Silent Testimony - Chapter 36

The interrogation ended, and Qiu Wan walked out of the room. The police officers waiting outside to be assigned approached her.

“Xiao Zhou, take Zhang Dalun to the scene and reconstruct the process of him murdering Chen Han.” When police handle a case, they need not only the suspect’s unilateral confession but also other physical evidence to confirm the crime.

“Xiao Lü, contact Qian Gang’s family.”

Xiao Zhou spoke as he walked, “Boss, Zhang Dalun waited for us to arrest him and had no intention of fleeing. He shouldn’t be lying.”

Qiu Wan casually said while flipping through her contacts, “Yes, that’s the logic. He claims he acted impulsively at the time, leading to a huge mistake.”

Xiao Lü spat, “I don’t believe him for a second. Stabbing Jiao Yang and murdering Chen Han—he’s no good guy.”

“But he seemed outwardly calm; didn’t you notice?” Qiu Wan messaged He Ying privately, asking colleagues from the Technical Team to come and assist.

Xiao Zhou was confused. “Seemed to be?”

Qiu Wan didn’t lift her head. “He was pretending to be calm, but his legs were shaking. Zhang Dalun is definitely hiding something from us, and his confession sounded memorized—too practiced.”

“Interrogate him, then! I also think it’s weird; other suspects stumble over their words.”

“Interrogating him now is useless. We must find evidence to pry his mouth open.” Qiu Wan looked up, still with a calm expression. “Let’s eat first.”

She turned her head, her gaze resting on her phone screen, and joy instantly appeared in her eyes.

Xiao Qiu: [Captain Qiu, have you eaten?]

[Not yet]

[Come, my sister is treating.] This was immediately followed by the noodle shop’s location.

She typed: [Wait a moment.]

When Qiu Wan arrived at the noodle shop, Cheng Yingqiu had already ordered. The beef daoxiaomian was just being served. The proprietress smiled warmly: “Please enjoy your meal, four people.”

Li Hewei nodded and handed her 50 yuan. “Thank you.” She then tucked the 22 yuan in change into her shoulder bag and enthusiastically said, “Sister Qiu, eat while it’s hot, it tastes great.”

Qiu Wan picked up her chopsticks as requested and voiced her confusion: “Why did you suddenly rush to Wanyang Town?”

“My work there was nearing its end, and I thought you might need me.” Li Hewei was being truthful. “He Ying has been managing the Technical Team for nearly two months, and I heard her chronic back pain flared up.”

“We might genuinely need you.”

Li Hewei frowned. “Didn’t you already solve the case?”

Qiu Wan glanced at Cheng Yingqiu out of the corner of her eye. “We’ll talk details later.”

“Hmph, I’m not interested in listening.” Cheng Yingqiu chewed her noodles. “I came to Wanyang Town for something else.”

Qiu Wan blurted out, “What is it?”

Cheng Yingqiu glared at her, returning tit for tat. “Why should I tell you?”

“Alright, eat your noodles.” Li Hewei knew she was joking but smoothed things over. “Come with me to the guesthouse later; I have your stuff.”

Cheng Yingqiu instantly pouted, pretending to be angry. “It’s better not to mention it! Sister Qiu, you be the judge: what kind of older sister leaves for two months and doesn’t bring back souvenirs for her younger sister? I hinted three times, and she kept saying she was busy and had no time to shop. In the end, I had to send her photos of the things I wanted before she bought them according to the list.”

Li Hewei didn’t know how to explain, burying her head in silent eating.

Qiu Wan explained the situation, “I heard from Old Tang that they work 10 hours a day when they’re down at the grassroots level. If that’s the case, it’s already quite difficult for her to find time to buy gifts.”

“Is that so?” Cheng Yingqiu snorted. “Then I’ll forgive her for now.”

They were chatting and laughing, but Tao Ling in the corner was silent, her heart trembling slightly. Why was I special? Sister Wei never asked about my preferences; she chose to act first and inform later…

Cheng Yingqiu noticed she hadn’t touched her chopsticks and nudged her arm with her elbow. “Hey, why aren’t you eating?”

Tao Ling paused. “I already ate a bowl at noon; I’m not hungry right now.”

“You ate the potato and beef brisket noodles earlier,” Li Hewei picked up a seasoning bottle and poured a little vinegar into Tao Ling’s bowl. “I remember you like vinegar. Try this pea and minced meat daoxiaomian.”

Her voice was gentle. Tao Ling nodded as if enchanted, temporarily setting aside her confusion.

After the meal, Cheng Yingqiu left. Qiu Wan led them to where her car was parked on the side of the street, reached out, opened the car door, and tilted her head. “Are you free? Come with me to the hospital.”

Li Hewei sat in the back seat. “What are we going to the hospital for?”

“It’s a long story.” Qiu Wan fastened her seatbelt. “A case within a case.”

Tao Ling was surprised. “A case within a case?”

