Qin Guan was extremely satisfied with the current situation.
Public opinion was shifting in his favor. The legal team he hired was actively gathering evidence for him—they had gone to his hometown and retrieved some of his mother's records.
His biological mother's "madness" was undeniable.
Using mental illness to absolve guilt was his final card.
What he needed to do now was reverse the situation, shatter that perfect chain of evidence, and drag Xu Ruyi down.
The investigation at the construction site should have made progress; he heard that He guy had been to Guanlan Court several times. And Feng Zhi—he heard he had been brought in for "assistance" a second time.
Everything was developing in the direction he hoped for.
Qin Guan was very pleased. Even imprisoned, without freedom, he could still stir up storms. This was his skill, something Xu Ruyi could never possess in her lifetime.
Of course, he also admired Xu Ruyi—deliberately leaving traces of Feng Zhi's stay at Jiayuan Complex, even making "Feng Zhi" appear at the aquarium on purpose for her daughter to see, giving him a false lead. That move was truly brilliant.
This tactic had misled Qin Guan for a long time, stubbornly focusing his attention on Feng Zhi.
He saw clearly now; that wasn't Feng Zhi.
It was someone whose build closely resembled Feng Zhi's.
Xu Ruyi deliberately threw out this red herring to lure him and the police into a dead end—Feng Zhi had a perfect alibi; no matter how they investigated, it was a dead end.
"Surveillance, investigation—I don't care what methods you use. Since this person actually exists, he can be found. He must be found!" Qin Guan instructed his legal team.
Simultaneously, Qin Guan played another card—one he often used.
"Fabricate an affair for her. Pick a male model with good looks, the kind with a messy private life. Photos can be photoshopped; the more explicit, the better. The bigger the contrast with Xu Ruyi's image, the more attention it draws, the better the effect. Anyway, netizens are easily led by sensationalism. The worst-case scenario isn't scary—at most, Xu Ruyi reports it, the rumor-monger is found out, apologizes, and pays compensation. I have money."
Such actions wouldn't help the case, but they were enough to rattle Xu Ruyi.
A woman who had never done wrong or evil in her life, who cherished her reputation, a young woman with strong self-esteem—when falsely accused, she would desperately try to prove her innocence.
"While she's trying to prove herself, we splash harder. Some won't believe it, but some will. As long as we stir up public opinion, divert her energy and attention here, and find the stand-ins for 'Zeng Demei' and 'Feng Zhi', we've won more than half the battle!"
Qin Guan grew increasingly confident.
It should be said he clearly knew this was his final chance—if he didn't fight back with all his might, seeking a chance at life, he would be pinned down for good. Death penalty, life imprisonment—the result was the same for him.
In his life, he had never waited for death; he was incapable of sitting idle.
Xu Ruyi sensed she was being followed the very next day.
The online "affair" exposé also reached Xu Ruyi quickly—a friend forwarded it to her cautiously, offering comfort, "These people are just spouting nonsense! The internet is full of garbage, Ruyi. Don't take it seriously. None of us believe it!"
Xiao Zhi also advised her—Xiao Zhi naturally called her openly. "Sis, the police wouldn't do this. It's almost certainly Qin Guan's doing. A guy like Qin Guan would never meekly admit guilt. He's pulling these dirty tricks just to drag you down and climb over you to safety."
Yes, that was Qin Guan's goal.
To save himself, he first had to muddy the waters, disrupt her mind, then follow her to catch the two crucial people: "Zeng Demei" and "Xiao Zhi".
Xu Ruyi didn't take it to heart.
She wasn't afraid.
This was Qin Guan's normal reaction—the re-trial was about to start. If Qin Guan didn't have enough evidence to overturn the case by then, the verdict would be delivered at this session.
Whether it was premeditated murder or a crime of passion, Qin Guan couldn't withstand the judgment. He would struggle desperately, using every dirty trick at his disposal.
It was time for the final battle.
"Sis, don't be afraid. He wouldn't dare hurt you. You haven't done anything wrong; you have a clear conscience. Don't fear being followed!" Xiao Zhi said.
Xu Ruyi wasn't afraid either.
She had long been prepared for a fight to the death with that scum.
What she feared was Old He.
After Old He went to Jiayuan Complex that night and said those things, there had been no word from him for three consecutive days—he had found the right direction, so why no further interrogation? Or had he already taken the next step without her knowledge? What would he do? Scrutinize her every move before Qi Min's disappearance? Find her weak spot?
What flaw would he find? Would he discover the secret she had always hidden?
Xu Ruyi's heart remained lodged in her throat, uneasy and restless.
Every day, she feared seeing Old He's dusty gray car appear in the complex, yet she also looked forward to seeing it sooner—if he had found something, she wanted to know today, before the trial.
But for five days straight, Old He didn't come.
A week later, Xu Ruyi's anxious heart gradually calmed—the re-trial was in three days. She needed to fully prepare for returning to court.
That afternoon, Little Pear had a slight cough. Xu Ruyi took her to see the doctor. Returning to Guanlan Court, she parked the car and was about to take her daughter upstairs when she saw that familiar dusty gray car.
The car window rolled down. Old He looked at her: "Xu Ruyi, give the child to Auntie Feng. Get in the car."
The expression on his face was exceedingly complex.