Captain Zhang knocked on the door. Two minutes later, Zheng Xianwen appeared, disheveled and mumbling under his breath.
"Who's there?"
Squinting with one eye and barefoot at the door, Zheng Xianwen forced a smile when he saw Captain Zhang and his partner flash their badges. "Am I in trouble? I've been behaving lately."
Captain Zhang replied casually, "Community care, just here to check in."
Zheng Xianwen chuckled, "It's so hot, and you're delivering warmth?"
Captain Zhang took a step forward, resting his hand lightly on the doorframe. "Can I come in?"
Zheng Xianwen glanced at the equipment on their belts, still groggy. After a slow couple of seconds, he stepped aside and invited them in.
The apartment was small, just a one-bedroom unit. The first thing Captain Zhang noticed was a shelving unit against the wall.
Instead of questioning immediately, Captain Zhang walked over to the shelves, leisurely inspecting the items displayed. After a while, he asked nonchalantly, "Do you know Han Songshan?"
"Yeah, I know him. Saw him around. Half the reason I went to jail back then was because of him," Zheng Xianwen said, following Captain Zhang slowly and grabbing an apple from the table. He didn't bother washing it, just wiped it on his shirt and took a bite. "Tricking me wasn't easy. I was really out of luck then. Got caught off guard."
Captain Zhang stopped and turned to him. "Did you know he's dead?"
"Really? I think I saw it on the news," Zheng Xianwen said, faking a clueless smile with an annoyingly carefree attitude. "Officer, why do so many people keep dying in the South District? Is it bad feng shui or just bad luck?"
If Officer Huang were here, he'd probably argue with him, holding an entirely different opinion.
Captain Zhang didn't respond, just pointed to the crafts on the shelves and complimented, "These are beautiful."
"These are great! My mom made these to make some money. She's done all sorts of things," Zheng Xianwen explained. "The best ones sold already, what's left are the ones customers didn't want."
The chill in the room hinted at the air conditioning being set too low, making them shiver slightly.
Zheng Xianwen found the two officers' behavior odd, so he stopped awkwardly hosting them and plopped down on the couch, letting them roam around.
Captain Zhang followed him, leaning on the sofa's armrest.
Zheng Xianwen tossed the apple core away, habitually reaching for a pack of cigarettes on the coffee table, two fingers ready to pull one out. Before he could light it, Captain Zhang commented, "Cut down on smoking. You smoke in your own living room?"
Zheng Xianwen glanced at him, obediently putting the pack back on the table. "Just a habit. If the officer doesn't like it, I won't smoke."
He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out half a pack of premium cigarettes, offering them. "You can have these, they're good."
Captain Zhang declined, "No thanks."
Zheng Xianwen quickly drew one out, his usual cheeky grin plastered on his face. "Want me to light it for you?"
Captain Zhang stared at him silently. Zheng Xianwen finally put the cigarettes away, tossing them back onto the table near the first pack.
"So, Officer, what brings you here?" Zheng Xianwen asked.
"Do you know Jiang Pingxin?" Captain Zhang inquired.
Zheng Xianwen thought hard, then shook his head. "I think I know her, but I don't really remember."
"She's a high school senior this year, she used to have good grades. What a pity," Captain Zhang lamented. "Making false statements, not thinking it through. That's criminal liability. I wonder if she'll take her exams or end up in detention."
"Yeah, what a shame," Zheng Xianwen echoed sincerely.
Captain Zhang sighed, adding, "She claimed to have seen Han Songshan's murderer, and provided clues to the police. Everyone dropped their work to verify it, only to find out it was a false accusation."
Zheng Xianwen fell silent, his playful demeanor fading.
"And Wang Gaozhan, you know him, right? His son confessed to the murder, thinking his father did it," Captain Zhang continued.
A photo of a young woman hung above the TV. The black frame held an old, faded picture. Zheng Xianwen stared at it, then smiled strangely at the woman in the photo.
Captain Zhang heard the laugh and glanced at Zheng Xianwen, finding his expression unfamiliar. He returned to the shelf and pointed to a small knife in the center. "Why is this knife here? What's it for? It doesn't match the decor."
Zheng Xianwen was suddenly behind him, smiling. "It's a murder weapon."
His smile lacked any remorse or malice, as if describing an ordinary tool. In another setting, it might have been eerie.
Just then, a knock at the door broke the silence. Captain Zhang's partner, closest to the door, opened it. Brother Huang stood outside, holding a stamped document. "Captain Zhang, the papers are ready."
Captain Zhang calmly put on gloves, picked up the knife, and motioned to Zheng Xianwen. "Shall we?"
