Volume One, Chapter Six: The First Small Victory

“Officer, I have evidence—it's at my home!”

The chief immediately took notice.

“What kind of evidence? Where exactly is it?”

“Video footage. I hid the camera on the bookshelf, concealed behind some books.”

The chief turned to the officer beside him.

“Send someone immediately to retrieve the evidence!”

In another interrogation room.

Liu Fangfang was anxious and uneasy. The events of the day had unfolded beyond her expectations, and an ominous sense of dread settled over her.

When did Zhang Weimin regain consciousness? It certainly wasn’t today. No wonder he’s been getting fatter recently... Oh no, that time on the kang with Zhou Changzheng—that was right in front of his eyes...

At the thought, Liu Fangfang felt both ashamed and terrified.

“Officer, I’ve finished my statement. When can I go home?”

The female officer guarding her glanced up briefly and said coolly,

“That’s hard to say. You might be staying here for a while.”

“Staying here? Officer, what do you mean? Why would I have to stay here? I’m the plaintiff—I’m the victim!”

Liu Fangfang’s composure broke slightly as she stood up in agitation.

The female officer slammed her hand on the table.

“Liu Fangfang, sit down and be quiet. We’ve been very lenient with you so far. Once the evidence against you comes in, you’ll be sitting in that chair.”

She gestured toward the iron interrogation chair in the room.

Panic overwhelmed Liu Fangfang; her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

She was doomed—Zhang Weimin must have evidence in his hands...

Wailing loudly, Liu Fangfang collapsed softly from the chair onto the floor...

The female officer hurried forward to pull her up.

“Liu Fangfang, what’s wrong with you?”

After struggling to lift her, the officer ran to another interrogation room to report the situation to the chief.

The chief and another male officer entered Liu Fangfang’s interrogation room, pulled her to her feet, and helped her sit back down. Liu Fangfang clung to the chief’s arm.

“Officer, I was wrong. I want to confess. Can that count as turning myself in? Can my sentence be reduced?”

The chief smiled reassuringly.

“Alright, tell us everything. Our policy is leniency for those who confess, and severity for those who resist. As for your sentence, that’s not for us to decide—it depends on the crimes you’ve committed and the law.”

Liu Fangfang confessed in detail how she and Zhou Changzheng had conspired to murder Zhang Weimin, and also admitted to falsely accusing Zhang of robbery at the bank earlier that day.

The chief reviewed the interrogation record and nodded with satisfaction.

“Liu Fangfang, you’re really foolish—having an illicit affair with a married man and then plotting to kill your husband. That’s a grave crime. Thankfully, Zhang Weimin didn’t die; otherwise, your crime would warrant an immediate death sentence without question.”

Liu Fangfang, now emotionally shattered, looked as pale as a ghost.

“Officer, I regret it so much. Am I considered to have turned myself in now? Since Zhang Weimin is alive, will I still be sentenced?”

Just then, the officers who had gone to Zhang Weimin’s home to retrieve the evidence returned.

“Chief, we found the camera!”

The chief looked at Liu Fangfang meaningfully.

“Good thing you confessed in time. If you’d waited until after we got the evidence, things would have been very different…”

The chief led several officers to the evidence room to review the footage.

When the screen showed the explicit scenes between Liu Fangfang and Zhou Changzheng, the chief and the male officers were stunned.

“Wow, this is outrageous! They can actually go this far?” one male officer exclaimed.

The female officer who had been guarding Liu Fangfang covered her face and hurried out, muttering,

“Disgraceful…”

Clearing his throat, the chief said,

“Xiao Wang, fast-forward, let’s see if there’s any valuable evidence later on.”

The footage then revealed Zhou Changzheng and Liu Fangfang plotting to kill Zhang Weimin and fraudulently claim insurance money.

Later, it showed Liu Fangfang covering Zhang Weimin’s face with a wet hay paper, attempting to suffocate him.

Next was the scene where Zhang Weimin subdued Liu Fangfang as she confessed about the factory director instructing the driver to cover for his brother-in-law.

The chief slapped his thigh happily.

“Got it! A complex case solved without breaking a sweat!”

He then ordered his subordinates.

“What are you waiting for? Go bring Zhou Changzheng, Liu Guobin, and Ma Dali in!”

“Yes, sir!”

Two male officers saluted and left the evidence room.

The chief pondered silently for a moment.

“I need to study this video evidence carefully to see if there are any overlooked clues…”

In the end, all of Liu Fangfang’s false accusations against Zhang Weimin were dismissed.

She was locked up in the police station’s holding cell, awaiting formal arrest approval by the prosecutor’s office before transfer to the detention center.

It was already ten at night when Zhang Weimin left the station, personally escorted by the chief.

“Old Zhang, your story is truly legendary. I never imagined someone who was reduced to a vegetative state could wake up. What’s more admirable is your wisdom in pretending to be unconscious to secretly gather evidence. Not only did you preserve your life, but you also brought the criminals to justice.”

Zhang Weimin sighed helplessly.

“Officer, I’m an unfortunate man. What I’ve endured has been a living hell. My family is broken, my wife is going to jail—I don’t have much to be grateful for.”

The chief nodded thoughtfully.

“My name’s Qin Yong, I’m the station chief here. If you ever have trouble, come find me.”

Qin Yong extended his hand.

Zhang Weimin quickly shook it.

“So you’re Chief Qin! Sorry, I didn’t recognize you before.”

“No need for formalities. The chief is still a police officer, sworn to serve the people. If you have any difficulties, don’t hesitate to come to me, understand?”

“Alright, thank you, Chief Qin. I’m heading home now. It’s late, my daughter must be worried.”

“Take care, goodbye!”

Back home, Zhang Yingying immediately ran up and hugged her father.

“Dad, where have you been? I searched the front yard, backyard, and your factory—every place you used to go. I was so worried…”

“Good child, don’t cry. I’m home now. Is dinner ready? I’m starving.”

“It’s been ready for a while. Wash your face and wait on the kang. I’ll bring the food right up.”

Zhang Yingying set the dishes on the table, watching as Zhang Weimin’s face lit up. Concerned, she asked,

“Dad, you seem in a good mood today. Tell me, what happened?”

Zhang Weimin recounted the afternoon’s events to her. Zhang Yingying laughed heartily.

“Dad, Aunt Liu got arrested. What about the money in her card? Can we get it back?”

“Don’t worry. Once the court finishes the trial, the money that belongs to us will be returned!”