21st December, 2020

Shen Xiaoxi's POV

I am Shen Xiaoxi. I am a reporter. I have always been unlucky be it love, life, work, home anything. But it never made me lose any hope, cause for me a new day meant new opportunities. Even though yesterday was not good for me I believe today will be better.

After giving myself a good pep talk I went out for work. Walking down the street I saw a police car and as a normal reporter I was intrigued. While I was thinking of getting a story out of it those officers came to me.

"Miss are you Shen Xiaoxi?" The police officers asked.

I merely nodded.

"You are under arrest you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in the court. You have the right to have a lawyer present during questioning if you cannot afford a lawyer one will be provided to you if you wish."

Before I could even react I was taken to the police station. 1 hour, 60 minutes, 3600 seconds that's the amount of time I spent without even knowing what I did.

"Ms. Shen can you afford a lawyer or do you need one?"

"I can't afford the lawyer. Sir can you please tell me why I am here?" He said nothing and left. After few hours someone entered.

"Hello Ms. Shen I am Zhang Yue. I am your lawyer. Miss please remember one thing whatever they impose on you, do not accept it but-"

"Why are you speaking in such a grave tone? What am i being accused of?"

He hesitated a bit but then gave in.

"Miss you are being accused of a murder."

"A murder? Me? I can't even tell a god damn fly how can I kill a person for fuck's sake."

"Ms. Shen use any kind of language with me but never I repeat never use the same with the officers. They not only will increase the charges on you but also can take your recording as a proof of your anger and show you as mentally unstable. That can be used as an evidence against you. So please calm down and think before you say anything."

"How do you expect me to be calm in this situation?"

"I know it's hard Xiaoxi but remember I am gonna do everything in my power to save you. Just trust me, okay? And remember to not accept everything but do not lie cause that will falsify your testimony." I nodded and he called the officers.

"Ms. Shen where were you yesterday at 11:30 a.m.?"

"I went to Windsor Exotica for an interview around 12:00 something."

"What kind of interview and with whom?"

"Just a simple interview regarding the app Jiang Yi Xing made."

"How do you know Jiang Yi Xing that you went for an interview in the hotel?"

"I don't know him I received an email that had details of his whereabouts. It also consisted the details of this app and few loopholes so I went there."

"Didn't you check the source?"

"Sir I publish tabloid and I work for a very small company. We don't check sources, we only check evidence and it was clearly mentioned that I have to go around 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, if I want an interview with him."

"So what did you do after you reached there?"

Flashback : 20th December, 2020

Xiaoxi came inside the hotel when she received a video call from her friend Li Jun Yi.

"Why are you calling right now? I have an interview."

"Please Xiaoxi let me witness the interview, seeing Jiang Yi Xing this close even from a video call works for me."

"Jun Yi you are an idiot I will allow you but don't make any noise."

"Yes yes I promise you." She laughed and went near the reception.

"I am here to meet my friend from room number 1005."

"Sure Miss sign here and you can go."

She signed her name and thanked the receptionist. After reaching the tenth floor she came across Jiang Yi Xing's room.

"Damn the moment is finally here Xiaoxi."

"Hey shh don't make any noise."

She rang the bell for almost five times but heard no response. Assuming that this was a method of protection from unwanted people, she even gave an introduction but to no avail. Thinking that this was all a scam she cursed the email sender and went back, while talking to her friend.

Flashback Over

"So according to you there is a witness that you did not even get inside room."

"Yes I only pressed the door bell but no one answered so I thought it was a scam and thus I went back. The whole time Li Jun Yi was talking to me through video call."

"We are going to check you alibi then." They went out leaving me with Zhang Yue.

"If your friend does not back out from what you said then you will be free from the case. You still will be a suspect since you were at the crime scene when the murder happened. But you'll surely be free to go."

"He will not lie I am sure about that and thank you very much for your help Mr. Zhang."

"Ms. Shen it's my duty no need to thank me." After few hours police officers came back.

"Ms. Shen Xiaoxi you can go from here but you are still a suspect so we can call you anytime. You are not allowed to leave the state until the case is closed. If you receive any further emails or messages please share with us. Thank you for your cooperation."

"Sure I will help in any way possible." I said this and went out with Mr. Zhang. As I was getting out I noticed Jiang Yi Nan, Jiang Yi Xing's younger brother giving me death glares. As soon as he saw me he started screaming profanities.

"Why did you kill my brother? Who are you even? Huh. Officers how can she be released . You, yes you whatever your name is I will make your life hell. You can't enjoy your freedom after taking my brother's life."

He came charging towards me but was pulled that by the officers. Before I could even react I was pulled by Mr. Zhang out to the police station.

"Are you okay?" I nodded.

"Don't mind him I'm pretty sure he is still in shock to even think properly."

"But he should know that I didn't do anything. I'm innocent."

"Leave it Xiaoxi let him cool down and absorb the information. He will understand soon. Do you want me to drop you somewhere? I have my car."

"No it's alright I can go on my own."

"It's okay I can take you to your home."

We both sat in his car. While he was driving, I called my boss to explain my absence.

"Hello sir I am sorry I couldn't come to work today I promise I will work overtime-" I was cut midway by his loud voice.

"Xiaoxi you are fired."

"Wait What? But why?"

"Our company does not hire murderers."

"I did not kill anyone Mr. Chen. I-" He cut the call before i could even complete my sentence.

"What happened? My job is gone. How did he even? Oh my god I don't even know what to say anymore."

"Hey calm down. First go home relax a bit and then think about anything else. You need some rest."

We drove to my house. As I came out of a car, I saw all my belongings were on the floor. Panicking I went to the owner's house and Zhang Yue followed me.

"Auntie why is my stuff thrown out side?"

"I am sorry but I don't let murderers live in my house, take your rent and get out."

And she closed the door on my face.

"Xiaoxi don't worry we can sue her for breaking tenant contract. I will help you."

"I don't have a contract, I moved in few days ago only. Oh my god what should I do now? One thing I don't understand is that how come they all know about this."

At that moment I received Jun Yi's message.

Xiaoxi look what news is spreading about you.

'Murderer under the face of a reporter'.

"Oh my god what on earth is this even. This is nothing but shit. Look it says 'She goes as a reporter and then kills them. She is nothing but a bloodthirsty psycho' This is so shit. Who even published it?"

I at once called Jun Yi's number to check the news source. After some time he called me.

"Xiaoxi I checked the source at first they said it is anonymous but since I was a friend she told that it was Jiang Yi Nan, Jiang Yi Xing's younger brother."

"Jun Yi can you accompany me?"

"No I'm sorry Xiaoxi I can't be seen with you. It's hard to be evidence. Someone tried to blame this all on you. If I help you I'll be under danger too. I'm sorry." And before I could reply, he cut the call. I was shocked but I had to do something more important.

"Mr. Zhang can you please take me to the Jiang's house I need to confront someone."