Wang Shen took the phone from the policewoman; the screen displayed an interview video. Xu Xiaolin, who never appeared in public, had actually held a book launch. Xu Xiaolin stood on the stage, behind her a huge poster of a book. The book was titled *Return: The Nemesis*. Wang Shen felt a slight tremor upon seeing the title. He took out his own phone and typed the book's name into his browser. He clicked on a sample chapter…
"The night was as black as ink, pressing down on the entire planet. A few rumbles of thunder sounded on the horizon, growing ever closer until finally, it exploded as if right next to our ears. Soon after, rain poured down from afar, roaring and torrential, washing the once bustling streets into silence." This is from a novel serialized online by Xu Xiaolin some time ago. It was precisely because of this novel's appearance that public speculation about the Han Mo case was sparked. Ultimately, this led the bureau to decide to assign Wang Shen to reinvestigate the case. Xu Xiaolin, the novel's author, was also invited to join the investigation team.
It was all a setup, a scheme meticulously designed by Xu Xiaolin. She wanted revenge for her sister, but following this line of reasoning… Wang Shen felt it necessary to meet with Xu Xiaolin. Before he could even dial Xu Xiaolin's number, the interview footage playing on the policewoman's phone caught his attention again.
"Writer Xu, as a reader, I have a question I would like to ask you."
In the video, Xu Xiaolin nodded gracefully.
"As a popular suspense novelist, you've always been the most mysterious kind. We've never seen you hold a book launch before, and we've never met you in person. Meeting you today is a real surprise and a great source of curiosity. May I ask why you suddenly decided to hold this launch event?"
"Because I saw many comments from readers online. I feel very sorry for everyone's love and support. I'm sure you all have many questions you want to ask me about the novel. Online comments alone can't bridge the gap between me and the readers. So I decided to hold this book signing event, firstly to promote my new book, and secondly to have a closer interaction with you."
"Actually, I have an even more curious question. I wonder if it would be convenient for me to ask you?"
"Please speak," Xu Xiaolin said, tidying her hair behind her ear and smiling.
"It's about your appearance. To be honest, the moment you showed up, we were all shocked because you look so much like... so much like..." The reader looked around at the people around him and observed Xu Xiaolin's expression, then stopped midway through his sentence.
"Do I look a lot like Han Mo?" It turns out that Xu Xiaolin has two shallow dimples on her face when she smiles.
The audience below buzzed with discussion, all casting curious glances at Xu Xiaolin.
"Actually, Han Mo and I are biological sisters," Xu Xiaolin said calmly.
The audience erupted in excitement, scrambling for the microphone to ask Xu Xiaolin questions. The interview video abruptly cut off at that point…
Wang Shen stared at the still image for a long time until the policewoman reminded him, at which point he snapped out of his daze and handed the phone back. He picked up his own phone and tried dialing Xu Xiaolin's number again. This time, surprisingly, it connected after only a few rings.
"I'm already at Zhile Cafe, I'm waiting for you." Before Wang Shen could reply, Xu Xiaolin hung up the phone after saying this.
At their usual spot, two cups of coffee steamed gently. The entire café was filled with a rich aroma. Wang Shen pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Xu Xiaolin.
“Americano, I know you only drink this.” Xu Xiaolin pushed the coffee cup next to Wang Shen toward Wang Shen again.
"Thank you," Wang Shen said curtly, taking a sip of his coffee. "Given your current status, you are no longer suitable to investigate Han Mo's case."
"I know, and I completely understand." Xu Xiaolin didn't show excessive disappointment. Instead, she gently blew on the coffee in her hand, took a sip, and showed a blissful expression.
This was not something Wang Shen had expected. He thought Xu Xiaolin would feel somewhat disappointed upon hearing the news, as she would be unable to access Han Mo's case. However, it seems Xu Xiaolin was already fully aware of this outcome.
"Is everything within your calculations?"
"What do you mean? Are you asking you to reinvestigate my sister's case, or to expose Zheng Wu's crimes? It's all true, I didn't do anything wrong." Xu Xiaolin put down her coffee cup. Perhaps because of the book signing event, Xu Xiaolin's lipstick was particularly red today, leaving two faint lip prints on her coffee cup.
"You haven't done anything wrong. But your thoughts are far too deep. It's frightening to think about you like that."
“Wang Shen, we’ve known each other for many years. If you look at this from my perspective, you might understand. My long-lost sister was murdered without cause, and the perpetrator is still at large. As her sister, could you tolerate this continuing? My sister’s case simply triggered my instinct for self-preservation. Human potential is truly limitless. In the past, even I wouldn’t have believed that I could bring the designs in my novels into real life.”
Are you so sure your sister was murdered?
"pretty close."
Do you have evidence?
"No."
"Do you have a way to unlock that secret room?"
"No. But we'll always find a way to solve it." Xu Xiaolin answered Wang Shen's question without the slightest hesitation. She kept swirling the coffee cup beside her, and the faint red lipstick mark formed a bright red arc.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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