Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Mountain Blaze (12)

Xie Jingyu also came over to watch the commotion. Hai Shu glanced at him briefly, then focused her attention back on the timeline.

Among the three families, the first to leave Guibai Village were Liu the Fool’s two older brothers, Liu Li and Liu Ming, but they did not disappear. Next to leave was Li Yunting. Exactly when she left was unclear—villagers gave different accounts—but generally, it slightly overlapped with the time Liu the Fool’s parents left. It was said that Li Yunting contacted her family after leaving, but the villagers were only passing information around, and it couldn’t be verified. Then Li Yunting’s parents left. Finally, the Si family’s man went to the city for medical treatment accompanied by his youngest daughter.

A year later, Guibai Village held its Flower Viewing Festival.

“It’s normal for villagers to come and go, but just before the village was about to prosper, three families suddenly vanished, and the timing is too coincidental—there’s a problem,” Hai Shu said. “What did Liu Buquan say?”

Sui Xing said, “He’s an old fox. Whatever the villagers say, that’s what he goes along with. Remember when we asked him about population movements? He said only Liu the Fool’s family disappeared, didn’t even mention the Si or Li families. Now the villagers brought it up, and he said he’s too old to remember. Honestly, his reaction is hard to find fault with; many villagers didn’t recall these two families.”

When it came to the Si family, Liu the Village Chief showed regret. “They just didn’t wait until our village improved. If they had, there’d have been no worry about treatment costs. Even if our family contributed a bit, it would have been enough for them.”

Sui Xing asked which hospital the Si family stayed at. Liu the Village Chief said they didn’t stay in a formal hospital; they couldn’t afford one, so they rented a room beside an old Chinese medicine clinic. As for where exactly the clinic was, Liu the Village Chief couldn’t remember. The villagers couldn’t provide an answer either.

As for the Li family, Liu the Village Chief said even less. He claimed he wasn’t close to them, rarely interacted, and didn’t even know when they left the village—he learned it from other villagers.

Hai Shu asked, “Are the houses of these two families still there?”

Sui Xing nodded. “Yes, but they’ve been completely rebuilt.”

“I’ll go take a look.”

Both yards were on the edge of the village. The Li family’s yard was slightly closer to the center, now serving as a guest hub for renting cars, resting, and handling other business. But with no visitors due to the murder case, it was particularly quiet. The buildings had been repainted and renovated, leaving no trace of the Li family’s life.

Hai Shu then went to the Si family’s residence and saw someone standing in the yard, motionless, unclear what they were doing. Focusing, she realized it was Cheng Wei.

The Si family’s yard had also been renovated into a specialty shop, but it was too remote. Plus, Guibai Village didn’t have much to sell, so it had fallen into disuse. Guests could buy local specialties at any of the farmstays.

It had once been a forgotten island, now an abandoned playground.

Hearing a sound behind her, Cheng Wei turned. “Captain Hai.”

At the moment their eyes met, Hai Shu noticed a subtle emotion that was different from usual. Cheng Wei was usually calm, diligent during investigations, but seemed detached from cases, like a tool for solving them. The case’s highs and lows didn’t affect him.

This time, however, he seemed impacted.

“You didn’t bring the investigation kit?” Hai Shu said, noticing Cheng Wei’s empty hands, like a passerby pausing.

Cheng Wei shrugged. “Nothing left to examine, just came to take a look.”

Hai Shu said, “Sui Xing mentioned the missing persons clue was found by you. Good work.”

Cheng Wei smiled, scratching his head. “It’s my duty. Otherwise, at the end of the year, it counts as ‘performance,’ and I’d get teased by Teacher Wen again.”

Hai Shu found a bench for them to sit. She suddenly understood why Cheng Wei had been standing there in a daze. Compared to other buildings in Guibai Village, this place was too quiet—not just in sound, but in the sense of being left behind day after day.

This place probably had never been lively.

When the Si family lived here, the air always carried the smell of Chinese medicine. When that backbone woman fell, it made a final resounding crash, leaving only echoes, lingering for a long time.

The echo seemed to amplify the desolation, like eyes that would never leave, watching the Si family man and youngest daughter depart.

Later, the village needed to build a shop for selling local specialties, but no villager wanted to give up their yard—farmstays were more profitable. So this forgotten corner was noticed again, but soon fell back into neglect.

Looking up from the yard, the spring sky seemed tinged with sorrow. Hai Shu felt a fleeting daze, an inexplicable loneliness.

No, it wasn’t truly inexplicable. Everyone lives with loneliness; people just hide it skillfully.

In this abandoned yard, Hai Shu picked it up—it wasn’t bitter, just slightly cool to the touch.

“Cheng, when you investigated these missing cases, what were your thoughts?” Hai Shu asked.

