Chapter 453: Serial Killer

Chapter 453: Chapter 453: Serial Killer

Xu Yingying had always treated Han Xiaorui with utter sincerity, and Han Xiaorui was genuinely fond of her in return.

Knowing that Xu Yingying was feeling insecure, Han Xiaorui felt she needed to stay by her aunt’s side.

Ye Feng nodded. "Alright!"

Ye Feng went to the police station to check on the situation.

The Shencheng Police Department took the attempted murder of his ex-wife by Wen Tao very seriously.

After all, the Xu family were returned overseas Chinese with numerous investments in Shencheng.

If anything were to happen to the Xus, it would negatively affect Shencheng’s investment climate.

Overseas Chinese abroad would question the domestic investment environment and grow hesitant.

When Ye Feng revealed that Wen Tao had committed crimes in Japan, the police in Shencheng were able to communicate smoothly with their counterparts there, thanks to a joint K-9 cooperation program.

Japan and China didn’t have an extradition treaty, but through diplomatic negotiations, the case files for Wen Tao’s crimes in Japan were transferred directly to Hua Country.

Knowing he was doomed, Wen Tao’s mouth twisted and his eyes went askew that evening. He began to convulse, looking as if he were on death’s door.

The detention center rushed Wen Tao to the hospital, but on the way, he unexpectedly leaped from a window and escaped.

Not far from the road was a wide river, which Wen Tao leaped into directly.

When Han Xiaorui learned of Wen Tao’s escape the next day, she was shocked. "He managed to escape?"

Ye Feng gave a wry smile. "I know. Wen Tao learned a lot of sinister tricks in Southeast Asia, and it seems they’ve paid off. It’s Sunday. It’ll be difficult for him to get revenge on us if we stay in the city."

"You and the children won’t be safe if I’m not home. Stay in the city for the next two days. I’ll call in an absence for Pingping and An’an from school. We can go back once Wen Tao is caught. That way, I can have some peace of mind."

Torn between his aunt and his family, Ye Feng felt he couldn’t be in two places at once.

Han Xiaorui wanted to say it was fine since Wu Yao and Wu Jiao were at home, but seeing how exhausted Ye Feng looked, she didn’t want to worry him further and agreed.

"Alright. Pingping and An’an will stay home from school for a few days until Wen Tao is found. Besides, I have a feeling that after failing to get revenge on the Xu family, a murderer like him will probably go after the Zhao family."

"During the confrontation with Wen Tao in the hospital room, I mentioned that the Zhao family’s two children don’t look like him. He seemed suspicious, so he might try to confirm it. If the police are out of leads, they could look into that possibility."

Ye Feng nodded. "Good idea. I’ll pass that on to the police."

In reality, the police had already pulled Wen Tao’s file. They had set up surveillance not only near the Xu residence and the hospital but also in the Jinshan Bay area.

On Monday afternoon, Liang Xiaoyu arrived on a motorcycle carrying a foam cooler filled with ice and chilled seafood.

"Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, back in port so soon?" Han Xiaorui was delighted to see Liang Xiaoyu.

Liang Xiaoyu spoke as she untied the cooler. "The fishing moratorium was really effective. We had a huge haul on this trip. No expensive fish like Big Yellow Fish, but we got a lot of mid-priced seafood."

"Our holds were overflowing, so we rushed back. We netted a catch of whiting. They’re common and small, but they only have a single spine with no fine bones. I took the liberty of packing a few pounds for everyone to take home and steam for the children."

"I was going to drop it by your house, but then I heard you were in the city, so I brought it here. Whiting is delicious and nutritious, perfect for children. Pingping and An’an will love it. Eating lots of fish will make them smart."

Han Xiaorui laughed. "Thank you, Sister-in-law Xiao Yu. It’s not just Pingping and An’an who love this fish; I do, too."

Han Xiaorui had someone take the fish next door to the Xu family’s house, as she usually ate her meals there.

Han Xiaorui poured Liang Xiaoyu a glass of water. "Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, have a drink. Are the crew’s wages all settled?"

Liang Xiaoyu nodded. "Don’t you worry, it’s all been calculated. The accountant will transfer their pay tomorrow. We never delay the crew’s wages. It’s our rule."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Exactly. The crew works hard enough; we can’t let them feel uneasy about their pay. I’ll be here for a few more days, so if anything comes up, just talk to Uncle Yang."

Liang Xiaoyu took a sip of water. "So, what’s keeping you in the city?"

"Ye Feng’s aunt just had her baby, and her ex-husband, Wen Tao..." Han Xiaorui recounted the whole story, including Wen Tao’s escape and their fear of his revenge.

Liang Xiaoyu waved her hand dismissively. "Xiao Rui, you’re behind on the news. The Zhao family just suffered a terrible tragedy. Zhao Fenfen brought her lover home and was stabbed to death. Her lover didn’t escape either—he was stabbed more than a dozen times."

"Zhao Fenfen’s father, Mr. Zhao, had a heart attack on the spot. He went into cardiac arrest and died. The old woman ran outside to scream for help, but Wen Tao hit her in the head with a rock. She bled out and died."

Han Xiaorui was stunned. ’That Wen Tao is a genuine menace!’

"What about the two children?" Han Xiaorui asked. "He didn’t... wipe out the entire family, did he?"

’If I hadn’t said those things to provoke Wen Tao, maybe he wouldn’t have gone back for revenge.’

’The Zhao family’s deaths were partly my fault.’

’The situation was too dangerous then, and I was so sure he’d be caught.’

’But I never imagined he would actually escape!’

’The Zhao family and Wen Tao hurt Xu Yingying. She nearly died because of them, and just two days ago, Wen Tao almost killed her in the hospital.’

Liang Xiaoyu replied, "Aunt Zhao ran out for help and bumped into Hu Yaowu. Hu Yaowu witnessed Wen Tao kill Aunt Zhao, so he gave chase. Even though Wen Tao had a knife, Hu Yaowu is a good fighter and managed to subdue him."

"The two children were inside taking a nap, so they were spared. They’re being fostered by a neighbor for now. Their permanent placement will be decided after the case is closed."

Han Xiaorui breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s a good thing that maniac has been caught. He’s already escaped once, so I’m sure they’ll keep him under strict guard. He won’t be getting out again."

Liang Xiaoyu nodded emphatically. "That’s four lives we’re talking about. It’s a capital case."

"Six lives, to be exact. Wen Tao also killed two people in Japan," Han Xiaorui said. "He’s a complete madman. Now that he’s been caught, I can finally go home."

Even though living in the city villa was nice, Han Xiaorui missed the smell of the sea—that fresh, slightly briny air by the coast.

"Okay, I’ll head back for now. We’ll talk again later." Liang Xiaoyu finished her water and took her leave.

Xu Yingying had been discharged from the hospital, and Sister Liu came with her to look after her and the baby.

Thanks to the high pay, Sister Liu quickly adapted to her work at the Xu residence. It was even less demanding than her job at the hospital, which made her very happy.

When Xu Yingying learned that Wen Tao had killed Zhao Fenfen and her parents, she secretly gritted her teeth. ’I must have been blind! How could I have been deceived by that demon in human skin?’

Old Madam Xu snorted. "I told you he had sunken cheeks and the face of a villain, but you insisted he was handsome. What good is a pretty face? Now you know that when a man is truly wicked, he’s rotten to the core."