Chapter 5

“If you want to accuse me, you'll need evidence.”

Her words stopped me.

She was right.

I had no evidence she'd ever been to the art room, let alone killed Fu Nian.

On the evidence we had, the case would still end with Fu Yi as the killer.

Just as I reached a dead end, my sister gave another hint.

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

No?

Could it be...

“Ruonan...” I blurted out excitedly. “Do you mean the evidence is still there, and I just haven't noticed it?”

Beep!

My mind raced.

The photograph. The statuette. The easel. The paintbrushes...

The paintbrushes!

I understood her hint in an instant.

They'd been scattered all over the scene.

When we counted them, one large brush was missing.

No one had paid much attention.

The real killer had used that brush to injure Fu Nian's genitals.

So if we found the brush she'd taken away, we could find the killer.

No.

That wasn't right.

I'd overlooked something.

Why take the brush away?

She could simply have wiped it clean and tossed it into the blood on the floor.

Why carry it off and leave such an obvious gap?

Unless she had no choice.

I closed my eyes and recalled what the brushes looked like.

Thin aluminum ferrules held the bristles to the handles.

After years of use, some had bent outward. Their sharp edges could easily cut someone.

Could the metal have torn the killer's glove and cut her hand, getting blood on the brush and forcing her to take it?

If the blood soaked into the bristles, she couldn't wipe it clean at the scene.

A large brush wasn't easy to hide, either.

And immediately after discovering the murder, we'd sealed off the entire school to search for the condom we thought Xiao Chen had discarded.

The killer hadn't had a chance to take the brush off the grounds.

I called my subordinates at once.

“Get more people! Request the dogs! Search the entire school! We're looking for a brush of the same type as those at the scene!”

As I finished, I happened to glance at Xu Ruo.

Her face was as composed as ever.

But her thumb and forefinger were tightly pinching a corner of her shirt.

The wait dragged on.

Everyone sat with their own thoughts. No one spoke.

My phone's shrill ringing broke the silence.

“Captain! We found the brush! Someone threw it through a window into an unused storeroom at the school.”

“Good. Check the blood on it—”

Xu Ruo spoke quietly, cutting me off.

21

“No need to test it. I admit it. I killed Fu Nian.”

Everyone stared at her in shock.

She ignored them and went on calmly.

“I went there that night intending to kill her. When I arrived, someone had already attacked her. She was lying in a pool of blood, but she wasn't dead yet.

“I was delighted. It meant I could pin the blame on someone else.

“All I had to do was pick up the bronze statuette and strike her wound again.

“Once she stopped breathing, I removed her clothes and used a paintbrush to cause genital injuries, making it look as though she'd been raped and murdered.

“I didn't expect the metal edge to tear my glove and cut my finger. Blood dripped onto the brush and soaked into the bristles. I couldn't wipe it off, so I had to take it with me.

“I intended to throw it away outside. But the next day, the police sealed off the school to search for evidence. I had no choice but to toss it into the storeroom beside the girls' dormitory.”

When she finished, everyone stared at her, speechless.

No one had imagined a slight, cold girl like her could do something so vicious.

I sighed and shook my head.

This case had ensnared four young people who'd only just reached adulthood, with their whole futures ahead of them.

“Why did you kill her? Weren't you best friends?”

“Her grades were better than mine,” Xu Ruo said calmly. “I was jealous. It's that simple.”

I said nothing more and cuffed her.

“That's enough for today. I'd like the rest of you to come to the station to give statements.”

Just as everyone was about to leave, the electronic tones sounded unexpectedly.

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The two sounds alternated, and the screen kept flashing.

I hurried to the bed.

“Ruonan. Are you saying Xu Ruo isn't the killer?”

Clunk!

“So she is... but there's someone else involved whom I haven't discovered?”

Beep!

I hadn't expected that answer.

Who?

Just as I was about to ask more, I smelled burning.

The screen went dark.

I rushed over to check.

The computer had burned out.

Thud!

I punched the casing in fury.

Was heaven playing a joke on me?

It had failed at the most critical moment.

With the computer broken, I couldn't communicate with my sister.

I stood and looked at the three people still waiting by the door.

“We'll have to get someone to repair it tomorrow. It's late. Let's go to the station first.”

I took one last, long look at my sister, then turned and quietly closed the door.

After taking everyone's statements, I went alone to see Xiao Chen in detention.

He didn't even raise his head when I entered.

His cloudy eyes looked like stagnant water.

I sat opposite him.

“You're innocent now. We've found the person who really killed Fu Nian.”

His eyes briefly brightened, then dimmed again.

When he still didn't react, I continued.

“I'd very much like to know... why you confessed. You're an adult. If you'd been convicted, you would have faced a death sentence.”

Only endless silence answered me.

“If Fu Nian were alive, I believe she wouldn't want to see you like this. She'd want you to live well. You're still young. You have a long future ahead.”

At that, Xiao Chen broke down.

He sobbed with heartbreaking anguish, his whole body shaking.

“Do you know? I once had one foot in hell. Fu Nian pulled me back.

“I've been quiet since I was little. I'm no good at talking to people, and there's nothing special about my looks. I never had many friends.

“I liked her from the first time I saw her. From my seat in class, I could just see her profile. Lessons were the happiest part of my life.

“I knew I wasn't good enough for her. I was content just watching her quietly from behind.

“But not long ago... I did something I'll never forgive myself for.”

His face filled with bitter remorse.

“School had ended. Everyone had gone home. I had a stomachache, so I stayed a little longer.

“Then I noticed a handkerchief on Fu Nian's desk. She must have forgotten it in her hurry.

“In that instant... it was as though a demon took hold of me.

“I went over, picked it up, and greedily breathed in its scent.

“The faint fragrance made me feel as though I were holding her.

“But just then, the classroom door opened. I turned and met her frightened eyes. She'd come back for something she'd forgotten.

“She turned and ran.

“My whole world collapsed. I could only stand there, as though I were sinking endlessly into an abyss.

“That evening, every time I remembered what had happened, I was so ashamed I wanted to die.

“I decided to end my life. I went to the roof, climbed over the railing, and was about to jump when a message arrived.

“From Fu Nian.

“‘Xiao Chen, don't worry. I didn't see anything.

“‘I think you must have a lot on your mind.

“‘I hope you'll try talking to people more. If you're having trouble, I'm sure our classmates would be willing to help. Of course... so would I.

“‘I hope you get through this difficult time soon and find a brighter outlook!’

“In that moment, she was like an angel. She brought me back from that rooftop.”

Xiao Chen paused.

His voice was full of pain.