The moment this news broke, everyone present was utterly stunned—it was simply too absurd to believe!
"Captain Huang, are you sure there isn't some mistake?"
"Mr. Su," Captain Huang replied gravely, "our forensic experts have evaluated and confirmed it. After Miss Su's death, a special coating was applied to her body. This coating prevents decay and the formation of livor mortis, making her appear as if she were only asleep. But in reality, she had already been dead for several days."
Qin Zhengshu covered her mouth in horror. "Oh my god… who could be so vicious? Even after my daughter died, they wouldn't leave her in peace!"
These past few days, Lu Shiyan had survived only by clinging to the thought that I had betrayed him. To avenge himself, he and Su Ning'an flaunted their relationship in public, again and again.
But now, the news brought by Captain Huang landed like a slap across his face.
Lu Shiyan murmured to himself, "What have I done? What have I done…"
The others didn't know what kind of filthy things he and Su Ning'an had done in secret, so they ignored his muttering.
"Captain Huang, have you found anything else?" someone asked.
"The investigation is still ongoing," Huang Yu replied. "We can't disclose too much for now. But, Miss Su Ning'an, the photos we received came from you, correct?"
Huang Yu's eyes fixed on Su Ning'an. Her expression remained calm—at least, outwardly, there was no trace of panic.
"Yes," she admitted.
"We've also discovered that you were the one who called Mr. Lu away from the wedding. There are a few things we'd like you to come down to the station and explain."
Su Ning'an frowned slightly, her tone turning defensive. "Yes, that was me. But Captain Huang, are you suspecting me? When my sister was by the river, my brother and I were watching fireworks together. There were plenty of witnesses. I didn't have the time to commit a crime."
Huang Yu remained serious. "Miss Su, there's no need to be so agitated. This is just a routine inquiry."
"Captain Huang," Mrs. Su interrupted anxiously, "Ning'an has already told you everything she knows. It's so late already—she has a weak heart. If you upset her, something might happen! I've already lost one daughter, I can't lose another!"
"Mrs. Su, please don't worry," Huang Yu said evenly. "We'll handle everything according to procedure. No one will be forced. But Miss Su is a key person in this case, and there are still many questions to clarify. I'm sure you also want to know the truth behind Miss Su Wan's death as soon as possible."
At the mention of me, Mrs. Su finally calmed down a little. She patted Su Ning'an's arm gently. "Don't be afraid, child. Just answer what they ask."
"Mom, I know. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
And I believed that much—because Su Ning'an had never once shown herself openly. That was why she could stay so composed.
But no interrogation would ever get the truth out of her.
Su Ning'an's psychological defenses were impenetrable; she could even manipulate others' minds. Lu Shiyan was a perfect example.
To bring Su Ning'an to justice, the police would need evidence—nothing less.
Huang Yu turned to Lu Shiyan next. "Mr. Lu, you'll need to come with us as well."
Even aside from Su Ning'an, Lu Shiyan had a clear motive. After all, that statue was found in his new home—there was no way for him to talk his way out of this.
My funeral ended with both of them being taken away for questioning. For the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of relief.
When I turned around, I saw Lu Yancheng sitting in his wheelchair. At some point, a bouquet of black velvet roses had appeared in his hands.
Shen Ji's umbrella was large, yet the slanting rain still managed to touch him.
Crimson-black petals glistened with raindrops and snowflakes, each droplet shimmering with cold light.
I didn't know why—but though he and I had barely interacted, I felt that he was the one suffering the deepest grief at my funeral.
He hadn't shed a single tear, yet sorrow clung to him like a shadow.
Sitting alone in the wind and snow, his long dark lashes were dusted white, but he didn't seem to notice. His black eyes stayed fixed on the photo engraved on the tombstone.
He didn't cry—but I could almost feel his heart bleeding.
If I didn't already know that he had someone he loved, I might have thought he harbored feelings for me.
Perhaps this intense emotion came only from pity.
I walked up to him. "Do you want to offer those flowers to Miss Su? Give them to me—I'll deliver them for you."
The bouquet fell into my arms. The snow-streaked petals looked heartbreakingly vivid.
But their dark hue weighed heavy in my chest.
Step by step, I approached the tombstone and placed the flowers before it.
"Su Wan, rest in peace."
That line was both a farewell to my past—and a benediction for what little remained of myself.