Chapter Twenty-Three: The Scapegoat

Sunlight streamed through the window into the police station’s cell block as Lu Hewan, holding a thick hemp rope, made his way to Bai Yulou’s cell. Two officers, panting from exertion, followed behind, struggling to carry a dead pig.

A duty officer unlocked the cell door, allowing Lu Hewan and his entourage to enter.

Bai Yulou, sitting in the corner of the cell, stared blankly at Lu Hewan when he heard the commotion.

Ying Xi hurried over, running to catch up, rubbing his beard in confusion. “Lu Hewan, are you trying to make this case even more complicated? What’s the meaning of dragging in a dead pig? Are you suggesting Bai Yulou murdered this pig too?”

Lu Hewan ignored Ying Xi, motioning for the two officers to place the pig on the ground. He then wrapped the hemp rope securely around the pig’s neck and tossed the other end over the ceiling beam.

Gripping the dangling rope, Lu Hewan turned to Bai Yulou. “Bai Yulou, this pig weighs about the same as the deceased, Sun Fenglian. If you can lift this pig and hang it from the beam, I’ll believe you’re the murderer.”

“Do you mean it?” Bai Yulou’s eyes lit up, instantly energized as he rose from the corner.

“If you can do it, I’ll go straight to Chief Bao and press charges,” Lu Hewan said solemnly.

“Excellent!” Bai Yulou exclaimed enthusiastically.

Ying Xi, calculating that if Bai Yulou could indeed hoist the pig, the string of murders on Huaihua Lane could be settled, grew excited as well.

Bai Yulou took the rope from Lu Hewan’s hands.

Ying Xi cheered him on, clenching his fists. “Come on, Bai Yulou! Show some spirit and lift that pig for us… and for this pig over here,” he added, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Hewan.

Bai Yulou nodded and began to pull the rope with all his might.

“Come on! You can do it! Believe in yourself—put your back into it!” Ying Xi encouraged, exerting himself with each word.

Bai Yulou slung the rope over his shoulder, leaning his entire weight into it, but even with all his strength, he could not lift the dead pig.

Lu Hewan, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Bingo, just what I thought!”

“Smug rascal!” Ying Xi glared at him in irritation.

“Do you even understand what that means?” Lu Hewan asked, baffled.

“I guessed from your tone. Is that not allowed?” Ying Xi retorted, rolling his eyes.

Lu Hewan shrugged helplessly. “I’m not being smug, just confirming that my deduction was correct. Bai Yulou isn’t the killer. Most likely, he was hypnotized by the real murderer to confess.”

As they spoke, Bai Yulou suddenly erupted, shouting hysterically, “I wasn’t hypnotized! I really am the murderer! Please, believe me!”

Ying Xi glanced at the wildly gesticulating Bai Yulou and felt a splitting headache. Rubbing his temples, he looked solemnly at Lu Hewan. “If you’re so sure Bai Yulou is innocent, do you know who the real killer is?”

Lu Hewan shook his head. “Not yet. But as long as we keep digging, we’ll find out.”

Ying Xi, exasperated, paced back and forth. “Lu Hewan, are you determined to get me fired before you’re satisfied?”

Lu Hewan’s eyes followed Ying Xi’s agitated movements.

Ying Xi, thoroughly frustrated, began tugging at the rope still tied to the pig, when a sudden inspiration struck. “I’ve got it!”

“What have you got?” Lu Hewan asked in confusion.

Ignoring him, Ying Xi gestured to the two officers. “Go fetch a stone—something heavy.”

One officer promptly left, returning shortly with a large stone in his arms.

“Put it down,” Ying Xi said, satisfied.

After the officer placed the stone on the ground, Ying Xi tied the other end of the rope to it. Lu Hewan and the officers watched his actions closely.

Ying Xi stood up and looked at Bai Yulou with a smug grin. “This is how it’s done, right? Give it another try.”

