Chapter 21: Unbelieved

Hao Yang sat in the back seat of the police car, her head bowed low.

The two police officers before her didn’t trust her. No matter how she explained, they simply wouldn’t believe her.

How could a murder scene that had been perfectly preserved yesterday now contain the corpse of a dog? Moreover, the entire room had clearly been meticulously cleaned, erasing all evidence of the homeless man’s presence.

Could it be that the murderers had returned during the night to clean up the crime scene, even killing a dog and leaving it there to obscure the truth?

Could those two culprits truly be allowed to escape justice? They were murderers, after all.

The mere thought of them still lurking in this county town sent shivers down her spine. The knowledge that one of them might even have taken an interest in her made goosebumps prickle her skin.

It was utterly terrifying. A heinous murderer was roaming freely nearby, and if ordinary citizens knew, it would undoubtedly cause widespread panic.

The crucial point was that she had approached the police, yet they refused to believe her. No matter how she tried to explain, their disbelief remained unshaken.

This filled her with immense unease.

A strange silence enveloped the car; no one uttered a single word until they arrived at the police station entrance.

The two police officers exited the vehicle, with Hao Yang trailing dutifully behind them.

“Tang Xiao, come with me to the office. I have a few questions for you,” Wang Jian said.

“Okay,” Hao Yang replied, following Wang Jian into the office.

Hao Yang stepped into the office, taking a quick glance around. Several other police officers were busily working.

Desks were laden with multiple computers and thick stacks of files. Beside the computers, a few charming trinkets added a touch of personality.

Near the wall, a water dispenser and potted plants completed the scene.

Several pennants hung on the walls, likely commending individuals for their various acts of assistance. The room was brightly lit, and the air conditioner by the wall hummed, producing warm air.

Consequently, the office felt considerably warmer than the main hall outside.

“Come, have a seat,” Wang Jian said, gesturing towards a nearby sofa.

Hao Yang obediently sat down.

“Do you have anything else you want to say? If not, I’ll start asking questions,” Wang Jian stated.

“About the murder, I truly wasn’t lying to you. It’s real,” Hao Yang insisted.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore,” Wang Jian said gently, his tone placating. “Police Uncle knows about it, and Police Uncle will handle it and catch the bad guys.”

“Little Wang, what murder? I don’t understand what you two are talking about,” an officer working nearby interjected, having overheard their conversation.

“It’s nothing, just a child’s imagination. Don’t take it seriously,” Wang Jian replied, turning his head.

“Oh, I see.” Having received his answer, the officer promptly returned to his work.

Hao Yang listened to their exchange. This time, she remained silent, choosing not to speak further. She knew that no matter how she tried to explain, they wouldn’t believe her.

“Little Tang Xiao, don’t say anything more. Let me ask you some questions instead. Remember to answer truthfully, that’s how we can help you,” Wang Jian said earnestly.

“Okay.”

“If you don’t have parents at home, you must have grandparents, or other relatives, right?” Wang Jian asked, simultaneously taking notes.

“Grandpa. I have a grandpa,” Hao Yang said, trying her best to push away the tragic memories.

“That’s wonderful! You know your grandpa’s phone number, don’t you? Tell me his number, and I’ll help you contact him,” Wang Jian said, sounding quite pleased.

“My grandpa doesn’t have a phone,” Hao Yang stated slowly.

“Your grandpa doesn’t have a phone? Well, that makes things a bit difficult,” Wang Jian remarked, a headache beginning to form. He found it perplexing that someone in this day and age wouldn’t have a phone.

“Then do you know where your home is? Uncle will take you to find it,” Wang Jian pressed on.

“I don’t have a home,” Hao Yang murmured, her head still lowered.

“Can you tell me where you usually live, then? Or where your grandpa lives? I’ll take you to him,” Wang Jian rephrased his question.

“I don’t know where I’m supposed to live, and I don’t know where my grandpa is right now,” Hao Yang continued, her voice soft and her head still bowed.

As she thought of Tang Shan, a wave of sadness slowly surged through her. Hao Yang’s small hands clenched tightly on her thighs, a desperate attempt to suppress her emotions.

Wang Jian was utterly speechless upon hearing this, and he couldn’t help but speak up.

“How can you know nothing?” he asked, his tone tinged with exasperation. “I ask you anything, and you don’t know! You’re completely clueless about your own family matters. I can’t tell if you’re deliberately making things difficult for me or just playing games. Police Uncle’s time is valuable too, you know. Could you please try to cooperate a little?”

“But… but I… I really… really don’t know anything!” The emotions she had been trying to suppress welled up once more.

Coupled with the external pressure, Hao Yang truly broke down, sobbing like a little girl. She tried to control her tears, but they relentlessly streamed down her face, punctuated by soft, involuntary sniffles.

‘How pathetic,’ Hao Yang berated herself internally. ‘Crying here like a child! My behavior is no different from a little kid’s right now.’

Wang Jian, seeing Hao Yang sobbing before him, instantly panicked. Had his tone been too stern just now? Had he made the child cry?

As a grown man, he wasn’t particularly skilled at dealing with children, and Hao Yang’s tears left him feeling utterly helpless.

“Wang Jian, I can’t believe a grown man like you would be so harsh with a child, especially such a cute little girl,” a female police officer, who had been working at her desk, walked over and said. “Don’t stand there getting in the way; I’ll comfort this little one.”

Hearing that someone was coming to his rescue, Wang Jian cast a grateful look at his female colleague. He then promptly opened the door and vanished in a flash, disappearing to who-knew-where.

The female officer watched him go, feeling rather speechless.

“Such a pretty little girl. If you keep crying like this, your face will get all blotchy, and you won’t look nice anymore,” the female officer said gently. She knelt down, using a tissue to carefully wipe away Hao Yang’s tears.