"We haven’t completely cleared you of suspicion, but you can be assured we will try our best to prove your innocence," Xiaotao gave her word.

"As long as you don’t charge me for something I didn’t do!” Mr. Ding acquiesced. “I can do whatever you need me to! But here’s the thing–a few days in jail won’t look good for me so I hope the police can write a letter proving my innocence to my department when this is all over."

Xiaotao nodded, to which Mr. Ding reciprocated with words of gratitude.

In fact, there were many cautious and conscientious people like Mr. Ding who felt as if the sky would fall if they lost their iron rice bowl. Therefore, the first thing he did upon learning of his wife's death wasn’t to wail over the corpse, but to dispose of the receipts that...