Chapter 15: Clues
Chen Mo’s doorstep was crowded. Only a day had passed since the fireworks explosion, and the police hadn’t released any concrete information, yet the internet had already labeled Zhang Xiaojie the “murderer” and Chen Mo the innocent victim. And Chen Mo’s life story was particularly dramatic.
Obedient since childhood, diligent in his studies, never causing his parents to worry. Knowing his parents were in poor health, he helped with housework from a young age. He was the quintessential “child from another family” that parents often spoke of.
After graduating from university, he didn’t pursue further studies but returned to Jindu for work. He found a job at the fireworks factory to support and care for his parents. The whole family was counting on a better future, never expecting such a tragedy. For Chen Mo’s parents, it was as if the sky had fallen.
Chen Mo’s parents had been sitting in their room all day, their hair now half-white. They remained silent when Chen Mo’s name was mentioned, but cursed at the mention of Zhang Xiaojie.
“Chen Mo’s life was so hard! Why did this happen to him…”
Chen Mo’s mother, her face streaked with tears and snot, cried her heart out in front of the camera, her eyes red and swollen, looking years older than yesterday. Chen Mo’s father remained silent, sitting in front of the reporters.
The reporter asked, “Mrs. Chen, I heard Chen Mo and Zhang Xiaojie used to be good friends?”
“Friends?” Mrs. Chen’s voice was shrill, “Chen Mo had no such friend! He didn’t! That Zhang Xiaojie is a menace!”
The reporter said, “Zhang Xiaojie is currently still in the hospital. Have his parents contacted you?”
The barrage of comments filled the screen.
[Yeah, where’s Zhang Xiaojie’s family?]
[It wouldn’t be too much to ask for an apology to the victim’s family, right?]
[Zhang Xiaojie’s comfortably lying in the hospital, and his family hasn’t even come out to apologize. Like father, like son.]
[This is so heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. Is there a donation channel?]
The reporter asked, “Mrs. Chen, many kind netizens online want to donate to support you and Mr. Chen. Would you accept?”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Chen said, “but I don’t need it.”
She said, “I’m ready to join Chen Mo at any time. Please don’t donate.”
The barrage of comments was a mix of sympathy and curses, a stark contrast. Chen Xiang, looking at the screen, shuddered and said, “Teacher You, this couple is really pitiful.”
Their sorrow overflowed the screen, along with their hatred for Zhang Xiaojie.
The elderly couple didn’t hide their hatred in their eyes. Whenever Zhang Xiaojie was mentioned, Mrs. Chen would grit her teeth. You Ruxu suddenly remembered what Zeng Jing had said, that Chen Mo and Zhang Xiaojie used to be good friends.
Then he must have met Chen Mo’s parents.
Before the case was even concluded, they harbored such immense hatred. You Ruxu couldn’t understand it. She asked Chen Xiang, “Can we schedule interviews with any other victims’ families?”
Chen Xiang said, “There are a few, but they’re not very willing to be interviewed.”
You Ruxu understood.
The live broadcast was being filmed at the Chen family’s home, cameras and microphones lined up, reporters crowding the doorway, flashes going off constantly. You Ruxu couldn’t get in. It wasn’t until evening, when most people had left, that she looked inside. The Chen’s home was dark, without a single light.
Chen Xiang handed her a bottle of water and said, “Teacher You, when are we going back?”
She looked at the other side, where members of Team 3 were.
Team 3 was responsible for Chen Mo. They hadn’t had any opportunities, but turning around, they saw You Ruxu. Thinking that they couldn’t get a word in edgewise at the company, they figured they could at least ask Chen Xiang to introduce them and invite You Ruxu to dinner. You Ruxu said, “Let’s wait a little longer.”
She was still watching today’s live broadcast, having watched it three times already.
Chen Xiang didn’t know what she was looking at and waited with her: “Is there a problem with the live broadcast?”
The live broadcast was showing Mrs. Chen talking about a calendar.
