Chapter 6

Li Xiaofang’s words answered the biggest question in Captain Lin’s mind.

The chief knew Xiao Hu and Captain Lin had accidentally let details of the case slip while talking. He didn’t pursue it, but he took what Li Xiaofang said to heart.

Soon, he had Secretary Zhang from the Political Department start writing a publicity piece.

Secretary Zhang was a good writer. He turned the case—from its tangled beginning to the moment the truth came to light—into a clear and gripping story.

He went into particular detail about Captain Lin catching Old Qian, the key evidence that cracked the case, and cast the police bureau in a positive light.

“Secretary Zhang, don’t you think the case was solved a little too smoothly?” Captain Lin asked uneasily.

Secretary Zhang lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously.

“That’s because you’re lucky. Just wait. There’s more good news coming.”

Captain Lin pressed him, but Secretary Zhang wouldn’t say anything else.

“Heh-heh. Once you’re rich and successful, don’t forget me. If you ever need someone to write up your accomplishments, you know where to find me.”

Captain Lin was about to grumble to Xiao Hu again.

Xiao Hu held up the evidence and said:

“Captain, you should take a few days off. Has Liu Xiaofang changing her story gotten into your head? We have witnesses, physical evidence, and the city’s DNA report. The evidence is overwhelming. Stop making things hard for yourself.”

Captain Lin looked at himself in the mirror: bloodshot eyes, disheveled hair, stubble on his chin, and clothes that stank.

The pressure had really been getting to him these past few days. The evidence was right in front of him. Why was he still imagining things?

The next day, newspapers of every size published Secretary Zhang’s article.

Senior officials even called Captain Lin personally to commend him.

A few days later, the city sent down a third-class merit citation, along with good news.

The Political and Legal Affairs Commission had allocated the bureau a spot in a year-long training program, and Captain Lin happened to qualify.

Anyone with an eye for things knew this was a good path into government leadership.

The chief didn’t pressure him. He simply waved his hand and signed off on Captain Lin’s training assignment.

Although Secretary Zhang’s article only briefly mentioned Liu Xiaofang’s attempt to take the blame for Liu Ning, the case had caused a major stir in society.

The fates of those two unfortunate people had been magnified by the unusual circumstances.

A lawyer even volunteered to represent them.

Liu Ning was under fourteen and therefore not criminally liable. He was sent to a government-run juvenile welfare facility for six months of education.

Liu Xiaofang was convicted of harboring an offender and helping a suspect destroy evidence. Because she had helped solve the case, she received a three-year sentence, suspended for one year.

Qian Jinbao was convicted of helping a suspect destroy evidence and sentenced to four years in prison.

Captain Lin attended the trial. A large crowd was there, and after it ended, people gathered in little groups to talk.

“Tell me, if Liu Xiaofang hadn’t tried to take the blame for Liu Ning and deliberately gone to Dr. Wang, would this case have become a cold case?”

“Of course. The plan backfired on her. But that bastard Liu Cheng deserved to die. Look what he did—he was brutal to his own son and his own sister.”

“Old Qian was so selfish, but this time he finally acted like a man for a woman. I heard he gave Liu Xiaofang the chance to earn credit for solving the case. Who would’ve guessed?”

“Old Qian was no good, either. He used to beat his wife and kid at home. Maybe he finally met his one true love this time. Hahaha, who knows…”

The chatter gradually faded.

Captain Lin—no, now Deputy Director Lin—also took the report jointly written by the police, the procuratorate, and the court, then got into the car waiting to pick him up.

In 2013, the film *Silent Witness* became a nationwide hit. In it, the businessman father, played by Sun Honglei, staged an elaborate scheme to take the blame for his daughter.

Most of the people gathered for dinner that day worked in the political and legal system. They couldn’t help discussing the movie over the meal.

Secretary Lin remembered that the “Liu Ning Kills His Father” case from ten years earlier bore some resemblance to the film, so he shared a few details.

“Art really does come from life. But Secretary Lin was sharp. You didn’t convict an innocent person or let the guilty one slip away.”

“I was at the procuratorate back then. That case was extraordinarily difficult. Searching hundreds of tons of construction waste, all while under public pressure. If it were made into a movie, it might be just as compelling as *Silent Witness*.”

“Secretary Lin really is impressive.”

“And he’s done more than that. Last year, as deputy director of the anti-gang task force, he broke up a whole string of cases in the Shanxi coal mines.”

The flattery pleased Secretary Lin.

“I owe much of the fact that I’m sitting here today to solving the ‘Liu Ning Kills His Father’ case.

“The third-class merit banner I received for it is still hanging in my office…”

Secretary Lin raised his teacup and was about to say more, but his secretary hurriedly interrupted him.

“Secretary Lin, General Manager Liu has arrived.”

