Chapter 19.2
Unworried

About half an hour later, Ren Yaguang and a few young members from other teams walked in together.

Xie Qing heard their voices and looked over from between the gaps. Each person picked up a dumbbell and started chatting while working out.

“I heard our new team leader has arrived.”

“How old is he?”

“Not sure. I haven’t seen him yet, but I heard he’s quite young.”

“No matter how young, he must be in his thirties.”

“Probably. Last night, the team leader invited the captains for dinner, and I heard he was there too.”

“He’s likely to officially start on Monday.”

“Wonder what his level is.”

“We’ll see, give it a couple of days.”

Xie Qing listened for a bit, then sped up her workout. Once she reached her target, she packed up and left through the back door.

At 9:30 AM on Sunday, she took a taxi back to the Xie family home.

Chen Yuehua and Xie Yun were not there, but Xie Xun and Xie Chen were watching the news on TV.

“Dad, Brother, I’m back,” Xie Qing greeted them.

Xie Xun saw her carrying a delicate gift box and a large bag of fruit, and a smile appeared on his face, “Good to have you back. Go wash your hands. Your sister bought some grapes. They’re very sweet.”

Xie Qing placed the fruit and box on the cabinet by the entrance, “Brother, where’s Mom?”

Xie Chen replied, “She went to Grandma’s house early this morning, and Yun Yun went too. She said she wanted to make two of her specialty dishes.”

The Chen family also lived in this neighborhood, in an apartment building, just a three to five-minute walk away.

Grandma Chen preferred a quiet celebration, so the birthday party was held at home.

Xie Qing responded with an “Oh,” sat down on the middle sofa, and started eating a bunch of grapes.

Grandma Chen had a peculiar personality. To put it mildly, she was strict and demanding, much like Chen Yuehua.

Xie Qing didn’t want to make things awkward, so she pretended not to understand Xie Chen’s hint.

Xie Xun was watching the local news of Anhai City, and the announcer was discussing the city’s security situation. He asked, “I heard Shen Yi was buried yesterday. Has the case been solved?”

Xie Qing replied, “Not yet. This case is quite significant. Dad, Brother, try to come home early in the evenings. No matter who you encounter or what situation arises, don’t get out of the car.”

Xie Xun, relaxed, crossed his legs, “We’ve been very cautious. Don’t worry.”

Xie Chen handed her a small pastry, “Any inside information?”

Xie Qing said, “It’s a gang crime, and there’s a woman involved.”

Xie Xun and Xie Chen fully understood her meaning.

Xie Chen said, “So you mean, if you encounter a woman, don’t get out of the car, right?”

Xie Qing nodded. She thought that if Shen Yi had encountered a man, he might not have dared to get out of the car.

Xie Chen smiled, “Having a police officer as a sister isn’t so bad.”

“Ah!” Xie Xun coughed, signaling Xie Chen to stop talking nonsense, then asked Xie Qing, “How long do you plan to work as a forensic doctor?”

Xie Qing said, “Dad, I like this job. Just a few days ago, my colleagues and I solved a serial murder case together. Our captain said that by the end of the year, when I become a full-time employee, he’ll nominate me for an outstanding officer award.”

“A serial murder case?”

“The one in Wangjiang Community?”

Father and son exchanged glances.

Xie Qing said, “Yes, that case.”

Xie Chen gave her a thumbs up, “Impressive!”

Xie Xun fell silent.

To be honest, although the profession of a forensic doctor is considered unlucky, it’s a legitimate job serving the public, seeking justice for the deceased, and more respectable than being a businessman.

Xie Qing graduated from Jinghua University and is smart, and getting promoted wouldn’t be difficult. Becoming a section chief or team leader in the future would bring honor to the family.

Without Chen Yuehua’s constant nagging and instructions, Xie Xun suddenly understood. He said, “Since you like it, do it well. If you ever don’t want to do it anymore, the family will support you.”

Xie Qing was overjoyed, “Thank you, Dad.”

“Just knowing I’m your dad is enough, no need to thank me.” Xie Xun stood up, “It’s getting late, let’s go.”

