Chapter 20: Wang Youfu

Page 1/3

The concept of a backup lover has existed since ancient times; it just wasn’t called that before. Ultimately, it is the result of desiring something unattainable yet unwilling to let go. From Director Lu’s words, it was clear that Wang Youfu was not only poor and unattractive, but also rather reclusive in personality—he had every flaw stacked against him. How could a nurse with good looks and her own house possibly marry him? The odds were even slimmer than winning the lottery. Yet, this was the reality, so there had to be something amiss. Wu Yongcheng asked for some crucial information, including Wang Youfu’s family background and income. It was pretty much as they had expected: he could support himself but buying a house was out of the question. “Old Wu, if you think that’s enough, I’ll have Wang Youfu come over now, so you won’t have to wait when you go out to fix the electrical pipes later,” Lu Changjiang said as he stood up. Wu Yongcheng nodded. “Alright, I’ll borrow your office for a while.” “Hey, don’t be so formal. I have a meeting behind me anyway, so I won’t keep you from your investigation.” With that, Lu Changjiang picked up the phone on his desk and gave a few instructions. Seven or eight minutes later, there was a knock on the office door. “Come in.” A somewhat dull middle-aged man pushed the door open and froze for a moment when he saw three people inside. Zhou Yi noticed that his normally forward-leaning posture instinctively recoiled slightly. “Master Wang, these two are comrades from our city’s criminal investigation unit. They want to ask you a few questions.” Seeing him hesitate at the door, Lu Changjiang stepped forward and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already asked—they’re not accusing you of anything, just need your cooperation.” Hearing this from his director, Wang Youfu timidly stepped inside. Lu Changjiang said, “Alright, you guys take your time. I’m off to the meeting now. Captain Wu, feel free.” “Thanks, Director Lu. You go ahead and take care of your business; we’ll just ask a few brief questions and leave.” Wu Yongcheng said this mostly for Wang Youfu’s sake, who immediately tensed up again when he heard Lu say he was leaving. As soon as Lu Changjiang left, Wang Youfu stood rooted to the spot, head lowered, staring at the floor like a student caught in trouble. Zhou Yi quickly approached, pulled him to sit down, and poured him a cup of tea. “Master Wang, don’t be nervous. We’re just here to ask a few questions today.” Wang Youfu took a sip of tea and nodded shyly.

Page 2/3

“Master Wang, you’re married, right?” Zhou Yi asked with a warm smile. Wu Yongcheng remained silent beside him, having already guessed Zhou Yi’s intention when he approached. Since Lu Changjiang had addressed him as “Captain Wu,” Wang Youfu naturally felt psychological pressure from his rank. But Zhou Yi was young and polite, so his approach would help relax the other party mentally. This was a habit only old detectives had. Could it be that Zhou Yi had intentionally done this? Wang Youfu opened his mouth but didn’t speak, seemingly very conflicted. “We’ve been to your home and even saw your wedding photo with Zhang Xinli. Congratulations.” Wang Youfu was a bit surprised. “You… have met Lili?” “Yes, she told us where you work.” “Did something happen to Lili?” Wang Youfu asked nervously. “No, she’s fine. We’re just here to verify some information.” Zhou Yi smiled and asked, “What time did Zhang Xinli get home yesterday?” “Just after eleven. She called to say her stomach was upset. I was going to pick her up, but she asked me to make her some porridge instead.” “Did she go out again after coming back?” Wang Youfu was a little stunned. “No, she drank about half a bowl of porridge, said she felt unwell and wanted to sleep. I fetched her water and helped her wash her face and feet, then she went to bed.” “Master Wang, you’re a really good husband—an example for us all.” Wang Youfu immediately lowered his head bashfully. “For a woman as good as Lili to marry someone like me, all I can do is treat her well.” “How did you and Zhang Xinli meet?” Wang Youfu thought for a moment. “It was March 9th, five years ago. I was fixing some wires outside when I fell because the rope wasn’t tied properly and broke my leg.” “That place was pretty remote; there was no one around. I was calling out for help but no one answered.” “Then Lili happened to be getting off work nearby and found me. She got some villagers to take me to the hospital and helped treat my wound.” “I later learned she was a nurse. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be crippled now.” “That’s truly fate. No wonder you two could tie the knot.” Zhou Yi said this while closely watching Wang Youfu’s every subtle reaction. Sure enough, Wang Youfu’s mouth twitched slightly at the words, as if he wanted to smile bitterly but held back.

Page 3/3

Wu Yongcheng caught this detail, and he was sure Zhou Yi noticed another as well. That was, when Wang Youfu met Zhang Xinli five years ago, she probably still lived in a rather remote area on the urban-rural fringe. In just five years, Zhang Xinli had made a social leap—on her own? Wu Yongcheng would never believe it. Zhou Yi continued, “Master Wang, I have a question that might be a bit forward. I hope you won’t misunderstand; we’re just trying to clarify the facts with no disrespect intended.” Wang Youfu immediately grew tense. “Po-police… officer, what question?” “Last night, did you and your wife sleep in the same room?” Wang Youfu’s expression instantly darkened, as if a secret had been uncovered. Just when Zhou Yi thought he had his answer, Wang Youfu suddenly said, “Yes, we slept together.” This statement caught both Zhou Yi and Wu Yongcheng off guard. If that was true, either Wang Youfu was fabricating evidence for Zhang Xinli, or Zhang Xinli really had an alibi. “Are you done asking?” Wang Youfu gritted his teeth, his tone rising, clearly angry. “I have a headache today. If you’re finished, I’d like to take leave and rest at home. If you want to keep asking, then just arrest me and interrogate me at your leisure!” Wu Yongcheng replied slowly, “That’s all for now. Thanks for cooperating with our work. If we need to follow up, you can come to the city police station. The tea at your director’s office is nothing special anyway.” Wang Youfu immediately turned and left. As he reached the door, Zhou Yi called out, “Master Wang, what shoe size do you wear?” “Huh?” Wang Youfu paused. “Size 42. Why?” “Nothing, just asking. Thanks.” Just as Wang Youfu’s footsteps faded, Wu Yongcheng’s pager buzzed. Glancing at it, he stood up and picked up the phone on Lu Changjiang’s desk to make a call. “Xiao Chen, go ahead.” A few minutes later, Wu Yongcheng hung up and said to Zhou Yi, “Chen Yan checked it out. The house is indeed registered under Zhang Xinli’s name.” “And the source of the funds for buying the house has also been traced.”