Chapter 16
Clues

Xie Qing sat down on a single sofa opposite Chen Yuehua.

Xie Chen said, “Aunt Sun, please get Qing Qing a glass of juice.”

“Thank you, Brother.” Xie Qing, feeling thirsty, said, “I haven’t had water all morning. Aunt Sun, please get me a glass of water instead.”

Xie Chen asked, “Any progress on Shen Yi’s case?”

Xie Qing replied, “Not many clues. I heard it’s a bit difficult.”

Aunt Sun handed the water cup to Xie Qing.

Xie Qing thanked her and was about to take a sip when she saw Xie Yun running down the stairs, her long black hair flowing and wearing a cream-colored long-sleeved nightgown. She had delicate features and graceful movements, exuding the elegance of a classical dancer even in casual attire.

Xie Yun looked at Xie Qing expectantly, “Have they caught the killer?”

Xie Qing repeated what she had just said and asked her, “Did you notice anything unusual that night?”

Xie Yun’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes instantly welled up with tears, “If I had noticed anything unusual, how could I have watched Qing Qing’s brother die?”

This emotion was genuine.

Xie Qing asked, “Didn’t Shen Qing go?”

Xie Yun nodded, “She originally invited me, saying it would be lively with more people. But just before leaving, Qing Qing called and said she couldn’t go because she had stomach cramps.”

Xie Qing said, “So you thought it over and decided to go by yourself.”

The words “thought it over” and “decided” were subtle, implying that Xie Jun had some ulterior motive.

This was the effect Xie Qing wanted.

Xie Yun was about to sit next to Xie Chen but paused for a moment, then questioned, “What do you mean?”

Xie Qing knew she had touched a hidden nerve in Xie Yun—In her previous life, Xie Yun didn’t know Gu Ling well and wasn’t very interested. If Shen Qing didn’t go, Xie Yun wouldn’t have gone either.

Xie Qing leisurely said, “I mean, if you hadn’t gone…”

Xie Yun’s gaze turned sharp. She interrupted Xie Qing, firmly saying, “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Shen Yi attended the birthday party and went to the Golden Cabinet for karaoke by his own decision. I wasn’t close to him and never spoke more than a few words. His death was his fate. What does it have to do with me?”

In her previous life, Shen Yi also died young. This time, Xie Yun met with Shen Qing to remind her to prevent Shen Yi from driving to Beijing to avoid a fatal car accident. Unexpectedly, he died ten days earlier in such a horrific way.

“Fate…” Xie Qing repeated.

Xie Yun, sent back to the past by the author through reincarnation, might not believe in fate, but subconsciously, she does. She attributed Shen Yi’s death to fate, which allowed her to infer that Shen Yi also died in her previous life, just in a different way—If Shen Yi had died on his way back from the Golden Cabinet in her previous life, Xie Yun would have done everything to prevent it.

Based on this, let’s deduce further.

If Xie Yun didn’t attend the birthday party in her previous life, and Shen Yi went and survived, could it be inferred that Shen Yi’s death was directly related to Xie Yun?

Reasonable assumption: Shen Yi attended Zhang Xuejian’s birthday party out of respect for his classmate and was unrelated to Xie Yun. But considering Shen Yi’s introverted nature and dislike for drinking, he likely wouldn’t have gone to the Golden Cabinet after leaving the Marriott—so, in Xie Yun’s previous life, he didn’t die.

This time, with Xie Yun present, Shen Yi changed his mind, which was reasonable, given “a man’s nature.”

Xie Yun and Shen Yi weren’t very familiar, so she wouldn’t attribute Shen Yi’s death to her charm. She didn’t know the truth, and not over-blaming herself wasn’t wrong.

This was indeed the case.

Shen Yi’s death was an accidental event.

Xie Yun had no subjective intent and no objective connection to the criminal. If she took the blame upon herself, she would be living a miserable life.

Sigh… The butterfly effect. Who said reincarnation would necessarily change anything?

Maybe that’s what the author wanted to express.

