Chapter 59 [VIP] The Man-Eating Flower (18)

Chapter 59 [VIP] The Man-Eating Flower (18)

Song Xinran's memories slowly faded away, and she returned to reality, but a faint smile had crept onto her lips.

The cage once confined her, making it impossible for her to breathe; she was like a bird in a cage, yearning for freedom.

When she desperately grew sharp claws and a beak, breaking free from the cage, she could no longer retract the blades on her body.

Her life should have ended long ago.

In the interrogation room, Song Xinran did not display the panic that other suspects showed; she was almost calm. Perhaps when she first heard that someone had discovered the body, she was indeed surprised, but only for a moment. That must have been part of her plan, the worst-case scenario.

This interrogation involved the entire second team, led by Meng Siqi.

"Defendant Song Xinran, the evidence is now conclusive. Please carefully recall the facts of your crime. Everything you say will be used as evidence in court!" Meng Siqi said sternly.

"I can tell you, but I have a condition."

No one expected the suspect to negotiate conditions, not just Meng Siqi, but everyone was puzzled. Meng Siqi did not have the authority to decide, so she glanced at Han Changlin.

Han Changlin said directly, "Go ahead."

"Both Jin Yaming and I committed crimes. I hope you can promise to take care of Cai Chunmei."

This condition, coming from this female demon, was perplexing, yet understandable.

Meng Siqi believed that Cai Chunmei was the bond that kept Jin Yaming and her together, and also the means by which she controlled him. Over the years, she had taken meticulous care of Cai Chunmei, and some affection must have developed. Perhaps, there was a tiny bit of goodness left in her heart, which would be her only redemption after death.

Han Changlin said, "Someone will take care of her; you don't need to worry. I can guarantee that. You can confess now."

"I don't know where to start. Ask me questions."

Meng Siqi asked, "Let's start with you and Fu Songan. How did you meet, and why did you kill him?"

"He was my mentor in college. To be honest, I was surprised when I first met him because he looked very similar to Jin Yaming. But I didn't like him; I don't like men."

Meng Siqi could roughly understand Song Xinran's psychology. Her dislike of men might stem from her childhood. She asked, "Including Jin Yaming?" Their relationship was something Meng Siqi had always wanted to explore, even though she knew their story, it was still difficult to define.

"Jin Yaming and I are different," Song Xinran said lightly.

"So do you love him, or are you just using him?"

"Hmph." Song Xinran let out a soft snort. "Maybe you think I've been using him all along, but I also depend on him. When Yaming was a teenager, he liked looking at swimsuit models in magazines. I was worried he would leave me, so I agreed that we wouldn't be boyfriend and girlfriend, but I would satisfy him, on the condition that he wouldn't touch any other women."

Meng Siqi swallowed hard. Song Xinran's words made her feel slightly uncomfortable, and she became even more puzzled about their relationship.

Song Xinran added, "Actually, he never touched me. He told me that once we earned enough money to cure his mother's illness, we would leave here and go to a place where no one knew our past, and we would get married..."

Meng Siqi fell silent, her inner turmoil growing. She realized she hadn't truly understood their relationship. She had thought they were in a symbiotic relationship, especially after meeting Cai Chunmei, believing Song Xinran used Cai Chunmei to make Jin Yaming confess.

But it wasn't that simple. Jin Yaming might have willingly confessed to protect Song Xinran, wanting her to live a better life. Perhaps from the age of ten, he had thought this way.

She gave up trying to delve deeper into their relationship, as human hearts were the most complex things in the world. Instead, she asked, "So, you didn't like Fu Songan, right? You should have hated him, correct?"

Song Xinran paused before saying, "He said I looked very innocent, so he liked me at first sight. Many men say such things, but I didn't refuse him because of the money. I needed money desperately. From the day I left Yongan Town, Yaming and I, along with Cai Chunmei, lived a nomadic life. Money was like healthy blood to a sick person."

Meng Siqi said, "I remember you had relatives who could help you with your education." This view came from the principal of the primary school, who had told her that Song Xinran relied on her relatives for a while.

"That's just what you think. No one truly wants to help you unless you help yourself. Once, Yaming and I saw a traveler returning to town to visit family. We guided him, but we led him to a remote place. Yaming hit him on the head with a rock and took the money from his bag, which allowed us to continue our education. I told Yaming we needed to study medicine."

"Medicine?" Meng Siqi blurted out.

"The man bled profusely and chased us for a while. I knew that only studying medicine could easily knock someone unconscious without making it look too messy."

Meng Siqi felt a chill run down her spine. In Song Xinran's eyes, robbery and murder seemed like everyday occurrences. Even her motivation to study medicine was to facilitate more convenient robberies.

Song Xinran continued, "Because of the money, I didn't refuse Fu Songan. I visited his studio, but I didn't like it. When I found out that Fu Songan was having an affair with a woman named Feng Lihua, who was a contact for an organization, I saw the allure of money. I hoped Fu Songan would let me join the deal, but he refused."

"Until Fu Songan's wife found out about us. Under pressure, he asked me to leave for a while. I knew he might not let me return because I had discovered some of his secrets. So, I killed him. Fu Songan and Yaming were very similar, making it easy to forge documents for leaving the country. After that, Yaming became the link between me and Feng Lihua. Yaming was obedient to Feng Lihua, who liked his looks, allowing me to strike a deal with her."

