Good and Evil Chapter 79: Is Xu Lang a Suspect?

The police car and ambulance arrived almost simultaneously. A group of uniformed officers and people in white coats entered Zhang Chengwang’s house together. Two doctors went into the bedroom, performed a brief examination on Zhang Chengwang, and reached the conclusion everyone feared: he was indeed dead, and had been for at least three hours. After announcing their findings and apologizing, the doctors left the scene and drove away in the ambulance.

Once the ambulance departed, officers from the Fangxi County Police Station entered the scene. They herded everyone outside, sealed off the location, and began their investigation.

Zhangjiatun, Jiejia Valley Village, and several neighboring townships all fell under Fangxi County’s jurisdiction.

Xu Lang followed the others out of the bedroom and stood in the living room, watching everything unfold. His gaze never left Jie Xintong. Earlier, when the doctors arrived, Jie Xintong had appeared instinctively tense. Upon hearing the official pronouncement of death, she subconsciously let out a breath of relief. Though she tried to disguise it, Xu Lang noticed. Now, with the police present, Jie Xintong had stopped crying; instead, she accompanied Zhang Chengwang’s parents outside and watched the investigation in silence.

The officers from Fangxi County were led by Dou Xihua, the station chief, a man in his forties with a slightly overweight frame, a bald head, and a prominent belly. Whether walking or speaking, he was every inch the bureaucrat.

Upon arrival, Dou Xihua immediately ordered the site sealed, dispatched officers to process the scene, and began questioning Zhang Chengwang’s parents. Afterward, he turned to Jie Xintong and two village officials. When he learned that Xu Lang had entered the scene before the authorities arrived and had even touched items in the room, Dou Xihua strode over to Xu Lang, chin raised and eyes narrowed with officious disdain, and asked, “You’re Xu Lang?”

Xu Lang had been staring at the cordoned-off bedroom. At Dou Xihua’s question, he shifted his gaze, glanced at Dou Xihua, and replied calmly, “Yes, I am Xu Lang. May I ask what you need, Chief Dou?”

Dou Xihua instinctively narrowed his eyes at Xu Lang’s unruffled tone. He disliked being addressed this way, especially by someone so young and dressed so sloppily—T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops, with sleep still in his eyes, clearly not even having washed his face that morning. Dou Xihua felt an immediate distaste.

“Do you realize this is a crime scene? No one is allowed to enter before the police arrive. Understand?” Dou Xihua’s final word was a heavy, drawn-out grunt.

Xu Lang raised his head, gave Dou Xihua a brief look, and nodded, his expression composed. “I understand.”

“And yet you entered anyway. Tell me: what is your relationship to the deceased? Where were you last night? Did you kill him?” Dou Xihua barked out three questions in quick succession.

All eyes turned toward Xu Lang and Dou Xihua. Zhang Bei, village head of Zhangjiatun, stepped forward, about to explain, “Chief Dou, Xu Lang is—”

But Dou Xihua cut him off with a wave. Fixing Xu Lang with a dark glare, he barked, “I didn’t ask you. I’m asking him.”

Xu Lang frowned, glanced at Dou Xihua, then at Jie Xintong and the crime scene. He rubbed his face and replied slowly, “The deceased and I were childhood friends. Last night, after the banquet at his house, I returned home. As for whether I killed him, his parents can vouch for me, and the evidence at the scene will speak for itself.”

“You—” Dou Xihua’s eyes bulged with rage, his fat finger trembling as he pointed at Xu Lang. For a moment, he was speechless. Finally, regaining some composure, he demanded, “What time did you leave the deceased’s house last night?”

“Around eleven o’clock.”

“Before you left, where was the deceased? Where were you? And after you left, where did you go?”

“Before I left, I was having dinner with the deceased’s parents and several village elders. Afterward, I went home.”

“Home? You’re from Zhangjiatun?” Dou Xihua stared at Xu Lang.

Xu Lang shook his head. “No, I’m not from Zhangjiatun. Strictly speaking, I wasn’t going home, but to my grandmother’s house.”

“Your grandmother’s house?”

Dou Xihua pondered this for a moment, then turned to the officers processing the bedroom. “How’s the scene investigation going?”

“Almost done, Chief.”

“Good.” Dou Xihua nodded, then ordered, “Take the body back to the station.”

