Li Zhiyue's boyfriend Gu Run has come to me several times, firmly believing that Li Zhiyue is not the one behind this case.

And he hired a lawyer and once again provided me with Li Zhiyue's alibi.

I am well aware that he wants to see Li Zhiyue.

According to the regulations during the public security investigation stage, family members are not allowed to visit.

Moreover, Gu Run is not a family member.

The lawyer wanted to see Li Zhiyue but was refused by her.

She seemed unwilling to provide any more explanations or struggles regarding this case.

I can't figure out this woman at all.

Questioning Li Zhiyue again.

She remains as poised, elegant, and composed as she was on the day of her surrender.

Even though she is now wearing prison clothes and handcuffs.

Her hair is meticulously groomed, and there is a smile on her face.

"Ms. Li Zhiyue, I hope you will tell us the truth. Was it you who committed the murder and arson in Li Jiacun?"

"Yes."

"But according to our investigation, on the day of the crime, you were at the hospital receiving intravenous treatment all day. After 6 o'clock, you even rushed back to cook dinner before driving from the provincial capital to Li Jiacun, which was probably around 10 o'clock at night."

"And your statement is that you rushed back to Li Jiacun, participated in cooking dinner, and then committed the murder after dinner."

She suddenly laughed, "Officer, are you asking me to prove my own guilt and overturn the alibi that actually exists?"

I remained silent. A normal suspect would vigorously argue for their innocence and strive for acquittal upon hearing this. But Li Zhiyue was different. She seemed completely unconcerned about the outcome of her case, her calm eyes like a stagnant pool, unable to stir a ripple.

After a long pause, she waved her hand and continued, "That day, I did go to the hospital for intravenous treatment, but I only stayed for half a day. I did cook a meal, but it wasn't dinner, it was lunch."

I furrowed my brows, "Then how do you explain spending a whole day at the hospital?"

She smoothed her temple and calmly replied, "Officer Zhao, you forgot that I am a psychological consultant, formerly a psychologist."

"Recently, I've been going to the hospital every day to receive intravenous treatment for a fever, and each time I would stay the whole day."

"So, that day I mentioned it multiple times. Today, I have to stay here for another day, so subconsciously everyone assumes I'll be receiving intravenous treatment for the whole day, just like the previous days."

"I'm already familiar with the doctors and nurses. I can even handle removing the needle and changing the medicine bottle by myself, so later on, they didn't pay attention to me. Even if I left in secret, no one would particularly notice."

"I had already arranged the payment in advance in the morning. I just needed to take a picture of the hospital's payment QR code on my phone and use mobile payment within a specific time frame, so naturally, no one would suspect the time I left."

So that's how it was. It was the Mandela effect. Li Zhiyue repeated the same thing multiple times, psychologically influencing the people at the hospital, and unintentional listeners would change their subconscious, leading to a deviation in the collective memory.

She truly lived up to her title as a psychological consultant, effortlessly obtaining a perfect alibi.

But I still had doubts. If she didn't overturn it herself, this alibi could completely exclude her from the case.

Why did she still choose to confess?

Everything seemed to have returned to square one.

"You once disappeared, and your parents even filed a missing person report. Can you talk about that incident?" I asked.

Her expression changed, becoming obscure and unclear.

After a long while, she looked up, a bitter smile forming on her face.

"Officer Zhao, does that have anything to do with this case?" she asked.

I said, "You just need to tell the truth, and I will make my own judgment."

She sighed softly and calmly began to speak, "Back when Idisappeared, I was going through a difficult time. I was overwhelmed by the pressures of my work and personal life. I needed some time alone to clear my mind and find myself again."

"So, I decided to take a break and went on a solo trip to a remote mountain village. I didn't tell anyone about my plans, not even my family or friends. I wanted to disappear for a while, to escape from the expectations and responsibilities that weighed heavily on me."

"During that time, I disconnected from the outside world. No phone calls, no internet, no contact with anyone. I wanted to be completely alone and introspective."

"I spent several weeks in that village, living a simple life, immersing myself in nature, and reflecting on my choices and priorities. It was a transformative experience, and it helped me regain my sense of self."

"Eventually, I felt ready to return. I contacted my family and let them know I was safe. They were relieved but also angry and worried about me. I understood their concerns, but I needed that time away."

"After I came back, I resumed my work as a psychological consultant, but I also made some significant changes in my life. I learned to set boundaries, prioritize my well-being, and not let external pressures dictate my happiness."

"That's the story of my disappearance. It has nothing to do with the current case. I confessed because I believe in taking responsibility for my actions, even if it means facing the consequences."

Her words resonated with me on some level. Li Zhiyue seemed to have undergone a personal transformation during her time away. She appeared detached from the outcome of the case, almost accepting it as a part of her journey.

As an investigator, it was my duty to uncover the truth and ensure justice was served. However, in that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this story than met the eye.

Li Zhiyue's calm demeanor and her willingness to face the consequences hinted at a deeper motive or a hidden truth.

I knew I had to dig deeper and explore every angle of the investigation to uncover the complete picture and determine the truth behind the murder and arson in Li Jiacun.