Chapter 24: Pan Guoqing

~His appearance is honest and simple; he smiles at everyone.~

Half an hour later, Zhao Qingyun met Zhao Xiangwan in the interrogation room.

Seeing the girl who resembled him so much, Zhao Qingyun’s gloomy face lit up with hope. This was his daughter—she would surely help him!

After mechanically repeating the answers he had given the police countless times, Zhao Xiangwan suddenly asked, “Why do you think Pan Guoqing framed you?”

Zhao Qingyun let out a bitter laugh. “Isn’t it obvious? I had an affair with his wife. Of course, he would hate me.”

“Didn’t you keep it a secret? How did he find out?”

Zhao Qingyun’s face reddened, and he stammered for a long time, unable to answer.

Xu Songling frowned. “At this point, what’s the use of hiding anything?”

Zhao Qingyun hesitated before admitting, “That night, Weng Pingfang told me Pan Guoqing kept pestering her for sex, but she found him unromantic and refused. Since our relationship had to remain secret, I didn’t want him to feel suspicious. So I advised her: if her husband was coming home after a long time and she rejected him, wouldn’t he start suspecting? There’s no such thing as a secret forever. If Pan Guoqing wanted to find out, he eventually would.”

Zhao Xiangwan understood.

Pan Guoqing, as Weng Pingfang’s legal husband, rarely spent time with her due to business trips. When he returned for the New Year, he naturally wanted to be close to her. However, Weng Pingfang, who was in love with Zhao Qingyun, rejected her husband. This made Pan Guoqing suspicious, leading him to discover their affair and possibly seek revenge.

—If that was the case, it made sense.

Discussing his private affairs in front of his own daughter, Zhao Qingyun felt deeply embarrassed, as if he had been stripped and put on display. His face burned with shame.

However, Zhao Xiangwan remained composed. Ignoring his discomfort, she changed the subject. “Why do you suspect Ruan Wenlun?”

“Ruan Wenlun and I have been competing for the Secretary-General position for over a year. The results were set to be announced after the New Year. He knew he had no chance, so he might have framed me.”

“If he just wanted to take you down, wouldn’t it have been easier to expose your misconduct at work? Why would he resort to framing you for murder?”

“Uh…”

Zhao Qingyun was speechless. She was right. Political rivals might smear reputations, but getting involved in a murder case was excessive. It didn’t match Ruan Wenlun’s style.

Zhao Xiangwan had her answer. She closed the transcript, stood up, and prepared to leave.

“Zhao Xiangwan.”

Zhao Qingyun hesitated. “I’m sorry for the past. I hope you don’t hold a grudge. Blood ties remain, don’t they?”

Hearing this apology, Zhao Xiangwan wasn’t sure if she felt relief or sadness. She shook her head lightly. “This is my job.”

Zhao Xiangwan walked away with firm steps, her posture strong and confident.

Zhao Qingyun watched her tall, slender figure in uniform and felt momentarily dazed. If he hadn’t abandoned her—if he had raised her well—would she be softer? Would she be like Chenyang, clinging to his arm and calling him “Dad”?

This child is so smart. She has a sharp mind and can see through my thoughts instantly. When we first met at the Four Seasons Hotel, why did I assume she was just a country girl with no background, no skills, and inferior to Zhao Chenyang?

Do I regret it?

At this moment, Zhao Qingyun knew clearly—he regretted it.

The first person Zhao Xiangwan investigated was Weng Pingfang’s husband, Pan Guoqing.

Pan Guoqing, who appeared honest, always smiled, and wore a simple blue cotton-padded jacket, was well-liked at the construction machinery factory. When questioned by the police, he was cooperative and answered every question.

He Mingyu, kindhearted and sympathetic, had a good impression of Pan Guoqing. She whispered to Zhao Xiangwan, “Weng Pingfang was not a good wife. It’s a pity that Pan Guoqing was talked about. This man… is just greedy. She wasn’t satisfied with marrying an honest man and had to seek an official to satisfy her vanity. In the end, she hurt herself and others!”

Zhao Xiangwan glanced at her and reminded, “Don’t let personal feelings interfere. Take proper notes.”

He Mingyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked up at Pan Guoqing.

He had a square face, pink acne scars on his cheeks, small eyes, a big mouth, and a wide nose. He wasn’t handsome but had a friendly smile. When speaking, he unconsciously leaned forward, showing a kind attitude. Perhaps due to years of business travel, he had developed a habit of pleasing others.

Was there something wrong with this man?