“Then let’s go greet him.”

At Secretary Lin’s words, the others stopped talking. Several younger people stood up to welcome the guest.

The gathering was for a public-service project jointly sponsored by the Xinsheng Group and the political and legal system.

The project aimed mainly to help people who had completed prison sentences find work. Xinsheng made automotive parts and ran its own factories and production shops.

The company could offer a lot of jobs to former inmates. The important thing wasn’t the number of positions, but that the company was willing to hire people with a “stain” on their records—and as regular employees with full insurance.

Xinsheng’s factories weren’t local. They were in the Northeast. Word was that General Manager Liu had lived here for a while, but people knew very little about him.

Since the project wouldn’t officially launch for a few days, the main purpose of the dinner was for everyone to get acquainted.

The person in charge of coordination was Deputy Director Zhou from the Investment Promotion Office. When Zhou pushed the door open and led several people inside—

The familiar face, no longer so young, made Secretary Lin freeze on the spot.

“Secretary Lin, this is the general manager of Xinsheng Group, Liu Xinning—Mr. Liu.”

“Mr. Liu, this is Secretary Lin of our Political and Legal Affairs Commission.”

At the sight of Secretary Lin, Liu Xinning froze for a moment, too. But he quickly composed himself and held out his hand.

“Hello, Secretary Lin. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

With everyone watching, Secretary Lin reached out and shook his hand.

“It’s been a long time, Liu Ning.”

Mr. Liu didn’t deny it. He only smiled calmly and sat down politely.

Deputy Director Zhou spoke first.

“You really are a young hero, Mr. Liu. You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age.”

“Exactly. I hear Mr. Liu is very dedicated to charity. He has funded treatment for children with leukemia, from Shanxi and Hunan to all across the country.

“And now he’s planning to help people who have completed prison sentences. It’s rare to meet someone so kind.”

Everyone chimed in, and the dinner table quickly grew lively.

Secretary Lin watched Liu Ning smoothly make conversation with everyone. A physical wave of revulsion rose in him. Even when Liu Ning tried to speak to him, he pretended not to hear.

He had never shared a table with a murderer.

Not when he worked at the police bureau, and certainly not now at the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Whenever he went out to arrest criminals, he would rather go hungry than eat with them.

He had seen too many crime scenes and too many cruel methods of killing. He simply couldn’t treat the person in front of him as an ordinary man and sit down to eat with him calmly.

At that moment, the beef stew with tomatoes looked unnaturally red, and the crushed tofu vaguely resembled brains smashed by a hammer…

Everyone noticed Secretary Lin’s silence. Fortunately, they were all perceptive. Deputy Director Zhou used a toast as an excuse to move to his side.

“Secretary, don’t underestimate him because he’s young. He’s capable. He says he can provide thirty jobs a year for inmates in our region. How many inmates do we have every year?”

Secretary Lin lowered his head and didn’t answer. The others kept up their separate conversations, but they were all sneaking glances over.

Secretary Lin’s attitude would decide whether the project succeeded or failed.

Deputy Director Zhou was getting anxious. He turned his back to the others and lowered his voice.

“If we solve this difficult employment problem, those repeat offenders who steal will have a way to earn a living and turn their lives around. And looking at the bigger picture, crime in our region will go down. That’ll look good on your record when you’re promoted, won’t it?”

Secretary Lin remembered what Liu Xiaofang had said about being discriminated against, then thought about Liu Ning now offering people jobs.

He looked up at Deputy Director Zhou, who was anxiously waiting, and finally spoke.

“Mr. Liu is only twenty-four this year, right? You must have gone through a lot to accomplish so much. Do you plan to continue your education?”

No one wondered why Secretary Lin said “continue.” The fact that he had spoken and shown goodwill meant the project was already halfway to success.

“Yes. But I started late and had missed too much of the curriculum, so I couldn’t get into college. After that, I started earning money to support my family. But now I’m preparing for the adult self-study college entrance exams.”

At the mention of his education, Liu Xinning looked a little embarrassed. Talking about less-than-stellar grades in front of his elders was awkward.

“As for hardship, it really hasn’t been that bad. Life is much better now than it used to be. At least I can eat my fill and dress warmly.”

Someone quickly picked up the conversation. After everyone had had enough to drink to feel a little lightheaded, another person brought up *Silent Witness*.

In the end, the conversation inevitably returned to the “Liu Ning Kills His Father” case.

Secretary Lin watched Liu Ning’s every move. He carefully removed the bones from his fish, then reverently and elegantly put a piece of tender white flesh in his mouth, as if the conversation had nothing to do with him.

“Mr. Liu probably doesn’t know how much of a sensation this case caused here back then. Take a guess: did Liu Ning kill his father?” Deputy Director Zhou steered the question toward him.

