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CHAPTER 13
PART 2
Following Lao Tan's instructions, everyone engaged in video calls while making their way to Li Xueli's home. Once everyone gathered, they sat in the living room. Wang Xingxing remarked, "Lao Tan, this idea is great. Let's use this method whenever we need to gather in the future."
Tan Yong didn't respond directly but asked Fan Lin, "What idea do you have that can ensure everyone's safety?"
"Well," Fan Lin began, "I want to ask you all, do you feel psychologically shadowed when you go out now?"
No one spoke, but from their expressions, it was evident that everyone agreed. Especially Su Xiaotong, who had just discussed this with Gu Lei.
"I'm straightforward, I don't like beating around the bush. Among us, I'm the only one who has no choice but to go out every day because I have to send Wen Jing to school. In other words, if the killer wants to wait at my doorstep to attack me, it would be the easiest."
"You'll get over it in two days. Didn't Lao Tan say that in two days, the surveillance will be installed in the hallway? By then, the killer won't dare to attack recklessly," Han Lei said.
"Installing surveillance might help, but it doesn't guarantee complete safety. What if the killer disguises themselves? Wearing a mask, a hat, or a coat, even if captured on camera, they won't be identifiable, right? I've considered these issues," Fan Lin said.
Tan Yong admitted that Fan Lin made sense. Installing surveillance could only be partially effective and couldn't entirely prevent a cunning killer from acting. He asked, "So, do you have any good ideas?"
Fan Lin didn't answer immediately; instead, she turned to Li Xueli. "Xueli, is Ma Qiang at your place now?"
"No, he's at the store during the day."
"Does that mean you've agreed that he'll come over every night to be with you?"
"For now, that's the plan."
"Alright, so now we're essentially divided into six groups: Li Xueli and Ma Qiang, Su Xiaotong's family, me and Wen Jing, Wang Xingxing, Shen Fengxia, and Han Lei are in separate groups. These are the people still in line for the inheritance, right?"
Tan Yong nodded, waiting for Fan Lin to continue.
"My idea is this: the six groups of us will pair up and stay in one house from tonight. For instance, I'll stay with Wen Jing and Han Lei. No matter who wants to go out, the other person will accompany them to the door. This way, even if the killer waits at the door, they can't attack two people simultaneously, right? Doesn't this increase safety? Additionally, the two groups living together can supervise each other."
"But..."
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Wang Xingxing was about to speak when Fan Lin gestured, stopping him, "I know what you want to say. What if the person living with you happens to be the killer? I've considered this too. Because only two groups are living together, if something happens to someone from either group, the other group is the prime suspect. So, even if someone happens to live with the killer, it's okay. Because the killer wouldn't be foolish enough to commit a crime so conspicuously."
Fan Lin's words left the living room in silence. Everyone was deep in thought. After waiting for two minutes, Fan Lin asked Tan Yong, "Lao Tan, do you think this method is feasible?"
Logically, it seemed viable, but there was a nagging sense of uncertainty. Still, no one could think of a better idea. Fan Lin had indeed pointed out a potential hazard. What if the killer predicted everyone's departure times and waited at their door? With so many people, the police couldn't guard their doors every day.
Tan Yong pondered for a while, intending to hear others' opinions first. He asked, "What do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea. Actually, not just Fan Lin, my departure time each day also follows a pattern," Wang Xingxing said. "Because I order takeaway, mainly around meal times. If the killer pretends to be a delivery person and attacks when I open the door, it's also possible, right?"
"Why not install a peephole or cameras at each person's door?" Gu Lei suggested.
"Peepholes and cameras only cover the doorstep. If the killer hides a bit farther away, there's no way to detect them. Our hallway indeed has some spots where someone could hide," Wang Xingxing added.
"Yes, and if the killer times it right, they won't need to wait long at the door. They could strike when someone leaves and then hide in areas without surveillance, like the courtyard or parking lot. Our community is quite large; there are surely blind spots in the surveillance coverage," Fan Lin explained.
"If that's the case, why would the killer limit themselves to our community or hallway? Disguised, they could kill on the streets too, right?" Shen Fengxia said.
"Exactly! But there are more people on the streets, making it harder to commit a crime. The hallway is relatively simpler. Also, I noticed in the Yuehai Bay homeowners' group chat that many are aware of the frequent homicides here. Those with choices plan to move out. As people leave, it becomes easier for the killer!" Fan Lin said.
"'Those with choices'?" Shen Fengxia scoffed. "Don't we have a choice too? Actually, if we give up the inheritance and leave this place, we wouldn't have to worry about anything."
"That's true. So, Fengxia, why stay and not move out?" Fan Lin pointed out sharply. "If I remember correctly, you once mentioned not being too interested in money. Why hesitate to leave now?"
"You'd love it if I left, right? That way, you'd inherit more money. Persuading others to give up is easier than killing. But I can tell you for sure, I'll stay here. Not for anything else, just to see the killer who murdered Teacher Yuan get caught! I can't leave under the shadow of the killer!" Fengxia asserted.
"Alright, let's all get back to the main point—do you agree with Fan Lin's proposal?" Tan Yong redirected the conversation.
"I've already agreed," Wang Xingxing said.
"Lao Tan, I'm thinking, if A and B live together, and A is murdered, does that mean B is the killer? What if C secretly enters and kills A?" Li Xueli raised a question.
"I've thought about this. As long as the door is locked, it's nearly impossible for the killer to enter and commit the crime. The trick of 'tricking someone to open the door' wouldn't work because there are more than one person inside," Fan Lin explained.
"Even so, considering how cunning the killer is, they might devise a plan to shift blame onto the other person in the same place after committing the murder," Li Xueli said, looking at Tan Yong.
"Yeah, this plan isn't foolproof," Tan Yong agreed.
Fan Lin was quite annoyed, demanding, "So what's your plan, Lao Tan? Should police officers come to protect me and my daughter every morning, is that feasible?"
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Of course, it wasn't possible. It might work for a short time, but it wasn't a long-term solution, Tan Yong thought.
Frantic, Fan Lin said, "I have to take Wenjing to school every day at seven, I can't change that routine. But now... every time I open the door, I feel like a startled bird, always worried someone might jump out. What am I going to do?"
"You just said there was a solution, right? Leaving this place would be a solution!" Shen Fengxia suggested.
"You go first! Once you leave, I'll leave!"
"I've said it, I won't leave until the day the killer is caught!"
"Nice words, but really, it's an excuse, isn't it? Ultimately, it's for money! What difference does it make to the investigation if you're here or not? What help does staying here provide?" Fan Lin countered.
"It's of no help, but I don't want that killer to have his way!" Shen Fengxia shouted. "I hate him so much. I know he wants us gone, so I won't fulfill his wish!"
"Alright, stop arguing!" Tan Yong stood up and raised his voice. Fan Lin and Shen Fengxia fell silent.
After a moment, Tan Yong proposed, "Let's leave this matter to everyone's discretion. Those willing to stay in pairs, raise your hand."
Fan Lin and Wang Xingxing raised their hands. Li Xueli didn't express an opinion. Gu Lei looked at Su Xiaotong, seeing her shake her head slightly, he remained silent. Han Lei seemed hesitant, saying, "I could... but if no one wants to stay with me, then I have no choice."
"I have Ma Qiang with me, that should be enough," Li Xueli said.
"I won't stay with any of you. To be honest, I don't trust anyone here!" Shen Fengxia said coldly.
Han Lei noticed that Su Xiaotong and her husband weren't willing, so she added, "Then forget it, I'll stay alone."
"So, Wang Xingxing, you'll move in with us later, with me and my daughter?" Fan Lin asked. "I have two spare rooms, choose whichever you like."
"Okay."
Once the decision was made, Tan Yong cautioned Fan Lin and Wang Xingxing, "Living together means being even more vigilant. Besides securing the windows and doors, be extra cautious. Remember, if anything happens despite high vigilance, the other person won't be able to clear their name!"
Fan Lin and Wang Xingxing understood the undertone of Tan Yong's words and nodded together.
"As for the rest of you, take care of your safety. For these days, Li Bin and I will patrol several times a day at irregular intervals, not giving the killer any chance!" Tan Yong's words were directed at the present killer, resounding with authority. Everyone indicated their understanding. Tan Yong said, "Let's disperse, go home, and use WeChat video calls just like earlier."
Su Xiaotong and Gu Lei returned home, locking the door behind them. Su Xiaotong sighed, telling Gu Lei, "We've misjudged."
"What?"
"Don't expect them to back down. Even when they're so afraid, they'll find ways to persevere," Su Xiaotong said. "It seems this is going to be a long-term battle."
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