Chapter 40 Missing
◎We must expose the true face of that old witch!◎
Zhao Xiangwan sat in the shop listening to Gu Zhiguang explaining the details of the missing case. Outside the shop, Zhao Chenyang looked pale, staring at the lively table.
The shop owner came forward and greeted him enthusiastically: "Student, would you like to eat?"
Zhao Chenyang ignored the boss and walked in, going straight to Mei Qingxi's table, calling out with a trembling voice: "Brother Qingxi..."
The four of them looked up at the same time and looked at the uninvited guest.
Although Mei Qingxi acted honestly, he felt guilty as if he had been caught. He stood up and asked, "Why are you here?"
Zhao Chenyang was full of grievances at the moment, and wanted to ask why he had to meet Zhao Xiangwan in private, but he held back. Her biggest supporter was Zhou Jingrong, but Zhou Jingrong was taken to the police station; her greatest value was her engagement with Mei Qingxi. If their relationship went wrong again, I wonder if Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua would continue to recognize her as their daughter.
"Brother Qingxi, Aunt Zhou and Uncle Xu were taken away by the police. The people in the company are so worried and are looking for you everywhere. How are you..."
Mei Qingxi's expression turned colder: "I understand. You can go back first."
Zhao Chenyang clenched her hands and clenched her teeth. Her stiff facial muscles made her originally beautiful oval face turn into a square face, making her look somewhat similar to the gloomy Zhou Jingrong.
Zhao Chenyang tried hard to control his negative emotions and smiled softly: "Brother Qingxi, your father and his company are now under attack from all sides, and they all need you. If you have time, go home and have a look. After all, you are Uncle Xu's only son and the only heir to the company, right?"
Mei Qingxi pondered in silence.
Zhao Chenyang was afraid of Zhao Xiangwan, so he looked at her cautiously and said, "I don't know what others say about me behind my back, but Brother Qingxi, we have known each other for five or six years, and have been engaged for a year. In my heart... there is only you. Everything I do is for you. You have to believe me."
Gu Zhixing and Gu Zhiguang looked at each other and shook off the goosebumps on their bodies.
I don't know why, although Zhao Chenyang had a gentle smile on his face, the Gu brothers would rather look at Zhao Xiangwan's cold face.
At least, be sincere.
Mei Qingxi had a strong sense of responsibility. Thinking of his engagement with Zhao Chenyang, although he wanted to let go of the past and start over, he still had to explain to Zhao Chenyang. So he said softly, "Zhao Chenyang, you go back first. I'll come to see you tomorrow morning, and we can talk then if there's anything."
Zhao Chenyang didn't know why he started to panic when he heard this. Although Mei Qingxi didn't say he wanted to cancel the engagement, his attitude was distant and restrained, as if he would say something cruel in the next second. Zhao Chenyang was reborn with great difficulty and seized the opportunity to steal Zhao Xiangwan's life. He thought he could repeat Zhao Xiangwan's former happiness and glory. Unexpectedly, God seemed to be playing a joke. Everything changed after Zhao Xiangwan was admitted to the Public Security University.
Xu Juncai, who founded the Xu Group and successfully listed it, was actually investigated for bribery?
Zhou Jingrong, who originally had a happy family and a prosperous husband and wife, was arrested for poisoning?
Zhao Qingyun, who was originally in love and harmony with his wife and was rising in power, actually cheated on other women and was demoted and sent abroad?
If everything in the past could be changed, would Mei Qingxi's fate also change?
After graduating from Qingxi University, Mei married Zhao Xiangwan and started a business, which was very successful. He was a representative role model of the promising young people in Xing City. Zhao Xiangwan, who had been fighting side by side with him, became the wife of the president of Qingxi Group. She returned to her hometown and donated money to build roads and primary schools, and was praised by the villagers as a flower.
A terrifying thought occurred to Zhao Chenyang: Could it be that all of this was done by Zhao Xiangwan? Was it Zhao Xiangwan who was the hero behind Mei Qingxi's success and the development of Qingxi Group?
If Zhao Chenyang were to take over, it wouldn't work at all!
The more he thought about it, the more scared he became. Zhao Chenyang looked at Zhao Xiangwan, his eyes full of jealousy, but he didn't dare to say anything harsh to Zhao Xiangwan. He was holding a lot of vicious curses in his heart, and he almost wanted to explode.
