Chapter 8: Probing and Gathering Evidence

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Yesang Sang had grown quite fond of the game; its realism and the challenge of playing the riddler were both impressive. It was like being an amnesiac criminal mistakenly thrust into a world where everyone pursued her relentlessly. She had to desperately prove her innocence and unravel the entire chaotic web of truth.

For others, this might have been difficult, but for Yesang Sang, the intensity was just right.

She hoped the person who revealed the truth to her knew a little more. That way, she could do less.

Having skipped past the taxi driver segment, Yesang Sang now faced questioning by a young police officer.

He had tracked her down to her rented courtyard, carrying a briefcase and accompanied by a colleague.

He introduced himself as Officer Wei Qingzheng, and his partner was Qian Chao.

Yesang Sang looked at Wei Qingzheng and silently admired the fine name, guessing his predecessor might have been a policeman—or perhaps a soldier.

But now was not the time to ponder names. The fact that they came knocking surely meant suspicion.

“Officer Wei, may I ask what this is about?” she asked with a puzzled look, a trace of nervousness and restraint flickering in her eyes, beneath which was barely noticeable irritation.

In novels or dramas, this second or repeated visit from police usually meant they suspected the criminal.

They lacked evidence but had a gut feeling the suspect was involved.

It often turned out they were right, and despite opposition, their intuition cracked the case and caught the culprit.

This was justice, but for Yesang Sang, cast in the role of the criminal, it was far from good news.

After she spoke, Wei Qingzheng took the cigarette from his mouth, smiled broadly and generously, and pulled a cigarette from his bag, offering it to Yesang Sang. “Don’t be nervous. This is just a routine investigation, not because we suspect you. Want one? Let’s go inside and talk.”

You can’t refuse a smiling face, and Wei Qingzheng clearly knew this well.

Yesang Sang understood perfectly; she wouldn’t resist the investigation vehemently. So she stepped aside and let them in.

It was afternoon now, so she took a break from driving.

Once inside the courtyard, they immediately noticed the somewhat grimy taxi.

It was intentional; if it were too clean, they’d instantly suspect it had been washed.

Yesang Sang caught their glance but said nothing as they entered.

She tucked the cigarette behind her ear, handed them a glass, and poured some water. “Have a drink, Officer Wei. If you have questions, ask quickly. I’ll be out driving again soon.”

Wei Qingzheng didn’t respond immediately but stood up and paced the room.

“The situation at Mr. Sun’s home isn’t quite as I imagined. Can we sit down and talk? What exactly did you do that night?” He looked at the festive print hanging on the wall, then turned to Yesang Sang.

She thought for a moment and recounted her actions—ordinary, everyday things. She didn’t even need to conspire with Sun Bin’s wife, since the memories were vague and mistakes possible.

Wei Qingzheng scrutinized her gaze. “You know we don’t come knocking without cause. Based on our investigation, you are very likely the taxi driver who killed Wang Shun.”

Upon saying this, he fixed his eyes on her face, watching for any flicker of expression.

Yesang Sang parted her lips slightly, her face visibly darkening with a hint of annoyance. “Officer Wei, such accusations require evidence!”

Wei Qingzheng surveyed her from head to toe, his gaze finally settling on her somewhat angry but resolute eyes.

After more than ten seconds, his expression suddenly softened, and a smile appeared. “It’s nothing—I was just joking.”

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“Officer Wei, I’m just an ordinary driver. Please don’t joke about that,” Yesang Sang murmured, weak and unwilling to provoke his caprice.

Wei Qingzheng regarded her for a moment before continuing, “Sorry. It’s just that you were driving nearby before the incident, so it’s routine for us to be suspicious. We’re here to ask for your cooperation. We want to inspect your taxi.”

“I hope you’ll be quick. Don’t waste my time—I have to go earn money,” Yesang Sang’s tone worsened, clearly offended by his rudeness.

Wei Qingzheng nodded and gestured to his colleague.

They approached the car, opened the doors, and began the inspection.

Yesang Sang didn’t leave but stood aside, arms crossed, watching.

Wei Qingzheng talked fast but was meticulous, putting on gloves and checking every detail inside the car.

His partner opened the trunk and sprayed reagents.

Yesang Sang’s eyes grew cold as she watched them from a hidden angle.

[I don’t know why, but I’m getting nervous too. I’m afraid Yesang Sang might slip up.]

[From the main perspective: regarding inspections, I’ve seen other streamers. Some think they’ve cleaned the bloodstains thoroughly, but with luminol reagent and darkness, the truth always comes out.]

[I’m curious about the plot ahead. Please don’t let her be caught now. Even if she logs off near the ending, that’s okay.]

