Chapter 109: A False Alarm

Du Peng said, "I contacted the investigation center in the region where he was on a business trip. They cooperated with us to retrieve surveillance footage, proving that Wang Feiyue was not in M City at the time of the incident."

Xiao Deng shook his head upon hearing the news, clearly frustrated.

Du Peng continued, "I also checked the surveillance near Xu Miaohan’s residence and found something new."

As he spoke, he played the footage from the community on that day.

Du Peng explained, "This is the neighborhood where the victim lived. There are no cameras in the hallways or stairwells, only at the elevator entrance. At 9:35 p.m., Xu Miaohan appeared at the elevator door, but her time of death was around 10 p.m."

At that moment, the video showed Xu Miaohan noticing the camera, panic flashing across her face as she quickly pressed the elevator button and exited.

Xiao Deng said, "Wait, rewind. Stop."

The video paused just as Xu Miaohan glanced toward the camera.

Xiao Deng remarked, "This is strange. She looks like she’s forgotten which floor she lives on. Or maybe she was disoriented?"

Du Peng suggested, "Or perhaps she saw something in the elevator she wasn’t supposed to."

They exchanged a glance, a sudden understanding dawning between them. Xiao Deng leaned back on the surveillance console, deep in thought.

Xiao Deng mused, "Could it be that she really did suffer from postpartum depression? Putting the timeline together with her husband’s testimony and the time of her death, it seems that Xu Miaohan, struggling with postpartum depression, entered the elevator and experienced hallucinations or auditory delusions. Terrified, she returned home, her condition worsening. This might end as a suicide case."

Hao Yingjun trembled slightly, holding the photo and unable to regain his composure. Nearby, the crisp sound of someone biting into something echoed. Hao Yingjun turned to see Xiao Si.

Hao Yingjun said, "You really love mooncakes, huh? We don’t usually celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, but if you love them that much, I’ll get you better ones next year."

The man in black retorted, "Mid-Autumn is a time for family reunion. You’re a demon. Of course, you don’t celebrate."

Hao Yingjun calmly replied, "Why are you here? I told you I’m wearing a monitoring bracelet. There’s no need to get in touch unless necessary. If they find out, it won’t just be me in trouble—you’ll be doomed too."

The man in black slowly emerged from the shadows, standing still.

He said, "I don’t even bother with your little tricks. Looks like you’ve been living well lately, getting cozy with the beautiful boss and forgetting about the real work."

Hao Yingjun snapped, "Cut the sarcasm. I know what I need to do. If you have nothing else, leave. If they catch us, we’re all finished."

Before the words left his mouth, the door was pushed open from outside. Hao Yingjun quickly looked over. At that moment, Wang Zixuan entered, carrying a large pile of things. Hao Yingjun glanced toward where the man in black had stood—he was gone. He let out a breath of relief, thinking he had almost been discovered.

Wang Zixuan said, "So this is the party you were talking about."

Hao Yingjun replied, "Big sis, what are you doing here?"

Wang Zixuan said, "Didn’t you make plans? And this is the party? Eating five-nut mooncakes alone with a dog at home?"

Hao Yingjun swallowed hard. "Others invited me warmly, but I declined perfectly. It is a holiday after all. I... I couldn’t just go out alone and leave Xiao Si by himself at home, right?"

Wang Zixuan smiled meaningfully. "Alright then. I bought a bunch of food. Let’s eat together."