Liu Ning put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a tissue, looked at Secretary Lin, and answered with certainty:

“My guess is… yes and no.”

“Hahaha, you got it! That’s right. Later, Liu Xiaofang changed her statement and said she was the one who killed him. Then Secretary Lin himself led a team across the province and caught Old Qian. That’s how Liu Ning was finally convicted.”

Secretary Lin no longer heard the flattery around him.

It was as if all sound had vanished from his ears. The only words left were Liu Ning’s:

“Yes and no.”

He knew Liu Ning had said them to him.

And they meant far more than Liu Xiaofang changing her statement.

The alcohol made Secretary Lin’s mind feel numb. He tried to piece together the old case, but too much time had passed. He had forgotten many details.

“Mr. Liu, how has your father been feeling these days?” someone at the table asked.

Liu Ning glanced quickly at Secretary Lin, looking a little tense.

“He’s doing pretty well. Since he started taking his medicine, he hasn’t been wandering away in a confused state and then insisting he wants to come back.”

Like a thunderclap in a deep mountain ravine, the words exploded in Secretary Lin’s ears.

He sprang to his feet in shock, knocking over the glass in front of him. His trembling hand pointed at Liu Ning.

“Your father?!”

Before Liu Ning could answer, everyone stared at Secretary Lin in confusion.

His vision slowly went dark. The tables and chairs, the ceiling, then the floor beneath the table began to spin.

Secretary Lin collapsed and lost consciousness.

Secretary Lin went almost mad, reopening the entire file on the 2003 “Liu Ning Kills His Father” case.

He went to the police bureau, the bank, the prison, and the school. He even made a trip to Hunan.

A shocking “theory” gradually took shape in his mind.

Meeting Liu Ning in private was the final step in confirming it.

Haihuafudi—the villa community where Liu Ning now lived—had only gone on sale at the beginning of the year.

When Liu Ning saw Secretary Lin arrive, he didn’t seem especially surprised.

He welcomed him like an old friend he hadn’t seen in years, led him into the house, and introduced the elderly man playing with a toy in the room.

“This is my adoptive father, Liu Sheng.

“When I was sixteen, the local authorities in the Northeast arranged the adoption for us.”

When Liu Sheng turned around, his face looked almost exactly like Liu Cheng’s in the photograph. Secretary Lin shut his eyes in resignation.

“So… the person who died that day was Old Qian, wasn’t he?”

Liu Ning looked sadly at the old man playing with the toy.

“He deserved to die.

“But he shouldn’t have died at your hands.”

At that, Liu Ning smiled at Secretary Lin.

“Old Qian didn’t die at my hands. Secretary Lin should know that perfectly well. He died after reporting me, after he confessed and was sentenced, in a prison so tightly guarded that not even a fly could get in. To be precise… he died at your hands.”

“On the night of April 15, the person you killed wasn’t Liu Cheng. It was Old Qian.”

“If Old Qian died on April 15, how could a dead man help dismember a body, identify the killer, and then go to prison to serve a sentence? Don’t you think that’s absurd?” Liu Ning asked.

“The man who reported you and went to prison was Old Qian’s older brother, Qian Jinlong, who had terminal lung cancer. You paid for his son’s treatment, and he gave false testimony for you. You still send money regularly to an account in Hunan belonging to Qian Pengyu, the son of Qian Jinlong. Am I wrong?”

“I donate to dozens of children with leukemia every year. This Qian Pengyu you mentioned may be one of them, but I don’t know him. It could be a coincidence.”

“A coincidence?

“Qian Jinlong had a Hunan accent, which is why Old Qian’s voice was ruined when he was arrested.

“Qian Jinlong had a congenital disability in his right hand, which is why Old Qian injured his right hand while dismembering the body.

“On May 26, the day Old Qian was arrested, Qian Pengyu paid two hundred thousand yuan in hospital fees. The next morning, his surgery went ahead.

“After Old Qian died in prison, the person who came to claim the body was a woman with a Hunan accent who couldn’t even write the character ‘Bao’ in his name.

“When you put all those coincidences together, they can’t still be called coincidences.”

Secretary Lin looked at Liu Ning and continued.

“I think… this is what happened.

“After hearing that the neighborhood was going to be demolished, Old Qian came to your house several times.

“He wanted to divorce his wife and marry your aunt so he could get a share of the compensation money. But your aunt refused.

“So Old Qian kept hitting you to threaten her. Once, he nearly killed you. That frightened him, so he took you to Dr. Wang and even left money for your treatment.

“He was afraid he’d go to prison if you died, so he went around telling people that your father had returned with gambling debts and beaten you like that while demanding the house deed.

“On April 15, Old Qian came to demand the house deed again, and either you or your aunt killed him.