Zhao Xiangwan couldn't help but shake his head when he heard Zhao Chenyang's inner voice. Rebirth is a golden finger that many people beg for but cannot get, but Zhao Chenyang only knows how to snatch other people's lives. On the same road, Zhao Xiangwan can walk smoothly, but Zhao Chenyang may not be able to.
Zhao Xiangwan's leisurely attitude successfully angered Zhao Chenyang, who could no longer control himself and shouted, "Zhao Xiangwan, no matter what schemes you use, Brother Qingxi is mine, and can only be mine!"
Before Zhao Xiangwan could say anything, Mei Qingxi got angry first.
He stood up suddenly: "Zhao Chenyang, I, Mei Qingxi, have always been an independent individual and do not belong to anyone. Whether we are in love or engaged, these are matters between us. What does this have to do with Xiang Wan?"
Mei Qingxi had always been gentle and polite. The first time she got angry in public, the overwhelming momentum made Zhao Chenyang wilt instantly. Her tears rolled down, and she stared blankly at her fiancé in front of her. Her lips trembled for a long time before she squeezed out a sentence: "You, you scolded me..."
Gu Zhixing and Mei Qingxi had lived in the same dormitory for four years, and this was the first time he saw him get. He stared with his eyes wide open and dared not say a word.
Zhao Xiangwan put down the teacup in his hand, and the bottom of the cup hit the table, making a slight "ding" sound.
Although the crisp sound was small, it seemed to be magnified a hundred times in Zhao Chenyang's ears, which made her startled.
Zhao Xiangwan waved to Zhao Chenyang: "Come."
"Do, do what?" Zhao Chenyang dodged, feeling guilty and timid. She had just finished her accusation, and immediately felt regretful. When the Zhao family was in trouble, Zhao Xiangwan grabbed her pigtail and asked her to answer Zhao Xiangwan's questions at any time. She agreed happily at the time, but then she realized that she had fallen into Zhao Xiangwan's trap. How could she admit it?
Why didn't he stay away from her and move forward? Was he crazy? The more Zhao Chenyang thought about it, the more he regretted it. However, facing Zhao Xiangwan's wave and seeing her majestic eyes, Zhao Chenyang had no intention of resisting. He could only take two steps forward reluctantly and get closer to Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan asked calmly, "What do you think you can do to make money in the future?"
Zhao Chenyang looked around and lowered his voice: "How would I know?"
[In my previous life, I worked in Xing City and Zhu City for a few years, then returned to the village to get married. I was reborn at the age of 30, and I don't have much experience. But fortunately, I loved watching TV in my previous life. I remember a movie called "Stock Mania", which taught me how to make money in stocks. There was also a movie called "Real Estate Tycoon", which taught me that building houses and real estate are both profitable. As for the rest... I don't really understand.]
Zhao Xiangwan glanced at her and was very satisfied with what he heard. I remember when I first met Wei Meihua, Wei Meihua muttered in her heart, saying that she listened to Zhao Chenyang and bought the original shares of Shenzhen Development Bank and made a lot of money. At that time, I was wondering when Zhao Chenyang understood stocks. It turned out that... it was a movie that gave her inspiration.
Zhao Xiangwan raised an eyebrow: "Really don't know?"
Zhao Chenyang was suppressed by Zhao Xiangwan and smiled: "Stocks, I studied finance and have heard a little about stocks. I think that buying stocks is a win."
[Go buy it, and you will lose everything! At the end of 1997, the stock market crashed, and many people lost everything they had, and people lined up to jump off rooftops. If you think I will tell you the truth if I am reborn, then you are dreaming! ]
Zhao Xiangwan waved his hand and said, "Go back. Don't hang around in front of me if you have nothing to do."
Zhao Chenyang hesitated for a moment, feeling embarrassed to be summoned and dismissed by Zhao Xiangwan, so he said something extra: "I didn't steal your things. Everything was their choice, right?"
Zhao Chenyang thought that Zhao Xiangwan would be sad after he said this. But Zhao Xiangwan didn't care at all: "I don't mind their choice. I don't care about the things you took away."
This knife hits Zhao Chenyang right in the heart.
The former complacency was ruined by Zhao Xiangwan's words.
The secret joy and pride I once had were shattered by Zhao Xiangwan's smile!
After being reborn, Zhao Chenyang feels very good about himself.