Half a minute later, Cheng Wei spoke. “I once participated in a case at a factory in Chenwan District. The factory was gone, a company wanted to buy the factory and residential buildings. The old union representative negotiated for everyone’s benefit, but that representative’s entire family was killed by more than ten workers. Guess why they did it?”

Hai Shu said, “Simply for money.”

Cheng Wei nodded. “The old representative fought for a high price. The company obviously didn’t want to pay. The matter dragged on. The workers originally all supported the representative, but not getting the money made them resentful. The company instigated conflicts. The workers, restless for money, lost their humanity and killed the representative. The bodies weren’t found for almost ten years.”

Cheng Wei paused, then said, “When investigating, I kept thinking about that case. Guibai Village is like that factory—an enclosed micro-society. People were poor all their lives, suddenly given a chance to change fate. But due to some resistance—in the factory, it was company price pressure, here I don’t know what it is, but there must be something—some villagers became obstacles to others. If they disappeared, things would be easier.”

Hai Shu nodded. “After these three families disappeared, Guibai Village really took off.”

Cheng Wei added, “But most villagers knew nothing. When they mentioned the Liu, Si, and Li families, they spoke honestly.”

Hai Shu said, “I understand what you mean.”

Cheng Wei sighed. “It’s just been too long. If we want to investigate that person, there’s no clear evidence to rely on.”

On the way back to the police station, Hai Shu chatted casually with Cheng Wei. “You seem particularly invested in this case.”

“Am I?” Cheng Wei said. “The missing Si and Li families both had daughters. My family also has an older sister. Sometimes she comes home late, and I worry something might happen. Thinking about their experiences, I can’t help but think of my sister.”

When Hai Shu first met Cheng Wei, she sensed his family was likely happy. He carried a sense of ordinariness and simplicity—something that could only come from a harmonious home. She herself, Wen Xu, and even Sui Xing, who had a very good relationship with his parents, all felt a little different.

At the police station entrance, Hai Shu saw Xie Jingyu chatting casually with a police officer. This officer seemed completely different; every glance and movement seemed to tell a strange story.

Cheng Wei went ahead, and Hai Shu stayed to watch Xie Jingyu. Xie Jingyu looked back and smiled. “Captain Hai, done with work? Want to join us?”

Hai Shu walked over and noticed both Xie Jingyu and the officer holding small stones. The officer grinned foolishly. “Brother Xie is teaching me how to skip stones.”

Hai Shu asked, “Is there a pond here?”

The officer said, “Brother Xie can do it on the ground too.”

Xie Jingyu decisively flicked a small stone across the ground—it bounced three times.

Hai Shu counted, “…six.”

Xie Jingyu said, “Want to try?”

Hai Shu turned. “No need. You continue.”

Xie Jingyu’s playful mood vanished. He walked with Hai Shu into the building. Hai Shu was planning to see Liu the Fool, and he followed to the door. Hai Shu turned sideways, almost bumping into him. “I’m going to interrogate the suspect. You’re coming too?”

Xie Jingyu said, “Military and police are one family. I can be an assistant.”

The officer responsible for taking notes had already arrived. Hai Shu said, “I have an assistant.”

Hearing this, Xie Jingyu nodded and left.

But as soon as Hai Shu faced Liu the Fool, Xie Jingyu knocked, came in, and placed a plastic stool. “I brought my own equipment. That’s fine, right?”

Liu the Fool looked at Xie Jingyu, appraisingly.

“Liu Xing, we meet again,” Hai Shu said. “Actually, you don’t need to keep pretending to be a fool. We both know your intelligence is completely fine.”

Liu Xing’s eyes peered through his messy hair. After a moment, he turned calmly. “What do you want to ask?”

Hai Shu said, “I’m not here to question you today, but to tell you Tang Jinli’s story.”

Liu Xing—now better called by his real name—paused at the shoulders. “Oh, alright.”

“Tang Jinli had an online name, ‘Huan Huan Ah Huan Huan.’ Before coming to Huiyong City, she occasionally posted updates on Lu Kesi. She often went to various city attractions in Yan’ai District—you know, Yan’ai is close to your Guibai District New City,” Hai Shu said. “Coincidentally, last spring, she came to Guibai Village and uploaded three videos. Have you seen them?”

Liu Xing laughed. “I thought you said no questions?”

Hai Shu nodded. “Then I’ll continue. Tang Jinli once signed with a screenwriting studio and had a period of being lovers with the studio’s boss…”

She spoke slowly, objectively describing Tang Jinli’s life to Liu Xing. Sometimes his eyebrows twitched slightly at the more uncomfortable details.

“In fact, regarding the murderer, I already have specific deductions,” Hai Shu said. “The prime suspect is of course you. After meeting Tang Jinli, you developed a possessiveness over her. Unable to have her alive, you made her dead.”

