Chapter 23: The Mysterious Family Massacre (7)

Meng Siqi had never given much thought to Jiang Sheng’s personal affairs. She had simply completed her task and was preparing to return to report her finding to the team. However, if what Lu He said was true, she sincerely hoped his investigation would go smoothly and that justice would be served.

Jiang Sheng’s expression darkened, and he raised his voice. “You must be mistaken. How can you believe such baseless rumors? This is a serious insult to our company. Do you have any idea how much damage false accusations like these can cause? I could sue you for defamation!”

Lu He remained unfazed, his tone firm. “Jiang Sheng, this is a routine investigation. Please cooperate.”

Jiang Sheng, visibly agitated, shook his head and cast a fleeting glance at Meng Siqi before lifting his chin toward Lu He. “Fine, fine, investigate all you want. But before that, can I at least escort this lady outside?”

Lu He’s gaze shifted to Meng Siqi. The entire First Unit also turned their attention to her, making her feel slightly uncomfortable. She had no intention of being the center of attention at this moment.

“Go ahead,” Lu He said.

The officers stepped aside to clear a path. As Meng Siqi moved toward the exit, she suddenly felt a hand gently grasp her arm. Jiang Sheng’s voice was soft and warm. “Siqi, let’s go.”

This action instantly triggered her discomfort. She stepped forward briskly, breaking free from his touch.

A cool breeze greeted her as she stepped outside. Just as she reached the first step, Jiang Sheng followed closely behind, his voice still gentle. “Siqi, my apologies. I had planned to give you a ride back.”

She let out a cold chuckle. “That won’t be necessary. Please cooperate honestly with the police investigation.”

Jiang Sheng’s expression stiffened slightly. He could sense the underlying sarcasm in her words.

“Siqi, wait a moment.” Jiang Sheng took half a step forward, lowering his voice as he leaned closer to her ear. “Don’t misunderstand. Our company operates multiple hotels, and it’s inevitable that unsavory individuals may slip through. But that doesn’t mean our business is involved in such activities. At the very least, I, Jiang Sheng, have a clear conscience.”

What was she supposed to say to that? She had no interest in Jiang Sheng’s personal affairs. However, at that moment, she clearly overheard the First Unit officers whispering among themselves.

“Isn’t that the rookie from the Second Unit?”

“Yeah, I think so. Her name is Meng Siqi.”

“Why is she hanging around with this guy?”

“I heard her family is quite wealthy too.”

“Shut up!” Lu He’s cold reprimand silenced them instantly.

Meanwhile, Jiang Sheng continued speaking softly beside her. “Siqi, your family’s Shangyin Mall is struggling right now. I could consider making an investment…”

Meng Siqi replied with a firm “Goodbye” and quickly descended the steps, leaving Jiang Sheng standing there, watching her retreating figure with disappointment.

As she waited for a taxi by the roadside, an inexplicable emptiness settled in her heart. She wasn’t sure why.

She knew that Meng Tingzhe had been looking for investors to save their struggling family business, even trying to arrange potential suitors for her as part of business deals. She had seen through these schemes long ago, which was why she had zero interest in the blind dates her family set up. In fact, she found them repulsive.

But her sense of emptiness wasn’t because of that. It was because of the way Lu He and the other officers had looked at her. They probably thought she had some special connection with Jiang Sheng.

Just then, a police car suddenly pulled up in front of her, interrupting her thoughts. The window rolled down, revealing Zhao Leiting’s familiar grin. “Hey, you really work fast. Did you get it done?”

“Well, your car is fixed.”

As she got into the passenger seat, she felt significantly more at ease. She shared the information she had gathered, and Zhao Leiting sighed. “So now, the only missing piece is capturing You Shenghua. Don’t worry. Captain Han has already set up surveillance. He won’t get away. It’s just a matter of finding where he’s hiding.”

On the way back, Zhao Leiting reminded her, “Today’s situation was my fault, but next time, don’t conduct an inquiry alone. I’m worried the statement might not hold up.”

Meng Siqi instantly understood. It wasn’t just about the validity of the record—it was also against proper protocol. She had acted too hastily today without considering all the factors.

