Chapter 6: The Osmanthus Flowers Fall

Upon hearing Captain Shi's words, Wang Guihua lowered her head in silence. After a while, she finally spoke: "I have watched television and know that the murder weapon must not be left behind. So, early the next morning, I got into the car driven by Master Li Tang. While in the car, I threw the fruit knife out of the window. Unfortunately, at that time, I was the only one there, and this action was seen by Master Li. Although he did not know what I threw, I know that if you investigate him, he will definitely mention this matter..."

Captain Lu nodded and was just about to leave

Captain Shi noticed my furrowed brow and asked, "What is wrong?"

The situation described by Wang Guihua completely matches the circumstances at the crime scene, and various details also align. Captain Shi asked, "Where is the murder weapon?"

This case seems to have become a settled fact, but I have discerned clues from this handwriting. If it were not for Captain Lu placing the file on the table, perhaps this case would have been concluded. The handwriting of a right-handed person differs from that of a left-handed person. Upon closer inspection, it can be observed that Wang Guihua's handwriting has its pressure points concentrated on the left side, and the first character shows signs of being smudged, as if it had been brushed against something. The handwriting of a right-handed person differs from that of a left-handed person. Upon closer inspection, it can be observed that Wang Guihua's handwriting has its pressure points concentrated on the left side, and the first character shows signs of being smudged, as if it had been brushed against something.

Yang Xiaojuan glanced at me and then spoke to me in a mature tone: "He won't. Did you see that? Although we can clearly tell that he has cried before, he has not shown the slightest weakness or sadness in front of us. His heart may be as strong as a rock."

This case has been going back and forth for about a week, and it has finally been solved. Everyone's mood has lifted as a result. Deputy Director Li held a brief meeting again, but this time it was a celebration. The Director expressed his approval of the criminal police team's ability to solve the case quickly, which was conveyed by Deputy Director Li.

At this point, Wang Guihua's tears fell like beads that had come loose from a string, yet they were not like the wailing she had done by the well that day: "I am sorry to Master Li, Master Li has been running this route for six or seven years, we all know each other... He is a good person... On the way back, I spent fifty cents to buy a jump rope, waiting for Master Li. On the bus, he chatted with me about home, but I killed him"

"Comrade, sometimes you do like to show off," Deputy Director Li continued, "but you must understand that this is not the time for such jokes. However, I heard from Captain Shi that you have made significant contributions to this case. Keep up the good work; you have only recently graduated, and your future is boundless."

Wang Guihua revealed a somewhat numb smile as she looked at Captain Shi, and after a long while, she said: "On July 4th, he came back from the construction site to bring money. In the evening, he drank alcohol and then started to hit me, saying some unpleasant things. After a while of hitting, he said he wanted to divorce me and told me to get lost..."

"He can hit me," Wang Guihua said with a tragic smile, "but he cannot divorce me. I have been with him for decades; how could he do this? So I hit him. In fact, he couldn't overpower me. I didn't use much strength, yet he fell down. I thought he was dead, so I carried him to the pigpen.

The next day, the weapon used in the crime was found, quietly lying in the grass by the roadside. After examination, it was confirmed to match the knife wounds on the deceased perfectly. This knife was the weapon that killed Zhang Fushun, and it still bore dried bloodstains. The knife only had Wang Guihua's fingerprints on it.

Upon hearing my words, Captain Shi stopped applauding and said to me: "Indeed, I also vaguely feel that something is amiss, but I cannot pinpoint what exactly is wrong. Whether it is the motive for the crime, the time of the crime, everything aligns with Wang Guihua. Moreover, the physical evidence is all present, and the suspect has also confessed to their crime. So what exactly is wrong?"

The identification team compared the small pieces of fabric with the clothing from Wang Guihua's home. The fabric strip torn off by the deceased matched one of the garments, and the bloodstains found on the clothing also belonged to Zhang Fushun. The physical evidence and witness testimonies, along with the motive for the murder and the time of the crime, all align perfectly. I never would have imagined that Wang Guihua was the murderer; this seemingly simple rural woman committed such a heinous crime.

Captain Lu of the second team spoke to us outside: "This is the jump rope, which has already been identified and matches the strangulation marks on the deceased's neck. I did not expect that Wang Guihua would carry this rope with her and not discard it..."

Zhang Dongcheng appeared somewhat listless, his eyes red and swollen, seemingly having just cried. We all found it difficult to speak; how does one tell a person that his father has been murdered and that his mother is the killer? Captain Shi called Zhang Dongcheng into the office alone, and we had no idea what he said to him inside. I turned to Yang Xiaojun beside me and said, "If it were me, I would break down." Captain Shi called Zhang Dongcheng into the office alone, and we had no idea what he said to him inside. I turned to Yang Xiaojun beside me and said, "If it were me, I would break down."

I said: "I always feel that this case will not be so simple. Wang Guihua does not seem to be the murderer at all. Although the general outline has been clarified, there are still a few aspects that I cannot comprehend."

We cannot ascertain whether Wang Guihua engaged in conversation with Li Tang on the minibus, nor do we have clarity on the mindset Wang Guihua held during the journey. The timing aligns, and it has become a certainty that Wang Guihua is the perpetrator. The second team has relayed the news that Wang Guihua has been apprehended and is currently on the way back.

