Chapter 151 Misdirection
◎The last time you knock on the door, just knock once◎
Xiang Dong's face turned from red to white.
His chest began to heave and his heartbeat began to accelerate.
How dare she?
[How dare you say that?]
[I can get to where I am today, all thanks to myself! The Qian family is nothing! ]
Zhao Xiangwan curled the corners of his mouth and smiled.
Her smile was full of sarcasm: "You don't think that everything you have now is the result of your own hard work, right?"
Xiang Dong finally couldn't hold back his anger and argued through gritted teeth: "I have a major that matches my background and I have a bachelor's degree. Is there any problem with me using my professional skills in the transmission machinery factory?"
Zhao Xiangwan patted the huge desk of the technical section chief and said, "You mean, even if you don't have money and family, you can still sit in this position now?"
Xiang Dong said nothing.
Zhao Xiangwan asked an extremely tricky question.
Nodding and saying yes, leaving the Qian family aside would make Qian Minqiang unhappy;
He shook his head and said no, as if he was a gigolo and that everything he had was all thanks to his family. This made him feel indescribably humiliated.
Xiang Dongxia consciously looked at Qian Minqiang.
Qian Minqiang's eyes were wide open, staring at him viciously, as if if he just said "Yes!", Qian Minqiang would pounce on Xiang Dong and tear him to pieces.
Without waiting for Xiang Dong's answer, Zhao Xiangwan smiled, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
Her words were like a torrential rain, one sentence after another, leaving Xiang Dong breathless.
"Why? Is it difficult to admit that marrying Qian Yanyan changed your fate, and that you got to where you are today with the help of your father-in-law and elder brother-in-law?"
"If you won't even admit it, how can you talk about gratitude?"
"Does the existence of money make you feel pressured?"
"Kick away this stepping stone, find another big tree to cling to, and you will be able to step onto a higher step, right?"
If he didn't deny it, Xiang Dong was afraid that Zhao Xiangwan would peel off his despicable soul.
He raised his voice and shouted: "That's not what I meant, don't talk nonsense!"
However, Zhao Xiangwan was unwilling to stop there.
"Tell me, who made you want to kill?"
Zhao Xiangwan's momentum was astonishing, and his words seemed to be accompanied by wind, clouds, thunder and lightning.
Xiang Dong felt guilty and took a few steps back, breathing rapidly: "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you police officers slander people so casually?"
When Xiang Dong was nervous, a few vague words flashed through his mind.
【First Love】
【Leadership】
【Port City】
【hotel】
Not enough, not enough yet!
Zhao Xiangwan continued to stimulate Xiang Dong with words.
"Is it slander? On the one hand, you enjoy Qian Yanyan's contribution to the family and the Qian family's help in your career, but on the other hand, you despise Qian Yanyan's vulgarity and hate the Qian family's control over you. A man who has achieved success and fame will have a few girls throwing themselves at him, but in your eyes, it's nothing. Why would you kneel down and beg for mercy and desperately show your loyalty? At that time... were you filled with hatred for the Qian family and wanted to kill them all?"
Xiang Dong felt his legs go weak after being hit in the heart. He held on to the desk with one hand to steady himself.
Outside the office, the corridor was filled with colleagues from the Transmission Machinery Factory. They were all stunned when they heard such words coming out of the mouth of the police.
"No way? How could there be such a shameless person in this world? If Xiang Dong didn't have Qian Yanyan, how could he be rated as the only senior engineer in our factory? Our factory only has the authority to grant engineers, and the quota for this senior title was obtained by Director Qian from the city."
"I heard that Qian Yanyan treated her husband Xiang Dong like a master. Xiang Dong had everything he wanted, including clothes, shoes, watches, belts, etc. Qian Yanyan bought them all. Xiang Dong had such a small income, and he wanted to wear such a high-end watch? Tsk tsk tsk, he obviously benefited from the Qian family, but he didn't acknowledge it at all."
"The Qian family really spent a lot of money and effort to raise an enemy this time! Damn, this Xiang Dong is not a good guy, he is a complete ungrateful wolf!"
Xiang Dong heard what his colleagues were saying, and he gradually came to his senses.
【I can't say.】
[Just like how I dealt with Qian Yanyan, the police were deliberately trying to provoke me.]
[Investigating a case requires evidence.]
Xiang Dong smiled bitterly and looked at Qian Minqiang: "Second brother, do you doubt me too? I know that everyone is sad that Yanyan is gone, but this matter really has nothing to do with me. You have been very kind to me, and Yanyan's love for me is as deep as the sea. If I hate her and hurt her, then am I still a human being?"