He Mingyu tried using Zhao Xiangwan’s micro-expression theory ^[1]the study of fleeting facial expressions lasting less than 0.1 seconds to analyze emotions. but remained confused.

Zhao Xiangwan’s ability to capture even the smallest expression changes, then combine them with body language and speech speed, was truly remarkable.

Pan Guoqing’s cotton hat’s earmuffs drooped and moved. He was clearly emotional. He raised his rough hands to cover his face, and his muffled voice trembled with pain.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. I’m away on business almost 300 days a year. I manage the northern region, where heavy machinery sales are high, and the commission is good. But one thing—northerners drink a lot. If we sit down, it’s three cups right away. If I couldn’t hold my liquor, I couldn’t do business.

Pingfang didn’t like me drinking. Every time I came home, she scolded me, telling me to stop. But she didn’t understand. If I didn’t drink, how could I get business? How could I earn money for her? I didn’t expect that just because I didn’t listen to her, because I was always away and ignored her, she would actually… Ah!

I’m not good-looking, not eloquent, and I don’t know how to please people. I only knew how to give her money. I never bought her flowers or gifts. She is beautiful and has a clever mouth. Everyone around praised her. I wasn’t worthy of her. If I had known she had someone else, I would have let her go. As long as she was happy, I would have done anything.”

Pan Guoqing kept repenting, showing no resentment toward Weng Pingfang or Zhao Qingyun. Even though he had been betrayed, he still defended Weng Pingfang. Such tolerance and generosity even made Zhu Feipeng pity him.

But Zhao Xiangwan remained calm.

Marriage requires mutual loyalty. Betrayal is hard to tolerate.

In a previous case of a headless female corpse, Wang Qiankun, a karaoke hall owner, cheated on his wife, Cao Caiyan. Cao Caiyan blamed the mistresses and, in a rage, killed them, even beheading them in anger.

Zhang Yalan’s parents also had conflicts. Zhang Shiyong cheated on Yuan Dongmei and flaunted his pregnant mistress. With her daughter’s support, the weak Yuan Dongmei firmly divorced him.

Even Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua, seen as a model couple, were visibly upset when facing Zhao Qingyun’s betrayal.

But Pan Guoqing showed no anger. That was not normal.

When something is abnormal, something is wrong.

“Where were you from 10 PM to 12 AM on the 11th?” Zhu Feipeng asked again.

Pan Guoqing lowered his hands. His bloodshot eyes looked dull as he mechanically answered, “I was drinking with Qian Zhenye, my mentor from the factory. It’s rare for me to return, and he taught me how to drive. He likes good wine, so I brought two bottles from the north. We drank and talked, got drunk, and fell asleep. I woke up around eight or nine in the morning.”

“You stayed at Qian Zhenye’s house the whole time?”

“Yes, from 6 PM until nine or ten. Then I got drunk and don’t remember anything.”

“Who can verify this?”

“Qian Zhenye. He was with me the whole time.”

“Was there anyone else at his house?”

“His wife and kids were visiting her parents. He was alone for two days. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to bring alcohol.”

After Zhu Feipeng finished, he turned to Zhao Xiangwan, who nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Pan Guoqing noticed the subtle exchanges between the officers and became alert. The police had questioned him three times before, but this time felt different.

What had changed? Pan Guoqing pondered carefully.

He had traveled extensively and dealt with many people. He quickly recognized that Zhao Xiangwan was just a trainee police officer.

Logically, a trainee should only observe and not take the lead. However, from the way Zhu Feipeng and Zhao Xiangwan exchanged glances, it was clear—Zhao Xiangwan was in charge.

He answered so many questions that even Zhu Feipeng and He Mingyu were somewhat moved. However, Zhao Xiangwan’s eyes remained distant, as if she were an audience member watching a play, unaffected by emotions.

Pan Guoqing’s strong mental defenses finally wavered. With a hint of sadness, he stood up, brewed three cups of tea, and placed them in front of Zhu Feipeng and the others, apologizing.

“I’m truly sorry for troubling the officers. I’ve been busy handling Pingfang’s funeral and haven’t had the energy to keep up. Please forgive me if I missed anything. I just want to help you catch the murderer as soon as possible.”

[Nothing went wrong, right? Probably not. The alibi was perfect, and I didn’t say anything wrong. My attitude was just right—respectful and obedient toward the police, yet calm. Very good, very good.]

Zhao Xiangwan had been listening to Pan Guoqing’s thoughts but found nothing unusual. Now, finally hearing his true inner voice, her pale eyes lit up.