Liu Xing laughed, as if listening to a comedy show.

“But your actions are truly strange. I tend to think you had deeper motives,” Hai Shu continued. “Besides you, others are more likely suspects—those men who appeared around her after she left the screenwriting studio.”

Liu Xing clapped his hands.

Hai Shu stopped. The interrogation room was filled only with Liu Xing’s applause. After a moment, he said, “Why did you stop talking?”

Hai Shu said, “Seems like you know about those men too.”

Liu Xing said nothing.

Hai Shu asked, “Who are they?”

Liu Xing said, “You’re asking me questions again.”

The tug-of-war made people tense. The nearby team member took a deep breath to calm himself. Hai Shu said, “We also found that two families disappeared from Guibai Village, in circumstances similar to your family’s.”

Liu Xing’s expression changed slightly; the smile in his eyes faded.

Hai Shu said, “Li Yunting, do you remember her? When most people rejected you, she often stayed by your side.”

Liu Xing was silent for a long while. “I don’t want to hear stories. You can go back.”

Hai Shu quickened her speech. “The Li family, the Si family, and your Liu family all experienced the same thing. They were all sacrifices for Guibai Village’s current prosperity. You know the truth—Tang Jinli’s body is the hammer you smashed into the door of truth!”

Liu Xing chuckled. “Being too smart isn’t always a good thing.” He tapped his temple. “Just like me. Better to be a fool—sunshine, enjoy the sun; rain, take a nap. Officer Hai, aren’t you tired?”

Hai Shu steadied herself. “Thanks for your concern, but this is my job.”

The interrogation ended. Hai Shu took a moment to collect herself and noticed Xie Jingyu was still there. “Brother Xie, is your team still recruiting?”

Xie Jingyu: “Don’t call me that.”

“Everyone calls you that,” Hai Shu said. “Don’t play favorites.”

Xie Jingyu laughed. “Our team works hard too—life and death, sometimes disappearing for ten days or half a month.”

Hai Shu said, “You seem pretty free.”

Xie Jingyu grinned. “When the allied forces are too strong, being a sidekick isn’t bad either.”

Hai Shu asked, “Am I that too-strong ally? Thanks for the compliment.”

Xie Jingyu cheekily followed Hai Shu. “I’ve been listening to your investigations. I have a few opinions too.”

Hai Shu stopped. “Let’s hear them.”

Xie Jingyu said, “Guess, Liu the Fool, Li Yunting, and the Si family’s daughter—what relationship do they have now?”

Liu Xing, Li Yunting, and Si Xiaolan—they were children from the three missing families. Liu Xing survived in Guibai Village, while the other two had no trace for ten years, just like their parents.

“First, let’s be clear: my idea is based on the assumption that these three families were targeted because of Guibai Village’s redevelopment,” Xie Jingyu smiled. “I’m not your team member, so I don’t have to be too precise, right?”

Hai Shu nodded. “Continue.”

Xie Jingyu said, “Why wasn’t Liu Xing affected at all? Is it because everyone in the village thought he was a fool?”

Hai Shu said, “According to your earlier assumption, Li Yunting and Si Xiaolan should already be dead. How could they have a relationship with Liu Xing?”

“They’re likely dead, but there’s a chance they survived—especially Li Yunting,” Xie Jingyu said. “Don’t you have a timeline? Li Yunting’s uniqueness is that she left Guibai Village before the Li family did, and this was probably before Liu Xing’s parents went to find their two sons.”

Hai Shu pondered. When exactly did Li Yunting leave? Villagers’ accounts differ. There’s only a vague window, but it’s very close to the time Liu Xing’s parents left—possibly before, possibly after.

“If it’s fifty-fifty, I’ll place this point earlier,” Xie Jingyu said. He and Hai Shu stood at the whiteboard, adjusting the magnets. “But the second scenario can also be explained. The Li family came to Guibai Village with the Liu family. If Liu Village Chief wanted to eliminate the Liu family, once the Liu family obstacle was gone, the Li family would naturally be the next target. But at that time, neither family knew they were in danger—they still trusted the Liu Village Chief.”

Hai Shu followed Xie Jingyu’s logic. “But before the Liu family was trapped, someone secretly informed Li Yunting? So she could leave early? But if she knew there was danger, why didn’t she save her family?”

Xie Jingyu said, “One possibility: Li Yunting only got an ambiguous message. They didn’t tell her the exact danger, just asked her to leave Guibai Village temporarily to handle something.”

Hai Shu thought of the villagers’ assessment of Li Yunting—beautiful, proud, desired by many, but dismissive of village men. Would she heed ambiguous words and leave Guibai Village?

“Liu Xing?” Hai Shu could think of no one else.

