Xu Ruyi did not answer the call.
Her phone rang with her favorite classical tune, soft and soothing, but Qin Guan's heart sank deeper with each note.
He redialed. This time, she picked up.
Her voice remained gentle and unhurried: "Hello? Oh, my phone was in my bag. I'm with Little Pear. Where are you? Almost off work?"
Background chatter and children's laughter confirmed she was indeed with their daughter.
"Yeah, just wrapping up. Wondering what's for dinner." Qin Guan forced casualness, exchanged a few words with Little Pear, then hung up.
His strained smile vanished. Xu Ruyi being with their daughter didn't absolve her. She had access to his car keys. He needed answers.
After a distracted day at the office, Qin Guan detoured to the market, bought Xu Ruyi's favorite desserts, and drove home.
"Lawyer Qin, off work already?" The neighborhood cleaner greeted him obsequiously, eyeing his grocery bags. "Such a model husband!"
Home greeted him with cold dishes on the table: drunken shrimp and marinated raw crab—his favorites. Auntie Feng bustled in the kitchen. Xu Ruyi sat at the coffee table, heads bent with Little Pear over colorful drawings. The room glowed with warmth—polished furniture, spotless windows, no hint of turmoil.
"You're back?" Xu Ruyi rose, taking the groceries and desserts. "Stop spoiling me! You'll turn me into a pig!"
Her scolding belied her delight. Qin Guan watched her chat with Auntie Feng, then cornered Little Pear in the bathroom.
"Were you with Mommy all day?"
"Yeah! How'd you know?" The girl beamed, oblivious. "Mommy played with me all morning! Look, we drew Peppa Pig, Cloud Mama, Smurfs…"
Children couldn't fake such innocence. Xu Ruyi had been home.
But if not her, who?
Dinner passed normally. Xu Ruyi seemed her usual self, even brighter since her father's death. She teased Little Pear, asked about his work, laughed at the girl's chatter.
After bathing, Qin Guan joined them at the coffee table.
"Little Pear's improving. Good art teacher," he remarked offhandedly, studying Xu Ruyi.
"Oh, my car key's battery is dying. Can you get it replaced?" A lie—the key worked fine.
"Which key?" Xu Ruyi didn't look up, erasing a lopsided nose on Little Pear's drawing. "Your old Toyota? Who'd steal that?"
"Not the car. Something inside."
She finally met his gaze, concerned. "Did you lose something important? Report it!"
Her worry seemed genuine. Had he misjudged her?
Before he could probe, urgent pounding shook the door.
Auntie Feng hurried to answer. There stood Li Yang—red-eyed, tear-streaked, trembling with rage.
"Qin Guan!" he wailed. "Where's my wife? We searched everywhere! Is she dead?!"