Chapter 16: Reprimanded

16

Fang Wenxuan quickly recorded the statements. Then he continued, "Do they often quarrel?"

"It's not really quarreling. Director Su isn't someone who likes to argue. He only says a couple of words when things get out of hand," replied the short man.

Fang Wenxuan glanced at his notes. It seemed there was nothing more to learn, so he closed his notebook and addressed the four men, "Thank you for your cooperation. If we need further information in the future, may we come to you?"

"Of course," the short man answered.

Fang Wenxuan proceeded to the crime scene, which was the office. Even before he entered, he heard heart-wrenching cries from within, unmistakably those of a middle-aged woman.

"Who was it? Who took my daughter's life? Ah, my Yi'er..."

Upon entering, Fang Wenxuan saw a lavishly dressed woman sprawled over the victim’s body, sobbing.

"Is that the victim’s mother?" Fang Wenxuan asked He Xiaopeng, who was nearby.

"Yes... Sigh, a parent burying their child," He Xiaopeng sighed and resumed his work.

Lin Hui picked up Fang Wenxuan’s notes, studying them closely for the first time. The handwriting was exceptionally neat, yet sharp—much like Fang Wenxuan himself: rigid in principle, just, but never lacking the keen edge of a man.

"Xiaopeng, have you collected the surveillance footage?" Cheng Fei approached and asked.

"Captain, the footage was destroyed. I’ve taken the hard drive back to see if it can be restored. Also, on Sheng Mingyi’s computer, I found evidence she had sent some images before her death, but the records were wiped. It’s suspicious, so I plan to investigate further," He Xiaopeng replied.

"Good," Cheng Fei nodded with satisfaction. Then he turned to Fang Wenxuan and Lin Hui, "Wenxuan, Hui, did you find anything?"

"Captain, I’ve questioned the four people who attended the meeting with Su Qihang. All can vouch for his whereabouts—he was with them at the time," Fang Wenxuan replied, gesturing for Lin Hui to hand over the notes.

Lin Hui passed Fang Wenxuan’s notes to Cheng Fei. "Captain, I just collected physical evidence and fingerprints. This person is extremely cautious; there were no fingerprints on the door or handle, no footprints on the floor, not even a strand of hair."

"Who said so?!" Suddenly, Zheng Qiaoshan emerged from beneath the victim’s executive chair, holding a clamp with a long, jet-black hair. "The victim’s hair is red, but this strand is black. The factory is mostly male workers; the female workers are in another assembly workshop and wouldn’t come to the general manager’s office. Plus, the quality of this hair is excellent—it must belong to a well-maintained woman, not a factory worker."

"So, it must be the killer’s? The killer is a woman?" Lin Hui asked.

"Sister Qiaoshan, that’s impressive, to deduce so much from a single hair," Fang Wenxuan said, genuinely admiring her. Unlike him, she always found crucial clues.

"It’s a woman’s instinct. One strand is enough to tell how she lives," Zheng Qiaoshan smiled.

"We’ll take it back for testing," Cheng Fei instructed.

Zheng Qiaoshan placed the hair in an evidence bag.

After the body was secured, the group left the crime scene, leaving some officers on guard.

As soon as everyone sat down, the phone on Fang Wenxuan’s desk rang. He hurried to answer it.

"Hello, Criminal Investigation Unit."

"This is the 110 command center. We just received a report—a developer found a female corpse in a ruin in the city," came an urgent voice.

"Give me the address, we’ll be there immediately," Fang Wenxuan replied, jotting down the details.

"Another case?" Lin Hui asked as soon as Fang Wenxuan hung up.

Fang Wenxuan nodded, taking the address to the captain’s office.

"Xiaopeng, stay and work on Sheng Mingyi’s computer and the surveillance. Everyone else, with me to the scene. We have another case," Cheng Fei announced.

All officers, along with the forensics and medical teams, prepared and set off.

They soon arrived at the scene—a demolished school, a joint middle and elementary institution, bought for redevelopment due to its dilapidated state.

The female body was found in the school’s restroom pit—an old-style toilet, spacious enough to hide a person. The corpse was emaciated, short in stature, and decomposed to the skeleton.

Though it was a toilet, there was no stench. Time and the corrosive environment had reduced the remains to bare bones.

"I dread these cases—bodies left for years, nearly impossible to investigate," Lin Hui said, gazing at the skeleton.

