Chapter 152 Small County Town

◎Who killed Qian Yanyan?◎

The most critical point in solving the case now is who the murderer is.

If Xiang Dong hired a killer, how did he find this person?

You know, murder pays for life.

Even ants value their lives. Who would be willing to kill a human being unless there is a huge profit to be gained or they are at the end of their rope?

Thinking of the case of the Zhushi killer organization that had just been uncovered, Zhao Xiangwan asked Huo Zhuo to contact relevant personnel to inquire whether there were any fish that had slipped through the net and whether there were any underground organizations that had not been completely eliminated.

But the feedback made everyone confused again.

The killer organization in Zhu City had already been wiped out. Even if Xiang Dong spent money to hire killers, he couldn't find anyone to take the order.

Who is the murderer?

According to the results of the forensic examination, the murderer was about 1.75 meters tall, right-handed, and ruthless. If he killed someone with one blow, he would usually stab the heart or throat. It is rare to choose to stab the lungs, causing blood to flow back into the trachea and making it impossible to call for help.

However, the medical examiner also explained: "The left lung was stabbed, so there is a possibility that the murderer was aiming for the heart but missed it."

Current clues indicate that the perpetrator is a tall, strong male. There were no fingerprints on the dagger, and he may have been wearing gloves when committing the crime, so he was well prepared.

However, these clues are too vague.

Even Min Chenghe, who was the first to arrive at the crime scene, only saw a shadow elongated by the street lights.

Even the talented portrait artist Ji Zhao could not draw the image of the murderer when faced with such a description.

All of Xiang Dong's social relationships were checked, but nothing was found.

Huo Zhuo slammed the table, his temper about to explode.

Xiang Dong was clearly the biggest suspect, but due to lack of evidence, he could not be convicted.

Yes, Xiang Dong went off the rails.

Five years ago, Xiang Dong had an affair with broadcaster Cheng Xinru, but was forcibly separated by the Qian family;

Starting from September last year, Xiang Dong rekindled his old relationship with his first love Ai Linglan and they would meet secretly in hotels from time to time.

Xiang Dong was unfaithful to Qian Yanyan, and was in vain for the help of Qian's family. He betrayed the love between husband and wife and wanted to separate from Qian Yanyan and find another better partner.

But so what?

If a man cheats on his wife, he can only be condemned on a moral level at best. The Public Security Bureau cannot suspect Xiang Dong of murdering his wife simply because he cheated on his wife.

When Qian Yanyan was murdered, Xiang Dong was eating and drinking in a restaurant with several friends. There were seven or eight pairs of eyes watching him. He had sufficient alibi and did not have the time or conditions to commit the crime.

Xiang Dong hired assassins and instigated murder, but where is the evidence?

Unless the murderer is caught.

Huo Zhuo glared and angrily cursed: "This Xiang Dong is so slippery! I am so angry. I don't care. First, get a subpoena and bring him to the police station. I don't believe that nothing can be found out in the trial."

Zhu Feipeng glanced at him and said, "I don't think he will say anything."

Huo Zhuo snorted coldly, "Why should I be polite to such a shameless person? The summons time is twelve hours, and I will let him sit in the interrogation room for twelve hours. It doesn't matter if he doesn't talk, let him go back, and I will summon him again the next day! Anyway, I have plenty of free time, let's see how long he can hold out."

Zhu Feipeng was not afraid of the high stage when watching the show. He laughed and was about to respond when Zhao Xiangwan stopped him with a look.

Although repeatedly calling Xiang Dong is a form of punishment, it is a waste of police resources. As of now, the situation has not reached this point.

Zhao Xiangwan said: "Among Xiang Dong's connections, there is no man who is about 1.75 meters tall, right-handed, ruthless, and has the time to commit a crime. But does Ai Linglan have one? Does Cheng Xinru have one?"

Huo Zhuo's eyes lit up. "Yes, Ai Linglan has connections with Hong Kong City. Could she be the killer from there? I will start investigating immediately to see if Ai Linglan had any contact with such a man two days before the incident."

Zhao Xiangwan nodded: "I'll check on Cheng Xinru."

I have long wanted to meet Cheng Xinru to find out the background of this young announcer who once had a close relationship with Xiang Dong and who can still move Xiang Dong when his name is mentioned.

--

Cheng Xinru was originally just a custodian in a workshop warehouse. Because of her good appearance, standard Mandarin and pleasant voice, Xiang Dong personally transferred her to the factory's publicity department to become an announcer.

Cheng Xinru felt that Xiang Dong was her benefactor and hero, and was full of gratitude towards him. She soon threw herself into his arms, and the two were in love for three months, but were discovered by Qian Yanyan. Not only was Cheng Xinru slapped twice, she was also spurned by everyone in the factory.

