Chapter 11: Wei Meihua

~After 18 years, I finally saw you~

Wang Ting’s face flushed red as she couldn’t believe her ears.

In the 1990s, people were conservative. If men and women had promiscuous relationships, they would be heavily criticized. Having a promiscuous relationship with a man? That was unimaginable!

Tears flowed down Wang Ting’s face as she grew angry, her lips trembling as she shouted, “You’re talking nonsense! Brother David is definitely not that kind of person. His singing voice is rich and soulful. He was harmed by those women!”

He Mingyu couldn’t stand it anymore and reached out to stop Zhao Xiangwan from provoking Wang Ting, but Xu Songling stopped her with a glance.

Xu Songling understood Zhao Xiangwan’s calm demeanor and knew she would not treat Wang Ting this way unless she had discovered something significant.

Zhao Xiangwan stared at Wang Ting, unyielding: “Men are bad, and it’s always women’s fault. Your father found a woman outside and was unfaithful to your mother. Is that also the fault of other women?”

“That’s right! My mom said that if there weren’t those shameless women who go after men even though they’re married, my dad wouldn’t have cheated. If all those women died, men would naturally be good,” Wang Ting said.

Zhao Xiangwan pressed further: “So, you and your mother believe that if all those women died, men would be loyal? As long as Wei Lili and Gu Xiaoling are gone, Wu Shengli will belong to you alone? The sad truth is, Wu Shengli doesn’t love you, and your father doesn’t respect your mother!”

Wang Ting’s eyes blazed with anger. “They deserved to die! They deserved to die! Who told them to pester a man? Wei Lili and Gu Xiaoling knew my dad was married, but they still insisted on approaching him. They are bad women who destroy families! My dad was once so good to my mom. She bore him three children and took care of us. But those bitches seduced him! Now they’re dead, and they died well!”

Zhao Xiangwan interrupted, her voice sharp: “Did you kill them? Or did your mother?”

Wang Ting’s furious scream cut off abruptly.

After a long pause, Wang Ting found her voice: “Nonsense! I just said they died well. I didn’t kill anyone.”

In her mind, she thought, “This woman is a devil. I said nothing. Mom always makes sure no one knows. She’s killed all the women who went after Dad. The police couldn’t find their bodies. This time is no different.”

Zhao Xiangwan wasted no time. She turned to Xu Songling, saying, “Captain Xu, you can arrest her now.”

Wang Ting panicked. “What are you going to do? Who are you going to arrest?”

Xu Songling felt his mind racing, unable to follow Zhao Xiangwan’s logic.

They quickly ruled out Wu Shengli and Wang Qiankun as murder suspects and uncovered Wang Qiankun’s old case. When they invited Wang Ting for questioning, she said just enough to let them arrest the suspects.

The headless female corpse had died in a horrifying way. Even Xu Songling, an experienced investigator, had a hard time linking such brutality to the delicate and innocent-looking Wang Ting.

Noticing Xu Songling’s confusion, Zhao Xiangwan realized she was moving too quickly. She had the ability to read minds and could hear Wang Ting’s inner thoughts, but others didn’t have that gift. To them, Wang Ting was just a spoiled girl with no connection to the crime.

She signaled for Xu Songling to step aside. Once outside, she explained, “I suspect Cao Caiyan and Wang Ting are the murderers.”

Xu Songling trusted Zhao Xiangwan’s instincts but asked, “Why?”

Zhao Xiangwan explained, “Hatred often comes from jealousy. Wang Ting was defensive and avoided my gaze, signaling she’s an insider. Cao Caiyan hates any woman who had relationships with Wang Qiankun. She likely killed Wei Lili and Gu Xiaoling, and possibly others.”

Cao Caiyan was brought in next. Zhao Xiangwan’s mood darkened as she saw her.

Cao Caiyan had a full figure, a freckled face, light eyebrows, and wore a large plaid coat. She smelled faintly of oil smoke, and appeared to have just been in the kitchen. From every angle, she looked like a gentle housewife, devoted to her children, husband, and home.

But this seemingly perfect mother was actually a serial killer.

Xu Songling lied, “Wang Ting has confessed. If you tell the truth, she might be cleared. Otherwise…”

Cao Caiyan rubbed her hands nervously, the calluses on her fingertips showing signs of hard work. She looked up at Xu Songling, pleading, “Tingting doesn’t know anything. She just likes to wear pretty dresses to get the attention of the man she likes. She’s just a little girl.”

Xu Songling’s expression remained stern. “Who did you kill? When? Where’s the body? You must tell me everything.”

Cao Caiyan’s defense was her children, and soon, the truth began to unfold.

Cao Caiyan had killed every woman who had been involved with Wang Qiankun, trying to remove them from her path. Some bodies were dumped in remote areas; others were sunk in ponds. None of these women had a good end.

Cao Caiyan had a kind face, but her words were shocking.

“These shameless women, relying on their youth and beauty, seduce married men and have no moral integrity. Because of them, men have affairs and abandon their families. I thought that if I killed them, Old Wang wouldn’t leave me and the children.

When I killed the first one, Old Wang changed. He came home on time, slept at home after karaoke, and even helped the kids with homework. It was wonderful.

