第五章

Xiaoman went to Teacher Fang's house to find Fang Na.

Fang Na was sitting in the study, looking very nervous. Xiaoman had known her for many years, but today Fang Na was not quite the same as usual. She didn't look at Xiaoman much, and she spoke very slowly.

Xiaoman did not rush to press her. She first asked what everyone did at He Mingxuan's house on the night of the incident.

Fang Na said that night they just drank, chatted, and played games. There was nothing special. Shen Ran left around half past ten.

Xiaoman asked about Bai Anning.

Fang Na paused for a moment before saying that Shen Ran had mentioned Bai Anning that night. The two seemed to have some conflict. Shen Ran said he didn't want to talk to Bai Anning for now.

Fang Na said that Bai Anning was troublesome sometimes and often argued with Shen Ran over small things. Shen Ran didn't like arguing, so he would choose to ignore her.

Xiaoman then asked if Shen Ran said anything when he left.

Fang Na said that Shen Ran said he didn't feel well and wanted to go home early.

That night Fang Na did not go home. She and Sun Mina stayed in the guest room at He Mingxuan's house. The next morning, Teacher Fang came to pick her up.

Later, Xiaoman asked the most important question: why did Shen Ran ask them to lie?

Fang Na was silent for a long time.

Finally she said that on Saturday night, they went to the Shen house to see Shen Ran. Shen Ran said the police had already questioned him. He was Bai Anning's boyfriend, so he was afraid of being considered a suspect. He hoped that his friends would say he left He Mingxuan's house a little later. That way the police wouldn't keep staring at him and could continue looking for Bai Anning.

Fang Na said that at the time she didn't think it was serious. She just thought Shen Ran was scared.

Xiaoman asked if Shen Ran had said where he actually went between 10:30 and 12:50.

Fang Na said she didn't remember, maybe he didn't say.

Later, the four friends began to fear they would get into trouble for lying. On Monday night, they called each other and decided to tell the police the truth the next day. They didn't tell Shen Ran in advance because they didn't want to make him angry.

Finally, Xiaoman asked Fang Na if she believed Shen Ran killed Bai Anning.

Fang Na said she didn't want to believe it. The Shen Ran she knew was very good and good at making people happy. She didn't know what the truth was, but she was unwilling to believe that Shen Ran would kill.

After the talk, Fang Na gave He Mingxuan's phone number to Xiaoman.

A few days later, Xiaoman went to He Mingxuan's house.

He Mingxuan's house was about the same as in the old photos. Five years ago, the last time Shen Ran was together with friends was here.

He Mingxuan was much more relaxed than Fang Na. He said that Shen Ran and Bai Anning's relationship was average, not particularly deep. The two started dating at a party.

Xiaoman asked about the night of the incident.

He Mingxuan said he remembered clearly. Shen Ran was a bit quiet that night, but nothing particularly strange. Shen Ran did not mention Bai Anning, nor did he say they had argued.

This was different from what Fang Na said.

He Mingxuan also said that Shen Ran left very early. He didn't give a specific reason, just left quietly. He Mingxuan didn't pay much attention at the time.

This was also different from what Fang Na said.

Xiaoman then asked where Fang Na was that night.

He Mingxuan said that most of the time later he was playing games with Jiang Lei and Sun Mina. Fang Na was not downstairs for a period of time; she seemed to have gone upstairs. He didn't know what she did, nor did he remember how long she was gone.

When Xiaoman heard this, her heart sank.

If what He Mingxuan said was true, Fang Na might have been away from her friends for a while that night. Where did she go? Why didn't she make it clear?

After returning home, Xiaoman put the two people's statements together.

Fang Na said that Shen Ran mentioned Bai Anning and also said he felt unwell and wanted to go home early.

He Mingxuan said that Shen Ran did not mention Bai Anning and just left quietly.

Fang Na spoke very nervously. He Mingxuan spoke too casually.

Xiaoman couldn't be sure who remembered wrong, nor could she be sure who was lying. After all, it had been five years.

But she remembered what Shen Rui had said. Shen Rui thought that Fang Na might have liked Shen Ran in the past. Fang Na also clearly didn't like Bai Anning.

Xiaoman didn't want to suspect Fang Na. Fang Na was Ke Xin's sister, and also like her own sister.

But she couldn't just let the doubt go because she knew someone.

From now on, Fang Na must also be placed in Xiaoman's scope of suspicion.