The reason Qin Guan had rushed here was partly because Jiang Xiao, just recovering from a serious illness, had taken a long sick leave. He had inquired and learned Jiang Xiao would be going to this hotel—a filming location Qin Guan was very familiar with—so he followed without hesitation.
At the same time, Qin Guan was ceaselessly searching for the mastermind behind the car accident.
Because this person not only wanted to kill Jiang Xiao but also wanted to frame Qin Guan for it. For Qin Guan, who had been at the accident scene, finding that person was urgent.
Upon hearing that the mastermind was Wen Xu, Qin Guan hesitated. Being Jiang Xiao’s roommate, he naturally knew how close Jiang Xiao and Wen Xu were. Therefore, he didn’t tell Jiang Xiao immediately.
Instead, he told him to wait a bit longer.
But… what was Qin Guan waiting for during that time?
The knife Jiang Xiao found tucked away in the corner by the storage room entrance was likely brought by Qin Guan.
Jiang Xiao had searched everyone else’s luggage and found no similar sharp weapon.
However, there was another possibility.
That knife belonged to Jiang Mu.
So, if Jiang Xiao wanted to confirm again that the knife belonged to Qin Guan, he actually needed one more item.
Reviewing the clues up to now, Jiang Xiao realized he had made a fatal mistake—
He hadn’t checked Qin Guan’s corpse right when the murder happened. Instead, he’d urgently searched for the only person who wasn’t present at the scene but could have entered the room: Jiang Mu.
And when he returned, he was thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of that mysterious small knife. Then Bo Xiting had drugged him with sleeping pills, and he’d passed out.
This meant he’d directly missed the best window for evidence collection. And when he went to check the items on Qin Guan’s body the next day, he was certain someone had already searched before him and taken away crucial evidence.
Jiang Xiao was so sure because, during his search, he hadn’t found Qin Guan’s cell phone!
And the second item Jiang Xiao suspected Qin Guan had on him, he also didn’t find, which was—
The key to the props room.
Qin Guan might have asked the butler for the key. But if he had, the butler would likely have mentioned it when questioned. It was more probable that Qin Guan had arrived with the props room key already on him and had retrieved that prop knife.
As for why Qin Guan took the knife, Jiang Xiao still didn’t understand. But he was certain the murderer had taken Qin Guan’s cell phone.
Because the phone contained call records. That person’s number would be direct evidence.
But why had the other party taken the key?
Perhaps because the other party thought the key might be some crucial item, not actually knowing the key’s real purpose.
After all, only Qin Guan and the hotel’s butler and attendant knew about the props room.
If he could find that key ring…
Jiang Xiao thought this, then shook his head.
Not feasible.
He didn’t know what that key ring looked like. Moreover, since he couldn’t see, trying to distinguish it by touch alone would be very difficult.
If the prop knife was indeed missing, this line of reasoning would be valid. But the problem was, Jiang Xiao couldn’t get into the props room.
The lead on Qin Guan’s side had snapped off just like that, so abruptly.
Damn it!
Jiang Xiao pounded the bed furiously. To see a trail of clues that could be followed logically be forced to a halt just because he couldn’t see—anyone would be unwilling to accept it.
“So angry.” Jiang Mu’s voice sounded. “What did you two talk about?”
Jiang Xiao was about to answer when his nose suddenly itched, and he sneezed abruptly.
“…Your cologne is really heavy.” Jiang Xiao frowned.
Jiang Mu did have this agarwood scent, but it was usually very faint. It shouldn’t be this strong, to the point of making someone sneeze.
Was he trying to make the act more convincing, so Jiang Xiao would believe it was him? Or…
Several thoughts flashed rapidly through Jiang Xiao’s mind.
“Hand slipped and I knocked over the cologne bottle.” Jiang Mu said dismissively. “It won’t smell after I take a shower later.”
Jiang Xiao: “Oh, at your age, you should indeed take better care of yourself.”
Jiang Mu: “…”
“Why didn’t you handcuff me this time?” Jiang Xiao asked calmly. “Speaking of which, I’m really curious how you unlocked the handcuffs.”
“Could it be someone helped you? If so… that’s a bit embarrassing.”
“They were just novelty handcuffs. A little force and they snapped… Does Xiaoxiao want to try again?”
Jiang Mu’s answer was flawless.
But this made it even stranger.
If this were Ying Weizhu, he couldn’t possibly know about the time Jiang Mu handcuffed him, nor could he respond so smoothly.
This person… was really Jiang Mu?
Layer upon layer of doubt rose in Jiang Xiao’s heart. He vaguely felt that he had once probed the right path, but looking back now to find it again, it had become blurred and unclear.
The doorbell rang. The attendant delivered the desserts and then left.
The dessert selection was equally abundant. It seemed the hotel, though not having many guests, had plenty of food reserves. Milk cubes, mango pudding, various pastries, sweet but not greasy. Besides these, two drinks were also sent: hot milk and hot cocoa.
It must have been specially ordered by Jiang Mu.
Jiang Xiao was actually almost full, but to avoid Jiang Mu noticing anything unusual, he still held a piece of red bean pastry and chewed it slowly.
He chewed each bite ten times.
“If you’re full, don’t eat anymore.” Jiang Mu said.
“Who says I’m full?” Jiang Xiao said. “Don’t you know chewing slowly prevents weight gain?”
Saying this, he picked up one of the cups beside him and took a sip. He furrowed his brow, seeming a bit disdainful. Putting it down, he picked up the other cup of hot cocoa and gulped several mouthfuls, then asked:
“How did you know about Bo Xiting secretly photographing me?”
