Chapter 23: Please

~I Came Here to Apologize~

Zhao Qingyun’s world collapsed.

First, the police summoned him to the Public Security Bureau. Then, a hotel waiter identified him. Soon after, an arrest warrant was issued. It felt like he was trapped in a fog, caught in an inescapable net.

When initially questioned about Weng Pingfang, he denied any improper relationship, claiming he only chatted with her occasionally at Left Bank Coffee Shop, near the provincial party committee compound.

Even when waiters at Tianranju Hotel collectively identified him as Weng Pingfang’s frequent visitor, he insisted they were mistaken, accusing the police of misleading the investigation and tarnishing his reputation.

Then, Xu Songling placed a crime scene photo in front of him and declared, “A man’s semen was found in the deceased. The Provincial Criminal Technology Center has advanced DNA testing. In three days, we’ll have results. Do you confess now or wait?”

The interrogation room was cold and oppressive. On the wall, eight large characters read, “Leniency to those who confess, severity to those who resist” ^[1]a phrase used to describe the legal principle of reducing punishment for cooperation and increasing it for obstruction..

Zhao Qingyun stared at the photo of Weng Pingfang’s lifeless, blue-tinted face. Regret and pain made him bury his face in his hands.

“Yes, it’s me. I was Weng Pingfang’s lover.”

Then, he raised his head and shouted, “But I didn’t kill her! After meeting her, I took a shower and left. She was alive when I left. If you don’t believe me, ask the taxi driver of car Xiang A544. I paid him 20 yuan to pick me up at 11 o’clock.”

Zhao Qingyun was cautious. Even Wei Meihua, his wife, hadn’t noticed his affair. To avoid leaving traces, he never rented or bought a secret property. A hotel was the safest choice—occasional visits were affordable.

He also never used his company’s car for these meetings, preferring random taxis to avoid detection.

The body was discovered at 9 a.m. on January 12. The forensic report estimated Weng Pingfang died between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. on January 11. Zhao Qingyun claimed he left around 11 p.m. Though a taxi driver’s statement could support his claim, it wasn’t a solid alibi.

Unless new evidence surfaced, Zhao Qingyun remained the prime suspect.

His situation was dire, and his anxiety deepened.

When Wei Meihua saw him, he was neatly dressed but visibly drained. His once-bright eyes were now surrounded by fine lines, making him look a decade older.

She clenched her handbag tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The two locked eyes. Zhao Qingyun quickly looked away, remaining silent.

Wei Meihua bit her lips until she tasted blood. Then, she asked in a hoarse voice, “Why?”

Zhao Qingyun had been staring at her handbag absentmindedly. Hearing her question, he closed his eyes and hesitated before whispering, “I’m sorry.”

Wei Meihua’s voice trembled with anger. “Sorry? What’s the use of that?! We’ve been married for years. My family helped you rise to where you are. I gave birth to your children, took care of the household, and now all I get is an apology?!”

Zhao Qingyun suddenly lifted his head, irritation creeping into his tone. “I don’t deny your contributions. But didn’t I also contribute? We’re a family—if I thrive, we all do. Now I’m entangled in a murder case, and instead of helping me, you’re blaming me? What’s the point?”

Wei Meihua’s anger flared. “So you expect me to blame myself instead? Should I reflect on how I failed as a wife and pushed you into the arms of another woman?! Was I not good enough for you? You had to go for a countryside girl, a mere hotel waitress?!”

Frustrated that she fixated on his affair instead of the murder accusation, Zhao Qingyun felt exasperated. “Does this woman even have a brain?” he thought. “I’m being accused of murder, and all she cares about is my mistress!”

He took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and softened his voice.

“I was wrong. This has nothing to do with you. You’ve been a great wife and mother. I was weak. That woman seduced me, and I gave in. I regret it deeply. But now, I’m being framed for murder. I don’t know who’s behind this, but someone wants to ruin me.”

Wei Meihua finally regained her senses. Right, the worst that could happen to her was a demotion and internal criticism. But if someone was convicted of murder, they would pay with their life, and their family would suffer. The priority now was to clear Zhao Qingyun of the charge.

“This situation has escalated. My work style might affect my career. I called my father to reach out to provincial party leaders, hoping they’ll limit my punishment to internal disciplinary action and let me keep my position.”

Wei Meihua sneered. “You’re dreaming. You were taken straight from the provincial party committee. The damage to the unit’s reputation is severe. People are gossiping, and Ruan Wenlun has been eyeing the secretary-general position for ages. Now that you’re in trouble, he’s making moves. You should be grateful if you’re not fired!”

Zhao Qingyun sighed. “Forget it. The real concern is clearing my name. Someone framed me. I can’t investigate from here—can you help?”

Despite her anger over his infidelity, Wei Meihua softened upon seeing his haggard appearance. “You really didn’t kill her?”

“Of course not! You know me. If I wanted her gone, I had a hundred ways without getting my hands dirty. Why would I risk everything?”

Wei Meihua stayed silent. Zhao Qingyun was always careful—meeting his lover at distant hotels and never staying overnight. It was unlike him to be reckless.

“Then who set you up?”

“Either Weng Pingfang’s lover or my political rival. Wei Guoqing could’ve killed his unfaithful wife out of revenge and pinned it on me—killing two birds with one stone. Ruan Wenlun is another suspect. He must’ve known about my affair and set a trap.”

“Wei Guoqing? Impossible. He’s just a salesman at our construction machinery factory—honest, hardworking, and quiet. He barely speaks at company events and only excels at drinking. I’ve met him several times—he’s always smiling, polite, and never causes trouble.”

“Then it’s Ruan Wenlun. That snake acts warm and friendly but secretly wants me destroyed. He knew about my affair but didn’t report it—instead, he used it against me.”

Wei Meihua felt overwhelmed.

She excelled at mahjong, fashion, and social etiquette. But investigating a case? That was beyond her.

“I’ll talk to my dad. Maybe he can help.”

“I already called him. He’s retired and can only use old connections to get information from the provincial department or municipal bureau. But my case is in Xu Heimian’s hands, and he’s ruthless.”

“What should I do? Investigate myself? I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“Have Chen Yang contact Zhou Jingrong and ask the Xu family for help. Xu Qingxi is cautious and well-connected. If he reaches out, we might learn something.”

Hearing “Zhou Jingrong” infuriated Wei Meihua.

Zhao Chenyang was engaged to Xu Qingxi and close to his mother, Zhou Jingrong, but Xu Qingxi remained distant. What was the point of impressing the mother-in-law instead of securing the man’s heart?

“Forget the Xu family! I called them before coming here—no one answered. I don’t know if they’re avoiding us. Chen Yang said Xu Qingxi went south for the winter break. We can’t trust anyone!”

Zhao Qingyun initially believed he could manage the situation even from detention. But after talking to Wei Meihua, he realized that now that he had fallen, everyone had abandoned him.

Despair engulfed him.

Seeing his defeated expression, Wei Meihua snapped, “No one can be trusted! Especially our so-called good daughter.”

Zhao Qingyun sighed. “Chen Yang is clever but impatient. She’s not reliable for this.”

“I wasn’t talking about Chen Yang! I meant that jinx, Zhao Xiangwan! I just saw her interning here, working with Officer Xu—the one who arrested you. She ignored me completely, like I was a stranger.”

Zhao Xiangwan? Interning?

A glimmer of hope appeared in Zhao Qingyun’s mind.

He leaned forward, grabbing Wei Meihua’s hand. “Yes! Find Zhao Xiangwan! She’s Xu Songling’s apprentice and close to the serious crime team. Remember the officers I met at the Four Seasons Hotel? They’re all in serious crimes. Xu Songling protects her. If she helps investigate, we can find the real culprit and clear my name!”

Wei Meihua yanked her hand away, her cheek still stinging from an earlier scratch.

“Forget her! She’s ungrateful. Even if I didn’t raise her, I gave birth to her. But she acts like we owe her millions! She must know the truth but said nothing when we met. She treats us like we don’t exist. I don’t need a daughter like that!”

Zhao Qingyun’s heart pounded. He no longer cared about pride. Lowering his voice, he said, “Meihua, we did abandon her before she was even a month old. She has every reason to resent us. But resentment means she still has expectations of us, right? If you treat her better, speak gently, and show sincerity, maybe she’ll come around.”