Qian Minqiang stared at Xiang Dong without saying a word, obviously having lost trust in him long ago.
Xiang Dong looked at Zhao Xiangwan again: "Comrade police, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. I have a family and a bright future as the head of the technical department of our transmission machinery factory. Why would I do something illegal? All you said is your own speculation. As a police officer, it's not appropriate to say that, right?"
Zhao Xiangwan's eyes met him, and sparks seemed to flash.
Xiang Dong was obviously afraid of public opinion, and he quickly took this opportunity to explain: "First, I am very grateful for Yanyan's contribution to the family, and I have always loved her deeply; second, I am very grateful to the Yue family for their help and love for me, and I am also working hard to repay them with my work results; third, even if I am shameless enough to leave Yanyan, can't I just get a divorce? Why would I kill someone? So..."
Xiang Dong looked at Huo Zhuo and said, "Officer Huo, I am definitely not a shameless person who killed my wife. Please believe me."
Xiang Dong spoke eloquently and sincerely, and for a moment, even the discussions in the corridor became much quieter.
"It's a new society now, divorce is not a shameful thing, why kill anyone?"
"Qian Yanyan has a bad temper and often yells at Xiang Gong, which makes Xiang Gong not easy."
"There haven't been any serious cases in our factory for so many years, how come Qian Yanyan got into this? What do you think... could it be that the Qian family had a grudge against someone, so they killed someone in revenge?"
"Well, it's hard to say. Let's see what the police say."
Xiang Dong is indeed a cunning opponent.
Even in the face of public discussion and Qian Minqiang's condemnation, Xiang Dong remained calm.
He said, "It's the same as how I treat Qian Yanyan." Obviously he is a habitual offender. The reason why Qian Yanyan is irritable and aggressive is because Xiang Dong did it on purpose.
Zhao Xiangwan narrowed his eyes slightly, and the light became brighter.
"Xiang Dong, how is Cheng Xinru now? Are you two still dating secretly?"
Xiang Dong's eyes flashed: "Comrade police, do you have to pour a basin of dirty water on me before you stop?"
This is not the right reaction.
——This shows that Xiang Dong and Cheng Xinru are still in contact.
Thinking of the little bit of Xiang Dong's thoughts just revealed, "first love, leader, Hong Kong city, hotel", Zhao Xiangwan asked: "Who is your first love?"
Xiang Dong's pupils shrank and his heartbeat suddenly quickened.
After a brief silence, Xiang Dong looked away: "My first love was Yanyan."
Obviously lying.
Zhao Xiangwan's eyes were like lightning: "Don't lie to the police."
Xiang Dong still insisted: "I didn't lie."
Up to now, Xiang Dong has built a high wall in his heart, and no voice can be heard.
More haste, less speed. Zhao Xiangwan did not continue to ask: "Don't go out this week, and respond to police summons at any time."
Xiang Dong secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhao Xiangwan retreating: "No problem, I will do my best to cooperate with the police, and I hope you can catch the murderer as soon as possible."
As they left the transmission machinery factory, Huo Zhuo was a little annoyed: "This guy Xiang Dong is so perfect in what he says."
Zhu Feipeng also cursed: "You bastard, you are definitely not a good person!"
Zhu Kang was calmer: "Don't worry, we'll follow Xiang Wan's instructions."
Huo Zhuo looked at Zhao Xiangwan's profile and said, "Officer Zhao, did you have a plan in mind a long time ago?"
Zhao Xiangwan nodded: "Xiang Dong is currently my main suspect, so I asked him not to leave Zhu City."
Qian Minqiang immediately stated: "Don't worry, I will send people to watch him every day and will never let him leave the factory."
Zhao Xiangwan looked at Qian Minqiang and said, "Okay, I'll leave Xiangdong to you."
Qian Minqiang immediately arranged for his colleagues from the security department to work in shifts of two to take turns guarding Xiang Dong and follow him no matter where he went.
Xiang Dong enjoyed this treatment and felt like a prisoner. He gritted his teeth secretly but could do nothing about it.
Back at the Public Security Bureau, Zhao Xiangwan arranged his work in an orderly manner.
The first clue, first love.
Zhao Xiangwan asked Qian Minqiang: "Who was Xiang Dong's first love?"
Qian Minqiang shook his head in confusion: "I don't know."
Zhao Xiangwan asked again: "When Xiang Dong was a sent-down youth in the countryside and studying at university, did he not have any particularly close relationships with people of the opposite sex?"
