Chapter 21
Lei Family

Fuyang Commercial Street, Old Wang’s Barbecue.

When Xie Qing and Li Ke arrived, the rest of the team was already there. The men greeted the two young women warmly.

Tan Yi, not being the most sociable person, simply nodded at them. He was the tallest, easily noticeable from a distance. Like the others, he had changed into casual clothes—a plain white shirt and light blue jeans. Simple and neat.

If you ignored the old-fashioned black-framed glasses, you could see his well-defined facial structure, slightly deep-set peach blossom eyes, and slightly cold pale lips. He was an extremely handsome man. Considering the authority of a police officer, he had a buzz cut and wore non-prescription glasses for a bit of disguise.

One must say, the effect was quite good. It not only added to his masculine charm but also gave him a scholarly (old cadre) vibe.

Xie Qing waved to everyone and followed Li Ke to their seats.

Li Ji called out, “Over here, we saved you a spot. Come sit.”

“Thanks, Ji Ge,” Li Ke said, running over to sit next to Li Ji.

Xie Qing sat next to Li Ke, with Tan Yi on her right.

Fu Da said, “Everyone’s here. The meat skewers and gizzards are ready. Let’s eat. These skewers are perfectly grilled; eat them while they’re hot. Xiao Xie, you worked hard today, eat more.”

Du Zhun frowned, “My team leader, have some decency. If you keep talking, no one will be able to eat.”

“Look at you, so easily scared, hahaha…” Fu Da laughed, “In my opinion, Xiao Xie is here to stay. Whoever bet otherwise should admit defeat.”

Du Zhun grinned at Xie Qing, “Seems like no one won. Sorry, Xiao Xie.”

Xie Qing calmly ate her skewer, “Brother Du, that’s not true. The winner is clearly me!”

“That’s right.”

“We all underestimated her.”

“Who would have thought a delicate girl could handle this job?”

“Exactly.”

Everyone chimed in.

Fu Da asked Tan Yi, “Captain Tan, can you guess what we bet on?”

Tan Yi replied, “When Xiao Xie would resign.”

Fu Da said, “Spot on.”

Tan Yi smiled slightly, “Not hard to guess.”

“Not hard?” Fu Da lit a cigarette, “Captain Tan, you only saw Xiao Xie perform an autopsy today. She showed no fear or panic. How did you guess?”

Tan Yi said, “Xiao Xie just graduated, and her family is well-off. It’s normal to think she wouldn’t stay long.”

Du Zhun, the chatterbox, continued, “Xiao Xie, even Captain Tan doesn’t think you’ll last.”

Xie Qing, chewing on a tough gizzard skewer, nonchalantly said, “It’s okay, I believe in myself.”

Li Ke patted her shoulder, “Well said.”

Du Zhun glanced at Tan Yi, “Young people have drive.”

“That’s right. How else could she rise so quickly?” Fu Da said, “Captain Tan, how old are you? Are you married?”

Li Ke got excited and nudged Xie Qing with her elbow.

Xie Qing remained indifferent.

Tan Yi handed Xie Qing some freshly grilled tofu skin, “Twenty-eight, not married.”

Fu Da asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Li Ke nudged Xie Qing again.

Xie Qing smiled helplessly. Tan Yi was from Beijing and had a notable background. Although he was in the police force, he was a top graduate from Jinghua University’s law department.

Tan Yi said, “Not yet.”

Fu Da slapped the table, “That’s great. Captain Tan, just tell us what you’re looking for. We have all types, and you won’t see the same one twice in a month.”

“Haha!” Du Zhun laughed, “Fu Team Leader, are you a matchmaker? Don’t scare Captain Tan away! Besides, look at our little Li Ke and little Scorpion…”

Liu Feng slapped his thigh, cutting him off.

Du Zhun blushed, “Look at me, drunk before drinking. Xiao Xie, your Du Ge meant no harm, just joking. Sorry.”

Xie Qing then realized she had a nickname—Little Scorpion!

Li Ke and Li Ji, not very kind, lowered their heads and laughed.

Xie Qing looked around. The older detectives’ eyes flickered, clearly having used the nickname too.

Tan Yi curiously observed her, waiting for her reaction.

A nickname was nothing. In her previous life, her nickname was much more formidable—Exterminator.

Little Scorpion was nothing, almost cute.

Xie Qing said, “It’s okay. Brother Du said it was a joke. It’s just a nickname. Just don’t call me that to my face.”

After all, she couldn’t sew everyone’s mouths shut. Better to be straightforward and magnanimous.

Li Ji accepted “Ji Ge,” and Li Ke accepted “Li Ke.”

