DF Chapter 33

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In the last two years of his middle school days, Yin Duo often saw a colourful little girl—like a butterfly, or a cuckoo bird—dancing and playing the guitar, always coming up with new antics.

One time, as he hurried into the school, she rushed up to him, handing him a flyer with a bright, sunflower-like smile. He froze for a moment before she turned away to hand flyers to others. The flyer was covered in cute cartoon drawings: a witch and two chibi children, with a colourful, crooked line of text that read: “The disciplinary director won’t let me date. Please vote to support Zhen Yi and Yan Ge! Hulala!”

It was as if she had already won him over.

After he entered university, Yin Duo would occasionally call up his juniors and ask casually, “How’s that little girl named Zhen Yi doing?”

“Still chasing after him! Last week, she covered the walls of the school building with graffiti depicting her and Yan Ge’s happy life. Everyone took photos on their phones, and even students from other schools skipped class to come see. It was wild! She got chewed out by the disciplinary director and spent the whole day repainting the walls. She’s so cute.”

Yin Duo couldn’t help but laugh. Unbeknownst to her, just mentioning her name would bring joy to people. Those boring and monotonous school days had become colourful, even if not because of her actions toward him.

…

Years later, they were still destined to work together. In the Tang Shang case, he was the prosecutor, and they collaborated seamlessly.

Now, in the Lin Ziyi Murder Case, he was once again the prosecutor, but this time, Zhen Yi was on the opposing side.

Zhen Yi spoke first: “It’s a shame. I was looking forward to facing off with you in court, but it seems there’s no chance.”

She was confident and independent, standing tall even in front of the best prosecutor, never losing her composure. She always saw challenges as opportunities to fight boldly. How could a girl like this have spent three whole years chasing a boy?

Yin Duo said, “Well, it seems like the case isn’t over yet.”

“Not over?” Zhen Yi was puzzled and looked toward Si Gui.

“It’s been a rollercoaster. Suo Lei was the prime suspect, and the police even issued a warrant for his arrest. But then, he showed up at the station.”

“Surrendered?”

“No, he said he ran because he was scared and wanted to find Tang Yu. Then he got worried the police would suspect him, so he came to explain. He claims to know nothing about the murder.”

“And you believe that?”

“We have no choice. Tang Yu’s testimony isn’t enough to convict Suo Lei.” Yin Duo’s usual smile vanished as he talked about work, his expression now serious and composed.

Zhen Yi frowned. “Tang Yu’s testimony isn’t valid?”

“She claimed she went to Ecstasy to sell cheap alcohol as high-end. The aphrodisiacs were just for fun with Suo Lei. As for the crime scene, she says she wasn’t there and doesn’t know if Suo Lei was the killer.” Si Gui rubbed her temples. “It was easier when Suo Lei ran. At least we had the excuse of a fugitive. Now that he’s back, the pressure’s on. Lin Ziyi is dead, and our superiors are driving us insane.”

Yin Duo spoke in a low tone: “We investigated the relationship between Suo Lei and Lin Ziyi, and there’s no connection. While his escape was suspicious, theoretically, he has no motive for murder.”

Zhen Yi was stunned. “Then why didn’t he defend himself when I questioned him?”

“He said he thought it was Tang Yu and was afraid of saying something that would get her in trouble.”

At that moment, Zhen Yi’s phone rang. It was Song Yi, asking her to come over to sign a contract.

On the way there, Zhen Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off: the whole case was too strange. Every suspect seemed suspicious, but at every turn, someone else’s involvement shifted the blame, like an intricate web. The police had been watching Ecstasy closely, so it wasn’t possible that they had thrown out the bloodstained carpet. They must have washed it. Even then, traces of blood would still be detectable. So why hadn’t the forensic team found anything?

A thought struck her, and she immediately sent a text to Si Gui: Room 31 may not be the actual crime scene.

Song Yi’s apartment was in a high-end residential complex, elegantly decorated.

Zhen Yi, out of professional habit, glanced around. The living room was neat, nothing out of place. There was a strange black-and-white modern painting on the wall, depicting a black silhouette of a person, wide-eyed and screaming in terror. At first glance, it was eerie… and somehow familiar.

Song Yi was alone at home, dressed in a tight-fitting red athletic top. She looked stunning.

Zhen Yi asked, “Isn’t it too early to have your cast removed? Are you sure it’s okay?”

“I’ll be careful. Have a seat, I’ll get some tea.” Song Yi was surprisingly polite.

On the coffee table lay a script. Zhen Yi flipped through it idly. The lines seemed familiar, but she couldn’t place them.

She checked the script’s cover, recognising it as the one she’d seen at the hospital a few days ago. It wasn’t about a lawyer, nor did it contain the dialogue she had overheard at the hospital.

Song Yi returned with tea and the contract in hand. “Sorry for making you come again.”

Her friendly attitude made Zhen Yi feel a bit uneasy. “No problem, I had something to ask you anyway.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“I wanted to ask you in person. Song Yi, did you really see the killer?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Answer me first.”

Song Yi stood up abruptly, towering over Zhen Yi. “Are you suspecting me again?”

“I just think that you knew Lin Ziyi was going to die before it happened. You must be connected to the killer.”

Song Yi’s friendly demeanor vanished. “What makes you think that?”

“In theory, Wu Zhe is the prime suspect, but his mental state is unstable. He saw your performance in Scream of Terror. You were caught on the surveillance camera, and your hair was found on the curtain, yet you passed the polygraph, and your motive is indirect. You claimed the killer was a woman, and the hospital records show it was a woman who brought Wu Zhe in, which pointed us to Tang Yu. But Tang Yu couldn’t have known when the victim would appear, nor could she have carried out the murder on her own. That shifted suspicion to Suo Lei. Yet no one saw Suo Lei commit the murder, and he had no motive. One piece leads to another, as if someone is leading us into a carefully constructed trap. Everyone seems guilty, but everyone also has a way out. Song Yi, you’re smart. You’re not just hiding the killer—you’re actively interfering with the case and protecting them. If that’s the case, I won’t help you anymore.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Song Yi’s face turned cold, and after a long pause, she pettily gathered up all the snacks on the table. “I’m not welcoming you here anymore. Get out.”

“Oh…” Zhen Yi remarked thoughtfully. “So today, you were considering me a friend.”

Song Yi’s expression stiffened. “No, I wasn’t.”

Zhen Yi stood up, noticing a large pool of blood spreading across the floor. Song Yi’s ankle was bleeding profusely. Zhen Yi was shocked. “Can’t you feel that? The wound on your leg has opened up. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital.”

Song Yi shoved her away in disgust. “I don’t need your fake concern. I have an assistant. If you suspect me, call the police and have them arrest me!”

Zhen Yi knew how stubborn she could be, so she decided to step out and call the assistant. After taking a few steps, she turned back. “Song Yi, is your relationship with Tang Shang really as bad as the rumours say?”

Standing by the window, with her face obscured by the light, Song Yi seemed to sneer. “Zhen Yi, you think I’m the killer, don’t you?”