In the interrogation room of the detention center, Wu Ximei remained silent, her head bowed as she stared at the handcuffs around her wrists.
"Wu Ximei, don't try to stall for time," Xiao Zhang rapped his knuckles on the table. "The fact that you're here means we already have evidence. We're giving you a chance for leniency. You're only 32—do you really want to spend the rest of your life in prison?"
Wu Ximei lifted her head, gave him a sidelong glance, then lowered it again, her expression indifferent.
"Are you going to talk, or do we have to make you?"
"If you already know everything, then just sentence me," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Why bother asking if you already know?"
"Watch your attitude—"
The door opened, and Lao Ma walked in, interrupting the questioning.
Wu Ximei tilted her head to look at him, her eyes following as he took a seat. She watched as he whispered to the other two officers, though his gaze kept flickering toward her. A faint unease stirred in her chest, but she clenched her jaw and kept her composure, refusing to show anything.
With a thud, something was tossed onto the table. She resisted the urge to look.
"Wu Ximei, you and Cao Xiaojun went to separate locations that day, didn't you?"
She lowered her head, rubbing the dirt from her right fingertips, and said nothing.
"Cao Tianbao wasn't at the construction site, so you took a gamble. You bet that Cao Xiaojun might succeed in rescuing the child. That's why you kept quiet, resisted passively—to buy him time, isn't that right?"
A twitch at the corner of Wu Ximei's mouth. Lao Ma noticed and knew he'd hit the mark. He raised his voice and continued.
"You know what? Cao Xiaojun is in trouble."
She still didn't look up, but Lao Ma saw it clearly—her fingers trembled slightly.
She was listening.
"Don't believe me?"
With a rustle, he lifted the object he'd thrown onto the table earlier.
"You recognize this, don't you?"
Wu Ximei glanced up, her eyes indifferent at first, but then she froze.
A bloodied keychain.
How could she not recognize it? She had bought this keyring for Xiaojun—a cheap knockoff from the night market, ten yuan for a pair.
She didn't know what this little pink fox was called, only that it was all the rage these days. Young girls in the city hung them from their bags. After all, she was just a woman in her early thirties, and the urge to follow trends was hard to suppress.
Encouraged by the vendor, she had crouched down, sifting through piles of keychains for what felt like ages. Most were shoddy—some with crooked eyes or mouths, some with misaligned prints, others missing an eye. Her legs had gone numb from squatting, her vision blurred from staring, before she finally picked out two that matched, barely managing to make a pair.
People called these "couple sets" nowadays. She had paid happily, thinking that for her and Xiaojun, it should be called a "husband and wife style."
That night, she secretly hung the little fox on his keychain, admiring it over and over. The soft, tiny thing grew more endearing the longer she looked. But as she gazed at it, a wave of unease crept in. Xiaojun was already 34, and he mostly spent time with rough, older men. What if he thought it was childish and refused to carry it?
After dinner, Xiaojun reached into his pocket for a cigarette, fumbling around before pulling out his keys—and seeing it.
She was in the kitchen, her back to him, gripping a bowl tightly under the sound of running water, trying to gauge his reaction.
"What's this?""I bought it for you," she flustered, quickly scrubbing the bowl in her hands with a squeaky sound. "I have one too."
"The same?"
"Mhm, the same."
Cao Xiaojun moved closer, leaning against her, scratching his head. "This little pink dog—"
"What pink dog? It's a fox," Wu Ximei shot him a glare, chiding. "Why does everything you say sound so rustic?"
Cao Xiaojun wasn’t offended. Instead, he blushed and chuckled.
"Fine, I misspoke. Don’t be mad. I’ll say it again." He dangled the keychain. "This fox looks familiar."
"Of course, it’s super popular now. It even has a name." She blinked, thinking hard. "Something like Lingling or whatever. Tsk, I forgot. Always these foreign names—can’t remember them."
"Let’s call it Ximei," Xiaojun grinned, pinching it and holding it up to her. "Look at those big eyes—just like yours."
"Go away, get out of here. Don’t bother me while I’m washing dishes."
She deliberately flicked soapy water at his face but couldn’t help laughing.
"Mine will be called Xiaojun. I’ll have to dirty it up a bit—after all, you’re so dark."
"You always make fun of me—"
He chased her, tickling her sides as she dodged, splashing water back at him. The two of them tussled playfully in the kitchen.
Now, Wu Ximei sat alone on a cold bench, staring blankly at the keychain dangling in midair.