Tan Yi raised an eyebrow. This girl was not simple. She expressed her stance and showed her magnanimity. Was she really only twenty-two?

Fu Da said, “Look, look, Xiao Xie is so magnanimous. Come on, Captain Tan ordered draft beer. Let’s toast to Captain Tan.”

The small cups on the table weren’t much for a toast.

Xie Qing and Li Ke, the youngest, each took a jug and filled ten cups.

Tan Yi raised his cup, “Just arrived, thank you all.” He didn’t say much; he just raised his cup and drank.

The older detectives could all drink, even Li Ke. Everyone emptied their cups.

Only Xie Qing drank half. She nonchalantly put down her cup and started eating grilled prawns.

The prawns were fresh, with a chewy texture, and spicy, with a hint of sweetness. The girl focused on eating, breaking off the prawn heads, peeling the shells, and removing the veins with ease. Her slender hands looked like they were holding a sharp scalpel.

Stop, can’t think like that. Any more, and I’ll throw up. Tan Yi interrupted his inappropriate thoughts and handed grilled wings and silkworm pupae to Xie Qing and Li Ke.

“Ring, ring…” His mobile phone rang.

Tan Yi stood up and walked aside to answer, “What’s up?”

“Can’t I call without a reason?”

“Sure.”

“What are you doing? I have a gathering here. Want to join?”

“No, I’m treating new colleagues to barbecue.”

“Wow, you’re fast.”

“Not bad.”

“Really? Isn’t today the weekend?”

“There was a case, so I came early.”

“Another death?”

“Yes, it’s solved.”

“Impressive.”

“Small case.”

“By the way, have you seen Xie Jun’s sister? She hasn’t returned my page. If you see her, scold her for me.”

“Having dinner with her now. Want to talk?”

“What?”

“She’s not at 110. She’s a forensic doctor.”

“What!!”

“She performed an autopsy on a highly decomposed body in front of me today.”

“Uh…”

“Can’t talk now, bye.”

Tan Yi hung up, a sly smile in his eyes—such interesting news was no fun if only he knew.

“Ring, ring…” His phone rang again. Seeing it was Chai Yu, he hung up and returned to his seat as if nothing happened.

Tan Yi, being young and not very talkative, occasionally said a few words without putting on airs, making everyone feel at ease.

The meal was enjoyable for both the hosts and guests.

When it was time to leave, everyone took taxis home, while Xie Qing, Li Ji, and Li Ke got into Tan Yi’s car.

Tan Yi drove a Santana, about 70% new, with provincial license plates.

Li Ji sat in the front passenger seat, while Li Ke and Xie Qing sat in the back.

Li Ji asked, “Captain Tan, do you stay in the dormitory?”

“No,” Tan Yi replied, “I live in the Development Zone.”

Li Ke seized the opportunity, “My family also lives in the Development Zone. Which neighborhood are you in, Captain Tan?”

Tan Yi said, “Zui Long Bay.”

Zui Long Bay is a newly developed neighborhood with six-plus-one units and small villas. However, the supporting infrastructure is poor, with few malls, schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Sales are average, and prices are not high.

Xie Qing had seen some real estate ads in the newspaper and was quite interested in Zui Long Bay.

Li Ke said, “That’s a bit far, but luckily, Captain Tan has a car.”

Tan Yi responded with a simple “Hmm,” ending the conversation.

Li Ke pouted but didn’t say anything more.

After getting out of the car, the three watched Tan Yi drive away.

Li Ji said, “Impressive, becoming a captain at twenty-eight, only four years older than me.”

Li Ke nodded emphatically, “And he’s very handsome.”

Li Ji looked at her strangely, “Are your eyes not working? How is he handsome with those big black-framed glasses, looking like an old scholar? He’s not even as good-looking as me.” He puffed out his chest and ran his hand over his short hair as if it were a slicked-back style.

Li Ke said, “Give it a rest. Captain Tan is taller, has fairer skin, and a better demeanor…”

“To be fair, Ji Ge looks good too—clean and sunny. Though not as tall, he’s not short by our police station’s standards,” Xie Qing interrupted Li Ke.

Everyone is a colleague, and guys have their pride. It’s important not to speak too bluntly- A kind word warms three winter months, but harsh words hurt in June. Being too straightforward can sometimes be indistinguishable from being tactless.

Li Ke blinked, “That’s true.” The young girl wasn’t foolish and understood Xie Qing’s good intentions.

Li Ji was satisfied, “You have good taste.”

…

Plans often change.

On Monday morning, the city bureau’s office received a notice that there would be two days of forensic and trace evidence training on Tuesday and Wednesday at the provincial department.

Chen Qian, being older, didn’t want to go.