But within six months, another woman appeared. She saw that Old Wang was rich and still tried to get close to him despite knowing he had a wife and children. I tried to reason with her, but she called me an old hag. Such a woman is a waste of space in this world.”

He Mingyu slammed the table. “You committed murder!”

Cao Caiyan remained calm. “I don’t see it as a crime. These women ruin families. In the countryside, they would be spat on until they drowned.”

“What about Wei Lili? She didn’t try to destroy your family.”

“Her? She’s the worst! She led my Old Wang on, and when Wu Shengli saw how pretty she was, she went with him. She’s worse than a prostitute!”

“And Gu Xiaoling? She’s only three years older than Wang Ting.”

“She’s just 21 and already had an abortion using my husband’s money. And yet, Old Wang cared about her most, calling her pure and pretty. Ugh!”

Cao Caiyan showed no guilt about murder, but when asked whether Wang Ting was involved, she fiercely defended her. When police questioned whether she could have handled the killings and disposed of the bodies alone, she became hysterical.

“I did it alone! Tingting had nothing to do with it! Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a woman. I worked in the countryside, farming and feeding pigs. I’m strong! After killing them, I got mad seeing their pretty faces, so I chopped off their heads and threw them into a ditch to feed the wild dogs. Let’s see how beautiful they are now!”

There was no need for Zhao Xiangwan to intervene. Cao Caiyan had confessed everything—time, location, and body disposal. The case of the headless female corpses that had plagued the Xing City Public Security Bureau for a month was solved.

_

Zhao Xiangwan became famous in the bureau.

When Zhao Xiangwan changed back into her clothes and left, a group of officers surrounded her. Among the olive-green uniforms and golden badges, her face shone brightly.

The men in the Criminal Investigation Division were straightforward. Zhu Feipeng had doubted Zhao Xiangwan’s abilities, but now, after she solved two major cases in one day, he was convinced. He gave a thumbs-up. “Impressive! Zhao Xiangwan might be the best junior sister in history.”

He Mingyu reached to hold Zhao Xiangwan’s hand, but she dodged. He assumed she was shy and found it endearing. “Xiangwan, with you here, we won’t have to work overtime. You’re a blessing to our team!”

Xu Songling sighed. “The case is solved. No more nagging from Director Peng tomorrow.” He was secretly pleased with himself for recognizing talent.

The experienced criminal investigators were skilled, but criminals were good at disguising their actions, and technology had limitations, making cases difficult to solve.

The magic of mind reading quickly tore away disguises and exposed the truth.

As long as Zhao Xiangwan pointed the way, Xu Songling and his team could solve cases swiftly.

Standing among her colleagues, hearing them call her “junior sister” with friendly attitudes and trusting eyes, Zhao Xiangwan felt warm inside. She was accepted and valued.

That evening, Zhao Xiangwan changed out of her uniform and into her casual clothes before leaving the Public Security Bureau.

She had one more important thing to do.

Taking a bus, she arrived at Jinlian Lake, home to the provincial party committee. The area housed many government offices, and locals joked that if you threw a brick there, you’d hit three officials of department-level rank or higher.

As she approached the gate, the guard looked at her with disdain and waved her away. “Go away! This isn’t a place for you!”

[Is this girl a poor country relative of some leader? Or is she a petitioner looking to make trouble? We need to stay alert and keep an eye on her.]

Zhao Xiangwan glanced at her clothes— a bright green sweater, dark red acrylic jacket, and two braids. She did look a bit rustic. She hadn’t dressed this way on purpose; she had just arrived in Xing City for school and had limited clothing. Apart from her issued uniform, this was her best autumn outfit.

Just as she reached for her student ID to explain, she was distracted by a woman walking toward her.

The woman was middle-aged but exquisitely dressed. She had wavy hair, a white cashmere sweater, a light gray tweed jacket, and white lambskin high heels. She walked elegantly.

Zhao Xiangwan had met many middle-aged women. Her adoptive mother, Qian Shufen, was stingy and mean; her aunt, Zhao Dacui, was warm and kind; her teacher, Zhou Qiaoxiu, was dignified; and the murderer, Cao Caiyan, was simple and honest. They all prioritized family and children over their appearance.

This woman was different—self-aware, beautiful, and impeccably dressed. From her hair to her shoes, everything exuded charm.

The security guard’s attitude shifted instantly. “Hello, Director Wei, heading out today?”

[This woman dresses up every day. Heading out with a bag and heels? She’s probably going to play mahjong. If she hadn’t married well, she wouldn’t have such a good life.]

A chubby female cadre wearing a Lenin suit walked past Zhao Xiangwan and smiled. “Meihua, your tweed coat is exquisite. Did you buy it at the Overseas Chinese Department Store? How much was it? I’d like to get one too.”

[I don’t know where she got foreign exchange coupons ^[1]which were required for purchasing imported goods in China during the 1980s., but her clothes are becoming more luxurious. My husband Liu says Zhao Qingyun is honest and prudent, but I feel ashamed! Just looking at how Wei Meihua dresses, Zhao Qingyun can’t be that honest.]

Wei Meihua?

Zhao Qingyun?

Hearing these names, Zhao Xiangwan’s heart skipped a beat.

The woman in front of her, seemingly in her thirties, was her biological mother!