Chapter 18
Truth
Say, what were you doing on the evening of May 14th?
Didnt I already tell you? I was working from home.
It had been over two hours since they brought him in. A new set of people took turns asking questions, employing one of the interrogation techniques. Under the high tension, as long as he lied, they would repeatedly inquire about the details, and flaws would eventually surface.
Sun Xiangmings mouth felt dry from talking, he licked his lips, but no one offered him water.
Officer, may I ask why you suspect me? During a brief pause, he took the initiative to speak, still maintaining an honest and sincere appearance.
The criminal investigation personnel sitting across from him exchanged a glance. No comment. Dont change the subject.
Yes, I admit that Xiaoxue and I sometimes argue. But isnt it normal for couples to argue about trivial matters like child education while living together?
Officer, are you trying to say youve never argued with your spouse at home?
This question left Zhang Jinhai momentarily speechless. He lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, while the investigator beside him slammed her pen down. Tell the truth! Do you really have to wait until we find evidence through a search before you give up? Let me tell you, this wont reduce your sentence. If anything, the court will hand down a stricter punishment! A lifetime behind bars would be the lighter sentence!
Song Yuhang was monitoring from outside, frowning deeply. She knocked on the door, signaling for the two of them to switch out.
Zhang Jinhai came out, his expression not looking very good. Team Leader Song, were you a bit impulsive this time? According to regulations, we can only detain him for 24 hours. If we dont have solid evidence pointing to him as the murderer within that time frame, well have to release him.
Implied within his words was the concern that if news spread about the cycle of arresting and releasing, the reputation of the citys police department would be tarnished.
Director Feng also arrived, sitting to the side and stirring the foam in his teacup. His brow furrowed deeply.
To establish guilt and decide the sentence, in a case like this without any eyewitnesses, both testimony and evidence were crucial.
Song Yuhang looked at him and spoke, addressing Director Feng: Within 24 hours, I will obtain a confession of his culpability for the murder. As for evidence, I trust Forensic Doctor Lin.
Fang Xin sprayed luminol reagent onto the coffee table. In order to observe any latent blood reactions, the room remained unlit, casting a dim light that left everyones faces faintly discernible.
However, what was disheartening was that they had nearly combed through the entire living room without finding any valuable fingerprints or traces of blood.
Lin Yan, using a flashlight, headed towards the bedroom. Continue searching.
Less than 18 hours remained until the 24-hour deadline.
Song Yuhang entered the interrogation room and sat down across from him, holding a notebook.
Sun Xiangming lowered his head and yawned, clearly becoming weary of the questioning. Without even looking up, he began to speak, I really didnt commit the murder
Although he said this with sleepy eyes, his expression was calm and open, devoid of any unnecessary movements.
Song Yuhang pushed a glass of water towards him. Dont be nervous, Im here just to have a conversation with you.
Sun Xiangming glanced at the glass, licked his lips, but didnt make a move to drink.
Song Yuhang leaned back in her chair, adopting a relaxed posture. Go ahead and drink. Theres nothing to worry about. We live in a society governed by the rule of law. We wont mistreat a suspect.
Sun Xiangming took the glass slowly, sipping a couple of times and then downing the rest in one go.
Song Yuhang gestured for someone to refill it.
Sun Xiangming wiped his lips and put the glass down. I really didnt kill her
Song Yuhang relaxed even further in her seat, legs naturally apart, her commanding eyebrows relaxing. The intense aura around her dissipated, making her appear more approachable.
We wont talk about that today. Lets discuss how you got to know her.
A click The bedroom light switched on. The childs bed was placed by the side of the bed, taking up a large portion of the pathway. Lin Yan carefully squeezed through.
The room wasnt spacious; it was packed to the brim. Despite the child being three years old, she still slept with her parents. How do the couple manage their intimate life?
Lin Yan lifted the covers, a strong odor of childs body emanating and filling her nostrils. She reached out to touch, the bedding damp and cold; it seemed like the child had wet the bed a while ago.
With the summers quick drying, she wondered how long it took for it to become like this.
She wrinkled her nose in disgust, adjusted the covers, and then proceeded to search the adults bed, sequentially lifting the covers and pillows to collect hairs. However, she still didnt find any valuable clues.
Meanwhile, Song Yuhangs conversation had also reached an impasse.
He wasnt refusing to say anything at all. Sun Xiangming was quite intelligent, much more cunning than he appeared on the surface. He understood that saying too much in front of the police could lead to mistakes. So, whenever Song Yuhang asked a question, he responded, not resisting but also not being overly cooperative.
We got to know each other through a blind date.
I heard from Ding Xues mother that you were very fond of her at that time and pursued her for a long time.
When there were no questions, he maintained silence.
Song Yuhang wasnt in a hurry either. She took a sip of tea and refilled her cup. Do you know Ge Jun? Hes the principal of their school.
Sun Xiangming raised an eyebrow slightly. I know, heard he got arrested too.