He then turned to Xu Lang, pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and snapped them on his wrists. “I now suspect you’re involved in the death of the deceased. You’ll have to come with me to the station.”

“Chief Dou, what are you doing? Xu Lang and Zhang Chengwang were good friends!”

“Yeah, Chief Dou, what’s going on?”

“Xu Lang—”

As Xu Lang was handcuffed, the surrounding crowd erupted in protest. Even Jie Xintong, who had been crying silently, and the elder Zhang couple, looked at Dou Xihua in confusion.

With the crowd’s questions growing louder, Dou Xihua’s patience wore thin. He finally exploded, “The police have their reasons for handling a case. Are you all planning to interfere with official business? I could detain you for obstructing justice!”

At his words, everyone fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. Most were rural folk who, deep down, held a reverential fear of the police.

At this point, Ye Du hurried to Xu Lang’s side, her face flushed with anxiety. Before she could speak, Xu Lang said, “Don’t say anything, Little Blackie. Go find Shu Yue immediately. Tell her I’ve been taken to the station—she’ll know what to do.”

Startled, Ye Du soon understood and nodded vigorously.

“Let’s go.” With those words, Dou Xihua shoved Xu Lang roughly, nearly making him stumble. Regaining his balance, Xu Lang shot Dou Xihua a cold, sharp look before leaving Zhang Chengwang’s home without a word.

That glance sent a chill down Dou Xihua’s spine, but he brushed it off, ordering men to carry Zhang Chengwang’s body to the police car, and escorting Zhang An, Liu Zhongshu, Jie Xintong, and two village officials, Zhang Bei and Zhang Jing, to the station for questioning. Ye Du, following Xu Lang’s instructions, hurried away to find Shu Yue.

Two officers remained at the scene to continue the investigation, while Dou Xihua drove the others toward Fangxi County Police Station.

As the police cars departed, the early risers from Zhangjiatun who had come to witness the commotion began to gossip.

“Why’d they take that Xu boy too? What’s he got to do with all this?”

“Who knows?”

“I told Old Zhang not to agree to this marriage—he wouldn’t listen. Now look, a wedding turned into a funeral.”

“Exactly! And that woman—never mind her looks, she’s jinxed. Three husbands dead already, now Chengwang makes four.”

“Pity about Chengwang. That boy was smart, hardworking, honest—how did it come to this?”

A heavy sigh ended the discussion.

—

After leaving Zhang Chengwang’s house, Ye Du rushed to Xu Lang’s home and found Shu Yue preparing breakfast.

Seeing Ye Du’s flushed cheeks, sweat-drenched face, and anxious expression, Shu Yue asked, “What’s wrong, Ye Du?”

Ye Du grabbed Shu Yue’s hand, panting, and haltingly recounted the events at Zhang Chengwang’s house, including Xu Lang’s arrest. Tears welled in Ye Du’s enchanting eyes as she asked helplessly, “Sister Shu Yue, what do we do? Xu Lang won’t be in trouble, will he?”

Shu Yue’s heart skipped a beat at Ye Du’s story, but she forced herself to remain calm. Having been with Xu Lang for years and dealt with the S City police more than once, she steadied herself, comforted Ye Du, then called Lu Ye, summarizing the situation.

Lu Ye immediately assured her he would send someone to Fangxi County to investigate and told Shu Yue not to worry—Xu Lang would be fine.

After hanging up, Shu Yue exhaled deeply, sat down with Ye Du, and told her not to worry.

—

Lu Ye, phone in hand, found Ning Yanran and instructed her to lead Investigation Team Two to Fangxi County Police Station to assess the situation.

Upon hearing that Xu Lang was involved in another homicide, Ning Yanran couldn’t help but mutter, “Is this guy the Grim Reaper incarnate? Why does he run into this kind of thing everywhere?”

Of course, she dared not say such things in front of Director Lu Ye.

Soon, Ning Yanran, accompanied by members of Investigation Team Two and forensic doctor Ye Xuefei, departed S City Public Security Bureau for Fangxi County. On the way, Ning Yanran tried calling Xu Lang’s phone, but Shu Yue answered. After a brief exchange, Ning Yanran’s face darkened, alarming her team, who had left the Bureau in high spirits but now sensed trouble.

The journey passed in silence. By the time they arrived at Fangxi County Police Station, it was noon.

