Chapter 25: Fang Xiaocao : You’re the Real Weakling!
Fang Xiaocao packed a few clothes, grabbed her dashcam’s memory card, and wheeled her suitcase downstairs.
“Leader, are we really letting her go like this?”
The young officer in the front passenger seat pointed at Fang Xiaocao, who was loading her luggage into a red Range Rover, and asked hesitantly.
“It’s fine. She just moved in and has no connection with the family in Apartment 402,” Wang Qiang replied in a low voice.
“She only rented that apartment five days ago, and for the first three, she was in the hospital. Last night was her first night staying there.”
“If she somehow met the upstairs neighbors and got close enough for them to let their guard down and get murdered on her first night… then either she knew them beforehand, which would mean we screwed up our background checks, or something’s really off.”
Wang Qiang pointed at the victim’s social network diagram, analyzing it carefully.
Listening to his reasoning, the young officer looked at him in awe. “Leader, you’re amazing! That makes so much sense!”
Wang Qiang chuckled. “So, what’s your conclusion?”
“The chances of her being the murderer are lower than the entire family in 402 committing mass suicide,” the young officer replied earnestly.
Wang Qiang rolled his eyes and flicked the officer’s forehead.
“Get serious. No matter what our assumptions are, we must prove them with facts through thorough investigation.”
“Oh… got it, Leader.” The young officer rubbed his forehead.
“Good. Since you get it, you’re in charge of checking whether she had any interactions with the victims and if she had a motive.”
“Wait… what? Me?”
The young officer looked bewildered, his wide, innocent eyes making him look easily deceived.
“Yes, you. Get to it.” Wang Qiang sighed in frustration.
“Alright…” The officer mumbled reluctantly.
The driver chuckled. “Qiangzi, be patient with the newbie. You’re acting just like Captain Song did when he trained you back in the day.”
The young officer’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Wang Qiang, embarrassed at having his past exposed, shot the driver a glare.
Meanwhile, Fang Xiaocao finished loading her luggage and drove off, checking into a hotel near the police station.
Room 7013, seventh floor.
After settling in, she glanced at the clock—10:21 AM.
“Ugh, this is ridiculous. There goes my nap,” she muttered, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
She changed into a fresh outfit, put on light makeup, grabbed her bag and car keys, and headed out.
As much as she wanted to sleep, she knew from experience that ditching Su Wanqing was never an option. That girl was capable of anything.
She still remembered how, during the first week of school, their roommate Wen Shi had ditched Su Wanqing. The next day, “Missing Person” posters with Wen Shi’s picture were plastered all over campus, turning her into a viral talking point in the cafeteria for months.
Just thinking about it gave Fang Xiaocao chills.
She wasn’t about to make the same mistake.
While taking the elevator down, she texted “Hot Noodles”:
Fang Xiaocao: “Did you hear about the murder in Apartment 402?”
Hot Noodles: “Yeah, big case. It even made the news.”
Fang Xiaocao blinked. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”
Her so-called “guardian angel” really had some nerve. She had been right below a crime scene last night! What if she had gone upstairs out of curiosity and walked in on the murderer?!
Hot Noodles: “The killer wasn’t a threat to you. Besides, I know you too well. If there had been any danger, I would have warned you in advance.”
Seeing this response, Fang Xiaocao sighed.
This girl really was unbeatable. She knew Xiaocao better than Xiaocao knew herself.
She reached the underground parking lot, got into her Range Rover, and drove toward campus.
As she was driving, her phone rang.
“Two tigers, two tigers, running fast~”
She glanced at the calling number—Su Wanqing.
Fang Xiaocao sighed and answered.
“Fang Xiaocao, are you trying to ditch me?!”
The moment she picked up, Su Wanqing’s voice boomed through the speakers.
“No, no! I wouldn’t dare!” Fang Xiaocao quickly reassured her. “I’m already on my way!”
“Good. Remember what happens if you flake on me!”
“You wouldn’t want to see your face on ‘Missing Person’ posters all over campus, would you?”
Su Wanqing’s tone was threatening.
“Whoa, whoa, let’s not do anything drastic! I’m coming, I swear!” Fang Xiaocao panicked.
“Hmph. You better be.”
Hanging up, Fang Xiaocao muttered to herself, “Geez, this girl is terrifying.”
Just then, her phone chimed with a new message.
Hot Noodles: “I looked into it—the murderer was a wanted criminal who committed multiple murders across several provinces. The bounty on his head adds up to 800,000 yuan.”
Fang Xiaocao’s eyes widened.
Wait…
A serial killer?!
And she said he wasn’t a threat?!
Hot Noodles: “Interested in going after the bounty?”
Fang Xiaocao gulped and quickly sent a voice message.
“Are you serious?! THIS is what you call ‘not a threat’?”
Hot Noodles: “Yup. His intelligence and strategy make him dangerous, but physically? He’s weaker than a five-year-old.”
Hot Noodles: “I wouldn’t suggest it if you were in any danger.”
Fang Xiaocao was skeptical.
“Are you sure?”
Hot Noodles: “Of course. If he were a real threat, would I let a weakling like you go after him?”
“WHAT THE—?!”
Fang Xiaocao nearly slammed the brakes in rage.
Did this girl just call her a weakling?!
She clenched her fists and made a vow—she was signing up for combat training that very afternoon.
She would NOT be labeled “weak” ever again!
(End of Chapter 25)