Bai Yulou, confused but compliant, grabbed the rope tied to the stone. Gritting his teeth, he finally managed to lift the dead pig off the ground.

“Congratulations, you did it!” Ying Xi exclaimed, high-fiving Bai Yulou.

“I did it! Please, convict me quickly!” Bai Yulou said, beaming with joy.

Lu Hewan, who had been silently observing, suddenly recalled something and shook his head. “No, if the body was hoisted with a counterweight like a stone, there would be friction marks left on the beam. But at the scene of Sun Yulian’s death, there were no such marks.”

“Even without a stone, lifting Sun Fenglian onto the beam would leave marks,” Ying Xi protested.

“So I suspect the murderer first tied the rope to the beam, then hung the body to create the illusion of suicide by hanging.”

“Then why did you have Bai Yulou try to lift the pig earlier?”

“To test his strength,” Lu Hewan replied lightly.

“Why go to all that trouble? Why not simply have him try picking up the pig to see if he could manage it?” Ying Xi thought Lu Hewan, usually so clever, had lost his wits.

“The pig’s corpse is filthy—full of germs,” Lu Hewan replied, utterly serious.

Ying Xi opened his mouth in frustration, then turned and left.

In Chief Bao Kang’s office, Bao Kang stood stiffly by the phone, speaking with the utmost deference to Gordon.

“Yes, yes… Rest assured, Chief Inspector, we’ve already identified the murderer. The case will be closed soon… Yes, I understand.” Bao Kang nodded repeatedly, forcing a smile.

A knock sounded at the door. Lu Hewan, confident, and Ying Xi, dejected, appeared together in the doorway.

Bao Kang set down the phone and immediately put on a stern face. “Are you here to tell me you’ve caught the murderer?”

Neither spoke, standing motionless as if rooted to the spot.

Ying Xi hung his head, unable to meet Bao Kang’s eyes, and nudged Lu Hewan.

Lu Hewan snapped to attention and saluted. “Reporting, Chief Bao, we’re here to inform you that after careful investigation, Bai Yulou is definitely not the murderer.”

At this, Bao Kang nearly exploded with rage. “Chief Inspector is furious that this case has dragged on so long—he’s called me three times! I’ve reported that we’ve already identified the murderer…”

“And who is that supposed to be?” Lu Hewan asked earnestly, interrupting him.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Bao Kang shot back, frowning.

“But we haven’t found the real killer yet…” Lu Hewan, lost for words, tried to reassure him, “But don’t worry, Chief Bao, as long as we keep investigating…”

“Enough! No more investigating. Close the case immediately—the murderer is Bai Yulou!” Bao Kang snapped.

“We can’t close the case. As the head of Old Gate Police Station, it’s your duty to uphold justice. We can’t convict the innocent!” Lu Hewan said forcefully.

“If I don’t close the case, I’ll soon be out of a job as station chief!” Bao Kang, recalling Gordon’s warning, was beside himself with fury.

“Chief Bao, please give me a little more time. I promise I’ll uncover the truth,” Lu Hewan pleaded sincerely.

Ying Xi, seeing the argument escalate, silently prayed he wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.

Bao Kang glared at Lu Hewan, hesitated for a moment, then relented. “Fine. I’ll give you three days to get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, Bai Yulou is getting charged.”

“Chief Bao—” Lu Hewan started to protest, but Ying Xi quickly pulled him back.

“Yes, Chief Bao, we’ll do our best,” Ying Xi interjected, bowing respectfully.

Lu Hewan knew three days was far from enough, but at this point, he could only hope for a breakthrough soon.

Though it was midday, the cells remained dim and shadowy.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. Liu Rushuang, accompanied by an officer, arrived at Bai Yulou’s cell.

Inside, Bai Yulou sat in the corner, vacant-eyed.

Seeing no one else around, the officer quietly unlocked the cell.

“Miss Liu, I’m sorry, but you only have ten minutes.”