Their arrival drew the attention of everyone at the station. Dou Xihua quickly emerged from the interrogation room, greeting them with an ingratiating smile.

After brief pleasantries, Ning Yanran went straight to the point: “Where is Xu Lang?”

“Xu Lang?” The mention of his name sent a jolt through Dou Xihua. After bringing Xu Lang and the others in, Zhang Bei, Zhang Jing, and Zhang An had explained Xu Lang’s background, but Dou Xihua had been skeptical. Xu Lang was placed in an interrogation room, and throughout questioning, he remained silent, infuriating Dou Xihua, who then resorted to harsher methods. Now, Xu Lang’s condition was not good.

“Captain Ning, who exactly do you mean by Xu Lang?” Dou Xihua tried to hedge.

At this, Ning Yanran’s expression grew even darker. She drew a deep breath, tamping down her anger. “The Xu Lang you handcuffed and brought here—where is he?”

“Captain Ning, well, he…” Dou Xihua began to stammer.

Ning Yanran cut him off sharply. “Chief Dou, do you realize who Xu Lang is? He’s a criminal investigation adviser to S City Public Security Bureau. What right did you have to arrest him?”

“He was found at the scene; I—” Dou Xihua tried to defend himself.

“No need for explanations. Take me to him now,” Ning Yanran ordered impatiently.

Dou Xihua’s face grew grim. Now that he believed Xu Lang truly was a police consultant, he realized he was in a bind.

Ning Yanran fixed him with a cold stare. “What, is it so difficult for Chief Dou to let us see Xu Lang?”

Uncomfortable under Ning Yanran’s gaze, Dou Xihua realized there was no hiding the truth. He forced a smile and led Ning Yanran to the interrogation room.

The moment the door opened, a pungent smell of blood hit them. Ning Yanran hurried inside and saw Xu Lang, face pale and eyes closed, slumped in the interrogation chair, drenched in cold sweat, his hands still cuffed. His white T-shirt was soaked through with blood.

Ye Xuefei, equally alarmed, rushed over, dropping her kit, and called out anxiously, “Xu Lang! Xu Lang, are you alright?” As she checked his injuries and lifted his T-shirt, she saw the bandages on his left shoulder were saturated with blood. The white gauze had turned crimson. Ye Xuefei turned, fixing Dou Xihua with a steely glare: “What have you done to him?”

By now, Dou Xihua’s nerves were already frayed; under Ye Xuefei’s glare, sweat poured down his plump cheeks.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Remove the cuffs!” Ning Yanran barked.

Being scolded by a woman half his age in front of subordinates was humiliating, but seeing the entire investigation team glaring at him, Dou Xihua could only swallow his pride, unlock the handcuffs, and step aside.

As soon as Xu Lang was freed, Zhang Lei and the others helped him up, and Li Lei carried him straight to the nearby hospital, Ye Xuefei following close behind. As she passed Dou Xihua, Ye Xuefei stopped, gave him an icy look, and said, “You’d better hope Xu Lang is alright, or you’ll be in serious trouble.”

With that, she left, ignoring Dou Xihua’s ashen face.

Li Lei carried Xu Lang, Zhang Lei assisted, and Ye Xuefei accompanied them. Ning Yanran and Zhao Hua remained behind. Although Xu Lang was unconscious, his life was not in danger. The bleeding was due to the reopening of a barely healed wound.

Ning Yanran and her team hadn’t come just to rescue Xu Lang but to investigate Zhang Chengwang’s death. According to Shu Yue’s account, Xu Lang and Shu Yue had returned from S City to Zhangjiatun the previous day, just in time for the wedding of his childhood friend, Zhang Chengwang. Xu Lang had come to the countryside to recuperate and pay respects to his late relatives. No one expected a murder to occur on his first day back—a rare event in Zhangjiatun in the past decade.

Though angry, Ning Yanran didn’t question the cause of Xu Lang’s injuries. Instead, she asked about the findings in Zhang Chengwang’s case. This allowed Dou Xihua to breathe a temporary sigh of relief, though he sensed a storm was brewing. If Ning Yanran had pressed about Xu Lang’s treatment at the station, he might have been able to offer some excuse—especially since Xu Lang was now unconscious. But her silence on the matter left him feeling deeply uneasy.

Remember the address of Ultimate Evil forever.