Over the next few days, the entire police department was focused on the manhunt for You Shenghua. In addition to the Second Unit, several additional investigators were deployed for a city-wide search.

Confirmed reports indicated that You Shenghua had not yet left the city. However, since they couldn’t completely rule out the possibility of him fleeing, the department had also contacted authorities in neighboring cities. County police stations and surrounding precincts were assisting in the investigation as well.

Even members from Lu He’s First Unit were reassigned to support the effort. Meng Siqi realized that when it came to solving a case, there was no distinction between the First and Second Units.

Everyone was fully immersed in the intense investigation. Even Meng Siqi, who usually carried a lighthearted demeanor, was feeling the pressure. She hadn’t smiled as much these past few days.

That afternoon, upon returning to the station, she noticed a photo on her desk. It was framed in an elegant, old-fashioned wooden frame.

The person in the photo is her, with long black hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a blue denim jacket over a white blouse. Her delicate features exuded a subtle elegance.

The photograph captured her sitting by the window, her expression serious yet exuding an intellectual and elegant smile. The angle was just right, with the sunlight streaming in from outside, casting a soft halo around her flowing hair.

She immediately remembered the moment—it was taken by Zhao Leiting during her undercover interview with Teng Fei, when she had posed as a journalist.

A smile appeared on her face. The unease, anxiety, and tension she had been feeling seemed to dissipate like a passing breeze. Sometimes, all a person needs is a small emotional comfort to feel better.

As she lifted her head, she saw Zhao Leiting entering the office. The two of them had returned temporarily to retrieve some belongings, so she had not expected such a pleasant surprise. Grateful, she immediately said, “Thank you, Leiting.”

“No need to be so formal. I’ve been meaning to get this developed for you, but I just never found the time. So, do you like it?” Zhao Leiting asked as he walked over and stood beside her, looking at the framed photo together.

“Your photography skills are impressive. I underestimated you before!” Meng Siqi praised him enthusiastically.

Zhao Leiting scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. “I just worried you wouldn’t like it. I carefully picked this one from many shots.”

Her heart warmed at his words, but she pretended to be a professional critic and pointed at the image. “Look at this spot. The light makes my ear almost disappear.”

Zhao Leiting became serious. “You don’t understand, do you? That’s photography technique. I intentionally used the sunlight to create a beautiful light effect on you.”

Meng Siqi, of course, understood the artistic effect. She simply smiled and said nothing.

At that moment, a deep voice came from behind them. “Nice photography skills, and the subject is quite intellectual and graceful.”

The two of them turned around almost simultaneously. Meng Siqi was momentarily stunned.

Standing before them was a man with a kind yet authoritative face—none other than Director Liu.

Meng Siqi knew who he was, but she had never spoken to him directly. For a moment, she was at a loss for how to react.

Zhao Leiting also seemed caught off guard. With an awkward expression, he quickly said, “Director Liu, we were just discussing the photo…”

Director Liu smiled warmly. “Having a hobby is a good thing. By the way, where is Captain Han?”

“Captain Han is currently out on a search operation. Siqi and I just came back to grab something,” Zhao Leiting explained.

“I see. The work has been tough lately. Remember to balance work and rest,” Director Liu advised like a caring father.

Meng Siqi nodded with a smile and took the opportunity to observe him up close. He was around fifty years old, not very tall but solidly built. His hair had strands of gray, his face had a few small pockmarks, and his skin was not the best. However, he exuded a warm and approachable presence, mixed with an unspoken authority that commanded respect.

Director Liu then turned to her. “Xiao Meng?”

“Yes, Director Liu,” she responded seriously with a nod.

“Being a female detective is not easy. Keep up the good work!”

At that moment, Meng Siqi felt a surge of emotion. She never expected Director Liu to say such words to her specifically.

“Understood. Thank you, Director Liu,” she replied sincerely.

“Alright, carry on with your work. I’ll get going.” Director Liu maintained his kind smile as he turned and walked toward the door, his strides steady and energetic, showing no sign of his age.

