"Mm, I tested him. How should I put it? Other than taking on some big lawsuits, I also settle civil disputes for some ordinary people who can't afford to proceed with lawsuits.
"Perhaps it's because he had been in prison before, and knows a little about the law, but the first thing he did after the incident was to take some photos. He came to me and asked for my help.
"I didn't agree, but he didn't look like he was lying. I told him that if he really didn't do it, he should turn himself in. As long as he was certain he hadn't done anything wrong, I would save him, no matter what.
"Then, he really turned himself in. He was beaten up a lot. He has a cowardly nature, but will act rashly if he's provoked. In the past, he was arrested and jailed after he got angry, made a lot of noise, and beat people up. So, I told him that if he wanted to be safe, he shouldn't act rashly, and he really endured it..
"When I went to see him, he cried aggrievedly. He said that he still had a mother at home, and asked me to take care of her.
"After that, I went to see his mother. She's the typical country villager, and she runs a noodle shop. I've heard that business isn't very good, but I've eaten there before, and the noodles taste pretty good.
"Who knows, you can go and try them?"
As a certain second brother spoke, he suddenly perked up and stared intensely at Lu An as he recommended the place, before he continued, "But at that time, the shop was closed after being trashed, and there were insults spray-painted all over the walls. When I went, Auntie was crying and scrubbing at the graffiti.
"She said that Da Da had been pure and upright since he was young. He could dig his heart out and throw his life away for anyone who treated him well. As for anyone who treated him badly, he would go crazy and insist on making trouble for them.
"She asked me if there had been a misunderstanding. Her Dada wouldn't hurt someone for no reason. I told her that the girl who had been killed was only 27 years old. She was a world swimming champion and had a good reputation. She was passionate and always did charity.
"Then, Auntie didn't say anything and just sat in a daze on the step at the entrance. She was probably wondering what she should do if her son had really killed someone else. She then suddenly turned around and asked me if it was possible for her to go to jail on her son's behalf.
"I asked her if she didn't trust Dada. She said she was afraid it might have been an accident."
The image of Cai Da's mother's desolate back as she sat on the step appeared in Lu Jingfan's mind. "I've also verified after that it was no more than a minute between Dada taking the photos and leaving Liu Yumin's place. Also, according to Cai Da's statement, he pulled out the power line first, then went into the water to get Liu Yumin out. At the same time, he did some CPR. In addition, he had been badly frightened back then, so it's completely reasonable that everything took nearly ten minutes.
"My guess is that there was someone else in the villa at the time.
"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to find any evidence. Also, for some reason, the prosecutor who handled this matter keeps insisting it was Cai Da!"
"Then, could it be the helper? I heard that the electricity in the victim's house often acted up. What did Cai Da say about that?"
Puzzled, Lu An asked, "Can you show me the photos that Cai Da took?"
"Mm."
Second Brother Lu Jingfan nodded. He instructed someone to get the photos, and then answered Lu An. "Regarding why the power often malfunctions, Cai Da suspects that someone was behind it, but at the same time, it didn't look like it was tampered with. He said he warned Liu Yumin to pay more attention, but he doesn't know if she took it to heart.
"As for the helper, she's an auntie in her fifties. She doesn't know anything about electricity, and she doesn't have a motive."
"Is that so? Then, could the helper have been bribed?"