Chapter 17: The Mysterious Family Massacre (1)

The past few days had been calm, but Meng Siqi could not stop thinking about Lu He. She felt an urge to confirm whether the “Red Makeup Serial Murder Case” in this world were the same as the ones in her original world. As a result, she often found herself distracted.

One afternoon, she returned from the cafeteria and slowly poured herself a glass of water. Zhao Leiting noticed her absentmindedness and asked if she was worried about her upcoming promotion. Including her internship, she had been with the police department for nearly six months now.

She had almost forgotten about such an important matter.

Zhao Leiting confidently reassured her, “Don’t worry about it. If you don’t get promoted, I’ll eat your cup.”

Holding the steaming cup in her hands, she chuckled. “My cup is stainless steel, you know.”

Just as Zhao Leiting was about to respond, a loud voice interrupted him. Han Changlin strode into the office and called out, “Get ready! There’s been a murder!”

Everyone immediately put down what they were doing, gathered their equipment, and prepared to head out. Meng Siqi took a quick sip of her hot water and nearly burned her throat. She was still clearing her throat when they got into the car.

Sitting in the middle of the back seat, Zhao Leiting leaned forward slightly and asked, “Captain Han, what kind of case is it?”

Han Changlin always briefed them on the case details during the ride to help them mentally prepare. “A family of three was found dead in their home. We need to check the scene first.”

It was clearly a major case. Meng Siqi could feel the heavy atmosphere in the car. Though she had grown somewhat accustomed to homicide cases after two months at the station, a sense of unease still weighed on her.

As Tang Xiaochuan drove, he turned on the radio, letting the soft music flow through the car. Meng Siqi leaned against the window, slowly calming herself.

Soon, they arrived at the scene—a residential area with four-story buildings. A crowd had already gathered at the entrance, and uniformed officers moved among them, keeping order. It seemed that news of the murders had spread, drawing many curious onlookers.

As the police vehicle entered the complex, people instinctively made way. The car came to a stop beside a small lawn, and Meng Siqi immediately noticed a building cordoned off with police tape. A group of bystanders stood beyond the barrier, watching.

Several officers guarded the perimeter. One of the younger officers approached as soon as he saw Han Changlin. “Captain Han, you’re finally here.”

“Who discovered the scene?” Han Changlin asked as they walked toward the building.

The officer quickly followed his pace and reported, “The family’s child is in middle school and was supposed to attend a competition today. But she never showed up. Her teacher tried calling her home and her father’s workplace but got no response. Worried, the teacher decided to visit their house. When they knocked on the door, they immediately noticed the strong smell of blood. They alerted the property management, who opened the door for them. What they found inside was horrifying.”

As they spoke, the team reached the apartment door on the first floor. Even before stepping inside, the metallic scent of blood filled the air. The stench was overpowering.

Meng Siqi had never encountered such a strong smell of blood before. Her stomach churned uncomfortably, but she had built resilience over time. She refused to let it get to her.

Wearing gloves and shoe covers, Han Changlin and Feng Shaomin were the first to enter.

From inside, the forensic and crime scene investigators greeted them. “Captain Han.”

Meng Siqi was the last to step in. The midday sunlight streamed into the living room, illuminating the scene with unsettling clarity. Instinctively, she raised a hand to her nose. The moment she crossed the threshold, she froze in shock.

A man lay sprawled in a pool of blood, his middle-aged face lifeless. Blood had spread from his chest, likely from multiple stab wounds. His body had left a faint smear on the floor, suggesting he had either crawled or been dragged before dying.

His partially bald head was soaked in blood, the mixture of hair and congealed fluid resembling a grotesque mass of red algae. The exact cause of death was not immediately clear.

The air in the living room was thick with the sickly smell of blood. A few flies buzzed around, searching for a place to land.

The sight was gruesome. Meng Siqi forced herself to observe for a moment before looking away. As a detective, she had to familiarize herself with the victim.

Forensic examiner Chen Jierong crouched beside the body, pointing to the wounds as she gave her report to Han Changlin. Her demeanor remained composed, and her voice was calm.

“The male victim suffered multiple stab wounds. The fatal injury still needs further examination. Preliminary analysis suggests that the living room was the primary crime scene.”

“What about the time of death?” Han Changlin asked.

“Based on the condition of the livor mortis, he likely died between 8 and 9 PM last night.”

Han Changlin nodded.

Chen Jierong stood up and led the way toward the master bedroom. “The female victim was killed in the master bedroom. There’s a balcony, and it seems she was hanging up laundry when the attack happened.”

Careful not to step on the scattered bloodstains, Meng Siqi followed them inside. The apartment was spacious, and she began looking for details. In the living room, she had noticed a large television, indicating the family’s financial status.

The master bedroom was well-furnished, with high-end furniture and an elegant floor lamp. The decor suggested that the couple had refined tastes.

But the moment she stepped onto the balcony, all her thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

The female victim lay in a pool of blood. Her long hair was disheveled, her face and neck covered in crimson. Her silver silk nightgown was completely stained red.

