could erase the memory of this day. In front of the camera, she was an imposing empress, but now her image was nearly destroyed.

"Who is that? He looks familiar. Introduce him to me."

"He’s here to investigate a case, please don’t be like this." Li Huang took the phone into her bedroom, and it wasn’t until half an hour later that she came back out.

"Do your uncle and aunt disagree?" Han Fei was somewhat uncertain.

"You talk to them yourself, I hinted to them that you’re an insider with the police, one of their own, and they’re still unwilling." Li Huang passed the phone to Han Fei.

The couple in the video were both grim-faced, scrutinizing Han Fei: "Kid, we’re not telling you to protect you. Don’t get involved, just focus on being an actor."

"Uncle, aunt, I appreciate your kindness, but the old man’s disappearance involves the safety of dozens of people. I can’t stop investigating just because I might encounter danger," Han Fei’s attitude was very firm.

"Hang up, we can’t put you in danger."

Just as Li Huang’s parents were about to end the call, Han Fei suddenly stood up: "You might not believe what I’m about to say, but I have met the old gentleman before."

He stabilized the phone screen and pushed the couch aside: "This dance will prove it."

His arms slowly extended, Han Fei began dancing the dance called ’Me’.

Time seemed to freeze, Han Fei’s dance like a piece of amber dredged up from the river of time, recording a moment in the dancer’s life.

Once the dance was over, Li Huang’s parents had incredibly complex expressions in their eyes. They finally changed their minds.

"Tell us, what do you want to know?"

"Before and after the old gentleman disappeared, did he encounter any unusual incidents or people, and were there any notable individuals where you used to live?" The Garden Owner was an Unspeakable of the Deep World; discussing him behind his back would end up like the Florist, nearly driven mad, so Han Fei could only try to discern the Garden Owner’s identity within reality.

"I know who you’re looking for," Li Huang’s father’s lips were tightly sealed, and after a long time, he finally spoke, "We used to live on the edge of the Old City District. It was the poorest place there. One day after the old gentleman returned from a performance, we discovered that a new family had moved into an old building."

"New neighbors?"

"Correct, that family was very special—the father and mother were both blind, and their child was the eyes and hope of the family."