As he walked away, both Meng Siqi and Zhao Leiting exchanged looks and shared a relieved smile, as if they had just narrowly escaped something.

Zhao Leiting chuckled, “Director Liu is actually really capable. I’ll tell you more about him when I get the chance.”

Meng Siqi thought to herself, Of course, he’s capable. Otherwise, how could he manage to keep both Lu He and Han Changling—two strong-willed leaders—under control?

After leaving the station, they quickly regrouped with Feng Shaomin and rejoined the intense investigation efforts.

Fortunately, there was finally some progress. A witness reported sightings of You Shenghua at different locations, including purchasing cigarettes and instant noodles.

Then, a lawyer from a local law firm provided the latest lead. He stated that a man in his thirties, who closely resembled You Shenghua, had visited his office the previous afternoon to seek legal advice. The man had inquired about inheritance laws, specifically asking whether a younger brother could inherit an entire estate if his elder sister’s family was deceased.

At noon that day, while Meng Siqi, Zhao Leiting, and Feng Shaomin were out on an investigation, their radio crackled with Han Changlin’s voice. “This is Han Changlin. We have located the suspect at a small motel in Sunshine Community…”

Feng Shaomin immediately responded, confirming their arrival at the rendezvous point. Zhao Leiting started the patrol car and switched on the siren.

The piercing sound of the siren sent a wave of tension through Meng Siqi. This was her first time participating in an actual arrest operation. Though inexperienced, she was filled with anticipation.

To a suspect, the siren was a warning. To bystanders, it was a signal of caution. But to police officers, it represented a sense of duty and the eagerness to bring criminals to justice.

The patrol car sped toward Sunshine Community. Upon arrival, five police vehicles were already gathered at the side entrance. Han Changlin stepped out quickly, his hand firmly gripping his gun. Tang Xiaochuan was also heavily armed and ready for action.

For the first time, Meng Siqi found herself in the midst of such a high-intensity operation. Her heart pounded, and when she tried to put on her bulletproof vest inside the car, her fingers trembled slightly.

Feng Shaomin moved swiftly, getting out of the car first.

Since Meng Siqi was still unfamiliar with the equipment, Zhao Leiting waited for her, noticing that she had not fastened her bulletproof vest properly. He quickly pointed it out before they exited the vehicle together.

Near one of the patrol cars, seven or eight detectives had already gathered around Han Changlin, forming a tight formation. Among them, Meng Siqi spotted Luo Xiaoguo from the First Unit.

Han Changlin’s expression was serious as he issued a firm order. “Listen up. Safety comes first. No one is to act without my command.”

“Understood!” The team responded in unison.

Feng Shaomin then turned to Meng Siqi. “Xiao Meng, stay at the entrance and assist with crowd control.”

“What?” Meng Siqi was momentarily stunned. She had already put on the bulletproof vest, yet she was being assigned to a minor task.

However, no one spoke up for her. At this critical moment, all attention was focused on the arrest.

Watching as Han Changlin led his team through the side entrance, Meng Siqi felt a slight sense of disappointment. But she quickly shook it off and rushed to the entrance to assist the officers in dispersing the growing crowd of onlookers.

About twenty minutes later, someone shouted, “We got him! We got him!”

She turned around and saw a man of medium build with disheveled hair being escorted toward the entrance by Tang Xiaochuan and Zhao Leiting.

It seemed the operation had gone smoothly.

That afternoon, Meng Siqi followed Han Changlin and Tang Xiaochuan into the interrogation room with her notebook, taking a seat to record the proceedings.

You Shenghua appeared to be in his thirties but looked older than his age. His tanned face was lined with a few deep creases, and his expression carried a hint of menace.

Even with handcuffs on, he remained restless in the interrogation room. His arms trembled slightly, his complexion was ashen, and he kept biting his lips, as if unwilling to accept his fate.

After verifying his basic information, Tang Xiaochuan sternly declared, “Suspect You Shenghua, the evidence against you is conclusive. Recall the entire process of murdering Zhu Gongyou, You Meihua, and Zhu Xinting. Everything you say will be used as evidence in court!”

