Xiao Zhi looked every bit the ordinary college student.
Medium height, medium build, glasses perched on his nose. The thing that made him particularly memorable was probably his good-natured, round face, always wearing a smile that narrowed his eyes into two cheerful crescents.
He was the kind of big boy who radiated cheerful sunshine at first glance.
A stack of photos of Xiao Zhi obtained from Feng Xiangping at Guanlan Court, along with his school records and transcripts, were now spread out before Old He.
Feng Zhi, undergraduate student majoring in Biology. Recipient of the First-Class Scholarship multiple times during his studies. Currently involved in research projects for two biotechnology companies.
Beyond his stellar grades, his personal abilities were equally impressive. He was the Vice President of the Student Union and the President of the university's "Zhiyan Research Society."
A senior about to graduate, he had already secured the prestigious opportunity for government-funded study in Japan recommended by the university.
He was a boy of exemplary character and scholarship.
Old He stared fixedly at these photos and grades – Qin Guan had insisted from the beginning that Feng Zhi was involved. After Qi Min's disappearance, Old He had actually already verified this and obtained the school's attendance records.
From the time Qi Min vanished at the lakeside villa, Feng Zhi had been on campus, attending all his classes without absence.
In other words, he lacked the fundamental prerequisite – time – to be "involved."
The university was over a thousand kilometers away. Shuttling back and forth by high-speed rail or plane simply wouldn't have been feasible, especially as all transportation would leave traces.
Looking back half a month, even a month before the incident, Feng Zhi had also been attending classes at school consistently, never absent.
He hadn't left. He simply hadn't come to this city.
And yet, the camera outside the aquarium had captured Feng Zhi's figure.
Qin Guan hadn't been fabricating after all – he said that after returning from the aquarium, his daughter had mentioned "Uncle Xiao Zhi" several times, meaning the child had seen him too.
He was almost certain Xiao Zhi must have been by Xu Ruyi's side that day – for Xu Ruyi to cover up the fact that "Qi Min had returned," she needed to get rid of Qi Min. Xu Ruyi's sudden cash withdrawal was precisely to strike this deal with Qi Min.
And to get rid of Qi Min, she absolutely needed Xiao Zhi's help.
Therefore, Xiao Zhi had to be there.
Because Xu Ruyi and Feng Xiangping alone couldn't possibly manage it.
Qin Guan wasn't wrong. Old He might despise the man, but he acknowledged his opponent's reasoning was meticulously logical and clearly structured.
It was the basic skill of a professional lawyer.
Xiao Zhi's figure, just as Qin Guan had claimed, had appeared outside the aquarium's buffet restaurant.
It was a back view, only partially visible. He wore a baseball cap, glasses, a mask, was of medium build, in jeans, and a black short jacket with a tiger head decoration on the back. He carried a black square insulated bag over his shoulder.
When he appeared in the footage, he kept his cap pulled low, walking extremely fast, as if avoiding someone.
Old He had shown Qin Guan this surveillance still. Qin Guan had nearly cried with excitement then.
"It's him! It is him! Feng Zhi! I told you all along! I've been telling you, he was there! He's Xu Ruyi's helper! This whole thing was planned by the two of them together! It was them! I knew it! Wherever you go, you leave traces; it's impossible for them to completely cover it up! Go investigate! Investigate him! He's carrying an insulated bag! What's inside? It must be related to Qi Min!"
"Sis, getting Qi Min out of here needs to happen as soon as possible. Don't wait until night. Send her away this evening, to avoid complications."
Xiao Zhi studied science. He was a top student with formidable logical thinking.
Though young, he was always steady in speech and action. His words slightly eased Xu Ruyi's constantly tense heart.
The aquarium buffet was crowded. Standing outside the door, Xu Ruyi let out a deep sigh but was still worried. "What kind of vehicle will she take from the Xinhe Hotel? What kind of car can completely hide her tracks? Do I need to provide one? Isn't leaving today a bit rushed?"
"No need for a car. Rushed? Yes, it is. But compared to dragging it out and risking complications, speed is essential. Even if it means taking a risk. But, Sis, rest assured, this risk is manageable."
Xiao Zhi's voice was remarkably steady. "I know the routes and surveillance around the Xinhe Hotel better than anyone. Sis, you don't need to worry. Leave this to me. I already have a plan."
He already had a plan in such a short time.
Xu Ruyi knew he had this capability.
She trusted him. She always had.
"However... Qin Guan has already found the auto repair shop," Xiao Zhi's concern shifted to this. "That man is deep, and clever. If he found the repair shop, he'll definitely find the locksmith, and soon discover that you knew about this all along! And once he realizes you were aware, he might start watching our every subsequent move..."
Little Pear's childish cry startled Xu Ruyi.
It also abruptly cut off their conversation.
"Uncle Xiao Zhi!" The child called out happily, pulling open the restaurant door and rushing joyfully towards him – bells on the door jingled crisply.
Little Pear stood in the doorway, looking at the figure in the distance – the one with the cap pulled low, carrying the insulated bag, walking away rapidly. She froze for a moment, then called out again, disappointment clear in her voice: "Uncle Xiao Zhi—"
"That's not Uncle Xiao Zhi, Little Pear. You've mistaken him. That's a delivery man from an errand service! See, he brought us an ice cream cake!"
Xu Ruyi swiftly pulled her daughter close, simultaneously showing her the beautiful ice cream cake.
"Little Pear, do you miss Uncle Xiao Zhi? When he's on holiday, we'll invite him to our house to play, okay?"
She patted her daughter's head and led her back into the restaurant without a change in expression, smoothly diverting the child's attention.
"Guess what flavor this ice cream cake is? Strawberry? Haha, my Little Pear is so clever, guessed it right away! Now guess, besides strawberry, what other fruit is in the cake?"
The child's focus instantly shifted entirely to the ice cream. She happily held the coveted little cake, her eyes crinkling into joyful slits.
"Our Little Pear is so lucky! Saw the mermaids and now gets a pretty little cake to eat!" Auntie Feng chuckled warmly, handing Little Pear a spoon.
Everything was covered up without a trace.
Xu Ruyi sat at the table, chin resting on her hand, smiling as she watched her child eat the cake. Her mind was occupied with Xiao Zhi's words when her phone suddenly rang – Yang Qingqing, an old friend from her days in Shanghai, was in town on business. She happened to be staying at the nearby Tianfu Hotel. Her work was mostly done, and she wanted to meet up before leaving.
Xu Ruyi hadn't planned on meeting. Her family was in such turmoil, she was overwhelmed; how could she have the time or mood to reminisce with an old friend?
But then, she received a message from Xiao Zhi.