Chapter Nine: The Dissolution of the Marriage

"It's like this, I can explain it to you," Wang Yuluo’s father sighed. "Back then, when I married Yuluo’s mother, we spent many years without children. We sought medical help everywhere, tried all sorts of remedies, and after years of struggle, finally, at the age of forty, I had this daughter.

Having a child at forty, my wife and I were blessed late in life, so we doted on her. When Yuluo was five, her mother fell ill, her health declining day by day, and by the time the child was eight or nine, she passed away.

Since then, I raised Yuluo alone. I was afraid she’d be sensitive, afraid she’d be bullied, and with work getting busier and my age advancing, I never considered remarrying—I simply didn’t have the heart for it. So I stayed single all these years.

Wu Caimei used to be my secretary, helping me at the company. She was a wonderful person, very capable, and a great support to me.

As for me, I have to admit, from an emotional standpoint, I did want to start a family with her. But I was worried Yuluo wouldn't accept it, so I hesitated for a long time, tried to gently introduce the idea to the child.

At first, Yuluo said she’d agree as long as Wu Caimei and I didn’t have another child. Later, she said she was about to enter high school, a critical time, and any changes at home would affect her.

So I discussed it with Wu Caimei and agreed we'd wait until Yuluo finished her college entrance exams, then register our marriage officially.

That was the plan. But somehow, when Yuluo reached her final year of high school, she suddenly changed her mind, refused to let me remarry no matter what, and was hysterical about it."

"Yes, I remember that clearly!" Yuluo’s aunt looked as though the memory still unnerved her. "Yuluo made such a scene back then—it was so intense, if that had continued, never mind the college entrance exam, it felt like someone might have died."

"Why did it escalate so suddenly?" Ning Shuyi asked.

"The child heard from someone that Wu Caimei was only biding her time. She’s more than ten years younger than me, in her early forties back then. The promise not to have children was a lie, and now, realizing her age, she knew that if she didn’t hurry, she’d lose her chance to have a child. So she was eager to marry."

Wang Yuluo’s father looked embarrassed, facing two young police officers less than half his age, discussing such matters felt somewhat shameful. "Back then, Yuluo’s reaction was so extreme, I feared something might happen to her, so I told Wu Caimei we should wait a bit longer. We’d already planned to marry after Yuluo went to college, so waiting another year or so wouldn’t hurt.

Wu Caimei argued with me about this, said my attitude was wrong, that I always compromised for my daughter without considering her. She insisted we either marry immediately or break up, and she wouldn’t wait for anything.

I had no choice but to break up with her. Afterward, she left my company and found another job.

It was my fault, but she’s not the kind of person to seek revenge on Yuluo! If anyone, she’d take it out on me—I’m the one who let her down!"

Wang Yuluo’s father wiped his eyes, feeling sorrowful. "Although I want nothing more than for you to catch whoever harmed Yuluo and punish them severely, as for Wu Caimei...

I already wronged her. When we broke up, I offered her financial compensation, but she refused it. She really is a good woman. In her anger, she said a few harsh words, but that’s normal.

I truly hope you don’t drag her into this because of the case, causing her life to be affected again on account of me."

"You can rest assured on that point, we’ll handle it appropriately," Ning Shuyi nodded to him. "I understand how you feel, but when it comes to a human life, every clue must be provided to us without reservation. That’s the only way we can solve the case."

Wang Yuluo’s father nodded awkwardly, torn and ashamed, but couldn’t help adding, "Ever since Yuluo started making a fuss, she and Wu Caimei have been like water and fire. If things hadn’t gone that far, it wouldn’t have ended the way it did.

So, it’s not just that Wu Caimei wouldn’t want to harm Yuluo, it’s barely conceivable she’d even want to interact with her.

My own daughter is in trouble, I have no reason to cover up for an outsider. Whether subjectively or objectively, I don’t believe Wu Caimei is involved, and that’s why I’m saying this—not because I’m unwilling to cooperate."

"Brother, Wu Caimei may not be able to get close to Yuluo herself, but what about paying someone to do it for her?" Yuluo’s aunt clearly didn’t trust the woman who almost became her new sister-in-law as much as Yuluo’s father did. "She was furious back then, and when you offered her compensation, she wouldn’t take a penny. I just don’t find that believable.

You’re more than ten years older than her—if she wasn’t after your wealth, why would she stick around so long? She went from a young woman to an older woman, for what?

If you ask me, she refused the compensation just to posture in front of you, make you feel guilty, so you’d marry her under pressure!

She was using retreat as a means to advance, but you really ended things, and who knows how much resentment she’s harboring!"

"Enough, why drag her into our family’s affairs?" Wang Yuluo’s father was reluctant to involve Wu Caimei and replied stiffly, offering no comment on his sister’s speculations.

Ning Shuyi thought for a moment and asked, "Would it be convenient for us to visit your home? Even though the crime scene wasn’t there, I think it’s necessary for us to get a direct understanding of Yuluo’s living situation. It’ll help with our investigation."

"Of course! Absolutely!" Wang Yuluo’s father was momentarily stunned, then quickly agreed, rising to his feet. "If you’re free, we can go right now!

As I said, anything that helps to find out what happened to Yuluo, we’ll do our utmost to cooperate!"

"Should I call Yu Mengpeng and ask her to come as well?" Yuluo’s aunt asked her brother. "She’s close to Yuluo, the girls are like sisters. There might be things about Yuluo that we don’t know, but Yu Mengpeng does!"

She hurriedly explained to Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan, "Yu Mengpeng is my daughter, two or three years younger than Yuluo. They’ve been close since childhood, and I bet she knows more than we do!"

"Then, please wait here while I check in with our supervisor," Ning Shuyi nodded, signaling Huo Yan to stay with the three bereaved family members, and took the examination report to brief Captain Dong.