Liu Rushuang nodded, pulled some money from her pocket, and pressed it into his hand. “Thank you.”

The officer took the money happily and stood guard outside.

Liu Rushuang hurried in, her gaze full of concern for the huddled figure in the corner. “Bai Bai, how are you?”

Bai Yulou slowly raised his head, looking pitifully at her. “Sister Shuang, I’m the murderer. Why does no one believe me…”

“Bai Bai, I know you didn’t kill anyone. Don’t worry, I’ll help Detective Xi and Lu Hewan clear your name,” Liu Rushuang cut in, vowing with conviction.

Suddenly, Bai Yulou sprang up and advanced on her, shouting fiercely, “Stay out of this! I killed all those people. I deserve to die!”

Liu Rushuang had never seen Bai Yulou so aggressive and menacing. Frightened, she retreated from the cell.

Meanwhile, Lu Hewan and Ying Xi, racing against time, returned to the scene on Huaihua Lane, hoping to find new clues. They began at Chen Xiue’s home, crawling on the floor in search of evidence, but found nothing. Disappointed, Lu Hewan shook his head, and Ying Xi sighed. Next, they went to Liang Fang’s apartment, donning white gloves and sweeping the windows where Liang Fang had fallen, but again found nothing. Ying Xi grew anxious, wringing his hands. Refusing to give up, Lu Hewan dragged Ying Xi to Sun Fenglian’s home, climbing onto Ying Xi’s shoulders to examine the beam where the hanging had occurred. Ying Xi looked up expectantly, but Lu Hewan shook his head again. In frustration, Ying Xi dumped him unceremoniously to the floor.

Time ticked by. As they emerged from Sun Fenglian’s house, they walked along the narrow lane.

It was now April, and crimson apricot blossoms spilled over courtyard walls on either side; nearby, the young willows along the embankment glowed with tender green, swaying seductively in the breeze. Yet neither Lu Hewan nor Ying Xi had any mind to appreciate the spring’s beauty.

Lu Hewan, rubbing his arm, complained, “You nearly crippled me with that throw—such ruthlessness.”

Ying Xi shot him a glare, still seething. “Serves you right for making us run in circles! Satisfied now? No clues at all—so the murderer must be Bai Yulou.”

“Exactly—no clues at all. How could Bai Yulou be the killer?” Lu Hewan retorted.

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hewan’s stubbornness, lost his temper. “Why are you so obstinate! Think about it—if there are no clues, why would Bai Yulou confess if he wasn’t the murderer?”

Lu Hewan nodded thoughtfully. “Good point, Detective Ying. We could use that to persuade Chief Bao that Bai Yulou was hypnotized.”

Ying Xi realized he’d been twisted around again and stopped in his tracks, glaring at Lu Hewan. “Lu Hewan, you’re really asking for a beating.”

He raised his hand threateningly.

Lu Hewan instinctively dodged, but suddenly caught sight of a figure darting past behind Ying Xi. He quickly pulled Ying Xi into a corner.

Ying Xi, pulling his hand away in annoyance, grumbled, “How dare you grab a detective’s hand…”

Before he could finish, Lu Hewan pressed a finger to his lips for silence. Ying Xi wisely fell quiet as Lu Hewan peered toward Sun Fenglian’s house.

Following his gaze, Ying Xi saw a young man lurking outside Sun Fenglian’s door, looking suspiciously around.

The man, in his twenties and dressed in a straight-cut gown, looked every bit the schoolteacher.

Lu Hewan, alert, drew his service revolver and exchanged a glance with Ying Xi.

Oblivious to their scrutiny, the man continued to examine the house, muttering to himself and occasionally jotting notes in a small notebook.

Lu Hewan strode over and confronted him with his gun raised. “Don’t move! Hands up!”

Startled, the man spun around to flee, only to find Ying Xi blocking his escape, gun in hand. The two detectives had clearly anticipated his move.

