Free Web NovelChapter 284: Chapter 281 She’s So Shameless_1
Mr. Zhao nearly fell over when he heard this, his face a picture of shock as he turned towards Zhou Ning.
"Zhou Xiaozhou, she’s shameless!"
Zhou Ning patted Mr. Zhao on the shoulder. A person who had managed to escape responsibility for ten years had been constantly psyching herself up; even now, she was thinking about how to best benefit herself.
At this moment, Xu Dayuan walked up to Xu Dan, shaking his head at her.
"In the span of ten years, any day you had come forward to confess would have been considered voluntary surrender. Even if it was your mother who discovered the skeleton, if you had admitted to it, it would have counted as a surrender. Now that our chain of evidence is complete, you can only be considered as giving a confession. However, the silver lining for you is that admitting it now, as opposed to during a court trial, won’t exacerbate your culpability."
Xu Dan pursed her lips tightly and after a long silence finally spoke:
"I didn’t mean to kill him, but Chen Ningyu kept hounding me, even told me to not go to Lu Finance and Economics University, asking me to retake the year with him. I didn’t agree. The day after the feast at my house, he came to me saying if I didn’t agree, he would tell everyone we had slept together."
"I knew if I didn’t come up with a solution, I couldn’t get rid of him. Even if I did, he would ruin everything for me – something I couldn’t tolerate. I was the only one who knew how hard I worked for the college entrance exam. I didn’t want to start all over again."
"It just so happened that my brother was hospitalized, and my great-uncle took my grandfather away. I knew my chance had arrived. I called the convenience store next to his house and told him to come to my place early on August 12th so we could discuss things carefully."
"He came excitedly, even wearing a suit, looking like a groom. I stole a few syringes of medication from my dad’s clinic. I made him a cup of tea with diazepam in it, which I’d added ahead of time. He didn’t taste anything unusual because the tea leaves were plentiful."
"Then, I gave him a piece of paper. I had written a letter beforehand, pretending it was from me, saying I wanted to leave home and be with Chen Ningyu, that I was giving up on university to try my luck in the south, and we’d come back when we made something of ourselves. I threatened that if they tried to find me, I would commit suicide."
"I told Chen Ningyu my parents and brother were against our relationship and that they would break my legs if it meant retaking the year, so we should run away together for a while and come back in September for the retakes. That way no one would object. He happily agreed."
"He then wrote a letter too and, at my suggestion, didn’t mention me in his letter because, after all, he didn’t want my family causing trouble at his home. After writing the letter and drinking the tea, we dreamt about our future. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep."
"I put the letters away, then injected him with a box of lidocaine; I was afraid he might wake up in pain. After that, I spread out a plastic sheet and a cutting board on the floor."
"I chopped his limbs and head off with an axe and put them into the fertilizer bags my grandfather stored, carrying the parts to the attic in a basket in multiple trips. Up in the attic, looking at Chen Ningyu’s face, I felt fury. After all, this person wanted to destroy me. So I smashed his face with the axe."
"However, while cleaning the plastic sheet and cutting board, I realized the sheet was torn. I hurriedly cleaned the room, washing it many times over. I burned both the cutting board and the plastic sheet, and left the axe in the basket without paying further attention to it, as I dared not go back to the attic."
"That night, I changed clothes and went to the Chen Family, handing them the letter. I didn’t expect his mother to faint. Later, I heard he had died, and when the Chen Family came to me asking what Chen Ningyu had said and if he had a destination in mind, I was very afraid. I told them he might have gone to Jiangzhe Province."
"Afterwards, I went to university, got acquainted with my classmates, and borrowed a card from one of them. Apparently, it was an unregistered phone card their parents had gotten for them. I used that card to message Mr. Chen, as I didn’t want them to know Chen Ningyu was dead."
"After that, every six months or a year, I’d switch numbers and message Mr. Chen impersonating Chen Ningyu, even threatening that if they searched for me, I would break contact. So these past years, they’ve been rather behaved. Only after I had kids, I stopped messaging these last two years."
Xu Dayuan extinguished the cigarette in his hand; the details of her statement were very thorough. However, whether Chen Ningyu was truly as extreme back then was now impossible to investigate.
Yet according to the Chen Family, they had come to terms with Chen Ningyu’s lack of excellence; why would they pressure their child? So perhaps Xu Dan lied about the motive, but it did not impact the processing of the case.
"Now that you’ve finished your statement, sign here," he said.
Xu Dan signed, clutching the record without letting go.
"Will I be sentenced to death? My child is only two and a half. If I’m sentenced to death, what will become of her? Can you bring the Chen Family here to plead for me? If we come to an understanding, can that exempt me from my sentence?"
Xu Dayuan looked at the self-talking Xu Dan, momentarily at a loss for words.
"First, before the trial, you can’t possibly meet the Chen Family or your own family, except for your lawyer and the case officers;
Second, even if the Chen Family forgives you and pleads for you, the law is the law, and it’s not something that personal sentiment can influence. Take Xu Dan away."
Mr. Bai and Mr. Zeng briskly entered, along with two local policewomen, escorting Xu Dan out together.
Xu Dayuan glanced at the record, nodding towards the stenographer.
"Well recorded, that’s some speed you’ve got there."
The stenographer’s face flushed with a shy, embarrassed smile.