…

The Chen family lived in a three-bedroom apartment. When the Xie family arrived, several cold dishes were already on the table.

The sofa was full of people.

Grandma Chen, Grandpa Chen, Chen Yuexing, Chen Yuehua, and Xie Qing’s two cousins and three cousins were all there.

Grandpa Chen smiled, “Xie Xun is here, Chen Chen, oh, Qing Qing hasn’t been here for a long time.”

“Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle…” Xie Qing greeted each of them.

Grandma Chen put down her cup with a “clink,” “She’s always busy with work, no time to see this old man.”

Xie Qing’s expression didn’t change, but she thought to herself: The old hag won’t let me off. I’ll find a chance to slip away later.

She smiled and said, “Happy birthday, Grandma. I had a tailor make a set of clothes for you. I hope you like it.”

Chen Yuehua said, “With your taste, it’s a wonder if your grandma likes it.”

“You haven’t even seen it, and you’re already dismissing it?” Chen Yuexing glared at Chen Yuehua, “Whether it’s good or not, it’s the child’s thought that counts.”

Chen Yuehua looked a bit embarrassed.

The atmosphere became tense. The cousins quickly got up, some heading to the kitchen, others to the bathroom, and some to the balcony to play chess.

The large living room was left with only a few elders.

Grandma Chen elegantly stood up, “Bring it over. Yun Yun made me a cheongsam, so I’ll try them both.”

Xie Qing searched through the pile of gifts and picked up a satin-wrapped box, “Is it this one?”

Grandma Chen said, “You have a good eye.”

Xie Qing took the two gift boxes to Grandma Chen’s bedroom.

Soon, Grandma Chen came out wearing a long-sleeved cheongsam with black velvet and dark red plum blossom embroidery. She had her hair in a bun, with phoenix eyes and an oval face. Despite the wrinkles, she maintained her figure well, and the cheongsam suited her perfectly.

The outfit received unanimous praise from Grandpa Chen, Xie Xun, Uncle, and the women busy in the kitchen.

Aunt Chen Yueqing said, “Yun Yun is a classical dancer, so her taste is better than most.”

Aunt Chen Yuexiu added, “Qing Qing is good at handling corpses…”

Grandma Chen angrily said, “Shut up. No one will think you’re mute if you don’t speak.” She glared at Xie Qing and went back inside.

A few minutes later, she came out with a disdainful look, “Children raised by your side are closer. At least they know what you like.”

Chen Yuexing was surprised, “I didn’t expect my mom to look so elegant in a suit.”

Xie Xun nodded, “The weather is getting cooler. This outfit is just right.”

Grandpa Chen said, “It’s grand and convenient.”

Aunt carefully examined the suit and changed the topic, “This style is nice. Mom, if you don’t want it, give it to me. I’ll wear it to work.”

Grandma Chen went to the dressing room with a sullen face, looked in the mirror for a while, and came out without saying a word, sulking back to her bedroom.

Xie Qing had wanted to make a cheongsam, but there wasn’t enough time. So she settled for a warm-colored plaid suit, copying a style from around 2020, and paired it with a white silk blouse with a pointed collar.

…

Xie Yun came out with a plate of shrimp and scrambled eggs. Seeing Xie Qing chatting with the elders on the sofa, she felt a bit uncomfortable and asked, “Qing Qing, I heard Deputy Director Yan gave you a ride the other day. Are you close with him?”

Her words seemed to have a hint of “I’m asking for your own good,” but in reality, Xie Yun wanted to undermine Xie Qing.

Xie Qing smiled, “Not very close, but we just solved a big case, and Director Yan personally praised me, so he gave me a ride.”

Chen Yuexing immediately asked, “That serial murder case? You were involved?”

Xie Qing replied, “Uncle, I provided the direction for the investigation and found the key evidence to close the case.”

Chen Yuexing and Xie Xun exchanged a glance and praised, “This child is quite capable.”

Xie Chen asked, “Qing Qing, can you tell us in detail what you found?”

The topic unfolded, and Xie Qing, with her legs crossed, vividly recounted the process of capturing Fan Xiaoshan.