Xie Qing went with Cao Haisheng and spent two full days studying in the provincial city. By the time they returned to Anhai, it was Thursday afternoon, and the next day was National Day on October 1st.

With a nationwide five-day holiday, most colleagues who lived in the dormitory packed their bags and prepared to go home.

Xie Qing was no exception.

Chen Yuehua took her son and daughter to Beijing, leaving only Old Xie at home.

Aunt Sun was also on vacation.

When Xie Qing arrived home, Xie Xun was about to go to the Chen family for dinner, and they met at the door.

Xie Xun took the travel bag from Xie Qing’s hand and turned back inside, “Was the train crowded?”

“Thank you, Dad,” Xie Qing said. “It was packed, standing room only. If the provincial department hadn’t bought tickets early, I might not have made it back today.”

Xie Xun placed the bag by the entrance, “Go change your clothes. We’re going to your grandma’s for dinner.”

Xie Qing, feeling tired and not wanting to face Grandma Chen, said, “Dad, I’m a bit tired. Can we skip it today?”

Xie Xun thought for a moment, “Alright, I won’t go either. There are frozen dumplings in the fridge. We’ll make do with those.”

Xie Qing took out a smoked chicken she bought on the train, “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll take a shower first, then make some lazy noodles.”

Xie Xun hesitated, “Alright, instant noodles it is.”

Lazy noodles are not instant noodles. But Xie Qing didn’t explain. She went upstairs, took a shower, changed into home clothes, and went downstairs to rummage through the fridge, finding plenty of ingredients.

She planned to make two kinds of noodles. One was tomato, egg, and shrimp sauce over noodles; the other was oil-splashed noodles.

She stir-fried eggs and tomatoes, added shrimp, seasoning, and thickened the sauce. She chopped chili peppers, green onions, and garlic, put them in a small bowl with sesame seeds and Sichuan peppercorns, and poured hot oil over them to release the aroma, then added soy sauce and other seasonings.

Finally, she boiled water, cooked the noodles, and mixed them with the two different sauces. Two types of homemade lazy noodles were ready.

“Dad, do you eat spicy food?” Xie Qing asked, bringing out two bowls of noodles from the kitchen.

“I can eat anything,” Xie Xun said, putting down the newspaper and sniffing, “Smells delicious.”

Xie Qing said, “Then try both. I’ll get two small bowls.”

“Alright.” Xie Xun walked to the table and saw one bowl of oily, fragrant, spicy noodles and another bowl of colorful, nutritious noodles. He couldn’t help but mutter, “I never thought this child not only excels in studies but also in cooking.”

Xie Qing had two main hobbies: woodworking and cooking. Unfortunately, in her previous life, she lived frugally, with no space for woodworking and no time for cooking. As a compromise, she read online novels.

Both types of noodles were delicious, and the father and daughter finished them all.

After cleaning the kitchen, Xie Qing was about to go upstairs when the big phone on the coffee table rang. Seeing the number, her heart sank, “Another case.”

She answered the phone, and Fu Da’s voice came through, “Xiao Xie, there’s been a massacre in the old city’s Xingfu Li. Four people are dead. Come to the bureau quickly. I’ll wait for you.”

Xie Qing said, “Alright, I’m on my way.”

She went upstairs to change clothes and came down to find Xie Xun opening the door, “Wait a moment. I’ll drive you.”

Xie Qing suddenly remembered she had received her driver’s license that afternoon, “Dad, I got my driver’s license. How about lending me the car?”

“No,” Xie Xun said, turning back inside, “You drive, I’ll accompany you.”

Xie Qing felt a pang of emotion—despite Xie Xun’s strictness, he was reasonable, much better than her father in her previous life. Even though she lived in a novel, the experience was quite good.

Xie Qing had driven for six or seven years and was quite skilled. She drove steadily to the police station.

Xie Xun was relieved, gave her a few instructions, and went home.

…

Fu Da was the driver, and Xie Qing was the only passenger.

Xie Qing asked, “Where’s my mentor?”

Fu Da replied, “Old Chen is on duty tonight. He and Captain Tan went ahead. You just got back today, so you shouldn’t have been called, but Old Chen is getting on in years with a bad back and legs. You’re young, so you’ll have to work a bit harder.”

Xie Qing said, “Understood, it’s my duty.”

The police car sped through the night, sirens blaring.

At 8 PM, with few cars on the road, they reached the designated location in just over twenty minutes.

Xie Qing took a white coat from her backpack, put it on, and took a mask and gloves from the coat pocket, putting them on before getting out of the car.

Fu Da smiled, “You’re well-prepared.”

