Putting down his pen and notebook, Xie Kui spoke gravely, “Climbing from the first floor to the third, agile and professional, with anti-surveillance skills, it’s also possible the real murderer hired someone else to do the crime.”

As soon as this was said, everyone’s expressions turned serious.

Xie Kui decided to call Zhuang Zi back to the station for a more detailed discussion. If someone she knew well was indeed skilled in climbing, the case might soon be solved.

On Saturday, Zhuang Zi didn’t need to work and stayed in the hotel opposite the police station.

When she received the call, she was studying a book on criminal psychology that Detective Xiao Zhang had brought over last night while helping her pack.

Since it wasn’t far away, Zhuang Zi arrived at the station in five minutes.

In the small meeting room, Xie Kui briefed her on the investigation results and deductions. When Zhuang Zi heard the words “hired someone to do the crime,” a chill crept up from her feet, freezing her chest, making her body stiff.

Her face turned pale, her features worn and weary.

She couldn’t understand, couldn’t fathom who could hate her so deeply?

“Think back carefully,” Xie Kui’s tone was heavy. “It might not be someone you directly know but someone who indirectly came into contact with you through your acquaintances.”

Zhuang Zi furrowed her brow in thought for a moment, but her mind remained blank. The people she knew were few, and almost none were sports enthusiasts. Moreover, she didn’t have time for outdoor activities, let alone meet people in that circle.

Shaking her head slowly, she said, “The people I know are just ordinary office workers.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Maybe they go to the gym frequently, but I’m not sure what activities they practice.”

Xie Kui had already considered this, so for now, they would start investigating her colleagues at work.

Since it was the weekend and no one from the company was at work, Xie Kui asked her to leave her colleagues’ phone numbers with him and go back first. If she remembered any key information, she must call him immediately.

On her way back to the hotel, Zhuang Zi meticulously recalled all the acquaintances she knew, but she couldn’t think of anyone with whom she had any grievances.

She furrowed her brows, looking up at the grey sky covered in thick clouds, feeling a sense of oppression.

…

After Zhuang Zi left, Xie Kui took another officer and visited each colleague who had left their phone number.

However, by the end of the morning, there was still no progress.

There were a few regular gym-goers among them, but they all did indoor sports, a fact verified by the gym’s instructors.

Back in the office, Xie Kui planned to grab a meal and then continue his research. As he left the meeting room, he noticed that only Si Hang’s office door was open, and the large office was deserted. Today, everyone was on vacation except for a few workaholics who never took weekends off unless on special assignments.

He approached Si Hang’s office to see if he wanted to go out together; the police station cafeteria was closed today, so they could grab a meal outside on the way.

Next to the police station was a Cantonese restaurant that had been open for nearly ten years, offering reasonably priced dishes. Many colleagues frequented it, and the owner was well-known to them.

As they entered, they bumped into Xiao Zhao, another officer from their team, already dining there. He greeted them cheerfully, “Si Hang, Xie Ge.”

The three of them ended up sharing a table.

“Are you two working overtime again today?” Xiao Zhao asked.

“Yeah, there’s been no progress on Zhuang Zi’s case; we can’t afford to delay,” Xie Kui sighed, then changed the subject, asking, “Was Zhuang Zi still at the police station last night?”

Xiao Zhang and Xiao Zhao took turns ensuring Zhuang Zi’s safety 24 hours a day. Xie Kui thought Xiao Zhao was here because Zhuang Zi was still at the station.

“She stayed at the hotel across the street last night,” Xiao Zhao chuckled. “She’s the first woman I’ve met who’s both timid and stubborn.”

Xie Kui chuckled too, “Indeed. Scared yet refuses to stay with relatives for fear of burdening them; that’s quite rare.”

Si Hang listened quietly to their conversation, lighting a cigarette he pulled from his pocket.

Xiao Zhao teased, “It’s not convenient for her to stay at her sister-in-law’s place.”

Xie Kui joined in the laughter.

Xiao Zhao continued, “But her brother-in-law really cares about her. It seems like he cares a bit too much.”

Interested in this gossip, Xie Kui asked, “What do you mean?”

Xiao Zhao recounted how Jiang Zhihao had wanted to book a hotel for Zhuang Zi the previous night. “Zhuang Zi wanted to stay at the budget hotel across from the station, and he was deeply concerned she might not find it comfortable. In my view, this brother-in-law’s feelings toward his sister-in-law aren’t entirely straightforward. If you didn’t know better, you’d think they were real siblings, the way he’s always taking care of her. Zhuang Zi, on the other hand, always keeps her distance, and you can’t tell if anything’s amiss.”

Si Hang quietly smoked, showing no expression.

Xie Kui teased him, “You must be enjoying this, getting a real-life free melodrama.”

Xiao Zhao smirked and nodded towards a window in another corner of the restaurant. “Look who’s here again today.”

The three glanced over.

Zhuang Zi and Jiang Zhihao were seated by the window, quite far away. From their angle, Jiang Zhihao was partially obscured by a sofa chair, so they could only see Zhuang Zi’s profile.

Above them hung a warm-colored pendant light, casting a halo over her head.

Today, she wore a gray hooded coat with a white fleece collar, accentuating her light makeup, making her look more delicate and fresh, with an air of refinement.

She picked at her food without much appetite.

Si Hang withdrew his gaze expressionlessly and unconsciously bit down on his cigarette butt.