“Chen Mo has always been very thoughtful.” Mrs. Chen said, “This month was his father’s birthday. He marked it down early, saying he wanted to give his father a surprise.”
Mrs. Chen’s eyes were red, her voice choked with sobs: “He’s always been like this.”
Everyone present was moved, and the comments section was overflowing with sympathy. You Ruxu turned off the comments and replayed the calendar scene several times. The 28th was his father’s birthday. Besides that, another day was also circled.
The 20th.
The reporter asked Mrs. Chen, “Is the 20th a special day?”
Mrs. Chen paused, then said, “Maybe it was his friend’s birthday. He was afraid he would forget.”
The reporter sighed: “Chen Mo was really thoughtful.”
Mrs. Chen wiped her tears, looked at Chen Mo’s photo, and started crying again. The live broadcast paused for a moment. You Ruxu turned off the screen. Chen Xiang called out, “Teacher You.”
You Ruxu looked at her: “What is it?”
Chen Xiang said, “Do you want to grab dinner together?” She gestured to the side. “The people from Team 3 want to invite you.”
You Ruxu followed her gaze. The three people from Team 3 looked over, their eyes shining. You Ruxu said to Chen Xiang, “I’m busy, I can’t. You guys go ahead.”
Chen Xiang exclaimed, “Then where are you going?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m going to the hospital.”
Chen Xiang wanted to follow, but You Ruxu told her to go home and rest, as she might not find any clues herself. Chen Xiang nodded, saying she would drop You Ruxu off at the hospital before going back.
You Ruxu didn’t refuse.
In the car, Chen Xiang said, “Teacher You, the controversy surrounding Zhang Xiaojie online has flared up again.”
It wasn’t just flaring up, there was even more negative news than yesterday, even insignificant details were being dug up. No one was perfect, and when put under the microscope, everyone had their flaws. But on Zhang Xiaojie, these minor flaws became evidence of unforgivable sins, as if proving he was born a murderer. People were criticizing his photos, his behavior, and some even resorted to personal attacks.
[I hope Zhang Xiaojie dies immediately.]
[When will he be sentenced to death?]
[It’s best if he doesn’t wake up. He’ll only cause more harm if he does.]
Countless comments like these spread online after Chen Mo’s parents’ live broadcast. And those who had previously defended Zhang Xiaojie because of his newborn child, urging everyone to remain calm, were now labeled as paid trolls.
The internet, in an instant, became an accelerant, fueling the flames of the case, driving it forward with increasing speed.
The truth was drowned in the torrent of public opinion, no one cared.
You Ruxu arrived at the hospital at 8:30 pm. It was still crowded. Several ambulances were parked at the emergency room entrance, patients being carried out and quickly wheeled inside. She didn’t go in, but sat on a bench at the entrance, watching the people coming and going, the anxious doctors, the hurried nurses, the rushed family members, the discharged patients, each with their own expressions, forming a tapestry of life.
After sitting for about half an hour, she got up and walked towards the inpatient department, wanting to visit Zeng Jing again.
Zeng Jing was asleep.
After a whole day of turmoil, she hadn’t had a proper rest since waking up. Tonight, she finally couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep holding her baby after feeding. You Ruxu walked to the ward door and looked inside. A small lamp was on. She didn’t enter. She saw the caregiver coming out, tiptoeing.
She asked, “Is she asleep?”
The caregiver recognized her: “You’re that reporter.”
“Hello, my name is You Ruxu.” You Ruxu’s smiling eyes looked at the caregiver. The caregiver said, “I know, I recognize you. My son loves watching your news reports.”
She said, “Are you also here to interview Zeng Jing?”
You Ruxu asked, “Did anyone interview her today?”
“Someone from a new media outlet came to interview her, but they left after a short while.” The caregiver said, “Look at this poor child, just gave birth, and now she has to worry about this. She’ll definitely get sick later because of this.”
You Ruxu listened and nodded.
The caregiver sat on a nearby chair. You Ruxu asked, “Aren’t you going home tonight?”
