(1) Body Parts

Cheng Li was killed two days ago, which means it happened between 6 PM and 9 PM the night before the body parts were discovered.

“His lips and fingernails were bluish-purple, and there were signs of cerebral edema. These are symptoms of poisoning. But since we haven’t found his internal organs, we can’t send them for testing and can’t confirm exactly what substance killed him. Based on my experience, barbiturates or benzodiazepines are likely.”

“Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that also have sedative and hypnotic effects. Barbiturates are used for sedation and sleep—they can be fatal even in doses of just a few grams. The victim was dismembered after death. Other than the dismemberment cuts, there were no other wounds on the body, nor any signs of physical struggle.”

The forensic doctor then took out another autopsy report. “I also reviewed Cheng Liang’s autopsy. His wrists and abdomen had restraint marks. His back and the back of his head had bruises. Judging from the injuries, it seems the killer subdued him from the front. When he fell, his back and head hit the ground. The killer then restrained him and stabbed him in the abdomen with a dagger. Cheng Liang died on the spot.”

Tao Jiang lit a cigarette and held it in his hand. “Any thoughts?”

He was asking Xiang Dong and Shen Wanwan.

Xiang Dong, for some reason anxious to speak, jumped in, “Something feels off.”

“Be specific. What exactly feels off?”

Xiang Dong had just heard the forensic report and was going off instinct, so when asked to explain, he couldn’t find the right words right away. “The cause of death, I guess. One was poisoned, and the other died in a face-to-face confrontation. How should I put it…”

Tao Jiang waited a moment. When Xiang Dong went quiet, he turned to Shen Wanwan. “What do you think?”

“I agree with Xiang Dong,” Shen Wanwan said. “The killer who murdered Cheng Liang showed no fear of confronting a grown man head-on. But when killing Cheng Li, they went out of their way to avoid direct conflict—poisoning is more commonly used by physically weaker individuals, usually women. I believe the two murders were committed by different people.”

When the two cases are mixed together, it’s like being lost in the fog. But if they’re separated, while the killer might not be found immediately, at least some of the fog clears.

Tao Jiang nodded. “That’s how I see it too. We can’t assume the cases are connected just because they were brothers—but we also can’t completely separate them.”

Xiang Dong was frustrated by his poor performance and asked instinctively, “Why can’t we separate them?”

Tao Jiang replied calmly, “There’s always a chance.”

He then asked Shen Wanwan, “What did Yang Chunling say?”

“She lied,” Shen Wanwan answered bluntly. “I think maybe she truly doesn’t know why Cheng Li’s body parts ended up in her home, but her relationship with Cheng Liang is definitely more complicated than she claims.”

Tao Jiang now had a bit more trust in Shen Wanwan. “So she’s still a suspect in Cheng Liang’s case? But think carefully—you just said the killer wasn’t afraid of facing Cheng Liang head-on. I doubt Yang Chunling, given her size, could take on a grown man. And I found no record of her having any martial arts training.”

That was exactly the part Xiang Dong had found odd earlier. “But most of Cheng Liang’s troubles came from romantic entanglements. As for Cheng Li, his enemies were mostly men. Isn’t it like their manners of death were swapped?”

After hearing that, Shen Wanwan seemed to have a thought, but she hesitated to speak.

Tao Jiang took a drag from his cigarette. “Say whatever you’re thinking.”

“Killing doesn’t have to be done personally,” Shen Wanwan said, hesitating. “Maybe the person who killed Cheng Liang was ordered to do so? Otherwise, the motive doesn’t quite make sense. But it’s just a guess—I don’t have any proof.”

Tao Jiang said, “Having ideas is good. The real danger is when no one has any.”

Xiang Dong furrowed his brow slightly.

Back in school, Shen Wanwan had always been the most invisible student in the class.

She never joined any school activities, always sat in the last row during class, and her grades weren’t anything special. If it weren’t for her outstanding looks, no one might have even known who she was.

When Xiang Dong first found out that he’d been assigned to work with Shen Wanwan, he felt unwilling—because it meant that all his excellent grades hadn’t earned him the best placement.

He never imagined that Shen Wanwan would outshine him.

Xiang Dong had always been exceptional, but ever since joining the team, he felt like the slow one.

And what Captain Tao said seemed to be aimed at him.

Xiang Dong couldn’t help but take a closer look at Shen Wanwan. Had he really misjudged her before…?

Tao Jiang said, “Both cases need to be followed up on, to prevent any miscommunication or oversight. Cui Luo and Shen Wanwan, you two have had the most contact with Yang Chunling, so stay on the Cheng Liang case. As for Cheng Li, we’ll continue investigating.”

Cheng Liang’s case wasn’t all that complicated on the surface—after the murder, there was no sign of theft. So it was either about money or love.

He had a very messy love life, which was the most likely motive for murder.

