Chapter 92
Song Ling examined the film set. It had been preserved as it was on the day of the accident, as the police had sealed it off for their investigation. She walked over to the spot where the explosives had been placed.
“Is this where the explosives were placed that day?”
“Yes,” Director Wang confirmed.
“Who was in charge of detonating them? And where was he positioned?”
“Lao Chen was in charge. He’s a seasoned explosives expert. We’ve worked together countless times. The control panel was next to the main camera, over there.”
Song Ling looked in the direction Director Wang was pointing. It was quite a distance away, and the person operating the control panel wouldn’t have been able to see what was happening at the explosion site. She thought for a moment and then asked,
“Was anyone guarding this area?”
“No, this was the designated explosion zone. Once the explosives were set up, no one was allowed to stay here.”
“What about the rest of the explosives? Where were they stored?”
“In a temporary storage shed in the back. I’ll show you.”
Director Wang led her to a makeshift shed in the back. It was a simple structure, with plywood walls and a single door, without even a lock.
“There’s no lock on the door?”
“No, we usually film explosion scenes outdoors. And that day was the last day of filming, so the shed was just a temporary structure. We didn’t bother locking it.”
Song Ling calculated the distances and angles. Xu Dao would have had ample opportunity to tamper with the explosives. Unfortunately, there were no security cameras on the set. Otherwise, they might have found some answers.
She walked around the set, meticulously examining every detail, not wanting to miss anything. Afterward, Director Wang took her to meet Lao Chen, the explosives expert, to ask him about the incident.
Lao Chen insisted that the amount of explosives he had used couldn’t have caused such a powerful explosion. And he had personally handled all the explosives, without any assistance. He was baffled by the accident.
Lao Chen was despondent. He was a veteran in the industry, his name synonymous with quality and safety. This accident had tarnished his reputation.
He had been living with guilt ever since, blaming himself for the deaths of two people. He had replayed the events in his mind countless times, trying to identify any mistakes he might have made, but he couldn’t find any.
He was adamant that he had followed all the procedures correctly, but the tragedy had happened, and there was nothing he could do to change it.
“Lao Chen, don’t dwell on it. We’ve worked together for years, and I trust your judgment. I know you feel guilty, but you have to move on. Don’t let this consume you.”
“Director Wang, I appreciate your concern, but I can’t forgive myself. I checked everything multiple times! I don’t understand what went wrong! I’m the explosives expert! I’m responsible for this! Two people died, Director Wang! How can I not think about it?”
“Mr. Chen, do you remember seeing anyone near the explosives after you set them up?” Song Ling asked.
“Now that you mention it… Yes, I do! After I set up the explosives, I was walking towards the control panel, and I saw a woman walking near the explosion zone. I immediately sent my assistant to escort her away. I was furious! Everyone knew that area was off-limits! We had even cleared the set for safety! I couldn’t understand why she would enter a restricted area!”
“Was it this woman?” Song Ling showed him a photo of Xu Dao on her phone.
“Yes! That’s her!”
“Ms. Song, have you discovered something?” Director Wang asked, his voice laced with concern.
“If I’m not mistaken, she must have taken some extra explosives from the storage shed and added them to the existing setup. That’s why the explosion was so much more powerful.”
“Ms. Song, that’s a plausible theory! We did a count of the remaining explosives after the accident, and we were missing a bag!” Lao Chen exclaimed.
Director Wang gasped, his hand covering his mouth. Although it was just speculation, it explained many of the inconsistencies. He looked at Song Ling, his eyes wide with shock.
“Should we inform the police?”
“It’s just speculation. We have no evidence. It’s pointless.”
“But shouldn’t we do something?” Director Wang asked, his voice filled with frustration.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let this go. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Song Ling’s voice was cold, her eyes filled with determination.
Meanwhile, Li Xinjun was leaving Pinnacle Entertainment. She had promised Song Ling that she would quit acting after this film, but the accident had disrupted her plans, and she hadn’t had a chance to discuss her future with Yu Wenqian.
