No Ads on this website buy me a beer instead. Click me!(KO-FI)
Commision a novel to translate Click me!(KO-FI)
The commotion on both sides finally subsided, but no one dared to relax. Everyone remained firmly in place, keeping a clear boundary between them.
Other colleagues came running down the corridor from the opposite side. They had missed the excitement and only saw He Chuan Zhou wave them off as she left, turning back to glance a few times as she walked away.
The police officers who had been the first to intervene wiped the cold sweat off their brows. They wanted to complain but didn’t dare make their frustrations too obvious, resorting instead to bottling it up.
No one had expected the two of them to clash head-on at the precinct, and in such an earth-shaking manner.
Of course, the main factor was Shen Wenzheng being on the receiving end. “Zhu’s mother” had unleashed her combat prowess far beyond expectation, overwhelming him with sheer force. Whether in physical confrontation or verbal assault, she achieved an absolutely crushing victory. Shen Wenzheng didn’t even get close to laying a finger on her.
In those precious few seconds of peace, Brother Huang was racking his brain for how to handle the aftermath. He glanced at Shen Wenzheng’s miserable face and, recalling the man’s usual demeanor, felt a storm brewing in his mind. It all condensed into one blunt thought: “Oh crap.”
Shen Wenzheng tugged at his collar. His shirt, strained during the scuffle, was tight around his neck, making it uncomfortable. His face flushed red with fury as he glared at the officer blocking him and slapped away the hand tentatively raised to stop him.
Perhaps feeling his earlier silence had been too humiliating, he rudely pushed aside the two officers in his way and stared directly at He Chuan Zhou across the room. His tone was harsh:
“She hit me, what are you going to do about it? She made the first move! If you’re going to arrest someone for provoking trouble, she should be the first one detained! Do it! Or are you cops trying to cover for her?”
Brother Huang hesitated, unsure whether to scold Shen Wenzheng with a stern face or try to calm him down. The main problem was that he didn't know what had actually happened, so it was hard for him to take a side. He glanced at He Chuan Zhou, who remained inscrutable and unresponsive. Deciding not to deal with Shen Wenzheng directly, Brother Huang barked at the colleague in the middle:
“What’s going on here?”
The younger officer picked up his broken glasses, inspecting the damaged frame as he carefully chose his words.
“Not sure… We heard screaming and rushed out, only to see the two of them grappling. No one could stop them, they insisted on fighting.”
Judging by the situation, it was likely Zhu’s mother who struck first, catching Shen Wenzheng off guard. By the time he reacted, the officers had already separated them.
Now that his temper had cooled a bit, Shen Wenzheng became aware of the pain from his injuries. Grimacing and clutching his wounds, he listened to the officer's report. His anger flared again as he jabbed a finger at the woman at the back of the crowd.
“That lunatic attacked me the moment she saw me! Punching, kicking, scratching, clawing, and this is in a police precinct! She’s totally lawless! This has to be dealt with. Don’t think you can just smooth things over!”
Zhu’s mother had even tossed aside her canvas bag, spilling all kinds of odds and ends onto the floor.
He Chuan Zhou squatted down, calmly picking up the scattered items one by one. Along the way, he even found one of Shen Wenzheng’s shirt buttons.
She glanced back. Shen Wenzheng was still red-faced, his neck stiff with anger, furiously accusing everyone in sight. Though he hadn’t raised his hand to anyone, he clung to the last thread of his entrepreneurial dignity. However, the earlier barbaric assault, combined with the cold indifference of He Chuan Zhou and the others, had pushed him to the edge of reason. His words became increasingly agitated, and his phrasing began to slip into incoherence.
Zhu’s mother, meanwhile, seemed to realize the trouble she had caused them. She stood silently, saying nothing.
He Chuan Zhou handed the bag to Xu Yu and gestured. “Take her downstairs first.”
“Downstairs? Just like that? Where are you taking her?” Shen Wenzheng strode forward, only for Brother Huang to step in and block him once again.
Brother Huang grabbed his arm with a grin, attempting to pacify him. “Calm down. We’re just separating you two to mediate. We’ll handle this by the book.”
Once Zhu’s mother was escorted away, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Most of the officers had to return to their posts, leaving only three people at the scene.
The room suddenly felt more spacious, the stifling tension dissipating with the crowd.
He Chuan Zhou pulled out a chair and motioned for Shen Wenzheng to sit. Shen wasn’t inclined to cooperate, but He Chuan Zhou didn’t seem to mind. She spoke bluntly, “I didn’t see her hit you. All I saw was mutual fighting.”