Although she was not fired, she was assigned to the sales department of a small county town, which made Cheng Xinru feel very resentful.

There are only two cement roads in the small county town, and two-story old houses are on the sides of the roads. The first floor is for business, and the second floor is for living. Usually, there are few outsiders coming here. Only on the fifth and tenth day of each month, when there are more people doing business and buying things in the small county town.

It was a small shop with a sign saying "Zhushi Transmission Machinery Factory Sales Department" on the door, but it was actually just a post-sales service point with only three staff members. There was no business on weekdays, and the three of them just stared at each other and read newspapers while holding tea cups.

Sister Xia is 48 years old this year. She has been in the sales department for two years. She is a bit fat and generous. She took a sip of hot tea, looked at Cheng Xinru, and sighed: "Look at you, you are so young, but you are sent here by the factory to retire. Lao Zheng and I will be transferred back to the city in September this year, why did you stay here for five years?"

Cheng Xinru gritted her teeth, lowered her eyes and said nothing, with the word "depressed" written all over her pretty face.

Old Zheng was a man in his fifties, an old employee of a transmission machinery factory. He glanced at Cheng Xinru and said meaningfully, "You still have to have a righteous mind. If your mind is crooked, your path will become narrower and narrower~"

Cheng Xinru snorted in dissatisfaction: "The leader is giving me a hard time, can you blame me for that?"

Old Zheng knew a little about her, and shook his head and sighed: "Why does the leader make things difficult for you? It's been like this for five years, don't you know what's going on?"

There were only three people at the sales point, and Sister Xia and Lao Zheng knew all about the little things going on between Cheng Xinru and Xiang Dong.

Sister Xia was kindhearted and did not look down on Cheng Xinru. Instead, she advised her like a warm-hearted elder sister: "You should quickly forget about Xiang Gong and find a good family to marry, and this matter will naturally pass. You are so young and beautiful, why do you have to think about finding him? If it really doesn't work out, just quit your job and leave. There is really no future for you to stay here."

Cheng Xinru was stubborn: "Sister Xia, why should I leave? I haven't committed any crime."

Seeing that Cheng Xinru was still obsessed with her thoughts, Sister Xia and Lao Zheng looked at each other and said nothing more.

But Cheng Xinru was reminded of her deepest thoughts by their words, and she laughed sarcastically: "The Qian family is very overbearing! Sooner or later, there will be retribution. I want to see if my path is getting narrower or Qian Yanyan's is getting narrower!"

As the three men were talking, a jeep stopped in front of the store.

Zhao Xiangwan, Zhu Kang, Zhu Feipeng and Ji Zhao got out of the car.

With his upright posture and heroic appearance, he stands out from the crowd at first glance.

It was a rare occasion for such a small county town to gather so many outstanding young people at once. Sister Xia and Lao Zheng became interested, so they immediately stood up and walked to the door of the store to look at them.

Zhao Xiangwan showed his police officer ID.

police?

Cheng Xinru retreated behind Lao Zheng, her eyes wandering, her right hand clasped four fingers of her left hand, and she clenched both hands together in front of her body, trying to conceal her figure.

Lao Zheng asked: "Police comrade, what do you want?"

Zhao Xiangwan glanced at the three people in front of him.

It passed over the faces of Lao Zheng and Sister Xia, and quickly locked onto the slender figure huddled behind Lao Zheng.

Zhao Xiangwan took half a step sideways and saw Cheng Xinru's face clearly.

She has a beautiful oval face, big eyes and fashionable big wavy hair. She is a pretty young girl.

The shop was very small, and Cheng Xinru had no way to avoid it. She was forced to raise her head and meet Zhao Xiangwan's eyes.

With just this one glance, Cheng Xinru's heart sank: This female police officer has such a scary look in her eyes.

Zhao Xiangwan got straight to the point: "Qian Yanyan was murdered. Did you know?"

Lao Zheng and Sister Xia were startled and shook their heads at the same time.

This remote small county town was cut off from the news, and they had no idea such a big thing had happened in the factory!

Old Zheng of course knew who Qian Yanyan was, and he stamped his feet and sighed, "Alas! What a pity."

[She was only in her thirties, so young, how could she be killed? Mr. Qian had so many disciples in the factory, everyone would praise him, and his two sons were also leaders in the factory, so how could he not bless his daughter? ]

Sister Xia turned her head and glanced at Cheng Xinru with a strange look in her eyes.

[She was just threatening to make Qian Yanyan's path narrower and narrower, but she didn't expect...]

[Once Qian Yanyan died, wouldn't that mean she would have a chance? ]

Cheng Xinru pursed her lips and said nothing, but her increasingly rapid breathing revealed her uneasiness.

