Chapter 284: The Common Fault of Men

“Can you tell me where Dr. Liu has gone?” Xiao Yu calmly gazed at Jiang Xin, articulating his request with slow, deliberate clarity.  

“This…” Jiang Xin frowned slightly.  

“At around 11 p.m. last night, Yu Xue, your clinic’s receptionist, was murdered and her body discarded.” Xiao Yu spoke evenly, “I now suspect that Liu Yunwei is involved in two homicide cases.”  

What was the basis for this suspicion?  

The receptionist had requested leave the day before yesterday. Coincidentally, Dr. Liu from the clinic had also taken leave.  

It was too coincidental.  

Moreover, the victim was someone from this clinic. Thus, Liu Yunwei became a major suspect.  

After hearing Xiao Yu’s words, Jiang Xin froze as though struck by lightning. Time seemed to pause at that moment. Her complexion gradually turned pale, her expression revealing growing terror. Her gaze was strange, a mix of astonishment and dread. She appeared utterly overwhelmed by the news, standing rooted to the spot as though her soul had left her body.  

Seeing her reaction, Xiao Yu frowned slightly. 

‘Too terrified? Quite timid.’

“How could this be?”  

After a long pause, Jiang Xin came back to her senses and exclaimed, “How could Xiao Xue be dead? She clearly said she was going back to her hometown.”  

“It seems you had a good relationship with the deceased.” Xiao Yu shook his head. “My condolences. We found her body yesterday. The case and the perpetrator are under investigation. Now, please cooperate by telling us where your Dr. Liu has gone.”  

“Dr. Liu went to P City…”  

Still visibly shaken, Jiang Xin did not hold back and provided an address. She also explained that Liu Yunwei had traveled out of town to see a patient requiring psychological consultation and treatment.  

Xiao Yu glanced at Guo Qiang.  

Guo Qiang took out his phone and contacted the task force, which would coordinate with the municipal police in P City. If Liu Yunwei was located, he would be summoned to assist in the investigation.  

“Thank you for your cooperation.”  

Taking a final look at the still-distraught Jiang Xin, Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang left.  

‘Something felt off.’ 

As they exited the office building, Xiao Yu replayed Jiang Xin’s reaction upon hearing about the victim’s death.  

Her expression wasn’t just overwhelmed by shock. There was something else.

How to describe it? Excessive terror?  

‘Hmm.’ 

How would a normal person react upon suddenly learning a friend had died?  

Typically, there would be astonishment, disbelief… perhaps grief or denial if they were close. A mix of surprise, fear, and shock… 

Xiao Yu pondered. 

‘That could happen, too. Maybe she’s just timid. After all, she’s a woman.’

Seated in the police car, Xiao Yu shook his head slightly. He was overthinking it, suspecting everyone he saw. A bad habit for sure. But as a police officer, it came with the territory—second nature, unavoidable.  

However, just as the car engine roared to life, Xiao Yu’s expression suddenly froze.  

“Stop the car!”  

Screech—!  

Guo Qiang slammed on the brakes and turned to Xiao Yu.  

“Let’s go!”  

Xiao Yu pushed open the car door and headed back into the office building.  

A few minutes later, Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang once again stood before a surprised Jiang Xin.  

“Can you tell me what you’re afraid of?” Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on her, unrelenting. “Why was your immediate reaction upon hearing about Yu Xue’s death one of terror, followed by astonishment and fear?”  

“…”  

Jiang Xin’s body trembled, her expression stiff. Her face grew paler, unable to meet Xiao Yu’s eyes.  

Xiao Yu sneered inwardly.  

As expected, the gentler and more harmless a woman appeared, the more likely she had something to hide.  

This type of woman easily lowered a man’s guard. Few men would suspect someone who seemed so harmless and gentle. What’s more, she was an intern—specifically, a psychological therapist.  

And what are therapists best at? 

Manipulating others’ psychology and controlling their own expressions.

Seeing that she dared not meet his gaze, Xiao Yu smirked coldly.  

“By the way, do you remember our conversation two days ago? You mentioned knowing a perfectionist. That part was true. But when you said he was out of town, you lowered your head to sip from your cup. At that moment, you were avoiding my eyes, weren’t you?  In other words, the perfectionist you spoke of wasn’t out of town. He was in Bincheng.”  

Jiang Xin’s body trembled even more, her head drooping.  

“I also recall how terrified you seemed when you mentioned him.” Reflecting on the scene, Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes. “When does a person experience terror and fear? That kind of fear comes from someone nearby.”  

By now, Jiang Xin wasn’t just trembling. She was visibly shivering.  

“Dr. Liu, is it?”  

Fixing his gaze on Jiang Xin, Xiao Yu’s face revealed a dawning realization as he murmured,  

“That’s it. The first time I saw him, I felt something familiar about him. But I’d never met him before. I’m sure of it.”  

Why did he feel familiar?

In his previous life, Xiao Yu had apprehended a perfectionist criminal. 

That was it. Their “aura” was eerily similar.

At the time, he hadn’t connected the dots, only sensing familiarity.  

Xiao Yu shook his head, frustrated at having made such a grave oversight. Had he realized it sooner, another life might have been spared.

***

Criminal Investigation Division, Interrogation Room*

Xiao Yu coldly stared at Jiang Xin, who sat huddled in the interrogation chair. She wasn’t handcuffed but shrank into the chair, on the verge of tears. She was clearly timid, yet she had deceived him once.  

No—she hadn’t lied. It was Xiao Yu’s own negligence.  

Jiang Xin had never told an outright lie but had omitted certain truths, likely out of fear.  

Psychological terror had held her back.  

“Yu Xue’s death terrified you. It frightened you, but it didn’t surprise you.” Xiao Yu locked eyes with the woman whose head hung low. “Tell me everything you know. You’re aware of the consequences of withholding the truth from the police, aren’t you?”  

“I…” Jiang Xin trembled violently, her face pale as a sheet, lips quivering. “I—I can’t say it. He’ll kill me!”  

A threat?

Or had she witnessed Liu Yunwei committing a crime?  

Xiao Yu imagined the scenario briefly, then softened his tone. 

“It’s okay. Just tell us the truth. The police will protect you. No one can hurt you.”  

Jiang Xin lowered her head again, hesitated for a long time, and then whispered, “Yes… Dr. Liu… he’s a perfectionist.”