Facing the scrutinizing gaze of the young policewoman, Fang Xiaocao smiled and worked hard to calm her emotions.
She recalled the Hot Noodles conversation, the information in the message, and organized her words before speaking, "I study art, and upon learning about the attic in the villa, I wanted to transform it into a studio to facilitate future learning and work."
"Lacking the villa's blueprints, I wasn't very familiar with the structure, so I took the opportunity to check the building materials used in the attic to see if they were up to standard and could support substantial renovations."
"While checking, I inadvertently found a hidden compartment under a window sill, and when I opened it, I found a drawer that contained the key to a safe and a note indicating the location of the safe."
"Driven by curiosity, I took the key and went to the basement, intending to see what was inside the safe."
"After all, the legend of this villa is quite legendary, and it's natural to be curious."
Fang Xiaocao spoke evenly, recounting her crafted story with a calm tone, unfazed by the young policewoman's skeptical look.
"Ms. Fang, don't you know that it's illegal to open another person's safe without permission?"
The young policewoman chuckled lightly and questioned.
"Officer, one can mess with food, but words should not be treated so recklessly."
Facing the young policewoman's questioning, Fang Xiaocao said with a smile.
"The purchase contract I signed clearly stipulates that from the day of payment, everything inside Villa 5 is automatically transferred to me, including but not limited to home appliances, furniture, and collectibles."
"According to the contract clauses, the safe and its contents all belong to me."
"Is it illegal to open my own safe?"
With that, Fang Xiaocao took out her copy of the purchase contract and placed it on the coffee table, signaling the young policewoman to examine it.
The young policewoman picked up the purchase agreement, briefly flipped through it, nodded, and returned the contract to Fang Xiaocao.
"Ms. Fang, thank you for your cooperation."
The young policewoman said with a smile.
"It's what I should do."
Fang Xiaocao whispered.
"In accordance with relevant regulations, we will initiate a scene protection protocol for the villa."
"The specific duration of protection will be adjusted as needed based on the progress of the case."
"So, during the period of scene protection, you won't be able to move into the villa temporarily. I hope you can cooperate."
The young policewoman stowed her notes and spoke solemnly.
"No problem, I will fully cooperate."
Fang Xiaocao nodded and said with a grave tone.
"Thank you for supporting our work."
The young policewoman's lips curved into a smile as she spoke.
"Officer, may I leave now?"
Fang Xiaocao blinked and inquired.
"Yes, but you can't leave the city for now and must be available to cooperate with the investigation at any time."
The young policewoman nodded and spoke gravely.
"Alright, I understand."
Fang Xiaocao replied with a smile.
Once she stepped out of the villa and pulled open the door of her BMW Mini, returning to her car, Fang Xiaocao's body began to shake uncontrollably.
By now, Fang Xiaocao had lost the composure and calm she had displayed in front of the young policewoman.
After trembling for a while, Fang Xiaocao started the car and drove away from Junyue Villa District.
Driving along the road, images of the decayed severed head with its dark, hollow eye sockets kept flashing through Fang Xiaocao's mind.
"Who exactly is he?"
"What role did he play in the murder case five years ago?"
"Why, after being dismembered, was his head hidden in the safe?"
"Where did the rest of his body go?"
One question after another kept flashing through Fang Xiaocao's mind.
Fang Xiaocao pulled the car over to the side of the road, took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, and opened WeChat.
"Whose head is it?"
She composed the message and sent it to Hot Noodles.
Message sent!
[Hot Noodles: Don't worry about the head for now; if nothing goes wrong, the appearance of this head means the case is close to being cracked.]
Hot Noodles' reply was frustrating for Fang Xiaocao.
"What do you mean, 'Don't worry about it'?"
"Whose head is it, exactly?"
Fang Xiaocao sent a huffy voice message.
[Hot Noodles: It was the head of the sister of a wife who is still alive, living abroad under her sister's identity.]
"What?"
Upon reading the WeChat message, Fang Xiaocao exclaimed in shock.
"So…"
"Is the killer the wife?"
"Did she kill her own husband?"
Fang Xiaocao anxiously pressed on.
[Hot Noodles: The killer isn't the wife, she's a victim as well.]
Looking at the message, Fang Xiaocao became even more curious about the truth of the case.
"Can't you just tell me the whole truth about the case?"
Fang Xiaocao huffed as she sent a voice message.
She felt that Hot Noodles was doing this on purpose.
Knowing full well how curious she was, yet he was like squeezing out toothpaste, unwilling to tell her the whole truth.
[Hot Noodles: Don't worry about the case for now, the reward is yours, it won't escape.]
[Hot Noodles: Go rent a house now, stop staying at a hotel, and go to the rental house tonight, there's a good show to watch.]
"A good show? What kind of good show?"
Fang Xiaocao inquired with confusion.
[Contact does not exist!]
"What the hell…"
Looking at the prompt on the WeChat interface, Fang Xiaocao angrily threw her phone onto the passenger seat.
"Sigh…"
With a sigh, Fang Xiaocao decided to follow Hot Noodles' advice and find a place to rent first.
Picking up her phone, she dialed Liu Feifei's number.
"Hello, Sister Feifei."
The call connected, and Fang Xiaocao spoke in a grave tone.
"Xiaocao, are you okay?"
"I've already heard about the villa incident."
Liu Feifei's voice came through the phone receiver.
"I'm fine!"
Fang Xiaocao answered softly.
"Sis, I need to rent a short-term house."
Fang Xiaocao got straight to the point.
"No problem, come pick me up at the real estate agency."
Liu Feifei responded promptly.
"Okay!"
Fang Xiaocao replied, then hung up the phone.
She drove to the real estate agency, where Liu Feifei was already waiting outside.
"Sis, get in～"
Fang Xiaocao rolled down the window and called out to Liu Feifei.
Liu Feifei waved at Fang Xiaocao and walked over quickly, getting into the BMW MINI.
"Let's go to Xintiandi district."
Liu Feifei said with a smile.
Fang Xiaocao nodded and set the navigation.
Xintiandi district was close by.
Nestled next to the university town, it was separated from Junyue Villa District by just one street, a newly built complex.
After a drive of about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the complex.
The short-term rental Liu Feifei found for her was in Building 108, Unit 2, Apartment 301.
Fully furnished, two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
After taking a look inside, Fang Xiaocao was very satisfied.
"Sis, let's sign the contract."
Fang Xiaocao said with a smile.
"Right, I brought the contract."
Liu Feifei nodded.
After signing the contract and seeing off Liu Feifei,
Fang Xiaocao went downstairs to the supermarket in the complex and bought some personal items before officially moving in.
She glanced at the time, 4:37 PM.
The start time for Han Xue's party was not far off.