Xie Jingyu nodded. “They grew up together. Li Yunting always approached Liu Xing. Imagine one day she goes to Liu Xing, and he secretly tells her that staying in Guibai Village would bring great disaster. How would she react?”

Although Hai Shu never actually met Li Yunting, she had interacted with Liu Xing enough to say, after a moment: “Li Yunting would laugh and push Liu Xing. ‘Fool, are you imagining things? I’m fine. What disaster could there be?’ Liu Xing wouldn’t answer, pretending to be a fool. After a while, Li Yunting realizes, pushes him…”

Hai Shu instinctively put her hand on Xie Jingyu’s shoulder, pushing him like Li Yunting did. “You’re joking with me, right?”

Xie Jingyu’s smile was ambiguous. “I’m not joking.”

Hai Shu realized she had actually pushed him, withdrew her hand, and continued. “Liu Xing wasn’t a fool all the time. Even when pretending, there were moments he seemed aware to the villagers. Li Yunting trusted him, and his gaze probably reassured her—he wasn’t exaggerating.”

Xie Jingyu said, “But whatever Liu Xing said, it didn’t include Li Yunting’s family. She naturally assumed the trouble was only for herself and left the village temporarily. Didn’t the villagers say it? Li Yunting went to the city to work.”

Hai Shu was silent for a long moment. “Li Yunting escaped danger. But like Liu Xing continuing to pretend, she didn’t dare return to the village to confront her enemies. Over the years, as the original perpetrators became less vigilant, she may have had a chance to see Liu Xing and Si Xiaolan. Their shared hatred led them to plan this case together…”

Xie Jingyu said, “The likelihood that Si Xiaolan is alive is low. She disappeared along with her father; she probably didn’t make it.”

Hai Shu’s eyes flickered as she thought of another person. “The Si family also had a son. He was abducted, and that’s why the Si daughter-in-law grieved herself to death.”

Xie Jingyu quietly said, “Actually, in the past couple of days, I also learned something about the Si family.”

“What is it?”

“The Liu family lived relatively well in the village, right? The Si family was the complete opposite. After the Si son went missing, the Si family collapsed. The Liu family provided them with food and money. The Si father was on long-term medication, and the Liu family also paid for his medicine. But the Liu family isn’t the type to publicize their good deeds. Helping the Si family was just a small effort for them. So few people knew about this,” Xie Jingyu said, raising an eyebrow proudly. “I just chatted with the old ladies in the village. They told me.”

Hai Shu felt a storm rising in her mind—one line of evidence becoming clearer. The relatively wealthy Liu family, for some reason, became an obstacle to Guibai Village’s tourism development. For the village to prosper, the Liu family had to be eliminated. And the Li family, being linked to the Liu family, also had to disappear.

As for the Si family, this heavily burdened household was like an isolated island in Guibai Village. In their darkest times, only the Liu family offered help. The sickly Si father might have owed the Liu family something, making him a potential risk that needed to be removed.

The four children of these three families were close in age. Liu Xing and Li Yunting were especially close friends. Ten years ago, when the tragedy occurred, they either knew they could do nothing or were too stunned to understand what happened. But if they survived until now, they would be old enough to plan revenge rationally.

“I have another question,” Hai Shu said. “Liu Xing is the smartest. Since he could warn Li Yunting early and protect himself, why didn’t he warn his own parents? He may not have known exactly what was going to happen, but he clearly sensed danger. Yet he did nothing. Liu Xing’s parents became successful early and were very capable. If Liu Xing had warned them, or even left a forged note, they would have been on guard. But they and their two sons were caught easily, showing they had no defense and received no warning at all.”

Xie Jingyu crossed his arms and leaned on the table, saying nothing.

Hai Shu waited a moment and looked at him. “Hmm?”

Xie Jingyu said, “A naive theory, or a dark theory. Which do you want to hear?”

Hai Shu clicked her tongue. “Tell me both.”

Xie Jingyu smiled. “Alright, the naive one first. Before the parents got into trouble, Liu Xing didn’t notice anything. Villagers said Liu’s parents left Guibai Village in June; Liu Village Chief and the others went to Jianglu City in August. Li Yunting’s departure is vague; there’s a fifty percent chance it was after Liu’s parents got into trouble. Liu Xing figured out the situation and then warned Li Yunting.”

“The dark theory has no timing issues. Liu Xing, the fake fool, could appear anywhere in the village without raising suspicion. That’s his natural advantage. Using it, he overheard some idle gossip. At first, it seemed harmless, but thinking deeper, he realized some people intended to deal with obstacles for the village’s development. Why didn’t he warn his parents? Either he didn’t care about his family’s survival, or—he was playing a calculated game, using these people to clear his path and secure his own safety.”