【What are the police doing here? 】

【Did they know something? 】

[Everyone in the factory knows that Xiang Dong and I have separated. If something happens to Qian Yanyan, why would the police come looking for me? ]

With just one encounter, Zhao Xiangwan understood clearly what these three people were thinking.

Zhao Xiangwan's eyes flashed as they fell on Cheng Xinru's tightly intertwined fingers: "Are you nervous?"

Cheng Xinru's heart skipped a beat. She didn't dare to look her in the eye. She turned to the corner of the store and spoke in a weak voice, "I, I'm not nervous."

Zhao Xiangwan walked into the store with a sullen face and sat down silently.

Zhu Kang, Zhu Feipeng and Ji Zhao stood behind her, also with stern faces, not smiling and not speaking.

The small shop was suddenly filled with a solemn atmosphere.

This posture completely frightened Cheng Xinru. Her legs began to tremble and her throat and mouth became dry.

Lao Zheng and Sister Xia looked at each other, feeling a little nervous.

Old Zheng was a little older and took the initiative to step forward and asked, "Police comrade, what are you doing here this time?"

[Could it be that Qian Yanyan’s murder was related to Xiao Cheng? ]

[I had advised her not to associate with Xiang Dong, but unfortunately she didn't listen!]

[She thought she hid it well, but... I have seen too many infatuated men and women with my eyes, and the lust in her eyes cannot be hidden at all.]

Zhao Xiangwan glanced at him and said, "Qian Yanyan was murdered, Xiang Dong is the biggest suspect. According to Xiang Dong's confession, we found this place."

Cheng Xinru's face turned pale.

【Xiang Dong said that nothing would happen.】

【What did Xiang Dong say? 】

I don’t want to go to jail.

Cheng Xinru's reaction allowed Zhao Xiangwan to quickly make two conclusions.

First, she is still in contact with Xiang Dong.

Xiang Dong is playing three-timing and has a very bad character.

Second, why was she afraid? Why did she mention jail? If she had just had an affair with a married man, she wouldn't have gone to jail, unless... the murderer was related to her.

Suddenly, there was light at dawn.

Zhao Xiangwan's eyes lit up, his body leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he stared at Cheng Xinru closely: "Xiang Dong told us that Qian Yanyan's murder had nothing to do with him, it was you who acted on your own."

Cheng Xinru never expected that Zhao Xiangwan would say such a thing.

It was like a thunderbolt, Cheng Xinru was stunned on the spot, unable to utter a word. Her eyes were red, tears welled up in them, but because of the shock, even the tears condensed in her eyes and did not fall down.

【What? 】

【I am acting on my own?】

【Xiang Dong, do you know what you are saying! 】

Zhu Feipeng and Zhu Kang, who were standing behind Zhao Xiangwan, crossed their hands and pinched their knuckles hard, thus forcing themselves to hold back their surprise from showing on their faces.

Zhao Xiangwan's thoughts are truly wild and imaginative.

They just met once, how could she think the murderer was related to Cheng Xinru?

Zhao Xiangwan listened quietly to Cheng Xinru's thoughts.

However, Cheng Xin was so shocked at the moment that her whole mind was focused on "Xiang Dong informing the police" and she did not give any clues about the murderer.

【Xiang Dong, I have been waiting for you for five years. 】

[Even if I wasted my youth in this small county, I still waited for you silently. It was you who said that Qian Yanyan was selfish and cold, relying on her two brothers who were officials, she was domineering and ruthless, and didn't treat you as a human being at all. It was you who said that you mentioned divorce countless times, but Qian Yanyan forced him to kneel on the ground with a knife and swear never to leave her and their son. You were afraid that she would hurt her son, so you continued to endure in the marriage. It was you who said that the Qian family was too powerful, and only death... could break Qian Yanyan's grip on you. ]

Zhao Xiangwan decided to give Cheng Xinru a push.

"Cheng Xinru, Xiang Dong has confessed everything. He said that you were the one who initiated everything and kept pestering him. He said that you repeatedly forced him to divorce, but he and Qian Yanyan were deeply in love, and the Qian family was very kind to him, so he asked you to break up."

Zhao Xiangwan's eyes were cold, and his words were neither fast nor slow, but they were like a heavy hammer, hitting Cheng Xinru in the face.

The tears that had been welling up in my eyes burst out.

Cheng Xinru's beautiful dream woven with "love" by Xiang Dong could no longer withstand Zhao Xiangwan's suppression and was shattered.

Cheng Xinru bit her lower lip tightly with her teeth until she could smell the blood.

Her voice trembled: "I'm pestering him? He and Qian Yanyan are deeply in love? The Qian family is very kind to him?"