Jiang Xiao had originally thought siblings might share similar hobbies. Since Bo Xiting liked photography, perhaps Jiang Mu also did. In that case, Jiang Mu might have secretly photographed him.
The result was unexpectedly even more bizarre.
Why would Bo Xiting secretly photograph him, and for several years at that?
Jiang Xiao didn’t believe for a second that Bo Xiting was capable of such a thing. The clues clearly stated that when he confessed to Bo Xiting, Bo Xiting left without even looking at him. He didn’t seem like someone who liked him at all.
“Because he’s a pervert. Does that explanation work for you?” Jiang Mu uttered the sharp words flatly. “How could someone like him know what normal affection is, how to have a normal relationship… He’s just a peeping tom lurking in the shadows.”
Jiang Xiao was speechless for a moment: “…”
The pot shouldn’t call the kettle black!
Was Jiang Mu, who handcuffed him, any less of a pervert?!
“You two brothers really love badmouthing each other…” The corner of Jiang Xiao’s mouth twitched. “Although I don’t think Bo Xiting is the kind of person you describe, this is your family matter. I can’t interfere.”
“Xiaoxiao, up until now, do you still believe Bo Xiting likes you?” Jiang Mu’s voice sank slightly. “He’s very good at pretending. So good that even you were fooled.”
“Why would he deceive me?”
Jiang Xiao recalled the way Bo Xiting had questioned him earlier. If that guy hadn’t been forcibly holding back, Jiang Xiao felt he might have burst into tears the very next second.
It didn’t seem faked.
“Bo Xiting applied to study abroad over a month ago. Once the break ends, he’ll fly away and never come back.” Jiang Mu said slowly. “And the reason he deceived you was just to get you on his side, to secure an alibi for the time of Qin Guan’s death.”
“Once the snow stops and he’s apprehended as a suspect, he’ll never have the chance to leave. Besides, he personally pushed Wen Xu down.”
“Are you implying…”
At that moment, Jiang Xiao suddenly remembered the attendant secretly telling him that he saw Bo Xiting standing outside room 415 early in the morning, and being called the murderer by the man opposite him.
“You…” Jiang Xiao was about to speak, then suddenly paused and changed his words. “How do you know about the alibi? You clearly weren’t in the room at that time, yet you seem to know the scene inside out.”
“Jiang Mu, you wouldn’t have… installed surveillance in my room, would you?”
Jiang Xiao couldn’t tell Jiang Mu that he had sneaked into the room precisely to search for surveillance equipment, though Jiang Mu didn’t seem intent on pursuing that matter either.
But now, Jiang Xiao had finally found an opportunity to naturally ask about the surveillance.
Jiang Mu was silent for a few seconds, then laughed.
“How could I possibly install surveillance in your rooms? Every room requires a keycard to unlock. Do you think I could get in?”
Jiang Xiao thought for a moment. “You could climb through the window.”
Jiang Mu’s voice was full of teasing. “Before guests check in, the doors and windows are all closed. Besides, it’s impossible for me to climb to the third floor. One slip and I’d fall to my death.”
Jiang Xiao: “…”
That seemed true.
“Maybe you bribed the attendant to install it for you.” Jiang Xiao said again.
Jiang Mu couldn’t help but laugh. “Then a secret would be known by two people. If the attendant is a fence-sitter, he’d expose me. Xiaoxiao, do you think I’m that rash?”
“You really didn’t install surveillance?”
One conjecture after another was denied by Jiang Mu, and a sense of frustration grew in Jiang Xiao.
…Had he really guessed wrong?
“No.” Jiang Mu shook his head, his tone full of regret. “I didn’t do anything. I only know about the alibi because I heard it from the attendant. After all, a murder happened, and I was very interested, so I wanted to ask a few questions.”
Jiang Xiao: …Listen to yourself. “Interested” that a murder happened? I think you’re the real murderer!
Just as Jiang Xiao was at a complete loss, Jiang Mu withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, stood up, and handed him a soft pajama set. “Isn’t it hot wearing that thick sweater all the time? Change into this.”
Jiang Xiao said impatiently, “I’m not changing. Go away.”
“Xiaoxiao is so disobedient. Do you want me to help you?” The man’s voice held an unmistakable, subtle threat.
Hearing such suggestive words now made Jiang Xiao feel like ants were crawling all over his body. He snatched the clothes and said, biting out every word: “I’ll change in the bathroom. No need to trouble you!”
The reason Jiang Xiao didn’t want to change clothes was simple: he was afraid his phone would be discovered by Jiang Mu. But the pajamas had an inner pocket, just the right size for the phone.
The room was heated far too high. Jiang Xiao had been sweating constantly, which prevented him from focusing his thoughts.
After changing into the light clothes, the feeling of heat dissipated. Jiang Xiao let out a long breath. He tucked his phone, along with that strange little object, safely away. Only then did he have the mind to observe this bathroom.
The bathroom was extremely quiet, an absolutely sealed space. Upon entering, the floor was very dry, not slippery at all. But Jiang Xiao’s senses, very keenly, detected an almost imperceptible hint of moisture, carrying the scent of shower gel, drifting past his nose.
His temple throbbed sharply.
Jiang Mu had lied to him again!
He had clearly used the bathroom not long ago. Even if he had knocked over a cologne bottle, such a heavy, irritating scent couldn’t possibly linger this strongly.
…Just what was he trying to hide?