The question was—out of all those mistresses, which one actually did it?

Their colleague in charge of Cheng Liang’s case handed over the files to Cui Luo. Together with Shen Wanwan, they went to meet two suspects.

Both women were Cheng Liang’s mistresses, involved in long-term, illicit relationships with him.

They even knew Yang Chunling—
“Yang Chunling? Oh yeah, I know her. She clung to President Cheng like glue. He already had a wife, but she always acted like she was the main one. President Cheng just didn’t want to be controlled, that’s why he wanted to dump her. But she wouldn’t let go—she kept pestering him for ages.”

Hearing their comments about Yang Chunling, both Shen Wanwan and Cui Luo realized something was off.

Wu Yaoming liked Yang Chunling because she seemed obedient and sensible—but that wasn’t at all how she acted around Cheng Liang.

Cui Luo gave a cryptic smile. “The more obedient she seems, the less she actually cares.”

Shen Wanwan agreed. “Yang Chunling genuinely loved Cheng Liang—she couldn’t stand seeing him be close with other women. But with Wu Yaoming, since she didn’t like him, she could act all obedient without a care.”

“Sigh, women just can’t escape emotions. Why can’t they see clearly? Put aside morals—wouldn’t it be nice to have a rich, long-term provider?”

Shen Wanwan said, “If Yang Chunling really had deep feelings for Cheng Liang, then her motive becomes even stronger… I don’t think Captain Tao ever mentioned Cheng Liang’s wife.”

“Qi Xia? Oh, she’s like Wu Yaoming’s wife—only cares about enjoying life with money, never gave a damn what Cheng Liang did outside.”

Shen Wanwan suggested, “Qi Xia probably didn’t go abroad for a vacation, right? How about we visit her first?”

The villa where the murder took place was still under lockdown, and Qi Xia was currently staying with her parents.

Her parents said she hadn’t been doing well lately—mentally dazed all day, barely eating, and lying in bed from morning till night.

When they heard it was the police, they finally called her to get up.

While waiting for Qi Xia, Shen Wanwan quietly looked around her parents’ house.

Although it wasn’t small, compared to the villa, it was clearly much more modest—just a middle-class home at best.

Of course, not many ordinary people can enjoy a moderately comfortable life these days, so this was already quite good—there was even a large color TV in the living room.

Not long after, Qi Xia came out, draped in a coat. Both Cui Luo and Shen Wanwan were momentarily stunned.

Compared to Yang Chunling, Qi Xia’s looks were just as impressive—if not even more so.

She had a beautiful face, delicate features, a full and curvy figure, and carried a faint air of elegance. It was hard to imagine any man not being attracted to a woman like her.

And yet, with a wife like this, he still went looking for affairs… Men…

There was little expression on Qi Xia’s face.

She sat down across from Cui Luo and spoke dully, “Any progress?”

Cui Luo said, “There’s a new development we need to ask you about.”

“Go ahead.”

Cui Luo said, “Did you know Cheng Liang had a younger brother?”

At the mention of Cheng Li, Qi Xia’s face showed disgust. “Him? Yeah, I know.”

“Have you ever interacted with him?”

“I met him a few times before he got into trouble. He was a complete good-for-nothing, totally unmotivated, always trying to leech off his brother to get by, and caused all kinds of problems outside. If Cheng Liang hadn’t been successful, the Cheng family would’ve been doomed with a son like that. Oh right, he even bullied a lot of girls, but everything was settled with money afterward.”

Cui Luo asked, “When you say bullied, you mean…?”

“You know what I mean,” Qi Xia said calmly. “What he did was awful, but Cheng Liang was willing to clean up after him, so there was nothing I could do.”

Shen Wanwan furrowed her brow.

If Cheng Li had forced himself on women and was now poisoned to death… it kind of made sense.

Poor girls—so young and beautiful, and yet they encountered a beast like him.

After speaking, Qi Xia suddenly sensed something was off. “Why are you suddenly asking about him? Does he have something to do with Cheng Liang’s case?”

Cui Luo glanced at Shen Wanwan. Shen Wanwan asked, “How was their relationship? Have they had any contact in recent years?”

Qi Xia hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “None at all. I’m certain of that. If he’d killed someone, not even Cheng Liang could have covered it up. We’ve been under watch for years. He wouldn’t dare make any sudden moves.”

Shen Wanwan said, “But from what you’re saying, Cheng Liang valued his younger brother a lot. Would he really just stand by and do nothing?”

“There was nothing he could do,” Qi Xia said. “You people kept such close watch, and then there were the victims’ families—after they found out our new address, they kept hanging around near our home. How could they even meet up? Besides, I was against him helping his brother anyway. That guy isn’t even human.”

Qi Xia was usually someone who kept her emotions hidden, but now there was a clear trace of anger in her eyes. “You have no idea what kind of people he targeted. He deliberately went after girls from poor families, or girls with physical disabilities—people who wouldn’t dare retaliate and were easier to silence. He even tricked underage girls with nothing more than a pair of used sneakers. Someone like that—I could never allow Cheng Liang to help him again.”

What Qi Xia revealed was something the police had never known.

Not because they didn’t investigate thoroughly, but because Cheng Liang and Cheng Li were too despicable—they silenced the victims and never even gave them a chance to report the crimes.

Cui Luo took out a notebook. “Do you know who he has bullied?”

“I’m not sure. These things were all handled by Cheng Liang. If you ask his assistant, you might get something, but he’s changed assistants several times,” Qi Xia said, sitting up straight, her expression indifferent. “Why are you asking about Cheng Li?”

“He was murdered,” Cui Luo said. “His body was just discovered.”

Qi Xia’s expression turned serious, but there was little sadness in her eyes. “How could this happen? Did someone target both of them?”

Cui Luo neither denied nor confirmed, instead asking, “Do you have deep feelings for Cheng Liang?”

Qi Xia said, “We’ve been married for many years after all.”

“But I heard that you’ve already been living separate lives. With all his lovers, you don’t seem to care.”

Qi Xia gave a bitter smile. “What difference does it make if I care or not? You’ve seen for yourself. My parents are ordinary people, and they can’t compare to Cheng Liang’s methods. We have a child together, and I’ve caused a scene before, but what good did that do? Over the years, I’ve realized it’s better to just hold onto the money than to keep fighting with him. If we really divorce in the future, I can still live well with my child.”

In a way, this choice couldn’t be said to be an irrational one.

Shen Wanwan asked, “Do you know Yang Chunling?”

Qi Xia shook her head. “I haven’t cared about him for a long time. Yang Chunling, Li Chunling, whoever—he changes girlfriends all the time. I don’t even know whether to call them mistresses or just casual flings. If I were to keep track of every one of his lovers, I’d have no time for anything else this year.”

Shen Wanwan nodded, understanding. “Aside from Cheng Liang’s lovers, do you think anyone else might have a motive to kill him?”

“No,” Qi Xia replied calmly. “He’s the kind of person who’s loyal to his friends and not greedy in business. If you ask around, there are probably more people who speak well of him. It’s just that the suffering falls on us women.”

After asking the questions, Cui Luo left her contact details with Qi Xia, making it easier for her to reach out if needed.

Qi Xia’s behavior seemed normal, and for now, Cui Luo couldn’t find any suspicious signs.

Just as they were about to leave, Shen Wanwan heard a “hello” from inside the room.

Shen Wanwan glanced toward the room and asked, “Do you have guests?”

“No, it’s just my parrot,” Qi Xia said flatly. “Aside from my child, I need to find some other sources of entertainment.”

—

Meeting with Qi Xia was somewhat productive.

Yang Chunling’s suspicion was growing stronger, and Cheng Li’s death also uncovered a possible new motive.

Shen Wanwan reported this situation to Captain Tao, who would look into whether Cheng Li had ever bullied any girls.

As for Shen Wanwan and Cui Luo, after discussing, they decided to meet Yang Chunling again with the new testimony.

This time, they coincidentally ran into Wu Yaoming.

Wu Yaoming and Yang Chunling usually met at estates or hotels, he rarely visited her home.

Cheng Liang used to come often, but Wu Yaoming disliked the presence of other men’s scent and found the place too small, not enough to his liking.

When Shen Wanwan and Cui Luo arrived, Yang Chunling had just finished some exercise and was wearing a bathrobe as she came to open the door. Her feet were still adorned with flowers, and she exclaimed, “You… why are you here again?!”

Cui Luo, without hesitation, walked in. “We have new information that needs to be verified.”

Yang Chunling grabbed Shen Wanwan, desperately trying to signal her with her eyes. “I’ve already cooperated with you, right? You should understand me, shouldn’t you?”

Shen Wanwan was confused. “?”

Was it about sleeping with several men a day? That didn’t seem like something she could understand.

From inside the room came the sound of a man coughing.

Wu Yaoming walked in, putting on a shirt while still holding a cigar in his mouth. Upon seeing Cui Luo, his face showed impatience. “What are you doing here again? You’re like cockroaches that can’t be driven away.”

Cui Luo had been worried that Wu Yaoming might ruin the case. Upon seeing him, she felt irritated. But now, knowing that he had worn several very deep green hats, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

Without waiting for an invitation, Cui Luo sat down on the sofa, grinning at Wu Yaoming. “Miss Yang invited us over. She said she wanted to cooperate with the investigation.”

Wu Yaoming gave her a disdainful glance. “If you’re going to make up excuses, at least make them convincing. Why would Chunling want you two here?”

Cui Luo turned her gaze toward Yang Chunling. “Miss Yang, what do you say?”

