Chapter 2, Memories

Today, the criminal police from the municipal public security bureau contacted me, mentioning the matter of Xu Huishu being murdered. You have a good relationship with that mother and daughter, so I came to ask how you are doing

Deng Muhua shook his head repeatedly, "Do you think you are still a journalist?"

For a moment, she seemed to be lost in thought. She lowered her eyes, then quickly lifted her eyelids, took the still warm roasted sweet potato from Lu Jianzhong's hands, thanked him repeatedly, and then said: "Indeed, you are a police officer, your observation is meticulous"

Indeed. Zhi Lu said: "Journalism was originally my first choice for the college entrance examination, but I missed it by a few points, so I made up for it during my graduate studies"

Although he had heard this at least fifty times, it seemed to take on a different flavor when it came from her lips. Lu Jianzhong couldn't help but glance at her again; she was tall and slender, with a soft scarf wrapped around her neck, cascading down almost to her knees, matching the length of her coat. Despite the thickness of the coat, her graceful figure was still evident. Her features, though revealing signs of fatigue, were captivating, and she stood there at the door with an air of nonchalance, slowly turning her head to smile at him. He felt a sudden sting in his nose.

She quickly shrank back, moved her arms away, lifted the blanket, and stood up to go sleep in another room. When she opened the bedroom door, she hesitated for a moment; the room was silent, and she heard the dull sound of a blunt knife scraping against her heart, a pain that made her feel suffocated. Yet even at that moment, reason prevailed. She said: "Alright, let's get a divorce"

Why would he bother to ask for her opinion? He is very attentive to his appearance and has a much higher taste in clothing than she does. Many of her clothes were purchased by him, and whenever he returns from outings, he brings back bags full of items for her. Those famous brand clothes fill an entire wardrobe, and they do indeed have a certain grandeur. The vast majority of them are brand new, with top-notch fabric and craftsmanship. Although the clothes are nice, she has worn each piece at most once or twice. As a journalist, she often has to be out and about, making it impractical for her to wear such expensive clothing.

On the day of Xu Huishu's burial, both the sky and the people were gray. The mother and daughter had no relatives left in Jiangzhou, and there were almost no one to help, resulting in a simple funeral. Yang Li, who had not cried for several days, burst into tears the moment she saw her mother's body, as if all the moisture in her body was gushing out from her tear ducts. She only cried without making any sound, holding onto her mother's broken body and refusing to let go, unable to utter a single word, just repeating "Mom" over and over. Zhi Lu tried to pull her away but could not, and in the end, it was Lu Jianzhong who managed to separate them. When they got out of the car, Zhi Lu held her, allowing her to tremble in her embrace, while also realizing that she was the only support for the girl in her arms.

"Yes," Zhi Lu nodded and said, "It's just like when I casually handed a cup of water to a passerby today, only to find out years later that the person was actually the President of the country. Details determine success or failure, and sometimes, they also determine life or death."

At this time every day, the elevator entrance on the first floor is crowded with people, and two individuals exchange a glance and simultaneously fall silent. Zhi Lu knows very few colleagues and can easily ignore many people; however, Deng Muhua is at least an editor-in-chief level figure, and no matter how tired he is, he must greet others with a beaming smile. Southeast Literary Magazine is one of the four journals under Southeast Publishing House, with a level and sales that are considered average among similar literary journals, neither particularly outstanding nor particularly lacking. The magazine office is not large, with ten editors, most of whom are middle-aged individuals over thirty-five years old, making Zhi Lu and Deng Muhua the youngest among them. Previously, the two had a good relationship and a deep connection, so their rapport is naturally more harmonious upon meeting again.

After the divorce, Zhu Lu changed all the landline and mobile phone numbers at home. She did not believe that Ye Zhongke would still think of her; even if he wanted to find her, there were plenty of ways to do so. The reason for changing her number was simple: to avoid inquiries from others. During her time as a journalist, she had many friends, and many people knew her home phone number, which often rang, bustling like a hotline; otherwise, it was breaking news, and she had to rush out as soon as the phone rang. On several occasions, just when she had finished showering and was about to go to bed, things would come knocking at her door.

I encountered Deng Muhua hurrying out of a taxi downstairs at the company, looking just as weary as before. Just as Zhu Lu was about to ask what was wrong, she was the one who asked first: "Why do you look even worse than before?"

