Chapter 8: Internship

~Are there no female suspects?~

Zhao Chenyang was certain she wasn’t mistaken. She could never mistake Zhao Xiangwan, the person she both envied and hated in her previous life.

Zhao Xiangwan now appeared taller and more beautiful than when they were children. Though her clothes weren’t as glamorous as before, the resilience in her eyes was unmistakable.

The other girls urged, “Stop staring and come on, we need to shop while we can!”

But a wave of unease washed over Zhao Chenyang. She had no time for shopping now. She quickly made an excuse and hurried home.

Upon arriving at the provincial party committee compound, the neat rows of apartment buildings, flower beds brimming with roses, and the lush trees made everything look so peaceful, which helped calm Zhao Chenyang’s anxious heart.

Having lived in the compound for six years, Zhao Chenyang was already used to everything here.

Her father, Zhao Qingyun, was one of the first college students after the college entrance exams resumed in 1977. In 1981, he was assigned to the Zhu County Construction Committee, and his professional skills soon earned him a transfer to the Provincial Party Committee. He rose quickly, eventually becoming Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee.

Her mother, Wei Meihua, worked in the Hunan Machinery Factory Trade Union, thanks to her husband’s connections. After marriage and having children, she focused on family. Due to Zhao Qingyun’s influence, she became the deputy director of the factory office. Although it was a title, the position was mostly honorary, with little real work involved.

Zhao Chenyang’s younger brother, Zhao Chengzu, born in 1982, was in third grade this year. Despite being spoiled and headstrong, Zhao Chenyang tolerated him and tried to keep the peace between them.

Zhao Chenyang cherished her current life. She was no longer living in cramped, rural conditions or attending dilapidated schools. As a city dweller and the daughter of an official, she would never let this life slip away.

Zhao Chenyang had a cold personality and had cut ties with her biological parents when she left home at ten. But now, seeing Zhao Xiangwan in Xing City, she rushed to the phone in the corner of the living room, overwhelmed by guilt and anxiety.

The apartment was usually empty on weekends. The nanny didn’t come back until night, her mother played mahjong with friends, her father was out socializing, and her younger brother visited his grandparents. Zhao Chenyang was alone in the spacious apartment.

She dialed a number she had memorized— the number for the director of the Zhaojiagou Village Committee. In her past life, when she felt homesick, she would call this number and have her mother come to pick her up.

After some hesitation, she heard her mother’s voice, full of excitement. “Fourth sister, is that you? You actually called me…”

Zhao Chenyang cut her off, getting straight to the point. “Where is Zhao Xiangwan now?”

Qian Shufen, her mother, hesitated before replying.

Zhao Chenyang pressed on, “I saw her in Xing City. Why did she come to the city?”

Qian Shufen, sounding guilty, explained, “We didn’t want to send her to junior high after elementary school, but you know how stubborn she was about studying. She made such a fuss. Teachers, the principal, the village leaders, and elders all came to speak to your father. We had no choice but to let her continue.”

“Where is she now? Is she working, or…?”

A glimmer of hope rose in Zhao Chenyang’s heart. Maybe Zhao Xiangwan had graduated from junior high and come to the city to work as a nanny. After all, when Zhao Chenyang saw her tonight, Zhao Xiangwan was with a little girl and an older woman. It made sense that she came to Xing City for a job.

But Qian Shufen’s response shattered her hopes: “She’s studying at a university in Xing City.”

Zhao Chenyang’s voice rose in disbelief. “How is that possible? I only went to a junior college, but she got into university?”

In her past life, Zhao Xiangwan had been admitted to Kyoto University, the best university in the country. After graduation, she married into a wealthy family arranged by her parents, leading a life of wealth and happiness. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenyang dropped out of school, worked at a young age, and returned to her hometown at twenty to marry and have children. The contrast between the two sisters was evident when they stood side by side.

After Zhao Xiangwan was taken back to the city by Zhao Qingyun, she never forgot the kindness of her adoptive parents. During the holidays, she returned to visit them and care for her younger siblings. Everyone in the village praised her for her kindness, but her half-sister Zhao Chenyang, full of resentment, believed she was showing off.

Zhao Chenyang, who was reborn at the age of six, decided to make things right. She took advantage of her sister’s identity to make her work harder and prevent her from studying, secretly enjoying seeing her struggle and cry. When Zhao Qingyun came to search for her, Zhao Chenyang manipulated their parents to switch roles.

Seizing Zhao Xiangwan’s resources, Zhao Chenyang successfully moved to the city and attended prestigious schools. She believed that, with her new opportunity,she would surpass her. However, despite her efforts, she lacked the talent to excel academically. She failed the college entrance examination and entered the Hunan School of Finance and Economics, a sponsored student through her connections.

Zhao Chenyang was convinced that she was superior to Zhao Xiangwan, but she managed to get admitted to university based solely on her abilities. This made her bitter and filled her with rage. She vented her anger at her mother, whom she hadn’t spoken to in eight years: “Why didn’t you stop her? You knew I was in Xing City, but you still let her go there! Are you trying to let her discover the truth?”

Qian Shufen, her mother, was upset. “You left without a word for eight years, and now you blame me? Zhao Xiangwan has always worked hard. She did well in school, even when she was younger, ranking first in the county in high school and later being admitted to Public Security University. What could I do?”

Zhao Chenyang was taken aback. How had Zhao Xiangwan, despite all her hardships, managed to find success? Growing up in a rural, male-dominated society, she had no resources, yet she overcame all obstacles.

Zhao Chenyang’s mother repeatedly tried to reach her, but she hung up the phone, deep in thought.