She held the entire room’s attention.

Xie Yun managed to keep her composure, asking questions like others, while Chen Yuehua remained silent, her face looking displeased.

Xie Qing thought that if she went home with Chen Yuehua, her ears would suffer. If only she could get a page to leave early.

Just as she had this thought, her pager beeped, “I’m at the hospital. Go to Moon Bay immediately. – Cao.”

Xie Qing turned off the pager and regretfully said, “Grandpa, Grandma, there’s something at the bureau. I have to go.”

Grandpa Chen said, “Go ahead, get busy.”

Grandma Chen didn’t say anything.

Xie Qing said goodbye to everyone and left with her backpack.

As she was about to leave, Xie Chen followed, “I’ll take you there.”

Xie Qing said, “No need, Brother. It’s just at Moon Bay.”

Xie Chen insisted, “Let’s go together. I want to see the excitement.”

Xie Qing: “…”

The siblings got into the Audi.

Xie Chen took a box from the back seat, “Since you wouldn’t let me give you money, I bought you this. The card is already set up, and you don’t have to worry about the phone bill. Just use it.”

“A mobile phone?” Xie Qing took it, “That’s great. Thank you, Brother.”

“Mobile phone.” Xie Chen turned the car east, “This term is good, not as exaggerated as ‘big brother’ or ‘handheld.'”

If Xie Yun were here, the secret would be out.

Xie Qing quickly changed the topic, “Brother, is my car ready?”

Xie Chen replied, “It’s ready. Just get your driver’s license, and you can pick up the car.”

Xie Qing said, “I’ve already taken the test. I’ll have it by Tuesday.”

Xie Chen looked at Xie Qing in surprise, “So fast?”

Xie Qing raised an eyebrow, “I have a mentor at the police station.”

Xie Chen thought for a moment and advised, “You’re still young. Don’t get too close to married male colleagues to avoid gossip.”

That’s how a big brother should be, much better than the main characters the author focuses on.

Xie Qing said, “Don’t worry, Brother. I know my boundaries.”

Five minutes later, Xie Chen drove up the embankment and parked next to a police car, then got out with Xie Qing.

The commotion quickly caught the attention of the police officers on the shore, and several of them looked over.

“Brother Du, Brother Liu…” Xie Qing waved.

Li Ke said, “Qing Qing, I brought the investigation kit for you. Come down quickly.”

Moon Bay is close to the sea, with flat terrain and slow water flow. There’s a small grove here, and the branches of two old trees extend into the water, making them the best interceptors for floating corpses.

Several people were busy with an inflatable boat by the water.

“Okay,” Xie Qing replied, then said to Xie Chen, “Brother, the body is over there, being retrieved. Everyone is wearing masks. It might be a ‘giant view,’ so it’s better if you don’t go down.”

Even if he went down, the colleagues might not let him get close, and even if they did, it wouldn’t be a good thing.

“Giant view?” Xie Chen clearly hadn’t heard the term before.

Xie Qing explained, “It’s when a 100-pound person swells to about 300 pounds, with eyes, tongue, and other parts pushed out by decomposition gases. The body turns a dirty green color, and the smell is unbearable. I guarantee you won’t want to eat meat after seeing it.”

Xie Chen was dumbfounded, “You can think about eating meat at a time like this?”

“…” Xie Qing was speechless, “I was just warning you, afraid you’d throw up what you just ate.”

Xie Chen quickly waved his hand, “You go ahead. I’ll watch the excitement and leave.”

Xie Qing shrugged and went down the steps along the embankment. As she approached the riverbank, the group pushed the inflatable boat ashore.

Before Xie Qing arrived, Li Ke turned around and vomited loudly.

The other police officers scattered like birds and beasts.

Xie Qing looked at Xie Chen on the embankment, who was staring at Li Ke and backing away while covering his nose. She smiled slightly, squatted down, took gloves and a mask from the investigation kit, and was about to put them on when she heard a cold voice ask, “Is the forensic doctor here?”

The voice sounded familiar.

Xie Qing looked up and met Tan Yi’s gaze.

They unexpectedly ran into each other here.