Qian Minqiang thought for a moment, "I think I heard Yanyan mention it once, saying that Xiang Dong had a red scarf that looked like it was woven by a girl, but he refused to admit it and insisted that it was sent by his sister when he was an educated youth. Yanyan also confronted him and insisted on getting to the bottom of it. When she and Xiang Dong returned to their hometown, she specifically asked his sister, but it turned out that his sister knew nothing. The two quarreled fiercely about this matter, and later Xiang Dong threw the scarf into the trash can, and Yanyan was willing to stop."
Zhu Feipeng said: "That scarf must have been given by Xiang Dong's beloved, otherwise why would a grown man collect a red scarf all day long? Xiang Dong said that his sister sent it to him when he was an educated youth. Judging from his half-lying routine, it is estimated that he met his first love when he was an educated youth in the countryside."
Zhao Xiangwan pondered for a moment, and after recalling that Xiang Dong had mentioned the three words first love, leader, and Hong Kong City together, she suddenly had a clue in her mind: "Is it possible that Deputy Director Ai is Xiang Dong's first love?"
When Qian Minqiang heard this, he looked at Zhao Xiangwan in surprise.
Ai Chu is Xiang Dong's first love? What is Zhao Xiangwan thinking?
Zhu Kang, however, supports Zhao Xiangwan: "It's possible! Judging from his age, Director Ai is able to become the deputy director of the Merchants Group. He may be the same age as Xiang Dong. Although he looks young in the photo, that's just because he knows how to take care of himself."
Qian Minqiang's eyes widened: "Xiang Dong has a crush on Director Ai, so he wants to kill Yanyan?"
Zhao Xiangwan said: "It's just speculation at the moment."
Zhu Feipeng thought more and more that it made sense, and began to analyze it seriously: "This is very likely! Think about it, if Xiang Dong was flirting with Cheng Xinru, or Xiang Dong fell in love with other girls and didn't want to continue being married to Qian Yanyan, he could just file for a divorce, right? Why would he do such an illegal crime? Unless the woman he likes is in a high position, and he and she are both very careful about their reputations, and they are afraid that a bad reputation will affect their future."
Qian Minqiang shook his head and said, "No matter whether Mr. Xiang likes a little girl or a big leader, he can't get a divorce! As long as Yanyan disagrees, he will never get a divorce with me and my brother around!"
Zhao Xiangwan looked at Qian Minqiang.
Xiang Dong once cursed the Qian family in his heart for being so powerful and strong that he could not get rid of them once he got involved. Could this be what he was referring to? If he asked for a divorce, Qian Yanyan would definitely not agree, and the two brothers of the Qian family would not let him go either.
The Qian family has given a lot to Xiang Dong. Qian Yanyan's father has many apprentices in the engineering machinery system. If Xiang Dong dares to betray his loyalty and abandon Qian Yanyan, Xiang Dong will definitely accept revenge from the Qian family, and Xiang Dong's reputation, work and future will be affected.
It was for this reason that Xiang Dong did not dare to file for divorce after he changed his mind. Instead, he took a more sinister approach and directly took Qian Yanyan's life.
Anger flashed in Qian Minqiang's eyes as he continued to vent his dissatisfaction with Xiang Dong.
"Why did Xiang Dong get a divorce? When he was assigned to the factory, he had nothing but a broken box. If Yanyan hadn't liked him and was determined to marry him, we would never have agreed to let her marry him.
He is a college student, well-educated, good-looking, and a good writer. He is indeed very good. But Yanyan is not bad either. She is young, beautiful, cheerful, and a great cook. I don't know how many young men in the factory pursue her. We also advised Yanyan at the time, saying that she and Xiangdong had too much difference in education and we were afraid that they would have no common language. Moreover, Xiangdong's family conditions were not good, and he was the eldest son in the family, so the burden in the future might be heavy.
However, Yanyan admired and loved Xiang Dong very much at that time. She vowed that she didn't care about Xiang Dong's poor family conditions, and that she would work hard to be a good wife and daughter-in-law in the future. She also said that her salary could be used to subsidize Xiang Dong. It was really heartbreaking to hear that.
Xiang Dong also patted his chest and guaranteed that he never cared about Yanyan's low education, that he liked Yanyan's simplicity and cuteness, that he could teach Yanyan culture and work hard to cultivate a common language, that he would be good to Yanyan all his life and would treat Yanyan's family as his own relatives.
Seeing how deeply they love each other, our whole family has nothing but blessings for them.
When Yanyan and Xiang Dong got married, the Xiang family came over and could not help at all. They gave them nothing but a pair of pillowcases and a pair of kettles. The whole family had to stay in a hotel, eat, and buy gifts before leaving. All of this was done by our family.
