Chapter Three: The Dragon Among Men

At the old woman's words, both Kang Ge and Yan Xue paused in surprise, but Xu Wenrui's mother immediately darkened with anger.

"Can you stop saying things like that?!" she snapped furiously at the old woman, practically shouting, "You've said this superstitious nonsense at home so many times, and now you're spouting it at the police station too! Can you stop with all that feudal superstition? The child is already in trouble—can you not mislead the police in their investigation?!"

After being scolded, the old lady looked wronged, mumbling as if she still wanted to say something. But Xu Wenrui’s grandfather gently tugged at her sleeve and shook his head sadly at her. Reluctantly, she fell silent, swallowing whatever words were at the tip of her tongue.

Yan Xue glanced at Xu Wenrui’s father and aunt, noticing that both chose to remain silent in the face of the sharp exchange between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, showing no particular reaction.

This suggested two possibilities: first, that Xu Wenrui’s mother was simply a dominant presence at home, used to having the final say, so the rest of the family had long grown accustomed to this dynamic and let her have her way. Second, perhaps the grandmother truly believed her grandson had fallen under some evil influence and may have acted on this belief before, drawing the mother’s disapproval. Now, with Xu Wenrui’s accident at this critical juncture, the family tacitly agreed that the grandmother had previously offended her daughter-in-law, and that the latter’s anger was understandable—thus they chose to be tolerant and accommodating.

As Yan Xue considered this second possibility, she immediately recalled the forensic report mentioning the blackened paper ash and unburned yellow paper fragments found in Xu Wenrui’s stomach contents.

It was clear what such yellow paper was typically used for; anyone would understand.

She glanced at Kang Ge, who signaled with his eyes that he understood as well, and indicated for Yan Xue to continue.

Yan Xue resumed her questioning: "Let’s return to the earlier topic. Was Xu Wenrui’s return home this time planned, or was it a spur-of-the-moment decision?"

"It was a last-minute decision. The child really wasn’t well. He’d been under a lot of stress lately, wasn’t sleeping well at school, so he came home to rest for a bit. After all, it’s a dorm environment at school—other students around, it can get noisy. Home is just more comfortable," Xu Wenrui’s mother replied, wiping away tears as she spoke.

When her daughter-in-law mentioned that her grandson wasn’t sleeping well, the old woman seemed about to speak again, only to be silenced by a fierce glare from Xu Wenrui’s mother. The old woman fell quiet once more.

"What was it that caused Xu Wenrui so much stress?" Yan Xue asked.

"The main issue was his future—whether to pursue graduate school or find a job. Each choice comes with its own gains and losses, and the child just couldn’t make up his mind. He was so afraid of making the wrong decision at such a crucial moment, thinking that one misstep would lead to more. It weighed heavily on him," Xu Wenrui’s mother replied, her voice trembling with sobs. "It’s all my fault. From the time he was little, I kept pushing him to excel, and he always performed outstandingly. I never told him not to take things so seriously! I’m not a good mother! All these years, I kept telling him to be the best, to give everything he had—otherwise, how could he expect to have a better life? It’s my fault for putting so much pressure on him, for making him bear so much and endure so much. That’s why he wasn’t doing well! It’s all my fault!"

She grew more distressed as she spoke, and finally broke down, wailing aloud. Xu Wenrui’s father hurried to comfort her, gently rubbing her back and handing her tissues to wipe her tears.

Xu Wenrui’s eldest aunt sighed from nearby, trying to console her sister: "Don’t blame yourself so much. Every parent wants their child to be outstanding—how can that be wrong? And it’s not like you only pushed him; you’ve always led by example, working hard in life and at your job, always striving, never slacking off! What happened to the child was beyond anyone’s prediction. There’s nothing you could have done to prevent it. So please, stop blaming yourself. If you fall apart now, how will the family hold together?"

Xu Wenrui’s mother nodded, wiping her tears and trying to compose herself, while Xu Wenrui’s father, eyes red, kept sighing beside her.

Yan Xue gave them a moment to collect themselves while pondering the mother’s words. It seemed she still instinctively attributed Xu Wenrui’s death to stress causing health problems, and hadn’t fully accepted the possibility of foul play.

"Did Xu Wenrui mention anything about pursuing graduate school when he came home? Was there any competition for this opportunity?" Yan Xue gently steered the conversation toward this line of inquiry, knowing that the family might not be ready to face the truth yet. "How much do you know about this situation?"

It was an ordinary enough question, and Yan Xue asked it without hesitation. But unexpectedly, the grief-stricken mother suddenly looked up with fury in her eyes.

"Why would you ask that?!" her voice rose, sharp with emotion. "The invitation for graduate study came directly from Wenrui’s professor. Even if it was a recommendation, he earned it through his own abilities, through his performance and achievements! What do you mean, competition? Are you suggesting Wenrui stole someone else’s opportunity, and that’s why someone held a grudge? I’m telling you, that’s impossible! My son’s excellence is recognized by all. Every honor he received at school was well deserved. Others might admire him, but they wouldn’t be jealous, let alone bear a grudge and want to harm him!"

"Don’t get upset, please!" The long-faced woman who had initially doubted Yan Xue’s abilities hurried over to comfort Xu Wenrui’s mother, then turned to Yan Xue to explain. "I’m not related to their family, but we’ve been close for many years, and I watched Xu Wenrui grow up. Listen, don’t blame his mother for being sensitive—this child really is exceptional. He’s been a model student year after year. Other parents treasure a single award and hang it on the wall, but Wenrui’s certificates could wallpaper an entire room! He’s well-rounded, too—not just academically gifted, but also great at basketball, into music, can sing and play guitar. I remember my own son saying that in high school, girls lined up for him! But he always focused on his studies and ignored all that. He got into a top university, kept winning scholarships, and was a student leader involved in countless activities, always winning awards. And he’s handsome, too! Isn’t that the definition of a star student? I bet he was like a celebrity at school! What’s that phrase... oh, right! A dragon among men! Xu Wenrui was just that kind of child. Others might look up to him, sure, but jealousy? Not a chance!"