Chapter 45

Newspaper Office

Director Yan slapped the table, “This is outrageous, truly outrageous!”

Huang Zhenyi sighed, “Indeed, they are incredibly bold.”

With Tan Yi’s remark, everyone understood that the reason the newspaper came so quickly was likely because the killer personally sent the news to the Daily News. But getting angry wouldn’t solve the problem. Director Yan instructed Tan Yi to remain silent, and he and Huang Zhenyi went out.

After they left, Tan Yi’s expression remained calm, showing no emotion.

Cao Haisheng finished his roasted sweet potato and said he had work to do, so he returned to the office.

Xie Qing also stood up, “Captain Tan, I’m going to check out the commotion. What about you?”

Tan Yi said, “I’m going back to the office.”

They returned their trays and left the cafeteria together.

Xie Qing said, “The killer is putting pressure on us. Captain Tan, don’t fall for it. They are overly confident now and will eventually make a mistake.”

Tan Yi looked at Xie Qing. The young girl tilted her head, her eyes bright and determined. He felt a warmth in his heart, “You’re right, I think so too.”

“Alright, I’m heading over.” Xie Qing turned and quickly walked towards the main entrance.

When she arrived, a young reporter was asking questions.

“Director Yan, we heard there was a murder on Binhai Road. Is that true?”

“It’s true. The crime scene is remote, and very few people know about it. How did you find out? This is a serious matter. Please answer me directly.”

The reporter was startled and stammered, “W-we received a submission at our newspaper.”

“When did you receive the submission?”

The reporter shook his head, “The interview was arranged by our editor-in-chief. I don’t know.”

Director Yan said to Huang Zhenyi, “Send someone to investigate.”

Huang Zhenyi stood at attention, “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

The reporter, realizing the seriousness of the situation, voluntarily said, “Our newspaper usually collects mail around nine o’clock.”

Director Yan said, “Thank you for your cooperation. Our people will be there soon.”

…

When Xie Qing returned to the dormitory, Tan Yi happened to be coming out of the office building. She greeted him and wanted to ask if he was going to the newspaper office but held back.

They passed each other.

After a few steps, Xie Qing heard Tan Yi behind her, “Xiao Xie, I’m going to the newspaper office. Do you want to come?”

Xie Qing didn’t hesitate and quickly turned around, “Sure, let’s go together.” She was also a member of the task force, so it was reasonable for her to participate in the investigation.

The car hit the road.

Tan Yi asked, “Xiao Xie, do you have any thoughts on the ‘Saqing doll’?”

Xie Qing organized her thoughts, “There are two types of ‘Saqing doll’: one from Japan and one from Chinese folklore, particularly in Beijing and the Guanzhong area. They look slightly different from the Japanese version. Which type do you think is relevant to this case?”

Tan Yi said, “I believe it’s related to Japan.”

Xie Qing didn’t know when Tan Yi’s brother’s incident occurred or when the Japanese show “Ikkyu-san” was introduced to China, but she knew the significance of the ‘Saqing doll’ in Japan.

She asked, “If it’s related to Japan, could the killer be using it as a form of mockery or for some religious significance?”

Tan Yi was silent for a moment, “I believe it’s an intellectual contest, but unfortunately… I’ve never won.”

His voice was low, and even without expression, his mood was evident.

Xie Qing felt the opposite. It was her first time encountering such a case, and she felt a secret excitement. It was like solving riddles together— the more others couldn’t guess, the more she wanted to figure it out. She said, “There’s an old saying: ‘A thousand-year thief, but no thousand-year guard.’ Dealing with cunning criminals isn’t about intelligence; it’s about familiarity with their methods.”

After Xie Qing’s words, the car fell silent.

It wasn’t until they got out of the car that Tan Yi said, “Maybe my obsession is too deep. You’re right, Xiao Xie.”

Xie Qing understood him. When someone is too eager to accomplish something but fails repeatedly, the mental blow is significant, leading to self-doubt. She slung her bag over her shoulder and closed the car door, “We’re the cats, they’re the mice. It’s all about patience. No matter how difficult, don’t push yourself too hard, Captain Tan.”

“Alright.” Tan Yi smiled and nodded, “There’s so much to be thankful for, but I won’t thank you today.”

“Just some casual advice. We’re all young, Captain Tan, no need to take it too seriously.” Xie Qing shrugged, “If you must thank me, treat me to a few good meals, but nothing more, especially not anything like offering yourself.”

“Hahaha…” Tan Yi laughed, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do something so ridiculous.” As he spoke, he walked towards the mailbox in front of the newspaper office.

The mailbox wasn’t from the post office but the newspaper’s own submission box—meaning the letter didn’t need to go through the post office. The sender could just drop it in while passing by. Finding the sender this way was almost impossible.

Tan Yi and Xie Qing had anticipated this, so they weren’t disappointed.

They walked into the newspaper office side by side and were stopped by the guard after a few steps, “Who are you looking for?”

Tan Yi showed his credentials, “Sir, which floor is the editor-in-chief on?”

The guard was taken aback and quickly pointed to the stairs, “Third floor, he’s there.”