He did not respond, nor did she speak. The two no longer looked at each other

I am fine, thank you for your concern, Zhi Lu said immediately

Zhi Lu felt a sense of melancholy, indeed it was no longer the case. Not only could she not be a reporter, but she had also lost her home. On the television, Ye Zhong'e, dressed in a dark suit, was answering questions from reporters. He was very tall, with broad shoulders and an excellent physique; the suit fit him perfectly. In the past, he liked to seek her opinion on clothing, especially when attending important gatherings, he would always ask for her advice. She would respond, just wear what you usually do, after all, you look good in anything.

After Ye Zhong'e steadied himself, he slowly turned his head to the side. Initially, there was a look of surprise on his face, but then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He looked at her with his narrow, beautiful eyes, simply gazing at her. His voice was devoid of any emotion, flat and unperturbed: "Do you know what day it was yesterday?"

Just as I was thinking, Yang Li returned from self-study

Seeing that expression made Lu feel heartbroken, she embraced Yang Li, gently patting her shoulder, "It's alright. I was just asking casually. When you have time, think it over carefully. Any details are fine; just let me know if you remember anything."

After waiting all night, she did not expect to hear such a statement. In the past, for other matters, she would have asked "why," but when it came to a significant issue like divorce, she found herself unable to utter a single word, silently returning to her bedroom. For the first time, she felt that the orange wall lamp's light was blinding, illuminating her clearly, leaving her with no escape and nowhere to hide. She turned off the light and closed her eyes, staring blankly into the darkness, some thoughts resurfacing only to be forgotten again. In the middle of the night, she heard the sound of water from the bathroom, and moments later, he lifted the blanket and got into bed from the other side. She hazily sensed that after his shower, the fragrance on him seemed to have faded somewhat.

Zhi Lu poured her some water and simultaneously asked, "Would you like to eat something? I made some glutinous rice balls."

Zhi Lu placed the peeled apple on the coffee table and nodded slightly

On the second day at work, Zhi Lu called Wu Jiang using the phone number from the manuscript. The voice on the other end belonged to a woman who was not particularly young, speaking in a soft yet polite tone. Unable to wait, after introducing herself, Zhi Lu immediately asked: "May I ask how many people have read your article 'The Blue and White Sunlight'? Who are they?"

Ye Zhong'e remained silent, gazing at her with a glimmer in his eyes; finally, he lifted her off the ground by wrapping his arms around her waist, taking her earlobe into his mouth, gently licking it, his voice carrying a unique huskiness at that moment as he slowly said, "My dear wife, I will be jealous."

At that time, did they consider themselves in love? Before getting married, they dated for more than two years, during which they experienced several breakups and reconciliations. Even that breakup was not due to a lack of love. It was simply that too many things could not withstand the wear of time, leaving only fragmented memories in the end

Before that, she had never considered divorce. She had told herself that she would never say goodbye to him for the rest of her life. No matter how bitter or difficult it was, they would not part ways, yet he had brought it up. Ye Zhongke was the most outstanding man Zhi Lu had ever met; he was thoughtful, cautious in his actions, and possessed a grand demeanor. Every word he spoke and every thought he had was carefully considered, especially regarding such a significant matter as divorce. Since he could bring it up, there was little room for negotiation. Given his habits, he probably had already found a lawyer, and the divorce agreement was likely already drafted.

Oh," Zhi Lu said in a daze, "Do you know him?"

I believe this matter will bring you unexpected troubles. That girl's mother would never provoke such a vicious character for no reason," he said, glancing at her expression. Deng Muhua knew it was pointless to say more, so he wisely changed his tone, "Ah, you are just this way; I suppose you will never change for the rest of your life. That's why you switched your master's degree to journalism, insisting on becoming a reporter.

Surprised and taken aback, Zhi Lu unintentionally revealed, struggling to smile as she explained: "How could I afford such a house? It belongs to my... ex-husband." After a pause, she continued, "After the divorce, he left the house to me."

In the restaurant, there is an LCD television broadcasting the midday news of the province, prominently featuring reports on the recent annual large-scale Wealth Forum held in the city. Although the television is positioned behind Zhi Lu, when she hears a familiar name mentioned, a flicker of light appears in her eyes, and she instinctively turns her head. Upon seeing a figure she knows all too well, her thoughts drift uncontrollably far away

Before going to bed, Lu sat on the bed and began to read the manuscript. The first few were unremarkable, but the last novella was quite interesting. The author, Wu Jiang, has published several articles and is considered a newcomer in the orthodox literary world, adept at employing alternative writing methods, infused with Kafkaesque elements. At first glance, one might assume it to be a detective story, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that what the author intends to convey is a mysterious, deranged, ambiguous, desperate, and inescapable existence

Ye Zhong'e glanced at her with a sidelong look and retorted mercilessly, "I waited for you at the airport for so long, and you think you have a reason for being late instead?"

