After the Divorce, I Went Back to My Hometown, Pregnant and Became the Sheriff - Chapter 29

As it turned out, the two were unable to process their divorce the next day after all.

Shen Yucheng had been suspended due to the incident involving the unauthorized discharge of his firearm. Since he had been reassigned from S-City, he had to wait for the S-City General Bureau to send a team for an internal investigation. Until they arrived, he was confined to his apartment, with his movements strictly monitored.

On the same day, Zhang Rui was transferred from the hospital to the detention center. Before his suspension, Shen Yucheng had secured interrogation rights for Jiang Xu through Cheng Zhen. However, due to Jiang Xu’s low rank, he could only serve as an assistant; the lead interrogator was another officer from the bureau, an Inspector named Zhao.

Inside the interrogation room, Jiang Xu looked down at Zhang Rui’s file. “Name.”

“…” Zhang Rui remained silent.

Jiang Xu looked up. “I’m asking you a question.”

A disdainful smirk appeared on Zhang Rui’s pale face. “Isn’t it written in the file? Can you be a Public Security officer these days without knowing how to read?”

Jiang Xu ignored the provocation and simply stared at him calmly. After several seconds of silence, Zhang Rui snorted and leaned back in his chair. “Zhang Rui.”

“Age.”

“Twenty-five.”

“Gender.”

Zhang Rui replied with interest, “Male. Secondary gender is Beta. Why? Is that different from you, Officer Jiang?”

Inspector Zhao tapped the table. “Zhang Rui, watch your attitude.”

Jiang Xu continued. “Why did you carry out a kidnapping? And specifically targeting the child of a public official?”

“Ha, you public officials have money,” Zhang Rui grinned. “High salaries to maintain integrity—the common folk have all heard of it.”

Jiang Xu closed the file and the record book. “We dismantled over twenty explosive charges at the abandoned construction site at 200 Fusong Road. Is the child of a grassroots officer really worth that much investment to you?”

Zhang Rui said nothing. Jiang Xu pressed on. “What was your relationship with Feng Xiangjie?” Feng was the primary culprit defined by the authorities in the kidnapping case five years ago—the man Jiang Xu had shot through the legs.

Inspector Zhao glanced at Jiang Xu; the questions were deviating completely from the expected script.

“Feng Xiangjie, Wang Xiangjie—I don’t know any of them,” Zhang Rui denied flatly.

“On the rooftop, you said you kidnapped my child to avenge your brothers from five years ago.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know you at all, let alone anything about revenge. I took the brat because I thought you officials were rich.”

“The pheromone extract in the syringe has been analyzed and confirmed to have been taken from Feng Xiangjie’s glands.”

“I just bought that randomly on the black market.”

“Do you really think staying silent will help someone protect you?”

“Heh, Officer, is that a threat?”

Jiang Xu’s eyes shifted slightly. “Five years ago, your brother and the others—including you—were innocent.”

Zhang Rui’s expression changed instantly, his eyes darting nervously.

Jiang Xu leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, adopting a relaxed posture. “I am willing to believe you, but it seems you’ve taken someone’s advice and plan to keep playing dumb.”

Zhang Rui lowered his head, rubbing his thumbs together.

Minutes ticked by. Jiang Xu didn’t ask any more questions. Inspector Zhao nudged him with an elbow, but Jiang Xu merely glanced back before returning his gaze to Zhang Rui’s face.

“We are all victims,” Jiang Xu stood up and walked over to Zhang Rui. His tall silhouette loomed over the man. Zhang Rui looked up, his eyes filled with suspicion and a faint flicker of hesitation. He muttered, “How could people like you—officials—be victims?”

Jiang Xu leaned down and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear. “My foster father was nothing but a grassroots officer until the day he died.”

Inspector Zhao cleared his throat as a reminder. “Officer Jiang Xu, please avoid private conversations. If the body cam doesn’t capture the interrogation data, the Prosecutor’s Court might suspect the bureau of inducing a confession.”