Chen Jierong said, “The female victim did not have many wounds. She was most likely killed by having her throat slit.”

However, her next sentence made Meng Siqi’s stomach churn. “The victim’s tongue was cut off.”

Following this clue, Meng Siqi instinctively looked for the missing tongue. With her sharp observation skills, she quickly spotted something shocking—the victim’s right hand was tightly clutching a blood-red object.

The intense stench of blood and the gruesome scene made Meng Siqi feel sick to her stomach. She turned her head and pressed a hand against her chest, trying to suppress her discomfort.

Zhao Leiting glanced at her but said nothing.

As for the conversation between Chen Jierong and Han Changlin that followed, Meng Siqi barely registered any of it.

She was almost absentmindedly ushered out of the bedroom. Across the hall was the bathroom.

A glance inside revealed a pool of diluted blood on the floor. The white tiled walls were stained with streaks of splattered blood, but there was no body inside.

Chen Jierong explained, “The girl had likely just finished showering last night. Her body was still wet when the killer stormed in and stabbed her directly in the carotid artery. This should be the crime scene.”

Han Changlin asked, “Where is the body?”

“It was moved to the kitchen.”

Chen Jierong motioned for them to follow her. The group proceeded toward the kitchen. As the entrance to the kitchen was narrow, Han Changlin and Feng Shaomin went in first.

As Meng Siqi approached, she caught a strange scent mixed with the overwhelming stench of blood. It was the faint smell of cooked meat—not pork, chicken, or beef, but something far more unsettling.

Just as she was about to step inside, Zhao Leiting suddenly turned around with an uneasy expression.

Feng Shaomin also backed up to the doorway and looked at Meng Siqi. His expression remained composed, but his tone was firm. “Xiao Meng, don’t go in yet.”

“Alright.” Meng Siqi had a bad feeling about what was inside.

Then, she clearly heard Chen Jierong say, “After moving the victim’s body to the kitchen, the killer placed her bathrobe underneath and dismembered her here. Several pieces of fat tissue were cut off and thrown into the pot.”

“Deep-frying the body?” Han Changlin’s voice was calm but filled with disbelief.

At that moment, Meng Siqi’s stomach twisted violently. A wave of nausea hit her so hard that she thought she was going to throw up.

This time, Chen Jierong’s voice was no longer as composed. There was a trace of emotion, almost like anger, as she continued, “Yes. The killer displayed extreme cruelty. Look here, the handle of the pot is covered in grease, with clear traces of fibers from the killer’s gloves.”

“What a goddamn monster!” Han Changlin cursed furiously.

“Captain Han, take a look at this. Compared to other areas, the largest portion of fat tissue was cut from the left thigh—estimated to be over 500 grams. Before deep-frying, the killer used a kitchen knife to cut the tissue into small cubes about the size of matchboxes. So what you see in the pot are fully cooked pieces of human flesh…”

Zhao Leiting suddenly patted Meng Siqi’s arm. “Come on, let’s check the entrance for any evidence.”

Meng Siqi, who had been holding her breath, nodded silently.

She wasn’t sure whether Zhao Leiting himself was feeling unwell or if he was trying to get her away from the horrific scene. The two of them walked to the doorway, where Zhao Leiting let out a long breath.

Meng Siqi couldn’t hold it in any longer. She crouched down in the hallway, gagging violently, but nothing came out. After a few painful dry heaves, her stomach finally settled a little.

“Are you okay?” Zhao Leiting asked.

“I’m fine. The smell is just really strong.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Meng Siqi slowly stood up. Her eyes had watered from the nausea. Zhao Leiting smiled and said, “You’re really having a rough time.”

Meng Siqi shot him a cold glare. “You said we should check the entrance for evidence. What exactly are we looking for?”

“Have you thought about how the killer got in? The door lock has no signs of forced entry.”

It was a metal security door, likely installed by the homeowners. Unless they willingly let someone in, there was no easy way to enter. She realized she hadn’t paid attention to this detail when they first arrived.

At the other end of the hallway was another apartment with a wooden door. “Why didn’t the neighbors hear anything?” Meng Siqi asked, looking toward the unit at the end.

Zhao Leiting thought for a moment before answering, “There’s no Spring Festival couplets on the door. Maybe no one lives there.”

That was possible. It seemed like they needed to conduct a thorough investigation of the building. What exactly had happened last night? Who was the killer? How did they manage to enter and leave the residential complex without being noticed after committing such a brutal crime?

Half an hour later, Han Changlin and the others finally stepped outside. He gave instructions, “Old Feng, take Xiao Zhao and Xiao Meng and conduct a detailed neighborhood inquiry. Don’t overlook any details.”

“Understood.” Feng Shaomin nodded.

That afternoon, the three of them went door-to-door, questioning the residents of the complex.

It turned out this was a newly built residential area completed last year. Many units were still under renovation or unoccupied. The victims were among the first to move in. Their immediate neighbors had not yet moved in, so there were no witnesses to what happened inside their home last night.

