chapter 5
Sheng Bianyan’s hometown is a small mountain village in the province.
Because of its abundant river crabs, it’s called Xietian Village.
It takes about four hours to drive there from the city. To make a round trip in one day, Hu Hui and I set off early in the morning.
Since I got up so early, I didn’t wash my hair or put on makeup, and I even skipped breakfast. Hu Hui, on the other hand, was impeccably dressed, looking like a groomsman at a wedding-except he used too much hair gel, making his hair look greasy.
While I was driving, he kept saying all sorts of flattering but pointless things. Growing impatient, I casually asked:
“Have you learned anything about Professor Sheng’s case these past two days?”
He nodded eagerly, “Of course, of course. I’ve been working hard. Besides what the police have released, I also watched the entire lecture Sheng Bianyan attended that day.”
I glanced at him and smiled.
“You’re certainly diligent. Any findings?”
He replied modestly, “It’s what I should do, but so far, nothing special. The lecture was just standard engineering machinery content.”
“Anything else?” I paused and asked again.
“Oh, I watched the video of him walking down the corridor to the restroom over and over.”
I sighed, “Unfortunately, the camera was facing away, so we couldn’t see his face clearly. Otherwise, maybe we’d have found something.”
He agreed, “Minister Rui, your analysis is spot on. But actually, there are still some things you can notice.”
I said nothing.
He gave an awkward laugh and continued on his own.
“In the video, Sheng Bianyan walks that stretch very quickly. That’s what everyone finds so unsettling…”
Yes, after that video circulated, netizens watched his movements frame by frame, all feeling an indescribable sense of dread.
In just a few seconds, Sheng Bianyan walked briskly, swinging his arms widely, as if rushing to handle something urgent.
As if he was in such a hurry, so pressed for time.
Just to hurry up and hang himself.
Hu Hui suddenly started to boast.
“Back in school, I was top of my class in criminal psychology. I guess I have some talent. After watching it dozens of times, I realized that Sheng Bianyan’s urgency wasn’t the kind of mental breakdown rushing to die that people think. Instead, it was more like…”
He pondered for a moment, “Like he was running away.”
“Screech-”
The car suddenly braked, and we both lurched forward.
“What’s wrong?”
Hu Hui asked in alarm.
I frowned at the road ahead, “Looks like we’re lost.”
The car was stopped at a three-way intersection. The road was clearly newly built, pointing in three completely different directions.
“Navigation isn’t reliable in small rural places. Let’s ask someone.”
Hu Hui said as he opened the mirror above the passenger seat to fix his messy hair.
I rolled down the window and asked an old man by the roadside how to get to Xietian Village.
The old man replied in imperfect Mandarin:
“Go towards the Reservoir.”
He pointed to the road on the far right.
After a few turns, the car slowly made its way along the asphalt road beside the Reservoir.
“Minister Rui, why did you suddenly slow down?”
Hu Hui turned to ask me.
I replied softly, “It’s beautiful here. I don’t want the car noise to spoil it.”
Ahead, the asphalt road was wide and smooth.
On one side was the tranquil lake, on the other, the quiet village.
“It really is beautiful.”
Hu Hui echoed with a smile.