Chapter 10

Jiang Xuzhou was silent for a moment before saying, “Let’s go check on the family.”

With Ruan Mingxi already with Yan Xin, there was no need for them to stand around like statues.

When the two entered the ward, Fan Lingfang was sitting at Professor Yan’s bedside, quietly crying. Her brows were slightly furrowed, her eyes red, and the downward curve of her lips carried a look of sorrow.

At the sound of footsteps, Fan Lingfang looked up. Seeing who it was, she hurriedly wiped away her tears and stood.

“The doctor has already examined him. Professor Yan fainted because of sudden stress, but he’s fine now. You don’t need to worry.”

Fan Lingfang nodded. “Thank you for today.”

“It’s our duty,” Jiang Xuzhou replied.

He glanced at Professor Yan on the bed — his breathing was steady, and he seemed out of danger.

Jiang Xuzhou turned to Fan Lingfang. “May I speak with you?”

Fan Lingfang froze for a moment, then nodded once she understood.

To prevent any accidents, they stayed in the ward, sitting on the other side and speaking in lowered voices.

“I may be a bit forward asking this, but… you’re not Yan Zhan’s biological mother, are you?”

The moment those words were spoken, both Fan Lingfang and Ying Shi were stunned.

They had only investigated Yan Zhan’s social relationships that morning, after identifying the owner of the pelvis.

From the time they received Yan Zhan’s file until now, Ying Shi was certain they had never mentioned Fan Lingfang to Jiang Xuzhou.

Fan Lingfang’s face showed a flicker of shock. After a pause, she nodded. “No. In terms of kinship, I’m his aunt.”

Jiang Xuzhou’s heart skipped. He had suspected that Yan Zhan and Fan Lingfang weren’t mother and son, but he hadn’t expected this extra layer to the relationship.

“Xiao Zhan’s mother was my elder sister. When she gave birth to him, she suffered an amniotic fluid embolism that led to multiple organ failure, and she passed away.”

Fan Lingfang’s voice was soft, but her words landed like a hammer on those listening.

“After Xiao Zhan lost his mother, his father was busy with work and didn’t have much time for him, so he was raised by his grandparents — my parents.”

Fan Lingfang took a deep breath. “At that time, I had just graduated from university. Because of employment issues, I kept failing to find a job and stayed at home for a long time.”

“During those days, taking care of Xiao Zhan became my emotional support. It allowed me to temporarily escape the pressure of job hunting.” As she recalled Yan Zhan’s childhood, her expression softened.

Even though job pressure for graduates is still heavy today, when Fan Lingfang spoke of the past, a flash of fear crossed her eyes — as if employment itself were some terrifying beast that could take a person’s life.

After spending so much time together, the young Yan Zhan came to regard Fan Lingfang as his mother. Following discussions between the families, Fan Lingfang and Yan Xin registered their marriage.

“You must have had a close bond with Yan Zhan,” Jiang Xuzhou said, sensing that her grief at his death was genuine.

Fan Lingfang nodded. “Although Xiao Zhan wasn’t my biological child, I raised him from the time he was little. Of course our bond was very strong.”

As she spoke, the thought of Yan Zhan’s death seemed to bring her to the verge of tears again.

“And was his relationship with his father good?” Jiang Xuzhou asked next.

The moment the words left his mouth, Fan Lingfang’s facial muscles twitched involuntarily, her pupils widened, and even her crying stopped mid‑motion.

It was as if she hadn’t expected Jiang Xuzhou to ask that question, leaving her momentarily unable to respond.

Her unusual reaction lasted only a moment, but Jiang Xuzhou caught it precisely.

At the same time, Ying Shi noticed it too.

“There’s no way a father and son wouldn’t get along,” Fan Lingfang said, her eyes darting away, unable to meet Jiang Xuzhou’s gaze.

Ying Shi narrowed his eyes — she was lying.

Her evasive look, her refusal to make eye contact, and the unconscious twitch of her lips as if trying to smile but failing, all made her expression appear strained and unnatural.

Jiang Xuzhou, however, acted as though he hadn’t noticed, replying calmly, “Of course. Yan Zhan had good grades and was obedient — what parent wouldn’t love him?”

“Yes… yes, that’s right.” Fan Lingfang seemed unwilling to continue discussing the father-son relationship. Instead, she suddenly lifted her head and asked, “How did Xiao Zhan die?”

At the mention of this, her eyes reddened again, tears welling up.

Jiang Xuzhou glanced at Ying Shi — only they knew how much of the case could be revealed.

Ying Shi understood immediately and picked up the conversation, continuing with what should have been addressed in the Yan household.

While Jiang Xuzhou had been speaking with Fan Lingfang, Ying Shi had already switched on the recorder. From then on, Jiang Xuzhou simply listened in silence, saying nothing more.

When Fan Lingfang learned that Yan Zhan had been dismembered and that parts of his body were still missing, she could no longer hold back her sobs.

Her crying wasn’t loud; she was suppressing her voice. But her trembling shoulders and bent posture revealed just how deep her grief was.

After years of handling cases, Ying Shi had seen many families of victims — some breaking down in uncontrollable tears, others, like Fan Lingfang, holding their emotions in.

Jiang Xuzhou lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

After all the necessary questions were asked, Fan Lingfang had cried twice.

…

When Ruan Mingxi arrived, the ward was very quiet. Apart from the unconscious Professor Yan Peiliang, the other three sat silently to one side.

Jiang Xuzhou lifted his gaze and met Ruan Mingxi’s eyes.

Receiving the unspoken “signal,” they greeted Fan Lingfang and then left together.

“Captain, where are we going now?” Ying Shi asked.

“Back to the Yan house,” Ruan Mingxi replied.

Their purpose wasn’t only to update the victim’s family, but also to examine Yan Zhan’s room.

“Will Director Yan come with us?” Jiang Xuzhou asked.

Ruan Mingxi started the car. Even when faced with a narrow right‑angled turn ahead, his speed didn’t falter.

“Yes. He spoke with the doctor — Professor Yan is stable, so he’ll come back with us first.”

Ruan Mingxi’s smooth, effortless reversing made Jiang Xuzhou’s eyes light up.

“Pretty good driving, huh?” Ruan Mingxi raised his brows, his smug expression almost provoking.

Jiang Xuzhou: “…”

Soon they arrived at the Yan home, where Yan Xin led them to Yan Zhan’s room.

“This is Yan Zhan’s room.” Yan Xin used the spare key to unlock the door.

As the door swung open, a gust of wind rushed in, making Jiang Xuzhou shiver instinctively.

The window in Yan Zhan’s room had been left open. The motion of the door first tugged one side of the curtain outward, then the incoming wind pressed the fabric tightly against the window before it slowly fell back into place.

“Go ahead and look. Call me if you need anything,” Yan Xin said.

Although he was a policeman himself, he was also a victim’s family member now. It was better for him to step aside while Ruan Mingxi and the others investigated.

After Yan Xin left, Ying Shi took out three pairs of shoe covers and gloves from a box.

Once everything was prepared, Ruan Mingxi and Ying Shi entered the room, while Jiang Xuzhou waited by the door.