Yes, he harassed your wife, and hes got a history of bad behavior. Hes getting what he deserves.
She saw a subtle curl of his lip, quickly returning to a calm demeanor.
That smile could be interpreted as happiness, but it was more strongly tinged with a sense of irony.
The person who had been harassing your wife for a long time finally faced justice. Arent you happy?
Sun Xiangming didnt say anything, his jaw tense. He noticed Song Yuhang scrutinizing him, and then he spoke, Happy, of course Im happy.
Song Yuhang shook her head. Youre not happy because the real person who had been harassing her isnt Ge Jun.
Sun Xiangmings hands under the table clenched together. He was struggling, he was contemplating, yet his outward appearance still seemed composed and calm, without a trace of vulnerability.
Such a person is difficult to deal with.
If it were anyone else facing experienced detectives, even enduring a single round of questioning would be considered impressive, let alone going through repeated interrogations.
Of course, there are exceptionsthose who dont lie. No matter how much you ask, the outcome remains the same for such individuals.
However, all signs indicated that Sun Xiangmings relationship with his wife had deteriorated, making him the most likely person to have killed Ding Xue.
He had been unwilling to admit it, leaving the question of whether there were hidden circumstances or if he genuinely hadnt committed the murder.
This doubt remained in her heart throughout.
The cause of Ding Xues death was drowning, but the exact time and place of her drowning remained a mystery.
Ill personally search the bathroom, Lin Yan took the luminol reagent from Fang Xins hand and opened the curtain before stepping inside.
Floor tiles, sink, bathtub Any corner that could be thought of was meticulously examined, not a single detail overlooked.
Lin Yan crouched on the floor, turned off the light, and used a flashlight to illuminate the crevices beneath the bathtub. Still, she found nothing, as if it had been thoroughly cleaned.
Feeling a bit disheartened, she received a phone call from Song Yuhang at that moment.
Time was pressing, and neither of them wasted words. Song Yuhang got straight to the point as she opened the door, Hows the situation?
Lin Yan held the phone between her shoulder and chin, her hands not stopping, We havent found any valuable clues.
There was a brief pause on the other end, and Lin Yan could hear the pitter-patter of rain. She must not be in the interrogation room, which meant there was still no progress on that end. If they couldnt obtain crucial evidence here, they would have to release the suspect in 24 hours, which was unacceptable to both of them.
Clearing her throat, Lin Yan was about to speak.
Her slightly hoarse voice came through, Its okay, do your best.
Oh, Team Leader Song, youre switching gears today? I wouldnt be too surprised by that, Lin Yan remarked, using her hand to feel the inside of the bathtub.
Outside the interrogation room, Song Yuhang stood facing the floor-to-ceiling window, watching raindrops trace lines on the glass, a cigarette held between her fingers.
She rarely smoked, unless it was absolutely necessary to calm herself down and think.
Those moments were few and far between.
Actually, theres something I find curious. Sun Xiangming doesnt deny that his relationship with his wife deteriorated, but he consistently denies the fact that he committed the murder. Its not so much a denial as he seems to genuinely believe he didnt kill her.
Lin Yans hand twitched, and a vague memory flitted through her mind, but it was fleeting, and she couldnt grasp onto anything.
Song Yuhang was about to hang up the phone; the cigarette was almost burning her fingers. She extinguished it in the ashtray.
On the other end, it seemed like Lin Yan sensed something and stood up. Wait, even though we havent found direct evidence pointing to him as the murderer, weve made some discoveries. See if you can use this to get him to talk.
What do you mean?
Ive noticed that Sun Xiangming might have tendencies towards child abuse.
She said if she doesnt want a second child, she wont have one!
Its been years since she got married, and she cant even give birth to a son, like a hen that cant lay eggs!
Good riddance, at least she died cleanly!
Those few sentences from Sun Xiangmings mother during the night at the funeral parlor suddenly flashed into her mind. Song Yuhang abruptly turned around and walked briskly towards the interrogation room.
Alright, I understand.
The busy criminal investigation team had been working for most of the night without eating or drinking. However, Sun Xiangming had already eaten. He held a cup of soy milk and there were two steamed buns in a plastic bag in front of him.
He took a bite of the steamed bun and swallowed it. When someone entered, he extended his arm and offered her the remaining buns. Officer Song, havent eaten yet? How about two?
Song Yuhang sat down across from him. No need, are you full? If youre not full, we can get you two more.
Sun Xiangming quickly finished off the remaining two buns, and gulped down the cup of soy milk. He instantly felt more energized and much more comfortable.
He let out a satisfied burp and looked up at the clock hanging on the wall. Ive eaten, when can I have some rest?
No rush, its still early. I have some questions Id like to ask you, Mr. Sun, Song Yuhang straightened her back, shifting from her previously relaxed posture to a more rigid one. Her expression turned slightly cold and serious.
Ding Xue had an affair.
She stated it as a fact. Sun Xiangmings pupils contracted, but he remained silent.
