Chapter 10: Doubts

Perhaps being a girl is just that miserable, which is why Lin Xiaoyan still wants to work hard to save money, find a city with a low cost of living and affordable housing, and buy a place of her own.

She wants a home that is truly hers.

As she ate, Lin Xiaoyan listened to the conversation between Gao Miao and Susan. Susan and Gao Miao were accustomed to Lin Xiaoyan’s silence, knowing that she suffered from a bit of social anxiety.

After finishing her meal, Lin Xiaoyan returned to her desk, hoping to rest for a while. She hadn’t slept well the night before; her head had been aching painfully all morning, and her left eye would throb every now and then. Before she drifted off, she sent a message to Gao Miao, asking her to find out which hospital Sister Eileen was in, as she wanted to go visit her. Gao Miao replied with an "OK" hand gesture.

At the police station, Zhang Ming was loudly recounting the events of the previous night.

"You guys have no idea! Once that door opened, the Captain kicked the killer down, subdued him, and then Li He and I went in to rescue the victim..."

The others in the precinct raised their thumbs in approval. "Awesome! Truly impressive!"

"Though, there’s something I don’t quite understand, Chief." Zhang Ming scratched his head, looking over at He Qi'an, who was busy typing.

"Speak."

Zhang Ming walked over and leaned against He Qi'an’s desk. "Chief, how were you so sure that man was the killer? What if he was just a resident living inside? Wouldn't we have kicked the wrong person?"

The others looked at He Qi'an with curiosity as well.

He Qi'an continued typing, his voice cold. "As a police officer, observation is essential. First, the delivery scooter left outside was covered in rainwater, and the delivery box was filled with water, meaning it had been sitting in the rain for a long time. As delivery riders, they are on a tight schedule; they usually return immediately after dropping off an order, with the entire process taking no more than five minutes. Second, from the elevator to the door of 1302, there were water tracks on the floor, and there were also traces of rain on the door itself, indicating that the killer had forced his way in just as the victim was closing the door. Third, the clothes the killer was wearing were a terrible fit; his sleeves and pant cuffs were far too short..."

Once he finished typing, He Qi'an leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and calmly analyzed the case for everyone.

After hearing this, everyone looked at him with newfound admiration.

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Applause suddenly erupted from the doorway. Everyone turned around and immediately stood up.

"Good morning, Chief!"

Police Chief Zhao Mingshan looked at He Qi'an with a face full of satisfaction. This was someone he had personally poached; the neighboring districts hadn't been able to win him over. As it turned out, his hunch was correct—He Qi'an was a true talent.

"Chief." He Qi'an acknowledged him as he approached.

Zhao Mingshan nodded, walking over with a smile. "Xiao He, I heard you caught an intruder last night. Well done!"

"It was attempted murder; he had clear intent to kill. The victim is still in the hospital, and we are going to take her statement shortly," He Qi'an said coolly, not letting the praise go to his head.

Zhao Mingshan looked at the composed He Qi'an, feeling even more pleased. This was someone sent from above to gain experience; with a talent like this, he believed his own promotion wouldn't be far off.

"Keep up the good work. If you need anything, just ask—I’ll approve it!"

After offering his encouragement, Zhao Mingshan left with a beaming smile. The others in the office looked toward He Qi'an with envy.

He Qi'an stood up, his expression stern. "Zhang Ming, Li He, both of you go to the hospital and take the victim’s statement."

"Yes, Captain!"

Deputy Captain Ma Yi approached. "Captain, anything else?"

He Qi'an looked at him. "Yes, take a team to the interrogation room and question the suspect."

"Understood!" Ma Yi left with his team.

He Qi'an checked the time and headed to the communications room. When Mao Hong saw him, she immediately handed over the information she had gathered overnight. She also mentioned that Lin Xiaoyan had called again at midnight to ask if the police had been dispatched.

He Qi'an looked at the documents with a somber expression. When he saw Lin Xiaoyan's photo, he raised an eyebrow—a recent college graduate. He continued reading, scanning her background and her history from childhood to the present.

"I see. I'll take this," He Qi'an told Mao Hong before leaving with the file.

Back at his desk, He Qi'an stared at Lin Xiaoyan’s profile, recalling how, when he had brought the suspect in the night before, the man had claimed he hadn't spoken to anyone on the phone and that the crime was a crime of opportunity. He had reviewed the suspect's call logs, which showed only communication with delivery customers—there was no record of the call Lin Xiaoyan claimed had taken place.

So, how did this girl know that the suspect was going to commit a crime last night?

He Qi'an looked up at the people in the office and instructed them to investigate the delivery rider's route from the previous day and to look into the victim’s personal relationships.

Ma Yi, who had just returned from the interrogation room, looked at the departing officers in confusion. He walked up to the Captain and asked, "Captain, why investigate the victim’s interpersonal relationships? I just questioned the suspect, and he insisted it was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

He Qi'an glanced at Lin Xiaoyan’s file and looked up. "Just checking, it makes for a better case analysis."

Ma Yi nodded, feeling he had learned something new.

When work finally ended, Lin Xiaoyan decided to visit the hospital where Sister Eileen was staying. She calculated her living expenses; while she had slightly exceeded her budget for the month, it was still manageable.

She could afford a fruit basket, but the price... she knew the shops near the hospital were expensive, but she hadn't expected it to be this outrageous! A single bunch of grapes, four apples, a bunch of bananas, and two oranges cost one hundred and eighty-eight yuan!

Lin Xiaoyan clutched her heart as she paid and entered the hospital. This was a private facility located quite close to Sister Eileen’s apartment complex. She went to the information desk and asked for the room number.

The nurse at the desk was very helpful and personally guided her to Eileen’s room. "This is Ms. Eileen’s room. You may go in to visit her," the nurse said with a bright smile.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" Lin Xiaoyan replied.

"You're very welcome, it’s my job."

Watching the nurse walk away, she turned to the door, knocked cautiously, and pushed it open gently. She caught sight of Sister Eileen lying weakly on the hospital bed.

"Sister Eileen," Lin Xiaoyan whispered.

Eileen opened her eyes, looking momentarily stunned to see Lin Xiaoyan. She tried to sit up. "Xiao Lin, why are you here? Come in and sit."

Lin Xiaoyan hurried to the bedside, supporting Eileen’s arm to help her sit up comfortably. As Eileen looked at the girl before her, her mind drifted back to the words Lin Xiaoyan had said to her when she had left work the night before.