Take away Zhao Xiangwan's biological parents, take away the resources that originally belonged to her, take away her life, and then when the time comes, I will appear in a glamorous manner and be compared with the rustic Zhao Xiangwan. Zhao Xiangwan will definitely feel lost and depressed. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
I didn't expect that after so many years, Zhao Xiangwan was getting better and better, while I was getting worse and worse.
What was snatched away really won't belong to me? Then what's the meaning of my rebirth? Zhao Chenyang was hit hard, and his heart was filled with anger and hatred. He couldn't breathe at all. After a long while, he finally said, "Well, I'm leaving." After saying that, he looked at Mei Qingxi with resentment and turned away.
Mei Qingxi blushed and wanted to apologize, but he was too ashamed to open his mouth. After a while, Mei Qingxi stammered, "Zhao Xiangwan, I'm sorry."
Gu Zhixing raised his hand and stroked his forehead: "Oh my God, Mei Qingxi, are you possessed by a calamity star? Your stepmother poisoned and murdered people, your biological father started a mess and then abandoned you, and your parents arranged a fiancée for you that was inexplicable."
Gu Zhiguang swallowed the peanuts he had chewed, took a big gulp of beer, and echoed his brother's words: "Yes, break up quickly. Marrying an unvirtuous wife will surely bring disaster."
Should he break off the engagement with Zhao Chenyang? In fact, Mei Qingxi had been a little hesitant, after all, he still had some sympathy for Zhao Chenyang. He always felt that Zhao Chenyang was only taken to live with her biological parents when she was ten years old, and then was sent to Zhou Jingrong as an adopted daughter. Her life was like a floating duckweed, and she was as pitiful as him.
It was this compassion that made Mei Qingxi obediently get engaged to Zhao Chenyang, try his best to cooperate with her, accompany her to various occasions, and play the role of a qualified fiancé.
But today, Mei Qingxi decided to break up with Xu Juncai and walk his own way. The things that once imprisoned him gradually dissipated, and he had new ideas.
Mei Qingxi seemed to be talking to herself, but also seemed to be explaining to Zhao Xiangwan: "Zhao Chenyang was once Zhou Jingrong's adopted daughter, and she was also trying to make a living in an unfamiliar environment. I felt sorry for her, so I agreed to get engaged to her. But now... I will formally propose to cancel the engagement."
Mei Qingxi finally made up her mind to break up with Zhao Chenyang, and Gu Zhixing and Gu Zhiguang raised their hands in agreement.
Zhao Xiangwan glanced at Mei Qingxi and thought of Zhao Chenyang's mention that he and he were husband and wife in their previous life. They started a business together and became rich. He didn't know why he felt a little uncomfortable and said to Mei Qingxi, "You want to go to Shenzhen to do real estate?"
Mei Qingxi nodded: "Yes."
Zhao Xiangwan thought about what he had just heard and smiled, "That's good. I think this industry should have a bright future. Just do it seriously."
Mei Qingxi was encouraged and his eyes lit up: "Really? Xiangwan, are you also optimistic about this? That's great! Don't worry, I will do it seriously."
Zhao Xiangwan turned to look at Gu Zhiguang and said, "Tell me in detail about the missing person case you just mentioned."
Although Gu Zhiguang majored in architecture, he was fascinated by detective novels. After entering the school, he opened a small detective agency in addition to his professional studies.
The detective agency receives a wide variety of commissions, including cases involving ghosts in bathrooms, disputes over dormitories, boyfriend disputes after a breakup, and missing meal tickets... Most of them are minor disputes that do not cause any pain or itchiness and do not rise to the level of criminal cases.
However, a recent incident made Gu Zhiguang feel very tricky - Jia Junnan's girlfriend had been missing for several days and he had no clue at all.
Jia Junnan, a senior student majoring in mechanical automation, lives next door to Gu Zhiguang's dormitory. They have been neighbors for four years and often meet in the corridor. As a result, they are closer than ordinary classmates. This year, Jia Junnan is about to graduate and has been assigned to work at the Hunan Electric Machinery Manufacturing Plant. He only needs to finish his graduation defense and get his graduation certificate and dispatch certificate before he can report to work.
Jia Junnan is from the countryside. His family is poor. He borrowed money from villagers to pay for his studies, so he lived frugally. He had a girlfriend in his junior year, and they had a good relationship. His girlfriend, Zhan Xiaolan, was also from the countryside. She came to Xing City to work before finishing high school and lived with her aunt Zhan Ping.