Cui Luo’s look was brilliant, and Shen Wanwan’s was equally sharp.

If Yang Chunling dared to say “no,” it seemed that a green paint could soon be splashed all over Wu Yaoming.

Yang Chunling hesitated before nodding, “Yaoming, I asked them to come.”

Wu Yaoming’s face immediately darkened.

Yang Chunling quickly walked to his side, wrapping her arm around his, acting coquettish. “I thought about it carefully. After all, it’s a human life. We should still help if we can, right? It’s not like I killed him, so I have nothing to fear. If they think I can be of help, I’ll answer a few questions.”

Wu Yaoming’s expression softened a little. “Is it really not for Cheng Liang?”

“How could it be?” Yang Chunling leaned against Wu Yaoming’s chest, speaking softly. “He treated me like that. How could I still have feelings for him? I only have you in my heart, always and forever.”

Yang Chunling’s voice was soft and sweet, making her sound like a beautiful 17- or 18-year-old girl.

Shen Wanwan felt a headache coming on.

No wonder she could control men. With someone like Wu Yaoming, she could easily have ten men wrapped around her finger.

It seemed like only Wu Yaoming himself believed that he had control over Yang Chunling.

Yang Chunling managed to coax Wu Yaoming away.

Once the door was closed, her smile turned cold. “Cui Luo, Shen Wanwan, aren’t you going too far? Haven’t I cooperated with you enough?!”

Cui Luo wasn’t in a hurry, just smiling as she looked at her. “Do you know we have Wu Yaoming’s contact details?”

Yang Chunling’s expression stiffened again. “What are you trying to say?”

“If you don’t tell the truth, you probably won’t be able to climb up the Wu Yaoming tree in the future.”

Yang Chunling’s lips were pale. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Shen Wanwan wisely added some pressure, “If Wu Yaoming finds out about you and Brother Zhao…”

Yang Chunling: “…”

Shen Wanwan: “Or even about you and his driver…”

“What exactly are you trying to say?!”

Shen Wanwan squatted down in front of the dog, Hua Hua, and gently petted its head.

Hua Hua didn’t move.

Shen Wanwan was very satisfied, it seemed Hua Hua had completely accepted her. It wasn’t a waste of her time spent being a dog for a day.

Hua Hua: “…Woof woof woof!”

Here comes the person who keeps hitting my chin! Protect my chin!

Seeing that Shen Wanwan was in the mood to play with the dog, Yang Chunling’s emotions began to break down. “Shen Wanwan, can you just give me a break? What exactly do you want to do? Do you have to ruin me to feel satisfied?!”

“That’s not how it is,” Shen Wanwan tried to lift Hua Hua, “You did this yourself. If you hadn’t been so indecisive, we wouldn’t have anything to say, right?”

“I…” Yang Chunling tried to defend herself. “Are men allowed to find women, but women can’t find men? Wu Yaoming is useless, can’t I find some happiness?”

Cui Luo, sitting with her legs crossed, scratched her ear. “Whether you find happiness or not is none of our business. But your relationship with Cheng Liang isn’t as simple as you say, is it? I heard you loved him so much that you couldn’t let go, and even when Cheng Liang wanted to break up, you didn’t want to give up. Yang Chunling, if you’re still hiding something from us, I won’t be so understanding anymore.”

Yang Chunling’s face turned serious as she walked to the sofa and sat down. “I liked him, so what? I’m a woman, is it abnormal for me to like a man? But he didn’t like me. I’ve already given up on him.”

“Really gave up? No other thoughts?”

Yang Chunling replied, “You don’t think I hate him because I loved him, do you? You’re wrong! I just want him to live better. I never thought of killing him! If you’re here to say that, you can leave! Even if you go to Wu Yaoming, I’ll say the same thing: I haven’t done anything!”

Fuming, Yang Chunling walked over to Shen Wanwan and snatched Hua Hua back.

Shen Wanwan was just testing the waters, gently stroking Hua Hua’s neck, and Hua Hua made a rare comfortable sound. Their intimate moment was ruined.

Shen Wanwan felt a bit regretful.

Yang Chunling seemed really angry. After snatching Hua Hua, she began pushing Cui Luo and Shen Wanwan out. “Get out! Tell Wu Yaoming whatever you want! If it comes to it, I’ll just move to another city and find another man. Don’t think you can threaten me again!”

With a slam, she shut the door.

After being kicked out, Cui Luo tugged at Shen Wanwan. “She really seems to be mad. Is it real?”

Shen Wanwan, however, inexplicably smiled. “She’s still lying.”

“Lying is fine, but why are you smiling?”

“She’s not even afraid of us exposing her affair, and she’s still lying. That means this is more serious than Wu Yaoming. Cui Luo, I’m afraid Cheng Liang’s case has something to do with her.”