The atmosphere in the interrogation room grew tense. Sweat began to bead on You Shenghua’s forehead. His lips turned pale, and after a brief hesitation, he stammered, “I… I didn’t kill anyone!”

Bang! 

Han Changlin slammed his palm on the table. “Still trying to deny it? We found the murder weapon in your home!”

“I—I really didn’t kill anyone!” You Shenghua continued to argue.

“Fine, let’s see how long you can keep this up!” Han Changlin clenched his jaw.

Tang Xiaochuan proceeded methodically, “You Shenghua, before Xiangjiang Hotel was developed, you and the deceased, You Meihua—your sister—jointly owned a shop in the old pedestrian street. About a year ago, the shop was demolished for redevelopment. The developer, Longcheng Enterprise, compensated you with a total of sixty thousand yuan. However, You Meihua took forty thousand, leaving you with only twenty thousand.”

“Because of this uneven split, you and You Meihua fought in the developer’s office and later repeatedly caused trouble at Longcheng Enterprises. To settle the matter, You Meihua claimed she needed extra money to support your elderly mother and took an additional twenty thousand yuan.”

“But after your mother was brought to the city by You Meihua, she passed away in less than a month…”

By this point, You Shenghua’s eyes had reddened, and his fingers trembled slightly.

Tang Xiaochuan continued, “You blamed your sister for your mother’s death and for keeping that extra twenty thousand yuan. Over the past year, you demanded the money back multiple times, but she never returned it. Three weeks ago, in your village, you borrowed a fruit knife from your friend, Gao Zhenguo. After arriving in the city, you checked into Daxing Hotel and repeatedly contacted You Meihua. On October 16th in the afternoon, you had a heated argument with her.”

“That night, around 8 PM, you arrived at You Meihua’s home as planned. But once again, she refused to pay you back. That was when your anger boiled over, and you unleashed all the resentment you had been harboring for two years!”

As Tang Xiaochuan spoke, You Shenghua’s lips trembled uncontrollably, making a faint clicking sound. His bloodshot eyes widened, his emotions spiraled out of control, and suddenly, he collapsed onto the table, sobbing.

His unexpected reaction startled everyone in the room. The sound of a grown man’s weeping filled the interrogation room, creating an eerie atmosphere.

After a moment, Meng Siqi hesitated before asking, “Captain Han, should I get him a glass of water?”

Han Changlin nodded.

After placing a cup of warm water on the table, You Shenghua continued to sob uncontrollably. Han Changlin rapped the table with his knuckles, causing a few drops of water to spill. “You Shenghua, stop putting on an act! You can’t escape the law!”

Finally, You Shenghua lifted his head. His once-sturdy face was now streaked with tears. Yet, he clung desperately to his claim. “I didn’t kill anyone! I didn’t!”

Han Changlin’s voice turned sharp. “Then tell me, where were you on the night of the 16th?”

Wiping his nose and tears, You Shenghua hesitated before speaking, “I… I really thought about using the knife to scare her. But I hesitated. I couldn’t do it. That night, I took the knife, wandered around her neighborhood for a bit, and then left… To be honest, deep down, I was still afraid of her.”

“The next day, when I heard about Meihua’s death, I panicked. I hid because I was afraid of being suspected. But I didn’t kill anyone! Comrades, I swear, I didn’t! I’m scared to even kill a chicken!”

Tang Xiaochuan asked, “Then why did you go to a law firm to inquire about inheriting your sister’s family’s assets after their deaths?”

“I…” You Shenghua hesitated before muttering, “I just thought… she had no other close relatives, and they had so much money… Someone had to inherit it, right?”

Despite the interrogation, they had yet to find a decisive breakthrough. Han Changlin fell silent, waiting for the forensic team’s analysis of the murder weapon. If traces of blood were found on the knife, it would almost certainly confirm You Shenghua’s guilt.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door. Han Changlin’s expression sharpened as he gestured for Tang Xiaochuan to continue the interrogation. He stepped outside and closed the door behind him. The visitor was forensic analyst Wang Wei.

Wang Wei placed a sealed evidence bag and a forensic report in front of Han Changlin. “Captain Han, there is no blood detected on the fruit knife.”