"You are not wrong, but what if Yang Li does not understand the significance of what her mother casually told her?" Lu Jianzhong stood up and walked around the room, "They rely on each other, mother and daughter, and are very close. If Xu Huishu saw something, she would likely mention it to Yang Li when she returns; however, many things we see are just that—things we see. We do not think deeply about them, nor do we realize their impact on what follows"

Zhi Lu herself admits that she is stubborn and very serious in her studies and work, but she is not confused about major matters; she has thought about asking him for help, and even considered methods like crying, making a scene, or threatening to hang herself, but since the man's heart is no longer with her, what is the use of asking again? Everything is gone, and her self-respect cannot be lost again. Without Ye Zhongke, she can still live, although she may feel anxious at night; she has gotten used to it, and perhaps it will be fine.

Zhi Lu was taken aback, recalling a night several years ago. It was around this time as well when Ye Zhong'e called the dormitory, coldly accusing: Didn't you say you would come to the airport to pick me up? Where are you?

Zhi Lu had something on her mind, and she could hardly drink any water. She directly asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Xu Huishu was buried in the early morning, at a very early hour, when the fog had not completely dissipated, soaking their clothes entirely, as if the clothes themselves had developed emotions and were weeping

Zhi Lu's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, "Alright, I will ask Xiao Li when I return. I will bring her to the police station this weekend, and you can ask her then." As she spoke, she glanced at the time on the wall; it was nearly 8 o'clock. Zhi Lu stood up and casually asked, "Officer Lu, aren't you off duty yet?"

In a hazy moment, she felt him turn over; perhaps it was a sudden movement, as his hand rested on her arm, and their breaths and body warmth gradually drew closer. In an instant, the familiar warmth returned. Zhilu realized that she could no longer stay on the same bed with him; if she lingered for another minute, she might lean over, asking him to take back that statement and wondering if he could give her another chance

She lacked the courage to look at him, merely smiling and saying: Congratulations. We have all emerged from the besieged city, is that not a good thing

Although Deng Muhua is the editor-in-chief, she does not have an air of superiority. According to her own words, her appointment as editor-in-chief was purely accidental. The entire mhetushu.com is merely a collection of bargains. For a pure literary magazine like this, as long as the direction and theme of each issue are established, it does not matter who takes on the role of editor-in-chief.

Although there are many doubts, they are not insurmountable; a kind person may be murdered, and the most likely explanation is that she was involved in something, albeit passively. When we learned about the situation, we found out that she sometimes worked late and could only leave after 8 o'clock. During this time, it is highly probable that she saw something she should not have seen, involving the privacy and interests of certain individuals. Therefore, she was silenced. It is important to note that the area around Jiahe Road is known for its troubles.

Yang Li remained unresponsive, her slender body trembling slightly. It was unclear how much time had passed before she finally moved, turning to embrace Zhi Lu, murmuring repeatedly: "Thank you, Sister Zhi Lu, thank you, thank you."

The more she thought, the more her head ached. She had spent a drowsy afternoon in the overly heated office, and she had not finished reviewing the manuscript. After tidying up a bit to take it home for further reading, she had just stood up when she received a call from Lu Jianzhong. He spoke succinctly, saying: "Miss Zhong, please come to the police station."

Zhi Lu was very dissatisfied with his statement and immediately retorted, "Li Fan is a very good person, very enthusiastic. What is wrong with you? Why are you suddenly interfering in my friendships? I must tell you, this is not the era of marrying and following one's husband.

He said: Why apologize? President Li is helping my wife, which is also helping me. President Li is warm-hearted, and I am immensely grateful.

What else can be done?" Deng Muhua hesitated to speak.

She stifled a laugh and kissed back

"Once you choose a path, walk it to the end without looking back. No wonder I can't get married," said Deng Muhua with a self-deprecating smile. "Enough about you; I am also just as bad, being forced to go on blind dates again tonight."

It turns out they really got divorced. At first, I thought it was fake, but I never expected it. Li Fan sighed, although there wasn't much regret in that sigh. "What happened?" Zhi Lu did not want to continue discussing the issue of divorce and directly got to the point.

Zhi Lu glared, wishing she could eat him alive, and said angrily, "Since there is a driver to pick you up, why didn't you go back together? Why did you make me come to pick you up? Are you not just toying with me?"