“In this line of work, you have to be ready at all times,” Xie Qing said, pointing to the crowd watching in the dark, “In case of any inappropriate expressions, it saves the families from heartbreak.”

Fu Da wiped his face and put on a stern expression, “You’re a smart one.”

Xingfu Li was full of single-story houses, with almost every family having three generations living together.

The incident happened at the Lei family’s house, number 277 Xingfu Li.

They squeezed through the crowd and entered the gate, which led to an eight or nine-meter-long passageway. A high-wattage incandescent bulb hung from the ceiling, lighting the passageway like daylight.

Bloody footprints on the ground were shocking, with a dozen or so marked with evidence tags. Nearby, scattered drops of blood led in a line to the west side room.

Xie Qing estimated the shoe length to be about 26 centimeters. The pattern was unclear, suggesting old leather shoes. The stride was short, the step width was large, and the feet pointed outward. There were more scuff marks than clear prints, indicating the person was likely a medium-built, overweight individual, around 1.78 meters tall.

Thinking this through, Xie Qing followed Fu Da through the doorway into the courtyard.

The first victim lay in the passageway—a male, aged sixty to seventy, lying in a pool of blood with his head to the west and feet to the east. He wore autumn clothes, one slipper had fallen off, and the other was barely hanging on. There were no signs of a struggle or fight, and the chest area of his clothing was visibly damaged, likely from a stab wound to the heart.

The courtyard was mostly paved with cement, with two large cement troughs along the walls, planted with herbaceous plants like impatiens and night-blooming jasmine.

The courtyard walls were about three meters high, with no bloodstains or scuff marks, indicating the killer escaped through the main gate.

Tan Yi pushed the door open, nodded at Fu Da and Xie Qing, and walked past them towards the doorway.

Fu Da quickly followed, “Captain Tan, any leads?”

Tan Yi replied, “The killer didn’t take the weapon. They washed it clean with tap water and left it on the stove. The cause of death for all four victims is clear.”

The dripping bloodstains indicated where the weapon had fallen. Was the west side room the kitchen?

Xie Qing overheard this and entered the living room.

In the living room, there was a victim with graying hair, leaning against the wall of the east bedroom, stabbed in the chest. It was speculated that he heard the commotion in the courtyard and came out to check, only to be killed.

The living room was orderly, with old but dignified furniture, giving a sense of history.

Hearing Chen Qian’s voice from the west bedroom, Xie Qing decided to check there first.

The light flickered due to a faulty ballast, making a buzzing sound.

The window was open, but the room still reeked of blood.

The pale light illuminated two bodies on the kang bed—a middle-aged couple, holding hands, staring at each other in death.

Chen Qian said to the two male forensic doctors beside him, “Gentlemen, our bureau’s Xiao Xie is here. Xie Qing, twenty-two, a graduate of Jinghua University’s forensic department, and Old Cao’s apprentice.”

Xie Qing greeted them, “Hello, seniors.”

The two weren’t much older, one under thirty and the other just over thirty.

The younger forensic doctor, with a hint of admiration in his eyes, introduced himself, “Hello, we’re from the Feng’an Sub-bureau. This is my mentor, Forensic Doctor Zhao. I’m Han Feng, but not the cold kind.”

Quite humorous.

Xie Qing smiled politely and asked Chen Qian, “Forensic Doctor Chen, what do you need me to do?”

“The preliminary examination is done,” Chen Qian said. “The killer was decisive, stabbing the heart each time. Based on the wound shape, we’ve identified the weapon. Xiao Xie, there’s limited work for us forensic doctors in this case. We’ll rely on the criminal investigation team.”

Han Feng nodded, “The killer was experienced and calm, like a professional. These two had been drinking and slept deeply, not hearing the commotion outside. Otherwise, they might not have died so easily.”

So they had been drinking. Could the killer have been a drinking buddy?

Xie Qing pondered, looking around—like the living room, there were no signs of rummaging here.

The furniture was modern, seemingly recently replaced, and everything was clean and tidy.

Xie Qing asked, “Forensic Doctor Chen, when were they killed, and who reported it?”

Chen Qian pointed to the male body, “His cousin reported it. Based on body temperature, rigor mortis, and corneal changes, the time of death was around 1 AM today.”

Han Feng elaborated, “The man was Lei Yan, deputy manager of a recycling company. He didn’t go to work today and didn’t answer his phone, so his cousin Lei Sheng, who works at the same company, came to check. Lei Sheng lives nearby and came over after dinner. When no one answered the door, he went home to get the key, and then…”

Xie Qing nodded, understanding.

Thanking Han Feng, she was about to tell Chen Qian she was going to check the east bedroom when Tan Yi and Fu Da entered.