Xie Qing blinked, “I’m intern forensic doctor Xie Qing.”

Although Tan Yi wore black-framed glasses, his pupils dilated instantly, which didn’t escape Xie Qing’s notice.

It seemed he was quite shocked.

Tan Yi knew he would eventually meet Xie Qing at the police station, but he didn’t expect it to be so soon, so suddenly, and so unbelievably.

A delicate girl with a small bun, wearing a neat plaid shirt and jeans, turned out to be a forensic doctor!?

This was beyond his expectations.

Fu Da introduced, “Captain Tan, this is a top graduate from Jinghua University’s forensic department, skilled and trusted by Old Cao. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.”

Xie Qing stood up, “Hello, Captain Tan. Rest assured, I prefer dealing with corpses over living people, even if it’s a ‘giant view.'”

That sounded odd.

Tan Yi felt she was implying something, but he had no evidence. He scrutinized her lively almond-shaped eyes and finally spoke, “Sorry, I didn’t expect you to be a forensic doctor.”

Xie Qing put on her mask and gloves, “It’s okay, it’s normal not to expect it. My family doesn’t approve of this job and has been pressuring me to quit, so they told a white lie. We should be the ones apologizing.”

Fu Da asked, “Do you two know each other?”

Tan Yi nodded, “We’ve met twice.” He looked towards Xie Chen, “Did your brother bring you here?”

“Yes,” Xie Qing walked to the body and squatted down, “He wanted to see the excitement, but I refused.”

Tan Yi waved towards the embankment.

Xie Chen couldn’t see Tan Yi’s face clearly and thought Xie Qing needed something, so he ran down without any defense, “What’s up?”

Tan Yi said, “Nothing, I’m Tan Yi, just arrived at the city bureau today.”

“So…” Xie Chen stopped halfway, pinched his nose, and his face twisted, “Well, you handle the case. I’ll stay away.”

A hint of amusement flashed in Tan Yi’s eyes, “Alright, let’s meet another day.”

Xie Chen instinctively turned around but quickly stopped and hesitated, “Can I take a look?”

Tan Yi said, “This isn’t the crime scene, so you can.”

Xie Chen jogged over, stopping less than two meters from Xie Qing, and let out a strange cry, “Oh my!” before fleeing.

“Hahaha…” The male police officers laughed heartily.

Feeling it was too much, Fu Da stopped them, “Stop laughing, stop laughing. It’s good he didn’t throw up. Didn’t you see our ‘Li Ke’ still vomiting?”

Li Ke had a nickname, “Li Ke.”

“It’s okay. My brother has a broad mind and won’t mind,” Xie Qing said while taking photos and trying to smooth things over.

The body was male, about 1.75 meters tall. Due to decomposition, it had swollen immensely, resembling the Hulk from Marvel.

The hair had fallen out, leaving only a few sparse strands. The eyeballs hung from the sockets, the dark green tongue protruded, the abdomen was highly distended, and the skin on the hands and feet was wrinkled.

Xie Qing took photos and first examined the deceased’s head: no facial wounds, but the skull had suffered severe trauma, resulting in comminuted fractures.

The deceased was wearing sportswear, dirty from decomposition fluids, making it hard to tell if it was new or old.

She checked four pockets and only found a clump of sticky tissue paper in the pants pocket, nothing else.

After cutting open the clothing, she found the entire body was dark green with red venous networks, the lower body was swollen, and there were no other visible mechanical injuries.

After finishing the external examination, Xie Qing packed up her tools and quickly moved away from the body.

Tan Yi asked, “How is it?”

Xie Qing replied, “The skull has comminuted fractures, but in this condition, it’s impossible to determine if there was a vital reaction. This injury could be caused by a fall from a height, a car wheel running over, or a heavy object impact. Whether it’s a case or not is still uncertain; further autopsy is needed to confirm.”

For a young girl who just graduated, daring to face a highly decomposed body alone already surpasses most ordinary people. Coupled with her clear explanation and logical reasoning, it’s even more impressive.

Tan Yi admired her and said, “No time to lose, let’s head to the funeral home.”