Chapter 416: Hidden Truths

Chapter 416: How Do You Know? (Update 3)

Night, 8:32 PM.

A police car slowly pulled up to a Residential Community. Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang stepped out.

“Lu Juan, female, 34, from Bincheng, unemployed…”

Staring at an apartment building, Guo Qiang continued, “Based on our investigation this afternoon, many know of her as a famous female master—a sort of goddess of fortune.”

“Her name is well-known within certain circles. Everyone in those circles recognizes her as an all-powerful master: one who tells fortunes, performs rituals, and even alters destinies.”

“In reality, she simply exploits superstitions to swindle people out of their money.”

“But she’s never been arrested?” Xiao Yu frowned.

“No.”

Guo Qiang scoffed. “Collecting evidence is difficult. Most who seek her fortune deny any involvement and refuse to testify. And crucially, no one reports her—she doesn’t even meet the criteria for fraud!”

“That’s intriguing,” Xiao Yu mused, clearly interested.

Crime requires a process.

A conviction needs evidence.

Without a sequence of events and solid proof, you’re just empty accusations.

Do you really believe the prosecutor’s office would slap your report right back in your face?

Take someone like Lu Juan.

Strictly speaking, she is guilty of exploiting superstition to cheat people out of money.

But…

Those defrauded don’t accuse her of cheating—they even claim they willingly parted with their cash.

If both parties are complicit, how do you convict her?

At most, they can only charge her with spreading superstitions.

Is superstition a crime?

You might not believe it when it’s said out loud.

As long as it doesn’t harm society or individuals, it won’t be deemed criminal.

Frustrating, isn’t it?

Even if the cops are furious, it won’t make a difference.

Victims who don’t file a complaint, don’t cooperate, and don’t feel cheated—still happily paying up.

Besides, Lu Juan never actively demanded money; no matter how much people paid, it was of no concern to her.

So, taking money willingly offered by others—is that a crime?

If it were, almost everyone in this world would be criminal!

It’s like…

We know she’s breaking the law.

She knows she’s breaking the law.

We know she’s aware that we know.

And yet she continues her crimes… making a conviction impossible!

…

The door of a house opened.

“Who are you?”

A woman in her early thirties looked at Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang in surprise.

“We’re police.”

Guo Qiang said coldly, “We need you to assist in an investigation.”

The woman was none other than Lu Juan.

Xiao Yu gave her a once-over.

Attractive looks, a fine figure, eyes like peach blossoms, and an air of mature allure…

“Huh?”

Lu Juan exclaimed, her voice rising as if in genuine fear, “Officer, I haven’t done anything illegal!”

Feigning fear… Xiao Yu glared coldly at her.

“We just need you to help with an investigation.”

Guo Qiang frowned, “I’m not saying you’ve done anything wrong.”

“I see…”

After blinking a few times, Lu Juan stepped aside, “Please, come in.”

Just as the two walked into the foyer and were about to change into slippers,

Xiao Yu noticed a flash of scorn in the corner of Lu Juan’s eye as she bent down to grab her slippers.

Oh, so she doesn’t take us cops seriously?

Indeed, this woman used to swindle money, yet the police could never gather enough evidence to arrest her.

Her intelligence and methods aside, she clearly thought the police were powerless against her.

“Are you always this fearless?” Xiao Yu chuckled.

He relished such defiance.

Imagine the look on your face when I finally cuff you and your cheek starts ringing from all the punches.

Seeing you panic would be a real treat!

Entering the main hall, Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow.

In the hall was brazenly set up an offering table.

On it sat a tablet.

Huang Erxian!

“Please, have a seat.”

Lu Juan smiled sweetly at Xiao Yu, her eyes flickering with a hint of heat as she admired his handsome face, “Officer, you’re really handsome.”

‘You’re so overbearing it’s suffocating me…’ Xiao Yu replied coldly with a glance.

Though in a past life he’d wished all the beauties of this world would be bare,

this woman, more like a sham than a beauty, was hardly even worth a glance.

“Do you know Gan Xinlei?”

After Lu Juan sat down, Guo Qiang inquired in a low, cold tone.

“Gan Xinlei… Gan Xinlei?”

Lu Juan’s eyes shifted to the right as she feigned surprise, “Who is he?”

Her words repeated, her gaze lingering in feigned astonishment for more than a second…

Xiao Yu stared intently at the woman who was clearly lying.

He produced a photo and handed it to her, asking coldly, “Are you sure you don’t know him?”

At his words, Lu Juan’s expression seemed to hint at a premonition…

Her face shifted slightly as she pretended to examine the photo, then with a dawning expression said, “Oh, you mean him. I do know him. He’s been to my place a few times before to have his palm read. But… it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”

Still lying… Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on Lu Juan, “Do you really think your act can fool the police? Or do you fancy your performance as brilliant?”

“…”

Lu Juan’s expression changed once more; she said nothing.

“You’ve dealt with the police before,”

Xiao Yu said coldly, “Surely you understand the consequences of deceiving the police, right?”

Lu Juan’s face turned another shade as she looked at Xiao Yu in uncertain disbelief.

“Let me ask you one more time.”

Xiao Yu inquired icily, “How well do you know Gan Xinlei?”

“I…”

After a brief hesitation, Lu Juan said, “We know each other, but I’m telling you the truth—he hasn’t been to my place in a long time.”

Truth… Xiao Yu’s brow furrowed, “Then what is your relationship?”

At this, Lu Juan instinctively smoothed her hair from her forehead, her eyes widening slightly.

Running her hand through her hair was a sign of embarrassment and an attempt to cover up.

Dilated pupils sometimes signal not just fear or anger,

but even… a hint of desire.

Covering up? Desire?

A sharp glimmer flashed in Xiao Yu’s eyes as he watched Lu Juan.

Could this self-styled goddess be involved with the victim, Gan Xinlei…?

“We’re more like friends,” she finally said.

After a long pause, Lu Juan forced a calm tone as she spoke.

Another lie… Xiao Yu shook his head.

This woman is quite something—spouting lies in almost every sentence.

Clearly, she doesn’t have the knack for lying effortlessly.

How could she possibly fool anyone?

And have people believe she’s a goddess of fortune?

Coldly, Xiao Yu suddenly said, “Gan Xinlei has already told our police about his relationship with you. What are you still hiding?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Lu Juan’s expression changed dramatically. She blurted out, “No way, he already…”

“He already what?”

Xiao Yu’s face turned icy, “Has he already died?”

In an instant, Lu Juan’s face turned pale as she panicked…