Zhan Xiaolan works as a salesperson in a shoe store. Because of her diligence and enthusiasm, she has good performance and can earn about 100 yuan a month in salary and commission.
Hearing this, Zhao Xiangwan raised his head and glanced at Gu Zhiguang.
Gu Zhiguang received this look and explained: "Jia Junnan is not the kind of man who lives off women. He works part-time to pay for his studies at school, works hard, and never uses Zhan Xiaolan's money."
Zhao Xiangwan didn't say anything, but raised his chin, motioning Gu Zhiguang to continue.
The two met in a shoe store. Zhan Xiaolan admired Jia Junnan because he was a college student and was well-mannered. Jia Junnan liked her enthusiasm and drive to make money. They dated for a year and agreed to get married after Jia Junnan graduated from college and run a small family together in Xing City.
Normally, the two would call each other every day and make plans to have dinner together on weekends. This Thursday, they had an argument over a trivial matter. Jia Junnan did not receive Zhan Xiaolan's call. He thought she was throwing a tantrum. In addition, it was the critical time for graduation design, so Jia Junnan did not have the heart to comfort her.
Sunday came in a flash, and there was still no news about Zhan Xiaolan. Jia Junnan was worried, so he put down his graduation design and went to the shoe store, only to find that the clerk had been replaced and Zhan Xiaolan was nowhere to be found.
The owner of the shoe store told him that Zhan Xiaolan had not come to work since 5:30 pm on Friday, without even saying hello. Jia Junnan felt uneasy, and regardless of Zhan Xiaolan's prohibition of him from visiting her, he found her aunt Zhan Ping's house based on the information in his memory.
Zhan Ping is a divorced middle-aged woman. After experiencing her husband's infidelity, she became a little extreme and did not agree with Zhan Xiaolan's relationship. Therefore, Jia Junnan did not dare to let her know that they were in love.
Jia Junnan came to the dormitory area of the Telecommunications Bureau and asked all the way, and finally found Zhan Ping. But Zhan Ping was furious when she saw him and heard that he was Zhan Xiaolan's boyfriend. She insisted that Jia Junnan had kidnapped her niece, grabbed his neck, and kept asking about Xiaolan's whereabouts.
Zhan Ping lives in an old five-story brick-concrete building built in the early 1950s. It is called the "Red House" by locals because of its red brick walls and red tile roof.
The dormitory area was not very big, and Zhan Ping lived on the first floor. The noise was so loud that it alarmed the neighbors. Finally, the police were called, and the police took the two people back for investigation. After detailed questioning, it was found that Zhan Ping returned home from get off work at 6 o'clock on Friday and found that her house had been robbed. The 700 yuan in cash that she had placed in the bedside table was missing. At the same time, Zhan Xiaolan, who was supposed to come home early to cook, also disappeared.
The shoe store where Zhan Xiaolan works is not far from her aunt's house. Because she is staying there, Xiaolan takes on most of the housework. The shoe store opens at 9 am and closes at 9 pm. There are two employees who take turns to eat. Zhan Xiaolan buys groceries, does laundry, cleans the room, and then goes to work every morning. At 5:30 pm, Zhan Xiaolan hurried home, prepared meals, and waited for Zhan Ping to come back to eat together. At 6:30 pm, she returned to the shoe store to continue working.
But two days ago, on Friday, Zhan Ping arrived home on time at six o'clock and found Zhan Xiaolan was not there. The room was cold and the food was cold. She was so angry that she cursed a few words. When it was almost seven o'clock and she still hadn't seen anyone, she rushed to the shoe store.
Chai Na, another employee at the shoe store, was also looking for Zhan Xiaolan. She said unhappily, "She left at 5:30 and it's already past 7:00 and she hasn't come back yet. She delayed my meal."
Zhan Ping and Chai Na started arguing, and Chai Na responded unhappily: "Xiao Lan hooked up with a college student, and it is said that he will graduate soon, and the two are planning to get married. Could it be that she doesn't want to do it anymore? Really! Even if she doesn't want to do it anymore, she should have said it. What does it mean that she suddenly quits?"
Zhan Ping heard from others that her niece was in love, and she felt very upset. After returning home, she checked everything and found that her bedside cabinet was opened and the 700 yuan in it was missing.
