Last Bus of Route 13 - Chapter 164 - Gathering

Zhao Longfei actually told the fool about the eyewitness. Even though he was gone, the clue hadn’t been cut off. I was extremely excited and asked:

“Do you know what Old Tang said to Zhao Longfei?”

The fool panted a couple of times and said:

“That night of the car accident, Old Tang found Zhao Longfei to drink with him. It was considered drunk driving when the accident happened!”

“Exactly!!”

That’s exactly what was written on the third file folder.

“And then?”

The fool continued:

“On the night of the 15th day of the lunar month, Old Tang drank and drove the car into the reservoir. He jumped out to escape, but it cost the lives of everyone in that car. You know all this, but do you know why he drove the car into the reservoir?”

Why?

This seemingly simple question from the fool really stumped me. I had always thought it was the drowned ghosts from Old Tang’s first car seeking revenge, which led to the second and third car accidents. But as the driver of the first car, why did Old Tang suddenly swerve into the reservoir?

I thought for a long time and replied:

“Didn’t you just say Old Tang drank before driving? He was drunk, that’s all!”

The fool let out two cold chuckles and said:

“Old Tang was an experienced driver. There were basically no cars on that road at night. Even if he drank, nothing would have happened. The reason he drove into the reservoir that night was because he was avoiding someone on the road!”

“Avoiding someone?!”

After the fool said this, I couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Driving to the reservoir would have been at least around midnight. How could there still be pedestrians on that road?

“So Old Tang swerved into the reservoir because he was avoiding someone on the road?”

The fool nodded and said:

“That’s right. After Old Tang jumped out and escaped that night, the first place he went was Zhao Longfei’s house, and he told him everything about the accident!”

Suddenly, I understood.

“So, the pedestrian who was almost hit on the road that night was the eyewitness who saw Old Tang jump out and escape!”

The fool giggled again.

“Yes! That’s him!”

“Where is that person now?”

The fool was stunned by my question, and his laughter stopped abruptly.

“Old Tang had been drinking, it was still very dark, and after the car went into the reservoir, he was completely dazed. All he could think about was escaping. How could he care about that person!”

I let out a breath. So this was basically useless!

“Was it a villager from Tangwazi or Huyaoshan? Did Old Tang tell Zhao Longfei what he looked like?”

The fool thought for a while and replied:

“He did, but not much!”

Wandering around so late at night, this person should be from Huyaoshan or Tangwazi Village. As long as we know what he looks like, it shouldn’t be hard to find him. I nervously asked:

“What does he look like?”

“Not very tall!”

“And then?”

“Hmm…”

The fool thought again, then finally said slowly:

“That’s it!”

I was so anxious I almost cursed!

An eyewitness who’s not very tall, and that’s it!!

What kind of identifying feature is that? How are we supposed to find him?

The fool also sighed helplessly and said:

“Old Tang stayed at Zhao Longfei’s house for two days before leaving. Later, it’s said he kept looking for this eyewitness, but there were never any leads, so the matter was completely shelved!”

“Mm,” I responded, saying:

“Think again, did Zhao Longfei tell you anything else?”

The fool shook his head:

“No, after Old Tang left that time, he never came back. After that, it was the higher-ups who paid me to frame Longfei!”

The fool lowered his head in regret and muttered to himself:

“Longfei, I’ve let you down, I’ve really let you down…”

I understood the story between the two of them. To put it bluntly, the city leaders bought out their friendship with money.

I didn’t feel sorry for the fool’s current daily torment, both physically and mentally. He brought it on himself!

I thought for a moment and asked in confusion:

“By the way, what’s the relationship between Old Tang and the city leaders? Why would they cover up such a big matter for him? Do you know?”

The fool steadied his emotions and said:

“Uncle and nephew. Old Tang is their biological nephew!”

Biological nephew!! No wonder!

“That liar Old Tang. Back then, Zhao Longfei advised him to turn himself in, but he wouldn’t listen, saying it had nothing to do with Longfei. In the end, he went to his city leader uncle, and not long after, he actually set up both me and Longfei!”

After thinking for a moment, I asked:

“Think carefully, did Zhao Longfei say anything else to you? Or, when he instigated you to frame Zhao Longfei, did you keep any evidence?”

The fool still shook his head.

“He’s the top leader in the city. The people who met with me were all his Little Brothers. They only made verbal promises of cash transactions. There’s no evidence!”

After hearing this, I sighed helplessly. This trip to Piliu Village had at least clarified the reason for Old Tang’s car accident, but what use was that?

Seeing my disappointed look, the fool didn’t say anything else. I glanced at him helplessly and still went forward to untie the ropes binding his hands and feet. As I untied him, I asked:

“You learned Sanda and have all those skills. Why didn’t you fight back when the villagers beat you just now?”

Once the ropes were untied, the fool moved his wrists and said:

“Fight back? I’m just a sinner. I don’t deserve to fight back! When people hit me, I actually feel a bit better.”

“Then why did you lock me up?”

The fool said apologetically:

“Actually, I knew from the first night you came, just didn’t know your purpose, so I wanted to test you a bit more!”

“Right, by the way, your east room clearly wasn’t locked. Why couldn’t I kick it open when you went outside to get firewood?”

The fool giggled and said:

“I actually knew you were hiding there. After I went out, I jumped straight in through the window of the east room and held the door shut from the inside!”