“Both you and your aunt were badly injured and used up all the medicine to stop the bleeding.

“Your aunt had to go to Dr. Wang’s clinic in the middle of the night to buy more.

“Dr. Wang secretly followed her, overheard your conversation, and realized that you had killed someone. So once the demolition money was paid out, he came to extort you.

“You, your aunt, and Old Qian’s wife—who was also Liu Xiaofang’s close friend in their youth, Li Xiaofang—put on an elaborate performance to escape punishment.

“First, you turned yourself in and said you had killed your biological father, Liu Cheng.

“Li Xiaofang submitted the article ‘Son Kills Father for Demolition Compensation,’ making a huge public spectacle of the case and using public attention and the demolition project to put pressure on the police.

“You and your aunt repeatedly brought up that you were ‘under fourteen’ during questioning.

“At the same time, Old Qian’s wife made a scene at the police station. Your aunt somehow got word to her to submit the second article.

“I suspect it was when your aunt spat on Old Qian’s wife.

“She didn’t just pass along information. She also created the impression that she and Old Qian’s wife were enemies, and that Old Qian had been unfaithful.

“So whether or not Old Qian’s wife overheard my conversation with Xiao Hu, the article ‘Liu Xiaofang Killed Him and Made Her Under-Fourteen Nephew Take the Blame’ would still have appeared on schedule.

“The article described Liu Xiaofang in the most degrading terms, turning her into an evil woman who would do anything for money. It was meant to mislead the public and throw the police off the investigation, making everyone believe your aunt had killed him and made you take the blame.

“Then Dr. Wang would be forced to play the card he was holding, because once the case was solved, his leverage would be worthless.

“With Dr. Wang’s testimony, your aunt confessed without hesitation. She said she had killed him on April 15 and Old Qian had helped dismember the body.

“But you stuck to your story and refused to change it. You said you killed him, and your aunt and Old Qian only helped get rid of the body.”

All the evidence and leads that might reveal the real killer pointed toward Old Qian.

At that point, Old Qian was perfectly transformed from a victim into an accomplice who had fled out of fear—and into the key witness holding the evidence that would prove the case.

Next, you and Old Qian’s wife both led the investigation toward Loudi, Hunan.

If Old Qian’s brother refused to take the blame, Old Qian would become the accomplice who had helped dismember a body and fled. Meanwhile, the third newspaper article would suggest that the police were incompetent, placing all the pressure on us. Old Qian would never be caught, and the hammer—the physical evidence—would never turn up.

If Old Qian’s brother agreed to take the blame, then Liu Ning would be the killer. Liu Xiaofang would use the hammer—the only physical evidence—to earn credit for helping solve the case, minimizing the penalty for killing Old Qian.

Old Qian’s brother had terminal lung cancer, and his son had leukemia and needed money to save his life. So he agreed to trade his own life for his son’s.

His voice was ruined. His hand was injured.

Even the divorce papers Old Qian’s wife made his brother sign on the way… were all part of your plan.

Old Qian divorced his wife to create the illusion that he loved Liu Xiaofang, while also setting up the later detail that he gave her the chance to earn credit for solving the case.

Divorcing before the trial also meant Old Qian’s daughter wouldn’t have to carry the stigma of having a father convicted of a crime.

And then there was the DNA on the hammer.

First, there was no DNA from Liu Xiaofang, which ruled out the suspicion that she was the killer.

Then there were only DNA samples from you, Old Qian, and a third person.

Because of the limitations of the technology at the time, the investigators could only determine that the third person was related by blood to one of the other two people whose DNA was present.

Everyone believed the three DNA samples on the hammer belonged to you, Old Qian—the man who helped dismember the body—and the victim, Liu Cheng.

But in reality, the three samples belonged to you, Old Qian’s brother, and Old Qian himself!

The samples collected at the scene belonged to you and Old Qian’s brother.

Of course the hammer would have DNA from both of you.

And Old Qian—the man whose body had been destroyed—became the ‘third person.’ He was also related by blood to one of the other people whose DNA had been identified.

That was why the hammer became incontrovertible evidence.

Faced with it, Liu Xiaofang immediately changed her statement and said you were the one who killed him. She only wanted to take the blame because she was afraid you’d follow the same tragic path she had.

That was why, on the night of April 15, she deliberately lured Dr. Wang to the house and said those words in the room.

By then, the case had formed a perfect closed loop.

The victim became a witness.

The real witness became a “false witness.”

And Liu Cheng—who had never actually returned, but whom Old Qian had deliberately claimed came back demanding the house deed over gambling debts, to escape responsibility after nearly beating you to death—became the victim and the vanished corpse under your bed.

Old Qian’s wife held the newspaper right when she was arrested. Her conflicts with Liu Xiaofang and the news she had “happened to learn” were all released at just the “right time.”