There were no signs that the door had been pried open, so it must have been stolen by Zhan Xiaolan!
Zhan Ping was furious, but she thought that she only had one brother, and Zhan Xiaolan had lived here for almost four years, working hard and never complaining, so she didn't want to ruin her future, so she kept the matter to herself and didn't call the police. She just thought that she would give her and her boyfriend a good scolding when she saw them.
Jia Junnan panicked when he heard this and said quickly, "I haven't contacted her for three days. Is she okay?"
Zhan Ping glared at him fiercely: "Xiao Lan has always been well-behaved, it must be you who has corrupted her!"
Jia Junnan suspected that Zhan Ping had driven Xiaolan away, and Zhan Ping accused Jia Junnan of instigating Xiaolan to steal money and run away. The two argued endlessly in the police station. After questioning and collecting evidence, the police ruled out the possibility of the two committing the crime, so they filed a case of Zhan Xiaolan's disappearance and asked the two to go back and wait for news.
At this point in the story, Gu Zhixing spoke first: "The police have already opened a case for investigation, what else do you, the head of the detective agency, need to do?"
Gu Zhiguang's expression was very serious: "Jia Junnan took the initiative to find me and asked me to help check it out. He said that Zhan Xiaolan and he had a good relationship. The two went to the east of the city to look at houses and planned to save money together to get married and live a good life. It is impossible for her to leave without saying goodbye. Xiaolan is an upright person. She has worked in the shoe store for such a long time and has never taken advantage of anyone. She would never steal her aunt's money. He suspected that Zhan Ping knew that Zhan Xiaolan was in love, and they had an argument at home and drove her away."
Mei Qingxi frowned when he heard this: "Run away? Even if she ran away, Zhan Xiaolan should have called Jia Junnan first."
Gu Zhiguang had a more creative idea: "Maybe Zhan Ping forced Zhan Xiaolan onto the train, and then deliberately concealed the truth to force them to break up?"
Mei Qingxi shook her head: "That doesn't make sense. There are many relationships that parents don't approve of, but I've never seen anyone stage a theft scene and falsely accuse someone of stealing money."
Gu Zhiguang slapped his thigh and said, "That's what's suspicious! Just break up if you want to. Jia Junnan isn't the kind of person who would pester you. Why would Zhan Ping bother with this?"
Zhao Xiangwan asked: "After Zhan Xiaolan came out of the shoe store at 5:30, is it confirmed that she went home?"
Gu Zhiguang opened his mouth and raised his hand to scratch his head: "It seems so."
It seems so?
Zhao Xiangwan continued to ask: "Are there any traces of meal preparation in the kitchen?"
Gu Zhiguang: "No, she said she was going home to cook dinner, but there was nothing prepared in the kitchen. She didn't take out the chopping board, and she didn't pick the chives she bought that morning."
Zhao Xiangwan: "The shoe store is very close to the Telecom Bureau's family area. If we leave the shoe store at 5:30, we should be home in 7 or 8 minutes, right? Has anyone seen Zhan Xiaolan at this time?"
Gu Zhiguang: "Zhan Ping lives on the first floor, with a small courtyard to the south, but the courtyard has not been renovated, and there is no iron gate facing the outside. Usually, Zhan Xiaolan and Zhan Ping go in and out by going into the stairwell and getting the key to open the door. The old lady who lives on the second floor said that she seemed to hear the sound of a door closing and a gurgling sound, but she didn't know what it was."
He paused and added, "Zhan Xiaolan disappeared on Friday, and the police started investigating on Sunday and Monday. After two or three days, some memories may be biased or blurred. Neighbors said they seemed to hear something, but it was just a seeming. Maybe they heard it a few days ago, or maybe they heard it that day."
“How many people came back?”
"How many people? How many people could there be? Of course it was Zhan Xiaolan alone. Everyone is familiar with Zhan Xiaolan coming back alone, so no one cares. If there was a stranger with her, the neighbors would definitely be curious and remember it."
Gu Zhiguang's reasoning is correct.
The so-called "darkness under the lamp" means that when you turn on the light, you will find that due to the obstruction of the lamp, a dark area will be produced under the light. Similarly, people do not see or perceive things or events that happen around them and are taken for granted.
Gu Zhixing's thinking was more direct: "A thief is a thief. Maybe the money wasn't stolen by Zhan Xiaolan? Could it be that Zhan Xiaolan ran into the thief when she returned home that day, and the thief killed her after a fight between the two?"