"I didn't have much experience with human specimens. Initially, I had two organ specimen transactions with Feng Lihua. Later, we signed a contract for human specimens because it was more profitable. However, I failed with Fu Songan's specimen, so I targeted Sun Beizhe at a nightclub. He enjoyed playing with emotions and wanted pretty women. I naturally brought him back to the photo studio, and Yaming dealt with him. At the time, we needed a lot of silicone and epoxy resin for the specimen, and we were short on money, so we considered kidnapping for ransom, but we abandoned the plan when we learned they had reported it to the police."

Meng Siqi was extremely tense throughout the confession, feeling a sense of revulsion towards Song Xinran's testimony. If she weren't a detective and an interrogator, she wouldn't want to speak to such a demon. In Song Xinran's mind, money was everything, and life was as insignificant as grass.

Similarly, Han Changlin felt deep disgust. If Song Xinran hadn't been so cunning, he wouldn't have made the mistake, a regret that lingered to this day.

Feng Shaomin, who had remained calm, glanced at Meng Siqi with a deep but gentle gaze. Meng Siqi felt a calming force and cleared her throat, asking, "What about Hu Dingxiang?"

Song Xinran raised her eyes, "Perhaps I didn't like her at first, but she was very beautiful and had a great figure..." She deliberately looked at Meng Siqi, the same sharp gaze she had given her during her first visit to the pharmacy, as if she had once seen her as prey.

"Hu Dingxiang was just my third specimen," she said casually.

"Song Xinran!" Han Changlin suddenly said sternly, "Who exactly is Feng Lihua?"

"She's from Hong Kong. After coming here, she married a wealthy man but secretly worked as a contact for an organization, specializing in the human specimen trade."

"What kind of organization?"

"I don't know. That's all I know. Feng Lihua wouldn't tell me anything else."

"Where is she now?"

"You've met her. Once, she was brought to the police station."

Meng Siqi suddenly remembered the KTV raid by Lu He's team, where Jin Yaming was mistaken for a male escort. The wealthy woman was Feng Lihua.

Han Changlin stood up abruptly, signaling Meng Siqi to continue the interrogation. He quickly left the room and ran to Commissioner Liu's office. When Commissioner Liu saw him enter, he asked, "Any news?"

"Commissioner Liu, we have it. Feng Lihua is the contact for the criminal organization."

"Very well." Commissioner Liu stood up, his posture straight and his breath deep, "The major criminal gang involved in the illegal trade of organs and organ specimens in Haijiang Province has finally surfaced. Han Changlin, your second team has done an outstanding job. This is a case that the Provincial Office has been closely monitoring, and you have finally uncovered crucial leads. I hereby order you—"

Commissioner Liu's tone was firm and resolute: "To immediately lead Lu He and the team members to arrest Feng Lihua!"

"Yes, Commissioner Liu." Han Changlin saluted, then asked with a slight smile, "But Lu He might not necessarily listen to me."

"Just see if he dares to defy my orders."

Han Changlin hesitated for a moment before turning and leaving the room. Commissioner Liu picked up the phone and dialed, "Lu He? It’s an important case; cooperate with Han Changlin."

Han Changlin walked to the first team's office and called out, "Captain Lu, no time for moving fruit. It’s an important case, and it’s Commissioner Liu’s order. We need you to come with us..."

Lu He picked up his police cap, put it on, and adjusted it, his voice strong and clear: "First team, all of you, let's go!"

Han Changlin was slightly taken aback; Lu He, who was usually casual, proved reliable when it mattered.

After a tense operation, they successfully arrested Feng Lihua at a beauty salon. With Feng Lihua in custody, Meng Siqi had also completed the interrogation. Han Changlin returned to the commissioner's office to report.

Commissioner Liu gestured for him to sit down and said, "I’ve been in touch with the Provincial Office. You will hand over Feng Lihua, Song Xinran, and Jin Yaming to them. We have successfully concluded this case, and the bigger fish will be investigated by the Provincial Office."

"Understood."

Commissioner Liu looked pleased, "Changlin, your second team has performed exceptionally well this time. I will recommend your team for commendation from the Provincial Office."

Han Changlin, moved, said, "Actually, Commissioner Liu, the key players in solving this case were Zhao Leiting and Meng Siqi. Zhao Leiting uncovered Jin Yaming’s criminal activities, and Meng Siqi found crucial evidence from the body. They both performed admirably throughout the investigation."

"I appreciate those two young people on your team. Their achievements are also a testament to your leadership."

Han Changlin smiled modestly.

Commissioner Liu continued, "I remember how the Sun Beizhe case earlier this year dealt you a heavy blow, but by the end of the year, you managed to solve this case. This is redemption for your second team, and a source of pride."

"Yes, Commissioner Liu." Han Changlin was deeply moved, "I am very grateful that you did not disband the second team back then, and that you allowed me to continue leading it to fulfill our mission. I..." His eyes were slightly moist.

"That’s enough sentimentality. Get back to work."

"Alright."

"Oh, and don’t forget the celebration party the day after tomorrow. You’re in charge of setting up the venue. Don’t get so caught up in your success that you forget your duties."

Han Changlin chuckled, "Commissioner Liu, your memory isn’t as good as mine. The celebration is actually the day after tomorrow."

"You always remember these things." Commissioner Liu smiled and pointed at him, "Go on."

Han Changlin suddenly understood Commissioner Liu’s intention. For years, he had never been involved in such events, so why was he suddenly asked to set up the venue now? It was like using a cannon to swat a fly.

But he understood Commissioner Liu’s kindness; this was a way to increase his sense of participation. His heart couldn’t help but feel excited.