Chapter 472: Saving Face

Song Yuwen’s mother cried out in anguish, “Even if Yuwen was responsible for Wanqing’s death, he’s been trying to make amends for years! You said she was studying in Australia, and he sent part of his salary to support your family. I didn’t understand why before, but now I do. He felt guilty! Yuwen has always been a kind boy. What happened must have been a moment of impulse. Why didn’t you tell us the truth? We would have compensated you in any way you wanted. Why didn’t you say anything? Killing my son won’t bring Wanqing back, will it? Answer me!”

Mrs. Song shook her head, “It wasn’t me who wanted to kill Yuwen. It was Wanqing who asked me to do it!”

“You’re lying! She’s dead, and you admitted it was you who killed him. Our family helped you countless times! How could you do this to us? You ungrateful woman!”

“You did help us, but that was because…” Mrs. Song raised her voice, her eyes locking onto Song Yuwen’s father. He looked alarmed as Mrs. Song pointed at him, “Cousin, when I was fifteen, you said you’d show me your flower collection in your bedroom. Then you locked the door and… that’s why you kept helping us. You felt guilty and wanted to compensate. I never expected that years later, your son would do the same to my daughter. You’re all monsters!”

“Is this true?” Song Yuwen’s mother looked at her husband in shock.

Sweat covered Song Yuwen’s father’s face as he shouted, “Do you believe her? This woman who hid her daughter’s death for twelve years? She’s lying! I swear on my honor, none of this is true. I helped you out of pity, not guilt. You’re a heartless liar!”

“You’re calling me a liar?” Mrs. Song laughed and cried simultaneously, then shouted, “Do you dare swear a curse? If what I said is true, may your entire family suffer a terrible fate. Do you dare?”

Song Yuwen’s father suddenly fell silent, his face complex with rage and fear as he looked at his cousin.

The confrontation between the two families grew increasingly tense. Chen Shi gave Lin Dongxue a signal to take Mrs. Song away. As they escorted her to the car in handcuffs, she screamed, “You and your son are both beasts! You committed those horrible acts and won’t be punished. I hate it! I hate being helpless and bullied all my life!”

“That’s enough!” Chen Shi said. Relatives had already gathered around to listen. “You’ve destroyed two families. Have some dignity for yourself!”

At the mention of “dignity,” Mrs. Song fell silent.

Mr. Shi was also taken away for questioning and was seated in another police car.

Inside the car, Lin Dongxue murmured, “The ugliest thing in the world is when relatives turn into enemies.”

“But it’s also liberating to finally express all that hatred and love without holding back,” Chen Shi said, glancing at Mrs. Song in the backseat.

Mrs. Song smiled and spoke to herself, “Mommy will be back soon after a trip with the police,” “Good girl, I know you care about me,” “That family? We won’t see them again. You won’t have to call them uncle and aunt anymore.”

“Are you talking to your daughter?” Chen Shi asked.

“Yes, she’s right here. Can you see her?” Mrs. Song caressed the air with her cuffed hands. Her eyes showed signs of early madness, possibly a precursor to schizophrenia.

Madness is often a way for a person to find a new balance. After living a lie for twelve years, it’s no surprise that Mrs. Song was on the brink of madness.

“Is she wearing a blue dress? With a bow? And braided pigtails?” Chen Shi asked.

Lin Dongxue looked at him in surprise, while Mrs. Song beamed, “I knew you could see her! No wonder you described the case so accurately earlier. I was puzzled because I thought the police weren’t omniscient. But now I understand—you have the gift of seeing spirits!”

Chen Shi smiled. He couldn’t see the imaginary daughter; he was merely describing the Wanqing he saw in the photos from twelve years ago.

“At least you won’t feel lonely in prison,” Chen Shi said.

“Prison…” Mrs. Song’s eyes dulled as reality hit her. “You heard my story. I had a reason for killing him.”

“And the security guard?” Chen Shi asked.

“He… he saw me. Wanqing wanted to protect me, so she made me kill him.”

“The judge won’t buy that story. Mrs. Song, stop struggling. The truth is out. There’s no escaping it.”

Mrs. Song lowered her head, and silence filled the car. After a while, she said, “I have one request.”

“As long as it’s reasonable,” Chen Shi replied.

“Don’t tell my relatives and friends that I’m in prison.”

“Why? Why care about your reputation now?” Chen Shi asked.

Mrs. Song smiled faintly, “A family like ours has nothing. If we lose face too, we’ll have nothing left.”

She looked at the empty seat beside her and gently asked, “Am I right, Wanqing?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

Lin Dongxue jolted in her seat. She could swear she heard a young girl’s voice. She turned around, glancing at Mrs. Song and then the empty seat.

After a moment of realization, she understood that Mrs. Song had been mimicking her daughter’s voice, something that sounded completely different from her own.

Mrs. Song was on the brink of madness, only a step away from complete insanity. Fortunately, she was caught before she crossed that line.

Lin Dongxue sighed in relief. This long case had finally come to an end.