A few days later, Xu Songling handed Zhao Xiangwan Zhao Chenyang’s household registration information.

“Zhao Chenyang shares the same birthday as you,” Xu Songling said.

Zhao Xiangwan nodded. “Before I turned ten, I always thought we were twins, but later I realized we weren’t.”

Xu Songling, confused, asked, “Zhao Chenyang’s father, Zhao Qingyun, is a provincial party leader. Why did he send his child to the countryside?”

Zhao Xiangwan looked up, her eyes calm and deep. Xu Songling, sensing her quiet strength, noticed something beyond her years.

Zhou Qiaoxiu, concerned for Zhao Xiangwan, advised, “If you seek out Zhao Chenyang after all these years, will she even recognize you? People can be heartless.”

Zhou Qiaoxiu had a bad impression of Zhao Chenyang, especially after the situation with Meimei, a girl from the village.

However, Zhao Xiangwan was certain Zhao Chenyang would recognize her. “She won’t forget me. She knows exactly who I am.”

The Public Security University had strict procedures, and students had to apply for permission to leave. Zhao Xiangwan was granted leave on Sunday, December 15.

She left her dormitory that crisp autumn morning, wearing a green sweater, a red jacket, and pigtails.

A police car stopped next to her.

Xu Songling, in uniform, called out from the co-pilot’s seat. “Get in, I need your help!”

Zhao Xiangwan hesitated but climbed into the car.

As she sat down, Xu Songling asked, “Do you remember the secret mission we discussed last time?”

Zhao Xiangwan: “Two headless female corpses?”

“Yes. After nearly a month of investigation, we have confirmed the identity of the deceased, but the suspect is still being investigated. The higher-ups have issued a death order for the report tomorrow, Monday. We must make a breakthrough, and we have no choice but to ask for your help. You have an ability to tell whether someone is lying by observing facial expressions and actions. Why not come with us, listen to the interrogation, and help find evidence?”

Xu Songling recognized Zhao Xiangwan’s ability, but others in the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Municipal Public Security Bureau disagreed. He had proposed including Zhao Xiangwan earlier in the investigation, but his colleagues rejected it. What could a freshman from the Public Security University, who hadn’t even studied many professional courses, contribute?

They waited until now because they were desperate. Tomorrow, Director Peng, in charge of criminal investigation cases, along with the provincial criminal investigation team, would be attending the report. They had to try everything, so they came to Zhao Xiangwan early in the morning.

Zhao Xiangwan looked at Xu Songling. The sudden pressure gave her a sense of mission. She nodded and said calmly, “I will try.”

The driver, a young man in his twenties, had a serious face and drooping corners of his mouth. He looked unconvinced.

[How old is this girl? She’s a teenager! What’s wrong with Captain Xu? I don’t believe she can get anything out of them.]

[Let’s see. Wang Qiankun is cunning, and Wu Shengli is stubborn. These two are difficult to deal with.]

Hearing the young policeman’s thoughts, Zhao Xiangwan smiled faintly, lowering her head and saying nothing.

Xu Songling introduced his colleagues: “This is Xiao Zhu from our serious case team, Zhu Feipeng.” Then he introduced Zhao Xiangwan, sitting in the back: “Xiao Zhu, this is Zhao Xiangwan, your junior sister from the Criminal Investigation Department of Public Security University.”

Zhu Feipeng placed his hands on the steering wheel and turned his head to smile at Zhao Xiangwan. “Hello, Junior Sister.”

Zhao Xiangwan didn’t smile, her sharp eyes scanning his face. She nodded. “Hello, Senior Brother Zhu.”

Zhu Feipeng’s heartbeat quickened. He felt like she could see through him. Thinking of Captain Xu’s boasting about her ability to read minds, he fell silent, no longer criticizing her.

The police car sped along without its siren. The scenery outside rushed by, and the sound of tires on the ground filled the air.

Thinking of the case that had troubled the serious crime squad for over a month, Xu Songling’s expression grew serious.

“Two headless female bodies were found on a wild mountain in the northern suburbs of the city on November 4. They were between 20 and 22 years old, neatly dressed, with no signs of being violated. The time of death was estimated to be a month ago, and their heads were missing.”

The young women were murdered brutally—beheaded and left in the wilderness, with no clear reason for the deaths. What kind of grudge could have led to such violence?

“The serious case team spent a lot of manpower investigating, looking through missing persons reports in the city. Eventually, they identified the victims: Wei Lili, an announcer at Hunan Towel Factory Radio Station, and Gu Xiaoling, a junior student at Hunan Finance and Trade School. They didn’t know each other well, but they shared a hobby—karaoke.”

They investigated several karaoke halls the two visited, identifying two suspects:

—1. Wang Qiankun, owner of the Yanyang Karaoke Hall near the Finance and Trade School. Wang had a wife but pursued both Wei Lili and Gu Xiaoling.

—2. Wu Shengli, a regular at the karaoke hall, who looked like a foreigner due to his curly hair, white skin, and blue eyes. He went by the name “David” and had close relationships with both women.

After explaining the case, Xu Songling shook his head. “We don’t have direct evidence to connect these two suspects to the murders. Today, we’ll bring them in for questioning again. You can listen in and think of it as an early internship.”

Zhao Xiangwan, eager to solve a major case for the first time, asked, “Are there no female suspects?”

Zhu Feipeng interjected, “The neck incision is smooth and flat. It’s clear the attacker was very strong. How could a woman do that?”

Zhao Xiangwan didn’t respond to Zhu Feipeng’s comment and turned her gaze to the window.