Yang Li shook his head, "I have already had dinner at school"

After hanging up, I unexpectedly felt a warmth in my chest. I have known Li Fan for more than two years; he is slightly younger than Ye Zhong'e, yet he is equally successful in his career and ambitious, managing his company with great flair. In this circle, he is well-known as a young talent. Aside from having a rather prosperous romantic life, it is difficult to find any faults in other aspects of his character.

The matter was complicated, and he had not had the time to check her background before. Upon hearing this, Lu Jian felt a mix of emotions surging within him, yet his face revealed nothing. He asked her, "Have you been married?" After saying this, he felt he had asked the wrong question. A woman like her, talented and beautiful, surely had a long line of suitors; how could he have thought she was unmarried?

After a long and arduous journey back home, Zhi Lu took Yang Li, whose soul seemed to be lost, to the bathroom, running water for her to bathe. Fearing that she might faint, Zhi Lu stayed outside the door the entire time. Finally, she escorted her back to her room and only came out after closing the door.

Lu Jian approached her and said, "Wait a moment," then hurried a few steps to buy sweet potatoes and handed them to her, "You should come to the police station after work, haven't you eaten?"

Lu Jianzhong paused for a moment and said, "Miss Zhong, if it is convenient, I would like to meet that girl this weekend. She should know something."

It was still early, just morning, and the sunlight poured into the living room, casting a somewhat warm glow. She had stayed up for an entire day and night without sleep, her eyes were dark circles, and her steps felt light as if she were floating. She found a seat on the sofa, nearly exhausted. However, there were still guests in the house, so she mustered all her energy to smile at Lu Jianzhong, saying, "Thank you for waiting." She picked up a knife from the coffee table to slice the fruit.

Wu Jiang answered clearly: "This is indeed not clear. This is a revision of an old article of mine. Many friends have read it, and I once posted this article on my blog. I guess many websites have reprinted it"

Ye Zhong'e and Li Fan shook hands, engaging in a warm and friendly exchange. It appeared to be the kind of conversation typical among good friends, composed and appropriate, with no signs of anything unusual.

The magazine office is located in the city center, while the police station is in another district, which is a considerable distance apart. Under normal circumstances, it takes about thirty minutes to arrive. Unfortunately, on that day, there was severe traffic congestion, and she spent a full hour and a half before reaching the police station, by which time it was already dark.

Can such a thing be faked? Zhi Lu fell silent for a moment. In times like this, silence is indeed the answer

Do you think I am oblivious to the world outside? I occasionally browse through financial news as well. Who is Ye Zhong'e? I really don't understand how you journalists have been doing your job these past two or three years, " Deng Muhua lamented, " He is wealthy and powerful, young, and quite good-looking; he truly is a real-life embodiment of a favored son of heaven. I wonder if he is married; if not, I fear that half of the women in this province would be trying every means to marry him.

During lunch, Zhi Lu mentioned to her about an incident that occurred a couple of days ago. She did not go into specific details, only mentioning the victimization, which caused Deng Muhua to gasp in shock. After expressing her astonishment, she angrily slammed the table, exclaiming, "How cruel! I always thought such cases could only happen in dramas, but I never expected they actually exist around us! Moreover, the situation is truly bizarre and difficult to comprehend"

Just as she picked up the television remote, the phone in the living room rang. Zhi Lu was surprised; although she was too lazy to move, she had no choice but to stand up and reach out to grab the phone

Zhi Lu was aware and preemptively interrupted him: A few days ago, when the bridge was completed and the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, I went to cover the event, and that was when I met him. At the end of the event, Sister Xu called me for help, and he was just beside me. He took the initiative to say he could assist me. In fact, even without Li Fan's suggestion, I could have found a job for Sister Xu myself; for him, it would have been a matter of a single sentence. It would have been inappropriate for me to refuse, so I agreed.

"Not a single word has changed in the ending," she said, "It was an article from five or six years ago. At that time, due to my limited abilities, I couldn't write it very well, but I was reluctant to part with the subject matter. Now I've revised it a bit; there are more fictional elements, but it might be a bit more authentic."

I intended to say something, but after a pause, the words got stuck in my throat and I finally swallowed them back. Zhi Lu forced herself to display a nonchalant smile and said, "Oh, I think this press release is not concise enough and the wording is inaccurate."

At that moment, she was so astonished that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time. Previously, Ye Zhong'e had given her the impression of being graceful, both sharp and gentle. However, that day deviated from the norm; such a successful figure in the financial world was sitting beside her on a park bench, sharing a roasted sweet potato, something she could never have imagined even in her dreams

She wondered what had transformed them into this state. It was not that she was unaware of the numerous wounds and issues that existed between them, but she never expected that he would actually utter the words "divorce." The promises made in the past had, at this moment, completely degenerated into mere empty words.

