I Raise My Wife in a Supernatural Story (Infinite) - Chapter 65

The idea of the police asking ordinary people, or even suspects, to help find a murderer was simply preposterous. It defied all normal logic. This only made sense if Hong Jing was also a player. If she knew the player’s task was to find the true culprit, she would instinctively assume that the police’s summons at this moment was a way to push the plot forward.

Qi Yan lagged half a step behind Hong Jing, casting a subtle glance at her. She wondered if the woman was indeed a player.

Previously, Jiang Miao mentioned she felt Hong Jing was trying too hard, intentionally molding herself into a “rough and unrefined” image. After interacting with her, Qi Yan felt Jiang Miao’s assessment was not entirely correct. Hong Jing gave off a sense of trying to stick to her character script. Every move she made was consistent, and she maintained a constant air of thuggery. It matched the impression everyone had of her: a leader who had fought everyone into submission on construction sites. She smoked, drank, and fought, carrying an aura of streetwise toughness that was the immediate image anyone would have of her.

The person before her fit that persona perfectly in every gesture and expression. However, precisely because she was so perfect, it felt unnatural.

She was never without a cigarette. Qi Yan noticed that she often lit one only to take a few puffs, yet she would light another the moment she remembered it. These small details stacked up to create the image of an actress working hard to portray the character of Hong Jing. Combined with her slip of the tongue just now, only a player would instinctively believe the police would seek their help in an investigation.

She is likely a player, Qi Yan concluded. She was not a hundred percent certain, but she decided she needed to test her further.

The group gathered in the open space in front of the crime scene. The criminal police captain was waiting for them with several investigators. Qi Yan noticed that Yin Xin had still not returned, and her whereabouts remained unknown. When contacted earlier on the team channel, she had only left a brief message: “On an urgent mission, wait for my return.” Since then, there had been no word.

Jiang Miao was worried and called out to her again on the channel, but she received no response. With Yin Xin still missing, the three teammates, including Qi Yan, were starting to feel anxious.

Even Bai Qing could not help but ask from within the ring, “What is going on with Yin Xin?”

Qi Yan did not speak, simply shaking her head slightly. She had to focus on the matter at hand and could not afford to be distracted. As a teammate, she could only pray for Yin Xin and trust that she would complete her task. She left a message for Yin Xin on the channel: “If there is anything you cannot handle alone, speak up. We will find a way to get to you.”

“I have called you all here because I hope for your support and cooperation,” the police captain began.

Before he could finish, Meng Jiumo interrupted again with dissatisfaction. “We have already been very supportive. We did not say a word when you detained us here. What more do you want? I suggest you focus on the investigation. Ordering us around is useless. The killer is not going to jump out and confess, and we cannot help you.”

His words earned the approval of the others. Dai Qi, rarely in agreement with him, nodded and said, “Exactly. Calling us back and forth is pointless.”

The captain was not bothered by their joint outburst. He continued calmly, “This time, I hope you can assist the police in solving the case as quickly as possible. We need to search your rooms and luggage. We just received word that the heavy snow last night caused a landslide on the only road back to the city. The road is currently impassable, and the police force available here is limited to those you see with me. Therefore, to increase efficiency and comply with supervision procedures, we have decided to cooperate with you. Each of you will assist our officers in searching the rooms.”

This statement left everyone in shock. Even Qi Yan and her two teammates acted out their surprise perfectly.

Bai Qing gave a soft laugh. “You are quite suited for acting.”

Qi Yan kept her face stern and replied in her mind, “Stop it.”

Bai Qing laughed again but fell silent as requested.

“Wait, did I hear that right?” Meng Jiumo was incredulous. “You want us to help you search our own rooms?”

“Not your own rooms. You will search each other’s,” the captain said. “For example, Mr. Meng, you can assist our officers in searching Ms. Hong’s room, while Ms. Hong can search Ms. Dai’s room, and so on.”

Dai Qi frowned, raising her hand. “I object. I do not want anyone touching my things.”

The captain looked at her. “Ms. Dai, this is a police investigation. Your objection cannot hinder us. We have received approval from superiors to search your rooms and luggage immediately. I have an electronic version of the search warrant here. If you need a physical copy, someone will deliver it once the roads are clear.”

He handed his phone to Dai Qi, showing the stamped electronic warrant.

Dai Qi remained frustrated. “If the police want to search, then search. But not them. Ordinary people have no right to conduct a search, do they?”

“Exactly,” Meng Jiumo echoed.