"Mutual fighting? I haven't even raised a hand!" Shen Wenzheng pointed angrily at his chin, his hand shaking with rage as he nearly stabbed himself. "Look at her face, do you see any injuries? None! Look at me, she scratched me! Are you blind?"
He Chuan Zhou replied calmly, “It’s not that you didn’t fight back, you just didn’t have the chance to. With all those officers holding you back, don’t try to tell me you were just standing there taking the hits.”
Brother Huang felt a toothache coming on, convinced she was only adding fuel to the fire. If this escalated further, Zhu’s mother’s side would end up in real trouble. Sure enough, Shen Wenzheng roared, “I’m injured! She’s not! And now you’re blatantly lying? Fine! I’ll call my lawyer!”
He Chuan Zhou stepped closer and examined his wound carefully before answering. "Then let me be impartial. To be honest, your injury is minor. Even if we were to go with your version of events that she rushed at you and attacked you without provocation, this would be considered a minor assault. At worst, it would result in less than five days' detention or a fine of less than 500 yuan. If we detain her, what will happen to you?"
Shen Wenzheng laughed angrily. “Me? What about me? Did I commit a crime just because I didn’t die? I know exactly who you are, He Chuan Zhou. You’re biased, and I can absolutely file a complaint against you!”
He Chuan Zhou waited patiently for him to finish before nodding slightly. Then, with deliberate calm, she said, "You've just returned to City A, and there's already a scandal. I think you know why she hit you. The news of Tao Siyue's incident hasn't even died down, and now you have to deal with a nearly 60-year-old mother risking everything to fight for her daughter. Even if she's detained for a few days, what will you gain?
“Of course, I’m not implying you’re at fault. Shen Wenzheng, you’re far more experienced in handling public opinion than I am. But let me remind you, there’s a lot of media interest in your affairs here in City A. I don’t know why you decided to return at such a sensitive time, but—”
The fury in Shen Wenzheng’s eyes had already subsided halfway through her words, as he snapped out of his rage-induced haze and regained his composure.
He had come to City A precisely to mitigate the negative public perception surrounding him.
With the Tao Siyue incident, some netizens were still on his side, arguing that the series of criminal cases and bizarre developments seemed more like a commercial conspiracy involving Guangyi, now a notorious company. But another scandal, especially a sexual one, would be a different story. Netizens didn’t need evidence to deliver judgment, intuition alone would be enough to crush him.
His carefully curated public image, built over decades, was already in ruins. While he was confident he could escape legal punishment, he absolutely could not bear the disgrace of living the rest of his life under the stigma of something as vile as sexual assault.
Shen Wenzheng demanded, “She must apologize to me!”
Without hesitation, He Chuan Zhou replied, “That’s unlikely.”
Before Shen Wenzheng could erupt, He Chuan Zhou gave a faint smile and pointed downstairs. “She has no children, no job, no social insurance, basically nothing tying her down. She’s an absolute underdog, living on the edge. You can try pushing her further and see what she does next, but our precinct isn’t prepared to shoulder the consequences.”
Shen Wenzheng was wary of dealing with someone as desperate and reckless as her. He took a deep breath, trying to quell the simmering anger that made everything around him seem intolerable. He kicked the chair in front of him, venting his frustration.
Still, He Chuan Zhou deliberately confirmed, “So, do you want to continue pursuing this?”
Shen Wenzheng’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching tightly. He didn’t answer.
Taking his silence as a sign, He Chuan Zhou remained unperturbed. “Then I take it you’re choosing to reconcile? Very magnanimous of you, Mr. Shen.”
Brother Huang coughed awkwardly, trying to signal to He Chuan Zhou to ease up. Pushing someone like Shen Wenzheng too far was risky.
Unable to swallow his anger, Shen Wenzheng shot back with a jab, though it lacked any real bite: “I pay so much in taxes every year, only to fund a bunch of useless people who can’t do anything.”
“Paying taxes is a citizen’s obligation,” He Chuan Zhou responded nonchalantly. “You’re free to try not paying. But that’s beyond the jurisdiction of our major crimes unit, so I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice.”
Shen Wenzheng was on the verge of losing it. Sensing this, Brother Huang quickly intervened, standing up to smooth things over. “Why don’t you head back for now? Captain He we’ve got a mountain of work waiting, and Director Feng just asked for you. Leave Mr. Shen to me.”
