Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 45: The truth of heartache and suffocation!

Garden District.

Ning Cheng and Mu Xiaoyu arrived at the main house of the late Zheng Ling.

The household consisted of a middle-aged couple, with a son doing his homework at home.

Upon revealing his identity, the family was taken aback, especially upon hearing about the tragic death of their neighbor, Zheng Ling.

"The elderly lady Zheng Ling from across the street actually passed away?"

The male host couldn't hide his surprise. It was natural for anyone to be shocked and anxious upon hearing about the tragic death of a neighbor.

"Officer, how did Mrs. Zheng Ling meet her demise?"

"The initial assessment suggests that someone she knew may have committed the crime and caused her death," explained Ning Cheng to the couple. "You don't need to worry; we are just conducting routine inquiries."

"Alright, we'll share what we know!"

The host nodded and said, "Mr. Police Officer, feel free to ask any questions."

"According to your observations as neighbors, what kind of person was the late Mrs. Zheng Ling?"

"Although we didn't interact much, she was always polite, well-mannered, and a stickler for rules. She had a more traditional and old-fashioned demeanor," the hostess shared.

As the host spoke, Mu Xiaoyu discreetly turned on the voice recorder to capture the conversation.

The neighbor, Xiaoli, added, "Mrs. Zheng Ling had a strong personality. Once, I left a cardboard box outside their door, occupying a bit of their space, and she promptly threw it into the trash can."

"Though it was a small incident, her actions made us uncomfortable. Being elderly, I didn't say anything about it."

"Is there anything else you can share?" inquired Ning Cheng.

Xiaoli continued, "Mrs. Zheng Ling seemed affluent. She often wore gold and jade accessories, indicating her wealth."

"Really?" Ning Cheng feigned surprise. "Where did she acquire these valuables from, were they hers?"

"The Zheng family has always been well-off. When Mrs. Zheng Ling's husband passed away, she inherited all the family wealth!"

"However, later on, feeling lonely, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law... I heard her son-in-law had a car accident and ended up in the hospital, leading to their divorce. I'm not sure about the details."

Neighboring hostess, Liu Meili, seemed eager to gossip and continued, "I heard rumors that Mrs. Zheng Ling forced her daughter and son-in-law to divorce as she disapproved of him being a decorator and unable to support their lifestyle after the accident. She moved in, retaining ownership of the property."

Mu Xiaoyu's hand trembled as she held the recording pen, visibly surprised by the revelations about the deceased's reputation.

"Did Mrs. Zheng Ling's daughter resist the divorce at the time?" Mu Xiaoyu inquired.

Neighbor Liu Meili shook her head, "It's been almost a decade, and I'm not privy to the details. But Zheng Ran has always been gentle and obedient. She followed her mother's wishes and never opposed her."

"If Mrs. Zheng Ling insisted on the divorce, her daughter Zheng Ran would likely comply."

Ning Cheng realized the dynamics of that time. Zheng Ran's compliance led to the divorce with her husband, Li Ming.

Considering Zheng Ran's submissive nature, she might have overlooked any conflicts between her daughter, Zheng Lingyun, and her mother, Zheng Ling.

"What was the relationship between Mrs. Zheng Ling and her younger sister, Zheng Yunyun?" Ning Cheng redirected the discussion.

"How did Mrs. Zheng Ling treat her two sisters differently?"

The female neighbor paused for a moment before responding, "She treated Zheng Yunyun and Zheng Lingyun differently!"

Mrs. Zheng Ling favored her sister, Zheng Yunyun, with lavish treats and attention, while Zheng Lingyun lived a more austere life, handling household chores despite being in school.

"Why such disparate treatment?" Ning Cheng probed.

The male host interjected, "From what I observed, Mrs. Zheng Ling treated Zheng Lingyun more like a servant than family. I once witnessed her berating Zheng Lingyun at the doorstep, calling her names."

Ning Cheng now understood the potential motives behind Zheng Lingyun's actions. Enduring verbal and possibly physical abuse from her grandmother, Zheng Ling, could have driven her to a breaking point, leading to tragic consequences.

The abuse within the family was a crucial factor in the unfolding tragedy.

Ning Cheng realized the gravity of the situation, feeling a sense of unease.

Having only met Zheng Lingyun once, he knew her youthful innocence contrasted with the dark reality she faced.

"What was the relationship like between sisters Zheng Yunyun and Zheng Lingyun?" Ning Cheng inquired, curious about the environment Zheng Lingyun had endured.

Both hosts chuckled at the question, revealing a heartwarming bond between the two sisters.