Cao Xiaojun’s "Ximei" was stained with rust-red blotches, its synthetic fur clumped in greasy strands.
"He—"
Wu Ximei fought back tears, her vision blurred by the heavy, fragile film of unshed sorrow.
"Xiaojun, he—"
Lao Ma remained silent.
"And Tianbao—"
"Tianbao has already lost his father. He can’t lose his mother too."
Lao Ma looked at her, his tone steady.
"Wu Ximei, you’re not the main offender. You still have a chance to turn over a new leaf. Think carefully about how you want to act—whether you want to see Tianbao grow up."
The dam in her eyes broke. Wu Ximei held back as long as she could, but finally, she lowered her head.
"I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything."
"What do you want me to say?"
Xu Qingli smiled.
"Unstable scaffolding—that’s common. Clearly the construction team’s fault. How can you blame me?"
He sucked in an exaggerated breath.
"My injuries haven’t even healed properly, and you’re interrogating me like a criminal. Who could stand this?"
"Xu Qingli, don’t change the subject. That bag was hung up by you, wasn’t it? Your fingerprints are all over it."
"Yes, I hung the bag. But is hanging a bag a crime?" He shook his head. "No, right? You can’t execute me for that."
Xiao Chen tensed, but Lao Ma pressed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. He fixed his gaze on Xu Qingli, searching for an opening.
"Why did you send Wu Ximei to the construction site that night?"
"Just joking, can’t I joke?" Xu Qingli chuckled. "Call it a prank. I apologize. Didn’t expect it’d lure your officer into climbing. My bad."
He clasped his hands together, feigning sincerity.
"Really sorry. I deeply regret it. Didn’t mean to cost you a man for nothing."
He narrowed his eyes, smirking slyly.
"But that’s not illegal, is it? He climbed on his own—I didn’t force him. Can’t blame me for that."
Lao Ma felt fury surge to his temples. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and barely managed to suppress it.He knew Xu Qingli was deliberately trying to provoke their emotions, attempting to evade the main issue and divert their attention.
Now fully aware this man was problematic yet unable to find any concrete evidence to hold him accountable, they could only watch helplessly as he openly played the victim, fueling their frustration.
"What about Cao Xiaojun?" He rapped the table. "Why were you at the shipyard with him?"
"Speaking of that makes me even angrier. I was kindly helping him find his son, but that bastard ambushed me from the shadows—"
"You're lying."
Xu Qingli froze.
"What lie? Yes, Cao Xiaojun is dead, but you saw my injuries too. That guy tried to kill me—he made multiple attempts first. Of course I had to defend myself. What's it called again? Right, self-defense."
"Then what about his son?" Xiao Chen raised his voice. "How do you explain Cao Tianbao's death?"
"Oh, I'm truly wronged here. That child fell into the water himself. You know he was always frail. Soaking in freezing water on a winter night—he didn't stand a chance."
"How could he just fall in? Did you push him?"
"No, absolutely not," he protested innocently, waving his hands. "Ask any neighbor—everyone knows how close that child was to me. I genuinely cared for him. Some of his medical treatment money even came from my own savings. Why would I ever push him in? Impossible."
"Then why was he at the shipyard? Did you take him there?"
Xu Qingli stared fixedly at Xiao Chen, silent.
Street surveillance might have captured them together. Complete denial wasn't the best approach. His mind raced, deciding to go with the flow.
"Yes, but not entirely."
"Which is it? Stop playing games and explain properly!"
"I did take him there," Xu Qingli said slowly, "but he asked me to."
Lao Ma and Xiao Chen exchanged glances, startled.
As expected, Xu Qingli continued:
"You probably didn't know—Tianbao and Xiaojun didn't get along. As the boy grew older and understood things, he heard rumors and realized Xiaojun wasn't his real father. That caused tension.
"That night, he ran away from home and happened to meet me. He said he wanted to go to the docks, to sail back to Nanyang to find his biological father. If you don't believe me, check his backpack—he packed everything himself. I never touched it. If I'd wanted to kidnap him, would I have let him pack? Right?
"Naturally, I tried to persuade him first. But the boy was hysterical, and I feared something might happen, so I coaxed him to an abandoned shipyard, telling him a ship would arrive soon. Then, putting aside past grudges, I secretly called Xiaojun and told him where the boy was, asking him to come get him.