Turning to Shen Wenzheng, he continued, “Mr. Shen, you have my deepest sympathy. Please be the bigger person and let this matter go. On her behalf, I sincerely apologize to you. Would that be acceptable?”
He Chuan Zhou didn’t press further, turning and heading downstairs.
Meanwhile, Xu Yu brought over a cup of hot water and handed it to Zhu’s mother, who passively accepted it. She sat there quietly, holding the cup in her hands, not blinking, not saying a word.
Her hands and feet were cold, her expression drained and lifeless, with none of the arrogance she had shown during her earlier confrontation. This wasn’t fear but the exhaustion of someone utterly sapped of vitality.
Xu Yu watched her, unsure what to say.
This woman had been unreasonable when she first arrived at the precinct, fierce and combative when facing Shen Wenzheng. She seemed to wear many faces shaped by hardship, but her silence was the most disarming of all.
Sitting beside her, Xu Yu leaned close, touching her shoulder, and said gently, “Auntie, why were you so impulsive? Striking him like that, if you end up in custody, is it worth it? He’s not the type to suffer a loss quietly, you know?”
Zhu’s mother turned her head to look at Xu Yu, her gaze lingering on her face. After a long moment, tears welled in her eyes. Her once-vacant emotions flooded back into her body, and a wave of sorrow overcame her, making her cry out loud. “Do you think I care? Do you think I still care? He bullied my daughter! And me too!”
Xu Yu fumbled, at a loss for how to respond. She had intended to persuade Zhu’s mother to apologize, but now she couldn’t muster a single word.
Through her sobs, Zhu’s mother muttered, “Is my daughter really gone? Is it just me now?”
Xu Yu couldn’t answer her. Fortunately, He Chuan Zhou came downstairs at that moment.
As Zhu’s mother continued to cry, He Chuan Zhou stood in front of her for a while before speaking, her tone rather harsh: “You should go home for now. If there’s any news, we’ll inform you immediately. Staying in City A won’t help, just waiting around won’t accomplish anything. Shao Zhixin, take the police car and drive her home.”
Shao Zhixin nodded in response, lowering his gaze to look at Zhu’s mother. He asked cautiously, “Shall we go?”
Zhu’s mother sniffled and opened her mouth to refuse, but before she could, He Chuan Zhou’s firm voice cut in: “Cooperate with us. We’re doing everything we can to investigate.”
Zhu’s mother reached into her bag, feeling around but failing to find her usual handkerchief. Xu Yu quickly handed her a pack of tissues. She wiped her face haphazardly and leaned against the wall to stand up.
When Shao Zhixin stepped forward to assist her, she shook her head, politely declining his help.
Another officer gestured for backup, and together they escorted her out.
As the car started to pull away, Shen Wenzheng came downstairs.
Brother Huang trailed behind him at a slow pace, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.
The precinct finally regained its calm. Brother Huang slumped into a chair, raising his hand and declaring, “What a day. Let’s rest for a bit before heading out again. I’m drained.”
He Chuan Zhou leaned against the wall, pulling out her phone and typing away.
Brother Huang noticed her fingers moving nonstop and propped his head up, curiosity piqued. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” He Chuan Zhou replied. “Shen Wenzheng’s return to City A, why hasn’t any media picked up on it? It’s worth at least an article, especially given the sums involved.”
"Zhou Tuoxing?" Brother Huang walked over and, unsurprisingly, saw He Chuan Zhou texting Zhou Tuoxing. Without hesitation, he said, "What’s with all the typing? Just call him."
He gestured for He Chuan Zhou to hand over her phone, pressed the voice call button, and sauntered back to his chair. Sitting cross-legged, he perked up the moment the call connected, brimming with energy as he greeted warmly, “Hello, Brother Zhou!”
Recently, Brother Huang's relationship with Zhou Tuoxing had progressed rapidly. By his own estimation, they were now best friends. It wasn't just because they bonded over late-night snacks, but also because Zhou Tuoxing's media accounts were very successful, with impressive reach and popularity. More importantly, Zhou Tuoxing knew sharp and capable reporters who often unearthed information the police couldn't access. His special methods for extracting sensitive details had even helped neighboring districts with their cases.
Brother Huang had come to a sudden realization, this guy was a treasure!
He put the phone on speaker, his tone dripping with affection as he asked, “Off work yet? Oh, evening classes, huh? Make sure to rest early. Don’t overwork yourself, young man. Health comes first.”
The excessively doting tone made He Chuan Zhou shiver involuntarily, feeling a little creeped out.