"Enough, focus on collecting evidence," Cheng Fei waved.

Fang Wenxuan cast a disdainful glance at Lin Hui. He had expected more determination from him, but Lin Hui was already discouraged.

"Hey, rookie cop, what’s with that look? Get to work," Lin Hui snapped, having noticed Fang Wenxuan’s expression.

Fang Wenxuan ignored him and began working, donning gloves and a mask.

The area was strewn with rubble and bricks, especially those from the toilets. Though scorched by the sun, there was still a lingering odor.

Fang Wenxuan had a mild obsession with cleanliness. He always tried to overcome it. Seeing the yellow stains on the red bricks, he frowned but stepped carefully, searching for evidence.

Suddenly, his foot pressed on a brick, and he felt himself sink. Underneath was a squat toilet pit, half a meter deep. By the time he realized, it was too late to pull back his foot. He feared falling into the filthy pit, even though it was filled only with debris now.

"Damn... Clumsy..."

Just as he heard a voice, Fang Wenxuan felt someone grab him, his head pressed against a broad chest with the scent of male sweat.

"Stand steady. If you fall again, I won’t save you," Lin Hui said, looking at the pale-faced Fang Wenxuan in his arms. "How did you even pass the physical test if you’re this clumsy?"

Fang Wenxuan steadied himself on Lin Hui’s arm. Though he disliked being scolded, at least Lin Hui had pulled him back. Between falling into the toilet or being reprimanded, the former was far worse.

"Thank you, senior," Fang Wenxuan sincerely thanked Lin Hui.

"Don’t just say it—solve the case and treat me to something good. Including last time, I’ve saved you a few times now. You owe me a proper meal," Lin Hui said.

"Alright," Fang Wenxuan nodded earnestly.

Seeing Fang Wenxuan so obedient, Lin Hui’s mood brightened.

Fang Wenxuan, Lin Hui, and the others searched for evidence for a long time but found nothing. They had to withdraw, taking the body back to the unit to identify the victim before proceeding.

"Xiaopeng, has the surveillance footage from Sheng Mingyi’s case been restored?" Cheng Fei approached He Xiaopeng’s desk upon return.

"Captain, the data is still recovering. It shouldn’t be a problem, but it will take some time. Whoever destroyed the footage knew what they were doing—very thorough," He Xiaopeng said.

"How many hours?" Cheng Fei asked.

"Three more," He Xiaopeng replied.

"Good. In three hours, forensics and the medical team should have the autopsy results. We’ll reconvene then. Hui, Wenxuan, you two are in charge of dinner for everyone. We’re all working overtime tonight," Cheng Fei said.

"Let’s go, rookie," Lin Hui patted Fang Wenxuan, who was reviewing the files.

Fang Wenxuan rose and left with him.

"Senior, I have a name. Call me by it from now on," Fang Wenxuan said, walking alongside Lin Hui.

"What? Not satisfied with ‘rookie cop’?" Lin Hui glanced at him, then chuckled. "Do you know why I call you that?"

Fang Wenxuan looked at Lin Hui, thinking, isn’t it because of those two tickets?

"Hmph, because in my eyes, you’re just a rookie. You lack experience to be a detective. Calling you ‘rookie’ is a reminder—a friendly one—to know your place," Lin Hui said with condescension.

Fang Wenxuan clenched his fists, his brows furrowed. He couldn’t understand why Lin Hui always looked down on him, despite his efforts to be a good detective. It had always been his goal, his dream.

"Feeling indignant, rookie?" Lin Hui smirked, noticing Fang Wenxuan’s suppressed anger.

"Then in your eyes, what makes a good detective? What qualifies you to be one?" Fang Wenxuan asked directly.

"It’s not for me to say. How to be a detective is something you must realize yourself. Like today—faced with such a tragic victim, you were still hung up on your cleanliness. Think about it: a girl, murdered and thrown into a toilet for years, enduring all that filth, only now discovered. Yet you could barely stand by an empty toilet. Think of the victim. As a detective, you lacked empathy, and that’s why your obsession nearly got you hurt," Lin Hui said, gazing deeply at Fang Wenxuan.

Fang Wenxuan was astonished. He hadn’t expected Lin Hui to see through him so clearly, or to be so certain when even the forensic team hadn't determined the victim’s gender yet.

It seemed this veteran’s experience was indeed profound.