Chapter 12: Fang Xiaocao – The Wife is Still Alive?
Facing the young policewoman’s scrutinizing gaze, Fang Xiaocao smiled, trying to steady her emotions.
She recalled the message from “Hot Noodles” and carefully organized her words before speaking:
“I studied art. When I found out the villa had an attic, I thought about converting it into a studio for my studies and work. Since I didn’t have the villa’s design plans and wasn’t familiar with the structure, I decided to inspect the attic’s materials to see if they could support significant renovations.
“During my inspection, I accidentally found a hidden compartment under a window ledge. Inside, there was a drawer containing a safe key and a note indicating the safe’s location.
“Curious, I took the key to the basement to check out what was inside. After all, the villa’s history is quite legendary. Anyone would be curious, right?”
Fang Xiaocao’s voice was steady, and she spoke calmly, unfazed by the policewoman’s doubtful expression.
“Miss Fang, are you aware that opening someone else’s safe without permission is illegal?” The young policewoman smirked, questioning her.
“Officer, be careful with your words,” Fang Xiaocao smiled. “According to my purchase contract, everything inside the villa—appliances, furniture, and collectibles—became my property the moment I completed the payment. So, legally speaking, the safe and everything inside belong to me. Opening my own safe isn’t illegal, is it?”
As she spoke, Fang Xiaocao took out her contract and placed it on the coffee table, signaling the policewoman to check.
The officer skimmed through the document, nodded, and returned it.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Fang,” she said with a smile.
“I’m just doing what I should.” Fang Xiaocao responded softly.
“According to protocol, we will implement a crime scene protection order on the villa,” the policewoman continued. “The duration will depend on the progress of the investigation, but during this period, you won’t be able to live here. We appreciate your cooperation.”
“No problem, I fully understand,” Fang Xiaocao agreed.
“Thank you for your support.” The officer gave a small smile.
“Officer, am I free to leave now?” Fang Xiaocao blinked and asked.
“Yes, but you are not allowed to leave the city. You must be available for further questioning at any time.”
“Understood.”
As she walked out of the villa and got into her BMW Mini, Fang Xiaocao’s hands finally started to tremble uncontrollably.
All her composure from earlier was gone.
She sat in the car, shaking for a long time before finally starting the engine and driving away from the Jinyue Villas.
As she drove, the image of the rotten human head with its hollow eye sockets kept flashing in her mind.
“Who is he?”
“What role did he play in the case from five years ago?”
“Why was his head locked in the safe after he was dismembered?”
“And where is the rest of his body?”
Questions swirled endlessly in her mind.
She pulled over, took a deep breath, and pulled out her phone.
“Whose head was that?”
She typed the message and sent it to “Hot Noodles.”
Hot Noodles: “Don’t worry about the head. If everything goes as expected, this case should be solved soon.”
His response only made her more frustrated.
“What do you mean, don’t worry? Whose head was it?” she sent a voice message, fuming.
Hot Noodles: “The head belonged to the wife’s younger sister. The wife is still alive and has been living abroad under her sister’s identity.”
“What?”
Fang Xiaocao gasped as she read the message.
“So… was the wife the murderer? Did she kill her own husband?”
She quickly typed her questions.
Hot Noodles: “The wife isn’t the killer—she’s also a victim.”
The more she learned, the more confused she became.
“Can’t you just tell me everything at once?” she sent another voice message, annoyed.
This guy clearly knew everything but insisted on revealing it little by little, as if he enjoyed keeping her in suspense.
Hot Noodles: “Just focus on what’s important. The reward money is yours, don’t worry.”
Hot Noodles: “For now, find a rental. Don’t stay in a hotel. Go to the rental tonight—there’s a good show waiting for you.”
“A good show? What do you mean?”
She typed her question.
[Contact does not exist.]
“What the hell—!”
Seeing the system notification, Fang Xiaocao furiously threw her phone onto the passenger seat.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
Fine. She would follow her advice for now.
She picked up her phone again and dialed Liu Feifei’s number.
“Hello, Feifei?”
“Xiaocao! Are you okay? I heard about what happened at the villa!” Liu Feifei’s concerned voice came through the receiver.
“I’m fine,” Fang Xiaocao reassured her softly.
“Sis, I need a short-term rental.”
“No problem. Come pick me up from the agency,” Liu Feifei agreed readily.
“Got it!”
After ending the call, Fang Xiaocao drove to the real estate agency, where Liu Feifei was already waiting outside.
“Sis, hop in!”
She rolled down the window and waved.
Liu Feifei smiled, waved back, and quickly got into the Mini.
“Let’s go to Xintiandi Community.”
Fang Xiaocao nodded and set the navigation.
Xintiandi Community was close by—just across the street from Jinyue Villas, near the university district. It was a newly developed residential area.
Within ten minutes, they arrived.
Liu Feifei had already arranged a short-term rental in Building 108, Unit 2, Apartment 301.
A fully furnished two-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.
Fang Xiaocao took a quick look inside and was satisfied.
“Sis, let’s sign the lease.”
“Alright, I brought the contract,” Liu Feifei replied.
After signing the agreement and sending Liu Feifei off, Fang Xiaocao went downstairs to buy some personal essentials from a small supermarket.
By the time she officially moved in, it was already 16:37.
She glanced at the time.
The gathering with Han Xue was about to begin soon.
(End of Chapter 12)