Qi Yan noted that Hong Jing remained indifferent, as if she could accept any outcome.

At that moment, Jiang Miao spoke up appropriately. “I also feel that having ordinary people conduct a search is somewhat improper. What do you think, President Shi?”

Qi Yan quickly followed her lead. “Indeed.”

Even He Xueyan, who usually remained silent, expressed her thoughts. Despite the unanimous opposition, the captain remained unfazed. “It is not that we are letting you conduct the search, but rather that we hope you will act as supervisors. Police work follows strict procedures. We generally do not conduct searches alone; we either wear body cameras or work in pairs.”

He went on to explain further, but Qi Yan did not pay much attention. Whatever he said was simply the rules of the storybook. This search was inevitable, and it was undoubtedly a key step in finding the murderer.

It really is like a Murder Mystery game, Qi Yan thought, speaking to Bai Qing.

“What exactly is a Murder Mystery game?” Bai Qing asked.

“I will find an opportunity to take you to play one once we return.”

“Very well.” Bai Qing did not press further. She knew Qi Yan would keep her word.

The police soon finished their explanation. Although some were still reluctant, they no longer opposed the plan and accepted the upcoming search.

“In that case, let us divide into groups.”

In the end, whether by luck or misfortune, Qi Yan was paired with the criminal police captain. The two of them were to search He Xueyan’s room. Qi Yan felt a bit of regret; she would have preferred to search the rooms of Dai Qi or Hong Jing.

On the bright side, Jiang Miao and Tang Shanshan were assigned to search Dai Qi’s room. Qi Yan was very curious about Dai Qi, as they knew the least about her. She hoped Jiang Miao and the others would pay close attention.

The groups were set, and everyone began to move. Qi Yan followed the captain into the yurt where He Xueyan had stayed the previous night. Before they parted, she noticed He Xueyan’s expression. The woman seemed extremely nervous, glancing toward her yurt several times and stealing a few looks at Qi Yan.

This person is so strange, Qi Yan thought. She felt certain He Xueyan was not a player but an NPC hiding a secret.

He Xueyan’s yurt was small and ordinary. Inside, there was only a double bed with bedside tables on either side. There were coat racks by the door and the bed, a wardrobe on the side, and her suitcase on the floor.

The captain walked around the room once before opening the wardrobe to check the hanging clothes.

“The room is small and straightforward. Ms. Shi, you…”

Qi Yan interrupted immediately. “You do not need to worry about me. Just do your search. Do you need my help?”

“No, I can handle it myself.”

As he spoke, he opened He Xueyan’s suitcase. Qi Yan leaned in to look. Initially, she was afraid the police would stop her from looking through someone else’s luggage, but this NPC had no intention of stopping her.

Qi Yan realized this was a rule of the storybook: players were encouraged to search the belongings of others without interference. She joined in openly, taking out everything in the suitcase to examine it.

It was a massive twenty-eight-inch suitcase, much larger than what one would normally bring for a short business trip. As Qi Yan saw the contents, her frown deepened. Even the officer’s expression turned serious.

He Xueyan had brought a large quantity of adult toys and a wide variety of provocative lingerie. Qi Yan, who had no experience in such matters, felt her face heating up. Her unease grew.

What is going on? Why would she bring these things on a business trip? What kind of business trip requires this?

Aside from these strange items, there seemed to be nothing else of value in the suitcase. Since the NPC was not stopping her, Qi Yan became bolder. She circled the room, opening every drawer and cabinet. In the bedside table, she found a laptop and several bottles of medicine.

Qi Yan glanced at the officer, who was still busy with the suitcase, and quickly opened the laptop. To her surprise, it was not password-protected. She navigated through the files and documents. It was clear that the storybook was laying out clues to push the plot forward.

The information saved on the computer made Qi Yan’s brow furrow tightly. The ring on her left ring finger flashed with a faint light and felt slightly warm. She knew this was evidence of Bai Qing’s fluctuating emotions. Bai Qing had also seen the screen, and the sight had filled her with anger.

“This Ms. He is being coerced, isn’t she?” Bai Qing’s voice was thick with suppressed rage.

Qi Yan snapped the laptop shut. “She definitely is,” she said in a low voice.

That explained why she was always distracted and looked frightened. Going on a business trip with Zhao Ruibin meant enduring those torments. For her, he was a living nightmare.

“He Xueyan seems to have a very clear motive for murder,” Qi Yan whispered to the officer. “Captain, did your colleagues in the city check her situation at the company?”

The officer looked up and nodded. “They did.”

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