Chapter 935: Tang Jia Is the Killer in the Nancheng City Case?!

"Do you still remember the serial rape-murder case in Nancheng City from a while back?"

"Yeah, I remember. Why do you ask?"

Jiang Ran frowned: "That killer hasn't struck again in a long time. He must have stopped."

Yang Qi said: "Yeah, it looks like he's stopped for now. Aren't you going to ask me what Tang Jia's secret is that I discovered?"

Jiang Ran chuckled: "Don't tell me you're going to say that your friend here is actually that killer?"

He was only joking.

But then, he stared at Yang Qi's serious face and suddenly felt that this didn't seem like a joke anymore...

"Damn it, don't you dare make wild guesses about something like this!"

Immediately, Jiang Ran looked around left and right to see if there were any other random people nearby. Fortunately, there was no one else around him except Yang Qi. As for the few staff members inside the shop, they were all busy with their own things, standing miles away from him at the store entrance.

The Nancheng City serial rape-murder case.

This case felt like one of those movies, TV dramas, or novels adapted from real cases. It felt so far removed from real life, yet it had actually happened in reality.

It was somewhat like a legend.

So when Yang Qi suspected that the killer was actually someone he knew, how could Jiang Ran not be shocked?

"I'm not entirely sure, but that guy wrote everything in his diary. He wrote about raping and murdering those female workers at the nightclubs or bars, as well as those young female customers. And then there was his last case, where he killed that middle-aged woman who was coming off the night shift."

At this point, Yang Qi's brows were so furrowed that they could crush a fly to death.

"You have no idea, in that diary of his, those entries were written in extreme detail. It was like he had experienced it firsthand, like he had done it himself."

"Really, every single move, his mindset at the time, what he was thinking, how the victims reacted, what was happening around him."

"If he's not the killer, then I really find it hard to believe that he could write something so vivid, so realistic, and so immersive."

Jiang Ran pondered: "So what are you planning to do now? Are you going to call the police?"

When Jiang Ran saw Yang Qi fall silent, he was really afraid of one thing.

Because Yang Qi had mentioned that Tang Jia grew up with him in the orphanage, they were childhood playmates. So even though they didn't keep in touch now, their bond from before had to be incredibly strong.

So, asking Yang Qi to report his own friend?

Could he really do something like that, putting justice above loyalty?

If it were just a fair-weather friend with a bad relationship, then sure, but this...

Contrary to Jiang Ran's expectations, Yang Qi looked up decisively, his gaze firm:

"Regardless of his reasons, no matter what, he killed so many people. In the end, he took the lives of innocent victims."

"Especially the last victim, that single mother, raising a disabled son and daughter. How could he... have the heart to do it?!"

"The conscience and morality in my heart won't allow me to keep this hidden."

"But what I'm considering right now isn't that problem."

Jiang Ran was surprised by Yang Qi's decision, but even more curious about his last sentence: "Then what is it?"

Yang Qi said: "If I report him, the police will definitely interrogate him rigorously. But I'm afraid they won't be able to get anything out of him."

Jiang Ran asked: "How could that be? Didn't you say his diary entries were very detailed? Like he was there himself doing it?"

Yang Qi smiled: "Yeah, it really is like he did it himself. But he could easily explain it away by saying he wants to be an online novel writer in the future, and that this was all written from his imagination based on the cases that happened in Nancheng City where he lives. What can you do about that?"

"Even if the police match the details in his notes against the multiple cases, detail by detail, including details that only the killer and the police would know."

"He could still explain that he happened to be at the scene at the time, watching the killer commit the crimes. In short, a diary isn't solid, ironclad evidence. So I'm afraid that if I report him, it might alert him, and in the end, he'll get away..."

Jiang Ran patted Yang Qi on the shoulder: "This kind of thing can only be left to the police. We're just two ordinary people. Do we really have any way to find ironclad proof that he's the killer?"

"Besides, to be blunt, who knows if the police in our Nancheng City might use that... 'enhanced memory recovery technique'..."

Yang Qi said: "That's exactly what I'm worried about. What if Tang Jia isn't the murderer? What if he really does plan to write web novels, and this case really was just him imagining it all with his creativity?"

"But then the police, and you and I, would all have this preconceived notion that he's the killer."

"And then they'd start digging up all sorts of evidence to prove he's the killer. Even if some of it is flimsy, they'd force it onto him anyway.

Jiang Ran, this kind of thing isn't unheard of.

What if he really isn't the killer?

Even though I also went in with preconceptions after reading his diary and thought he most likely is.

But still, I can't be a hundred percent certain. I can't confirm it.

I don't want to wrong an innocent man. Otherwise, my conscience would never be at peace."

This time, Jiang Ran didn't know what to do either...

If they did this, it wouldn't be right. If they did that, it also wouldn't be right.

Just then, a woman's voice came from behind: "Hey, handsome, your phone data transfer is done!"

Jiang Ran turned around: "Oh, I'm coming."

Then he turned back again: "This matter needs to be discussed thoroughly. We can't make a hasty decision."

Yang Qi nodded: "Alright, I still need to deliver packages. You go get your phone too!"

Jiang Ran mumbled in agreement.

Soon, Yang Qi rode off on his three-wheeled delivery cart.

Jiang Ran turned around and went back into the shop to pick up his new phone.

Of course, one thing that made Jiang Ran want to complain about this Four Star phone was that it was just as bad as the Fruit Phone.

They didn't include a charger with the phone purchase, and you had to buy one separately.

With the new phone in hand, Jiang Ran simply couldn't put it down. He was afraid it would melt if he held it in his palm, and afraid it would get scratched if he put it in his pocket.

He walked back to Alice Apartment like this. Just as he reached the first floor, Manager Wu Wen called out to him.

"Jiang Ran, there's the welcome party at 7 PM tonight. Have you thought about what food you're going to prepare?"

Jiang Ran said: "Whatever. Last time we had dumplings and wontons, so how about hot pot this time?"

In that instant, cold sweat suddenly broke out on Jiang Ran's back.

It wasn't because he had encountered any danger, but because he had thought of something utterly terrifying upon deeper reflection.

Could it be...

"Mm, that's a great idea, Jiang Ran. In that case, the shopping trip will be left to you."

Manager Wu Wen said calmly.

Jiang Ran: ...

Jiang Ran: "Wait, Manager, why is it that every time we need to go shopping, it's always left to me?"

Manager Wu Wen thought to himself: "I'd love to go out and shop myself, but can I even leave?"

However, he had been a manager here for quite some time now, and he had learned about Jiang Ran's character from Manager Wu Meiling.

"Jiang Ran, this shopping trip comes with a little compensation for your trouble. 500 yuan. How about it? Interested?"

Only a fool would turn down free money, and this was money earned through his own hard work, not some shady business. Why wouldn't Jiang Ran be happy to do it?