out earlier was because she hadn ’ t felt it , that would explain why there were no signs of struggling , a placid death , peaceful , even .
Hongqi was surprised , to say the least . Not particularly because he hadn ’ t suspected the hairpin ( though it is unlikely he did ), but because it was a lady who sold fruit at a market who had actually solved the case . Mr Ling was released at once . Hongqi snatched the hairpin out of Chengguang ’ s hands . He examined it closely , until coming to the conclusion that it was , indeed , a hairpin that had killed Mei . He now began to examine it closer , holding it close to his eyes to read the small print on the decorative bone on top . It read :
‘ Baozhi ’ s Handmade Dresses ’ It was the local tailor , and they had their culprit .
They made their way to Baozhi ’ s shop . Hongqi took it from there . He flashed his identification and said in the coldest possible manner , ‘ Did you really think you would get away ?’
Baozhi denied it at first , until , of course , Chengguang had found not only a stash of ardent love letters signed by none other than Mei Ling herself , but also an identical sewing needle , about 15cm long ; long enough to kill a person .
Long enough to kill Mei .
From that point on , everything moved fast : bringing Baozhi to the police station , Chengguang returning to work and even recovering from the initial shock .
After multiple interrogations and some fruitless probing , they had pinned Baozhi ’ s motives . They were , as Hongqi had predicted , in a relationship . They were both hiding it from Mr Ling , whom Mei feared would hurt her if he were to find out . From Baozhi , Mei received warm embraces and expensive dresses . From Mr Ling , Mei was shown no true admiration other than a grumbled thank you when she got up from the table to fetch him a beer can . Baozhi had murdered Mei to keep her safe .
You could see the madness in his eyes , but he was not insane , he was in love . He didn ’ t murder for malice , he murdered for devotion . He had promised to protect her , and when he feared Mr Ling was onto their affair , he murdered her to keep her safe . Baozhi claimed that Mei knew nothing of his plan and didn ’ t even notice when he had slipped the needle into her hair on their final night out together .
Love is funny like that ; the way it manifests itself in the feeble human mind . No detective could have predicted that ; it takes a certain kind of genius ( or madman , for that matter ) to understand his motives . Love had claimed Mei ’ s life , and not long after , it claimed Baozhi ’ s life . After all , according to Baozhi , he had no will to live without his love .
After the confusion and mourning had passed , the calm city of Shanghai had settled once more .
It could best be described as outer space ; tranquil , beautiful and perhaps a little mysterious . Where the planets methodically circle the Sun , yet never once collide . It almost resembled a lone astronaut witnessing the glittering stars that reflect and refract the golden rays from the Sun .
For now at least . For although the sun would disappear each night behind the shadows , the city never slept .