Chapter 363: The Informant at School

Chen Shi got into the car, and after Lin Dongxue joined him, she remarked, “A girl with such a good upbringing, killed like this, it’s truly tragic.”

“Actually, beheading is one of the least painful ways to die.”

“That’s not comforting at all. Would you dare say that to the victim’s family?”

“I think the killer doesn’t have a high social status, probably lives near the victim, and harbors complex feelings towards her family. The killer might be someone around the same age as the victim. Decapitating her and hanging her head at her house’s door is a strong act of revenge. The killer’s resentment likely includes the victim’s father, so we might learn something from him.”

“Why do you think the killer is the same age?”

Chen Shi smiled, “I’ll explain my analysis to you later.”

In the evening, they arrived at Li Mengran’s home. Mr. Li sat silently on the sofa, tissues scattered across the coffee table. Aunt Wu held a bowl of noodles, saying, “Sir, please eat something, or you’ll get sick.”

Mr. Li looked soulless and didn’t react.

Entering the house, Lin Dongxue felt the oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, Mr. Li jumped up, “Have you caught the killer? Have you caught the killer?”

Chen Shi said, “The investigation is ongoing. We’re here to ask you some questions.”

Mr. Li was furious, “Why are the police so useless? Can’t you just check the surveillance? Even if you haven’t caught them, you should lock down the city to prevent the scumbag from escaping! Have you found my daughter’s body? Did she… let me see her one last time!”

Mr. Li was agitated, so Chen Shi gently pushed him back onto the sofa, saying, “Mr. Li, I assure you, we’re working tirelessly on this. But we need your cooperation.”

Mr. Li pounded his leg, “Ranran is dead. What’s the point of catching the real killer? Officer, I only ask one thing: once you catch him, execute him immediately! No, let me shoot him myself. I know it’s against the rules, but I can pay you. Please, just grant this father’s wish… Nothing matters to me anymore. I just want revenge for Ranran!”

Grinding his teeth, Mr. Li was filled with rage. Chen Shi continued, “It seems you loved Ranran very much.”

“She was my treasure, my only reason for living. I worked so hard just to give her a good life, and now it’s all over! Completely over!”

“I know it’s hard, but you must accept the reality. Ranran’s spirit wouldn’t want to see you in such pain. The police and the law will ensure justice is served.”

Mr. Li wept, releasing some of his pent-up emotions. Chen Shi waited until he calmed down, then asked, “I’d like to understand your social circle.”

“My relationships are simple. First, there’s Ranran’s biological mother…” Mr. Li listed a few people, then Chen Shi asked, “Can you recall if you’ve helped any children around Ranran’s age?”

“Why ask that?”

“I have my reasons.”

“No!” Mr. Li shook his head. “All my resources went into raising Ranran. I don’t earn much, just over 400,000 a year. How could I afford to help other kids?”

“If you think of anything, please let me know. This is my number.” Chen Shi wrote it down.

“Okay, okay… I do have a clue. It’s probably that guy!”

“Go on.”

“In Ranran’s class, there was a delinquent, a boy who didn’t study and messed around. They dated for a while. To monitor my daughter, I placed a few ‘informants’ in her class—students I paid to report on her regularly. Around March this year, one informant told me Ranran was often with this delinquent after school, chatting and laughing. I was furious and confronted her that night. After she wrote me a guarantee, the matter was settled. She didn’t interact with him after that.”

“A guarantee? Can I see it?”

Mr. Li went to his study, opened a safe, and took out a written promise: “I, Li Mengran, guarantee not to speak to Gao Xiang and to focus on my studies to get into Peking University.” It was signed and fingerprinted.

Lin Dongxue was shocked at such strict parenting. Mr. Li seemed proud, “My parenting isn’t the best, but it’s among the top. Issues like this must be nipped in the bud to prevent future problems.” He then remembered his daughter’s death and became sorrowful again. “But that scum, he killed my daughter…” He started to crumple the paper.

“No, don’t!” Chen Shi took the guarantee. He noticed Aunt Wu’s subtle reaction. “Do you have Gao Xiang’s contact information?”

“You can ask her teacher.”

“You mentioned placing informants in school. How much did you pay them?”

“These were kids from poor families. I paid between 1,000 and 5,000 yuan.”

“Do you have their contact details?”

Chen Shi was clearly more interested in the informants. He noted down their names and contacts.

Seeing the untouched noodles on the table, Chen Shi patted Mr. Li’s shoulder, “Do you want to go for a walk and eat something? I need to speak with your maid alone.”

Mr. Li glanced at Aunt Wu, “Aunt Wu can’t be a suspect. She was with me last night and has been with our family for years. She treated Ranran like her own.”

“I don’t suspect her, just routine questions.”

“Alright, I’ll go smoke on the balcony.”

After Mr. Li left, Chen Shi asked to see Li Mengran’s bedroom. Aunt Wu sighed, “Ranran used to study and rest here. Such a good girl, how did this happen…” She teared up.

Chen Shi asked, “Who has the key to this drawer?”

“Only Ranran had it.”

“Ranran just took her college entrance exams. Among the evidence, there was her pencil case with her exam permit and pencils, but I didn’t see her ID… Aunt Wu, are you hiding something?”

Under Chen Shi’s sharp gaze, Aunt Wu panicked, “Ranran came home last night!”

“What time?”

“Around 10 PM.”

Lin Dongxue was shocked, “So, you were the last person to see her alive!”