Chapter 428: The Storm is Coming

Through the monitor outside, Ji Xingyao saw Luo Zuyu confessing his crimes. She knew it was all over and slumped into her chair.

For four hours, Luo Zuyu confessed to his crimes with a self-satisfied smile, recounting each murder with no remorse. He had never worried about consequences because his brother, sister-in-law, and the management company always covered for him, helping him evade police investigations.

In this false sense of security, he had become extremely arrogant and indifferent to human life.

“Even if these women were alive, they would just marry some random guy, do housework during the day, and get screwed at night. A few years later, they’d turn into dried-up old hags. Their lives, like most people’s, are meaningless. I elevated them by making them my sacrifices, turning them into timeless songs, like turning black coal into shining diamonds. This is the sublimation of their lives. If they had souls, they would thank me,” Luo Zuyu finished his twisted confession, feeling exhausted after finally releasing all the pent-up words.

After a moment of silence, Chen Shi said, “‘Elevated their lives,’ you sure have some nerve to say that! It was you who became famous nationwide, made a fortune, and lived a superior life because of these songs. And what about those girls? Their families can only weep over their photos.”

“Art is fire. It burns everything. True artists don’t care about others’ lives or deaths,” Luo Zuyu grinned.

This man was beyond saving, lost to his sickness. Chen Shi couldn’t be bothered to argue further. “I think your future cellmates will be thrilled to share a room with a big star!”

Luo Zuyu was jolted back to reality and screamed hysterically, “No, I want to retract my confession! I want to retract it!”

The lawyer, who had been lost in thought, suddenly sat up straight, clinging to a glimmer of hope. Lin Dongxue scolded, “The evidence is overwhelming. Do you think you can still deny it?”

Panicking, Luo Zuyu stammered, “I… I have a mental illness. Yes, I have multiple personalities. The one who killed wasn’t me, it wasn’t me! I can’t go to prison, not for even one day!”

“Is there any point in struggling now?” Chen Shi said coldly.

Luo Zuyu began to cry, “I’m a star. You can’t do this to me. Do you know how many people will be heartbroken if I’m jailed? I’m not living just for myself, but for millions of fans. Think about them!”

The lawyer added, “Yes, this case has vast public implications. We can’t proceed hastily!”

Chen Shi sneered, “Don’t flatter yourself. You going to jail for murder is just a big spectacle for others. After the show, people will go on eating and sleeping as usual. No one will mourn you. Even if you were once dazzling, your fans will discard you without hesitation because new idols will quickly replace you. There are never shortages of stars in the world! You chose a profession that sells dreams. It doesn’t make you as pure and beautiful as those dreams. That’s just the persona your management company created. Outsiders couldn’t see through you because you seemed unreachable! You’re just an entertainer. Watching you rise is fun, and watching you fall is also fun. So cry and scream as you fall into the abyss and give your audience one last performance. Entertain your breadwinners one final time!”

Luo Zuyu felt a sense of déjà vu with these words. Through his tear-filled eyes, Chen Shi seemed to morph into another person. He mumbled, “Song Lang…”

Chen Shi picked up the phone. “Take him away!”

The interrogation ended, and Luo Zuyu was led to the holding cell. His lawyer, unable to protect him, walked out and bowed deeply to Ji Xingyao, who was slumped in a chair.

Ji Xingyao, as if her soul had been drained, stood up and said to Chen Shi, “I won’t give up!” Then she turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Lin Dongxue called out, holding another arrest warrant with Ji Xingyao’s name on it.

“We suspect you’re involved in the murder of the hotel maid. Come with us for questioning!”

Two days later, the police held a press conference confirming Luo Zuyu’s murders. This news hit like a bomb, and for two weeks, it was the hot topic online. Various scandals about Luo Zuyu and his management company were exposed. Left alone in the detention center, Luo Zuyu had become a pariah. His management company didn’t lift a finger to protect him, and his properties were auctioned off.

As for Ji Xingyao, she threw an assistant under the bus to take the fall for the maid’s murder and walked out of the police station unscathed. As she left, she said, “Long’an is truly a cursed place. I will never come back.”

Gathering evidence against Luo Zuyu took nearly three months, delaying his trial. During this time, the management company released an album called “Pure Black Recollection,” containing songs Luo Zuyu wrote after each murder. They claimed that all proceeds would go to the victims’ families.

Though the album’s release was met with widespread condemnation, accusing the company of profiting off the dead, its sales soared. People were curious to hear the songs, and rumors suggested the tracks contained the victims’ screams.

While “Pure Black Recollection” became a sales sensation, Luo Zuyu, forgotten in the detention center, slit his wrists with a flattened, burned cigarette butt. The autopsy revealed long-term signs of sexual assault and abuse, but his cellmates unanimously denied any knowledge, leaving the matter unresolved.

These were later developments.

The day after the case closed, Lin Qiupu called Chen Shi, Lin Dongxue, and Xu Xiaodong to his office. “Good job. I thought this case would drag on, but you three solved it.”

Xu Xiaodong said, “Actually, it was all Chen Ge.”

Lin Qiupu smiled, “You two have done a great job. The bureau will reward you. As for you…” He looked at Chen Shi. “I still say it’s a pity you’re not a cop. Such a big achievement, and you don’t get credit. Isn’t it regretful?”

“I don’t mind, as long as I get the bonus.”

“This time, the bonus will be substantial! Look forward to it. Also, our IT department found Ji Xingyao contacted a suspicious number. We don’t know the content, but she withdrew two million in cash on the 16th.”

Lin Dongxue was startled, “She didn’t mention that during questioning!”

Chen Shi said, “The 16th was the day of the gun shipment incident. What a coincidence. Could Ghost Butterfly have been working for her to distract the police?”

“Too bad we have no evidence and can’t prosecute her. Money talks,” Lin Qiupu said.

“Who exactly is Ghost Butterfly?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“We suspect he’s Zhou Tiannan or one of his associates, a mastermind criminal hiding in plain sight!”

“How’s the gun shipment case going?” Chen Shi asked.

Lin Qiupu shook his head, “Not well. Three people have died, including one police officer. We’ve only found five guns…” He looked up. “Other officers will take over the Luo Zuyu case. You can drop it and come help me.”

“Long’an has never seen a case like this. A storm is coming,” Chen Shi said.

“Yes, a storm is coming.”