Xu Yu, ever the instigator, leaned in with mischief glinting in her eyes. Bending over, she loudly declared, “Brother Zhou, did you know that Shen Wenzheng just came to our precinct and provoked our Captain He?”
Zhou Tuoxing responded, surprised, “Provoked her? What was he thinking?”
“Exactly!” Xu Yu, though absent from the earlier scene, spoke as if she’d witnessed everything firsthand. “It was outrageous! His gaze toward Captain He was disrespectful, impolite, and impure! Clearly up to no good!”
He Chuan Zhou snorted coldly, “Xu Yu, are you bored because the neighborhood’s been too peaceful lately? Need some excitement?”
“I just want to experience the thrill of righteous vengeance,” Xu Yu said, clenching her fists with dramatic fervor. “Charge, Brother Zhou! Don’t give him a chance to make a comeback! Our precinct stands with you!”
“Righteous, huh?” He Chuan Zhou sneered. “Even your memes are outdated.”
With a sly grin, Xu Yu turned and announced, “Brother Zhou, Captain He says you’re outdated!”
Brother Huang shooed her away, “Go, go! Young lady, don’t make comments that could disrupt the harmonious relationship between our leadership and her family.”
Clearing his throat, he returned to his earlier gentle tone. “Brother Zhou, the buzz around Shen Wenzheng’s news hasn’t died down yet, right? Let’s not let it go cold. Bring it up now and then. Who knows, maybe in a few days, more victims will come forward. They might just need a little time to think it over… Yes, yes, great teamwork. I knew you were a good citizen, Brother Zhou.”
After finishing his cordial chat, Brother Huang hung up, stretched, and rose to his feet, looking reinvigorated. Clapping his hands, he rallied the team, “Alright! The sooner we head out, the sooner we can get back. Maybe we’ll even catch a quick nap. Let’s get to work, everyone!”
The team quickly regrouped, planning to split into two vehicles and retrace Sun Yiyao's route again.
With police vehicles running short, Brother Huang decided to use his own car.
He Chuan Zhou slid into the driver’s seat and pulled out her phone to set up the navigation.
The highway’s lack of precise landmarks made pinpointing locations tricky. She zoomed out on the map, casually selecting a spot along the projected route.
Just as she placed the phone down and prepared to start the engine, a faint connection flickered in her mind. Something about the route felt familiar. She hesitated, picking the phone up again to double-check.
“What’s wrong, Captain He?” Xu Yu asked, assuming she’d forgotten the address. Pulling out her own phone, she offered, “I saved the location. Want me to handle navigation?”
He Chuan Zhou raised her hand slightly, signaling for silence. Staring out into the deepening night through the car window, her gaze unfocused as her thoughts churned. After a moment of reflection, she asked, “Do you have Zhu Shujun’s hometown address? Was she from Yanmu Village?”
Xu Yu looked puzzled. “I’m not sure. I didn’t pay attention to that.”
Without hesitation, He Chuan Zhou called Brother Huang. He answered almost immediately.
“What’s up? I’m about to head out.”
" Is Zhu Shujun's hometown Yanmu Village?" she asked.
“That sounds right,” Brother Huang replied, turning the steering wheel as his car passed in front of hers. “Is there an issue?”
“Sun Yiyao’s route leads directly to Yanmu Village.”
The sharp screech of brakes echoed as Brother Huang abruptly stopped his car. He let out a soft “huh” but said nothing.
Inside the tightly sealed vehicle, the air thickened with silence, the kind that pressed against the ears like water.
After a long pause, his hesitant, cautious voice came through the speaker, “That can’t be, right?”
“Why not?” He Chuan Zhou’s voice was crisp and decisive. “Sun Yiyao’s familiarity with locations outside City A is limited. She’s unlikely to go somewhere completely unknown to her. If she were to dispose of a body in the wilderness, where would she choose?”
Her reasoning crystallized swiftly, and after a brief pause, she continued methodically, “If Zhu Shujun ever spoke to her about her hometown, Sun Yiyao would know it’s an isolated rural area with sparse population. The village is dotted with abandoned homes left behind by younger generations who’ve moved to the city. Many fields are fallow, parts of the forest are untouched, and the hills are scattered with both family graves and neglected burial sites. Government development is unlikely to touch the area for decades. If she picks the right spot, it’s the perfect place for body disposal.”
She added, “And who would ever suspect the killer of dumping a victim’s body in their own hometown?”
Brother Huang, still stunned by the eeriness of the idea, could only stammer.