I nearly threw out my back hearing that, cursing in my heart: What a damn fool! Trying to play clever tricks on a good guy like me, only to have his whole life ruined by a bad person!

This is the tragedy of those who think they’re clever!

I rolled my eyes at him speechlessly. The rope was untied, the words were said, and I started down the mountain path.

The fool suddenly called out to me:

“Brother, I may not have any evidence, but I was personally involved when that leader incited me to frame Longfei. If you ever need me to testify, I will definitely come forward and point him out!”

“Mm!” I nodded at him.

The city leaders inciting him to frame Longfei was a big deal, but with only his word and no evidence, it wouldn’t do much!

Though I looked down on him, he had said so much to me, so I thought for a moment and politely asked:

“I’m leaving now to find the eyewitness. What about you? The village won’t keep you, where will you go?”

The fool waved his hand.

“It’s fine, I’ll just live in these mountains. I can even eat mice raw, I won’t starve. If you ever need my help to bring down that leader, come find me!”

As he said these words, the fool was trembling all over. He really was repenting for the rest of his life.

“I’ll remember. When the day comes to bring down the leader and arrest Old Tang, I’ll definitely have you witness their punishment with your own eyes!”

The fool shed tears again and nodded firmly.

With nothing more to say, I turned and went down the mountain.

My trip to Piliu Village was over. The short eyewitness was my only clue!

I gave a bitter smile and got into the car back to the company.

…

Having learned my lesson before, and now that the city leaders had finally let their guard down, I didn’t dare stir up any more trouble. After returning, I lived a regular life, eating at Xiao Liu’s cafeteria every day, working shifts as a driver-my days were a straight line, and to outsiders, everything seemed back to normal.

But I never let myself relax during this time, especially every day when I drove past the reservoir, I couldn’t help but think of Old Tang’s situation back then. Who was that person who appeared on the road in the middle of the night?

One thing was certain: that person definitely lived in Tangwazi or Huyaoshan.

I’d been to both villages many times; maybe I’d even met the eyewitness!

He saw it all with his own eyes, but after the accident, he kept quiet and chose to disappear. Was he scared?

How could I find him?

Huyaoshan and Tangwazi-I had to go again!!

After pretending to be a good driver at work for so long, when I asked Xiao Liu for leave again, he agreed readily. I planned to start with the closer Tangwazi. I packed my bags, ready to set out at any time.

Before leaving, I went to see Old Liu. Not having to deal with my troubles lately had saved him a lot of worry, and he looked much better.

I still chose to shoulder things myself and didn’t mention a word about my trip to Piliu Village!

In the afternoon, Bai Fan called me. We hadn’t been in touch for a long time.

It was because of Sixth Uncle before, but now that it was clear Sixth Uncle was innocent and had even become the ghost who saved my life, I had no reason to keep ignoring Bai Fan.

It had been a long time since we’d met, and I was worried it would be awkward to be alone with her, so I arranged to bring Bun Hairstyle and Xiao Liu along for a late-night meal.

Bun Hairstyle arrived early at the dorm. In his eyes, being able to return to our old lives was already a stroke of luck. He kept reminding me not to stir up any more trouble, but I just smiled and said nothing.

As we chatted, Bun Hairstyle brought up Dao Dian and the great disaster. I had just confirmed the identity of the great disaster, so I was very tense at this point.

Bun Hairstyle called his parents. Apparently, the day after we escaped, someone found Doctor Jiang’s house had collapsed, and a Taoist priest crawled out from inside!

Hearing that Dao Dian was still alive, I finally breathed a sigh of relief!

Since Dao Dian was still alive, his struggle with the great disaster would definitely continue. Thinking about it, our two groups were bound by fate-me and the city leaders, Dao Dian and the great disaster-destined to be irreconcilable!

After Xiao Liu got off work, the three of us headed to the hot pot restaurant we’d agreed on.

Bai Fan knew I was bringing Bun Hairstyle and Xiao Liu, so she brought her best friend Tang Yao.

Tang Yao was still as flamboyant and cheerful as ever, and soon started joking with Bun Hairstyle.

Thanks to the atmosphere they created, the meal was a happy one. We drank quite a bit, and I took the chance to apologize to Bai Fan.

We kept at it until dawn before reluctantly calling it a night.

Leaving the restaurant, Bai Fan and Tang Yao walked arm in arm ahead, while Bun Hairstyle and I supported the dead-drunk Xiao Liu behind them.

Bun Hairstyle had always been interested in Tang Yao, and after tonight’s meal, he felt their relationship had gotten closer.

On the way, he stared at Tang Yao’s butt and whispered:

“Bro, what do you think of Tang Yao?”

I still didn’t think much of her, but since the misunderstanding was cleared up, I smiled and said:

“She’s pretty good, and suits you well!”

Bun Hairstyle grunted, then reached out with both hands as if to grab her butt, saying lewdly:

“Nice personality, nice figure, just…”

I cursed at him:

“Just what? She’s definitely good enough for you, don’t make trouble!”

Bun Hairstyle shook his head and said:

“Just, she’s a bit short!”

Those words made me shiver.

“A bit short!”

I looked ahead, sensitive.

Tang Yao was half a head shorter than Bai Fan; she really wasn’t tall!!!