She exited the building and took out her phone, opening WeChat and clicking on the contact “My One True Love.”
“Sister Ling, I just left the office. I’ll be home soon. Don’t worry. How’s your investigation going?”
She waited for a reply but received no response. She put away her phone and then realized that Xu Dao was standing in front of her, her face pale.
“Mo Mo, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Xu Jie, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Never mind that. I have something important to discuss with you. Come with me, please.”
Li Xinjun didn’t want to go with her, but Song Ling’s suspicions about Xu Dao’s involvement in the car accident and Fan Weiqi’s death made her curious.
“Okay, I have some time.”
Xu Dao smiled brightly, relieved. She led Li Xinjun to her car. She didn’t reveal their destination, and the atmosphere was tense and awkward.
“Xu Jie, where are we going?”
“We’re almost there. You’ll see when we get there.”
Xu Dao drove up a winding mountain road. They were far from the city, and Li Xinjun felt uneasy. She took out her phone, intending to send her location to Song Ling. She opened WeChat, but Xu Dao snatched the phone from her hand.
“Be a good girl and put your phone away. I have a surprise for you. We’re almost there.”
Xu Dao held her phone, her smile unnerving. Li Xinjun was annoyed but decided to remain silent, curious to see what Xu Dao was planning.
They reached the top of the mountain, where Li Xinjun saw a beautiful glass chapel. Xu Dao parked the car and then got out, opening the door for Li Xinjun.
“Xu Jie, why are we here?”
“Shh… Be patient. You’ll see.”
Xu Dao took Li Xinjun’s arm and led her towards the chapel. Li Xinjun didn’t like being touched, so she gently pulled her arm away.
Xu Dao didn’t seem to mind. She placed her hand on Li Xinjun’s shoulder instead, guiding her into the chapel. Inside, Li Xinjun was greeted by a breathtaking display of white and pink roses.
Xu Dao excitedly led her to the altar and told her to wait there. She then rushed into a back room. When she emerged, she was wearing a white wedding gown.
She looked stunning. Li Xinjun had rarely seen her dressed up, and the transformation was remarkable. Xu Dao, holding a bouquet of flowers, her face flushed, approached Li Xinjun.
“Mo Mo, do I look beautiful?”
“Yes, you do. But why are we here? And why are you dressed like that?”
“Aren’t you surprised? I dressed up for you! You know I don’t usually dress up, but I’m willing to do anything for you. Look at this place! I decorated it myself!
I know you like white and pink roses, so I bought them specially for you. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Xu Dao held up the bouquet, her eyes shining with love. Li Xinjun, speechless, didn’t know how to react. She was about to speak, but Xu Dao cut her off.
“Mo Mo, I love you! Marry me! Forget about everyone else! Look, I even have a wedding dress for you! It’s a matching set!”
Xu Dao put down the bouquet, went to a nearby chair, and picked up another white wedding gown, her face beaming with happiness. Li Xinjun, however, didn’t share her joy.
“Xu Jie, this joke is going too far.”
“I’m not joking! I love you! You know I love you! But you’ve been blinded by those evil women! First, that damn Fan Weiqi, and now Song Ling! They’ve corrupted you!”
“So you tried to kill them?”
“Yes! They deserve to die! They shouldn’t have taken you away from me! It’s a shame I didn’t kill that bitch Song Ling! I saw her clearly before I hit her with my car! But she was completely unharmed! I don’t know if I’m getting old and my eyesight is failing!
But it doesn’t matter! I have other plans for her! Today is our second anniversary! I want it to be our wedding anniversary! Li Mo, marry me!”
“Tell me, did you kill Qiqi?!”
“Don’t call her that! She’s dead! She has nothing to do with you anymore! Forget about her!”
“Answer me! Did you kill Qiqi?!”