Deng Muhua was taken aback by her dazed and contemplative expression. He waved a spoon in front of her, the fine white silver glimmering slightly, its brilliance so dazzling that Zhi Lu could not help but look away. Gradually, she turned her gaze back, clear and bright. Following her line of sight, Deng Muhua glanced at the television and, not surprisingly, exclaimed, "Oh," reading the words on the screen: "Chairman Ye Zhongke of Anyi Group? So it's him, so young and handsome, what a surprise."

Zhi Lu stood still, momentarily stunned, and said: "Ah?"

Deng Muhua pondered for a moment, as if he had come to a realization. He poked her forehead with his finger, just like he used to criticize her back in college: "Zhilü, although you have good intentions, I feel that there is more to this matter than meets the eye. Why not let that child stay at school? Aren't you just asking for trouble? After all these years, why can't you change this habit of meddling in others' affairs? Sooner or later, this habit will bring you harm." Zhilü nodded submissively, "It's not entirely the case. Xiaoli is very smart and sensible, and won't cause much trouble; it's just an extra mouth to feed, and she might not even eat much since she usually has her meals at school."

When she frowned, two fine lines would appear between her brows. Lu Jianzhong's palm moved slightly, wanting to reach out, but he ultimately restrained himself. He only gently urged her to take Yang Li and bring her mother's remains back. He tried his best to speak of the matter lightly, but years of experience as a criminal police officer were not in vain; he knew very well that the scene when it happened was anything but easy.

Lu Jianzhong's lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of a smile, "Miss Zhong is indeed an editor; this example is excellent, it conveys almost the same meaning."

No, when I go back, Xiao Li will also finish her evening study. I will go home and wait for her. Zhi Lu glanced at the time and said, "Another day, let's talk about it then. Even if I invite, it will be on me."

After contemplating for a moment, Lu Jianzhong said: "It is possible that the murderer is a fan of Wu Jiang, which could provide some inspiration; however, we cannot rule out the possibility of coincidence. In any case, it is worth noting."

Lu Jianzhong, sitting in the front seat, gently shook his head and sighed

At that time, she was in her second year of graduate school, and the duration of their confirmed romantic relationship was not long. She had quite a bit of free time, often spending it writing posts online or engaging in debates with others over differing viewpoints, frequently getting so worked up that her blood boiled, enjoying the process immensely. When the phone rang, she was so startled that she nearly lost her composure, rushing out of her dormitory, taking a taxi to the airport. In the taxi, she called him, cautiously asking how it was going. Was everything going smoothly? He neither affirmed nor denied, simply responding with a cold chuckle on the other end of the line, which made her feel a chilling heat that left her unable to warm up again. She took a taxi to the airport, and in the taxi, she called him, cautiously asking how it was going. Was everything going smoothly? He neither affirmed nor denied, simply responding with a cold chuckle on the other end of the line, which made her feel a chilling heat that left her unable to warm up again.

Zhi Lu thought for a moment and recounted all of Lu Jianzhong's words to Yang Li

Zhi Lu's mind was in chaos, "Two murderers, how could this be?"

As a result, the two of them took a taxi back to the city. Throughout the journey, he maintained a stern expression, as if wearing a bronze mask. Zhi Lu was at a loss with him. After getting out of the car, she happened to see someone selling roasted sweet potatoes by the roadside, the aroma so enticing that it made her stomach churn with excitement. She clung to his arm, shaking it gently, and smiled up at him apologetically, saying, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Would you like to eat some? It's very fragrant." She clung to his arm, shaking it gently, and smiled up at him apologetically, saying, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Would you like to eat some? It's very fragrant."

Two people were chatting softly, the case was too heavy, so heavy that it felt as if they wanted to temporarily set it aside; they took a detour, and under the streetlight by the roadside, someone was selling roasted sweet potatoes, the aroma made the air sweet. On this day, Lu had hardly eaten anything, and only now did she feel hungry, her steps involuntarily paused.

"How is that possible, Officer Lu? To be honest, I find it impossible," Zhi Lu said, repeatedly waving her hand. "If Xiao Li knew anything, he would definitely speak up."

Zhi Lu rubbed her almost stiff face and asked, "Senior sister, what is wrong with you again?"

Why? Upon realizing he had misspoken after asking, he immediately remedied the situation, saying, "I apologize, I asked incorrectly"

Zhi Lu calmed herself down and asked again: "How did the female protagonist die in your old writing?"

