Chapter 183 - 183 175 Closing the Case

Words : 1812 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

183: Chapter 175: Closing the Case 183: Chapter 175: Closing the Case The interrogation room at the Qianjin District Bureau was decorated more nicely than those in Ningtai County. Although everyone’s rank was the same, the district bureau had more money than the county bureau, which was certainly true. If someone had been inside an interrogation room in the Qianjin District and then sat in one in Ningtai County, they would definitely criticize, saying, “Your interrogation room is both small and old, it smells, and the nicotine stains on the ceiling haven’t been wiped clean...” If the situation were reversed, staying first in Ningtai County’s interrogation room before moving to Qianjin District’s, there would likely be a fair chance of praise, “Your interrogation room is really both spacious and beautiful, with a soft touch and a fragrant smell...” Suspect number one, Wang Fulin, was inexperienced. This was probably his first time in an interrogation room, unaware of how to appreciate the favorable conditions of the Qianjin District Bureau’s room, he just sat there stiffly on the chair with a vacant look on his face. Watching from behind the monitor, Jiang Yuan could sense his numbed emotions. Lei Xin sat in front of Wang Fulin with a hint of a smile and a relaxed expression. In fact, he felt much more at ease than before. Confirming it was the work of a gang meant the suspects were more likely to slip up. For an ordinary rural youth like Wang Fulin, his social connections were very easy to track. A few close childhood friends, relatives who cared about him, a stroll around the village would reveal them all. At most, include his parents’ network of relationships. Taking into account the fact that the victim was forcibly raped, and the suspects might be physically strong, several detectives took a walk around Wang Fulin’s hometown and drew up a list of suspects. After that, by checking the timelines and itineraries, Wang Fulin’s uncle, Wang Ming, stood out. According to the judgment of Lei Xin and others, Wang Fulin’s likelihood of premeditated murder was low; it was more probable that a verbal conflict exacerbated the dispute, ultimately leading to a crime of passion. After all, gathering a large sum for the dowry to give to the bride’s side, he surely had hoped to settle down. Such a person, even when facing problems, should not think of murder first. Meanwhile, Wang Fulin’s uncle, Wang Ming, had been working close to Qinghe City during the period of the crime, so showing up as a show of strength was quite possible. Once this was confirmed, Lei Xin came to the interrogation room without a moment’s hesitation. This time when Lei Xin entered, he carried a thick stack of files, placing them gently on the table before saying, “Wang Fulin, you say you didn’t kill anybody, then answer me a few questions. If your answers are reasonable, I’ll let you go home, how about that?” Wang Fulin, who had been resisting and unwilling to talk, twitched his cheek, glanced at Lei Xin, and still showed no inclination to speak. Lei Xin smiled. He had seen too many people like Wang Fulin. Many first-time offenders, especially those suspected of serious crimes, acted this way. It wasn’t that they had strong anti-investigation capabilities, they had just become withdrawn. It was fear that silenced him, not bravery. Thus, Lei Xin tempted him with what he desired most: “Do you want to go home?” “Look, you said earlier we got the wrong person. Fine, I’ll take your word for it for the moment. You didn’t kill anyone, but now that I’m prepared to let you go, if you keep this up, I might have to suspect you again.” Lei Xin became more and more stern as he spoke, his tone growing increasingly severe. Wang Fulin could no longer bear it and looked up, saying, “You all bully people.” “Just a few questions. If you answer them well, I’ll let you go home,” Lei Xin said, holding up three fingers. Wang Fulin’s throat moved slightly, but he remained silent. “So, the first question, Zhang Ying took 188,000 from you and claimed to have spent it all. What were you planning to do about that?” Lei Xin asked, assuming Wang Fulin was innocent. Wang Fulin indeed hesitated before replying, “I want it back.” “But Zhang Ying is dead, debts die with her, what will you do? Will you ask her parents for it?” Lei Xin asked. “Yes.” “Just a ‘yes’? 