The reason you didnt want to tell us who that person was is because you didnt know, right?
Let me guess. Hes wealthier than you, more considerate than you, smarter than you, better at making girls happy than you, and, most importantly, you couldnt match up to him in bed.
Has Ding Xue refused to let you touch her for a long time, since you had the child?
Her voice was hushed, amidst the howling wind and rain outside, it carried a certain air of mystery.
As her voice trailed off, Sun Xiangmings lips pressed into a straight line.
I guess when you first got married, you really liked Ding Xue. But influenced by your mother, as time went on, you felt that Ding Xue was perfect in every way except for not being able to bear a child. After finally having a child, it turned out to be a girl. You wanted her to have a second child, but she disagreed, right?
I dont know what youre talking about, Sun Xiangming countered her with more intensity than before. Yes, I admit, I do have some preference for boys. But I truly didnt kill her. If you dont believe me, investigate. She was perfectly fine when she left home.
Song Yuhang smiled faintly, You finally admitted it.
Sun Xiangming was taken aback, You
She relaxed back into her chair, The problem is, on that night when she left your house in a panic, I couldnt understand what she was afraid of. It turns out she was afraid of you.
You didnt directly kill her, you did it indirectly! She pulled a cigarette from the box on the table, lit it up, and as the smoke curled around her, she saw Sun Xiangmings expression change.
Unlike Lin Yans seductive smoking style, when Song Yuhang smoked, her entire presence became stronger and more confident, emanating a powerful psychological intimidation. It seemed like nothing could escape her scrutiny.
Let me guess, on that night, you wanted to have sex with her, but she refused, saying she had an appointment later. You had a heated argument in front of the child, and it escalated into a loud fight. The child was crying throughout, and in a fit of anger, you couldnt control yourself and slapped her.
Ding Xue questioned why you were taking your frustration out on the child, saying you were useless and a failure. You couldnt earn money, you werent a good father, and you never took care of the family. Did she also say
Someone like you, wanting a second child? You must be dreaming! Song Yuhang imitated that domineering posture, almost perfectly.
Sun Xiangming started breathing heavily, his hands clasping and fidgeting under the table, and the veins on his forehead were pulsating.
When a woman gets angry, most of them bring up old issues, no matter how gentle and refined they may appear on the outside. Its the same for every woman when theyre facing someone they dont love.
She criticized your rural background, your lack of ambition in your job, and even your honest but reticent personality. She went on to criticize your mothers favoritism towards your brothers over sisters. She might have even saidmarrying you was like inheriting generations of bad luck.
A touch of pity filled Song Yuhangs eyes, though it wasnt clear for whom. She exhaled a smoke ring slowly before speaking.
Unfortunately, she forgot that the more honest and straightforward a person appears, the more twisted they can become when things take a dark turn.
As she said this, she couldnt help but think of the scene last night when she placed her hand on Lin Yans neck. She subconsciously furrowed her brows and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.
The entire process took less than three seconds, executed with remarkable fluidity.
Neither the accompanying detectives nor Sun Xiangming, who was sitting across from her, noticed any abnormality.
Sun Xiangmings perfectly crafted faade finally showed a crack as he unknowingly clenched the edge of the table, pressing down on some wood shavings.
Song Yuhang leaned slightly forward, delivering the final blow: You loved her so much, you gave everything to marry her, but she never loved you in return. She didnt even love the daughter you forced her to bear, did she?
A hint of pity welled up in her eyes, particularly jarring in Sun Xiangmings gaze.
Youre quite pitiable. Even on her deathbed, she didnt reveal the identity of that person to you.
Bam! A loud sound echoed as the handcuffs slammed onto the table. Sun Xiangming abruptly stood up, his eyes bloodshot, staring fiercely at her as he roared, The one who doesnt care about the family is her! The one who had an affair is her! She deserves to die! She deserves to die!
Song Yuhang watched him go mad in silence, a faint smile curving at the corner of her lips.
Several detectives rushed in and quickly restrained him onto the chair. Despite that, Sun Xiangming covered his face and began to cry.
Giggle giggle giggle He emitted a chilling sound from his mouth. While Song Yuhang thought he was crying, he moved one hand away, revealing half of his bloodshot eye as he looked at her with a smile.
The officer who was sitting next to her during the interrogation, looking visibly disturbed, berated loudly, Why are you laughing?! Whats there to laugh about?!
He hadnt fully emerged from that state of madness yet, still covering his face while laughing for a while. The wall clock passed midnight and began to chime the time.
Sun Xiangming released his hand from his face, miraculously calming down. This time, it was him who relaxed while Song Yuhang remained composed.
He gazed at her with a mocking smile in his eyes.
What difference does it make if you know? Fingerprints, bloodstains, hair if theres any evidence pointing to me as the murderer, go ahead and search for it. If you cant find it
He also leaned in slightly, getting closer to Song Yuhang, By the break of dawn, youll have to release me.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆webnovel