Chapter 2: Another Ticket

Chapter 2

"Alright then, let's call it a day for now. We'll head back to the bureau and see if Xiaopeng has made any progress," Cheng Fei said.

The two of them retraced their steps and returned to the Criminal Investigation Division.

"Xiaopeng, have you confirmed the identities of the two victims?" As soon as they arrived, Cheng Fei went straight to the forensics department and addressed He Xiaopeng, who was seated at his computer.

"They've just been identified. One is called Wang Minmin, the other is Mei Yanqin. Both victims were freshmen at A University, and it seems they knew each other—they're from the same school, the same department, and even the same dormitory. Their parents have already reported them missing to the local police." He Xiaopeng replied.

"Good. Hui, bring the victims' files with you. We'll split up. You go to the university and investigate their school and social circles. I'll talk to the families," Cheng Fei said as he glanced through the printed files.

Lin Hui drove to the university and found their advisor, who was currently lecturing.

The advisor was a man in his forties, with gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a refined and scholarly air.

"Hello, may I help you? Who are you here to see?" The advisor approached Lin Hui at the classroom door.

"Are you Chen Jinzhou, the advisor for Mei Yanqin and Wang Minmin?" Lin Hui didn't answer the question, but instead scrutinized the man before him.

"I am. However... they haven't attended class in a month," the advisor replied with some regret.

"How were they academically? Did they get along with others?" Lin Hui pressed on.

"And you are?" the advisor asked, looking puzzled.

"Apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Lin Hui, a detective with the City Bureau. Here are my credentials. We need your assistance with an investigation," Lin Hui said with a smile, handing over his badge.

"Has something happened to Wang Minmin and Mei Yanqin?" Advisor Chen Jinzhou asked after a moment's silence as he returned the badge.

"They've been murdered," Lin Hui replied.

"What?!" Chen Jinzhou stared at Lin Hui in disbelief. It took a long time for him to regain his composure. Grief washed over his face as he removed his glasses and wiped away tears. "What a pity... such a tragedy... they were such good girls."

"Professor Chen, could you tell me more about them?" Lin Hui asked, observing the advisor. His police instincts told him something was off about the man's expression.

"Wait until my class is over. Let's talk in my office," Chen Jinzhou suggested.

"Alright," Lin Hui agreed. He waited outside, watching the lecture. After class, Chen Jinzhou led him to his office.

Chen poured a cup of water and handed it to Lin Hui.

"Thank you," Lin Hui said, placing it on the desk. "Could you please tell me about Wang Minmin and Mei Yanqin?"

"They were like sisters, both from this city, grew up together in the same alley, similar academic performance. Last semester, they never missed a class and were doing well. But this semester, the course load lightened, and they started picking up part-time jobs outside. Gradually, they began skipping classes, and now it's been a month since anyone has seen them. Their families came looking for them, couldn't reach them, and reported them missing..." As Chen Jinzhou spoke, he handed Lin Hui their school records.

"Did they have friends at school?" Lin Hui asked as he flipped through the files.

"There were eight girls in their dormitory. By all accounts, they got along well. The records include information on the other six girls too."

"What about their personalities? Any conflicts with others?" Lin Hui continued.

"Both were cheerful and outgoing, actively participated in class. It's hard to imagine they would have made any enemies," Chen Jinzhou replied.

Realizing he wouldn't get any more useful leads from the advisor, Lin Hui stood up. "Thank you for your help, Professor Chen. If we need anything further, we'll be in touch. Now I'll go speak with their classmates."

"Of course, if the police need anything, don't hesitate to come by," Chen Jinzhou said, rising to see him out.

After leaving the advisor's office, Lin Hui interviewed the other girls in the dormitory, based on the information provided. Their accounts matched: both victims were optimistic, outgoing, and had no enemies. Their studies had become more erratic in the second semester due to their part-time jobs.

Lin Hui called the captain to report, "Sir, I've spoken to their advisor and all their dorm mates. Everyone says both victims were cheerful, had no known enemies, and started slacking off in their studies because they were busy with part-time work. I've found out where they worked—it was at Charm Night Bar."

"Alright, let's meet at Charm Night Bar," Cheng Fei said from the other end.

Lin Hui drove straight to the bar.

When he arrived, Cheng Fei was already inside questioning the bar owner.

"Any leads, Captain?" Lin Hui asked as they exited together.

