Xu Ruyi claimed her injuries were from a fall.
This unexpected answer left Qin Guan momentarily stunned. Yet Xu Ruyi spoke with complete seriousness.
"Yesterday noon, I was having lunch outside with our nanny Auntie Feng and my daughter when I suddenly received a call from an old friend. She was my former colleague from when I worked in Shanghai. We've always been close."
"We hadn't seen each other for years. She said she was here on business and had a few free hours, so she wanted to meet." Her voice remained calm. "Her name is Yang Qingqing. Back in Shanghai, we lived together, ate together – as close as sisters. After I returned to my hometown, got married, and had children, life got too busy. We gradually lost touch, but the bond remains."
"So when I got her call, I was overjoyed. I immediately left my daughter and Auntie Feng to meet her alone." Xu Ruyi glanced at the nanny, who quickly nodded. "Yes, yes! The young mistress was in such a hurry after that call. She didn't even finish her meal, just told me to take Xiao Lizi home by taxi after lunch."
"Meeting a friend?" The lead detective clearly doubted her story, frowning as he glanced back at his junior colleague. "Where did you meet?"
Xu Ruyi coughed softly. Auntie Feng hurriedly handed her water. After sipping to soothe her throat, she answered, "Near the Gift Market, at a tea restaurant called 'Small Town Stories.' Qingqing and I drank tea and chatted for hours..."
Gift Market. Qin Guan silently noted the location – he knew the area was just a five-minute drive from Qi Min's Xinhue Hotel.
Xu Ruyi was obviously lying. He couldn't understand why she'd fabricate such an implausible story. Though Auntie Feng might back her up, what about evidence? What if police asked for Yang Qingqing's contact? What if they checked the restaurant?
Women, he thought anxiously. Women were such foolish creatures, always thinking themselves clever. If she wanted to lie to the police, she should have consulted him first – asked for professional advice!
"What did you discuss?" The detective pressed on. "This Yang Qingqing, do you have her—"
"Ah! Actually, this is all my fault! I shouldn't have called the police at all!" Terrified Xu Ruyi might dig herself deeper, Qin Guan stepped forward, interrupting with exaggerated remorse. He grasped the detective's hand apologetically. "I panicked when I saw my wife covered in blood. Didn't even ask what happened before calling you. My mistake, my mistake! Caused unnecessary trouble!"
His words became a clear dismissal. "Thank you, officers! So grateful! Thankfully it's just a bad fall. We'll be more careful from now on. I've learned my lesson – won't waste police resources again. I'll personally apologize at the station later! Captain Qi's your superior, right? Worked with him before – elite leader training elite troops! Next time I see him, I'll make sure to praise your excellent work!"
Qin Guan maintained his ingratiating smile, already trying to steer the officers out by their elbows. But both men stood firm, unmoving.
"Then what happened? Continue." The lead detective ignored Qin Guan, eyes locked on Xu Ruyi. His junior colleague shoved Qin Guan aside and lifted Xu Ruyi's blanket to examine her injuries.
Those wounds could never be from a fall. However she lied, the story would collapse. Too flimsy!
Qin Guan's heart pounded – Xu Ruyi had never lied before. She didn't know how to fabricate or maintain deception. How could she treat this like some childish game? Idiot! He gritted his teeth helplessly as the junior officer began photographing her injuries – her terrible lies had clearly aroused suspicion.
"Later, at dusk, I walked Qingqing back to her hotel near Gift Market. Tianfu Hotel, I believe." Xu Ruyi continued expressionlessly.
Qin Guan swallowed hard. Tianfu Hotel kept guest records. Surveillance everywhere. One police call would expose this lie!
"I took her up to her fourth-floor room, then went to take the elevator down. If I'd taken it..." She sighed. "...none of this would've happened."
"The elevator arrived, but it was full of men reeking of alcohol and cigarettes." Her nose wrinkled slightly. "I've always been particular about smells. Couldn't stand it, so I didn't get in."
"I took the stairs instead. They're quite wide – I've used them before. But between the third and second floor landing..." Her voice dropped. "...I was walking while trying to call home. Lost my footing and fell forward."
"I remember hitting the wall. Everything went black. When I came to, my head was throbbing, nose burning with pain. Blood kept flowing – so much blood. I panicked, went out the back entrance to find a taxi home."
"At first it was manageable. But the nosebleed worsened in the car..." She shrugged helplessly. "...until it became what you saw."
"Then why didn't you call for help? Or contact your husband?" The detective's gaze remained piercing.
Xu Ruyi maintained composure, sighing with self-deprecation. "A grown woman falling down stairs like this? How could I face him with such shame?"