The security guards hadn’t noticed anything unusual either. Due to ongoing renovations, the complex had a high volume of people coming and going. Additionally, there were multiple entrances, making it difficult to monitor everyone.

After hours of investigation, they found no significant leads. An elderly resident who had known the victims said, “This family looks kind and it doesn’t seem like they have any enemies.”

Feng Shaomin was meticulous. He asked the property management to unlock a few unoccupied units near the victims’ home for inspection. Other than one apartment undergoing renovations, the rest were empty.

By the time they finished, it was already around 7 or 8 PM. Feng Shaomin told Meng Siqi to take the bus home early.

Meng Siqi felt a heavy weight in her heart. That night, she tossed and turned in bed. Every time she closed her eyes, she was back at the crime scene, with blood everywhere. Eventually, she turned on a bedside lamp, and in the dim light, she drifted into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, she overslept. She rushed to the police station, but by the time she arrived, she was already late.

She had never been late before, and with her probation period ending soon, she felt a pang of anxiety.

By the time she arrived, the office was already bustling with activity. All the colleagues from the Second Unit were gathered around the crime board, analyzing the case. It seemed that Captain Han and his team were already deep into their discussion.

As soon as she appeared, everyone turned to look at her. For a brief moment, she felt at a loss, unsure of what to do.

Just then, Zhao Leiting said, “I’ll go get the case file.”

Old Feng interjected, “Let Xiao Meng handle it.”

“Huh…” Meng Siqi was momentarily confused. She had no idea what they were discussing. Quickly stepping forward, she asked, “Master, what do you need me to get?”

Feng Shaomin said: “The July 12 Arson Case. Go to the archives and retrieve the file. The archivist’s last name is Hu.”

“Got it, I’ll get it right away.”

The archives housed all the case files the bureau had handled over the years. It was Meng Siqi’s first time visiting.

At the front desk sat an elderly officer in a neatly pressed uniform. His hair and beard were completely white, a sign that he had likely dedicated decades of service to the bureau and was nearing retirement.

She walked straight up to him and said, “Uncle Hu, Officer Feng sent me to retrieve the July 12 Arson Case file.”

“You’re Xiao Feng’s apprentice?”

“You know about that?”

Uncle Hu chuckled warmly. “I’ve heard about it. Xiao Feng finally took on a disciple.”

Meng Siqi wasn’t sure how to respond, so she simply smiled.

“Alright,” Uncle Hu nodded approvingly. “It should be from this year. Go inside, it’s on the left-hand side. Don’t forget to sign it out before you leave.”

“Got it, Uncle Hu!” Meng Siqi responded cheerfully before heading into the archive room.

The space inside was vast, resembling an old university library. Rows upon rows of shelves were packed with case files and document folders.

Unlike a library filled with knowledge, this room documented decades of crime in Jinyang City—lies, jealousy, rage, arrogance, greed, lust, and evil. The darkest sides of human nature were recorded here.

To the untrained eye, they were just stacks of emotionless reports, but behind each case were shattered lives, broken families, and hearts torn apart.

The solemn atmosphere made Meng Siqi feel a deep sense of reverence. Walking quietly between the shelves, she stopped in front of one. Each rack had a metal plaque indicating the corresponding year. Her eyes quickly landed on the section labeled 1993.

She stepped closer and began searching. If the files were arranged by month, it would be easier to find. Sure enough, after a short while, she spotted a file labeled “July 12 Arson Case.”

Although she didn’t know the details, it was clear that this case was somehow linked to the brutal family massacre from yesterday.

As she reached for the file, a thought struck her—was the “Red Makeup Serial Murders”, the case Lu He was investigating, also archived here?

She quickly turned to search through the past two months’ files. However, after checking twice, she found nothing. Then she remembered—the case was still under investigation. It was unlikely to be archived yet and was probably in Lu He’s office.

Perhaps, she needed to confirm something else.

In her previous world, the news had connected the “Red Makeup Serial Murders” with another case, the “Red Paint Serial Murders.” Both had occurred in Jinyang, with similar methods. Some experts even speculated that the “Red Makeup Serial Murders” case was either inspired by or committed by the same person behind the “Red Paint Serial Murders” case from twenty years prior.

That meant if the “Red Paint Serial Murders” case existed in this world, it would almost certainly confirm that Lu He was the same person as the one who had died in her original world.

She immediately walked toward the shelves containing cases from the 1970s.

These shelves were covered in dust, a clear sign that they hadn’t been touched in years.

Assuming that the case happened in 1970, Meng Siqi went straight to the point, not caring about the dust flying into her mouth and nose, and directly flipped through the case files. It didn’t take long before she spotted the words “Red Paint.”

For a moment, she couldn’t believe her luck. She stood frozen, unsure whether she should open the file.

Just then, she heard movement on the other side of the shelf—someone else was searching for something.

As she hesitated, a figure stepped into view directly in front of her.

“You’re interested in this case?”

Separated only by a shelf, Lu He’s sharp, probing gaze locked onto her.