Friend's different path

Xiang had also gone to Changsha after graduation and started working for a local State-owned company until 2019. On March 11 that year, the company placed her in a new position. Because of her dissatisfaction with the role, Xiang beat a senior official at the company with a stick.

Xiang was placed on a 10-day administrative detention for the beating, and according to a court settlement, she had to pay the victim nearly 50,000 yuan ($7,700).

Two months later, the company, where Xiang had worked for almost 19 years, terminated her employment contract, leading her to sue to get her old job back.

The court ruled that Xiang could not regain her old position but that the company should pay her 52,000 yuan in compensation for the termination. Unsatisfied with the decision, she decided to appeal.

Her case was later passed to the court where Zhou worked.

Last year, when Xiang found that her "old friend" Zhou was a senior judge on the tribunal, which she saw as her last resort, she turned to her.

Traditionally, Chinese people tend to be more friendly to those who come from the same place, but sometimes, a few might misinterpret the value of such a bond.

An investigation by local prosecutors showed that on Sept 7, Xiang tried to give Zhou a box of fruit, in which she included 20,000 yuan and a gold bracelet.

Xiang assumed Zhou would help her win the lawsuit as they came from the same town, but Zhou refused and returned the money and bracelet.

Additionally, the high court upheld the lower court's ruling, further angering Xiang and fueling her desire for revenge.

Eight days before Zhou's slaying, Xiang got a job as a cleaner at the community where Zhou lived. Within days, Xiang learned Zhou's exact address and about her daily routine.

At around 7 am on Jan 12, Zhou was walking through a narrow underground passage to get to her car in the parking lot and drive to work.

Xiang, who had known Zhou over the years, was lying in wait and allegedly stabbed her with a knife several times in the passage, which was near the security post but in a blind spot.

Xiang failed to escape after being restrained by people who raced to scene after hearing screams.

Further investigation into Zhou's death is ongoing.

In February, she was posthumously honored as an outstanding Communist Party of China member for her integrity and fidelity to the law and the people.

Her computer's wallpaper displayed words that exemplified her philosophy: "Tell the truth, do practical things and adhere to integrity".

Feng Zhiwei in Changsha contributed to this story.