Xie Qing smiled, “Great, thank you, sir.”

They quickly went up to the third floor, and Xie Qing knocked on the editor-in-chief’s office door. Behind the desk sat the middle-aged man they had seen at the hospital.

Xie Qing said, “Hello, Editor Zhao, we meet again.”

The man’s name was Zhao Yong, and he had shared a hospital room with Pi Yan’s fellow villager. After the Daily News published a biased report, Li Ji had investigated the newspaper’s responsible personnel.

Zhao Yong recognized Xie Qing but slowly stood up, “You two are…”

Xie Qing said, “We’re from the city bureau. This is our Captain Tan.”

Zhao Yong forced a smile, “Hello, Captain Tan. Please, have a seat.” He opened the door and called out, “Xiao Li, make two cups of tea.”

Tan Yi said, “No need for formalities, Editor Zhao. We’ll leave once we’re done.”

Zhao Yong pointed to the sofa on the right side of the desk, “Please sit. What can I do for you?”

Tan Yi sat on the long sofa, “We heard you received a news tip about the Binhai Road murder case?”

Zhao Yong also sat down and crossed his legs, “Yes, that’s not illegal, is it?”

Tan Yi said, “It’s not illegal, but the criminal might have delivered the letter. We need to examine the original and understand how it was delivered.”

Zhao Yong uncrossed his legs, and the faint smile on his face disappeared, “Are you saying the killer delivered it themselves?”

Tan Yi said, “Of course. We had just arrived at the crime scene when you received the letter. If it wasn’t premeditated, the news couldn’t have reached you so quickly.”

Zhao Yong stood up again, opened the door, and called out, “Xiao Wang, find the letter about the Binhai Road case and bring it to me immediately.”

Sitting back on the sofa, he said to Tan Yi, “Captain Tan, we’re journalists. It’s our professional duty to get news quickly. The criminal sent the letter to us because our news is timely, right?”

Tan Yi said, “News needs to be timely and accurate, right, Editor Zhao?”

Zhao Yong’s face showed a hint of discomfort, and he forced a laugh, “Of course, our newspaper has always adhered to these standards. We appreciate your supervision, Captain Tan.”

What a thick-skinned person.

Tan Yi said, “I wouldn’t dare to supervise. I believe our Daily News is a fair and just newspaper.”

“Haha, naturally, naturally,” Zhao Yong said, shifting in his seat. He turned to Xiao Li, who was bringing in tea, “Go hurry Xiao Wang, why is he so slow?”

“Editor, here it is, we found it,” another young man ran in. He placed a white envelope on the coffee table.

Xie Qing looked over—it was an ordinary, clean, and tidy envelope with a stamp but no postmark.

Tan Yi put on gloves and picked up the envelope, “Who has handled this?”

Xiao Wang said, “The doorman, me, the editor, and Reporter Zheng who was preparing the article… I don’t think anyone else.”

Xie Qing said, “Brother Wang, please call everyone mentioned here. I need to take fingerprints for comparison.”

Xiao Wang looked at Zhao Yong in surprise, “Officers, we have a mailbox at the entrance, and we collect mail regularly. This letter has nothing to do with us.”

Xie Qing said, “We need to exclude your fingerprints to identify the sender.”

“Oh, right!” Xiao Wang suddenly understood, “I’ll handle it right away.”

Tan Yi took out the letter from the envelope, and Xie Qing looked over as well.

The letter read: “A murder occurred on Binhai Road. The city bureau is involved. I heard it’s similar to the Shen Yi case.” The wording was straightforward and colloquial, revealing nothing about the writer’s education level. The letter was written on standard lined paper sold in stores, with average handwriting in pen.

Tan Yi put the letter back in the envelope.

Zhao Yong asked tentatively, “Captain Tan, did you find anything?”

Tan Yi said, “If the killer dared to send it, they ensured we wouldn’t find anything.”

Zhao Yong countered, “Then isn’t looking for this letter meaningless?”

Tan Yi said, “Editor Zhao, criminal investigation work involves not only investigation and reasoning but also trial and error. It’s tedious and extensive. If we cause any inconvenience, please understand.”

He used Zhao Yong’s own words against him, implying that just as Zhao Yong sought understanding, so should he.

Zhao Yong said, “Captain Tan, of course, we understand each other.”

After collecting fingerprints, Tan Yi and Xie Qing returned to the car.

Xie Qing said, “The letter was written with the left hand. The writer’s right hand should be capable of good handwriting.”

Tan Yi nodded, “If the left hand can write like this, the right hand must be better. Anything else?”

Xie Qing said, “The killer didn’t dare use their right hand, suggesting they might have worked in a formal setting. Also, their writing style is unique. If we see more of their writing, we should be able to match it.”

“In a vast sea of people, it’s not easy. Let’s discuss it back at the station.” Tan Yi nodded towards the KFC across the street, “I’ll get you a Coke. I’ll buy it.”

Xie Qing said, “Thanks, no ice.”

At that time, KFC was still a trendy place, and Tan Yi was quite considerate.