Gu Zhiguang shook his head and said, "No, no, no, the police came to investigate and found no blood or signs of a fight. The door lock was not pried open either. It should not be a thief."
This is not right, and that is not right either. There is really no solution.
Mei Qingxi asked: "What do you want to do with Zhao Xiangwan?"
Gu Zhiguang chuckled: "Didn't I just happen to hear you and my brother talking about Zhao Xiangwan? I heard someone mention Zhao Xiangwan at the Public Security University. She has a very strong reasoning ability and is a student majoring in criminal investigation. She can definitely help."
Zhao Xiangwan lowered his head in thought.
It cannot be ruled out that Jia Junnan lied.
Although Gu Zhiguang said that Jia Junnan was not a gigolo, he was a poor college student, and he was in love with a girl working in a shoe store. Who knew how sincere he was, and who knew if he used Xiaolan's money? It was possible that he accepted her financial support to finish his studies, and then kicked her out after finding a job.
She was afraid of being accused of being heartless if she broke up with him directly, and she was also afraid that Zhan Xiaolan would not give in and she would kill her. Then she would create confusion and draw everyone's attention to Zhan Ping.
If this is the case, you must meet Jia Junnan.
Whether he is loyal or treacherous, you can tell by reading his heart.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xiangwan raised his head and said, "I want to meet Jia Junnan."
Gu Zhiguang stood up immediately after hearing this: "Okay, I'll call him and ask him to come over."
Hunan University and Hunan Public Security University are not far from each other. Gu Zhiguang called a public phone to contact Jia Junnan who was in the dormitory. In less than half an hour, he appeared at the door of the hotel.
Jia Junnan was short and thin, wearing black-framed glasses. His face looked a little haggard, and his eyes were full of bloodshot. As soon as he entered the restaurant, he grabbed Gu Zhiguang's arm and asked anxiously, "How is it? Any news?"
[Where did Xiaolan go? Why did she disappear? Was she chased away by her aunt? Why didn’t she come to see me? I finally found a good girl who cared about me and loved me. I thought my hard days were finally over, but why did God want to make things difficult for me? ]
Jia Junnan's heart was pure and direct, and he had no defenses against the outside world. Zhao Xiangwan heard everything he was thinking clearly.
His eyes were anxious, his movements were flustered, and his micro-expressions reflected what was going on inside.
After ruling him out as a suspect, Zhao Xiangwan continued to observe Jia Junnan's reaction.
Gu Zhiguang pulled Jia Junnan to sit down, and asked the store owner to bring tableware, poured beer into his glass, and comforted him, "We are trying to help you find a solution, don't worry, sit down and eat something first."
Jia Junnan didn't bother to be polite with him and sat down.
Gu Zhiguang introduced everyone, and Jia Junnan greeted them absentmindedly, obviously not interested in making new friends. When he heard that Zhao Xiangwan was a student majoring in criminal investigation at the Public Security University, he perked up a little, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.
Zhao Xiangwan asked directly: "What are you quarreling about?"
Jia Junnan was a little embarrassed: "I, I wanted to be close to her, but she didn't want to."
[The accommodation conditions in the electrical machinery manufacturing factory are average. A freshly graduated college student like me can be assigned to a dormitory with two people in one room after registration. If you are married, you can apply for a single room. I was thinking that we would get married anyway, so we would rent a house to live together. But she didn't want to let me get close to her until we met each other's parents. We have been in love for more than a year, but she has never let me get close to her, kissing, hugging... She won't let me touch there. I really doubt whether she loves me or not? ]
Hearing this, Zhao Xiangwan understood. Jia Junnan was young and impulsive, and wanted to have intimate behavior with his beloved, but Zhan Xiaolan obviously rejected physical contact between men and women, so the two had a misunderstanding.
Zhao Xiangwan frowned slightly. It was normal for a man and a woman to lose control of their emotions when they were in love. After dating for a year, they hadn't even kissed or hugged each other. Zhan Xiaolan's reaction seemed a bit extreme.
Zhao Xiangwan also disliked physical contact with people, so he understood that Zhan Xiaolan's reaction was wrong. Perhaps she had a past that she couldn't bear to recall.
