Chapter 547: Suicide by Jumping

A-Zhen: Are you there?

A-Zhen: I can’t sleep. I’m in so much pain. Can you talk to me for a bit?

A-Zhen: ?

Mie Ba: Seriously? It’s just a breakup. Why are you still not over it? You need to broaden your mind.

A-Zhen: I want to die!

Mie Ba: Stop it. Just go wash up and sleep!

Mie Ba: When you’re sad, don’t listen to sad songs or watch tear-jerking Korean dramas. Read some bold poetry instead. People with small minds tend to overthink. Be like me, carefree and happy!

A-Zhen: Thank you.

Mie Ba: Enough, stop overthinking and go to sleep. That guy was a jerk, not worth your tears. Everyone goes through breakups. Grow up!

A-Zhen: Okay.

A-Zhen: Sorry for bothering you.

…

A-Zhen: Hello, this is Zhang Jianjun from the Long’an City Police Department. The owner of this phone jumped to their death half an hour ago. I need to verify their identity.

Mie Ba: Message retracted

Mie Ba: Are you kidding me? She wouldn’t commit suicide.

A-Zhen: Give me your phone number!!!

Mie Ba: Are you serious!?

On the night of September 25th, police lights flashed below Taohuayuan Community. Within the police tape, officers were photographing the body of the woman who had jumped. Some residents in pajamas came down to watch but were stopped by the police.

Officer Zhang held a phone with a cracked screen. On WeChat, the last chat with the deceased’s friend finally revealed her identity. Her name was Ai Lizhen, a graduate of XX University, working as a telemarketer at an investment company for three years.

Officer Zhang noted this information down and looked at the body, sighing, “So young.”

Another officer came down and said, “No one else entered the house. The door was locked from the inside, the window was open, and we found this on the table.” It was a suicide note, some words blurred by tears.

“It seems like a suicide. Take the body away! Hey, stop taking pictures; there’s nothing to see. Go back to sleep!” he shouted at a young man outside the tape, who was smiling and holding up his phone.

A car drove into the community. Two young men rushed out, ignoring the police, and broke through the tape. Officer Zhang said, “What are you doing? Get out of here; the police are working!”

A young man in a red plaid shirt reeking of alcohol cried, pointing to himself, “I’m the one from WeChat, Mie Ba. It’s my fault she died! I should have seen it coming. Why didn’t I notice… A-Zhen, wake up!”

He knelt by the body, crying. The other young man in a leather jacket stood beside him, looking sad. He shook his head, sighed, and took out a cigarette to light.

Officer Zhang said, “No smoking here!”

“I’m not smoking; I want to pay my respects to A-Zhen.”

“Stop pretending!” Red Plaid stood up and pushed him. “Officer, arrest him. He toyed with her feelings and caused her suicide! It’s all his fault!”

“What are you talking about? She contacted you last. If not for your words, would she have died?” Leather Jacket retorted.

The two were about to fight. The police quickly separated them. Officer Zhang smelled alcohol on them and asked, “Who drove?”

Leather Jacket pointed to Red Plaid, “He did!”

“Drunk driving, take him away!”

Red Plaid wailed as he was dragged away, trying to kick Leather Jacket. As he was put in the police car, he shouted, “A-Qiang, you’ll get your karma, for sure!”

Hearing “karma,” Leather Jacket looked uneasy. Officer Zhang approached and asked, “What’s your name? What’s your relationship with the deceased?”

“Gu Daqiang, her ex-boyfriend.”

“Why did you break up?”

“Because I found someone else. Ask any of our friends; they’ll say the same. But it’s not true! I know it’s bad to speak ill of the dead, but A-Zhen lacked a sense of security and was paranoid. If I didn’t reply to her texts immediately, she’d think I was with another woman. Do you know our last fight was over what? A southern province was flooded, and my company organized donations. I donated 1,000 yuan. When she found out, she went crazy, saying my ex was from that province and that’s why I donated so much. I told her she was crazy and refused to answer her baseless questions. She cried and made a scene. I couldn’t take it anymore and broke up with her. A week later, I started dating someone else. When she heard, she assumed I had cheated on her and spread it around. Our friends came to accuse me. Was I wronged? Officer, she committed suicide, right? It has nothing to do with me, right?”

“We’re still investigating. What’s that guy’s name?”

“Liu Qin. We’re all classmates.”

“Were you two together?”

“Yes, we were at a bar from ten o’clock until we got the message. Bluebird Bar on Erma Road.”

Officer Zhang noted this information and finally said, “Thank you for your cooperation. Leave your contact information. We’ll notify you if there’s any progress.”

Gu Daqiang shook his head, “No need. She definitely committed suicide. I should have seen it coming. I need some peace.”

Gu Daqiang left.

After the scene was processed, the police took the body back to the station. Officer Zhang was on duty that night. Such suicide cases weren’t unusual compared to major homicide cases.

Back at the station, an officer brought a detention form for Officer Zhang to sign. Seeing Liu Qin’s name, Officer Zhang said, “He was drunk driving. Why is he detained here?”

“You didn’t say anything at the scene!”

“Never mind, leave it here. I’ll talk to the traffic police tomorrow.”

Before his shift ended, Officer Zhang checked on Liu Qin. He sat dejectedly in a single cell. Officer Zhang asked, “Sober now?”

Liu Qin nodded.

“Even if there weren’t many cars, what you did was dangerous. I know it was sudden, but there are no exceptions under the law.”

“Did she leave a suicide note?”

“She did, but we can’t show it to you until we rule out foul play.”

“I shouldn’t have said those things. Really… I’m such a fool for not seeing it!” Liu Qin covered his face, in deep pain. “You can punish me. I’ll accept jail or execution. It’s my fault she died!”

Officer Zhang shook his head, “Stop blaming yourself. She’s gone. Rest here for now.”