Once inside the police car, Zhao Xiangwan turned to Zhu Feipeng, who was driving. “I’ll keep track of the time. Drive to Tianranju Hotel, and let’s see how long it takes.”

Understanding her intention, Zhu Feipeng replied cheerfully, “Got it.”

The police car sped forward, and the scenery outside blurred past.

“A truck isn’t as fast as a car,” Zhu Feipeng noted, “but at night, when the roads are empty, I think it could go as fast as we’re moving now.”

In the enclosed space, He Mingyu let out a long sigh. “I never expected the murderer to be him!”

As he drove, Zhu Feipeng pieced the puzzle together. “Pan Guoqing knew in advance that Weng Pingfang and Zhao Qingyun were meeting in Room 2103 of Tianranju Hotel. He asked Qian Zhenye to help him create an alibi. After getting Qian Zhenye drunk, he took his car keys and drove to the hotel at ten.”

He Mingyu frowned. “He drove a truck to the hotel that late at night. Didn’t anyone notice?”

“Let’s check with the nearby residents to see if anyone saw a truck around 11 p.m. on the 11th,” Zhao Xiangwan suggested.

The police car covered the 20-kilometer distance in just over 30 minutes.

Tianranju Hotel faced the main road to the south, and to the west, a mountain wall created a natural parking area. Zhu Feipeng parked, and Zhao Xiangwan looked up at the corridor on the second floor. There was a window at the end of the hallway with a small awning above it.

He Mingyu followed her gaze. “What’s wrong? Do you see something?”

Zhao Xiangwan pointed at the closed window. “He could have climbed in from there.”

Zhu Feipeng’s face darkened. He walked to the west gable of the hotel, jumped, and stretched out his hand. “The first floor is over four meters high. An ordinary person couldn’t reach the awning. Pan Guoqing is short, so it’s even harder for him.”

“What if he used a truck?”

Zhu Feipeng’s eyes lit up. He stepped back and surveyed the area. “If he parked the truck here, he could have easily climbed onto the awning.”

He Mingyu became excited. “Let’s call Captain Xu and get the forensic team to check for footprints or climbing marks.”

Zhu Feipeng grinned. “If we find footprints, that’s irrefutable evidence! I’d like to see how Pan Guoqing talks his way out of this.”

The evidence quickly piled up:

一 The hotel receptionist recalled hearing a vehicle engine around 11 p.m.

一 A resident across the street saw a truck parked on the west side of the hotel.

一 Residual human tissue found under Weng Pingfang’s fingernails matched Pan Guoqing.

一 The forensic team found footprints on the awning.

When all the evidence was laid out, Xu Songling slammed the table. “Apply for an arrest warrant!”

_

Zhao Xiangwan hadn’t expected Pan Guoqing to be so stubborn.

He admitted that he had a bad relationship with Weng Pingfang and that he had discovered her affair with Zhao Qingyun earlier that year. He even admitted to going to Tianranju Hotel. But he refused to confess to murder.

“Officer, I’m a man. How could I be happy knowing my wife was with another man? On the afternoon of the 11th, I followed Pingfang and saw her enter a small shop. I overheard her calling the man and arranging to meet at their ‘usual place.’ It felt like my heart was being clawed at. But I didn’t dare make a fuss—if I did, she’d divorce me. I finally married such a beautiful wife. I couldn’t bear to lose her.

The more I thought about it, the more miserable I felt. I went to Qian Zhenye’s place with food and wine to talk. His wife and kids weren’t home, so it was convenient. We drank until 10 p.m. I was already drunk, floating like I was in the clouds. But then, I couldn’t let it go. I wanted to see what kind of man she was willing to cheat for.

Fueled by alcohol and impulse, I took Qian Zhenye’s truck keys and drove out. The roads were empty, so I drove fast. I got to the hotel before 11 p.m. and waited in the truck. Soon, a taxi came to pick up the guy. Even in the dim light at the hotel entrance, I saw him clearly—he was taller, better looking, and even had a car waiting for him. He must have power and money. What did I have? Only my sincerity.