During the gathering, Deputy Director Li said, "Haha, the Director doesn't need to invite anyone from the special task force, it's completely unnecessary. I have mentioned before that everyone under my command possesses the capability of a special task force member. If I say three days, then it will be three days! This is commendable!" Everyone applauded, but I felt that there was something suspicious about this matter.

Wang Guihua has not yet been brought back by the detectives from the second team. The first to return was Zhang Fushun along with Wang Guihua's child, Zhang Dongcheng. Zhang Dongcheng is tall and thin, appearing quite refined, wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, and looking scholarly. He is casually slinging a backpack over one shoulder, from which a book is partially visible. The faintly discernible title on the back reads "Notes of XXXX," and the cover is somewhat damaged, indicating that it has been flipped through many times.

These two small details indicate that Wang Guihua writes with her left hand She is left-handed

Everyone in the bureau breathed a sigh of relief; the deadline given from above has now passed by two days, and tomorrow is the final day. If the case remains unsolved, the director will request a special investigation team to look into it. The murder case of the driver Li Tang occurred at night, with no onlookers present, and the citizens know very little about this case. However, the murder and body dumping case in Niulanshan has evolved into various sensational versions through word of mouth over these many days, each version more shocking than the last. The murder case of the driver Li Tang occurred at night, with no onlookers present, and the citizens know very little about this case. However, the murder and body dumping case in Niulanshan has evolved into various sensational versions through word of mouth over these many days, each version more shocking than the last

In the surveillance footage from the shops along the street, a person can be seen sitting in the minibus, and that person is Wang Guihua. The last footage was captured by the final shop on this street, showing that until the minibus left the street, there was still only Wang Guihua on board. Beyond that, there is a long road leading down to Niulanshan, and there are no surveillance cameras on the village road, resulting in a complete blank for a full two hours.

I was sitting right behind him, holding this jump rope in my hand. When he stopped the car, I tightened the loop around his neck and pulled back hard. He was like a puppet, and before long, he stopped breathing

Upon hearing this, I frowned and thought to myself, since Wang Guihua knew that the murder weapon could not be left behind, why did she leave this skipping rope? Could it be that she had already anticipated her arrest and thus given up on resisting? Wang Guihua spoke intermittently, while the captain of the second team had already dispatched personnel to search along the route of the minibus for the murder weapon that Wang Guihua had discarded

At that moment, Captain Lu of the second team walked in and said, "Wang Guihua has already signed." As he spoke, he placed the file folder on the table. I carefully examined Wang Guihua's handwriting, and sweat began to bead on my forehead. Deputy Director Li nodded and then said, "Since the case has been solved, let's transfer it to the procuratorate."

My home is not far from that dry well. After he died, I threw his body into the well overnight and covered it with some large stones

In the afternoon, Wang Guihua was brought back by the criminal police of the second team. She had been intercepted by Captain Lu on the highway. That night, she did not return home. After killing the driver Li Tang, she walked for an hour, then took a taxi, using the only money she had on her to buy a ticket for the farthest destination from Yuzhou City, intending to leave this city

Wang Guihua did not shy away from confessing to the fact that she had committed murder. That night, when she left the Public Security Bureau, she got into a minibus driven by Li Tang. At that time, there were only her and Li Tang in the vehicle. After a struggle with her thoughts, Wang Guihua killed Li Tang. In the vehicle, Wang Guihua said to Li Tang: "I am sorry."

I carefully organized my thoughts and then said: "There are a few points that I have always found puzzling. Since Wang Guihua knows that the murder weapon cannot be left behind, she must also know that clothing cannot be left behind. The victim clearly tore off her hem, so why did she not discard it? Furthermore, why did she not discard that green jump rope? Although these are all minor details and not of great significance, still..."

I instinctively blurted out: "Wang Guihua is not the murderer! The real murderer is someone else!"

Even a stone has its soft side

After listening to Wang Guihua's words, my heart seemed to be in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time. What followed was endless weeping, not from a loud cry, but from silent tears. Outside the police station, Zhang Dongcheng was also in tears. One was inside, and the other was outside. When Zhang Dongcheng saw me come out, he immediately stopped sobbing, turned his head, and wiped away his tears with his fingers. A wave of sorrow washed over me, and unable to think of any comforting words, I could only leave in silence.

Then I returned to the house, lost in thought. Wang Guihua continued, "Then, I heard his cries, and I immediately ran outside. I saw the old sow was holding onto his head, its teeth clamped onto his ear. He struggled but could not stand up. I wanted him to die, so I took a fruit knife from the house and stabbed him seven times... When he died, he clutched my clothes tightly, just like they portray in the television shows." I wanted him to die, so I took a fruit knife from the house and stabbed him seven times... When he died, he clutched my clothes tightly, just like they portray in the television shows.

Captain Shi asked, "Since you have already admitted it yourself, go ahead and speak."

In an instant, all eyes were fixed on me. Yang Xiaojuan tugged at my sleeve from behind and said, "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?" Deputy Director Li looked at me with great interest and then asked, "I have reviewed the case file; a substantial amount of physical evidence proves that Wang Guihua is the murderer. The motive for the murder is clear, the timing aligns, and the suspect has signed and sealed the confession. What makes you think that Wang Guihua is not the murderer?"