Chapter 87: Malice

Before long, the courier that Huo Yan had previously found arrived at the police station as scheduled. Based on his recollection, he offered a rough sketch of the person who had placed the order that day. Although most of the face had been covered by sunglasses and a mask, the courier’s memory was sharp, and some small details matched Yu Mengpeng.

With everything prepared, Ning Shuyi and her companions drove to Wang Yuluo’s aunt’s home, waiting for the “east wind” to walk right into their net. Though Wang Yuluo’s aunt’s place was close to her own home, the neighborhood was much older and lacked many amenities, yet the atmosphere of daily life was much richer. Many elderly residents gathered downstairs to chat, clearly longtime locals.

The arrival of police cars quickly drew their attention. Under the gaze of the crowd, Ning Shuyi and the others stepped out and entered the building, their ears filled with whispers and speculation about their purpose. With such a spectacle, it was certain that after today, Wang Yuluo’s aunt’s family would become famous in the neighborhood! Ning Shuyi found it ironic: years of careful effort by Wang Yuluo’s aunt to craft the image of a benevolent soul were about to collapse overnight, leaving the whole family subject to gossip and criticism.

Wang Yuluo’s aunt and uncle were both at home. Seeing several police officers suddenly appear, they were bewildered but quickly put on a warm welcome, inviting everyone inside.

“Officer Ning, how is my niece’s case going? Any progress? We as family are anxious, truly suffering!” Wang Yuluo’s aunt sighed, questioning Ning Shuyi.

Ning Shuyi nodded, “There has been progress. We’ve already identified the suspect. Very soon, the case will be closed.”

As she spoke, she closely observed the aunt and uncle’s reactions. Both visibly relaxed, as if relieved and even pleased. Previously, they had subtly steered the investigation towards others, clearly fearful that their own secret dealings over the years might be uncovered. No wonder they were so happy to hear the suspect had been found and no further investigation would be conducted.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you all so much for your hard work. In just a few days, you’ve solved the case! We, as family, are truly grateful!” Wang Yuluo’s aunt hurried to express her thanks.

Ning Shuyi smiled, saying nothing. Just then, the sound of the front door opening came from outside. The aunt was about to ask who the suspect was, but her attention was drawn away.

“That must be my daughter coming home!” She hurried to the door. As it opened and Yu Mengpeng stepped inside, the aunt eagerly shared the good news, “Mengpeng, you’re just in time! Look who’s here! These police officers have come to bring us good news. They’ve cleared up Wang Yuluo’s case—it will be closed soon!”

Yu Mengpeng entered in high spirits, seemingly in a good mood. Before she could take in who was in the living room, she heard her mother’s words, looked up, and saw Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan standing before her. Her face turned pale, and she staggered, nearly unable to stand.

“Daughter, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Wang Yuluo’s aunt was startled by her daughter’s pallor and trembling, quickly asking in concern.

Ning Shuyi stepped forward and presented her official documents. “Yu Mengpeng, you are suspected of murdering Wang Yuluo. Please come with us and cooperate with the investigation.”

Yu Mengpeng could no longer stand; she swayed and collapsed onto the floor.

Seeing this, Wang Yuluo’s aunt panicked, rushing to shield her daughter and crying, “Officer Ning, is there some mistake here? Is this a misunderstanding? How could this have anything to do with my daughter?”

Ning Shuyi shook her head, “The evidence is conclusive. There is no misunderstanding. Yu Mengpeng secretly purchased highly poisonous ants. Before Wang Yuluo left for the cinema, she deliberately avoided surveillance and placed a plastic capsule containing the ants in Wang Yuluo’s bag near the pickup point, leading to Wang Yuluo’s fatal bite. We have a complete and clear chain of evidence—there is no mistake.”

Yu Mengpeng sat trembling on the floor, as if shaken to the core. Wang Yuluo’s aunt was terrified, muttering, “Impossible… impossible…”

Whether pushed to the brink by her mother’s incessant denial or simply overwhelmed by psychological pressure, Yu Mengpeng suddenly let out a loud scream, startling everyone in the room, including her parents.

