The arson and assault case in Chenjia Village has been handed over to the town's public security bureau.
Two police officers in dark blue uniforms arrived at Xu Keke's hospital room. The older one was named Li Jing. The younger female officer who came with him was named Hao Yun.
Hao Yun first inquired about Bai Lu's current physical condition and, knowing that she was mostly recovered, asked her, "Comrade Bai Lu, could you briefly tell us about what happened that day?"
“That day, I went to the dilapidated temple after receiving the note. There was no one inside, so I kept walking in. As soon as I entered the temple, the door was blocked from the outside. Then several torches, which looked like they were soaked in oil, were thrown in through the two windows at the same time. It was only then that I noticed that the brigade leader had arranged for people to bring wood that was intended to be used to make tables and chairs, which were placed under the windows. The fire was too big, and then I was knocked unconscious by the smoke.”
Hao Yun nodded, her hands quickly making notes in her notebook. The nurse, carrying a tray, was about to go inside when she saw the police officer. She paused, smiled at Xu Keke, indicating that she would come back later, and then retreated.
Before Xu Keke could look away, Li Jing asked, "Didn't you see the tin oil drum in the yard when you went in?"
Li Jing smiled, his eyes narrowing, as if it were a casual question. But Xu Keke sensed a suspicion in his question that didn't match his expression; he was doubting her.
Xu Keke laughed, "I saw it. I thought it was for renovating the school building. I don't really understand what the renovation entails, and I have no experience in this area. So I didn't expect them to use it, to light the torches and throw them into the building."
Li Jing had a round face, and when he smiled, he looked a bit like Maitreya Buddha. Only he was a bit thinner than Maitreya Buddha. "How do you know they threw it in with oil drums lit with torches?"
"You said it! Just now, didn't you specifically ask me that?"
"Yes, yes, I said it. You're very smart!"
Xu Keke's smile remained unchanged. "Yes, I think so too."
Hao Yun was amused by Xu Keke's words. But when she turned her head, she glanced at Li Jing with a puzzled look. Then she handed the completed notes to Xu Keke.
Sure enough, Li Jing's question wasn't on it. Xu Keke smiled, took the pen Hao Yun handed her, and signed her name on it.
Hao Yun then proactively told Xu Keke, "The people involved in the case, Chen Hong, Gao Zhe, and Gao Jie, have been arrested. Xiao Han is also being held in the town's detention center. We are currently conducting further interrogations on them. We may need to come back to verify some information with you later."
Xu Keke smiled and replied with four words, "It's my duty."
Li Jing suddenly spoke up and asked, "By the way, do you know someone named Li Sijie?"
Xu Keke nodded. "She's my stepmother. So what? Does this have anything to do with her?"
Li Jing stared into Xu Keke's eyes and said with a smile, "It's hard to say right now. We found several remittance slips from Li Sijie to Chen Hong. We also want to confirm this person's identity with you."
Xu Keke knew he was observing her reaction, so she didn't say anything. She just smiled and looked at him.
But in her heart, it felt as if she had finally solved a math problem—the answer was right on the tip of her tongue, yet she just couldn't remember it. That fleeting thought from that day, she finally knew what it was.
Chen Hong doesn't need a spot to return to the city, and Bai Lu, the original owner of this body, was very generous to her. Therefore, Chen Hong must have another reason for harming Bai Lu. Using a remittance to bribe Chen Hong indicates that this person isn't actually here.
The biggest recent event for Bai Lu is her uncle's exoneration. It now seems the one who tried to harm Bai Lu by spending money was her stepmother, Li Sijie. Considering her past experiences, it's clear that Li Sijie doesn't want her to return to the city; she wants her to stay in the countryside. Even if not forever, at least for the next few years.
Xu Keke was no longer going to waste her brainpower and energy trying to figure out why Li Sijie didn't want her to return to the city. Since the police were so capable, she believed they would have the answer soon.
Hao Yun and Li Jing walked out of the hospital. With no one else around, Hao Yun eagerly asked Li Jing, "Captain Li, do you suspect Bai Lu? But Gao Zhe and Chen Hong have already confessed almost everything. Bai Lu is the victim!"
Li Jing had now adopted a completely different, serious expression. If Xu Keke saw this, she definitely wouldn't think of Maitreya Buddha anymore.
"Did you notice two points in Xiao Han's testimony? One is that he reported Bai Lu after discussing it with her multiple times. From his words, you can tell that Bai Lu intentionally guided him to report her. After all, reporting her wouldn't actually benefit Xiao Han. The benefit he thought he would gain was that Bai Lu gave him the wrong information. Just like Gao Jie and the others, when they learned that Bai Lu was going to become a teacher, they immediately realized that Bai Lu was deliberately playing them, which is why they retaliated against her."
"And the second point?"
"Secondly, Xiao Han had reminded Bai Lu to keep an eye on Chen Hong and had also spoken to her about the remittance."
"What's wrong?" Hao Yun asked, puzzled. "What's the problem?"
"The first point proves that Bai Lu is very smart; she knows what is most advantageous for herself. First of all, a smart person wouldn't go to an appointment rashly. The note only said 'give her what she wants.' It didn't say what that 'thing' was. She's not stupid; why would she go, especially alone?"
Li Jing tucked his briefcase under his arm, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket—he couldn't smoke at the hospital, and he'd been holding back for ages. He took one out, lit it, and simply stood by the roadside, taking a deep drag.
Hao Yun looked at him anxiously, waiting for him to continue, but dared not urge him. After taking two puffs, Li Jing finally spoke slowly.
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