DF Chapter 23

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“It’s because I was denied justice, a trial, that I stand by Tang Shang’s side. I understand everything about her and why I despise people like Lin Ziyi. I wasn’t going to the bathroom; I was worried Lin Ziyi was going to do something bad again. But no matter what I saw or heard, at that moment, I felt… Ah,” she closed her eyes slightly, letting out a long, satisfied breath, her lips curling into a smile, “so excited, so happy. It was the happiest day of my life in years. Looking back now, my life doesn’t seem so miserable anymore. So tell me, do you think I’d hand over the person who brought me joy to the police?”

Zhen Yi had always told herself not to get emotionally involved as a lawyer, but in that moment, she said, “Song Yi, even if you killed someone, I won’t let them sentence you to death.”

“You…”

“Before meeting you, I spoke with Si Gui. Your situation doesn’t look good. She told me that if you didn’t do it, you must tell us who did. But now, listen carefully—if you don’t want to say it, then don’t tell anyone, not even me.” She promised, “As for dealing with the police, leave that to me.”

“But what about justice…”

“Screw justice!”

The soft lighting in the interrogation room highlighted Song Yi’s makeup-free face. Unlike her radiant appearance in front of the camera, she looked fresher, purer. Zhen Yi sat beside her, expressionless.

Before the questioning began, Si Gui stated, “Miss Song, we found a strand of black hair with wine-red tips that matches your hair. Yesterday, we took a sample of your hair for elemental analysis, and the results confirm it’s yours. You said you hadn’t been to the crime scene—how do you explain this?”

Officer Lin added, “This is your last chance to be a witness. If you become a defendant, the damage to your career and reputation will be irreversible. So please cooperate.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“If that’s how you want to interpret it,” Lin replied bluntly. “Miss Song, we’ve investigated your past. While we sympathize, we also believe you have enough motive to kill. If this case draws public attention, the one who will suffer the most is you.”

“Thanks for sprinkling salt on my wounds.” Song Yi let out a mocking laugh, her expression cold, as if the matter didn’t concern her. Her attitude was much stronger than when she had nervously faced questioning before.

Si Gui glanced at Zhen Yi, who remained calm and silent. But Si Gui knew that Song Yi’s transformation was entirely due to Zhen Yi. They had made a mistake. The moment they found the hair, they should have interrogated Song Yi immediately. But they didn’t, giving Zhen Yi enough time to arm Song Yi, making her untouchable.

Officer Lin pressed again, “Explain the hair.”

Song Yi shrugged. “Someone must be framing me. Officer, do you really think Lin Ziyi had so few enemies? Just because his case is high-profile now doesn’t mean the killer has to be linked to Tang Shang. Maybe someone else with a grudge against him is misleading you. Can you rule that out?”

The police couldn’t rule it out, leaving Officer Lin momentarily speechless. Si Gui thought, as expected, Zhen Yi had prepared thoroughly. She shook her head. “It’s not just that, Miss Song. We have a witness who saw you enter the hallway.”

Song Yi, unshaken by the surprise, replied, “A witness’s testimony isn’t always reliable.”

Si Gui recalled the failed polygraph test and asked, “Miss Song, either you’re the killer or you know who the killer is. Which one is true?” Song Yi glanced at her, and from her expression, Si Gui deduced the answer: “Yes.”

Song Yi didn’t look surprised. “If you suspect me and have enough evidence to call me a prime suspect, go ahead. But it’s not enough to convict me, and I’m not afraid of going to court. If you’re trying to threaten me, I’ll see you in civil court.”

There was no way Song Yi had come up with that speech on her own. Si Gui glanced at Zhen Yi. “You say you didn’t kill anyone, and that the killer planted your hair to frame you. But despite that, you’re protecting the killer. This doesn’t make sense, either logically or emotionally.” Si Gui’s questioning was sharp.

Song Yi remained unfazed. “Why are you so eager to catch the killer?”

“Because crime must be punished to uphold justice in society.”

