Old He sat by the window, his eyes fixed unblinkingly through the glass on Feng Zhi. Feng Zhi had just exited the school gate and was talking animatedly with a classmate beside him, gesturing with both hands in the air. After finishing, both erupted in laughter.
His round face and unrestrainedly joyful demeanor made him seem immature, even appearing a few years younger than his peers.
"He only looks young. As a person, he's not naive at all. Far from it—he speaks and acts with remarkable shrewdness."
That was Qin Guan's assessment of Feng Zhi.
Yes, Old He had arrived at Feng Zhi's university.
Although, just a minute ago, he had been on the phone asking Feng Xiangping for Feng Zhi's school and class details—her shock and confusion over the phone had been crystal clear to him.
Old He picked up the juice in front of him and took a large gulp. The artificial, cloying sweetness of chemical sweeteners instantly flooded his mouth.
False sweetness.
Just like this case. What covered it was a veil of uncertain truth and falsehood—vague, elusive, impossible to approach, impossible to brush aside.
The murderer, Qin Guan, was already in custody. Motive, process, clues—everything seemed complete.
But what filled Old He's heart was also this false, discomforting sense of "achievement."
Was it really Qin Guan who did it?
If so, how to explain those doubts?
But if not Qin Guan, then who? Did Xu Ruyi have the capability? Just her and Feng Zhi?
Xu Ruyi—that slender figure overlapped once more with a deeply buried image in his mind. Old He took another large gulp, forcing the troubling memory away.
The case seemed increasingly complex, yet all the puzzling points were gradually surfacing—Xu Ruyi had indeed withdrawn gold jewelry from the bank's safe deposit box. The long-hidden "Zeng Demei" had also reappeared.
It was just that Xiao Wu had visited all the inns and hotels near Bell Sound Alley and hadn't found the woman yet.
And Feng Xiangping flatly denied everything.
Had they truly "met" at Bell Sound Alley? And for what purpose?
Then, of course, there was Feng Zhi.
Feng Zhi's attendance records and class videos were all present. Logically, the young man had no alibi issues. Yet, Old He still wanted to make the trip personally.
He had to see this young man face to face.
Spread on the table was Feng Zhi's file—a file Old He had reviewed countless times. Feng Zhi, a senior biology major, Vice President of the University Student Union, President of the university's "Intelligence Research Society," participated in research and development for two biotech companies, and had already secured a spot to study in Japan.
A model student, excelling in both character and academics.
A person, as Qin Guan put it, "capable of carrying out a crime."
Feng Zhi reached the restaurant entrance. His laughter with his classmate finally subsided.
He hitched his backpack higher on his shoulder and looked around.
"Over here! Feng Zhi!" Old He raised his hand in greeting, calmly gathering the papers about Feng Zhi into his bag.
His voice wasn't quiet, but the affordable chain Western restaurant was packed and noisy. His call was quickly drowned out. Nevertheless, Feng Zhi scanned the room once and walked straight towards him.
A smart young man.
"He Zhisheng. We spoke on the phone," Old He extended his hand politely and amiably.
"Captain He! Hello!" Feng Zhi smiled, clasping Old He's hand with both of his. He quickly introduced the boy beside him. "This is my good friend, Cai Bin. Also my roommate. Actually, our evening self-study session isn't over yet. I felt bad skipping class, so I made up an excuse to the teacher and brought Cai Bin along."
The three sat down. Old He gestured generously. "Order whatever you want. My treat."
Feng Zhi ordered an orange juice. The boy Cai Bin asked for a cola.
"Captain He, no need to be so polite. We've already eaten, really. Even if you treated us, we couldn't eat more. Besides, we both have part-time jobs—we're practically working folks now! And our cafeteria food is pretty good, not expensive either. Tonight, I had my favorite—salted vegetables and beef stew. Ah! The chef makes it so delicious, super appetizing! I wolfed down two bowls of rice in one go!"
Feng Zhi was outgoing, talkative, and cheerful, able to strike up a conversation with anyone quickly.
He truly had no time to commit the crime—from one month before Qi Min's "disappearance" at the Lakeside Charm Hotel until now, Feng Zhi hadn't left campus.
His teachers, classmates, and roommates could all testify to that.
Not even on weekends—Intelligence Research Society activities, club events, and his several part-time jobs all proceeded as scheduled.
Witnesses, evidence, surveillance footage—no discrepancies.
Meaning, he genuinely had never traveled out of town. How, as Qin Guan claimed, could he have assisted Xu Ruyi?
And if it wasn't Feng Zhi, then who? Who else had the capability?
Also, who was the boy captured on surveillance footage wearing the short jacket with the tiger head design on the back? If not Feng Zhi, then who?
Just a coincidence? Some similarly dressed passerby? Or someone else entirely?
Old He's mind was in turmoil, but Feng Zhi was lively—he knew Old He had come about Qin Guan's case, and he had plenty of questions about it himself.
"My brother-in-law—I mean, Qin Guan—did he really do it? Cheating, murder… it's terrifying. When my mom told me, I couldn't believe it. Sis has always treated him so well. Was he really cheating? You'd never tell normally. I always thought he treated Sis well too, was responsible towards the child and the home… a man with integrity. I even looked up to him as a role model! Did he say why he did such a thing? What was he after? I truly can't understand!"
Feng Zhi's last visit home was when Xu Ruyi's father passed away.
"Uncle Xu was very good to me. Truly, closer than family. It was Uncle Xu and Aunt Min who took my mom and me in. That's how I have the life I have today. They genuinely took us in. My mom is illiterate, and I was just a baby—what family hires a nanny like that?"
"They gave my mom money, helped her find work, found a nursery for me… later, they simply let us move right into their home."
Feng Zhi's expression turned grave. He let out a long sigh. "Uncle Xu's sudden passing… I still can't believe it. I've been thinking all along that after graduation, I could… I could repay him…"
His eyes reddened.
His demeanor was sincere and steady.
"Of course, the one suffering the most is Sis. She lost her mom, then her dad… and now, her husband like this… I really don't know how she's coping. I've been really worried about her too. A few days ago, I told my mom I wanted to ask for leave to go see Sis. But Sis refused. She knows my academic load is heavy right now. Sis is such a good person too, always thinking of others, never considering herself…"
Feng Zhi spoke, taking a deep breath. He lifted his head, opened his eyes wide, and visibly swallowed back tears threatening to spill.
Old He narrowed his eyes, quietly observing this young man. His performance was utterly, perfectly normal.
Impeccable.
If the young man was truly innocent, then so be it.
But if he was involved… then this young man's psychological fortitude was truly extraordinary.