Chen Yuehua suddenly spoke, “In your eyes, the three of us are less important than Shen Yi, right?”

Xie Qing took a sip of water and retorted, “You misunderstood. Curiosity is natural. We were just chatting.”

“Hmph,” Yuehua snorted coldly, “Your sister has nothing to do with his death. It’s fine if you want to be a forensic doctor, but don’t bring those dirty and smelly things onto your family.”

“Mom!” Xie Chen couldn’t stand it, “Qing Qing didn’t mean that.”

Chen Yuehua glared at him, “I’m just reminding her for the sake of our family.”

When words don’t match, it’s better to say less.

Xie Qing stood up, “I have work at the bureau, I’ll head back.”

Xie Chen picked up the car keys from the coffee table, “I’ll drive you.”

Xie Yun asked, “Xie Qing, have you seen Qing Qing? Her family is in such a big mess, I, as an outsider, don’t want to disturb them. I called her, but she hasn’t returned.”

Xie Qing said, “We saw each other at the funeral home. She was very sad.”

Xie Yun was surprised, “Did she recognize you?”

Xie Qing changed into her sneakers, “I was wearing a mask and didn’t speak.”

“That’s good.” Xie Yun felt relieved.

The disdain was palpable…

Xie Chen frowned slightly but said nothing, leading the way out.

The siblings got into the car together.

Xie Chen was silent for a moment, then said, “You’re right, it’s better not to come back.”

Xie Qing smiled, “Yes, taking a step back brings peace, and everyone stays quiet.”

Xie Chen laughed, “Now I understand.” He turned the car and drove out of the gate, “Qing Qing, have you decided on a car? I’ll chip in, as long as it’s under 150,000.”

No need to fight for it, it just came. That’s what connections are for.

Xie Qing said, “Brother, how about a City Hunter (*)? I stay in the dormitory and don’t drive much, so I don’t mind the fuel consumption.”

(*) The City Hunter refers to a specific version of the Beijing BJ40, known as the “BJ40 City Hunter Edition.”

Xie Chen shook his head with a smile, “A young girl buying a car for old men, too rough. Choose another one.”

Xie Qing put the bank card in his bag, “I really want that one. When I take a vacation, I can go hiking, off-roading, and even drive on the plateau. I’ll have some money left to buy a mobile phone.”

“Alright,” Xie Chen reluctantly agreed, “City Hunter, it suits a police officer’s identity.”

…

Xie Qing returned to the dormitory first, then took the tapes to the second team’s meeting room.

The detectives were busy outside, and there was no meeting, so the room was empty.

Xie Qing locked the door, turned on the projector, made a cup of Tieguanyin tea, and started watching from Shen Yi’s first trip to the restroom.

The Golden Cabinet’s hallway was dimly lit, the video quality was low, and the TV was small, requiring focused attention to discern details.

After watching two tapes, it was almost noon.

Xie Qing packed up her things and headed to the cafeteria with her backpack.

“Qing Qing!” Li Ke was in line, excitedly waving at her and pointing to Li Ji, who was eating in the corner, “Let’s sit there.”

“Alright.” Xie Qing took a tray and followed the line, getting scrambled eggs with tomatoes, spicy chicken, and a spoonful of century egg tofu.

As she left the line, Li Ke returned, shaking an empty soup bowl, “The chicken soup is good today. Why didn’t you get some, Qing Qing?”

Xie Qing stopped to wait for her, “I’ve had too much tea.”

“You’re so lucky.” Li Ke filled her bowl with chicken soup, “I’ve been out all morning. I’m so thirsty.”

Xie Qing didn’t want to argue and asked, “Any progress?”

“Let’s talk later.” Li Ke carefully carried her soup bowl back to the table.

Li Ji asked, “Why are you so late, Xiao Xie?”

“Got held up by something.” Xie Qing popped a peanut into her mouth, “How about you?”

Li Ke said excitedly, “We’ve got a lead.”

Xie Qing perked up, “What is it?”

