Chapter 34
Refuse

The eggplant fritters were delicious, and the fried small fish went well with rice, resulting in overeating.

Xie Qing and Li Ke were taking a walk in front of the dormitory building to digest their food. After one lap, they saw Li Ji coming out of the building with a backpack.

Li Ke waved, “Ji Ge, going to the hospital?”

Li Ji, who couldn’t join the case, was relatively free and could continue taking care of his grandfather at night. He said, “Yes, we’re short-handed at home, so I’ll go keep an eye on things tonight.”

Xie Qing raised an eyebrow, “Perfect, we’ll give you a ride.”

“Really?” Li Ji got excited.

Xie Qing smiled, “Of course, Ke Ke and I overate, so we might as well walk around and see if we can find any clues.

“Overate again,” Li Ji teased, “Look at you two, no self-control.”

Li Ke stomped her foot, “None of your business, I just love to eat.”

“Alright, alright,” Li Ji raised his hands, “Loving food is good. There’s a place near the city hospital that makes great roast chicken. I’ll bring you some next time.”

Xie Qing twirled the car keys, “Are we going or not? If not, I’m heading back to the dorm.”

Li Ji quickly said, “We’re going, we’re going.”

Li Ke hugged Xie Qing’s shoulder, “Qing Qing is the best, always knows what I want.”

On the way…

Xie Qing asked Li Ji, “I heard you did a sketch. Is it done?”

Li Ji replied, “Yes, Captain Tan took it.”

“Then…” Li Ke tilted her head, “Do you think Captain Tan went to the hospital?”

Li Ji shook his head, “Captain Tan rarely tells anyone his whereabouts, so I don’t know.”

Xie Qing wasn’t interested in where Tan Yi went and brought the topic back, “Who were the people in the water room? How old were they?”

Li Ji said, “I was the only young person, the rest were middle-aged.”

Li Ke asked, “Did anyone seem suspicious?”

Li Ji replied, “I didn’t really notice. I think I could recognize the two people in front of me from the sketch because I glanced at them when they left. I have a slight impression of them, but I don’t remember the others.”

Xie Qing nodded and didn’t say anything more.

Li Ji’s description matched the facts—unless something unusual happened, who would pay attention to middle-aged people getting water together?

It was Li Ji and Li Ke’s first time in her car, and they were curious. After discussing serious matters, they started examining the car.

Li Ji said, “This car is powerful, but the interior is terrible.”

Li Ke agreed, “Feels worse than a Xiali.”

Li Ji said, “Xiali is boring. This car is more powerful and good for climbing hills and off-roading.”

Li Ke said, “What’s the point? I think comfort is more important.”

Li Ji sighed, “Alright, whatever you say.”

Li Ke glared at him, “What do you mean ‘whatever I say’? Am I unreasonable?”

Li Ke started arguing again, but Li Ji didn’t get angry. He smiled and chatted with her.

They didn’t have any romantic feelings, but Xie Qing thought they would be a good match if they weren’t in the same team.

Li Ke was cute and simple, while Li Ji was ambitious, kind, and considerate, very tolerant of Li Ke.

However, matchmaking was something Xie Qing would never do—office romances had many downsides, especially in a police station. If things didn’t work out, it would affect both parties.

The car stopped in the city hospital’s parking lot.

Li Ke, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted Tan Yi’s Santana and said, “I knew it, Captain Tan is a workaholic. He must be here.”

Unlike Xie Qing, Li Ji directly asked, “Li Ke, do you have a thing for Captain Tan?”

Li Ke blushed, “What are you talking about? I just saw his car.”

Li Ji said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Our detective team is different from other places. If I can see it, others can too. When rumors start, it won’t be good for you.”

Xie Qing mentally gave Li Ji a big thumbs up.

“None of your business!” Li Ke, embarrassed, angrily returned to the car.

Xie Qing gave Li Ji a look, signaling him to go first.

Li Ji realized he had said something wrong, made a pleading gesture, and ran towards the hospital.

Xie Qing opened the car door, sat in the driver’s seat, and took out a White Rabbit candy from the drawer, handing it to Li Ke.

Li Ke angrily unwrapped the candy, “Was I that obvious?”

Xie Qing laughed, “Not too much, but everyone can see a little bit.”

Li Ke stomped her foot, “Don’t make fun of me!”

Xie Qing said, “You’re an adult. It’s normal to like an outstanding single person. What’s there to make fun of?”

Li Ke was silent for a moment, then said, “I used to dislike him, but I still think he’s good. Just good, maybe not quite like.”

Xie Qing said, “Not quite like, just interested, unconsciously wanting to pay attention to him?”

Li Ke looked at Xie Qing warily, “Do you like Captain Tan too?”

Xie Qing said, “I’m analyzing your psychology.”

“Oh…” Li Ke breathed a sigh of relief, “It’s better if you don’t like him. Qing Qing, do you think Captain Tan would like me?”

Xie Qing said, “We know Captain Tan together. If you don’t know, I wouldn’t know either.”

Li Ke leaned back in her chair, “If he doesn’t like me, but I like him, the rumors would be bad for me, right?”

Xie Qing said, “That’s what Ji Ge meant. Your parents must have warned you too.”

There are many men in the police station, many outstanding men, and many married outstanding men. Responsible elders would definitely remind them more about this.

Li Ke nodded, “Qing Qing, do you think I should ask Captain Tan?”

Xie Qing said, “It depends on your psychological endurance. You can first assume he disagrees. How would you feel?”

Li Ke rubbed her short hair, “It would be very embarrassing. Old Du and the others would laugh at me. If the news reached my dad, he might come to find Captain Tan.” She shivered, “Forget it. If my dad came to find Captain Tan, I would be mortified.”

