Chapter 26

Chance Encounter

The recent harmony in the family was largely thanks to Xie Chen. Without his efforts, Chen Yuehua’s bias and prejudice, combined with Xie Yun’s defensiveness and vigilance, would have led to arguments after just a few words.

If Chen Yuehua and Xie Yun could maintain a surface-level respect at home, Xie Qing would welcome it. After all, a harmonious atmosphere makes this temporary home more comfortable.

After Xie Xun returned, the family walked to a nearby affordable seafood restaurant for dinner. Just as they settled into a private room, Chai Yu and Tan Yi arrived together.

Chai Yu enthusiastically extended his hand, “Hello, Uncle. I saw you from a distance.”

Xie Xun shook his hand, “So it’s Secretary Chai. Are you two alone? Join us for dinner.”

Chai Yu replied, “No, no, we have several friends with us. We won’t intrude on your family time.”

Xie Chen also spoke up, “We’ll invite you another day. Captain Tan, please take care of my sister.”

Tan Yi said, “You’re too kind. I’m new here. Xiao Xie is excellent at her job and clear-headed. She takes care of me more than I do her.”

Hearing someone praise his daughter made Xie Xun happy, “She’s still young and impulsive. Please be patient with her, Captain Tan.”

Tan Yi replied, “Don’t worry, Uncle. Xiao Xie is well-liked at the police station. Her colleagues all appreciate her.”

Given their previous perceptions, Xie Yun and Chen Yuehua looked at Xie Qing with surprise.

Xie Qing said, “Thank you for your kind words, Captain Tan.”

Tan Yi smiled and nodded slightly, “Uncle, Aunt, we’ll be going now.”

Xie Xun said, “Go ahead, don’t keep your friends waiting.”

Leaving the Peony Hall, the two walked towards the stairs.

Chai Yu whispered, “I can’t believe that little girl is the forensic doctor who handles decomposed bodies. People’s appearances are so deceiving.”

Tan Yi responded with a simple “Hmm.”

Chai Yu sighed, “I shouldn’t talk. You wear those old-fashioned glasses every day, trying to look serious, afraid someone might like you. Honestly, which girl would want to marry a police officer? Stop being so self-absorbed!”

Tan Yi didn’t mind, “When have you seen me being self-absorbed?”

“You… never mind.” Chai Yu changed the subject, “You said the case is tricky. What’s going on? Is it still Shen Yi’s case?”

This was Tan Yi’s first meal with Chai Yu since starting his job. He had previously declined, citing work. He had refused today as well, but the Lei family case had hit a dead end, so he agreed to clear his mind.

Tan Yi said, “No, it’s another case. Let’s not talk about it now. It’s rare to take a break.”

“Only I would put up with you.” Chai Yu changed the subject again, “Who do you think is prettier, Xie Yun or Xie Qing? If I pursue Xie Yun, do you think I have a chance?”

Tan Yi replied, “I thought you liked Xie Qing. Do you have something against forensic doctors?”

“Not at all,” Chai Yu quickly denied. “She didn’t even return my page, making her stance clear. It would be pointless to push it.”

Tan Yi was curious, “Isn’t Xie Yun interested in Gu Ling?”

Chai Yu fell silent.

Tan Yi asked, “Have you met again?”

Chai Yu nodded, “I accompanied Mayor Ye to a classical dance performance. Xie Yun was stunning, breathtaking.”

They climbed the stairs.

Tan Yi said, “Shallow.”

Chai Yu retorted, “You’re not shallow? Let’s go together next time. I want to see if you can resist.”

Tan Yi said, “I’m not in the mood for that now. But I advise you, you’re no match for Gu Ling. Xie Yun is a determined girl who knows what she wants and won’t easily change.”

Chai Yu paused, “What do you mean?”

Tan Yi replied, “I was the one who told you Xie Qing is a forensic doctor.”

“Got it! Ha!” Chai Yu laughed, “You’re just protective, can’t stand others talking about your people. Let me ask you, isn’t it normal for a delicate dancer like Xie Yun to fear corpses and those who handle them? Even Qin Jie was scared. I respect forensic doctors, no offense. Don’t get worked up.”

Tan Yi glanced at him, “Qin Jie? Is he even a man?”

Chai Yu: “… He just doesn’t want to date a forensic doctor. How does that make him less of a man?”