“Yes. According to the suspect’s confession, he and the deceased were paid by Qian Gang to attempt to murder another victim, Jiao Yang, who is now recovering in the hospital.”

Li Hewei wondered, “Why go to the hospital? Shouldn’t we first confirm the truthfulness of his confession?”

“We can do both simultaneously.” Qiu Wan checked the navigation; the destination was The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shujiang University School of Medicine. She continued, “Jiao Yang was my deskmate for all three years of high school… The main issue is Qian Gang’s disappearance.”

Li Hewei analyzed subconsciously, “Qian Gang disappeared? Fleeing due to fear of conviction?”

“The timeline doesn’t fit. He went missing the day before Jiao Yang was attacked, and the police haven’t arrested the assailant who stabbed Jiao Yang. The suspect basically confessed without being interrogated about this part.”

“Strange. Based on the description in the group chat, he probably committed a crime of passion, which usually results in life imprisonment or fifteen years. But with multiple crimes counting together, he’s undoubtedly facing the death penalty. Isn’t he being stupid?”

“Yes, so there are many suspicious points. Let’s take it slowly.” Qiu Wan turned the car key. “Let’s go, to the hospital of both your alma mater.”

The navigation indicated a total distance of 40 kilometers, taking approximately 50 minutes. The car fell silent, and heavy sleepiness gradually spread. Li Hewei completely relaxed and fell into a dream.

Qiu Wan observed through the rearview mirror. “She must be too tired, right? She probably didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Yes, she’s been very busy lately and hasn’t gotten enough rest.” Tao Ling took off her long-sleeved shirt and carefully draped it over Li Hewei.

“Xiao Tao, are you cold? I brought a jacket.”

“It’s fine. I’m not sleeping, so I’m okay.”

As the car passed a muddy section, it bounced slightly. Due to inertia, Li Hewei’s tilted head swayed gently and finally rested on Tao Ling’s left shoulder.

Tao Ling froze instantly. The woman beside her was breathing steadily, showing no signs of waking up.

Qiu Wan smiled. “She’s sleeping quite soundly.”

“It’s good for relieving fatigue.” Tao Ling calmed down, yet her senses became clearer and clearer. Li Hewei’s warm breath fanned her neck, creating a tingling sensation. Her heartbeat gradually lost its regular rhythm. Although she had no experience with romance, being a medical professional, she could clearly sense the abnormal physiological response.

Time seemed to stand still. Tao Ling gently bit her lip, and her moist eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness. All her unusual behaviors over the past days rushed into her mind like a tide.

Looking forward to her private messages every night… worrying about her safety… treasuring her gifts… and the absolute panic exposed right now…

Tao Ling was utterly flustered, her mind a mess. A terrifying thought was vaguely about to surface, but she dared not scrutinize it, nor could she even face it.

It’s just that this person… cannot be.

Tao Ling reached out and opened the car window. She closed her eyes, letting the autumn wind buffet her face, but the genuine touch on her neck prevented her thoughts from settling down as she wished…

But she didn’t want to wake her, and she was even more reluctant to push her away.

Fortunately, the car turned into the parking lot opposite the hospital. Li Hewei woke up hearing the conversations of pedestrians outside the window. She lifted her head from Tao Ling’s shoulder and rubbed her sore neck. “Are we there?”

She opened her sleepy eyes and happened to notice Tao Ling’s flushed ear and profile. The unwitting culprit instead asked, “Are you hot? Or uncomfortable?”

“No, I’m not.” Tao Ling didn’t dare look at her. She waited for Qiu Wan to pull the handbrake and impatiently pushed the door open.

“What was that?”

Qiu Wan shrugged, indicating she didn’t know the reason. “Maybe you rested your head on Xiao Tao’s shoulder while you were sleeping, and she was too embarrassed to say anything.”

Rested my head on her shoulder? Flushed face? Mumbling words? Li Hewei realized belatedly: Was Tao Ling feeling shy? A smile flashed on her cheek. She quickly followed Qiu Wan out of the car.

“Xiao Tao, the exit is on the right, you’re going the wrong way.” Qiu Wan yelled at the figure walking quickly into the distance, asking perplexedly, “She’s always so composed. Why is she so rash today?”

The curve of Li Hewei’s lips couldn’t be suppressed. “Hmm, it really is strange.”

“She’s darting around like a headless fly.”

Li Hewei moved a little closer and explained, “She graduated recently, so she should be more familiar than you are. Sister Qiu, which department are we going to? Tao Ling can lead the way.”

“Emergency Department.”

“The Emergency Department is in the Emergency Building.” Tao Ling walked ahead. “It’s easier to go through the East Gate.”

They entered the Emergency Building and took the elevator to the second floor.

Tao Ling pointed the way. “Sister Qiu, the nurses’ station is there.”

“Okay.” Qiu Wan stepped forward in two or three strides, took out her police ID, and briefly explained the situation.

The nurse nodded. “Dr. Lin is in the ward. Please wait a moment.”