"The owner said they worked part-time here. He assumed they quit when they stopped showing up. However, some other part-timers mentioned that during her time here, Mei Yanqin became close with a male customer. After both girls stopped coming, the man never returned either. But no one at the bar knows who he is," Cheng Fei explained as he got into Lin Hui's car.

"The bar must have security cameras. Let's check the footage and try to get a photo of the man. That should give us something to go on," Lin Hui suggested as he started the car.

"That's where it gets strange," Cheng Fei said. "The hard drive for the bar's surveillance system 'broke'—and coincidentally, it happened right after the last time the victims were seen here. Everything before that is gone, and they've long since thrown out the old drive. So now we're headed to the Traffic Division to check nearby street cameras. I refuse to believe the Traffic Division's hard drives would be conveniently broken too. Let's move—drive to the traffic bureau."

"What about your car, Captain?" Lin Hui asked as he started the engine.

"It's out of commission. The bureau doesn't have enough vehicles. I need to talk to the chief about that. Hui, since you're driving your own car, just make sure you put the police siren on," Cheng Fei replied.

"It's fine, Captain," Lin Hui said, focusing on the road. Soon, they arrived at the Traffic Division. Parking spaces were scarce, so Lin Hui parked hastily, and the two hurried inside to find the division chief.

Not long after, Fang Wenxuan, who had been out on duty, returned on his police motorcycle. Finding a Honda parked at the entrance, blocking his way, he got off the bike, removed his helmet, and approached the car, circling it suspiciously.

Knock, knock, knock—Fang Wenxuan tapped on the window, feeling the car looked familiar. He issued many tickets each day and had seen all sorts of traffic violations, but it was the first time someone had the audacity to park so brazenly at the entrance of the Traffic Division, blocking the way.

Did they take the traffic police for decoration?

"Pfft... Think you're special, huh? Let's see if you can outdo my tickets," Fang Wenxuan muttered, pulling out his ticket book.

He finished writing the ticket and was about to stick it under the wiper when—

"Hey, hold on with that ticket!"

A familiar voice called from afar, and simultaneously, Fang Wenxuan felt his wrist gripped firmly.

"So it's you!" Fang Wenxuan looked up at the man grabbing his hand. Wasn't this the same guy who'd tried to dodge a ticket a few days ago by claiming to be a detective?

Now, grabbing his wrist—clearly to avoid another ticket. But this time Fang Wenxuan was determined. Such flagrant disregard for parking rules, blocking the entrance to the Traffic Division, couldn't go unpunished.

With a burst of strength, Fang Wenxuan shook off Lin Hui's hand and slapped the ticket under the windshield wiper.

"Seriously, you still ticketed me? I'm here on police business, just for ten minutes. Is this necessary?" Lin Hui fumed, seeing the two-hundred-yuan fine, glaring at Fang Wenxuan.

"On duty again? Come on, find a new excuse," Fang Wenxuan scoffed. As if flashing the 'official business' card gave anyone license to park wherever they pleased.

"Here, take a look. This time I've got my badge. See for yourself, junior traffic officer," Lin Hui snapped, even more frustrated by Fang Wenxuan's disdainful look. He dug out his detective's badge and handed it over.

Fang Wenxuan examined it closely. Sure enough, Lin Hui was a detective.

"So, you're really a detective. But so what?" Fang Wenxuan returned the badge.

Lin Hui laughed in disbelief. "Seriously? Don't you know we're all on the same side? Traffic cops or detectives, we're both law enforcement. Why be so pedantic?"

"You're enforcing the law in your own car?" Fang Wenxuan eyed him suspiciously. There really were fools like this these days.

"There aren't enough police vehicles," Lin Hui replied. If he had another option, he wouldn't be driving his own car to work.

"Then you should've put a siren on the roof. If you get a ticket, it's your own fault," Fang Wenxuan replied with a faint smile. People like this were rare indeed.

"Hey, are you doing this on purpose? Extra tickets mean extra bonuses for you, is that it?"

"You parked at the entrance and blocked everyone else. What's wrong with ticketing you? If you object, go ahead and report me. My badge number is 5201314," Fang Wenxuan cut him off, unable to stand it any longer. Was he supposed to take being called 'junior traffic cop' over and over? Did this guy think traffic police weren't as impressive as detectives? If Fang Wenxuan had taken the detective exam, he'd have passed for sure. In fact, he was confident he'd make a better detective than this guy. Just because Lin Hui was a bit taller, did he think it gave him the right to look down on traffic cops?