When they were newly married, they decorated the house, arranged furniture, and bought bedding… Later, they divided the house, had children, got promoted, became section chiefs, and all the big and small things in Xiang Dong’s family, my parents, my eldest brother, and I did our best to help. As long as Yanyan was happy, we wanted to give our hearts to them. Why, now that Xiang Dong has grown up, he doesn’t want his wife anymore?”
Qian Minqiang became more and more angry as he spoke, veins on his neck exposed and his eyes reddened. At the end of his speech, he raised his hand and hit himself hard on the head.
"I hate it so much! I really hate it! Why didn't I realize Xiang Dong's evil ambitions earlier? Why did I devote myself to him so wholeheartedly? Why did I force Yanyan to be a good wife and a good mother and fulfill that wicked thing! I should have sent Yanyan out to study and train her well. If you rely on the mountain, the mountain will fall; if you rely on the water, the water will flow. Yanyan might as well rely on herself!"
Huo Zhuo patted his comrade on the shoulder and sighed: "Minqiang, don't blame yourself. You and Yanyan are both right. It's Xiang Dong who is wrong. Since it's his fault, what are you regretting?"
Zhu Feipeng also comforted him: "Yes! We must make that bastard Xiang regret it."
Anyone who experiences such emotional betrayal will be angry.
After more than ten years of hard work, it was all in vain.
People’s hearts are fickle.
We once promised to grow old together, but halfway through, we fell in love with someone else;
I was grateful for the selfless help from the Yue family, but one day I regarded this kindness as a constraint.
Selfishness, greed, and never being satisfied, this is human nature.
Zhao Xiangwan lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Xiang Dong is morally corrupt. He abandoned his wife and disregarded the care and concern of the Qian family. He will be condemned by the general public, but the Public Security Bureau cannot do anything about him.
However, if Xiang Dong disregarded the law and instigated or hired others to kill his wife, Zhao Xiangwan would never show mercy.
The next day, Zhu Kang got the resume of Ai Linglan, deputy director of the Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau.
As expected, Ai Linglan is the same age as Xiang Dong and they were sent to work in the same place as educated youth.
After failing the college entrance examination in 1977, she stayed in the countryside.
In 1978, Ai Linglan failed the college entrance examination again.
In 1979, he returned to the city.
In 1981, Ai Linglan went to Hong Kong and completed her studies with the help of her uncle Ou Dewang. In 1988, she was introduced as a talent and became the deputy director of the Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau.
Zhao Xiangwan called back to Xing City, and Xu Songling personally went to the Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau to learn more details.
According to relevant leaders of China Merchants Group, Ai Linglan was an extremely proud and aloof person. She lived a refined and sophisticated life and behaved in a very Western style. She had few friends in the group.
It is said that the reason why Ai Linglan returned to China was because she had someone she cared about in the country, but no one knew who this person was.
Xu Songling also learned that Ai Linglan had been on business trips frequently in the past six months. Her uncle Ou Dewang invested in building an automobile industrial park in Zhuhai, which was one of her important achievements, so she would always spend a quarter of a month in Zhuhai.
Thinking of the word "hotel" that Xiang Dong had mentioned, Zhao Xiangwan became thoughtful.
The leaders of China Merchants Group arrived in Zhuhai. The city had its own rules for arrangements. After asking around, they found out that Ai Linglan was staying at the Wilvis Hotel.
Walking into the most luxurious foreign-funded hotel in Zhuhai, the Wilvis Hotel, Zhao Xiangwan smelled a light and elegant fragrance that made people feel relaxed and comfortable.
Zhao Xiangwan couldn't identify the fragrance, but Ji Zhao knew it.
【White tea aroma, mixed with geranium and orchid. 】
After checking the guest list, it turned out that Ai Linglan was a frequent visitor.
When the staff showed Xiang Dong's photo, they all said they had seen him many times and that he must have come to see Ai Linglan. But they were not sure what they had talked about, how long they had stayed, or whether they had stayed overnight.
Xiang Dong came hurriedly and left quietly, never registering, and the waiters only occasionally met him in the lobby, corridor, and staircase.
Zhao Xiangwan met Ai Linglan in the hotel living room.
Ai Linglan is one year younger than Xiang Dong and is 39 years old this year. She has a well-maintained figure and was a little arrogant when she saw the police coming to investigate the situation.
Zhao Xiangwan asked her, "Director Ai, do you know Xiang Dong?"
Ai Linglan sat in a chair, legs crossed, standing elegantly. She glanced at Zhao Xiangwan and said, "He and I are old friends, but we lost touch. I met him last September when we were discussing cooperation at Zhushi Transmission Machinery Factory. I learned that he was assigned to this factory after graduating from university."
