Chapter 8: Rivalry Amidst the Sea of Love

After thorough investigation, it was discovered that the “Top Donor” was hiding at a relative’s house on the outskirts of the city. The police quickly apprehended him and brought him back for questioning.

Inside the interrogation room, the “Top Donor” looked visibly panicked.

“What’s your name, and why did you run?” Officer Wang questioned him sternly.

The middle-aged man before them appeared exhausted, likely from his prolonged time in hiding. His face was covered in stubble, and his hair was tangled and unkempt, a testament to his extended isolation.

He wasn’t particularly clever; if he wanted to escape, he should have gone farther. After all that running, he hadn’t even left the city.

“Officer, I didn’t run. I just visited relatives. My cousin is building a house and asked me to help for a few days,” the “Top Donor” tried to resist.

“Be honest! What’s your name?” Officer Wang demanded again.

“My name is Wang Changli. I’m a construction worker. The site is shut down right now, so I went out of town to help my relatives. That’s the truth, officer. Did I commit a crime?”

Though he seemed uneasy, he still wore an innocent expression.

“Do you know Jia Chunfang?” Wang cut to the chase.

The man hesitated, a fleeting look of unease crossing his face. To hide it, he instinctively smoothed his messy hair and coughed before replying.

“No, who’s that?”

Seeing he wouldn’t confess, Wang grew impatient, about to explode when Su Tianmu stopped him.

“I heard you’re often online. Do you know Xiaofang?” Su Tianmu asked patiently.

Wang Changli’s face flushed slightly; realizing he couldn’t avoid it, he admitted, “Oh, you mean Xiaofang? I know her, but only online. I just enjoy her livestreams. What happened to her?”

Despite his efforts to mask his discomfort, it was clear he was lying.

“Are you still not going to confess? Because Jia Chunfang found someone new and neglected you, you planned the bus bombing and killed her, didn’t you?” Su Tianmu’s voice was calm but his words cut like a knife, chilling the air.

Wang Changli’s expression changed dramatically. He cried out, emotionally distraught, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it! Please believe me!”

He broke down in tears, mumbling about how much he loved her and how he couldn’t bear to harm her.

Seeing his defenses crumble, Su Tianmu pressed further, “If it wasn’t you, why did you plant the bomb on the bus? Where did you get the bomb? Tell the truth!”

The thought that he had killed five people made their teeth grind with anger.

Yet, no matter how they pressed him, he wouldn’t admit to being the perpetrator, only conceding that he had had an illicit relationship with Jia Chunfang.

“Then why did you run? If you didn’t kill anyone, why go into hiding?”

“When I saw the news about the explosion, I was completely stunned! I don’t know why, but it didn’t feel like a simple accident,” Wang Changli tried to steady himself before continuing. “Then I saw the suspect photos you released, and it terrified me! I didn’t know why you were after me, but since I had a secret with Jia Chunfang, I ran.”

He didn’t seem to be lying.

But how could they explain the bus driver’s testimony? The driver couldn’t have imagined the “Top Donor’s” appearance out of thin air.

The case seemed to have reached a dead end.

“Captain Su, we can’t just accept Wang Changli’s story and drop our suspicions. I think he’s definitely lying,” Wang said with frustration after leaving the interrogation room.

“Right, when we interviewed Xiaofang’s fans, didn’t they mention a new ‘Top Donor’?” Su Tianmu suddenly recalled a detail—a fan had described a time in Xiaofang’s livestream when the old and new “Top Donors” were fighting for her attention, even resorting to foul language.

“Go find this new ‘Top Donor’ and see what you can learn.”

“Understood, I’ll go right away!”

Wang was always efficient, which was what Su Tianmu liked best about him.

After days spent chasing Wang Changli, Su Tianmu hadn’t had a chance to update his unofficial partner on the latest progress. Now that the suspect was in custody, he could finally breathe a bit easier.

Back in the office, he picked up the phone and dialed Xia Wuyou.

He wasn’t sure if he simply wanted to update her on the case or if he just wanted to hear her voice.

“Hello?” Xia Wuyou answered quickly when she saw Su Tianmu’s number.

“Did you catch the killer? Was it really the ‘Top Donor’?” She was desperate to know the truth. Lately, the “child” at her home had become unstable.

The investigation had taken so long that the lingering resentment of the wrongful spirit hadn’t been released. The prolonged stay in the world could have terrifying consequences—not only would the soul fail to move on, but a dreadful grudge would form, strong enough to harm the living.

Now, the young spirit’s injustice remained unaddressed, and his hatred for the world had only grown.

He knew Xia Wuyou was a good person and was helping him, but sometimes he couldn’t control his own hostility, almost hurting her several times.

If it hadn’t been for Tang Dou’er’s protection, Xia Wuyou might already have been haunted by a vengeful ghost.

“We’ve apprehended the suspect. He hasn’t confessed yet, but it won’t be long. I’ll see justice done soon,” Su Tianmu reassured her, sensing her anxiety.

“How are you lately? Are you alright? You seem like something’s bothering you,” he couldn’t help but ask, his concern clear.

“I’m fine,” Xia Wuyou replied helplessly, glancing at the “boy” beside her, who was baring his teeth.