“Is this dumping or… recovering the body?” he muttered, grappling with the strange logic. “The service package is that comprehensive?”
His voice faltered. “I feel like…”
No one could ever guess what was running through Sun Yiyao’s mind that night. Driving with a body in the car during the dead of night, she was probably on the verge of losing it herself.
If you think about it, choosing Yanmu Village as the destination might actually make sense, perhaps even aligning with certain deeply ingrained metaphysical beliefs common in the country.
After all, people's faith in metaphysics tends to intensify in moments of guilt or when doing something wrong.
Brother Huang shook his head to clear his thoughts and said firmly, “Let’s go check it out.”
When they reached the highway toll station, Brother Huang grabbed the ticket, pressed the accelerator, and let the night wind sweep away his tangled thoughts. Adjusting his posture slightly, he fixated on the faint yellow glow of the headlights ahead and exclaimed, “Unbelievable! Sun Yiyao! Could she really be that deranged?”
Xu Yu chimed in, equally animated, “When I questioned her at her house, I already knew she wasn’t someone you could measure with normal logic!”
One of their colleagues asked, “Should we inform Sha Zhixin?”
“Not yet!” Brother Huang decided. “He’s got others in the car. Let’s wait until we actually find something.” He added enthusiastically, “Keep going! Catch up with him! Where’s Shao Zhixin now?”
Driving at night made Shao Zhixin a bit tense. He had to focus intently on the road markings, though he felt slightly reassured since they had driven the route earlier that evening.
The two people in the back seat were quiet, and Shao Zhixin, who didn’t like silence, felt the atmosphere growing unbearably stiff. Known for being talkative, he often found himself as the target of Brother Huang’s ribbing. Feeling the need to break the tension, he turned on the radio.
But it seemed luck wasn’t on his side tonight. The first song was “Candlelight Mom”. Panicking, he quickly switched channels, only to land on a host saying, “Ms. Wang dedicated this next song to her mother…”
Frustrated, he muttered a curse under his breath, hastily turned off the radio, and glanced at the rearview mirror, only to lock eyes with Zhu’s mother.
Taking a deep breath, Zhu’s Mother seized the moment to ask, “That Shen Wenzheng… is he really that rich?”
Shao Zhixin froze for a second, letting out an awkward “Uh…” while thinking to himself that silence might actually be better. What was there to discuss?!
Unable to suppress her thoughts, Zhu’s mother pressed on. “Why haven’t you locked him up? He’s committed serious crimes, hasn’t he? Everyone knows he’s not just hurt my daughter! How can someone like that still walk free?”
Shao Zhixin glanced at the rearview mirror again, struggling to find a response. “We need evidence,” he said awkwardly.
“I gave you evidence!” Zhu’ s mother voice suddenly rose, and she leaned forward in her seat. “You should at least take him to the station for questioning like they do on TV!”
Shao Zhixin, feeling cornered, tried to explain, “It’s not that simple. Even on TV, they can’t just summon suspects to the station without reason. And the statement you gave us, it’s just testimony. It doesn’t directly link him to your daughter’s disappearance. We haven’t even officially opened a case yet.”
Zhu’s mother said, “That woman in the news, the one with the hundred million, doesn’t that count as direct evidence? She even admitted it herself! Shen Wenzheng bullied her!”
Shao Zhixin replied, “She doesn’t have evidence, only her testimony.”
In the back seat, a colleague tilted their head, swaying with the car as it passed over speed bumps, seemingly fast asleep and offering no assistance.
Shao Zhixin had to continue on his own. “Besides, you should know yourself that your daughter’s case may not be connected to Shen Wenzheng. All you’ve seen is their photo together, which doesn’t prove anything.”
Zhu’s mother leaned back, resting her head against the car window, and muttered, “I don’t believe it.”
Shao Zhixin spoke with a twinge of discomfort. “Miss, please rest assured. If we could find any evidence of Shen Wenzheng’s crimes, we’d be the first to hope he gets caught. Don’t doubt us on this.”
He stole a quick glance behind him, even though he knew He Chuan Zhou couldn’t possibly be in the car, and then, lowering his voice, said, “Our Captain He has a personal grudge against him, a real grudge.”
Perhaps it was Captain He’s imposing demeanor. Even though Shao Zhixin wasn’t speaking ill of her, just mentioning her name sent a chill down his spine.
