Good and Evil Chapter 102: Epilogue, Reflection, and a New Case

Although Tang Linyi was arrested, and the facts and various pieces of evidence confirmed that he was the murderer of Tian Yang, some doubts remained unresolved.

First, what exactly was the relationship between Tang Linyi, Tian Yang, and Duan Yiling? Was it truly, as Tang Linyi claimed, a special love triangle? Apart from the still living Tang Linyi, the only two people who knew the truth were already dead; the truth might never be uncovered.

Second, why did Tian Yang exhibit such strange behavior after Duan Yiling’s death? Was it really, as Tang Linyi said, because Tian Yang suspected that Tang Linyi had murdered Duan Yiling?

Third, what did the phrase “Frozen, so cold” truly mean?

Fourth, how can one explain the couples’ toiletries in the bathroom, the feminine products, and the women’s clothing found in the bedroom at the crime scene—Tian Yang’s home?

Though Tang Linyi was confirmed as the culprit, these questions remained unanswered. Of course, they did not affect the investigation and trial, but everyone involved in solving the case felt uneasy facing these mysteries.

After Tang Linyi’s arrest, neither his parents nor Tian Yang’s parents could accept the reality. First, Tang Linyi and Tian Yang’s families had been close friends for generations, and their children were no different. Second, the two men were born on the exact same year, month, and day, growing up like brothers. They simply could not believe Tian Yang was killed by Tang Linyi. The final point, which was most difficult to accept, was the nature of Tang Linyi and Tian Yang’s special relationship. Tang Linyi was homosexual, while Tian Yang was bisexual; this reality was rejected not only by their parents but also by Duan Yiling’s mother and others who knew the three of them.

Though unwilling to accept it, the truth remained immutable.

In the later stages of the trial, Tang Linyi’s parents met their son. Handcuffed, Tang Linyi silently faced his tearful parents, unable to utter a single word.

Near the end of the investigation, the police found a hidden diary on Tang Linyi’s computer. In it, he recorded the tangled relationships and emotional struggles between himself, Tian Yang, and Duan Yiling.

Tang Linyi and Tian Yang had indeed experimented with a same-sex relationship after being exposed to inappropriate content online during their youth. Their unique romance lasted several years, only ending with Tian Yang’s death and Tang Linyi’s arrest.

If Tang Linyi was homosexual, Tian Yang’s orientation was more complex. Before meeting Duan Yiling, Tian Yang was homosexual; after meeting her, he became bisexual.

The diary revealed a more complicated truth than Tang Linyi had previously shared: Duan Yiling’s true affection was not for Tian Yang but for Tang Linyi. This was unknown to Xu Lang and others. Before meeting Tian Yang, Duan Yiling secretly admired Tang Linyi, but he, being uninterested in women, gently rejected her confession.

Duan Yiling’s death was an accident. Among the tangled, complex relationships, Tang Linyi was arguably the most innocent, while Tian Yang suffered the most torment.

Tian Yang maintained a relationship with Duan Yiling while secretly sustaining his hidden romance with Tang Linyi. This double life was exhausting. Most people feel strained when juggling two relationships, let alone one that society rejected. The psychological burden on Tian Yang was immense. Tang Linyi knew of Tian Yang’s relationship with Duan Yiling, but Duan Yiling was unaware of Tian Yang’s relationship with Tang Linyi. Thus, Tian Yang was trapped, unable to confide in either party or anyone else, burdening his heart with unspeakable emotions. Over time, his mental state deteriorated, especially after Duan Yiling’s sudden death, which led to his complete collapse and descent into a dead end.

This explained the baffling behavior Tian Yang exhibited after Duan Yiling’s passing—an outlet for his internal anguish. Tang Linyi, though unable to fully understand, empathized with Tian Yang’s pain and inner conflict.

Looking at the case as a whole, it was evident that Tian Yang suffered severe psychological trauma after Duan Yiling’s death. He developed schizophrenia and delusions, sometimes imagining himself as the deceased Duan Yiling, living in her identity, while most of the time, he remained as Tian Yang. If his family, friends, or Tang Linyi had recognized this earlier and sought psychiatric help, the tragic outcome might have been avoided.

Following the investigation, the case was handed to the judiciary for prosecution. Because two victims were involved along with sensitive emotional entanglements, the trial was held behind closed doors.

In court, Tang Linyi remained calm and expressionless, quietly listening to accusations and the judge’s questions. Whenever required, he answered promptly. Eventually, the court rendered its verdict.

Tang Linyi was convicted of intentional homicide and sentenced to life imprisonment with lifelong political rights deprivation. However, since he voluntarily surrendered to the police after the crime, confessed, showed remorse, and obtained forgiveness from the victims’ families, the court reduced his sentence to eighteen years in prison and ordered compensation to the victims’ families.

Tang Linyi’s impulsive act of murder was rightfully punished by law. Yet, the case profoundly impacted Xu Lang, Tang Linyi’s family, Tian Yang’s family, and Duan Yiling’s family.

Though Tang Linyi and Tian Yang’s relationship was legally lawful, it was socially condemned. Xu Lang and his circle bore no disdain for homosexuality but found such a relationship difficult to accept. The root of how Tang Linyi and Tian Yang ended up this way lay in their immature minds during adolescence, exposed to harmful online influences, compounded by a lack of parental care and guidance. Had their parents recognized their abnormal behavior early and provided proper education and support, the tragedy might have been averted.

Certainly, family education was one factor; exposure to harmful online content was another. Most importantly, their personal values were misguided. By the time they attended university—already adults capable of discerning right from wrong—if Tian Yang had chosen to end his relationship with Tang Linyi after meeting Duan Yiling and committed fully to Duan Yiling, the subsequent events might never have unfolded.