Zhao Xiangwan asked again: "You are Xiang Dong's first love, right?"
Ai Linglan pursed her lips and shook her head in denial: "When we went to the countryside as educated youth, we were only in our teens and were very innocent."
Zhao Xiangwan narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, "You once gave Xiang Dong a red scarf, right? He has kept it ever since."
Ai Linglan said nothing, but deep affection appeared in her eyes.
[I took off the sweater vest I was wearing and knitted a scarf to give to him.]
[However, when two people fall into a quagmire, who can help each other? They can only separate with great pain.]
Zhao Xiangwan asked again: "Do you know that Xiang Dong has a wife?"
Ai Linglan's face changed, and her eyes turned cold: "Officer Zhao, please watch your words. Xiang Dong and I are just ordinary friends. What does it have to do with me whether he has a wife or not?"
However, Ai Linglan was thinking something completely different.
[What's wrong with having a wife? Can't I pursue my true love if I have a wife? ]
[How could that rude woman understand Xiang Dong's heart? ]
【The friendship we had when we were young is nothing but a sunk cost. When it’s time to throw it away, it’s time to throw it away!】
Although Ai Linglan was selfish, she was not scheming. At least her heart was open, and Zhao Xiangwan heard it clearly.
Zhao Xiangwan's eyes were sharp: "Now that Qian Yanyan is dead, what else is stopping you and Xiang Dong from being together?"
Ai Linglan's heart skipped a beat, but she frowned and showed no abnormality.
She pretended to be angry and stood up: "Officer Zhao, I don't know what you mean by that. If it weren't for the fact that Director Xu called me, you would have no right to sit here and interrogate me!"
【Xiang Dong said that he would arrange everything.】
【Our affairs must not be exposed.】
Zhao Xiangwan also stood up and said meaningfully: "Director Ai, this is not an interrogation." If it really came to the interrogation stage, my attitude would definitely not be so polite.
After coming out of the hotel, Zhao Xiangwan saw Min Chenghe first.
Min Chenghe sniffed, his eyes lit up, and stared at Zhao Xiangwan's every move.
Zhao Xiangwan shook his shoulders, as if to shake off the scent of the aroma on his body: "Is this the scent you smelled on Xiang Dong?"
Min Chenghe nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes."
Min Chenghe asked: "What is this smell?"
Zhao Xiangwan answered truthfully: "The aroma of the lobby of the Wilvis Hotel."
A strange light flashed in Min Chenghe's eyes: "Xiang Dong, is there anyone?"
[It takes a long time to have such a strong flavor. 】
[Who is he dating? ]
Zhao Xiangwan did not answer his question and stood up: "Officer Huo will handle the formalities with you, you can go back to work at the factory."
Min Chenghe stood up and bowed to her: "Thank you."
Zhao Xiangwan waved his hands, looked at his half-burned face, and said, "We police are doing our best to investigate. Don't disturb us."
Min Chenghe remained silent.
【Xiang Dong disliked her.】
【Don't treat her well.】
【He deserves to die! 】
Zhao Xiangwan said coldly: "Did you hear that?"
Min Chenghe looked up at her and nodded in agreement: "Okay."
Min Chenghe returned to Zhushi Transmission Machinery Factory. When his colleagues in the workshop saw him coming back, they knew that he was not the murderer, and rumors started flying again.
"You know what? Min Chenghe was acquitted by the police. He didn't kill anyone."
"Who killed Qian Yanyan? It couldn't really be Xiang Dong who did it."
"No, no, no, it wasn't Xiang Dong. On the day Qian Yanyan was killed, Xiang Dong was having dinner and drinking with a few of us."
"Who could it be? Could it be that Xiang Dong hired someone to do it?"
When the rumor reached Xiang Dong, he was obviously panicked.
The Qian family also took action. They sent Xiang Chengsi to a boarding school to reduce his contact with Xiang Dong. Xiang Dong's work was suspended and his personal freedom was restricted.
Xiang Donglai came to see Qian Minqiang and repeatedly expressed his loyalty.
However, Qian Minqiang no longer believed him.
No matter what Xiang Dong said, Qian Minqiang and Qian Guofu did not listen. They did not care whether Xiang Dong was the murderer or not. Anyway, their sister was dead and their relatives were gone, and their brother-in-law was just a stranger from then on.
Xiang Dong just needs to fight once every time he comes to the door.
Xiang Dong originally wanted to cultivate a grieving persona after his wife's accidental death, but he did not expect that once the police intervened, he would become the biggest suspect. Even his alibi was useless, which made him very upset.
And Zhao Xiangwan was busy collecting evidence.
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