“It’s practically a blood feud. If you’ve watched the full news reports, you’d know. Back then, Shen Wenzheng forced Tao Siyue to falsely accuse Officer He, our Captain He’s father. That led to Mr. He’s accidental fall from a building. Sigh, Shen Wenzheng is the root of all evil. He’s even in cahoots with Han Songshan, that awful journalist. They’ve been slandering Mr. He for years, even after his death. At one point, they almost got Captain He kicked out of the police force. And now, Shen Wenzheng has come to City A, strutting around in front of Captain He. Isn’t that just pouring salt on old wounds? Don’t be fooled by how cool and composed Captain He seems. Her strong stance today comes from a place of deep pain.”
Zhu’s mother, unaware of these details, stared blankly. “Is that true?”
“Of course! That’s why you mustn’t mention your earlier suspicions to her. It’d be hurtful,” Shao Zhixin said, his voice trembling as he grew emotional. “Captain He lost her father during her senior year of high school, and he was murdered. She knows who’s responsible, who’s involved, but she has no way to prove it. She’s been a police officer for years and still hasn’t managed to gather the evidence to bring them to justice. She’s carried that pain all this time. Imagine how hard it’s been for her. With this case involving a hundred million, we thought we could finally take down Shen Wenzheng, but no one has come forward to report anything significant, only you.”
Zhu’s mother’s face was dazed, her pupils reflecting the streaks of light from passing streetlamps. She gazed into the endless shadows, thinking of He Chuan Zhou and her own daughter.
The young man in the back seat, who had been “asleep,” suddenly spoke up in a low, steady voice. “To be honest, based on the evidence we’ve gathered so far, your daughter’s case probably isn’t closely related to Shen Wenzheng. Captain He knows this too, but right now, she has no energy left to deal with Shen Wenzheng. Her focus is entirely on finding Zhu Shujun. Your outburst at the precinct earlier really left Captain He in a complicated mood.”
Zhu’s mother closed her eyes. The shared pain she had learned about unexpectedly eased some of her suffering, bringing back a sliver of patience she thought she had lost completely. The despair of feeling adrift and fighting alone began to recede.
She recalled He Chuan Zhou holding her hand, the deep, enigmatic look in her eyes as she listened to her chaotic account, and the lingering warmth on the back of her hand that was no longer there. A surge of guilt overwhelmed her.
She realized she had been clinging to life, venting her desperation, and piling her own burden of pain onto He Chuan Zhou, making her take on her struggles.
Clenching her hands tightly, Zhu’s mother rasped, “I’m sorry… I know you’re all good people. I didn’t know these things. I didn’t mean to trouble you…”
Shao Zhixin was about to respond when a car overtook them from the side, honking twice as it went past.
The dim light of the night made visibility poor, and Shao Zhixin had been driving slowly, focusing mainly on the headlights of the cars ahead and behind. The honking made him glance to the side.
“Wait, isn’t that one of our precinct’s cars?” he exclaimed, mouth agape in surprise.
“What a spectacle! Are they here to escort us? A grand farewell parade?” he joked.
The colleague in the back seat sighed in exasperation. “What’s in your head, flowers? Keep dreaming.”
“Just follow it!” the colleague ordered.
Still unsure, Shao Zhixin followed the car all the way. As they neared Yanmu Village, He Chuan Zhou slowed his vehicle and dropped behind them.
Shao Zhixin let out a puzzled hum, listening to Zhu’s mother’s instructions as he pulled over to the side of the road.
Zhu’s mother stepped out of the car and pointed to a nearby open area. “You can park anywhere around here. It’s fine for us.”
He Chuan Zhou parked her car nearby, and soon Brother Huang arrived as well.
Shao Zhixin approached and asked, “Why did you follow us?”
He Chuan Zhou didn’t answer, instead pulling up a photo of Sun Yiyao’s car on his phone. She showed it to Zhu’s mother and asked, “Have you seen this car before?”
Zhu’s mother shook her head. “I don’t know cars. I only recognize colors and license plates. But I’m pretty sure no one around here owns a red car.”
The village had few residents. Having lived through years of isolation and poverty, the families here were closely connected, with everyone knowing each other within three generations. Most were even familiar with people in neighboring villages.
He Chuan Zhou then showed her a picture of Sun Yiyao. “What about this person? Have you seen her before?”
Zhu’s mother stared at the photo for a while longer this time but still seemed unsure. “She’s not from our village. I might have seen her, but I’m not sure.”
She asked cautiously, "Does this person have anything to do with my daughter?"
Shao Zhixin widened his eyes and asked, "What’s going on?"
At this hour, most people were already asleep, making it difficult to conduct interviews.