Moreover, if Tian Yang, devastated by Duan Yiling’s sudden death, had received timely guidance from family and friends to emerge from his mental deadlock, tragedy might have been avoided. Often, while pursuing material needs, people overlook their spiritual well-being. Material needs sustain life, but spiritual needs determine its quality. Psychological issues can be more severe and troublesome than daily problems, a fact warranting greater societal attention.

An ostensibly supernatural urban tale culminated in a bloody tragedy, unveiling a hidden, poignant story.

After the conclusion of the Xu Lang-Tang Linyi case, Xu Lang, usually joyful upon case resolution, felt little happiness. Tian Yang’s psychological issues mirrored Xu Lang’s own struggles. The difference was that Xu Lang had the support of Shu Yue, a skilled psychologist who guided him, preventing his descent into despair. This was both Xu Lang’s and Shu Yue’s fortune.

Following the trial’s end, Xu Lang continued his routine visits to the prison to see Tang Linyi. After one such conversation, Xu Lang seemed to resolve some inner doubts and let go of lingering burdens. Tang Linyi, encouraged by their talks, began studying psychology in prison—a positive development.

Autumn arrived in October, yet the sun remained scorching, an unyielding “Indian summer” offering no respite.

After the case’s closure, Xu Lang did not return to the Public Security Bureau or the Lang Detective Agency but stayed home for several days. Often immature, Xu Lang spent nights in his locked study or his bedroom, waking up frequently—sometimes from the need to urinate, sometimes from hunger. He would slip out of bed wearing only underwear, use the bathroom, then either go back to sleep or grab some food from the fridge to stave off hunger before returning to bed.

About a week later, one night, Xu Lang woke up again, rushed to the bathroom, then went to the kitchen for a drink. While deciding whether to go out for food or return to sleep, the doorbell rang.

“Ding-dong.”

Xu Lang, holding a glass of water, was startled. He didn’t know who might be outside. Shu Yue had visited once before and brought snacks, and the timing suggested it could be her again. Without hesitation, he set down the cup and, clad only in underwear, went to open the door.

He was surprised to see Ning Yanran standing there—not in her police uniform but in plain clothes—carrying several bags of food. Without waiting for invitation, she stepped inside.

As she entered, she asked, “Xu Lang, what have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you around.”

“Bang!”

Xu Lang shut the door without a word. Ning Yanran, puzzled by his silence, glanced down and froze. Seeing him wearing SpongeBob SquarePants underwear, she screamed sharply.

“Ah!”

Covering her eyes, she exclaimed, “Xu Lang! How can you not wear any clothes?”

Xu Lang scratched his ear, rolled his eyes in exasperation, and said, “Obviously, I’m at home. I can do whatever I want. What’s it to you? Besides, who said I’m not wearing anything? I have my underwear on.”

“You… ah… I…”

Ning Yanran widened her eyes and glared fiercely, but upon seeing Xu Lang’s indecent appearance again, she screamed and quickly shut her eyes, unable to bear the sight. A blush crept across her usually strong, determined face, leaving Xu Lang utterly speechless.

He refrained from teasing her further and turned to head to the bedroom. Though he was unfazed, their relationship was only friendly, not intimate. Even if they were close friends, appearing before her like this was inappropriate. He went to change.

Ning Yanran, still half squinting and observing Xu Lang, slowly opened her eyes as she watched his retreating figure and the SpongeBob pattern on his underwear. She couldn’t help but smile at the contrast—this usually roguish, slovenly Xu Lang wearing such a cute pair of underwear.

She then moved to the kitchen and opened the nearly empty refrigerator. Sighing, she shook her head and organized the food she had brought into the fridge. By the time she finished, Xu Lang had dressed and emerged from the bedroom.

He glanced around the living room but didn’t see Ning Yanran, then looked into the kitchen. There she was, standing by the fridge. Xu Lang narrowed his eyes, walked over, took an apple from the fridge, and bit into it while asking, “How come you have time to come here?”

Ning Yanran, about to remind him the apple wasn’t washed, raised a brow and replied, “What, you don’t welcome me?”

Shaking his head while chewing, Xu Lang said, “I never said I didn’t welcome you.”

“Then what do you mean by your question?”

Ning Yanran followed him into the messy living room, noting the cluttered sofa piled with clothes and magazines, and the ashtray brimming with cigarette butts. Disgusted, she sighed, rolled up her sleeves, and began tidying.

“You’re really lazy, Xu Lang. How did Shu Yue end up liking you?” she asked while cleaning.

Xu Lang ignored the question. Their relationship was beyond Ning Yanran’s understanding; only those involved truly knew the feelings between them.

After finishing the apple, Xu Lang said, “Enough. Stop fussing. Why are you here?”

Ning Yanran set down her things, straightened, and looked at him sternly. “Can’t I just come see you without a reason?”

Xu Lang ignored her expression and bluntly said, “First, you’re not my girlfriend; no need to visit. Second, as captain of the Criminal Investigation Team Two, your workload is heavy—you should be resting or visiting home in H Province, not coming here. Third, every time you come to me, it’s because of a difficult case; otherwise, you wouldn’t bother.”

Hearing this, Ning Yanran’s feigned scowl turned genuine, but she could not refute his points—they were true. They had known each other for a long time, and her visits always involved case matters. This time was no different, though she was reluctant to admit it.

“So, you’re saying I can only come to you when there’s a case?” she challenged, making a teasing expression that gave Xu Lang goosebumps. He shuddered and scowled, “Just say it’s a case. If not, you can leave.”

Ning Yanran smiled, her mood lifted. She sat on the sofa, composed herself, and said seriously, “There is indeed a case I want to ask you about.”