Chapter 88: The Reason

"If Mao Yiran is in Qin Island, we can summon him for a statement," Han Bin said.

"I checked, Mao Yiran bought a train ticket to come on the morning of August 23rd, and today at noon, he bought a ticket for the 4:30 pm train to return to Gaolong City," Zeng Ping replied.

"We have less than half an hour. Should we rush to the train station?" Li Hui called out.

"No need. I've contacted the police at the station. They've already found Mao Yiran and issued a verbal summons. He'll be taken directly to the Qin Island branch," Zeng Ping said.

"Team Zeng always thinks ahead," Tian Li remarked.

"We almost let that kid slip away," Zhao Ming added.

"So there's a real possibility it's homicide?" Li Hui pressed.

"Whether it’s homicide or suicide, we need to get him in for a statement first. If Mao Yiran leaves Qin Island, things will get much more complicated," Zheng Kaixuan said, taking out a box of Hardmen cigarettes and handing them around.

Han Bin took a cigarette and hesitated, "Even if we get Mao Yiran, we don't have enough evidence to prove he killed He Shirui."

"Bin is right. The problem is we have too little evidence, we can't even confirm He Shirui was murdered," Zeng Ping agreed.

"From the surveillance footage, we saw He Shirui leave the hotel with few belongings—likely just a phone. If she drowned herself, the phone might have fallen into the sea. If she was murdered, the phone could be with the suspect. That's an important piece of evidence," Han Bin analyzed.

"Tian Li, dial He Shirui’s phone and see what happens," Zheng Kaixuan instructed.

Tian Li nodded, took out her phone, and dialed the number. A moment later, an automated message sounded.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is powered off."

"Since there are no clear leads at Golden Beach, let's return to the branch and take Mao Yiran’s statement. He’ll be our breakthrough for the next stage," Zheng Kaixuan decided.

"Captain Zheng, I have a small suggestion," Li Hui grinned.

"Speak."

"Can we grab a meal before heading back to the branch?" Li Hui rubbed his stomach, having missed lunch and worked through the afternoon. He was starving.

Zheng Kaixuan chuckled, "None of you had lunch, did you?"

Han Bin, Tian Li, Zhao Ming, and the others all offered sheepish smiles.

Zeng Ping lit a cigarette and laughed, "You'll get used to it."

"Alright. Old Zeng and I will head back first. The four of you eat something, then return to the branch," Zheng Kaixuan instructed.

"Understood."

...

At this hour, most restaurants weren't open yet, so the four found a fast-food joint. Regardless of the taste, at least their stomachs were full—who knew when the next meal would come.

Back at the branch, Mao Yiran had already been summoned to the station.

Zhao Ming brought him to the office, where Han Bin and Li Hui were tasked with taking his statement.

Han Bin switched on the law enforcement recorder, took out his pen and notebook, and began the routine questioning: "Name, gender, age, place of origin..."

"Mao Yiran, male, twenty-seven, from Gaolong City..."

"Do you know why we called you here?" Han Bin asked.

Mao Yiran shook his head, "I don’t know."

"Do you know He Shirui?"

"It's hard not to."

"What’s your relationship?"

"She’s my girlfriend—no, ex-girlfriend."

"When did you last meet?"

"About half a month ago."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Mao Yiran replied, then asked, "Officer, what’s this about? He Shirui and I have broken up, and it has nothing to do with the police, right?"

"He Shirui is dead," Han Bin said solemnly.

"What! You're not joking, are you? Yesterday she still..." Mao Yiran was visibly shocked.

"What happened yesterday?"

"N-nothing," Mao Yiran stammered, then confirmed, "Shirui is really dead?"

"You should know this better than we do," Han Bin said.

"What do you mean? I just found out," Mao Yiran replied.

"We checked your WeChat messages. Around eleven last night, you met He Shirui at Golden Beach."

"She invited me. I was surprised, but I still hoped we could get back together. But when I got to Golden Beach, I didn’t see her. She wouldn’t answer voice messages, her phone was off. I thought she was retaliating, trying to make me give up. So I bought a train ticket back to Gaolong City," Mao Yiran explained.

Han Bin frowned. Mao Yiran’s expression seemed genuine, with no sign of lying.

"Has He Shirui been acting strange lately?"

"I don't know. She’s been ignoring me," Mao Yiran sighed, his voice choked, "Who could have guessed she’d suddenly die? If things had gone well, we’d be picking wedding rings or trying on wedding dresses now. I... I really didn’t..."

Li Hui handed him a tissue. "Then how did you know she was in Qin Island?"

Mao Yiran took the tissue and wiped his eyes. "I saw her posts online—she had her phone's location turned on, so I knew she was nearby."

"Why did you break up?" Han Bin asked.

Mao Yiran forced a bitter smile. "She’s gone. What’s the point of talking about it?"

"Don’t you want to know how she died?" Han Bin pressed.

"I told you, it has nothing to do with me. I really don't know anything."

"Then you should cooperate with the police so we can clear you as a suspect," Han Bin said.

Mao Yiran was silent for a moment. "We were about to get married. The parents had met. But when it came to the bride price, there were disagreements. Shirui’s family isn’t well-off. Her brother isn’t married yet. Her parents wanted my family to pay more."

"That practical?" Li Hui remarked.

"I used to think Shirui and I had a good relationship. We dated for years, and there was real feeling. But when it came to marriage, things weren’t as simple as I thought. It’s not just two people—it’s two families," Mao Yiran lowered his head, his tone full of helplessness. "Her family wanted a bigger bride price, but I didn’t want to burden my parents. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me, for not being capable enough. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have turned out like this."

Han Bin rubbed his chin and asked, "You said He Shirui’s family isn’t well off?"

"Yes."

"Based on what you know, would she stay in a sea-view room costing eighteen hundred a night while traveling in Qin Island?" Han Bin pressed.

"Impossible. Not just eighteen hundred—even five hundred is too expensive for her," Mao Yiran replied with certainty.

"But when we checked at the hotel, Tang Yu personally took us in. The room was indeed eighteen hundred a night," Zhao Ming said.

Han Bin frowned. It seemed He Shirui’s death was more complicated than it appeared.