He Chuan Zhou glanced around and, instead of answering directly, said, "Let’s wait until daylight. The sky will probably start to lighten around 5 a.m."
Shao Zhixin closed his mouth, realizing no one would answer his question. He moved to Xu Yu’s side and began whispering with her.
“Where’s your home? We’d like to sit there for a bit,” He Chuan Zhou asked Zhu’s mother as she walked up to her. Then, she continued her questioning. “Is there anywhere around here that people rarely visit?”
Zhu’s mother’s heart raced as she nervously led the way, gesturing to explain the route while forcing herself to stay calm and speak clearly.
Xu Yu tugged at Brother Huang’s sleeve and whispered, “I’m not sleepy yet. Why don’t we take a walk around? Sun Yiyao probably arrived in the middle of the night. We don’t know when she left, so maybe we can discover something if we immerse ourselves in the area.”
Brother Huang thought for a moment and said, “Alright, but be careful and don’t wander off. Don’t go too far into the mountains. If you see someone still awake, you can ask them some questions.”
Xu Yu replied cheerfully, “Got it.”
Brother Huang joined He Chuan Zhou while the remaining team split into two groups, heading in opposite directions, one to the south and one to the north.
The rural architecture varied greatly. Some houses were wooden and on the verge of collapse, while others were newly built Western-style villas, awkwardly scattered among a cluster of low buildings.
As they walked farther, they passed neat rows of rice paddies on one side, accompanied by the mixed chirping of insects, creating a unique sense of nature.
Shao Zhixin swung his phone flashlight around aimlessly, muttering, "How are we supposed to find anything like this? There are so many empty houses or unused land in rural areas. Without a target, it’s impossible. But it definitely won’t be along the main road, Sun Yiyao wouldn’t be that bold. I think we need to check out the hills behind those houses. Dumping bodies in old graves is more common, right? No one usually digs them up.”
The weak beam from his phone barely illuminated beyond a meter in the darkness. Several streetlights were broken, leaving pitch-black gaps between buildings.
Xu Yu said, “If we can’t see clearly, Sun Yiyao can’t either. That’s why nighttime is perfect for dumping a body. The dim light makes criminals feel secure. This is probably her first time here. Where do you think she would bury the body?”
Xu Yu seemed unusually energetic tonight, probably from staying up too long. Shao Zhixin couldn’t help but worry about her reasoning skills.
The two ventured into a narrow path and found a house where someone was still awake. They asked a few questions but didn’t learn anything useful. Continuing deeper, they discovered a road leading to the hills. At the base of the hills were a few homes, but their lights were off, so they decided to turn back for now.
Halfway down the path, the two were discussing where to try their luck next when a long shadow suddenly appeared ahead.
At first, Shao Zhixin didn’t pay it much attention, but when he looked closer, he realized it was a person. “Who’s out at this hour? Someone with insomnia out for a walk? Hey!” he called out.
The figure didn’t respond. The two quickened their pace to approach, intending to ask some questions. Just then, the light in the person’s hand flickered before abruptly turning off. The figure dropped something and turned to run.
“Don’t run!” Shao Zhixin shouted in a low voice. “Why are you running? We’re the good guys!”
Sensing something was wrong, Xu Yu immediately sprang into action, chasing after the person.
Shao Zhixin’s regular fitness routine finally paid off as he bolted forward like the wind, quickly closing the gap.
The figure wasn’t fast or agile, their movements were heavy and sluggish, and they seemed to lack the energy for a proper sprint. But there was still some distance between them, so by the time the figure reached the opposite side of the road, Shao Zhixin was just emerging.
He shone his phone’s flashlight ahead. As the figure ran under a streetlight, their silhouette became momentarily clear.
It was a woman with long hair. She wasn’t tall or overweight, wearing long sleeves and pants. Given the hot weather in City A, her attire was suspicious.
Shao Zhixin wasn’t sure who the person was, but a wild hunch struck him. Ignoring the fact that it was the middle of the night, he blurted out, “Sun Yiyao! Stop right there!”
The person ahead slowed momentarily, then glanced back in panic before picking up speed and fleeing into the darkness.
Shao Zhixin felt his scalp tingle and adrenaline surge through his veins. Even he couldn’t believe it as he yelled, “No way! It’s really her! Captain! Captain, Sun Yiyao is here! Get over here!”
Xu Yu, not far behind, hollered, “You’re not getting away!”
The two crossed to the other side of the road and split up, one going left and the other right, in an attempt to cut her off.
