Faced with the dredged-up past, Qin Guan was even more composed.
He had never left any "tails" regarding his in-laws' deaths. What did he have to fear?
"My mother-in-law died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. It has nothing to do with this case. Are you interrogating me about another case? Do you have the proper procedures?"
He sneered at Old He. "If not, I'll head back now. I need proper rest to prepare for tomorrow's trial—"
As he spoke, Qin Guan leaned back in his chair, unilaterally declaring the "conversation over."
"You drove your mother-in-law to her death by rage because she witnessed you betraying her daughter," Old He ignored him, continuing, "And your father-in-law discovered this."
Qin Guan's relaxed posture didn't change—had Xu Ruyi told him this? Had Xu Ruyi confessed?
No. If Xu Ruyi had confessed, he should be asking about details of the Qi Min case now, not this.
Was Xu Ruyi twisting the facts, leading him to investigate her mother's death?
Whatever it was—Qin Guan tilted his head—all that remained of his mother-in-law's death was that bloodstain. Trying to convict him based on that was utterly childish.
"Your father-in-law's death is also related to you," Old He narrowed his eyes, his gaze like twin swords leveled at Qin Guan's face.
What was he really doing?
Qin Guan met the piercing gaze. His heart wasn't racing, but he felt a flicker of uncertainty.
"It has nothing to do with me," he denied expressionlessly, shaking his head. "I've said it before, I'll say it again today. My father-in-law, Xu Ruyi's father, suspected I was having an affair with Qi Min. He got angry, left me alone, and went home. Probably while operating his wheelchair, he made a mistake. The wheelchair went out of control, and he was hit by a car at the intersection."
"I was neither an eyewitness nor was I with him when it happened. So I know nothing about it."
He showed no fear, his gaze locking firmly back onto Old He's. "Captain He, I don't understand why you're asking me this? Related to me? Do you have evidence? If you do, shouldn't you present it first?"
He still wore that stubborn expression of absolute denial.
He was certain the police couldn't possibly have any evidence.
The accident investigation had concluded long ago. The case was closed as an "accident." He had wiped clean all the surveillance footage from that road.
And most importantly, the wheelchair—it was bought by Xu Ruyi. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, she couldn't bear to look at it. After the case closed, she practically begged Qin Guan to get rid of it.
Qin Guan handled it perfectly.
He had the wheelchair dismantled and sold the pieces to different scrap yards.
Smashed to pieces, vanished without a trace—like scattered droplets merging into the ocean. Where would you even start looking?
"You probably think you're incredibly clever, don't you?" Old He took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and glared fiercely at Qin Guan. "Today I'm telling you, there are no walls in this world that don't leak! Everything leaves a trace! Everything you did—we've dug it all up!"
Qin Guan met Old He's gaze, scrutinizing the older detective. He Zhisheng wasn't actually that old, but he looked haggard. He probably hadn't slept much since this case started. Despite trying to look presentable, a thick layer of exhaustion clung to his face.
Stupid people only knew how to grind away. That tactic of grinding wouldn't work on Qin Guan.
Qin Guan smiled. "Captain He, you're the police. You should know that without a separate case file, illegal interrogation isn't allowed. Random accusations are called slander, defamation. Even though I'm a suspect now, I know my rights. Be careful, I might sue you back. Oh dear, maybe we could even end up sharing a cell."
His ability to joke proved his psychological defenses were rock solid.
Qin Guan smiled again, settling comfortably back into his chair—no matter what trick this He guy was playing, he had the psychological upper hand. His demeanor and attitude were telling the man opposite him that he was no ordinary criminal, no ordinary opponent.
"I wasn't planning to interrogate you today at all,"
Old He pulled his chair closer, nearer to the table and to Qin Guan. "I came to talk to you about one thing."
"This photo is the only one left of your mother from her youth,"
Old He pushed a yellowed photograph towards Qin Guan. "After your maternal grandparents' house burned down, all the photos were lost. I found this one from your mother's former classmate. Look, your mother was truly beautiful when she was young. Different from what you remember, isn't it?"
Qin Guan's smile vanished. His eyes, cold and filled with silent, icy suspicion, locked onto Old He.
"Your mother had a mental breakdown, but it wasn't innate. It was caused by the family tragedy later. There's no genetic inheritance. So, first, I need to tell you, Qin Guan, if you ever plan to use 'mental illness' as a defense in the future to escape legal punishment for killing Qi Min, that's impossible now."
Old He smiled.
Qin Guan could no longer smile—Old He had said "killing Qi Min." Did he have new evidence? What had Xu Ruyi given him?
But Old He's focus clearly wasn't on "Qi Min." He was still holding up that photo, the one Qin Guan didn't even want to glance at.
"Of course, your mother's fate was truly tragic. One impulsive moment in her naive youth destroyed her whole life. Both parents dead, mentally broken, then violated by your father. Living with your father, she suffered frequent domestic violence. You naturally know this better than anyone."
"The worst beating she took was when your father kicked her and broke her ribs. She was hospitalized that time. And your father-in-law, your sponsor, even visited her in the hospital, right?"
Qin Guan pressed his lips tightly together, silent.
Old He continued, "I found the hospital where your mother was admitted back then. I found the doctor. He confirmed that when your mother was discharged, everything was normal. She just needed to rest at home for a while to recover. But one night, she inexplicably went out alone and ended up falling into a deep pit and dying."
"But that's only what others know. The truth… only you, Qin Guan, know."
Old He looked at Qin Guan calmly, his voice flat and quiet. "The fact is, your mother's mind had also recovered when she was discharged. That night, you argued with her. After driving her out the door, you pushed her into that deep pit with your own hands."