Ying Xi sneered, “I said hands up—not turn around.”

Realizing he was trapped, the man nervously raised his hands. “W-what do you want?”

Lu Hewan lowered his gun and produced his badge. “Lu Hewan, Old Gate Police Station. You’re a suspect in a series of murders. Please come with us for questioning.”

“Murders? What murders?” The man’s complexion turned ashen.

Ying Xi, lowering his gun, impatiently rapped the man on the head. “Don’t play dumb. Why are you skulking around Sun Fenglian’s house?”

“I don’t know who Sun Fenglian is…” the man protested.

“Born in the Year of the Rooster, are you? Such a hard beak!” Ying Xi cut him off, signaling to Lu Hewan. “Take him in. We’ll question him at the station!”

Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Officers, I have nothing to do with the murders! I work for Boss Zhu. He’s planning to tear down and rebuild these houses on Huaihua Lane for rental, so he sent me to measure the area. It’s still under wraps, so he told me to keep a low profile.”

Lu Hewan and Ying Xi exchanged wary glances.

The man quickly pulled out his notebook. “If you don’t believe me, look—these are my measurements.”

Lu Hewan took the notebook and saw sketches of house layouts, with calculations and figures for square footage.

“It checks out,” Lu Hewan said, reassured, nodding at Ying Xi.

“Which Boss Zhu?” Ying Xi pressed.

“Zhu Wolong.”

Lu Hewan and Ying Xi looked at each other in shock—never had they expected Zhu Wolong to be implicated in the Huaihua Lane murders.

“I see now,” Lu Hewan said with sudden clarity.

“What do you see? I don’t see anything,” Ying Xi replied, bewildered.

Ignoring him, Lu Hewan returned the notebook. “You may go.”

“Thank you, officers.” The man scurried away.

“What was that about?” Ying Xi demanded.

“All the victims were elderly and lived alone. With no heirs, their property reverts to the state. That means Zhu Wolong doesn’t have to pay compensation for those houses…” Lu Hewan said, his voice full of meaning.

“What are you getting at?” Ying Xi’s eyes narrowed, studying Lu Hewan.

“Zhu Wolong is a prime suspect.”

“You’d rather take on a cactus like Zhu Wolong than squeeze an easy mark like Bai Yulou?” Ying Xi muttered, both anxious and resigned.

Lu Hewan was undeterred. “I don’t care if he’s a cactus or the Chief Inspector himself—if he’s broken the law, he’ll answer for it. I’m heading to Chief Bao now to request permission to bring Zhu Wolong in for questioning.”

He started to leave, but Ying Xi grabbed his arm.

“You’re not scared, are you?” Lu Hewan teased, knowing full well Ying Xi’s tendency to curry favor with the powerful.

Ying Xi sighed. “Chief Bao has been trying to set Xiao Rong up with Zhu Wolong. He’ll never approve our investigation.”

“I’ll argue my case with the chief!” Lu Hewan said, stubborn as ever.

“Argue all you want—you’re just a junior detective. You think you can win against the chief?” Ying Xi shook his head, unable to hold back a curse.

Lu Hewan scratched his head, considering. “Then I’ll call the Chief Inspector to complain.”

Ying Xi sneered. “So much for your big talk—it’s just tattling.”

“Then we act first and report later?” Lu Hewan suggested tentatively.

“Now you’re talking. But we should still go through the proper channels…”

In Chief Bao Kang’s office, Lu Hewan and Ying Xi stood before him, both with a hidden agenda.

“Chief Bao, we’ve identified a major suspect in our investigation,” Lu Hewan announced, deliberately withholding the name.

Bao Kang beamed with delight. “Then what are you waiting for? Go arrest them!”

Lu Hewan and Ying Xi exchanged a knowing look.

“Yes, sir!” they responded in unison, turning on their heels and heading straight for Zhu Wolong’s residence.