Chapter 26
“So, Cheng Youran learned to take photos as evidence?”
Zhong Minglang asked me in disbelief.
I nodded. “Her mother threatened her with her life, forbidding her to call the police. Cheng Youran chose to leave home and study alone in another city.”
“She thought this school would help her, thought she had finally escaped the hell…”
Zhong Minglang sighed, unable to hide the pain in his voice. “Those beasts! She should have reported it sooner. All of you should have called the police immediately. DNA evidence doesn’t last long-never take a shower.”
“When something like this happens, girls shouldn’t feel ashamed. It’s not your fault.”
His words brought a surge of suppressed emotion to my chest. “Officer Zhong, we should have met you sooner.”
Zhong Minglang’s voice was sorrowful. “Before the incident, did Cheng Youran show any unusual behavior?”
I looked up abruptly. “You suspect Cheng Youran is the murderer?”
Perhaps afraid I would misunderstand, Zhong Minglang hurried to explain:
“When handling a case, we have to investigate from all angles. No detail can be overlooked.”
“You want to bring those scumbags to justice as soon as possible too, don’t you?”
“Ji Xia, if you know anything else, tell me everything. I will help you.”
I stared at him in a daze, then smiled faintly. “Yes, you’re right.”
Then, my tone turned cold. “But, Officer Zhong, you seem to have too much faith in human nature.”
“I heard from classmates that after the incident, Mom Cheng came to the school and took away some of Cheng Youran’s belongings.”
Zhong Minglang was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up as if he had thought of something.
He was just about to say something when suddenly, his phone rang:
“Hello… Really?… Are you sure it’s Qin Xue’s account?”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“By the way, send someone to Cheng Youran’s hometown in another city. Her mother got there before the police and took away some of Cheng Youran’s belongings. There might be key evidence among them-pay special attention to a cell phone!”