Chapter 508: The Living Are the Most Important
The hallway erupted into chaos as Zhang Jinlei grabbed Xiao Ran by the throat and pinned her to the ground, screaming with eyes blazing, “You killed her! You killed her!”
Several police officers rushed to pull him off, but Zhang Jinlei’s strength was astonishing. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t budge him. His outburst unleashed a terrifying power, and Xiao Ran’s eyes rolled back as her face turned colors, her body convulsing.
Chen Shi grabbed an aluminum trash can from the hallway and struck Zhang Jinlei on the head, causing him to collapse on top of Xiao Ran.
Tears streamed from Xiao Ran’s closed eyes as she murmured, “I’m sorry.”
Chen Shi let out a sigh of relief, but Lin Qiupu shot him a glare before checking on Zhang Jinlei. Fortunately, he was just knocked out. Lin Qiupu scolded Chen Shi, “What if you had killed him?”
“It was self-defense,” Chen Shi replied.
Lin Qiupu shook his head in resignation and ordered Zhang Jinlei and Xiao Ran to be taken to the hospital, especially Zhang Jinlei, who needed strict supervision.
Exhausted and hungry, everyone felt a weight lift off their shoulders. The six-year-long serial murder case was finally resolved. Lin Qiupu remarked, “I never imagined two criminals living under the same roof. Did they know about each other?”
“I don’t think so, otherwise Xiao Ran wouldn’t have vouched for Zhang Jinlei’s alibi on the night of the 6th,” Chen Shi replied.
Lin Qiupu fell silent, prompting Chen Shi to ask, “What’s on your mind?”
“Love is such a terrifying emotion.”
“No, I think it’s his personal issue. Even if Yan Qilin were alive, their relationship would have ended badly. Their love wasn’t beautiful at all. Six girls crossed his path, and instead of being moved, he sent them to hell. His heart only held the dead woman. Is his love grand and heroic? I don’t think so. He loved only his idealized version of her, lost in a self-satisfying martyrdom. In essence, he loved himself. He wanted everyone to feel his pain, an extremely narrow-minded selfishness.”
“So you believe no criminal deserves sympathy?”
“With few exceptions, yes. But this one, absolutely not. He’s a beast in human skin.”
“I’m reminded of a mentor I once greatly admired. He’s missing, presumed dead. Maybe he wanted to tell me the same thing—don’t forget me.”
Chen Shi scoffed at his sentiment, “Just forget him. You’ve got me!”
“Get lost!” Lin Qiupu glared at him.
Ignoring him, Chen Shi called out to Lin Dongxue, who had just stepped out of the office, “Dongxue, let’s go for a midnight snack! We’re celebrating tonight and sleeping all day tomorrow!”
“Finally, the case is closed. Brother, let’s go!” Lin Dongxue cheerfully grabbed Lin Qiupu and Chen Shi by the arms.
True to his word, Chen Shi spent the next day sleeping and watching TV. He was worn out from the summer’s intense investigation and refused to participate in any further follow-up.
In the meantime, the bureau was on the verge of breaking down. Zhang Jinlei, whenever conscious, screamed in his cell, “Xiao Ran, I’ll kill you!” His voice would grow hoarse, yet he wouldn’t stop. He also engaged in various acts of self-harm, driving everyone to the brink.
This man was beyond help. But the police still had to ensure he was transferred to the detention center, where the law would deal with him, removing him from society like the trash he was.
Lin Dongxue texted Chen Shi, telling him that the victims’ families had come to the bureau, demanding to see the man who killed their daughters. Their heartfelt pleas and tears were overwhelming, but the police had to refuse. The only consolation was the promise to inform them of the trial date.
Chen Shi replied, hoping that such tragedies would never happen again.
“Yes, sometimes I wish the detectives would forever be unemployed rather than face such cruel events repeatedly.”
“If you ever lose your job, I’ll take care of you!”
“Haha, by the way, come with me today!”
They went to see Yue Chao, as promised, to share the truth. Yue Chao’s shock was indescribable after hearing the full story. “I thought Zhang Jinlei was just obsessive, but he did something so heinous!”
“It’s hard to believe. This is one of the most bizarre motives I’ve ever encountered as a detective,” Lin Dongxue said.
“Well, at least the truth is out now. Thank you for coming all this way to tell me.”
“I’m still curious. What kind of person was Yan Qilin? Some girls called her a flirt, while boys saw her as an angel. I know you might not have a definitive answer, but I’d still like to hear your thoughts.”
“Hmm…” Yue Chao pondered before chuckling, “Honestly, I’ve forgotten what she was like, what exactly attracted me to her. I just vaguely remember that first love feeling. She’s just a part of my past now, a part of my youth. Of course, I love my current girlfriend more. After all, the living are always more important than the dead.”