Chapter 670: Puppet Life

The man who had smashed the police car was immediately taken to the town’s police station for questioning. His ID revealed that his name was Ai Ying, a salesman from Long’an City. When asked why he had damaged the police car, Ai Ying remained silent. Pressed further, he impatiently replied, “If I tell you the truth, will you let me go? Just detain me for a few days if you want and save your breath!”

Chen Shi showed Lin Dongxue something—it was Ai Ying’s phone, and it had Chang Juan’s number, with a recent call made that day.

“Seriously?” Lin Dongxue was surprised. “Could he be here because of Chang Juan? Is he the mastermind behind her? I thought that person would be more mysterious, not just show up like this.”

“Let’s go have a chat with this guy.”

The two of them relieved the original interrogators and sat across from Ai Ying. “What’s your relationship with Chang Juan?” they asked.

Ai Ying frowned slightly.

Chen Shi continued, “Her number is on your phone. You don’t have any relatives or friends in Shiqiao Town, and you decided to smash a police car during the New Year. It’s probably because of her, right? Maybe because we used signal jammers on her earlier today.”

Ai Ying’s expression grew more displeased, but he still remained silent.

Lin Dongxue said, “Staying silent now is pointless. It seems you’re the one guiding Chang Juan. How do you know the details of the case? Do you know the murderer?”

“Police are so vulgar! So vulgar!” Ai Ying said angrily. “You always think in such utilitarian terms.”

“Then give us a non-utilitarian answer.”

“I can’t talk about it because it involves someone else’s privacy.”

“Sorry, but at this critical juncture, we have the right to know these ‘private matters’ to determine if they relate to the case.”

“Chang Juan has nothing to do with this case!” Ai Ying shouted, then sighed. “Bring Chang Juan here, and I’ll discuss it with her.”

Ai Ying insisted on seeing Chang Juan. To figure out what was really going on between them, Lin Dongxue had someone bring her in. When she saw Ai Ying, Chang Juan was slightly surprised. Ai Ying smiled bitterly and said, “These police bullied you during the day, and I was upset. So I came at night to smash their car and got caught. Turns out you can’t mess with the police.”

“She’s here now. Can you talk? What’s your relationship?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“We don’t really have a relationship. Telling the truth involves other people’s privacy, not just ours. Can I make a phone call?” Ai Ying requested.

“You’re pushing it!” Lin Dongxue shouted, losing her patience with his stalling.

Ai Ying shrank back, looking timidly at Chang Juan. “Well… you tell them. Police are so annoying, always prying into everything.”

“If you find us annoying, why did you mess with us?” Lin Dongxue snapped.

“Can I speak?” Chang Juan asked.

“Go ahead,” Ai Ying nodded.

Chang Juan took a deep breath and revealed her long-hidden secret. “This necklace has a hidden camera and a wireless transmitter. It’s a communication device.”

“I already knew that.”

“But I don’t wear it because of you. I wear it because several people use it to keep in touch with me and supervise me. They decide what I wear, eat, where I go, and who I see.”

Lin Dongxue was stunned and looked at Ai Ying. Ai Ying said, “Listen to her first. It’s not what you think!”

Chang Juan took another deep breath and continued, “They are my life shareholders. They decide everything about my life.”

“Life shareholders…” Lin Dongxue was shocked.

“This started when I was in high school. I know it sounds conceited, but I was an excellent student with a good family background. My parents shielded me from all distractions so I could focus on my studies. My family was warm and loving; my parents were very kind to me. I was obedient and never worried them. My home was my paradise, my everything.

“One day, my parents went on a vacation for their anniversary and were murdered in the countryside. My world collapsed, and I didn’t know how to live anymore. At the end of the semester, I got the top marks in my class, but when I brought my report card home, there was no one to show it to. It was meaningless. Life, sleep, eating—it all became meaningless. My life was just a grey void.

“I thought about suicide and even tried it, but I was too cowardly. Then I saw a foreign program about Mike Merrill, who sold shares of his life, letting shareholders decide his daily activities. It was like a revelation to me. I posted an ad on a forum, offering to sell shares of my life. At first, people thought it was a joke, saying it was a disguised form of prostitution or seeking a sugar daddy. I didn’t care what they thought. I kept updating the post, and the moderator eventually pinned it. It became a small trend online, and many people started buying my shares.

“After six months, I had over a hundred shareholders who would decide my daily activities in a group chat. Surprisingly, their demands were very ordinary, like getting a haircut, reading, making friends, or practicing yoga. But these gave me a reason to live. I just needed to follow their orders, without thinking or hesitating.

“In the life arranged by others, I had two boyfriends, suddenly broke up, chose a major I didn’t like, yet still earned scholarships, kept a pet, made many friends, entered unwinnable competitions, worked part-time, and traveled. From that day on, my life had no surprises or turbulence. Everything was planned, giving me a sense of security. It was like a predetermined route in a vast ocean, preventing me from getting lost. This way, I wouldn’t constantly relive the memories of my parents’ murder. I got used to being an obedient girl and needed others to plan my life.”

Tears shimmered in Chang Juan’s eyes as she smiled. “This is the first time I’m formally speaking to you, Mr. Chen. I think you’re very smart. You figured things out the first time we met. And Lin, thank you for always caring for me. I wish I had a sister like you.”

The interrogation room was silent for a moment. Chen Shi said, “The truth is so simple. I overthought it.”

“But who would have guessed?” Lin Dongxue sighed. “What a strange life. Don’t you get tired?”

“Sometimes, but I’m used to it. Completing the shareholders’ tasks gives me a sense of accomplishment.”

Lin Dongxue turned to Ai Ying. “So… you’re one of her shareholders?”

Ai Ying suddenly puffed up with pride. “I’m the major shareholder! I own thirteen percent of her shares!”