The live chat fixated on the inspection, watching Wei Qingzheng and his colleague meticulously rummage through the car and collect fingerprints.

Time passed, but they found no trace of blood.

They collected fingerprints but would need to compare them later.

Yesang Sang remained impassive, knowing the cleaning agent given by Sun Bin’s wife was high-concentration sodium hypochlorite, followed by thorough cleansing with disodium EDTA.

This would prevent exposure even if the oxidant lost efficacy over time.

Wei Qingzheng emerged from the car, eyes on Yesang Sang, who was growing impatient. “All done. Sorry for the trouble.”

She nodded.

The two placed the collected fingerprints in an evidence box. Yesang Sang opened the car door, ready to resume work.

Wei Qingzheng also opened the door and climbed in, calling to his partner, “Since we don’t have a car, and you’re heading out, give us a ride. We’ll pay.”

“Alright.”

Yesang Sang opened her mouth, realizing their shamelessness, and reluctantly agreed.

Once seated, she glanced at them through the rearview mirror, concealing her feelings, and started driving.

Wei Qingzheng was somewhat careless and slovenly, with a hint of eccentricity.

Sitting behind Yesang Sang, he casually asked, “I remember your name is Sun Bin, from Lin City. Did you also drive a taxi there? What does your wife do? Do you go back to Lin City during holidays? Any relatives there?”

Yesang Sang was silent and dull, driving for a while before answering intermittently.

She knew he was probing; he suspected she was the killer.

But even after her responses, Wei Qingzheng didn’t ease up. Instead, he switched to discussing Lin Shun.

“Do you think Lin Shun’s death is a good thing or a bad thing? Would you say the killer did something good?” His tone was light, as if they were chatting casually.

Yesang Sang turned the wheel toward the police station and finally spoke, “A good thing! When we heard Lin Shun came to Jiang City, all the taxi drivers were scared to death. The killer did us a favor; now we don’t have to live in fear.”

“If Lin Shun hadn’t come to Jiang City, I wouldn’t have had to go out that night and come home early, messing up my earnings.”

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She didn’t say anything grandiose but judged the matter from a simple, ordinary person’s perspective.

To ordinary people, the death of a brutal and violent person threatening their safety is a blessing.

Giving a hypocritical answer might even backfire.

Sure enough, Yesang Sang saw from the rearview mirror that Wei Qingzheng pondered her words but showed no suspicion.

After a while, Wei Qingzheng hummed, “Yeah, that’s not a bad thing.” He paused, then added, “But what if the killer is someone just like Lin Shun?”

Yesang Sang thought that was a rather ominous remark from the officer.

The live chat agreed.

[I think Yesang Sang must be annoyed with him by now.]

[First time I’ve thought a cop was so chatty, haha.]

[This probing doesn’t seem to do anything. Or am I missing something?]

The chat was lighthearted, as Yesang Sang showed no cracks, and Wei Qingzheng could not truly suspect her.

But inside, Yesang Sang was tense.

Only she knew Wei Qingzheng’s suspicion had not lessened in the slightest.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have continued with such seemingly pointless chatter.

She thought for a moment and said, “That’s none of us ordinary folks’ business. I trust you’ll catch the killer swiftly. Then, whether good or bad, no one will be threatened.”

Her tone was sincere and carried trust in the police.

Wei Qingzheng was momentarily stunned but nodded in agreement, murmuring, “Indeed...”

“Here we are,” she said as the car stopped.

They paid according to the meter and got out.

Yesang Sang smiled at them, pressed the accelerator, and drove away.

Wei Qingzheng watched the departing car, his expression grave.

“Captain Wei, what’s wrong? Let’s head back and report,” his colleague said, patting him on the shoulder.

Snapped out of his thoughts, Wei Qingzheng said, “Sun Bin seems normal. Could my intuition be wrong?”

“He does seem pretty normal, just an ordinary mind. Doesn’t look like a ruthless killer. But as cops, we mustn’t judge by appearances. Keep investigating; if he’s suspicious, it’ll show.”

Wei Qingzheng squinted, watching the fading taillights. After a moment, he said, “No, I still feel this man’s demeanor isn’t that of a taxi driver. Contact Lin City and check the records of Sun Bin and his wife.”

His partner nodded in agreement.

Unaware she was now under scrutiny, Yesang Sang prepared to meet the second person on the list: Zhou Qiang.

From the scattered information left by Sun Bin, she had located his whereabouts.

She wanted to see if approaching would trigger another murder mission.

And if she killed again, would Wei Qingzheng find evidence to arrest her?