Chapter 114: The Three Must Come Together, No Exceptions 7

Zhou Bushan asked, “In your opinion, how should we unmask the murderer?”

Shi Xianyu pondered, “Since Du Xiaoling trapped everyone here, the culprit should be among them—perhaps even more than one. To get clearer answers, we need to separate them and question them individually.”

Zhou Bushan nodded, finding Shi Xianyu’s reasoning sound.

However, this place was fraught with danger. Questioning people in a confined space risked something happening without those outside noticing.

“How about over there?” Shi Xianyu pointed toward the long cashier counter in the cafeteria. “It’s visible and somewhat secluded. I can question them there, and you can call them over one by one. Does that work?”

“All right.” Zhou Bushan nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Though everyone was reluctant, they agreed since there was no better option.

Shi Xianyu settled behind the cashier counter, where scattered items lay: an old calculator, grimy ballpoint pens, a few worn campus booklets, and some unfinished flyers.

She picked up a flyer and glanced at it. It advertised a 20% discount at the cafeteria on the school anniversary, inviting students’ parents to dine there.

It seemed as if time had frozen on the day Du Xiaoling was murdered.

…But that didn’t quite fit. Upon entering, she hadn’t seen any decorations related to the anniversary. Apparently, only the cafeteria had been affected.

Lifting her gaze, she noticed that although everyone had agreed to be questioned separately, there was still considerable hesitation about who should go first. No one wanted to volunteer.

Shadows cast by the window deepened, making the dim cafeteria even gloomier.

A dozen or so students argued over the questioning order, oblivious to a shadow silently creeping through a narrow window gap, inching forward without a sound. Even Zhou Bushan failed to notice.

Silently, Shi Xianyu clenched a talisman in her palm.

Sitting farther from the window, uncertain of the shadow’s intent, she dared not act rashly and instead watched cautiously.

The shadow pressed along the wall, slowly advancing toward her…

She watched it approach, debating whether to fling the talisman, when the shadow stopped at the corner, motionless.

Shi Xianyu was speechless.

After a moment, the shadow remained still, blending seamlessly into the corner as a natural part of the darkness.

How strange…

Its movement was so slow, seemingly without aggression or presence. What could it want by slipping inside here?

Shi Xianyu suspected this was the strange shadow she had seen in the dead-end alley. Earlier, she had shoved a little boy’s head into that alley, unaware of the outcome. Could it be that shadow had come seeking revenge?

What should she do—strike first or wait and see?

At that moment, Zhou Bushan brought Xia Yu over and said, “She’ll be first.”

Shi Xianyu withdrew her gaze. Seeing Zhou Bushan so close to the shadow without detecting it, she decided not to spook it. She nodded calmly, “All right, it’ll only take a few minutes. I have about three or four questions.”

Xia Yu’s expression was flat, her tone even. “Since they think I’m the prime suspect, go ahead and question me first.”

The cafeteria was roughly rectangular. To ensure privacy, Zhou Bushan led the others to the opposite end, allowing both sides to see each other while speaking quietly enough to avoid being overheard.

Xia Yu’s voice was steady, unlowered. “I have a clear conscience. They’re welcome to listen.”

Shi Xianyu pulled out her phone, selected a song, and pressed play.

In an instant, cheerful music floated through the air.

Xia Yu blinked, looking at Shi Xianyu. “What are you doing?”

Shi Xianyu took out a notebook and pen, replying earnestly, “You don’t mind them hearing what you say, but I mind them hearing what I ask.”

Xia Yu frowned, glanced at the phone playing music, but said nothing, pursing her lips as she waited for the questions.

Shi Xianyu’s questions were simple, only four: Introduce yourself; what kind of person was Du Xiaoling; what was your relationship with Du Xiaoling; who do you think is the most suspicious.

Though Xia Yu volunteered first, she was uncooperative from the very first question.

“I have nothing much to introduce. A typical college student, not very social and with few friends. I only came to the reunion because I’m close to Bai Yuxi.”

Shi Xianyu diligently took notes and continued, “Then how would you describe Du Xiaoling?”

Without hesitation, Xia Yu answered, “Lively and cheerful, beautiful, helpful, very popular at school. Both boys and girls liked to befriend her.”

After a pause, she added, “Her grades were excellent. Whenever anyone had trouble with homework, they’d ask her. She patiently explained every time. Basically, no one disliked her at school. We got along well, though we had some disagreements—friends argue sometimes. I wouldn’t kill her over a few quarrels.”

Shi Xianyu nodded thoughtfully.

According to Xia Yu, Du Xiaoling was very popular, which largely ruled out the possibility of bullying.

“Who do you think is more suspicious here?” Shi Xianyu asked.

Xia Yu fell silent for a long moment.

The cheerful music continued playing.

Seeing Xia Yu remain quiet, Shi Xianyu tried another approach. “Or let me ask this differently. Among these people, who do you think is most likely to have killed Du Xiaoling?”

Xia Yu furrowed her brow irritably. “I really don’t know. If I have to answer, I’d say the culprit is someone else. We were all in the auditorium at the time. Everyone has an alibi—it’s impossible for any of us to have done it! …Except for Lu Min, but Lu Min didn’t even know Du Xiaoling then.”

“Who is Lu Min?” Shi Xianyu asked.

“Yuxi’s boyfriend,” Xia Yu replied. “They met only after the anniversary. Lu Min isn’t from Yaoming High School.”

Shi Xianyu instinctively looked up, gazing at the man standing beside Bai Yuxi in the distance.

Could it be a coincidence? Among everyone here, he seemed the only one unconnected to Yaoming High School.

Xia Yu frowned and asked, “Any more questions?”

“No, thank you.” Shi Xianyu smiled at her. “Please call the next person over.”

“Anyone?” Xia Yu inquired.

“Anyone. No one leaves until this is all resolved.”

Xia Yu smoothed the folds of her cheongsam and stood, feeling uneasy. Shi Xianyu didn’t seem like a Taoist priest, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what she was instead.