Zhao Xiangwan was silent for a long time. Jia Junnan blushed and defended himself: "I, I just feel embarrassed, but I'm not angry. Usually Xiaolan calls me at the public phone booth in the dormitory area of the Telecommunications Bureau after get off work at 9 o'clock in the evening. If she doesn't call me, I can't call her. Friday and Saturday are the critical time for our group's graduation design. I am in the laboratory every day and can't leave, so I didn't go to find her. I went to the shoe store to find her when I was free on Sunday. You, don't look at me like that, I'm not that kind of person..."
Zhao Xiangwan: "You asked Gu Zhiguang to help investigate. Do you suspect her aunt?"
Jia Junnan nodded, "Yes! There was no 700 yuan stolen. I suspect that this was all made up by Xiaolan's aunt. I heard from Xiaolan that her aunt had a bad temper and was bullied by a man when she was young. Since then, she no longer believed in love and men, and often said, 'No man is a good thing.' Her aunt raised Xiaolan by her side, originally relying on her to take care of her in her old age, and was very opposed to her having a relationship. Xiaolan and I have been in a relationship for a year, but she didn't dare to say a word, saying that she was afraid that her aunt would get angry and drive her back to her hometown in the countryside."
Zhao Xiangwan narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
Would a powerful aunt who has been hurt in love and hates all men in the world express ill will towards her niece who is about to get married?
If the property was really lost, why didn't you call the police?
Zhan Ping's answer was that she had feelings for her niece and was afraid that calling the police would ruin her reputation.
If there is love, why don't you trust her?
If Zhan Ping trusted Zhan Xiaolan, her first reaction should be: There's a thief in the house! Call the police immediately. My niece is missing! Find her immediately.
But she didn't. Zhan Ping's first reaction was: Xiaolan stole my money and ran away with another man.
So, it's very contradictory.
On Thursday, Zhan Xiaolan had a misunderstanding with Jia Junnan and had no contact, but she still went to get off work normally, and the shoe store staff did not find anything unusual. The next day, which was Friday, Zhan Xiaolan left the shoe store at 5:30 pm, and Zhan Ping got off work at 6 pm. These actions were witnessed by people and were true and credible.
There are several questions that cannot be confirmed now.
1. Zhan Xiaolan came out of the shoe store at 5:30. Did she go home?
2. The old house has poor sound insulation, but if the door is opened and closed normally, the sound is not loud and it should be difficult to notice. Why did the old lady upstairs hear the sound of the door closing? And what is the gurgling sound? Is it a memory error, or did someone really slam the door and drag heavy objects out of the house?
3. Was the 700 yuan in the bedside table really lost? If not, why did Zhan Ping lie? If it was true, who took it?
There are too many questions. Because Zhan Ping did not call the police immediately, it made investigation and evidence collection very difficult.
Gu Zhiguang asked Jia Junnan: "Why do you suspect Zhan Ping fabricated the theft and slandered Zhan Xiaolan for stealing money?"
Jia Junnan is a typical science and engineering guy with clear logical thinking: "Maybe because I went to look for her and things got out of hand, she was worried that the fact that she forced her niece to leave would be exposed, so she made up a reason to make others think that Xiaolan took the money and ran away. Xiaolan was unkind first, so don't blame her for being unfaithful later. In this way... no matter who comes to look for her, even if it's Xiaolan's parents, she has a reason to shirk responsibility."
When he got excited, Jia Junnan began to sweat. He raised his right hand to support the frame of his glasses that had slid down. "It's her home anyway. If she said she lost the money, then she lost the money. Who knows if it's true or not?"
Gu Zhiguang looked at Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan asked: "Zhan Xiaolan left the shoe store at 5:30 on time, and her behavior was normal, which shows that she had no violent conflict with Zhan Ping before that. If your suspicion is true, then the two could only have an argument between 6 and 7 o'clock, and then Xiaolan left home in anger. Zhan Ping was worried that her brother and sister-in-law would complain, so she framed her for stealing money. But, the police investigated, right? There is nothing unusual at this time. The old house built in the 1950s has poor sound insulation. If the aunt and nephew quarreled, the neighbors would definitely hear it."
Gu Zhiguang suddenly stood up: "What if there was no quarrel at all, and Zhan Ping killed Zhan Xiaolan directly? This would explain why Zhan Xiaolan did not contact Jia Junnan!"
Jia Junnan looked up and saw Gu Zhiguang's horrified expression. He began to stutter, "No, you can't? Why would you kill someone?"
