I was able to repro with a substantially different path. One correction: I chose Wu on both playthroughs, but it looks my path/options changed due decisions that predate that. This time I had the softcore option, but did not have the option to sneak in or take evidence. I still ended up on the same dead end.
I also found a minor conversation loop that I didn't notice before in my first conversation with Fang.
I'm really astonished by the narrative complexity and think this is really special, so I hope highlighting flaws isn't too much of a downer.