Chapter 492: Born of Hate

Chen Shi asked, “So, is that how you and Zhang Jinlei became enemies?”

Yue Chao nodded. “That’s not all. After Zhang Jinlei ‘stood up’ for Yan Qilin, they actually got together. I ended up playing matchmaker without intending to. How infuriating is that? Then, after what happened to Yan Qilin, Zhang Jinlei came after me, blaming me and picking another fight. It’s something I’ve been bitter about for a long time. I may be a troublemaker, but I have principles: I don’t hit women, and I don’t commit crimes.”

Chen Shi said, “But having your girlfriend pretend to be Yan Qilin’s ghost to scare him is a bit much, don’t you think? Also, after six years, how did you know Zhang Jinlei goes to her memorial every Qixi Festival?”

Yue Chao stayed silent. Chen Shi pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered him one. Yue Chao took it and asked, “Got a light?”

“No.”

“You’re kidding me, right? You give me a cigarette but no lighter?”

“I don’t smoke. These are for you… Fine, I’ll borrow a lighter.”

Chen Shi borrowed a lighter and discreetly set his phone to record in his pocket. He handed the lighter to Yue Chao but pulled it back slightly. “Answer the question first.”

Yue Chao held the cigarette in his mouth, silent.

Chen Shi said, “I’m not accusing you. I just want the truth. Even after six years, Yan Qilin’s killer is still out there. Don’t you want them brought to justice?”

“Of course I do, but…”

“But what?”

“…”

Chen Shi noticed his tension and said, “Your relationship with Yan Qilin wasn’t just that, was it? Knowing that Zhang Jinlei visits her memorial every Qixi means you’ve been there too. Why?”

“I…”

“It’s just me here. Legally, I need two officers for a statement, so feel free to talk.”

“After I was forced to leave school, I was really angry and kept bothering Yan Qilin. She was shy and cried easily. One time, she started crying because of a few harsh words from me. I felt terrible and decided to clear things up. Over time, I… I started liking her. I don’t know why, but I wanted to see her, talk to her, and walk her home.”

Yue Chao’s eyes teared up. He took the lighter, lit the cigarette, and took a few drags.

“Once, I followed her home and saw she came from a single-parent family. Her father drank and gambled. When he saw me with her, he questioned her. She just cried. I was listening outside and got mad. I barged in, yelled at him, and took her away. We spent the evening out. I bought her food and tried to cheer her up. She looked so pitiful, and the more I saw her like that, the more I liked her… If it weren’t for Zhang Jinlei, maybe we would’ve ended up together. I hated him. He had good grades, a good family, and played basketball. All the girls liked him. Why did he have to take Yan Qilin from me? It drove me crazy!”

“So, you weren’t angry about her causing your expulsion?”

Yue Chao laughed bitterly. “I couldn’t have gone to college anyway. I was mainly bitter about the unfairness. But when I saw her sad eyes, I couldn’t stay mad. She was an angel.”

“Then why did you have your girlfriend pretend to be her ghost? Doesn’t that desecrate her memory?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I had another motive…”

“You suspect Zhang Jinlei?”

Yue Chao looked up, impressed. “How did you know?”

“I guessed. Pretending to be a ghost serves two purposes: revenge or forcing someone to reveal something.”

“Smart. You’re not just any cop… Fine, I do suspect Zhang Jinlei. I often followed them back then. I felt he wasn’t good for her. He often made her cry. They’d argue, and he’d leave her crying. Hearing her cry broke my heart. I thought he was immature, insecure, and controlling. Some people fight all the time, and some are always sweet. I’d be the latter. He was the former. But why did Yan Qilin like him? Was she a masochist? If she were with me, I’d make her happy every day, never let her cry. But she chose him…”

“Is that your reason for suspecting him?”

“Isn’t it enough? His personality was flawed.”

Chen Shi realized this was Yue Chao’s subjective bias. Love can blind people. Seeing Yan Qilin suffer magnified his own pain.

“Why did they usually argue?” Chen Shi asked.

“I can’t explain. He was just overly controlling.”

“Got it.”

“If you’re reopening the case, look into him. Don’t be fooled by his ‘devotion.’ He must have secrets. I bet on it! Can I get another cigarette?”

Chen Shi handed him another cigarette. After lighting it, Yue Chao asked, “When can I leave?”

“I told you, twenty-four hours.”

“Damn. Can I at least get my phone?”

Chen Shi pulled out his own phone. “I can’t give you your phone, but you can use mine to call.”

At that moment, Lin Dongxue’s name appeared on his screen. Chen Shi answered, “Yes?”

“Chen, we found a body.”

“Send me the address.”

He hung up and rushed out. Yue Chao called after him, “Hey, I need to make a call!”

Chen Shi arrived at the scene, a roadside paddy field on the outskirts. Amidst the green crops, a patch of red stood out. Police had cordoned off the area and compensated the farmer for the damage.

Chen Shi approached and saw a young woman’s body, around twenty years old, wearing a red dress, covered in white powder. Her right arm bore faint numbers.

Lin Dongxue said, “Captain Peng estimates she died around ten last night. No patrols or cameras here. No doubt it’s the same killer.”

Peng lifted the victim’s head and found her skull smashed and bloody…