Zheng Xianwen's throat was dry. He cleared it, asking, "Can I have a cigarette first?"
White smoke rose, blurring their faces, the acrid smell filling the air, overpowering the room's stale odor.
Captain Zhang sat with Zheng Xianwen in the car, the latter still surrounded by a cold, sorrowful aura.
At the South District precinct, Zheng Xianwen remained remarkably calm, as if prepared.
In the interrogation room, he looked around, noting the updated equipment since his last visit.
He cooperated, answering basic questions sincerely. Suddenly, he asked, "Where's Officer He?"
Officer Huang, sorting through files, looked up with mixed feelings. "Can you tell me what makes Captain He so special? I'd like to learn."
Zheng Xianwen laughed heartily, showing no fear of arrest. "Captain He? She got promoted so quickly?"
"With the cases you bring in, it's hard not to," Brother Huang replied. "She's not here today."
Zheng Xianwen, always the rogue, suggested waiting for her. "It's almost regular work hours."
Brother Huang informed him, "She's on leave today!"
Before Zheng Xianwen could make any threats, Huang picked up his phone, resigning. "Fine, I'll call her."
Traffic during rush hour was terrible. They sat in the interrogation room for 40 minutes before He Chuan Zhou finally arrived.
Brother Huang, exhausted, slumped in his chair, barely maintaining his composure.
Zheng Xianwen couldn't stay quiet, sharing his prison insights, insisting he wasn't that bad.
Captain Zhang and Brother Huang listened half-heartedly.
The scene stayed tense until He Chuan Zhou's arrival broke it.
She walked in steadily, nodding to her colleagues, then turned to Zheng Xianwen. "You wanted to see me?"
Zheng Xianwen sat up straighter, placing his hands on the table. "Good morning, Officer He."
He Chuan Zhou sat in the new chair, her gaze steady on him, motioning for him to speak.
Zheng Xianwen, typically flippant, now seemed unnaturally serious. "I never thanked you for taking care of my mother's body."
He Chuan Zhou paused for two seconds before responding, "No need."
Zheng Xianwen asked, "How did she die?"
He likely knew the answer but those who informed him were too indifferent to explain in detail, believing his downfall contributed to his mother's death.
"Zheng Jinmei?" He Chuan Zhou recalled, choosing her words carefully. "She hoped I could get you out early. I told her I didn't have that kind of power."
The first time He Chuan Zhou met Zheng Jinmei was at the hospital. She had accompanied her mentor to take Zheng Xianwen's statement. He insisted that his injuries were from an accidental fall, claiming that nearly having his hand chopped off was just a joke, and even attempted to perform martial arts for them.
He Chuan Zhou felt helpless.
Back then, Zheng Jinmei stood in the hospital corridor, quietly wiping her tears, clutching a thermos. Her clothes were in disarray, torn by someone unknown, with the fabric at her neckline ripped, and her hair a mess. A conspicuous red mark marred her forehead.
Seeing her in that state, He Chuan Zhou couldn't help but feel sympathy. She gave Zheng Jinmei her number, saying, "You can come to me if you need help."
Zheng Jinmei never troubled her. Occasionally, when they crossed paths while He Chuan Zhou was on duty, she didn't dare approach. It wasn't until Zheng Xianwen was arrested that she sought out the only officer she knew.
She came to He Chuan Zhou three times.
The first time was when Zheng Xianwen was transferred to the detention center and his indictment was confirmed.
She brought He Chuan Zhou a bag of apples, hesitated for a long time, and left without saying what she needed.
The second time was when Zheng Xianwen was sentenced and formally imprisoned. She asked He Chuan Zhou how long he might be incarcerated and inquired about the victims' family situation. Afraid of being scolded, she left with her head bowed, apologizing repeatedly.
The third time was a year or two into Zheng Xianwen's imprisonment. Zheng Jinmei came with several thousand yuan, nervously asking if He Chuan Zhou could help reduce his sentence, not daring to meet her eyes while speaking.
Zheng Jinmei had her son at 18, worked multiple jobs daily, and all her friends had distanced themselves because of Zheng Xianwen. Not yet 50, she already moved with a shuffle.
He Chuan Zhou felt sorry for her but could only say, "This isn't our squad's case. Besides, Zheng Xianwen will be out soon. You don't need to do this."
The next day, He Chuan Zhou received a call saying Zheng Jinmei had died from ingesting pesticide. Her phone's contact list only had He Chuan Zhou's number saved.
From that point on, He Chuan Zhou had no good impression of Zheng Xianwen.