Chapter 201: Tit For Ta (2/2)

I pointed out the hole in my jacket that needed mending. He assured me he would fix it and got right to it.

I looked around and found Li Qin behind a bolt of cloth with half her face exposed, casting a wary eye on me. Zhang Qiang stuck a cigarette between his lips and asked while he sewed, ”What do you do, young fella?”

”What do you think?”

”You don't look like a student, but you don’t resemble an office worker either. Are you a writer?”

I smiled. ”You're right!”

He looked up curiously. ”What sort of books do you write?”

”Criminal investigation. I heard that there have been several murders here, so I’m here for research!”

I was deliberately testing him. The corners of Zhang Qiang's eyes twitched, but he soon forced a smile. ”Looks like you’re doing well. You even have such a beautiful girlfriend. The city is where opportunities are abound. You can even make a fortune typing a few words. Unlike us, we work ourselves to the bone day and night just to earn that little bit!”

I modestly replied, ”I'm doing okay. That’s right, I heard that the first victim was your sister-in-law. Can you tell me more?”

Zhang Qiang looked up, his eyes chilly. ”She’s dead, what else can I say?”

I calmly met his gaze and asked, ”Did you see the murderer?”

”I was outside, eating with my wife. The police have already questioned me. Go to them if you’re looking for research materials!”

I persisted. ”Did the police suspect you?”

He curled his lip contemptuously. ”So what if they suspect me? They have no evidence!”

We glared at each other for a few seconds before Zhang Qiang said, “You’re not a writer, are you?”

I smirked. ”Then what do you think I do?”

”I think you’re a policeman!” Zhang Qiang’s face twisted into a murderous expression.

Fearful that further probing would reveal my identity, I quickly changed the subject. ”Hey, you’ve dropped cigarette ash on my jacket.”

Zhang Qiang looked down and quickly dusted off the cigarette ash, conveniently putting out his cigarette in the ashtray next to him. Making sure that I had obstructed Li Qin's line of sight with my body, I quickly nabbed a cigarette butt–not the one he had just put out–and hid it in my pocket. First off, there was still a bit of smoldering at the end which made it difficult to hide. Secondly, Zhang Qiang would’ve discovered it.

The one I nabbed was of the same brand as the one Zhang Qiang had been smoking. The bite marks on it also looked very similar. In all likelihood, his saliva should be on it.

However, I had underestimated Zhang Qiang. The moment he looked back up and glanced at the ashtray, his expression turned ugly. He proceeded to count them and asked aloud, ”Why is there one missing?”

For a moment, I was shocked. This man even remembered how many cigarette butts there were in the ashtray!

Zhang Qiang counted them again and stood up, eyes awash with ill intention. ”Did you steal it?”

I bluffed with false bravado. ”Are you crazy? Why would I steal a cigarette butt?”

He glowered at me and roared, ”Did you steal it?”

I shouted back at him, matching his volume. ”You psycho! Are you crazy?”

Right then, Li Qin smashed her bowl and ran to the back room, crying with her face buried in her hands. “Darling!” Zhang Qiang seemed distressed for his wife. He turned to me sternly and threatened, ”Say it again and I promise you I’ll knock out your teeth!”

His angry bellows attracted the attention of some passers-by, emboldening me to retort, ”Do it then! We were just worried that we wouldn’t have a reason to detain you!”

Wicked laughter erupted through his teeth. ”In fact, I recognized you when you first came. The three of you are experts from the city.” Eyes glowing, his voice dropped to a low whisper. ”You’re here to arrest me!”

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