Jiang Xu nodded. “I understand, Inspector Zhao.” He tapped the table in front of Zhang Rui and straightened up. The chain of Zhang Rui’s handcuffs rattled against the wood.

At the sound of the light click, Zhang Rui looked up as if startled, searching Jiang Xu’s face with uncertainty. But Jiang Xu remained expressionless, offering only a fleeting, neutral glance before turning away.

Inspector Zhao took over the lead for the remainder of the session, asking about the details of the kidnapping according to the record book. Zhang Rui answered absentmindedly.

The interrogation lasted over an hour. Just as Zhang Rui seemed to have finally settled down, he suddenly grabbed his shoulder—the one where he had been shot. Jiang Xu’s expression sharpened, and he rushed forward. “Zhang Rui!”

He tried to pull Zhang Rui’s hand away, but the man frantically clawed at his own wound. Jiang Xu cursed under his breath. “Zhang Rui! I order you to let go right now!”

The white bandages were quickly soaked in a large patch of blood. Zhang Rui turned deathly pale, shouting, “Hospital! Hospital! I want to go to the hospital! I want to go to the hospital…!”

The interrogation was forced to an end. Zhang Rui fainted from blood loss and was carried onto an ambulance by arriving colleagues.

As Inspector Zhao tidied the documents on the table, he glanced at Jiang Xu standing by the door. “Aren’t you leaving, Officer Jiang?”

Jiang Xu snapped back to reality. “I’m on my way.”

Inspector Zhao gathered his files and patted Jiang Xu on the shoulder. “In this case, you are the victim. I understand how you feel, but…”

Jiang Xu looked at him. Zhao continued, “Special Envoy Shen Yucheng is being investigated because someone reported him for exceeding his authority by firing that shot. He’s someone sent down by the General Bureau; who would be foolish enough to report him? Besides, he fired the shot yesterday and was suspended today. Isn’t that a bit too fast?”

Jiang Xu’s expression turned grave. He understood exactly what Zhao was implying.

“Since the child is safe and the suspect is caught, things are settled. Closing the case early is the wise choice.” With that, Inspector Zhao left.

Two days later, Zhang Rui was discharged from the hospital, but Jiang Xu’s authorization to assist in the interrogation was revoked. The reason given was that Zhang Rui’s legal aid lawyer had filed a motion for recusal, citing that Jiang Xu was a close relative of the victim.

Jiang Xu tried to argue his case with Cheng Zhen, but the Chief Inspector refused to budge, insisting he withdraw from the kidnapping case entirely. Frustrated, Jiang Xu could only ask, “Who is taking over the interrogation?”

Cheng Zhen clasped his hands and replied cheerfully, “Inspector He Xianxing.”

Jiang Xu didn’t rush to leave the bureau that evening. Tongtong’s kindergarten had started winter break, and since Shen Yucheng was suspended, he could help look after the child at home. Jiang Xu hadn’t seen He Xianxing for several days; he had heard He was pulled away by Ye Yilang to investigate a drowning case in West City. Had that case wrapped up so quickly?

Jiang Xu waited in He Xianxing’s office until it was completely dark before he saw the man push open the door, looking exhausted.

Seeing Jiang Xu, He Xianxing appeared surprised. “Jiang Xu, why are you…” He trailed off, removing his cap. An uneasy expression crossed his face. “Sorry. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had a chance to say I’m sorry. Everything with Tongtong was my fault, yet I…”

“I’m not here to settle scores,” Jiang Xu interrupted quietly. “Besides, picking up the child shouldn’t have been your job in the first place. There’s no need to blame yourself.”

He Xianxing walked closer, his eyes downcast. “I heard you were injured.”

Jiang Xu felt the man looked more like a patient than he did. “It’s just a scratch. I came to see you because—”

“Let me see.” He Xianxing reached out toward Jiang Xu.

