Chapter Twelve: Speculation

After chatting with this man named Wei Guangji for quite some time, it appeared he possessed a clear understanding of his two female roommates' daily routines, yet he insisted they were not close. Furthermore, he claimed complete ignorance regarding any other aspects of those two individuals outside the confines of their shared rental unit.

Leaving the apartment, Yan Xue recalled Wei Guangji’s demeanor and felt a lingering sense of unease. "I can actually understand now why Li Xiaoguo was so afraid of him. I felt a chill just talking to him, especially the way he avoids direct eye contact and only glances at people from the corner of his eye."

"I think that habit of glancing out of the corner of his eye, while certainly uncomfortable, isn't entirely intolerable. I find his reactions rather peculiar; he’s clearly nervous, yet he appears incredibly wooden. I observed him closely just now, and his stiffness doesn't seem feigned. It’s as if he is genuinely devoid of emotion. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone who is simultaneously anxious and calm, and who pinches his own wrist when he’s calm."

"Yes, we need to keep an eye on this man," Yan Xue agreed. She shared the same feeling, though it was difficult to put into words. In all her previous work and life experiences, she had never encountered anyone quite like him.

Upon returning to the bureau, the two investigated the personal backgrounds of Li Xiaoguo and Wei Guangji, finding their information to be straightforward and unremarkable.

Li Xiaoguo, twenty-five, was from out of town and had held a W City residence permit for five years. She had a stable job as a teacher at a children’s dance school and had only changed addresses twice in five years, which was quite steady.

As for Wei Guangji, Yan Xue and Kang Ge viewed him with newfound curiosity. He had claimed to be proficient in three foreign languages and boasted of his speed and accuracy in proofreading and translation. They had instinctively pegged him as a high-achiever, but a check revealed that Wei was a local, thirty-five years old, unmarried, and possessed only a high school diploma.

Yan Xue did not believe a degree was the sole standard of competence. She knew some people were gifted at self-study and could achieve results rivaling formal education. However, while it was plausible for a high school graduate to master English through self-study, reaching that level in three languages—including French and Spanish, which were not systematically taught in primary or secondary school—was an entirely different, hellish level of difficulty.

"Is he actually that talented, or is he just bluffing?" Yan Xue stared at Wei Guangji’s resume, uncertain. "Still, looking at all those books in his room, it doesn't seem like he’s just putting on a show. If he’s read even half of those, he’s certainly well-read."

"His employer confirmed his job, so he wasn't lying about that. It’s unlikely he fabricated his professional nature; it would be too easy to expose," Kang Ge added, looking thoughtful. "Remember to pay close attention to him when we review the surveillance footage."

Another individual requiring identification was the "art master" Xin Rui, who had approached Yan Xue. Using the mobile number from his business card, Yan Xue quickly found his real information. Just as she suspected, this performance artist, Xin Rui, was actually named Xin Zhizheng. He was thirty years old, born in W City, and had moved away with his family at sixteen. He appeared to have no immediate family remaining in the city.

Yan Xue had intended to trace the artist's recent movements, but Qi Tianhua and Luo Wei had just finished meeting with the victim’s parents and processing the necessary paperwork, allowing the team to convene and share information.

Kang Ge compiled the information on the roommates and Xin Rui for the others to review, while Luo Wei presented the details obtained from Cong Fangfang’s parents and the preliminary autopsy report.

The autopsy confirmed the forensic examiner's initial assessment: traces of a sedative were found in the victim’s blood and stomach contents, confirming it had been ingested. The stomach contained only liquids and partially digested remnants of older food, indicating she had not eaten anything substantial before her death; she had only consumed a beverage.

The victim had passed away quite peacefully for a criminal case. Given the concentration of the sedative, the medical examiner believed she likely suffered little pain during the process of bleeding out, potentially slipping into shock and dying while completely unconscious.

The body had likely been kept in a low-temperature environment after the murder, which explained the slow decomposition. The plaster encasing the body was dry on the surface but still damp underneath. Based on the time required for plaster to set, the perpetrator must have "processed" the body and arranged it into the desired pose before or during the onset of rigor mortis. This meant the killer was familiar with the abandoned amusement park and knew exactly how the body would be fixed onto the carousel.

