Chapter 32

One week later, Jiangdong Branch.

The interrogation of Liu Baoshan proceeded extremely smoothly. The human body fragments discovered in the Haiqing Cold Storage were confirmed to be the remains of Ren Jiahe, the suspect in the June 21 contract killing and the June 23 charred corpse case. After being apprehended, Tan Haiqing continuously mumbled “Men… behind,” alternating between sudden weeping and laughter, or sitting motionless in a daze.

A physical examination revealed signs of torn and healed sphincter muscles—clearly, he was either homosexual or, as Liu Baoshan claimed, raped by him. Whether Tan Haiqing suffered from mental illness still required medical evaluation.

Liu Baoshan confessed in detail how he came to Zizhen City, how he conspired with Ren Jiahe to kidnap Jiang Yuanqi, how he planned to flee to Puman after receiving the money, how his psyche changed after being raped in prison as a child, how he met Tan Haiqing upon arriving in Zizhen, how he coerced and tormented him until his mind broke.

Gu Changzheng reviewed Liu Baoshan’s confession repeatedly; the logic appeared flawless. As for Ren Jiahe being his accomplice, a plausible explanation was provided: after Ren Jiahe’s attempt to hire a killer to murder his wife for insurance fraud failed, he was hunted down by the assassin demanding payment. He had no money left—he’d already spent 500,000 yuan without receiving any insurance payout, and was already furious. The assassin, pressing for the final payment, even threatened to expose him. After their negotiation at an abandoned sand quarry on Shadao broke down, Ren Jiahe suddenly attacked the assassin while he was unguarded, then burned the body.

At that time, Liu Baoshan had already controlled Tan Haiqing, threatening to ruin his reputation unless he provided escape vessels and a small truck. Together with Ren Jiahe, they murdered and kidnapped Jiang Yuanqi on July 5 during the Hongde Building anniversary celebration.

Zhang Hongyu’s death was purely accidental. Liu Baoshan had originally planned to kill a lone police officer and seize his gun—but fate intervened: the apartment he rented in Fenglin Garden happened to belong to Zhang Hongyu. That day, Zhang came to collect overdue water and electricity fees. Liu didn’t know his identity until, as Zhang turned to leave, he noticed a bulge beneath Zhang’s shirt—a gun. In that instant, he decided to act. After killing Zhang Hongyu, to create chaos and divert police attention—and fueled by his deep-seated hatred of police—he deliberately scrawled on the wall: “Kill corrupt cops, rid the people of evil.”

After successfully securing the large sum and transferring it to the Haiqing Cold Storage, Liu Baoshan and Ren Jiahe quarreled over the division of loot. In a fit of rage, Liu accidentally killed Ren Jiahe and then raped Tan Haiqing again. After falling asleep, he didn’t realize that Tan Haiqing, terrified of him, had mutilated Ren Jiahe’s corpse in the cold storage.

“Flawless,” Gu Changzheng murmured.

Indeed, from Liu Baoshan’s confession, Ren Jiahe was a hypocrite without scruples: hired a killer to murder his wife, then eliminated witnesses; colluded with a brute to commit murder and kidnapping—truly, utterly depraved, with no moral bottom.

Gu Changzheng felt something was off about the confession—seemingly flawless and logically airtight—but every piece of evidence corroborated Liu Baoshan’s statements.

The evidence now before them was sufficient to prove that Ren Jiahe hired a killer to murder his wife for insurance fraud, eliminated witnesses, and conspired with Liu Baoshan to kidnap Jiang Yuanqi, playing the dominant role in the kidnapping.

“Hmph!” Gu Changzheng stood up, rubbing his lower back as was his habit to ease the muscle pain.

“Luo Fei!”

“Captain Gu!” Luo Fei appeared at the office door.

“Take Liu Baoshan to the interrogation room.”

Luo Fei replied “Yes,” thinking: Liu Baoshan’s confession was probably already in the Ministry of Public Security by now, and would be handed over to the prosecutor’s office tomorrow. His case had overwhelming evidence, was heinous, and had caused massive public uproar—it had already drawn the Ministry’s attention and was one of this year’s top-priority cases. Why was Captain Gu still interrogating him?

Still, he faithfully carried out Gu Changzheng’s order.

In the interrogation room, Luo Fei and Gu Changzheng sat side by side. Opposite them, Liu Baoshan, shackled, squinted silently.

“Liu Baoshan, how’s it feel? Got it all off your chest? Sleeping better now?” Gu Changzheng asked with a mocking tone.

Liu Baoshan hadn’t expected Gu Changzheng to bring him out just to spout nonsense. He looked slightly surprised, then replied lazily: “Hah! I’m a dead man already. What’s there to lose sleep over? I sleep like a log.”

“Hmph! You’ve got attachments, don’t you? Don’t you want to know the outcome?” Gu Changzheng said calmly, leaning back without looking at Liu Baoshan.

Liu Baoshan saw nothing unusual. He kept his eyelids lowered, seemingly uninterested.

“Xiao Luo, turn off the surveillance. I want to talk to Liu Baoshan alone.”

Luo Fei stared at Gu Changzheng in shock. This violated protocol—why would Captain Gu do this?

Seeing Luo Fei’s expression, Gu Changzheng said calmly: “Do it. Follow orders. If there’s trouble, I’ll take responsibility.”

At that moment, Liu Baoshan lifted his eyelids slightly, glancing at Gu Changzheng, wondering what he intended.

Gu Changzheng smiled: “Don’t worry. Your case is already airtight. Absolutely ironclad. I just want to chat with you alone. What? Afraid to talk?”

Liu Baoshan, having spent half his life in prison, knew judicial procedures well. He knew he’d be handed over to the prosecutor soon. Given the gravity of his crimes, the process would move quickly—he’d already prepared to die before winter. After all, he’d murdered and kidnapped in broad daylight, and killed an active-duty police officer.

So at this point, he didn’t care anymore. The only thing he couldn’t let go of was that one person.

Now that Gu Changzheng had turned off the surveillance and wanted to talk alone, Liu Baoshan decided to talk too. This might be his last chance to open his heart before death.

Luo Fei was about to sit down after turning off the equipment when Gu Changzheng said: “Xiao Luo, go outside. Stand guard. Don’t let anyone disturb me until I come out.”

Luo Fei opened his mouth to speak, but Gu Changzheng pressed his shoulder, shoving him toward the door and whispering something in an extremely low voice. Before Luo Fei could react, he was already pushed outside.

After closing the door, Gu Changzheng returned to his seat. He didn’t speak immediately. From his pocket, he pulled out a pack of Lao Baitiao, lit one, took a drag, then turned the cigarette around and offered the filter end to Liu Baoshan: “Have one. Don’t tell me you don’t smoke. Lao Baitiao—your partner couldn’t stand this brand.”

Liu Baoshan clearly understood who he meant. He said nothing, but his lips clamped onto the cigarette tip, inhaling deeply, exhaling a long plume of smoke, then murmuring contentedly: “Ah, that’s nice. Captain Gu, what’s on your mind? Go ahead.”