She bid farewell to Lu Jianzhong at the bus stop and slowly walked back to the community along the main road. Pushing open the door, as usual, it was eerily quiet, with the curtains tightly drawn and secured. Moonlight seeped through the glass windows, and under the silvery glow, the furniture and sofa in the living room appeared ominous and terrifying, as if they had come to life, staring at her with unfriendly expressions. Zhi Lu felt anxious, cold sweat accumulating in her palms, and only felt at ease after turning on all the lights. Living alone or being solitary often leads to unexpected encounters, frequently beginning to feel melancholic before one even realizes it. Zhi Lu felt anxious, cold sweat accumulating in her palms, and only felt at ease after turning on all the lights. Living alone or being solitary often leads to unexpected encounters, frequently beginning to feel melancholic before one even realizes it.

Lu Jianzhong smiled without answering, his gaze slightly lingering on her face, and then said: "Actually, I haven't finished my meal either. If you don't mind, let's go eat together. It's on me."

This phone call was from Li Fan, whom I had not seen for several months. As soon as he opened his mouth, he reproached me, saying: "Zhi Lu, you actually changed your phone number, that's quite something."

On that day, she and Yang Li were practically enduring it second by second. She had never had the experience of handling the aftermath alone; she knew it was hard, but she did not realize just how hard it could be. In a flurry, she contacted the funeral home and the cemetery; not only was it costly, but it was also particularly troublesome. During her divorce, it was emotionally exhausting; when she was a journalist, it was physically exhausting. Now, both aspects were present, leading to emotional fatigue and physical exhaustion, with her head feeling heavy and her legs light, as memories surfaced. She had not slept, feeling almost completely drained, and even lifting her legs became a challenge. Without the assistance of Lu Jianzhong, she doubted whether she would have been able to withstand the exhaustion.

As Lu Jianzhong was in charge of this case, subsequently, Zhi Lu made a phone call to report the situation. However, many matters could not be clearly conveyed over the phone. In her eagerness, she took the opportunity during lunch to go to the Public Security Bureau, where she recounted everything she knew and finally handed over the two versions of the manuscript by Wu Jiang.

Yang Li was extremely shocked after listening, her small face turning pale and then flushed, as if she was about to cry again. "Sister Zhi Lu, no, my mother hasn't told me anything. It's all just ordinary matters. If she really saw something, why didn't she tell me..."

Lu Jianzhong was indeed preparing to get off work, and Zhi Lu was waiting for him at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. He changed into casual clothes, and with his short crew cut, he looked several years younger than when he was in uniform. The contrast was so striking that Zhi Lu was taken aback, and a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, "I almost didn't recognize you."

Zhi Lu embraced Yang Li, attempting to calm her with her own strength. She softly said, "The deceased has departed, do not be sad anymore. You still have me"

"Mr. Li, you are so capable, do you still need me to tell you?" Zhi Lu said, perking up, "What number are you dialing now?"

Ye Zhong'e had a bit too much to drink, but her eyes remained bright when she looked at him, indicating that she was not very drunk. She took his bag and went over to support him, even though it was unnecessary. He allowed her to assist him, wrapping his arm around her waist, with his head resting lightly on her shoulder.

It is not without sentimentality. Two months later, she heard his voice, surprisingly, on television. What was the last thing he said to her? It was at the civil affairs bureau. After he signed his name, he handed the pen to her; she did not take it, but instead took out her own pen from her bag and meticulously wrote her name, with great force. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hand holding the pen pause in the air for a moment before he retracted it. At that time, he said, "Zhilu, if you do not change your temper, you will suffer in the future."

Well

Lu Jianzhong's expression was quite serious, and the air around him seemed to solidify. "I went to find Li Fan today and investigated the situation. Everyone says Xu Huishu is kind and gentle, with a very good temper. She usually doesn't talk much, just focuses on her work, and has never complained, no matter how hard or tiring it gets. No one believes she could be murdered." As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, and the light cast a faint shadow under his eyelids. The room was very quiet, and the rustle of his uniform produced a subtle sound, like raindrops rolling off tiles. He leaned forward slightly again, and the light cast a faint shadow under his eyelids. The room was very quiet, and the rustle of his uniform produced a subtle sound, like raindrops rolling off tiles.