“No.” The caregiver said, “I’ll just listen for any sounds from the room. If the baby wakes up or needs her medication changed, I need to be here. But this child, I don’t know whether she’s lucky or unlucky. I heard she hemorrhaged during childbirth. It’s truly fortunate that she’s okay!”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, truly fortunate.”
“And the baby is also very healthy.” The caregiver said, “Doesn’t look like a premature baby, but her due date was this month, so it’s not really premature either.”
Hearing this, You Ruxu seemed to have thought of something. She looked at the caregiver: “When was her due date?”
“This month, I don’t know the exact date, you’ll have to ask the doctor.”
You Ruxu’s brow furrowed. She said, “Thank you.”
The caregiver quickly said, “You’re welcome. It’s me who’s taking up your time, making you talk to me.”
You Ruxu stood up, nodded at her, and walked towards the nurse’s station. She asked, “Who’s the doctor in charge of Zeng Jing?”
The head nurse recognized her and knew she was Zhou Tianzui’s friend, and that she had also conducted the previous interview with Zeng Jing. She said, “It’s Dr. Zhou.”
To be precise, it was He Wei.
He Wei performed the emergency rescue, so naturally, the patient was under Zhou Tianzui’s care.
You Ruxu nodded: “Zhou Tian—Has Dr. Zhou left work?”
The head nurse said, “Not yet, she should be in her office.”
You Ruxu thanked her and walked towards Zhou Tianzui’s office. She ran into Zhao Mingqi coming out of the office.
Zhao Mingqi greeted her: “Teacher You.”
You Ruxu asked, “Is Dr. Zhou inside?”
“Yes, yes, she is.” Zhao Mingqi had just come out, the door still ajar. He quickly stepped aside to let You Ruxu pass. You Ruxu, with a smile, held the doorknob and looked at Zhao Mingqi.
Zhao Mingqi slapped his forehead: “I still have to go to the wards. You go ahead.”
You Ruxu said, “Thank you.”
Just as she pushed the door open, she heard Zhou Tianzui’s voice.
“He Wei, what do you mean?” You Ruxu instinctively took half a step back. Zhao Mingqi hadn’t mentioned anyone being inside.
Zhou Tianzui looked at He Wei, her gaze cold and heavy, her eyes sharp, making He Wei’s heart skip a beat. She said, “Dr. Zhou…”
“Do you think I didn’t expose you because I wanted a win-win situation with you?” Zhou Tianzui’s voice was cold. “He Wei, I was giving you a chance.”
He Wei’s face paled as she looked at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui said, “This is a hospital, you’re a doctor. The only win-win situation for us is when the patient is safe and sound, not those little schemes of yours. Talk to Director Song tonight and make things clear.”
He Wei bit her lip, her body frozen.
Zhou Tianzui looked at her and called out, “He Wei.”
He Wei was startled. Zhou Tianzui continued in a casual tone, “Don’t you like Teacher You?”
He Wei looked at her in surprise, her voice unsteady, unsure what Zhou Tianzui meant by suddenly mentioning You Ruxu. Had she told You Ruxu? Or was she warning her?
Zhou Tianzui did neither. She simply asked, “Then do you know why she changed positions back then?”
She had been an editor for two years.
Hearing this, He Wei breathed a sigh of relief, her anxiety lessening somewhat. She said, “It was because she was injured.”
“She was injured while investigating a missing infant case.” Zhou Tianzui looked at He Wei, saying each word clearly, “Right here in our hospital. She underwent a ten-hour surgery, her life hanging by a thread, almost didn’t make it several times.”
She said, “He Wei, do you find it strange that I’m telling you this?”
He Wei indeed didn’t understand.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I want to ask you, if you were the one operating on your beloved Teacher You back then, what would the outcome have been?”
He Wei’s face paled again, all color draining from her lips.
The person outside the door held the doorknob and closed the door. You Ruxu stood quietly at the door for a long time.
Zhou Tianzui: Do you know why I told you about You Ruxu?
He Wei: Why?
Zhou Tianzui: Because she’s my wife.
He Wei: …
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