Chapter 6: The Awakening Driver

Looking at it now, Liu Dong possessed both a motive for the crime and the possibility of carrying it out. Yet, from a rational perspective, he lacked the ability to commit such a crime.

A middle school student from a modest family would hardly have spare funds to purchase the materials needed to make a homemade bomb. Moreover, after interviewing those around him, it was revealed that Liu Dong led a very frugal life—aside from basic expenses for school and daily needs, he almost never asked his grandmother for anything extra. His purchasing power was questionable.

Even if he had searched online for instructions on making a bomb, a middle schooler would find it difficult to construct a device with a timer. Furthermore, carrying such a large package onto a bus would almost certainly arouse suspicion.

At this moment, another phenomenon drew the police’s attention: the husband of the only female victim.

This victim, originally named Jia Chunfang, known online as Xiaofang, was a minor internet celebrity. Through visits and inquiries, the police learned that she had long been addicted to the internet and neglected her family. Rumors had it that she was overly involved with several of her fans, leading her husband to seek a divorce.

The relationship had deteriorated to the point of divorce, so their feelings must have been irreconcilable. Yet her husband’s reaction to Jia Chunfang’s death was excessively intense.

He appeared deeply saddened as soon as the incident occurred, insisting that the police solve the case quickly. Recently, he even caused several disturbances at the police station, complaining about the slow progress. He frequently checked on the investigation’s status and, if the officers did not cooperate to his satisfaction, he would adopt the attitude of a victim and speak rudely.

It was precisely this abnormal behavior that aroused police suspicion, prompting them to re-examine the details of the female victim.

It turned out that, while rumors were somewhat exaggerated, they were not baseless. Xiaofang was locally well-known; blessed with some beauty, she often sang and performed in her livestreams, encouraging viewers to tip and send virtual gifts. Though neither exceptionally beautiful nor professionally talented, her mature charm attracted many male fans.

One fan in particular, always topping the gift leaderboard, frequently showered her with tips and gifts, sometimes as much as five thousand in a single gesture. This made Xiaofang very happy, and she often interacted closely with this fan online—their relationship was extremely intimate.

Of course, with such generous spending, the top fan would not be satisfied with online interaction alone. As his gifts increased, Xiaofang eventually agreed to meet him in person.

Their frequent encounters, coupled with Xiaofang’s rising income from the platform, led her husband to suspect something was amiss. He confronted her several times, sometimes violently.

Over time, even the top fan lost interest, and another man appeared. Although not as persistent, he was young and handsome, and even a few gifts from him were enough to spark conflict between Xiaofang and her original admirer.

With the relationship between Xiaofang and the top fan cooling, her husband’s emotions stabilized somewhat. Yet Xiaofang, ever restless, was eventually discovered by her husband to be involved with this new man. It was said that this ill-fated bus journey was undertaken to meet him in secret.

Her husband now had a motive for murder.

Just as the case reached its most critical point, the sole survivor of the explosion—the bus driver—regained consciousness.

The latest clues from him indicated that all previous suspicions were misguided.

He recalled that there was indeed a large black bag on the bus, but it was something he was delivering for a client. That day, someone had begged him to carry a package to a friend. He was reluctant, but the person’s persistent pleading, along with the fact that it was only two stops, persuaded him to agree. Who could have guessed that such a small favor would spark a major criminal case and cost five lives?

With the driver's cooperation, the police quickly sketched the suspect’s portrait. The most distinctive feature: the suspect had a noticeable limp. This was nothing like the physical characteristics of Jia Chunfang’s husband, and the differences were significant.

Thus, both Liu Dong and Jia Chunfang’s husband were eliminated as suspects.

“I knew it couldn’t be Liu Dong. Otherwise, why would he look so aggrieved?” Xia Wuyou said joyfully upon hearing the news.

Though the real killer had yet to be caught, clearing the child of suspicion was already good news.

Perhaps Liu Dong had once entertained thoughts of revenge against society, but he likely never managed to overcome his own hesitation. Even if he had taken steps, he could not carry them out in the end.

Yet, who could have imagined that this cold world would not spare him from a tragic fate? Maybe some people are destined to suffer from the moment they enter this world.

Just like herself.

Xia Wuyou suddenly thought of her own experiences and instinctively wrapped her arms around herself.

Since her parents passed away, she had developed the habit of hugging herself whenever she faced difficulties or felt lonely and helpless. Crossing her arms over her chest, she felt as if the people who loved her were still there—that she was not fighting alone.

Su Tianmu noticed her gesture and sensed her emotional shift. An inexplicable warmth surged in his heart, and he felt an urge to hold her.

What was happening to him?

Su Tianmu gently shook his head, trying to dispel the unsettling thoughts from his mind.

He reminded himself to focus on the case, to solve it as soon as possible, and to bring peace to that unfortunate child. In just a second, Su Tianmu restored his composure.

“Xiao Wang, show the suspect’s portrait to the victims’ families for identification. See if it’s anyone they know.”

“Understood, Captain Su!”

“How is the child in your family now? Is he feeling more stable?”

“He’s better. Because of the previous suspicion, I haven’t really wanted to talk to him lately. Now things are different—I can go home and tell him the case is about to be solved!”

“Yes, we have the suspect’s portrait, and there’s an eyewitness. I believe we’ll catch the killer soon!” Su Tianmu replied with equal joy.