Gu Zhiguang said: "Zhan Xiaolan is about the same age as us, healthy, clear-headed, and has a good relationship with you. If she was wronged, she would definitely come to you. If there was no accident, why did she suddenly disappear?"
Jia Junnan had previously thought that Zhan Ping had hidden Zhan Xiaolan, or secretly sent her back to the countryside, and angrily wanted to use Gu Zhiguang's power to find her. But now, after hearing his analysis, he couldn't help but feel horrified.
"No... no way? Xiaolan's parents had five children, she was the third child, and her academic performance was the best. But her family was poor, and when she was in the first year of high school, her mother fell ill and needed money, so she had no choice but to go out to work.
Aunt Xiaolan was the most promising girl in the village. After getting married, she followed her uncle to Xing City and worked in the Telecommunications Bureau. Later, her husband had another woman outside and abandoned her. She had a daughter who was hit and killed by a train when she was six years old. Since then, she has become cynical and frowns when she sees a man.
However, her aunt took good care of Xiaolan. Xiaolan told me that when she first came to Xing City, she had nothing, and her aunt took care of everything for her. Apart from the restriction that Xiaolan was not allowed to fall in love, there was nothing wrong with her aunt.
At this point, Jia Junnan looked up at the people in front of him, his eyes somewhat bewildered: "No way? No way? Xiaolan is just in love with me, and we plan to meet both parents after graduation and discuss marriage. I didn't play with her feelings, we are truly in love and want to live together. Is this not okay? Could it be that her aunt wants to harm Xiaolan because of this?"
Thinking of the detective novels he had read before, Gu Zhiguang gave full play to his imagination.
"You don't understand! Women like Zhan Ping who have been hurt by men and suffered the pain of losing their children are all somewhat mentally abnormal. They can't bear to see their nieces being loved by men, and they hate her for having her own happiness. Is it possible that Zhan Xiaolan told Zhan Ping about your affairs, and the two had a quarrel, and Zhan Ping imprisoned her in order to prevent her niece from leaving... and even accidentally hurt her?"
Gu Zhiguang didn't dare to say more terrifying words, but in fact he had more terrifying thoughts in his mind.
[Jia Junnan said that Zhan Ping lived on the first floor, with a small yard outside. Zhan Ping killed Zhan Xiaolan, waited until midnight when no one was around, and quietly buried her in the yard, then lied to the outside world that Zhan Xiaolan had stolen money and ran away. This could explain why Zhan Xiaolan disappeared, and it could also be used as an excuse when her brother and sister-in-law came to her to ask for her. But she didn't expect Jia Junnan to come and disrupt her plot to kill and bury the body. No... I have to find a way to get to her house and check if there are any traces of loose soil in the yard. ]
Even though Gu Zhiguang didn't say it, Jia Junnan heard his hidden message. Her hands began to tremble nervously, and she kept saying, "No way? It can't be? This is a living person, her own niece. Xiaolan is usually so good to her. Knowing that she has stomach problems, she tries to cook soft and light meals. She also helps her knit sweaters and scarves, for fear that she will catch a cold. How can this be? No way? It can't be..."
Zhao Xiangwan interrupted the two people's thoughts: "Zhan Xiaolan is younger and stronger than Zhan Ping. How can she kill someone without any hesitation? Moreover, the police investigated the scene and found no traces of blood or fighting."
Gu Zhiguang has read too many novels, and once he has a suspicion, he will follow his own path to the end: "Poisoning, but you can't tell whether it was poisoning, and there are no signs of fighting."
Zhao Xiangwan: "What kind of poison can be colorless, odorless and leave no trace? The police should have taken samples from the cups and utensils in the kitchen and living room, right? Since they say they can rule out Zhan Ping's motive, we should trust the police."
Gu Zhiguang was very stubborn: "If it was poisoned, it would have been cleaned up long ago, and the police would definitely not be able to find it."
"What about the body?"
Gu Zhiguang gave his own judgment: "The yard can be used to bury the body. Zhan Ping can wait until night and quietly dig a hole and bury the body in it. Then plant some flowers and plants, and no one will know."
Jia Junnan's forehead was sweating and the lenses of his glasses began to fog up.
Gu Zhiguang said, "There is no time to waste. Let's go there together tomorrow morning. There is strength in numbers. We must expose the true face of that old witch!"
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