Xie Qing encouraged free love but couldn’t encourage Li Ke to pursue Tan Yi—Tan Yi was good, and it would be a pity to miss him, but who knows how the story would develop?

Everyone should follow their own dreams.

“Forget it, forget it,” Li Ke decided, “The disadvantages outweigh the benefits. I’ll endure it a bit longer.”

Xie Qing was surprised, “You can endure this?”

Li Ke said matter-of-factly, “What else can I do?”

Can you endure loving someone?

Xie Qing had nothing to say. However, for a young girl just entering society, being able to quickly see the situation clearly and restrain herself was quite commendable.

Li Ke had a big heart; her temper flared up quickly and subsided even faster. She happily followed Xie Qing to a fruit shop outside the hospital, bought a box of milk and a basket of fruit, and went to room 506.

The Li family’s old man had some issues. Li Ji accepted the gifts but didn’t let the girls in, saying, “Captain Tan came to see my grandfather. Did you see him?”

Li Ke shook her head.

Li Ji, afraid she would be upset, changed the topic, “The three-person room is full, and it smells bad. I won’t invite you in. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

Xie Qing understood, “No need to be polite. Go help out. We’ll check the water room.”

Li Ji said, “Go down from room 524, turn right on the third floor, and it’s next to the bathroom.”

…

In the third-floor water room, a dozen people were lining up for water, and a few middle-aged women were chatting animatedly.

“Do you know about the incident on the fifth floor? The police came again just now.”

“How could I not know? I heard it with my own ears.”

“What floor are you on? Did you hear any noise?”

“I’m on the second floor, didn’t hear anything. Did you?”

“Of course I did. I was taking care of my mother-in-law at the time, and I heard it clearly.”

“Oh, that’s scary. What did the police ask you?”

“They asked if I heard any footsteps in the corridor or saw any suspicious people when I went out.”

“And what did you say?”

“I didn’t see anything. If I had, the case would be solved by now.”

…

Xie Qing listened outside but didn’t hear anything useful.

Li Ke grabbed her arm, “Qing Qing, what are you thinking?”

Xie Qing said, “I was thinking, if I were the killer, would I come here before committing the murder?”

Li Ke asked, “And the conclusion?”

Xie Qing said, “I would. I’d check if there were people in the water room, wait for them to go upstairs, and then act. It would be safer.”

Li Ke said, “So, you mean Ji Ge ran into the killer?”

Xie Qing shook her head, pointing to the smelly bathroom, “Not necessarily. The killer could have waited there for a while.”

Li Ke thought for a moment, “You’re right. The killer would be nervous and would avoid showing up if possible.”

“Let’s go.” Xie Qing turned around, “We should try to find out where the victim went when he left the hospital during his stay.”

They went downstairs and first asked the old man at the reception.

The old man said he had seen Hou Zi’an go out but didn’t know where he went. He usually went out in the afternoon.

They then asked the guard at the main gate.

The guard said he had heard about Hou Zi’an but didn’t pay attention to him because there were too many patients coming and going every day. He told Xie Qing that the deceased might not have left through the front. There was a narrow street behind the inpatient department, with many tricycles, making it easy to come and go. Most patients’ families used that entrance.

So, they went to the back gate of the city hospital.

As soon as they went out, Xie Qing saw Tan Yi questioning a tricycle driver.

Li Ke said, “Captain Tan is really dedicated.”

A captain didn’t need to go to such lengths.

Xie Qing said, “Let’s go help.”

Tan Yi didn’t have to, but he wanted to understand the city better because a detective captain who didn’t understand the local conditions and streets wasn’t a qualified captain.

They went over together.

Xie Qing asked, “Captain Tan, do you have any more photos?”

Tan Yi was a bit surprised, “Why are you here?”

Li Ke said, “We’re here to help!”

Tan Yi took out two photos from his bag, “Thank you, it’s hard work.”

Li Ke noticed Tan Yi had new gear and nudged Xie Qing with her elbow.

Tan Yi noticed her gaze on his new bag and said, “I had a friend send two over. It’s much more convenient than a handbag.”

Li Ke blurted out, “Girlfriend?”

Tan Yi’s face turned slightly cold, “Not a girlfriend. I don’t have any plans to date recently.”

Li Ke blushed again.

Xie Qing grabbed her hand, “Captain Tan, we’ll go ask over there. If we find anything, we’ll call.”

Tan Yi said, “Okay,” and quickly turned to a tricycle that had just stopped.

Li Ke stomped her foot, “What does he mean by that?”

Xie Qing said, “It’s probably a warning, but don’t take it personally. I think the warning is for both of us.”

Li Ke, feeling embarrassed, suddenly understood, “Makes sense. He might think we’re following him here. Forget it, if he doesn’t like me, I don’t like him either. My mom always says, ‘Three-legged frogs are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere.'”

With that, she took the photos and started asking people.

Xie Qing thought Tan Yi’s approach was reasonable. If you knew from the start that nothing would develop, it was better not to give false hope. She felt a strange sense of relief and also took the photos to ask the tricycle drivers.

After asking one person, Li Ke excitedly shouted, “Qing Qing, come quickly, he recognized him!”

Xie Qing hurried over, and Tan Yi also came over.

It was a human-powered tricycle, and the driver was about fifty years old. He said, “I’ve given this person a ride twice, both times to Justice Street, stopping outside a shop that sells premium cigarettes and alcohol.”

Tan Yi said, “Please take us there.”

The driver said, “No problem, making money is never a problem. Three yuan for a trip.”

Xie Qing said, “Captain Tan, you go first. Ke Ke and I will take the next tricycle and follow.”