Beyond this, there was nothing unusual about Cong Fangfang’s body—no special markings or tattoos, and no obvious evidence linking the case to a cult.

Cong Fangfang’s parents, like most victims' families, were devastated and in disbelief. They described her as a model child—obedient, quiet, and known to all their relatives and friends as a "good girl" who would never seek trouble.

Her parents were not particularly familiar with her work life, as she rarely returned home except for holidays. She was busy, and when she did visit, she only shared happy news, carrying her burdens alone until they were already resolved.

Regarding her love life, her parents were objective. They believed she didn't have a boyfriend recently, though they sensed she had been seeing someone during certain periods. They understood that young people today often kept their relationships private until they were serious, and they assumed those earlier flings had simply fizzled out before they could be introduced to the family.

Her mother did have one vague memory: during a Spring Festival, Cong Fangfang had planned to stay until the day before work, but suddenly left on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. On the night of the fourth, her mother had noticed Cong Fangfang’s phone buzzing constantly as she replied to messages. Glancing over, she didn't see the contact name, but noticed a rabbit icon next to it. Observing her daughter’s demeanor, she felt certain it was a boyfriend.

At the time, she worried that the boy might be overly effeminate, given the cute icon, but her husband had comforted her, saying it was up to their daughter to choose. Now, reflecting on it, her mother was filled with regret, fearing she had missed a vital clue. Qi Tianhua confirmed that this secret relationship had occurred over a year ago; by the time Cong Fangfang returned home during the Qingming Festival, that person seemed to have been moved on from.

Fortunately, the mother had one clear lead: Cong Fangfang had a close friend from her previous workplace. Even after Cong left the job, they remained friends, and she had even visited their home. Cong Fangfang had listed this person as her emergency contact. Qi Tianhua had already reached out, and the friend was on her way.

"My god, this guy knows three foreign languages! Incredible!" Luo Wei exclaimed while looking over Wei Guangji’s file. "Compared to him, I’m so ashamed! I’ve studied English for so many years and can barely help a lost tourist find their way with a 'turn left' or 'turn right'! Any more than that and I’d be exposed! French and Spanish? I’d be completely lost!"

"How many languages he knows is irrelevant; what matters is whether he’s involved in Cong Fangfang’s case," Kang Ge said with a smile.

"I’ll pay extra attention to him when we go through the surveillance footage," Qi Tianhua nodded.

"Speaking of which, doesn't this spark any ideas?" Luo Wei asked. "The mother saw a mysterious boyfriend with a rabbit icon on WeChat, and Cong Fangfang kept him a secret. Then she brought a female friend home and listed her as an emergency contact. Put it all together—what do you think?"

"You mean... Cong Fangfang’s orientation...?" Yan Xue caught his drift.

"Exactly! Yan Xue, you’re sharp!" Luo Wei nodded.

"It’s not just me; everyone else probably thought of it, they just didn't want to bring it up," Yan Xue pointed at the others. "You made it so obvious; you don't need a genius to figure it out."

"Look at you all! That’s so feudal!" Luo Wei looked pained. "I didn't expect you all to be so old-fashioned. In this day and age, what’s so strange about that? As long as it doesn't hurt anyone or involve deception, it’s their own business!"

"So, you’re suggesting that perhaps this was a relationship that faced social pressure, making Cong Fangfang afraid to go public? And perhaps the other party, feeling treated unfairly, developed love-turned-to-hate, which is why they handled the body so carefully—without further desecration, and even creating a sense of ‘aesthetic’?" Kang Ge synthesized Luo Wei’s thoughts. Seeing him nod, Kang Ge continued, "That’s a possibility. The method of the murder didn't require much physical strength; a female perpetrator could have done it. We’ll keep this hypothesis in mind for later verification."

"Unfortunately, Cong Fangfang’s phone went missing when she disappeared. We’ve searched her place; we’ll process her computer and tablet later. For now, let’s go through the surveillance footage while we wait for her friend. Once we pinpoint the last time she was seen, we can begin to map out where she went and who she met on that final day."