188,000 is several years of your family’s income, right? So much money, can you really let it go? A normal person wouldn’t care whether Zhang Ying is dead or alive; they’d want their money back first.” “He has no money, what can I want from him.” Wang Fulin lifted his head slightly. “A criminal case is a criminal case, after sentencing, Zhang Ying’s parents can still claim civil compensation. That means they can demand money from the murderer.” Lei Xin said, “Often, the relatives of the murderer, in order to obtain a letter of forgiveness, will voluntarily offer compensation.” Wang Fulin understood and stared intently at Lei Xin. “If you’re not the murderer, then if you sue in court before Zhang Ying’s parents receive compensation, you have a chance to go after their compensation money and get back your own 188,000.” Lei Xin said this and then looked at Wang Fulin, “But if you are the killer, your parents will have to pay the other side, and it might not be a small sum.” Lei Xin’s words were half true, half false, but Wang Fulin could no longer distinguish between them. His emotions visibly began to change. “Your uncle Wang Ming has suggested that he could borrow money to hire a lawyer for you, to defend you, and also to try to get back that 188,000. Afterward, you could use the recovered money to pay for the lawyer’s fees.” Lei Xin touched upon Wang Fulin’s “psychological fulcrum” and continued more relaxedly, albeit deceitfully, “If you agree, your parents are going to take out a loan.” Wang Fulin was stunned, unable to control his expression any longer. “If you didn’t kill anyone, let’s not say anything more.” Lei Xin pointed at the files in front of him and slowly continued, “But we both know you did kill Zhang Ying. In this case, do you really want your parents to spend their life savings, get into debt, to sue on your behalf? Can they win?” Wang Fulin returned to silence, as if he had shut down again. Lei Xin, however, knew that he couldn’t hold out. “In fact, even if your parents spend money on a lawyer for you, that’s their choice. The real fear is that after they sell the house and take on high-interest loans, the money ends up taken away by someone else, then what?” Lei Xin was aiming for a fatal blow to the heart. Wang Fulin was jolted with fright. In the monitoring room, Jiang Yuan watched Lei Xin like a hammer nailing down, chiseling away at Wang Fulin’s psychological defense. He couldn’t help but sigh. Wang Lan, who was next to him, calmly said, “Don’t feel sorry for the murderer.” Jiang Yuan’s feelings were read like a book, making him a bit embarrassed, “It’s not exactly pity...” “When they committed the evil,” Wang Lan said, “they didn’t do it in an instant. During this process, they had countless opportunities to stop. But they didn’t, and to ensure the victim was dead, they stabbed her over a dozen times!” Jiang Yuan nodded, “And in the end, they even set a fire.” “Not only burning down the house of someone they didn’t know but potentially endangering the entire neighborhood,” Wang Lan said with cold disdain, “He’s much crueler than he appears.” Jiang Yuan sighed inwardly, “Maybe.” At that moment, in the interrogation room, Wang Fulin began to confess his crime. Of the 188,000 dowry, 50,000 was borrowed from his uncle Wang Ming. Uncle Wang Ming had suggested getting back the dowry. Uncle Wang Ming had proposed going to Zhang Ying’s home to demand it. Uncle Wang Ming had beat Zhang Ying. Uncle Wang Ming had forcefully raped Zhang Ying. Uncle Wang Ming had killed Zhang Ying. Uncle Wang Ming had set the house on fire. Lei Xin didn’t interrupt Wang Fulin’s statement too much. With a gang crime, once one person confesses, it’s as if both have confessed. There would be plenty of time later to untangle who was the main perpetrator and who was the accomplice. Jiang Yuan had stayed another day until Wang Ming was apprehended and then took his leave to go home. Wang Ming wasn’t a particularly strong man, but with years of manual labor, he had plenty of strength, along with some cunning and shrewdness. But in the interrogation room, that was of no use. When an entire squad of criminal detectives was eager to try, a bit of cunning was only a snack to accompany their drinks. ... The Jiang Family. The two small dogs caught the scent of Jiang Yuan and launched into a frenzy of barking. Jiang Fuzhen heard the noise and came out for a look, laughing, “I was saying, these two dogs aren’t familiar with you but they bark louder for you than usual.” “Maybe they think the dog food I make is tasty,” Jiang Yuan washed his hands and went straight into the kitchen. Old man Jiang Fuzhen also spent most of his time in the kitchen, so the father and son’s chatting place was also the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, Jiang Fuzhen was cooking meat and while mashing the chunks with his chopsticks, said, “My food is pretty good too, but I don’t hear you barking when you come home... I was thinking that with your job in the civil service, it’d be easier to find a partner. But every time you take off, it’s several days before anyone sees you. Sigh, your Sixth Aunt has mentioned setting you up a few times already, but as soon as they hear you’re a forensic doctor, the girls suddenly lose interest.” Jiang Yuan silently endured his father’s complaints. Even though no ladies were interested, his work ‘partner’ yesterday was a female corpse... He washed a pile of vegetables, then opened his father’s newly built high-powered stove and started heating the pan, asking, “Should I make some for you too?” “Sure,” comrade Jiang Fuzhen replied. The father and son were busy in the kitchen while the dog barked outside... Drowning out the cicadas in the trees.

Chapter 183 - 183 175 Closing the Case

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