Chapter 119: Casting the Net to Catch the Fish, Closing the Case

It was Charlie who persuaded Zhang Mu to agree, a move that also served to clear his own name. However, Charlie had likely already instructed Zhang Mu to avoid contact with Z’s mother. Consequently, when everyone sat down for dumplings, Zhang Mu simply claimed she had no appetite and returned to her room.

I was certain that Charlie would anxiously move against Z’s mother. Zhang Mu might be able to hide for a day or two, but living under the same roof, the deception was bound to be exposed. Ridiculously, even as people associated with her died one by one, Zhang Mu continued to believe it was the work of a vengeful Kuman Thong doll.

Charlie’s ploy of self-inflicted harm didn’t fool me, but it certainly fooled Zhang Mu.

Chen Fan and I did not stake out the underground garage during the day, as I was certain Charlie would only strike at night. I had carefully selected this residential complex for its power room, fire escape layout, and garage size, all of which perfectly matched the characteristics of the previous two crime scenes. My goal was to minimize Charlie’s need for preparation, forcing him to target Z’s mother as quickly as possible.

Few people in that complex drove. The garage was empty during the day, let alone at night.

The police presence protecting Zhang Mu and Charlie was also orchestrated by me. With police protection in place, Charlie was forced to act at night. During the day, everyone remained alert, making it difficult for Charlie to use sedatives. Moreover, the officers protecting them were in constant contact with the station; if they failed to check in, it would immediately raise suspicion.

Thus, Charlie had no choice but to strike at night. His plan was to kill Z’s mother and then use the same sedative on himself. When the forensics team arrived, they would find traces of the drug in his system, clearing him of suspicion. Z’s mother’s sudden appearance in the garage and her mysterious death would simply become another cold case.

Other areas of the complex were unsuitable for the crime. I provided the environmental conditions that led Charlie to use the underground garage without a second thought. What he didn’t expect was that Chen Fan and I were already waiting there. I had cast a wide net, and just as Charlie was about to kill the last person who could expose their scheme, I caught the big fish.

By now, Zhang Mu and Charlie were utterly desperate. The full story behind the Kuman Thong case was laid bare. With the case closed, all the credit would inevitably go to Chen Fan. I told him he could notify the police now. Excited, Chen Fan immediately called his team to mobilize in the middle of the night.

"I keep my word. Since you’ve confessed everything, I’ll stop your bleeding," I said to Charlie. As I bandaged him, I asked if he knew Xuan Yi. At this point, there was no need for Charlie to lie. He told me he had heard of Xuan Yi because he had visited Sansong Temple while seeking divine favor, but he did not know the man personally.

Unable to get the answers I needed from Charlie, I stood up. Calculating the time, the police would be arriving soon, and it was not suitable for me to remain. Just as I stood, Zhang Mu, who had been slumped to the side, suddenly lunged at Charlie. She bit down hard on his ear, and before Chen Fan could intervene, she had bitten it clean off.

Zhang Mu spat the ear onto the floor, her mouth smeared with blood. Chen Fan immediately handcuffed her, while Charlie passed out from the pain. I looked at the savage-looking Zhang Mu and shook my head with a smile. "To be honest, you are pathetic, but you brought this on yourself. You hate Charlie, but do you hate me, too? Surely you don't want to bite my ear off?"

Tears streamed down Zhang Mu’s face. She glared at me, then shook her head. "I don’t hate you. I asked you to save me, and you did. At least I don’t have to be haunted by fear in my heart anymore."

I gave a cold smile. "But until the day you die, you will be haunted by guilt. That punishment is far more terrifying than death."

Zhang Mu asked, "Do you have anything else to say to me?"

I shook my head, turned around, patted Chen Fan on the shoulder, and walked out of the room. At the doorway, I paused. "If I must say something, I’ll just say that you have a beautiful body."

A roar of fury came from Zhang Mu behind me, but that was no longer my concern. As I left the complex, the sounds of police sirens and ambulances echoed through the air—the authorities had arrived. I drove away, and by the time I returned to Luo Feng’s house, dawn was approaching.

Luo Feng had been up all night. As soon as I arrived, he asked how it went.

I stretched. "The case is closed."

Luo Feng looked surprised. "Really? Judging by your expression, it doesn't seem that simple."

I sighed. "The Kuman Thong case is closed, but a greater mystery has emerged. Charlie doesn't know why my photo was in the Kuman Thong doll, nor does he know the connection between Wu Qingshan and Xuan Yi."

I decided to stop thinking about it for now. After a long sleep, I was woken up by a phone call. I had slept from day to night, and it was late again. It was Wang Yazhuo. She asked when I would finally rescue her, and I told her, "Tomorrow."

Tomorrow was the day I would leave Beijing. The time had come, and I decided to pull Wang Yazhuo out of the Wang family courtyard. She was excited and asked what she needed to do. I gave her a specific time and told her she must find a way to reach the center of the courtyard by then.

That was as far as I could reach; I couldn't go any deeper.

Wang Yazhuo said it was no problem; she would use the excuse of going to the restroom to make a run for it.

After finalizing the plan with Wang Yazhuo, I contacted Chen Fan. He told me Charlie was in critical condition and Zhang Mu had confessed to all the crimes. The Kuman Thong case was officially closed. Soon, the prosecution would file formal charges. Chen Fan had received great credit and was excited about a potential promotion.

"I’m leaving Beijing for a while tomorrow. If the police make any moves against Luo Feng, you must notify me in advance, or don't blame me for being unkind," I warned him.

Having seen my methods, Chen Fan immediately agreed to help.

With everything arranged, I began to pack. The little ghost was desperate to crawl into my suitcase, terrified I would leave her behind.

Downstairs, Luo Feng was discussing something with his men. They were planning how to act tomorrow, but I smiled and told them to simply prepare a car and a gun for me; everyone else should stay behind. Luo Feng was shocked, asking if I planned to rescue Wang Yazhuo alone. I nodded, and he immediately protested, "If you’re worried about implicating me, that’s not fair. Is the Wang courtyard a place you can just barge into alone?"

I shook my head. "I have a chance if I go alone. With too many people, we won't be able to save her."

I explained my plan to Luo Feng. He remained frowning, still feeling that I was taking a huge risk, but my mind was made up. He finally relented, saying he would cooperate fully.

As Luo Feng handed me the gun, he asked, "Don't you have two guns of your own? Why have I never seen you use them?"

I shrugged. "They don't work anymore."

Luo Feng looked skeptical but didn't press the matter.

By the next morning, not only Luo Feng but even I felt a sense of tension. This was a major event; a single mistake could cost me my life. But rescuing Wang Yazhuo was the only way to uncover the truth about the fire all those years ago. I could not give up this opportunity.

Just as I was about to call Wang Jianming, he called me. He wanted me to come over to continue discussing the plan. I feigned regret and told him I had run into some trouble and couldn't make it. He immediately asked what happened, and I told him the police were bothering me and suggested he go to Luo Feng’s house to coordinate with him instead.

Wang Jianming, pressed for time, agreed immediately.

After hanging up, I headed out. Luo Feng told me to be careful, saying his eyelid had been twitching all morning and he had a bad feeling that something would go wrong.