Chapter 53: The Male Lead is Dead

Ding—the fourth floor has arrived.

The elevator doors slowly slid open to both sides. Jiang Yuan followed Meng Xiaokai out of the car and stopped in front of door 403.

Gazing at the familiar door number before her, Jiang Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly as a thought flashed through her mind.

"Boss, Miss Jiang is here," Meng Xiaokai called out toward the living room.

Jiang Yuan saw the hostess from that day sitting on the sofa, her face buried in her palms, her shoulders trembling slightly as she sobbed.

Si Heng sat on a stool opposite her. He lifted his eyelids to look at Jiang Yuan and gave a slight nod. "Miss Jiang, Xiaokai will brief you on the case first."

"Alright," Jiang Yuan responded softly.

Meng Xiaokai walked to her side and whispered, "Miss Jiang, a body was discovered by citizens at Fengluan Mountain. After verification, the deceased is identified as Liao Xingyuan, thirty-eight years old, the male master of this household."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan's gaze dimmed slightly as she thought of Jinjin, who had been waiting for the master to return.

It wouldn't be waiting any longer.

Meng Xiaokai continued, "According to the forensic identification, the cause of death was a fall from a cliff."

Most people hearing this might assume Liao Xingyuan had accidentally slipped while climbing or had taken his own life.

However, Si Heng had sensed something suspicious from the timing of Liao Xingyuan's death and the flower delivery receipt found in his pocket.

The police had visited the flower shop where Liao Xingyuan had placed the order. From the staff, they learned that when he ordered the flowers, he mentioned he would pick them up the next day to visit his mother at the nursing home.

How could someone who had planned to visit his mother the next day commit suicide?

They had first ruled out the possibility of suicide.

As for an accidental slip—

Liao Xingyuan was wearing professional mountaineering gear, and his social media posts showed he was an avid climbing enthusiast.

Generally speaking, the probability of an experienced climber slipping is quite low.

After listening to Meng Xiaokai, Jiang Yuan's gaze fell upon the hostess again, her expression suddenly deepening.

At that moment, Mrs. Liao, who had been sobbing quietly, choked out, "My husband was a very good person. I have never seen him clash with anyone. I truly cannot remember him ever offending anyone."

Jiang Yuan couldn't help but think of what Jinjin had said on the way home that day.

She took a few steps forward and said softly, "But Mrs. Liao, as far as I know, your husband's temperament wasn't very good."

Hearing this, Mrs. Liao looked up with teary eyes. "Who are you? How do you know my husband?"

Looking at her confused expression, Jiang Yuan explained, "I came here with Jinjin the day before New Year's Eve. Have you forgotten, Mrs. Liao?"

Mrs. Liao frowned in thought, her expression shifting slightly, a flash of unease darting through her eyes.

Meng Xiaokai said in confusion, "Miss Jiang, is there a mistake? Liao Xingyuan had already met with his accident the day before New Year's Eve."

"Is that so?" Jiang Yuan frowned, appearing puzzled. "Then, Mrs. Liao, who was the man impersonating your husband that day?"

Upon hearing these words, Si Heng eyed Mrs. Liao, his deep gaze filled with intense scrutiny.

"There was no impersonation!" Mrs. Liao's eyes flickered. She lowered her gaze and said in a low voice, "That was my cousin. He doesn't know you, so I thought there was no need to explain."

"I see," Jiang Yuan said, putting on an expression of sudden realization. "Does your cousin live with you?"

Mrs. Liao hurriedly replied, "No! He just comes over to visit sometimes!"

Jiang Yuan: "But I saw him wearing pajamas that day."

Mrs. Liao clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging into her flesh. "He... his clothes got dirty that day, so I just found a set of clothes for him to change into while the others were being washed."

"Is that so?" Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, her lips curling into a half-smile.

Even if she hadn't heard from Jinjin that Mrs. Liao was involved with her cousin, she wouldn't have believed this explanation.

Normally, if a male guest soiled his clothes—even a cousin—one would change into a set of outdoor clothes to wash the originals. Changing into pajamas was far too strange.

Si Heng said in a heavy voice, "Mrs. Liao, please provide us with your cousin's contact information."

Mrs. Liao looked at Si Heng and nodded calmly. "Fine."

Jiang Yuan scanned the room and noticed a fish tank placed between the sofa and the floor-to-ceiling balcony window, where several small goldfish were swimming around some coral.

Sensing Jiang Yuan's gaze, Si Heng stood up and walked to her side. "Are you looking at the fish?"

She looked up into the man's dark eyes. "Mhm."

"Do you have a way?"

Jiang Yuan nodded slightly. "I'll try."

Mrs. Liao watched as she walked to the fish tank and lightly tapped the glass with her knuckles.

Seeing this, Si Heng spoke coldly, "Mrs. Liao, you just said you assumed Mr. Liao was at the nursing home with his mother for the New Year, so you didn't look for him, is that correct?"

Mrs. Liao's attention was diverted. "Yes, he has done that in previous years..."

"Hello, little fishies." Jiang Yuan leaned down slightly, greeting the goldfish through the glass.

The three little goldfish were attracted by her gentle voice, wagging their tails as they swam to the front of the glass, blowing bubbles to communicate.

"Big Sister, Second Sister, this human is so pretty."

"It seems like she's talking to us."

"It's so lively at home today. Why are there so many humans here?"

Hearing them, Jiang Yuan whispered, "Because the master of the house is dead. The human police found out and came to investigate."

The three goldfish sisters weren't surprised at all.

The eldest goldfish bubbled, "We knew the master was dead long ago. Humans are so stupid, taking this long to find out."

"So that's what it is. Not fun at all," the second sister said before turning around to swim away.

A look of astonishment flashed in Jiang Yuan's eyes. "You knew all along?"

The youngest goldfish stared at Jiang Yuan with her bulging eyes, curious. "Human, you are so pretty! You can actually understand us! Can you give me a blowing kiss?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "I can, but can you answer a few questions for me first?"

The little goldfish shrewdly bargained, "One question for one blowing kiss."

"Deal," Jiang Yuan agreed readily.

Seeing her playing with the goldfish in front of the tank, Mrs. Liao felt a slight sense of relief in her heart.

She had been a bit frightened when this woman first started questioning her, but now it seemed there was nothing to worry about.

After finishing her chat with the little goldfish and fulfilling her promise by blowing a few kisses, Jiang Yuan returned to Si Heng's side.

The man looked at her sideways and asked softly, "Any findings?"

"Yes." Jiang Yuan nodded. She glanced at Mrs. Liao, her voice dropping several degrees in temperature. "I suggest we take her back to the station."

Understanding her meaning, Si Heng said calmly, "Mrs. Liao, please come with us."

Hearing that she had to go to the police station, Mrs. Liao's heart skipped a beat. She felt a surge of panic but forced herself to remain composed. "I have already said everything I need to say. If you want to know anything else, ask it here. I won't be going to the station; after what happened, I really am in no mood to go out."

Si Heng eyed her with a solemn expression, his deep voice carrying an air of command that brooked no argument. "Mrs. Liao, please cooperate with the police investigation."