Chapter 820: Forced Confession

Kavi exclaimed in surprise, “How can you be so sure?”

“It’s just a deduction,” the man in bandages calmly replied. “Last night, Mrs. Zhang called the office. We don’t know who answered the call, but we can deduce that the killer must be one of those who got the information. He killed Mrs. Zhang to silence her. From this act, we can see he’s trying to prevent Wang Xi from being found by the gang. If Wang Xi were caught, after betraying twelve gang leaders, he’d be in for a rough time, likely never coming back. The killer doesn’t want Wang Xi to be caught, which means Wang Xi holds something over him. The killer is probably in a high position because people in higher positions are more likely to get the information and more likely to have something held over them.”

Kavi pondered his words and said, “If the killer really is in a high position, he could have just told everyone not to come this morning.”

“It’s not that simple. The gang operates on authority and honor. Why has Wang Xi’s bounty been active for so long? The gang leaders he betrayed are either in prison or have been executed. The bounty is to restore the gang’s honor, to show that traitors meet a bad end. Its enforcement is beyond the killer’s control, even if he holds a high position… By the way, when did Wang Xi disappear?”

“Six years ago.”

“Six years ago?”

“Yes, it’s hard to believe. He disappeared, and day by day, year by year, I’ve lived like this. Looking back, it was six years ago, but it feels like it happened just yesterday.” Kavi sighed deeply.

“Did he do anything unusual or say anything hinting at his disappearance? Think carefully.”

Kavi lowered her head in silence, thinking for a long time before saying, “The day he disappeared, I begged the hospital security to let me see the surveillance footage. I saw two men in black enter his room the day before he vanished, but they didn’t take him because the camera later caught Wang Xi sneaking out to smoke.”

“Just from the surveillance, are you sure it was him? He was severely burned and should have been…,” the bandaged man gestured to himself, “wrapped up like me.”

“I’m sure it was him. I know his habits. Last year, I heard someone cough on the street, just like him. I chased after the sound, searching madly through the crowd, but couldn’t find him. I ended up crying under a closed bookstore.”

After Wang Xi disappeared, Kavi couldn’t sleep at night, clutching his clothes. Thinking about these things, tears welled up in her eyes again.

The bandaged man gently patted her shoulder. “I understand the feeling of losing someone important, like having a part of your heart cut out.”

Kavi nodded while holding back her tears, as the words struck a chord with her.

Returning to the case, the bandaged man continued, “How long did the two men in black stay in his room?”

“About three or four hours.”

“Late at night?”

“Yes, very late, well past visiting hours. I don’t know how they got in.”

“What else?”

“I received a call from him three days after he disappeared. I was going crazy, asking where he was. He didn’t say a word, then hung up. When I called back, the number was unreachable.”

The bandaged man thought for a moment, gazing at the distant road where stray dogs fought over a bone.

He said, “I believe Wang Xi’s disappearance wasn’t just him being persecuted. He made a deal with someone.”

“With the person who killed Mrs. Zhang?”

“Maybe. It likely involves internal gang conflicts. We can’t know the details. Did Wang Xi leave behind any belongings?”

“What do you mean, belongings? He’s not dead!” Kavi shouted suddenly.

“Okay, I apologize. I mean, did he leave anything behind?”

“Sorry, I overreacted. He didn’t leave much, just some jewelry, but I pawned them. I intended to keep them forever.”

“Can you redeem them?”

“I have no money.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ll cover it.”

Kavi hesitated but took the card, “What will you do when your money runs out?”

“I’ll earn more. I want to find a simple job, live a straightforward life, away from… my past life.”

“What’s the meaning of life?”

The bandaged man seemed to smile, “To find the answer to that question… Let’s go home!”

After talking so much, Kavi felt much lighter. The night wind was cool on the way back.

As they approached Goupi Alley, the bandaged man saw a van parked at the entrance. He suddenly hid behind a utility pole and said, “Don’t walk together. You go home first.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be back later.”

“Be careful.”

Passing the van, Kavi glanced inside. It was empty.

Back home, she had just started heating water for a bath when someone knocked heavily on the door. She knew it wasn’t the bandaged man.

She timidly opened the door to see Impressionist standing there with a gloomy face, reeking of alcohol, and a few lackeys behind him. He swaggered in, sat at the table, and lit a cigarette. “I’m so stupid. I forgot you were Wang Xi’s girl. Someone called saying he’s in this alley. Besides your place, I can’t think of anywhere else he’d hide. Search!”

The lackeys ran upstairs, then reported back, “No one’s living up there.”

Impressionist sneered at Kavi, “Where were you so late?”

“Working the night shift.”

Impressionist threw a cup on the floor and slapped the table, “Tell the truth!”

It was Kavi’s favorite cup. She got angry and shouted, “If you have questions, ask them! Do you have to scare people? I haven’t seen Wang Xi and have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“You’re shaking! Why?”

“You smashed things and yelled at me. Of course, I’m scared and shaking.” Kavi retorted, trying to sound tough.

Impressionist chuckled, then suddenly stood up and slapped Kavi, knocking her to the ground. She tasted blood in her mouth, her cheek swelling like a steamed bun.

She could tell them the truth, but it wouldn’t matter. They would insist the bandaged man was Wang Xi.

These people didn’t want the truth. They only wanted what they believed to be the truth.