I didn’t enter through the main entrance to avoid being seen. Instead, I climbed in through the second-floor window. But when I stood at the door of Room 2103, staring at the red carpet in the hallway, I froze. I thought of Pingfang inside, fresh from a meeting with her lover. I wanted to knock, to confront her, but what was the point? Yelling at her? She already looked down on me. Hitting her? I’d never raised a hand against her—I gave her every penny I earned. I couldn’t do it.”

Hearing this, Xu Songling’s face darkened. Damn! This guy is too cunning.

“How did you know they were dating?”

“Pingfang called the store to order a room. She said she didn’t want one facing the street but the one facing Luoxia Mountain. Then she called her lover and told him to go directly to room 2103.”

“Why did you lie about the wound on your neck?”

“Officer, I panicked. I was afraid you’d think I killed Pingfang. How could I dare say she scratched me? I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied to you. I’m sorry! I’m telling the truth now. I promise. After Pingfang made the call, I got more upset. Why could she sleep with him but reject me? I forced myself on her, but she refused. We fought, and she scratched my neck. That’s how I got the wound.”

Xu Songling realized all clues led nowhere.

Just like Zhao Qingyun admitted to dating Weng Pingfang and being with her that night but denied murder, Pan Guoqing only confessed to being at the hotel and arguing with Pingfang but denied killing her.

A wound on the neck? Couples fight; it’s normal. It only proved Weng Pingfang had a dispute with Pan Guoqing before she died.

Went to the hotel and climbed through the window to the second floor? He did drive there drunk and reach the second floor, but he didn’t admit to entering the room. There wasn’t enough evidence to convict him.

Scratch— Zhu Feipeng, who was taking notes, accidentally pressed too hard, making a harsh sound as his pen tore the paper.

Pan Guoqing’s gaze shifted past Xu Songling and Zhu Feipeng, landing on Zhao Xiangwan at the back. His lips curled into a sinister smile.

Officer, I have to thank you for teaching me about the presumption of innocence ^[1]which is legal principle assuming someone is innocent until proven guilty.. If you confess, you spend life in prison. If you resist, you go home for New Year! You have evidence, and I have a story. As long as I don’t admit it, no one can convict me.

Zhao Xiangwan felt uneasy.

His lack of experience and loose talk had given Pan Guoqing an opening. Now, as long as Pan Guoqing stayed silent, even if the case was handed over to the procuratorate ^[2]refers to government office responsible for prosecution., he could still walk free.

What to do?

Both Zhao Qingyun and Pan Guoqing were suspects, but there wasn’t enough evidence.

With her mind-reading ability, Zhao Xiangwan knew Pan Guoqing was the killer, but she had no solid proof. It was infuriating.

She narrowed her eyes, locking onto Pan Guoqing.

He had been smug, but when he met Zhao Xiangwan’s piercing gaze, unease crept in. He quickly hid his smirk and looked down.

This policewoman is different. Her eyes are like hospital X-rays. Even if she sees through me, she can’t make that woman talk. In the middle of the night, who saw me strangle her? Heh.

“Captain Xu.”

He Mingyu knocked on the interrogation room door, looking excited.

Xu Songling nodded, ended the interrogation, and stepped outside.

“What is it?” he asked, face serious. He had hoped to break Pan Guoqing but underestimated his composure.

He Mingyu lowered his voice. “Captain Xu, Liu Liangju found new evidence.”

Xu Songling’s interest piqued. “What?”

“A diary. Weng Pingfang’s diary.”

A diary? That was rare.

Xu Songling’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go see it.”

Zhao Xiangwan recalled Pan Guoqing’s thoughts. Make the dead speak? Now was the perfect time.

As they walked, He Mingyu explained.

Among Weng Pingfang’s belongings, there was a bunch of keys in her bag. One small silver key’s use was unknown at first. The serious crimes team had discussed it but found no answer.