Director Yan concealed nothing about his relationship with Song Yiren. He explained that Song Yiren joined his company solely because of him, as they had been in a romantic relationship for some time. Song Yiren was a former classmate of Director Yan, and back then, she was the campus belle with many suitors.
Of course, Director Yan was one of them. At that time, he wasn't a director, just a child from an ordinary family, whom Song Yiren didn't care for at all.
However, after graduation, they went their separate ways. It wasn't until they met again by chance at a press conference that their paths crossed. Director Yan might have been married by then. After their reunion, Director Yan once again confessed his feelings. He was no longer the same person as before, and since Song Yiren was an actress, and not very famous at the time, she readily accepted Director Yan's proposal.
But fearing paparazzi, they dared not live together and could only cautiously be together in private. Every time they met, they would disguise themselves as other people. After Song Yiren joined Director Yan's company, she was continuously promoted and received many acting opportunities. She tried her hand at both modern and historical dramas. Initially, she remained relatively unknown, but it was through the drama "The Great Tang Knightess" that she finally became famous.
That night, her fan base surged from ten thousand to five million. She was ecstatic and secretly found Director Yan. They shared kisses, watched movies, had dinner, and finally ended up in the presidential suite.
Director Yan stated that their relationship had always been very good. He was deeply saddened by Song Yiren's death this time, but he managed to hold back due to the presence of many people at the time.
"So, you have quite a strong mental fortitude to not collapse when the lover you've known for years is murdered?" I probed tentatively.
"After all, I've been through a lot of storms, and I'm a man. Isn't it normal? I can't just break down and cry at the scene!" Director Yan replied matter-of-factly.
Liu Yuning continued, "Where were you and what were you doing when Song Yiren met her accident?"
Director Yan did not get angry at such a sensitive question and quickly answered.
"I had already gone downstairs and was about to drive off to have a good meal with everyone. I didn't expect to hear loud gunshots from upstairs."
We had already had people verify this point. At least a dozen people could testify for Director Yan, and I observed their micro-expressions, which appeared normal. Moreover, there were surveillance cameras in some corners of the street downstairs. We just wanted to observe Director Yan's reaction.
"You put on quite an act in front of everyone. If this incident hadn't happened, no one would probably have ever known about your relationship with Song Yiren!" Liu Yuning remarked, with a hint of sarcasm.
"Perhaps. Many things in the entertainment industry are exposed by reporters. Who would publicly announce them? Some, even if exposed, would deny them through various means. Don't assume I have any suspicions just because I had a good relationship with Song Yiren. I wouldn't do such a thing. As I said, I am the biggest victim of her death. Whether this project can continue is now a problem, and I've lost a lot of money."
While these reasons seemed plausible on the surface, I felt Director Yan emphasized this point more than once, as if deliberately trying to remind us.
The more he did this, the more suspicious he became.
I exchanged a look with Liu Yuning, patted Director Yan's shoulder, and we temporarily left his residence. However, as we stepped out, I said, "We'll go back in a moment!"
"You want to make a surprise return?"
"Why not! Besides, I managed to get something from Director Yan just now!"
"No wonder you patted his shoulder. Did He Xin give you something?"
I nodded, revealing a mysterious smile, and then, using what He Xin had given me, we returned to the villa and listened and watched Director Yan's current situation without ringing the doorbell.
Director Yan seemed furious. Not long after we left, he swept the tea set off the table, shattering it on the floor, and began to curse loudly, "How many waves of police have come already? These two are actually suspecting me! Don't they know who I am? What idiots! They're just wasting my time. Is my time so easily wasted? If you want to find the killer, why are you questioning me, as if I'm a suspect!"
"Master, please don't be angry. Since you didn't do it, there's no need to worry!" a woman in a purple qipao emerged from the room.
"Of course, I didn't do it. Song Yiren is truly useless, dying at such a critical juncture. She's caused me so much loss. No, I need to find someone to replace her immediately."
As Director Yan spoke, the woman leaned against him and said tenderly, "Why not let me take the role? I think I can do it!"
"You? If you go out, people will expose your relationship with me. You don't know how popular you are right now. You definitely can't, unless, unless..."
"Unless what? Hurry up and say it, I'm getting impatient!"
"Unless you give me..." The two immediately became entangled. Watching the tablet on my phone, Liu Yuning turned her head away, her face flushed red. Director Yan's private life was clearly chaotic. It seemed another person would replace Song Yiren this time. The fact that this woman hadn't appeared earlier indicated she knew we were there, and Director Yan definitely knew she was inside. Hmm... If that's the case, why was he still troubled about finding a female lead?
There was only one possibility: Director Yan had no intention of making this woman the female lead. This woman had definitely been deceived.
However, these were the kinds of tactics directors often used. I thought it had little to do with the case, but I later realized the key was right here.
We drove back to the police station. We spent the entire night pondering how the case would develop. Then, two days later, an elderly couple came to report their daughter missing.
We could have disregarded such a case, but by chance, I saw a photo of the woman and immediately thought I had seen her somewhere before.
I called Liu Yuning to my office. As soon as she entered, she asked what was going on.
I took out the photo and handed it to her, "She's missing!"
"This is?" From Liu Yuning's expression, she seemed to have an impression but couldn't recall it immediately.
"The woman we saw at Director Yan's house before."
"Ah! What a coincidence? Could it be Director Yan!"
"Yes. Fortunately, He Xin's all-angle listening and visual device. Otherwise, we wouldn't have obtained such crucial evidence. Regardless of whether this case is related to the previous one, another interrogation for him is unavoidable."