His cheerful expression led Zhi Lu to believe that she had passed the test, but she only realized upon returning home that it was not that simple. Ye Zhong'e's expression was serious as he directly asked her, how do you know Li Fan

Zhi Lu was not unfamiliar with the Public Security Bureau. A duty officer led her upstairs and pointed to a room at the end of the corridor, saying, "Deputy Captain Lu is inside." Lu Jianzhong had not yet finished work and was waiting for her in the Criminal Investigation Team's office. When Zhi Lu entered the room, he was standing under the light, looking at a stack of reports. He was tall, almost blocking the light, and due to the backlighting, his dark uniform appeared almost entirely black. Upon seeing her, his serious expression softened slightly. After inviting her to sit down, he asked if she would like some water.

Yang Li let out a soft "hm". She appeared to be in poor spirits, somewhat dazed, yet she still went to the study on the second floor to read and study. Zhi Lu watched her slender figure and sighed. At this moment, words of comfort were utterly useless. No matter how eloquent or appropriate the words might be, they were merely someone else's feelings; those who have not experienced all of this can never truly understand. The best solution Zhi Lu could think of, Yang Li had already considered, which was to keep herself busy, very busy, so that she would not have to think about anything else, face anything, or question anything. No matter how eloquent or appropriate the words might be, they were merely someone else's feelings; those who have not experienced all of this can never truly understand. The best solution Zhi Lu could think of, Yang Li had already considered, which was to keep herself busy, very busy, so that she would not have to think about anything else, face anything, or question anything.

You may understand it this way, said Lu Jianzhong as he looked at her, simply recounting the events, From the weapon and the traces of the wounds, we can determine that there are two murderers; one of them is the main perpetrator who committed the murder, while the other is an accomplice who dismembered the body. The wounds on the limbs are quite extensive, the technique is rather clumsy, and there was hesitation during the act, likely due to being coerced by the other murderer

Ye Zhong'e sat down in the living room long after, drained the water from his teacup, closed his eyes, and spoke in a calm voice, purely stating a fact rather than seeking an opinion. He said: "Let us get a divorce"

That day she returned from an interview in another city, utterly exhausted, much like her current situation, finding it tiring even to lift her eyelids. Nevertheless, she prepared a large table of dishes for him and waited until the early hours of the morning.

When she first joined the magazine, Deng Muhua asked her to fill out her personal information. After hesitating for a long time, she finally wrote down the words "unmarried." Deng Muhua, watching from the side, patted her and said in a tone filled with compassion, "Who would have thought that the once-renowned belle of the Literature College has fallen to this point, unable to get married just like me? How tragic and lamentable.

Later, she learned that Ye Zhong'e never liked to eat these street snacks. However, that day, for some reason, he looked at her and casually announced, "Do you want me to not be angry? It's simple, unless you feed me"

After a long silence, Zhi Lu replied: "He no longer wants me."

After the funeral, she held Yang Li's hand and left the cemetery

Zhi Lu raised her eyes to glance at the television. On the screen, Ye Zhong'e wore a smile, his eyebrows slightly raised, and his voice as warm and deep as ever. A successful person full of vigor, who would have thought that he had just gone through a divorce

Lu Jianzhong insisted on sending them home, and the three of them sat in the taxi. Yang Li remained silent, her gaze vacant, devoid of light. As the car swayed, she swayed along with it, appearing to outsiders as a lifeless puppet.

Li Fan chuckled on the other end of the phone, "That's good. Listen to me, Zhi Lu, everyone is destined to die, and being sad is of no use. If you are feeling down or need help with something, just like before, you can always reach out to me. As friends, I will definitely come to your aid."

Once, she was not such a timid person; her courage was much greater than that of the average girl. Sometimes, after finishing the news report in the early morning, she would ride her bike home alone without feeling particularly afraid. A failed marriage, in a certain sense, can be more damaging than death.

After the news of their impending divorce spread, both her parents and his parents were trembling with anger. Other elders, including her grandmother who was over eighty and half-blind, came to persuade her not to be as stubborn as before, suggesting that she humbly plead with Ye Zhongke and that they should try to start anew. To be precise, they had only been married for two and a half years, not even reaching the three-year itch. To divorce so hastily is truly lamentable. Unlike men, women find it difficult to remarry after a divorce. To be precise, they had only been married for two and a half years, not even reaching the three-year itch. To divorce so hastily is truly lamentable. Unlike men, women find it difficult to remarry after a divorce.

That is very well said. No other explanation seems to make sense.