The poor lighting made things difficult. Several houses had piles of firewood and clutter outside, providing ample hiding spots. If Sun Yiyao wanted to conceal herself, it wouldn’t be hard for her to slip past.
Lights began flickering on in nearby homes, and windows creaked open as curious residents peered out.
Seeing that people were waking up, Shao Zhixin called out decisively, “Police! We’re the police! If you’re awake, please turn on your lights!”
Someone indeed turned on a hallway light downstairs. Shao Zhixin felt a surge of hope as he followed the illuminated path forward. Suddenly, he froze mid-step. In his line of sight, a parked car in an open space had just turned on its headlights and was preparing to drive off.
Shao Zhixin immediately spread his arms wide, blocking the exit. “Stop the car! Sun Yiyao, get out! You can’t escape!”
Inside the car, Sun Yiyao sat pale-faced, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The hum of the engine reverberated ominously.
Shao Zhixin pointed at her, slowly approaching while commanding, “Don’t move! Get out of the car! Get out right now! You know why we’re here!”
His heart pounded erratically, the surge of adrenaline leaving him both exhilarated and tense.
He tucked his phone back into his pocket, freeing both hands to gesture at her, signaling her to roll down the window. As he got closer, he confirmed it was indeed Sun Yiyao sitting inside. Fixing his gaze on her, he waved her toward he.
From a distance, Xu Yu called out, “Zhixin, I’m here! Where’s the person?”
Instinctively, Shao Zhixin turned toward the sound, but the car’s headlights suddenly flared to full brightness, flooding him with blinding white light. A loud roar from the accelerator followed.
Sun Yiyao had switched to high beams and was now speeding away.
Momentarily blinded, Shao Zhixin shielded his eyes with both arms. Though he heard the roar of the engine, his body refused to move.
In the split second before disaster, a hand yanked him backward by the collar with immense force.
Shao Zhixin stumbled to the side, narrowly avoiding the car as it brushed against his clothes. Momentum carried him into a wall, where he collided with some tools piled nearby, eliciting a pained yelp.
His vision hadn’t fully recovered when he heard He Chuan Zhou’s furious yelling: “Are you insane? What do you think you are, a human tank? Has no one ever taught you what to do when a suspect has a car?”
Still dazed, Shao Zhixin blinked against the swirling black and white spots in his vision, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief.
“She got away,” he muttered blankly.
He Chuan Zhou, also shaken by the near miss, swallowed hard before snapping, “Then let her! Notify the traffic police to intercept her at the next junction! What, is she going to fly?”
“But I didn’t think she’d actually try to hit me…” Shao Zhixin said, his voice tinged with grievance.
From nearby, Xu Yu, trembling and leaning against a wall for support, shouted, “Shao Zhixin, you scared me half to death! I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life helping your family!” Muttering a curse, she quickly took out her phone to contact the traffic police.
Meanwhile, He Chuan Zhou was heading toward her car. She had barely opened the door when a loud crash sounded in the distance.
They rushed over to find that Sun Yiyao’s car had overturned, landing in a water-filled paddy field.
Xu Yu stared in shock. “Tonight’s just one thing after another. My nerves can’t take this. What is even happening?”
Fortunately for Sun Yiyao, her panicked driving had been erratic, and she hadn’t picked up much speed. The soft terrain of the field cushioned the impact.
Brother Huang and Shao Zhixin jumped into the field, pried open the car door, and checked her condition.
The suspect was still conscious, with only minor injuries to her arm and leg. Brother Huang cursed as he pulled her out. “You’ve got some nerve, Sun Yiyao. Trying to ram a police officer? You want to spend the rest of your life in prison?”
Shao Zhixin, now fully realizing the danger he had been in, began to tremble as he helped carry Sun Yiyao up the embankment. “Were you really trying to hit me? Are you crazy? I didn’t even do anything to you!”
Xu Yu caught her breath, giving him a few puzzled glances at his delayed reaction. “Relax,” she said, trying to reassure him. “At that speed, she wouldn’t have killed you. She had barely started.”
Sun Yiyao lay flat on the ground, pale and unfocused, her entire body trembling. It was a long while before their words seemed to register, and she weakly responded to one of their questions. “I… I didn’t know… I was scared.”
Shao Zhixin, his nerves finally catching up, exclaimed, “I’m the one who’s scared! Dammit!”
He Chuan Zhou crouched down, pulling a pair of handcuffs from her belt and securing them on her wrists.
“This is your last chance to come clean. Right now,” she said coldly.
“Where is Zhu Shujun’s body?”