"Admittedly, I was angry too, so I deliberately hung a bag at the construction site to scare them. But I never meant harm—just thought if they couldn't find him at the site, they'd come to the shipyard. Once there, they could talk things out properly, resolve their issues. After all, we used to be so close. With calm discussion, I was willing to forgive.""But who would've thought my kindness would be repaid with betrayal? Cao Xiaojun not only showed no gratitude, but even tried to kill me. Poor Tianbao—during our struggle, the child somehow fell into the water. By the time we pulled him out... sigh—"
His eyelids drooped as he kept sighing.
"Stop making up stories!" Xiao Chen slammed the table. "It was you who set everything up! You wanted to kill all three of them!"
"Where's your proof?"
Xu Qingli suddenly wiped the sorrow from his eyes and looked up, glaring sideways at Xiao Chen with malice.
"Accusing me of murder? Do you have any evidence?"
"You—"
No evidence. Lao Ma sighed inwardly.
This case was proving more difficult than expected. His cop instincts told him Xu Qingli was definitely hiding something, but they had no solid proof.
Xu Qingli had clearly planned everything, including this interrogation. He'd rehearsed it all in his mind beforehand, ready to pin everything on Cao Xiaojun and wash his hands clean. Even regarding Meng Chao's death, legally speaking, they couldn't touch him.
The man before them was cunning and vicious, dancing along the edge of the law—just like Ni Xiangdong used to be.
If only Meng Chao were still here. That quick-witted kid would've found a way.
Lao Ma's thoughts wandered until something suddenly struck him.
"How did you know Cao Xiaojun wasn't dead?"
"The notebook. What a coincidence—I happened to find your meeting notes."
Xu Qingli became animated again.
"Comrade officers, didn't your notes analyze everything clearly? It was Cao Xiaojun and Wu Ximei who planned it all. First they killed Ni Xiangdong, then to silence me, they framed me, killed the neighbor, and that security guard in the mountains. Pitiful—all those innocent people dead. That couple is utterly evil—they deserve execution!"
Xu Qingli leaned forward, lifting his face to look at Lao Ma.
"Now you've got your criminals and their confessions. Why aren't you closing the case?"
The knife scar on his right cheek twisted like a sneer.
"The pressure must be getting to you, huh? So many deaths, rumors spreading like wildfire outside, and now you've lost a captain too. If the public finds out you arrested the wrong people, what happens to the police's authority? My advice—stop doubting yourselves. Just deal with Wu Ximei quickly and close the case—"
Before he finished speaking, the door was kicked open as Tong Hao burst in.
"Captain Ma! Why was I excluded from the interrogation? I was at the scene—I know what really happened!"
"Tong Hao—"
"Tong Hao?"
Xu Qingli straightened up, squinting his eyes.
"So you're Tong Hao. Finally meeting you today."
Tong Hao turned to glare at him furiously.
"You've been a huge help. If not for reading your notes, I wouldn't have understood what really happened." He gave a thumbs up. "Such diligent work, such thorough notes—truly a fine officer of the people—"
Tong Hao lunged forward but was restrained by both Xiao Chen and Lao Ma.
"What, want to hit me? Police aren't allowed to use torture—didn't your boss teach you that?"
Xu Qingli dramatically slapped his forehead.
"Oh, my terrible memory! I just remembered—the cop who worked with you is dead. Dead men tell no tales—"
"You bastard, Xu Qingli! I'll fucking kill you!"
Breaking free, Tong Hao punched Xu Qingli square in the nose, drawing blood instantly."I'll fucking kill you! I don't care if I lose my badge—I'll fucking end you—"
"Tong Hao, get out!"
Lao Ma blocked Xu Qingli, shoving Tong Hao with all his might. Tong Hao staggered back a few steps.
"Captain Ma, I—"
"Out! You're off this case!" Lao Ma roared. "Xiao Chen, get him out of here!"
Tong Hao's curses faded into the distance as the chaotic interrogation room fell silent again, leaving only Lao Ma and Xu Qingli.
Lao Ma stood with his back turned, breathing heavily as he tried to calm himself.
Then he heard it—soft, mocking laughter.
Turning around, Lao Ma saw Xu Qingli wiping blood from his face, muttering to himself.
"You've already resorted to violence. Seems you're truly out of options."
A chill ran down Lao Ma's spine as realization struck. Xu Qingli's uncharacteristic provocations had all been deliberate—he'd been testing them, probing to see if they had any real evidence against him.
Tong Hao's outburst had just confirmed their helplessness.
They'd fallen right into his trap.
Sure enough, Xu Qingli had already shifted his posture, leaning back in his chair with smug composure.
"Let me say it again," he smirked, tilting his head. "I'm innocent."
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