“Funny, that’s exactly why I don’t want you to catch the killer,” Song Yi sneered. “Lin Ziyi and the others raped and destroyed Tang Shang, and they deserved to die. What did you do back then? Did you punish them? No, you let them walk free, leaving everyone who believed in justice disheartened. And now you talk about fairness? Sure, those people had power, and you had to bow to reality. But after you abandoned your principles and grovelled before the powerful, you lost the right to talk about justice to ordinary people. Are you only brave enough to bully the weak? What about the other three rapists who were with Lin Ziyi? Don’t you have the guts to question them like you’re questioning me?”

Si Gui stayed silent. She knew that every word Song Yi spoke was actually from Zhen Yi.

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to go to trial,” Officer Lin said. “And by the way, his crime was judged by the law—his death wasn’t justified.”

“He wasn’t sentenced to death, but the people he tormented deserved it? He’d never feel remorse. He’d serve two or three years, then walk free, and what about the victims? What they went through would be treated as a joke.” Song Yi’s expression was blank, but a layer of tears shimmered in her hollow eyes. “This kind of punishment is a slap in the face to the innocent victims who believed in justice. When you collected Tang Shang’s body, could you even look her in the eyes?”

“If you never protected me, don’t expect me to follow your rules.” She punctuated each word, gripping the edge of the table.

Her lips trembled as a crazed smile crossed her face. “I won’t say a word. I didn’t kill anyone, so I’m not afraid. If you want to threaten me, go ahead. But if I ever beg for mercy, if I ever admit fear, then maybe I really did deserve to be raped!”

Si Gui’s scalp tingled, goosebumps rising all over. Officer Lin was silent and heavy-hearted, his face pale.

Song Yi’s low, bitter outburst echoed in the cramped interrogation room. No one spoke. The air was thick with grief and silence.

After a long while, Song Yi released her grip on the table and slowly leaned back in her chair, her face calm, though tears streamed wildly down her cheeks.

The interrogation ended just like that.

Zhen Yi remained silent throughout, only saying one thing at the end: “My client requests to be released on bail.”

As they left, Zhen Yi asked Si Gui, “Did you guys…”

“Absolutely not. I guarantee all the evidence is real—nothing’s been fabricated.”

“I believe you. See you in court.” Zhen Yi pursed her lips and turned to leave, but Si Gui called after her, “Zhen!”

“What is it?”

“Did you teach Song Yi everything she said?”

“Yeah.”

“So…”

“I’m fully on her side.”

Si Gui felt a sudden sadness. “Zhen, are you sure this isn’t just you venting your anger?”

“Venting what?”

“Tang Shang. Have you really moved on from her case?” Si Gui’s brows furrowed with concern. “You spent four months with her every day, absorbing all her grief, hatred, and despair. And then her death… Have you spoken to a therapist?”

“I don’t need it!” Zhen Yi turned away. “I’m much more cold-hearted than you think, and not as noble as you imagine.”

The night before, Yang Zi had stayed at Zhen Yi’s apartment after missing the last train home from working late. In the morning, as she passed by Zhen Yi’s room, she saw her already dressed and putting on her coat in front of the mirror. Leaning against the doorframe, Yang Zi asked, “So early, where are you headed?”

“Investigating the case,” Zhen Yi replied shortly.

Yan Ge had discovered that the hospital records showed Wu Zhe’s “sister” admitted him, but then lost contact. Among Wu Zhe’s belongings was a tablet with the horror movie Scream of Terror, which Song Yi had starred in. In one scene, Song Yi falls from the roof and lands on the sharp edge of the 31st floor—matching the same empty walls, black holes, and black numbers.

Yan Ge mentioned this was one of the reasons why the police suspected Song Yi. But because it was so strange, they hadn’t brought it up earlier.

He wanted to contact Tang Shang’s sister, Tang Yu, to understand more about Wu Zhe’s background and connect with his family. Zhen Yi was also interested in investigating.

Yang Zi smirked. “I heard Song Yi raised your fee. The people who were badmouthing you before are probably fuming.”