“Wait, Inspector—Hey, He Xianxing!” Jiang Xu was pinned against the edge of the desk. His tucked-in shirt was pulled out, revealing his abdominal muscles.

He Xianxing touched the gauze around Jiang Xu’s waist. “Does it hurt?”

“No.” Before Jiang Xu could finish, He Xianxing pressed his palm down. Jiang Xu sucked in a sharp breath and admitted, “Yes.”

He Xianxing gave a short laugh and leaned his head on Jiang Xu’s shoulder, where he could faintly smell the scent of another Alpha. “You waited specifically for me. Is something the matter?”

“Stand up and talk first.” Jiang Xu couldn’t push away He Xianxing, who was clearly determined to act shamelessly.

“No. Let me recharge for a bit.”

“There are cameras in the office.”

“Ah, how scandalous.” He Xianxing pecked Jiang Xu’s neck before standing up straight with narrowed eyes. “I was just leaning on you. Jiang Xu, what exactly are you thinking about?”

He spoke with such righteousness that Jiang Xu could only sigh and pull his messy shirt back into place. “The Chief Inspector told me you’re replacing me for Zhang Rui’s interrogation.”

“The kidnapper?”

“Yes.”

“The case I was working on just wrapped up.” He Xianxing pulled over a chair and sat on it backward. He rested his arms on the backrest and looked up at Jiang Xu. “This Zhang Rui—is there something about him you can’t let go of?”

“Do you know about the June 13th kidnapping from five years ago?”

“I’ve heard bits and pieces.”

“He is the only surviving kidnapper from that case.” Jiang Xu leaned against the desk and recounted the events of five years ago to He Xianxing, including Zhang Rui’s claims of revenge on the rooftop.

He Xianxing rested his chin on the chair back, looking thoughtful. “So you suspect Zhang Rui was incited by someone to refuse to admit to the old case?”

“It’s hard to say. He could have figured it out himself. The kidnapping five years ago was too big; if he admits to it and the charges are combined, he won’t escape the death penalty.”

“So you want him to confess and provide leads on the old case in exchange for a lighter sentence?” He Xianxing kicked his long legs against the desk in boredom, making the chair roll backward. “But if he only admits to kidnapping Tongtong, he’d get ten years at most. If he admits to the case from five years ago, even with cooperation, he’s looking at life in prison or a stayed death sentence. No matter the reduction, he won’t get less than thirteen years. Why do you think he’d confess?”

“Because what he wants is revenge and the truth to come out,” Jiang Xu said.

“Revenge and the truth?”

“He said that day that they were innocent.”

He Xianxing let out a bright laugh. “Every criminal has the right to scream that they are innocent.”

“I want to try to believe him,” Jiang Xu said after a silence.

“Even though his brother killed a completely innocent child?” He Xianxing tilted his head, watching Jiang Xu nod. “Fine. I’ll try to steer the interrogation toward the case from five years ago.”

Jiang Xu stared into space. “He might be the only witness left.”

He Xianxing kicked off from the other side and rolled back to Jiang Xu’s side. He got off the chair. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

“Mhm.” Jiang Xu checked the time. “I should head back. I’ll leave Zhang Rui to you.”

“Wait… your shirt. Let me tuck it in for you?” He Xianxing grabbed Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu stepped back. “I can do it myself.”

He Xianxing hooked into the belt and unbuckled it with a grin. “I always finish what I start.”

Jiang Xu braced himself against the desk while He Xianxing tucked the shirt back into his trousers. The rustling movements made Jiang Xu shiver with itchiness. “I said I’d do it.” He placed his hands on He Xianxing’s shoulders to push him away, but at that moment, the office door creaked open.

The person entering let out a startled cry. “In-Inspector He—”

He Xianxing turned his face. The colleague who had returned to pick something up stood frozen. “I knew there was something up with your relationship!!”

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