Zhao Xiangwan didn't say anything, but there was a look of sympathy in his eyes, as if to say: Yes, that's it.

Cheng Xinru's eyes kept flowing down, and she choked up: "It's not like that, it's not like that! It was Xiang Dong, he asked me to do this, it was him!"

Although Ji Zhao couldn't hear other people's thoughts, he was very sensitive to Zhao Xiangwan's emotional changes.

Noticing Zhao Xiangwan's joy and excitement, Ji Zhao knew that Zhao Xiangwan had discovered important clues and might be able to solve the case soon.

Ji Zhao raised his hand and gently placed it on Zhao Xiangwan's shoulder.

Zhao Xiangwan turned his head and looked at Ji Zhao.

The two exchanged glances in tacit understanding.

Although Zhu Feipeng and Zhu Kang did not know what evidence Zhao Xiangwan had, they knew that this was the critical period of the interrogation and they had to stabilize the situation.

Zhu Feipeng's voice was low and dignified: "What did Xiang Dong ask you to do?"

Zhu Kang played the good cop: "Cheng Xinru, confess and we will give you leniency. The reason we came here is to give you a chance. We hope you can tell the truth and don't hide anything from the police."

The corners of Zhao Xiangwan's mouth curled up slightly, and he was very satisfied with the cooperation of his team members.

Seeing Zhao Xiang's raised lips in the evening, Cheng Xin felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave: "Xiang Dong said that as long as Qian Yanyan died, we could be together naturally!"

Zhao Xiangwan asked her, "During the past six months, has Xiang Dong spent less time with you? Didn't you realize something was wrong?"

Cheng Xinru was still stubborn: "He, he said he was busy with work, and that Qian Yanyan was watching him too closely."

Zhao Xiangwan was really impressed by his stubbornness: "He is not busy with work, he just found someone better. Don't you know that?"

Cheng Xinru took another half step back, her big eyes filled with resistance: "You lied to me."

As soon as Zhao Xiangwan raised her hand, Zhu Kang immediately handed her Ai Linglan's resume, photos and other information.

Zhao Xiangwan nodded approvingly, took the information, opened it, and placed it in front of Cheng Xinru: "Ai Linglan, Xiang Dong's first love, is currently the deputy director of the Merchants Group. She attracted investors from Hong Kong City and built an automobile industrial park in Zhu City. She has outstanding political achievements and is expected to be promoted soon. Ai Linglan has never been married. It is said that she can't forget her first love. They met in September last year, and since then they have met privately at the Wilvis Hotel every month..."

In the photo, Ai Linglan is charming and graceful.

In terms of resume, Ai Linglan has a successful career.

Cheng Xinru felt as if the sky had fallen down. She held her head and shook herself desperately, tears streaming down her face. She turned pale and suddenly started screaming like a madman.

"Impossible! Impossible! He loves me, he only loves me——"

[If it wasn't for the purpose of being with him forever, why would I let my brother kill Qian Yanyan? ]

How could he lie to me?

[He coaxed me into helping him kill Qian Yanyan, but he has another woman? ]

Question after question pushed Cheng Xinru to the brink of collapse.

Zhao Xiangwan pressed on step by step.

"If he loves you, he won't turn you into a shady character."

"If he loved you, he would have stepped forward when Qian Guofu was transferred to this small county."

"If he loved you, he wouldn't have maintained this secret relationship with you for five years, and he certainly wouldn't have asked you to solve Qian Yanyan's problem!"

Cheng Xinru was forced into a corner by Zhao Xiangwan. She squatted down and started crying loudly. She cried until she was hoarse, tears and snot flowed down her face, and she had no image at all.

That beautiful oval face could not hide the fear, worry, anger and unwillingness in her heart.

Zhao Xiangwan bent down and lowered his voice: "I was sold, and I still have to help him count the money?"

The word "sell" completely ignited Cheng Xinru's anger.

At the age of 21, she fell in love with Xiang Dong, who was 35 at the time. Despite the pointing and criticizing of all her colleagues in the factory, she resolutely threw herself into Xiang Dong's arms. It was obvious that Cheng Xinru was not a person who would just accept things passively.

Cheng Xinru stood up suddenly, raised her hand and wiped away her tears: "Xiang Dong asked me to do it!"

[He wants to sit back and reap the benefits? No way! ]

[You want to get rid of me after you’ve had fun? There’s no such easy thing in the world! ]

Cheng Xinru, who was blinded by anger, spoke.

Zhao Xiangwan asked, "Who killed Qian Yanyan?"

Cheng Xinru: "My second brother."

After saying this, Cheng Xinru was startled when she saw the light flashing in Zhao Xiangwan's light eyes. Endless regret surged up in her heart, making her whole body cold.