Tan Yi ignored him, striding ahead with his long legs.

Chai Yu shook his head, “Fine, I’ll be the bigger person and not argue with you.”

…

Xie Qing’s car was ready, with all the paperwork done by Xie Chen. It was parked at his company, ready to drive.

On October 5th, Xie Qing drove to the police station. She wouldn’t drive often, but parking was more convenient at the station than at the company.

Coincidentally, she ran into Tan Yi as soon as she parked.

“You…” Tan Yi paused, “Good morning.”

Xie Qing replied, “Good morning, Captain Tan. There’s no space at home, so I’m taking advantage of the public parking.”

Tan Yi said, “This car consumes a lot of fuel.”

Xie Qing locked the car door, “Santanas are fuel-efficient, but I don’t have the budget for one. This car was cheap, and the money saved will cover my fuel costs for years.”

Tan Yi smiled, “That’s a good calculation. This car is great for all terrains.”

Xie Qing said, “It’s perfect for road trips.”

Tan Yi nodded, “Let’s go on a trip with your brother sometime.”

Xie Qing agreed, “Sure.”

They walked side by side towards the office building. After a few steps, Li Ji’s voice called from behind, “Captain Tan, Xiao Xie.”

Xie Qing turned, “Where did you go?” He was on a day shift yesterday and should have come from the dormitory.

Li Ji jogged to catch up, “My grandfather is sick. I went to the hospital this morning.”

Xie Qing asked, “Is it serious?”

“Not too bad. He should live another ten years.” Li Ji turned to Tan Yi, “Captain Tan, do you think the Lei family case could involve a hired killer?”

Tan Yi replied, “They don’t have that kind of influence.”

“True,” Li Ji sighed, “We’ve been staking out for days with no movement. Captain Tan…”

Tan Yi interrupted, “Just call me Captain Tan. I’m used to it from my time in Jinyang.”

“Oh, right. You mentioned that. I forgot.” Li Ji scratched his head, “Captain Tan, should we check the Lei house again?”

Tan Yi said, “Let’s discuss it after the meeting.”

The three entered the office building. Inside, people greeted each other, and Xie Qing and Li Ji soon parted ways with Tan Yi.

Li Ji said, “Captain Tan is easier to get along with than Captain Huang, I think.”

Xie Qing replied, “It’s still early. Their personalities are different. You’ll get used to it in a few days. See, you already call him Captain Huang naturally. You adapt quickly.”

Li Ji laughed and headed to the second team’s office.

Xie Qing went up to the third floor. As soon as she entered the office, Cao Haisheng was taking out the trash. Xie Qing quickly took it from him, “Master, let me do it.”

Cao Haisheng straightened up and stretched, “Xiao Xie, Forensic Doctor Chen and I are going to do an injury assessment. Stay in the office. If the second team has a meeting, attend for us.”

Xie Qing said, “Got it, Master. Go ahead. It’s probably about the Lei family and Shen Yi cases. I’m familiar with the details.”

“This girl is smart and capable. Recently, your mentor and I have had much less to worry about,” Chen Qian said as he walked in.

Xie Qing smiled and said, “Thank you for the compliment, Forensic Doctor Chen. I’ll stay humble and keep working hard.”

“Haha…” Forensic Doctor Chen placed his bag on the table and pointed at Xie Qing, “Cheeky.”

Xie Qing quickly took out the trash, cleaned the three desks, and was about to mop the floor when the phone rang.

Cao Haisheng answered, listened for a moment, and said, “Alright, Xiao Xie will be right down.” He hung up and said, “Li Ji called. You need to attend a meeting.”

“Got it.” Xie Qing put down the mop, washed her hands, and grabbed her notebook before heading downstairs.

In the second-floor conference room, Tan Yi sat at the head of the table, frowning, with a half-smoked cigarette between his long fingers.

Seeing Xie Qing and Li Ke enter, he put out the cigarette and said, “Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s start the meeting.”

The buzzing in the conference room immediately quieted down.

Tan Yi adjusted his posture, “The Lei family case has been dragging on for days. If we don’t solve it soon, our second team will be reprimanded…”

“Getting reprimanded is a minor issue. The key is, we can’t lose the trust of the people,” Huang Zhenyi said as he walked in. “Captain Tan, mind if I listen in?”