"Director Xu is joking. You all spoke so fast, I almost couldn’t keep up. My fingers are cramping up now."
Zhang Sannian also laughed, after all, the case was solved. Such a major case in Rudong City caused a public sensation especially since it was uncovered after ten years. To solve it in such a short period, without the task force, would have been unthinkable.
"All the case files have been organized," Zhou Ning said, "With this record added, everything will be in order. How about I buy lunch for everyone at noon? You’ve been working day and night since you arrived, and even the forensic department has been busy helping us. I really feel bad for it!"
Xu Dayuan waved his hand dismissively.
"As long as the case is handled, that’s enough for us. We’ll be leaving soon, so there’s no need for lunch. It’s not a personal matter. If it were, I’d definitely take them out to eat at your expense, but regarding the handling of Sun Lijian, keep me updated. I reported to Mr. Hu last night, and we will keep an eye on it."
Zhang Sannian nodded vigorously.
"Director Xu, rest assured, I’ve made up my mind. Love whoever, those who make mistakes need to be responsible for their actions. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be true to my original intention of becoming a police officer. Besides, I’ve included Sun Lijian’s record and call logs in the file, which will be transferred to the procuratorate along with the rest of the documents. I haven’t reported this to Director Wang."
Xu Dayuan pursed his lips tightly and patted Zhang Sannian’s shoulder twice, both approvingly and with concern. Still, he didn’t say much else.
"Alright, our task force is leaving now. Take care!"
Zhang Sannian escorted Xu Dayuan and his team to their car. Xu Guanhai was visibly reluctant to leave, chatting with Liu Yongxin for quite a while before Liu was the last to get into the vehicle.
With a wave, the car drove away from the Rudong City police station.
Liu Yongxin sighed and looked at Xu Dayuan.
"Don’t you worry at all, leader, about whether the case will be able to take down Sun Lijian?" he asked.
Xu Dayuan shook his head.
"Ten minutes before we left, the files had already been transferred to the prosecutorial authorities. Zhang Sannian told me he included Sun Lijian’s record and call logs.
Now that the matter is out of Rudong City’s hands, they can’t do anything even if they wanted to. As for the subsequent restructuring efforts, Mr. Hu will be concerned about that. It’s not our business to worry about."
Liu Yongxin had an epiphany.
"I didn’t expect Zhang Sannian to be so tough. It’s impressive work indeed. So, where do we head next?" he inquired.
Xu Dayuan opened his work notebook, glanced at the records, and rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling the fatigue only now catching up to him.
"Let’s find a place to eat first. Then we’ll head straight to Hai’an City. Mr. Hu’s intention is to start with two county-level cities that have a backlog of cases so that later, no one in the seven districts of the city will dare to cause any trouble."
Zhou Ning looked out of the window. Mr. Hu’s intention was very clear; upon taking office, he wanted to tell everyone that he was not Ren Fangliang and not to engage in any crooked schemes with him. If you’re a police officer, do what you’re supposed to do. If you can handle it, work well; if not, make room quickly, so he can place someone capable in charge.
Moreover, all of this would not be done by issuing documents or negotiating with local governments. It would be direct and decisive, sweeping and bold, striking a blow to each district and city under the guise of clearing backlogged cases.
And Xu Dayuan was that sharp sword, not just a slogan-bearer. Real action was being taken—elite forces mobilized on short notice, conducting a cleanup operation just as the Provincial Hall released the news, with the sword already drawn. freēwēbnovel.com
Zhou Ning closed his eyes. Despite Mr. Hu’s appearance as cheerful and harmless, calling out Mr. Zhao and Mr. Bai amiably, it was clear that when it came to taking action, he was ruthlessly decisive. Only someone tough on themselves, daring to tackle the internal issues, could get big things done, and the climate in Qindao would change drastically as well.
Zhou Ning was lost in these thoughts when Mr. Zhao poked his arm, rousing him. He opened his eyes to see Mr. Zhao’s grinning face, driving without it affecting his eagerness to be involved.
"Don’t sleep, Zhou Xiaozhou. Director Xu just mentioned finding a place to eat. Let me know what you’d like to eat so I can pick a place," Mr. Zhao said.
Zhou Ning shook his head. At just past eleven, he really had no particular cravings for food.
"No objections here, something simple will do. No need for a feast lest Director Xu goes bankrupt," Zhou Ning said.
Xu Dayuan gritted his teeth with feigned annoyance. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"Quit making snide remarks about me; I get what you’re saying. A married man handing over his salary is a virtue, nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, Mr. Hu did provide us with funds. As long as it’s not too expensive, it’s acceptable. The place is Mr. Zhao’s choice, and what we eat is up to him. I share the same sentiment as Zhou Xiaozhou—simple and quick is fine," Xu Dayuan said.
After some thought, Mr. Zhao took a turn and even flicked on the hazard lights. The cars behind him closely followed his lane change and headed towards a destination. Mr. Qu glanced at everyone and leaned in to speak with Xia Momo and Zhu Xingxing.
"Doctor Zhu, Mr. Xia, do you know where they’re going for lunch?" Mr. Qu asked.
Xia Momo shook her head.
"As long as Zhao Xinli is around, you don’t need to worry about food. He’ll find some out-of-the-way dives that are clean and delicious, and the prices are reasonable too. Just relax," she reassured.
