Wei Meihua seemed deep in thought.

Zhao Qingyun pressed on: “We need her help, and she has the skills. We must lower ourselves and make friends with her. When we visited leaders before, didn’t we always accommodate, cater, and please them? Just treat her as a superior we want a good relationship with, and it’ll be simple.”

Wei Meihua turned away reluctantly. “I just offended her, and now I have to beg? I’m her biological mother! I can’t do it.”

Zhao Qingyun said urgently, “Meihua, please, for my sake. Zhao Xiangwan is a freshman at the Public Security University and already interning with the serious crime team. That proves she’s truly talented in criminal investigation. We have our own people ready, so why rely on outsiders?”

Wei Meihua still hesitated.

Zhao Qingyun grew anxious. He wanted to pry open her head and shove his thoughts inside.

“I’m in a bad position. I didn’t kill anyone, yet I’m the only suspect. If the police are careless, I could spend my life in prison. If that happens, even if we divorce, you won’t have it easy, and Chengzu will suffer. The only one who can help us is Zhao Xiangwan. You’re her mother. What’s there to fear? Just ask. If she helps, Xu Heimian will take the case seriously.”

Wei Meihua saw his point. She had considered divorce, but they were in the same boat now. She enjoyed a comfortable life as office director of the construction machinery factory and playing mahjong—thanks to Zhao Qingyun’s support. If he fell, so would her lifestyle.

Gritting her teeth, she said, “Fine, I’ll beg her!”

_

Some things are easier said than done.

Although Wei Meihua decided to ask Zhao Xiangwan for help, she felt her face burning. She had just scolded her harshly, and now she had to soften her tone.

When Zhao Qingyun was climbing the ranks, she had accompanied him to give gifts and ask for favors, flattering others with ease. But as he gained power, people came to them with gifts instead. Surrounded by flattery, she had forgotten how to humble herself.

Hesitating, she wandered outside the serious crime unit after leaving the interrogation room.

Inside, Xu Songling and his team were meeting.

“Zhao Qingyun is the most suspicious, but we lack a clear motive. He admitted to a long-term affair with Weng Pingfang and being with her at the hotel on January 11. However, he denies murder.”

“Come on! He definitely killed her. Weng Pingfang was unhappy being a mistress and wanted to be his wife. They argued, and to protect his future, he silenced her.”

“Of course, he won’t admit it. At first, he even denied the affair. If not for DNA testing, he’d still be claiming innocence. Even with waiters identifying them, he was stubborn!”

“Could Weng Pingfang have had a new lover? Maybe she used their relationship to threaten him, leading to a crime of passion.”

To clear his name, Zhao Qingyun needed proof that someone else entered room 2103 at Tianranju Hotel between 10 PM and midnight on January 11. But hotel staff were off duty then, and the night shift receptionists noticed no one entering or leaving.

The team debated until Xu Songling interrupted.

“DNA only proves Zhao Qingyun was the last person with the victim. Hotel staff confirm their long-term affair. We need stronger evidence to prove murder.

We’ll split into two teams. One will find guests in neighboring rooms to ask if they heard anything suspicious. The other will investigate Weng Pingfang’s relationships—her lover, family, and friends. Her lover has an alibi, but we must verify everything. He had a strong motive too.

Our mission is to uncover the truth. Criminal investigation is about facts and evidence. We cannot let any criminal go free!”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiangwan looked at Xu Songling, as if realizing something.

Zhao Qingyun was her father, but that wouldn’t affect her work. If he was guilty, the law would judge him. If he wasn’t, she had to find the real killer and clear his name.

_

The half-closed door creaked as Wei Meihua peeked inside.

Zhu Feipeng stood up, blocking her. “We’re in a meeting. Please leave.”

Wei Meihua forced a stiff smile. “I need to talk to Zhao Xiangwan.”

Zhu Feipeng scoffed. “Why? Didn’t you insult her enough earlier?”

Surrounded by officers in olive-green uniforms, Wei Meihua struggled to spot Zhao Xiangwan. She awkwardly smiled at Zhu Feipeng. “I came to apologize.”

Zhao Xiangwan turned around. Seeing her daughter’s face, Wei Meihua’s eyes lit up. She waved. “Zhao Xiangwan, come out. I need to talk.”

_

[How humiliating for a mother to beg her daughter! I’m miserable. Zhao Qingyun shamelessly kept a lover, and I have to clean up his mess. But for myself and Chengzu, I can’t let him go to jail. I have to beg her. If only I had treated her better before. She’s my daughter, yet I once denied her. Ah…]

_

Hearing Wei Meihua’s plea, Zhao Xiangwan stood up and walked to the door. “What’s the matter?”

Facing her biological daughter again, Wei Meihua felt different. Perhaps it was because Zhao Chenyang proved useless in a crisis, or because she needed Zhao Xiangwan’s help. Now, she saw her daughter’s composed expression and sharp features in a new light. This gave her a sense of confidence after a day of panic.

“Your father… he is not a murderer.”

Zhao Xiangwan replied calmly, “My father is Zhao Erfu.”

Wei Meihua almost choked in frustration. Taking a deep breath, she controlled her temper. “Fine. Zhao Qingyun is not a murderer. He wouldn’t do something that would ruin his future. He was framed! It could have been Pan Guoqing or Ruan Wenlun from the provincial party committee. Please investigate and clear his name.”

“Understood. You can go back now,” Zhao Xiangwan said, not provoking her further. Since Wei Meihua was a suspect’s family member, her words might hold clues for the police.

Pan Guoqing and Ruan Wenlun—these two leads needed to be followed.

Seeing Zhao Xiangwan’s calm attitude for the first time, Wei Meihua felt relieved. “Xiangwan, your father… I mean, Qingyun, said you could intern in the serious crime unit as a freshman. You must be an excellent investigator. We made mistakes in the past, but please don’t hold them against us. We really need your help.”

Zhao Xiangwan smirked slightly. Her biological parents were the most pragmatic people.

When they disdained her, they called her “Zhao Xiangwan.” When they needed her, they softened and called her “Xiangwan.” When she was useless, they abandoned her. When she became valuable, they suddenly acted warm.

Belated affection was worthless.

“The police will find out the truth,” Zhao Xiangwan said indifferently.

Wei Meihua, used to her cold demeanor, still felt reassured. She repeatedly thanked her. “Xiangwan, thank you. Thank you so much.”

This time, her smile was genuine—not just a polite, forced curve of the lips but one that involved her entire face, including the laugh lines around her eyes.

[Good thing I have a daughter who can help. Otherwise, I’d be lost.]

The voice in her mind made Zhao Xiangwan lower her gaze, avoiding Wei Meihua’s smile.

Their biological parents only remembered Zhao Xiangwan when they needed something.

Zhao Xiangwan returned to her seat and spoke to Xu Songling. “Captain Xu, I want to see Zhao Qingyun.”