Tan Yi stood up, “Deputy Chief Huang, you’re too kind. Please, have a seat.”

Huang Zhenyi sat next to him, “You continue. I’ll just listen.”

“Alright.” Tan Yi continued, “We’ve reviewed the clues several times. I still believe Lei Guang and others are major suspects. The lack of movement from the suspects indicates two things: either they have excellent psychological resilience, or we’ve missed something. The purpose of today’s meeting is to brainstorm and find what we’ve overlooked.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the conference room fell into a brief silence.

Huang Zhenyi looked around and joked, “Why so reserved? A bunch of rough men turning into shy girls.”

“That would be great, no need to reincarnate!”

“Come on, if women looked like you, they’d never get married.”

The veteran detectives laughed politely.

Fu Da spoke up, “Captain Tan, Deputy Chief Huang, I wonder if we’ve targeted the wrong suspects?” He fundamentally challenged Tan Yi’s opinion.

Huang Zhenyi asked, “Who do you think the suspect is?”

Fu Da lit a cigarette, “This case isn’t simple. Everyone looks like a suspect, but due to lack of evidence, no one is. Deputy Chief Huang, could it be a hired killer?”

“Nonsense!” Huang Zhenyi scolded, “For that little money, would they hire a killer? Even if they did, how much would they pay? What if the killer wasn’t satisfied and took everything? Or what if the killer later demanded more and blackmailed them?”

Fu Da chuckled, “Just a thought. You two leaders can ignore it.”

Huang Zhenyi then pointed at Du Zhun, “Old Du, you usually talk the most. Don’t be silent in meetings. What do you think?”

Old Du smiled, “Deputy Chief Huang, you know me. I’m good at catching people and staking out, but not at thinking. Please spare me.”

Huang Zhenyi shook his head and said to Tan Yi, “Looks like we need to re-investigate. Let’s start over.”

He indirectly dismissed the suspicions about Lei Guang and Miao Dachun.

Xie Qing thought: Could Tan Yi and I really be wrong? If my speculation about the bloody footprints created obstacles, would it prevent solving the case? That would mean four lives lost.

Thinking of this, her forehead broke out in a cold sweat.

Tan Yi pondered for a long time, “Alright, Brother Fu, arrange for a re-investigation of the case.”

Fu Da said, “Got it. Let’s go, everyone.”

In the blink of an eye, seven or eight detectives left.

The conference room was left with Xie Qing, Tan Yi, and Huang Zhenyi.

Huang Zhenyi didn’t notice Xie Qing was still there and said, “Xiao Tan, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Cases rarely go smoothly. If you still believe in your previous opinion, go to the scene again. Even if it doesn’t give you more clues, it might inspire you.”

Tan Yi said, “Yes, the more familiar you are with the scene, the better. But the killer is also very familiar with the scene, leaving few flaws. I’ve been there several times in the past few days with no results. Deputy Chief Huang, I have an unreasonable request. If you have time, could you…”

Just as Xie Qing reached the door, a flash of inspiration hit her mind, but it was too quick to grasp.

Huang Zhenyi saw Xie Qing and smiled, “Alright, I was thinking the same. Xiao Xie, join us. This little one has many ideas.”

Xie Qing said, “Deputy Chief Huang, my mentor and Forensic Doctor Chen are not here.”

Deputy Chief Huang picked up his bag, “Right, the traffic police have a complicated injury assessment. Alright, you go back.”

Xie Qing said goodbye and returned to the office alone. She went to the bathroom to wet the mop and started mopping the floor while repeatedly thinking about Tan Yi’s words, “The more familiar you are with the scene, the better. But the killer is also very familiar with the scene, leaving few flaws; the more familiar you are with the scene, the better. But the killer is also very familiar with the scene, leaving few flaws…”

The office wasn’t big, and she finished mopping in two or three minutes.

After washing her hands, she broke down Tan Yi’s words, “The more familiar you are with the scene, the better. But the killer is also very familiar with the scene, leaving few flaws. I got it!”

She finally found the lost inspiration—Lei Guang was just as familiar with Lei Yan’s house. Could they have hidden the money there? Hiding in plain sight! Even if the police startled them, they could stay calm and never go to Lei’s house to retrieve the money. Once the funeral was over, they could quietly take the money without anyone knowing.