You Mingxu inwardly cursed at this development. Xu Mengshan and the others had also rushed out—none of them had expected Su Ziyi to suddenly bolt for the door. Since she’d just been brought in and suspicions weren’t confirmed, they hadn’t handcuffed her.

Just then, Su Ziyi’s father cried out: “What’s happening? Haven’t you been working for Yin Feng all these years? Didn’t he promise to take good care of you? Where is he? Are you being implicated because of him?”

You Mingxu was ready to curse. She exchanged glances with Xu Mengshan, and they moved forward to flank Su Ziyi, trying to pull her back inside. But now more and more people were gathering at the station to watch. Su Ziyi, seemingly extremely agitated, clung to the balcony crying, refusing to budge. She cried out: “Dad, Mom… go home! I don’t regret it, I don’t regret following him…”

If they weren’t in the police station, You Mingxu would have kicked her. Using full force, she yanked Su Ziyi back into the room without discussion. Su Ziyi yelped but couldn’t resist.

Xu Mengshan exchanged looks with his colleagues, and they followed inside, closing the door firmly.

You Mingxu gripped Su Ziyi’s arm tightly. Though in pain, Su Ziyi bit her lip and remained tearfully silent. You Mingxu whispered coldly in her ear: “Deceiving and using even your parents for him—are you even human anymore?”

Su Ziyi’s voice was so low only You Mingxu could hear: “For him, I’m willing to do anything.”

You Mingxu released her grip, throwing her back into the chair.

—

What followed developed naturally.

With Li Mingdi’s accusations and the fingerprint and DNA evidence from the scene, Su Ziyi initially maintained her silence, refusing to cooperate. But after her parents’ arrival and repeated questioning by the police, her psychological defenses crumbled, and she “confessed” everything.

Her family had been neighbors and close friends with the Yin family, and she had been close to both brothers since childhood. Several years after Yin Chen’s death, she came to Xiangcheng to stay by Yin Feng’s side. She was his most trusted person and his woman.

Initially, Yin Feng published two successful books that brought him fame. But this was followed by emotional instability and overwhelming psychological pressure. He couldn’t write anymore, and his personality became gloomy.

By chance, Yin Feng met Li Mingdi. They were of similar age, and Li Mingdi also loved writing, possessing many brilliant ideas and perspectives. But at this time, Yin Feng was struggling with both psychological issues and creative drought.

When discussing this point, Su Ziyi’s expression turned ashen: “I urged him to give up, saying it didn’t matter if we had less money. How could someone born with a psychological disorder continue being an author? But he wouldn’t listen.”

As time passed, circumstances shifted, and finally, Yin Feng secretly kidnapped Li Mingdi, imprisoning him in a sunless basement, forcing him to write as his ghostwriter. While he gained fame and fortune, he sank into the abyss of crime. Su Ziyi, as the woman who had stayed by his side the longest, could no longer turn back…

Even Xu Mengshan was stunned after hearing this because Su Ziyi’s testimony was logically complete, well-reasoned, and rich in details, all corresponding perfectly with the fingerprint evidence they’d found in the basement.

Xu Mengshan hadn’t even told You Mingxu that the forensics team had also found both Yin Feng’s and Li Mingdi’s fingerprints on that pile of supposed “manuscripts.” Though Xu Mengshan certainly believed it was all fabricated, it still complicated matters significantly.

Xu Mengshan coldly sneered at Su Ziyi: “You keep saying you’re Yin Feng’s person and that he often went to the basement with you. But for over a year, he’s never mentioned you or looked for you—everyone close to him knows this. How do you explain that?”

Su Ziyi paused, but showed no panic, saying: “Because he forgot. After returning from Tibet, he forgot everything and stopped acknowledging me. With Li Mingdi still in my custody, I didn’t dare tell anyone, I could only continue guarding him for Yin Feng, keeping him hidden from the police.”

Xu Mengshan was stunned, inwardly cursing: Damn, she’s made it sound so convincing.

Then another incident occurred.

Since Li Mingdi had been found, they needed to verify his identity and notify his family. His family arrived—his father was a famous entrepreneur in the province. The family reunion was tearful. Seeing his son’s tortured state, Li’s father was devastated. Indeed, as Li Mingdi had said, he had been missing for five years. After collecting himself, Li’s father swore to pursue justice. He immediately sent for the province’s most famous lawyer, declaring he would make sure Yin Feng rotted in prison.

Combined with the scene Su Ziyi had made with her parents, while those in the station who knew Yin Feng well remained steady, others began to gossip. With such compelling evidence in the kidnapping case, they couldn’t help but doubt the author Yin Feng.

You Mingxu observed coldly from the sidelines. Watching Li Mingdi, still trembling after his long isolation, staying close to his parents, then being driven to the hospital for examination and treatment, she thought of Xing Yanjun.

This wasn’t surprising. If the Punishers could brainwash someone like Xing Yanjun, they could do it again. She even wondered if Li Mingdi had fallen into Yin Chen’s hands precisely because his temperament was so similar to Yin Feng’s—perfect for both torture and serving as a substitute when needed. Even if Li Mingdi had been normal originally, after five years in darkness, Yin Chen could probably have molded him however he wanted, and made him believe whatever he wanted.

But now, Yin Feng’s reputation was tarnished, he faced criminal suspicion, and with Su Ziyi’s powerful testimony as an accomplice, the situation had escalated far beyond what she had anticipated. One misstep could leave Yin Feng with charges impossible to clear.

You Mingxu thought for a moment, then went to find Ding Xiongwei.

Ding Xiongwei already knew everything that had happened. He asked You Mingxu to sit down, poured himself some tea, and said: “Given the situation, turn in your gun and badge, and go home for now.”

You Mingxu looked up: “You don’t suspect Yin Feng too, do you?”

Ding Xiongwei said coldly: “Am I stupid? This obvious targeting just as we’re dealing with the Punishers—you think I can’t see through it? But the situation is complicated now, and by regulation, you need to recuse yourself. It’s better this way, to avoid more trouble.”

You Mingxu felt very uncomfortable and unwilling, but she knew Ding Xiongwei was right, so she handed over her things.

She said: “Old Ding, this is when we see what you’re made of. Didn’t you claim to be the most badass detective of the older generation? Don’t let others lead you around. If you can’t clear his name, find someone more capable who can.”

Ding Xiongwei nearly threw his teacup at her, cursing: “You think I need you to teach me? Get out of here, go home, and keep an eye on Yin Feng, don’t let anyone find more leverage against him. Do you think I’m too old to be useful? Sure, Su Ziyi’s accusations are specific and sound powerful, but she was also Yin Chen’s girlfriend once, so she’s suspicious too. Yin Chen is still our most wanted fugitive—you think I won’t use that to counter-attack and invalidate her testimony? And about the kidnapping from back then, that’s just talk—where exactly was Li Mingdi kidnapped? Is there surveillance footage? What was Yin Feng’s movement pattern that day? Did he use a car? Does he have an alibi? I just need to find one hole, and the kidnapping charge falls apart. I was solving major cases when you were still drinking milk! Go home and wait!”

Only then did You Mingxu feel relieved, her mood lightening considerably. She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her pocket as a gesture of respect for Ding Xiongwei, and then headed home.