“Yes! It was me! I admit it!” She gasped for breath, fists clenched at her sides, her face pale but her expression twisted. “I did it. I planned it for a long time, always waiting for the right opportunity. I waited so long! She got involved in things she shouldn’t have, and arranged to see a horror movie with someone—such a perfect opportunity, if I didn’t seize it, who knows when I’d get another chance! I first learned about those ants in a science article ages ago, searched everywhere, and finally found a supplier. It’s the most discreet method I could think of! She clearly broke the law and saw the movie with others—but you suspect me, not them! Why?”

Wang Yuluo’s aunt was dumbfounded. After regaining her senses, she rushed over, crying and beating her daughter, “You foolish child! How could you do such a stupid thing?”

“It’s you! You made me do this!” Yu Mengpeng shouted at her mother, her voice hoarse. “Ever since I was a child, because uncle’s family had money, we all had to curry favor with him! Dad sucked up to uncle, you waited on cousin! Our whole family acted like we were beneath them, always pleasing those two! They live in a spacious luxury duplex, while the three of us are like servants, stuck in the back rooms! Wang Yuluo can squander whatever she wants, but I always had to scrimp and save, forbidden from anything! Dad said he was in business with uncle, but in reality, he had to defer to him in everything, worry about uncle’s mood and opinions! If uncle wasn’t happy, no matter how well planned, Dad had to give up! Even when uncle nearly married his secretary, he treated us like thieves, controlling everything! Then he egged uncle on to kick Dad out! If you hadn’t made life like this, would I have been pushed to this point? You showed me how miserable life is without money! You taught me not to trail after others, waiting for scraps! That’s unreliable! I had to find a way to make us wealthy ourselves!”

“What are you saying?” Wang Yuluo’s aunt was clearly shocked that her normally quiet daughter harbored such intense emotion, left nearly speechless.

“I don’t want to see you fawning over others anymore! I’ve had enough of always being inferior, always scheming for a few small coins, always at the mercy of someone else’s mood!” Yu Mengpeng bit out the words. “You always said studying law was too hard, useless, that I could never achieve anything with it. But the truth is, I almost succeeded!”

“Succeeded at what? Did someone else talk you into this? Tell me honestly!” Wang Yuluo’s aunt, quick-thinking even now, tried to calm herself after the shock. Seeing her daughter’s breakdown and willingness to say anything, she attempted to prompt her, hoping for an excuse to exonerate her.

But her daughter was nothing like her; now that she realized escape was impossible, she was completely unrestrained, ignoring her mother’s hints.

“In your eyes, I’m forever incapable, always needing to be arranged by others, aren’t I?” Yu Mengpeng sneered at her mother. “When I was at university, I studied inheritance law. I learned that siblings are second in line to inherit, eligible for the estate! Grandpa and grandma have long passed, aunt died early, uncle is much older than you and not young anymore! Before you, only cousin was first in line; if she disappeared, uncle couldn’t have another child at his age—you’d be the rightful heir! Uncle is old and not healthy; after losing his daughter, how much longer could he last?! According to my plan, our family would never have to grovel again! We’d suddenly have cars, houses, companies—we wouldn’t depend on anyone! We’d be the rich ones ourselves!”

Wang Yuluo’s aunt stared at her daughter, mouth agape and speechless. At that moment, she realized that if her daughter had truly escaped police suspicion and removed cousin Wang Yuluo as an obstacle, her daughter would not allow uncle, only in his sixties, to continue living healthily…

This realization stunned and terrified her, her mind blank, unable to find any excuse for her daughter.

Yu Mengpeng, after shouting at her mother, wept. Her tears streamed down as she sobbed, half comforting herself, half in defiance. “I’ve long had enough of this life! All my childhood, I watched them fight and scheme over money, struggling to curry favor with uncle, sacrificing dignity and character for it! I’ve had enough! I’m desperate over the life my parents gave me. I just wanted to change everything, to take a gamble and alter our fate! Now, it seems I’ve lost… Living as before was meaningless anyway; I don’t want this wretched life anymore! If I can drag Wang Yuluo down with me, at least I’ve gained something!”

She laughed hysterically, years of emotional distortion and repression finally destroying her.

Unable to bear the truth, Wang Yuluo’s aunt fainted. Her uncle sat beside her, dazed and lifeless.

Today is 520—love has always accompanied me throughout this story, just as you have.

(End of chapter)