Chapter 236: The Missing Children

Lin Dongxue quickly intervened to prevent the family from arguing.

She decided to interview each family member individually, starting with the head of the household, the children’s father. They went to Jiang Hui’s room, and Lin Dongxue’s first impression was that Jiang Hui was a very rebellious girl.

The room was plastered with posters of rock stars, and the bookshelf was filled with suspense and horror books, with novels on the top shelf and magazines like “Coward,” “Boys and Girls,” and “Scary Guest” on the bottom.

The most striking item on the desk was a skull-shaped pen holder.

Lin Dongxue asked, “What kind of child is Jiang Hui usually?”

“Officer… Can I smoke?”

“Go ahead.”

The father lit a cigarette and sighed. “It’s all my fault. During those years of marriage, I was always busy with my business and rarely at home with her and her mother. I come from a rural background and had a tough childhood. After coming to Long’an, I started my own business, from selling goods on the street to running a store, and now I have my own company. I’ve worked hard over the years. A man can’t balance both family and career. I had many social obligations and often couldn’t come home…”

Lin Dongxue interrupted, “Sorry, but I want to hear about Jiang Hui.”

“Oh, right. Sorry! Jiang Hui is quite smart. She won first place in a calligraphy competition when she was in elementary school and was generally well-behaved. I might not have been a responsible father because I spent so much time socializing for work. My relationship with her biological mother wasn’t great, but I always sent money home. I earned 10,000 yuan and sent 6,000 home. Jiang Hui was never deprived materially. When she was three, I met Hua Mei, my current wife. My first marriage was tumultuous, and once my ex-wife even stopped a car on the street to attack Hua Mei, making a scene.

“I admit Hua Mei was the other woman, but she supported my career. I’m not the kind of man who abandons his wife once he gets rich because I wasn’t rich at that time. Eventually, Hua Mei got pregnant with Mingming, and I divorced my first wife. Jiang Hui was assigned to me. Although I wasn’t home much, I never neglected Jiang Hui financially. I bought her whatever she wanted. I treated both children equally…”

Lin Dongxue sighed inwardly. He was still talking about himself.

Lin Dongxue asked, “When is Jiang Ming’s birthday?”

“June 16th!”

“And Jiang Hui’s?”

“Uh…” The father scratched his head. “July or August, I think.”

“You say you treat them equally, but I don’t think so. According to Jiang Hui’s diary, she wrote that you were like a ‘god,’ rarely appearing, always smiling, but impossible to understand.”

The father blushed and scratched his head to hide his embarrassment. “I was indeed too busy with work to be home much. That’s why my parents had to take care of the children. Officer Lin, are you married?”

“Can I choose not to answer?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I mean, once you get married, you’ll understand that men prioritize their careers. We carry heavy burdens. A man who stays at home all day with his wife and kids is definitely a loser.”

Lin Dongxue snorted and changed the subject. “Did you notice anything unusual before the children went missing?”

The father shook his head. “No, I was out of town when I heard the news and rushed back, missing out on a business deal worth tens of thousands. Why can’t kids behave as they grow up?”

“Yeah, making money is more important,” Lin Dongxue mocked.

The father slapped his thigh. “Exactly, you get it. Without money, we can’t talk about anything else. I’ve sacrificed so much for this family, but no one understands… You get me. Can I have your contact number?”

“No need.”

“Don’t misunderstand,” the father chuckled. “I mean, so you don’t have to come all the way next time.”

“I’d like to talk to Mingming’s mother.”

“Sure, I’ll call her in.”

The stepmother entered and immediately pointed to the posters on the wall. “Officer, look at what this child is thinking all day. Do you smell smoke? She sneaks cigarettes!”

“No, that was her father smoking.”

“Oh… but she also smokes. I caught her several times, and she told me not to interfere! I’m her stepmother, but I never favored anyone. Since I married into this family, I’ve taken care of the house, cooking and cleaning. Some kids just don’t appreciate it. Do you know what she’s like? Let me show you some photos…”

The stepmother took out her phone to show photos, but Lin Dongxue saw they were all of Jiang Ming. The stepmother, embarrassed, said, “I can’t find them right now. Let me describe her. She shaved her head like a boy’s, wore earrings, but only on one ear, looking ridiculous! She hung out with delinquent boys and often came home late. I smelled alcohol on her. What do you think a girl is doing with boys late at night? She bought jewelry, books, CDs, and had little pocket money. Where did she get the money? I don’t want to think about it!”

“Her father said he bought her whatever she wanted.”

“You believe him?” the stepmother raised her voice. “He was barely around. He just sent money home. Jiang Hui got 800 yuan a month in pocket money. I gave it to her in small amounts to prevent her from wasting it. I never took a penny for myself.”

“And Jiang Ming’s pocket money?”

“We treated them equally. Jiang Hui got 800 yuan, and so did Mingming. No favoritism.”

The stepmother sat down and sighed. “She was polite when she was younger, even called me ‘Auntie.’ But after starting middle school, she changed, always throwing tantrums, smashing things. If I scolded her, she’d talk back, call me a homewrecker and a fox spirit, and even ran away from home multiple times! She’s like a porcupine, impossible to touch. I’ve never mistreated her. I treated her like my own child, but she never appreciated it. Her father was always busy with work, only coming home every ten days or so. If it weren’t for Mingming being well-behaved, I wouldn’t see the point of living. If she dared harm Mingming, I’d… I’d…”

“Did you notice anything unusual before the children went missing?”

“Unusual?”

“Any clues, like them saying where they were going.”

“That morning, Jiang Hui and I had a fight. She said I ruined the family. She always says such harsh things. She looked into my eyes and said she’d make me regret it one day! Jiang Hui must have been planning something bad. And that diary entry about killing her brother… My God! How could a child think such horrible things? If she harmed Mingming, I…”