Simulating_Crimes_C42

Chapter 42: The Way Huang Yan Chose to Die—Giving Herself Time to Regret, But No Chance to Regret!

Following the direction of Su Ming’s finger, Xu Changsheng’s gaze fell upon the Ferris wheel known as the “Eye of Magic City”!

Immediately after, an unimaginable shock and awe flooded Xu Changsheng’s mind.

What kind of talent must one possess to deduce the correct answer from those twenty photos, using only various logical inferences and the process of elimination?

To be clear, even though Xu Changsheng had been a criminal police officer for over ten years and had solved countless cases, after hearing Su Ming’s explanation, he couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle.

If it was just about deducing that Huang Yan was at Fantawild Adventure World, Xu Changsheng could do that too, though it might take a little longer. But deducing that Huang Yan was on the Ferris wheel…

Xu Changsheng thought for a few seconds and sighed to himself, certain that he would have never come up with such a crucial piece of information.

Let alone in such a short amount of time.

Just how talented, meticulous, and logical must someone be to come to such a conclusion?

Had Xu Changsheng not personally seen Su Ming’s file, he would have wondered whether this was a graduate of the police academy or an experienced senior criminal detective in the national police system.

Of course, Xu Changsheng would never know…

The reason Su Ming’s deductive abilities were so strong was simply because he had been “trained” by years of contemplation over perfect simulated crimes.

After all, in order to complete a hundred thousand cases of simulated perfect crimes, Su Ming had to think more thoroughly than even the criminal police.

Although Xu Changsheng was still shocked and amazed, he immediately regained his composure, putting on the miniature earpiece he had just removed and contacting the security police through the dedicated intercom channel.

“Xiao He, this is the Huaihai Criminal Investigation Team.”

“You are in the monitoring room at Fantawild Adventure World, right?”

“Good, I’ve just discovered a key clue. Quickly pull up the footage of the Ferris wheel and review the last three hours of footage.”

“Look for a limping girl—Huang Yan, the one I mentioned earlier.”

“Check immediately. If you spot a limping girl, let me know right away.”

“I’m almost at Fantawild, so if anything happens…”

He suddenly stopped, widening his eyes, and spoke with urgency.

“Are you sure?”

“Xiao He, are you certain that Huang Yan boarded the Ferris wheel about an hour and a half ago, with her backpack?”

“And… she still hasn’t gotten off after all this time? At least there’s no footage showing her getting off, right?”

“Alright, understood.”

“Xiao He, keep an eye on the footage. The others should head toward the Ferris wheel. First, communicate with the park staff to evacuate unrelated visitors. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Remember.”

“If you don’t see Huang Yan, don’t act rashly!”

After speaking, Xu Changsheng removed the earpiece again. Just as he was about to say something, Su Ming spoke again.

“The ‘Eye of Magic City’ is 160 meters high, so it takes 30 minutes for one full rotation.”

“Therefore.”

“Huang Yan has already ridden it at least three times and hasn’t gotten off yet.”

“But this, in fact, is good news for us.”

“Because the Eye of Magic City is a landmark and offers a panoramic view of most of Magic City. Moreover, Fantawild Adventure World has a special pass.”

“Once you buy a ticket, you can ride any attraction as many times as you want on the same day. So, it’s common for visitors to ride the Ferris wheel multiple times.”

“Of course, this assumes no other visitors are in line, and the key thing is…”

“After each rotation, when the Ferris wheel returns to its starting point, the staff always asks if you want to continue riding.”

“Since Huang Yan has ridden it three times, it means she was conscious at least half an hour ago and hasn’t committed suicide.”

“Although we can’t rule out the possibility of an overdose or drug injection, as toxic and opioid residues were found in Zhang Wan’s blood…”

“At least… there is still a chance, which is better than what we initially expected.”

“Right, Brother Xu?”

Su Ming’s calm words quickly brought Xu Changsheng, who had been feeling anxious and worried, back to a state of calm. He nodded and replied.

“You’re right, there is still a chance!”

“Xiao Ming, when this case is over, I’ll have to talk to Director Lin!”

“No matter what, I’ll make sure you get at least a third-class merit!”

…

The police car was speeding down the highway.

But they were now only five minutes away from Fantawild Adventure World.

At this moment.

Inside the Ferris wheel cabin, known as the “Eye of Magic City.”

Huang Yan, wearing all black—from her hoodie and pants to her shoes—had her right elbow resting on her thigh, propping up her chin as she blankly stared ahead.

She hadn’t chosen to wear her prettiest clothes like Zhang Wan had. Instead, she wore dark-colored clothes that wouldn’t show blood stains easily.

As the cabin was nearing the top, Huang Yan suddenly snapped out of her trance, hurriedly pulled out a photo from beside her seat.

In the photo, a younger-looking Huang Yan was sitting in the center with her hands forming a heart shape on her chest, while her parents stood on either side, raising their hands to form a heart around her.

The photo, taken with a phone by Huang Yan’s father, was somewhat awkward and unflattering, but it was the only family portrait of the three of them taken at the top of the Ferris wheel six years ago.

Huang Yan looked at the photo again before sitting in the same position, trying her best to pose in exactly the same way. She held her phone in the other hand to take a selfie.

As the Ferris wheel finally reached its highest point.

“Click—”

The sound of the phone’s camera shutter went off.

Huang Yan immediately opened the photo album and glanced at the picture she had just taken.

Upon closer inspection, she realized that there were actually many more photos in the same spot, not just the one she had taken moments ago, but several others.

Some pictures showed dark clouds, others were under a blazing sun, and some were in light rain…

Over the years, Huang Yan had lost track of how many times she had visited Fantawild Adventure World alone.

Maybe…

She couldn’t even count them anymore.

Three seconds later, a bitter smile, mixed with deep sorrow, appeared on her face. She shook her head in self-mockery.

“Heh, it’s really funny.”

“Only I’m here, but I’m still trying to take a family photo with three people.”

“I’ve almost forgotten…”

“Since five years ago, I’ve been alone.”

“But I… but I…”

“I really want you both to be with me…”

Huang Yan’s voice shifted from cold self-mockery to one tinged with obvious sobs.

Two tears slid down her face.

She immediately wiped them away with her sleeve, only to suddenly notice the dried blood stains on her sleeve.

Her mind instantly recalled the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground and the desperate eyes seeking death.

Huang Yan’s mood instantly plummeted.

She glanced at the bottle in the corner of the seat, half-empty, with no label—just an unknown dark gray liquid.

Looking up at the sky, she hoped that it would keep her tears from falling. She muttered to herself in a broken voice.

“Others say…”

“This is the most painful way to die—giving you time to regret, but no chance to regret.”

“But…”

“But why… why haven’t you two made me regret yet?!”

“Why…”

“Why hasn’t either of you called me? Not even a word of scolding.”

“Why… why…?”