Deng Muhua is two years older than Zhilü and is about to enter her thirties this year. Due to various reasons, she has not yet married and is nearly driven mad by the pressure from her parents and elders at home. A normally composed person, she becomes as dejected as a child when it comes to blind dates. Over the past few years, she has been on blind dates no less than fifty times, becoming acquainted with a wide variety of people and experiencing a rich array of situations. Zhilü once jokingly suggested that she could leverage her resources to write a "Blind Date Handbook" and earn some writing fees. This suggestion was met with a roll of the eyes from Deng Muhua, who replied, "I am already quite depressed; writing a book would only amplify that depression a hundredfold or a thousandfold"

Zhi Lu often feels helpless, but she is a person who takes things seriously. When something needs to be done, she feels obligated to do it well. Ye Zhongke is very annoyed by this and coldly says while sitting on the bed, "Just because you, the big reporter Zhong, are busy, does that mean I am not busy?" Zhi Lu, while changing her clothes, turns back and replies, "Of course it’s different. I am not the boss of the organization, and I don’t have so many assistants and secretaries." Upon hearing this, Ye Zhongke glances at her with a terrifying gloom.

Lu Jianzhong glanced briefly at the house, a multi-level building, quite large, beautifully and elegantly decorated, resembling a home. However, there were no photographs to be found. In such a location, in such a well-known community, a house like this would generally be unaffordable for an average person. He recalled a case he had investigated before, involving a beautiful woman living alone in an expensive house. What other possibilities could there be? A layer of dark emotion inexplicably settled in his heart. After a moment of contemplation, he still asked, "When Yang Li wasn't here, did you live here alone?" He recalled a case he had investigated before, involving a beautiful woman living alone in an expensive house. What other possibilities could there be? A layer of dark emotion inexplicably settled in his heart. After a moment of contemplation, he still asked, "When Yang Li wasn't here, did you live here alone?"

In that moment, Zhi Lu caught a whiff of the particularly alluring and seductive fragrance from his shirt. The scent was strong and dense, so intense that it made her dizzy, prompting her to shake off his hand and step back several paces. Under the pale light of the entrance, she stared at Ye Zhong'e, her eyes unblinking, her face frozen and unable to move.

Indeed, the dilemmas and pains of life have left one with nowhere to hide, and life has never been able to withstand any interrogation. When faced with matters one is unwilling to confront, one can only hope to take a few steps back, then turn away and forget everything that has happened

The forensic report has come out, and I think it is necessary for you to know. Lu Jianzhong placed the report back on the table, his brows furrowed. "The direct cause of death is a wound to the heart, having severed the arterial blood vessel, resulting in instant death, clean and swift. Xu Huishu did not have time to scream, which is why no neighbors heard any commotion in the house; it appears that dismemberment occurred only after death was confirmed."

After they met, she lowered her head and obediently went to look for his luggage to show her attentiveness, but she couldn't find it no matter how hard she tried. Just as she was secretly puzzled, he took her by the arm and strode towards the exit of the waiting hall, saying, "I have already asked the driver to take the luggage back."

Zhi Lu focused intently, slowly nodding, "So that means Sister Xu did not suffer too much before her death"

I asked you, have you really divorced Ye Zhong'e?" Li Fan asked, "I just heard about it today.

In the end, Zhi Lu was taken aback. The female protagonist had been murdered, her limbs dismembered and scattered throughout the room, and the killer had been apprehended. She stared at the words in the magazine, and it was only after a long time that those words began to hold meaning—the manner of the female protagonist's death was exactly the same as that of Xu Huishu. Such a coincidence was already approaching a low-probability event.

Ye Zhong'e's dissatisfaction was somewhat alleviated by these words, yet his expression remained serious: Finding a relaxed job for Sister Xu is a trivial matter, but regardless, since you know Li Fan, you should have informed me. As for Li Fan, do not get too close to him.

Zhi Lu gets along well with him, and their relationship is quite good. When it came to helping Xu Huishu find a job, he took the initiative to lend a hand, which was a great help. Zhi Lu was very grateful and invited him to dinner to express her appreciation. As a result, they encountered Ye Zhong'e in the restaurant corridor and discovered that they had known each other for a long time and were now business partners. Upon learning about their relationship, Li Fan was taken aback, his expression resembling that of someone who had seen the sun rise in the west. He politely toasted with Ye Zhong'e and said with a smile: "General Manager Ye, I never expected that Reporter Zhong is actually your wife. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have meddled. My apologies."

The two individuals' homes are in the same direction, and they are taking the same bus. There are not many people on the bus, and the sound of conversation is sparse. Zhi Lu is nibbling on small pieces of sweet potato, the aroma wafting everywhere, and her stomach seems to gradually warm up.

It is truly a tangled web of issues; no matter how one puts it, Officer Lu, I entrust this case to you