Li Ji explained, “The Huang Qi case seems easy to follow, but it’s actually quite difficult. Huang Qi was a troublemaker, always causing problems wherever he went. His family was used to it and didn’t know when he was being targeted.”

Li Ke interjected, “Family education is really important.”

“Exactly,” Li Ji continued, “So, we looked into the case of Gu Daqiang from four years ago. You were right—except for Sun Zhifeng, the other two knew Gu Daqiang.”

“Especially Zhao Weizhi. Their families are distantly related. Gu Daqiang is Zhao Weizhi’s mother’s cousin, not very close, but Gu Daqiang shamelessly wanted Zhao Weizhi to give him free rides, and they argued about it.”

Xie Qing asked, “What about Fan Xiaoshan?”

Li Ke winked mischievously, “Guess.”

Xie Qing said, “A client?”

Li Ke deflated, “You guessed it right away, no fun.”

Li Ji added, “Even though I joined a year before you, I always feel like you’re the veteran detective.”

“Haha,” Xie Qing laughed awkwardly, “Not at all. Any more details?” She quickly changed the subject.

Li Ji said, “To be precise, Gu Daqiang wasn’t a regular client. He didn’t have much money and was kicked out by Fan Xiaoshan’s mother. Since then, he badmouthed the Fan family everywhere. So, I think Fan Xiaoshan is more suspicious and has a stronger motive.”

“I agree,” Li Ke nodded like a pecking chick, “Qing Qing, what do you think?”

Xie Qing said, “I completely agree, but reasoning is one thing, and evidence is key.”

Li Ji said, “I think we need to go back to the Huang Qi case. Take Fan Xiaoshan’s photo and ask the people fishing and cycling if they recognize him. Also, outside Wangjiang Community, the killer must have often parked there if he knew Huang Qi was a troublemaker. Someone must have seen him.”

Li Ke added, “That’s all we have for now.”

“Hmm…” Xie Qing replied absentmindedly, slowing her eating pace but speeding up her thinking.

Fan Xiaoshan being a driver and parking outside the community was normal and didn’t necessarily make him the killer. After thinking it over, Xie Qing also felt they could only take it step by step and solidify each step.

“Now we can only…” She suddenly stopped, “The murder weapon was a brick. Although Anhai is still developing, you can’t just find bricks lying around everywhere.”

“Exactly!” Li Ji slapped the table, “The brick must have been in the car. When the victim got out, he took the brick from the drawer and hid it behind his back…”

He mimicked the action, raising his hand unexpectedly, “It must be like this.”

“The brick is his trophy. He wants to be an anonymous hero but still needs some mental reward,” Xie Qing added, “He’s killed several people. He either frequently passes by the dumping sites, keeps the bloody brick in his car, or both. If you can’t get a clear answer from witnesses about the suspect, try visiting the dumping sites, especially where Huang Qi’s body was found.”

“A few rookies seem to be making some sense.”

“They’re all top students, unlike us, just rough and tough!”

“Hey, I don’t like that. What’s wrong with us? Theory is theory; experience is experience. Tell me, which dumping site haven’t we checked multiple times?”

“That’s true. Well, rookies need to run around a few more times to gain experience.”

“Keep your voice down, don’t let the young ones hear. Let’s eat.”

“Scouting without a target is just wandering aimlessly,” Li Ke rolled her eyes dramatically, “They didn’t even listen properly and jumped to conclusions.”

Li Ji lowered his voice, “Forget it, it’s just a few words. No need to offend anyone. Solving the case is what really matters.”

In the police system, salaries depend not only on years of service but also on the highest level of education. For students like Li Ke and Li Ji, who graduated from the police academy, their starting salaries are not low, so it’s normal for some people to feel envious.

Li Ke was indignant, “Everyone should mind their own business instead of pointing fingers…”

“Alright!” Xie Qing interrupted her, “Didn’t you often argue with other classmates at school? Ji Ge is right, solving the case is more powerful than any verbal retort.”

“That’s true.” Li Ke took a few more bites of her meal, “Let’s eat quickly and get going.”

Li Ji shook his head with a smile but also sped up to finish his last bite of food.