Chapter 139: The Double-Edged Outcome

Chapter 139 – The Price of Divided Attention

The case begins.

The Y City police received a report from Bincheng police that the victim, Jiang Dan, is suspected to be a missing person.

Y City police quickly launched an investigation and visited Jiang Dan’s parents.

Five days later, based on the testimony of Jiang Dan’s parents,

they revealed that fourteen years ago, they bought Jiang Dan for 20,000 yuan from a known acquaintance.

A human trafficking case — the special investigation begins.

The case was transferred by the Y City Bureau to the Criminal Investigation Team.

After taking charge, the Criminal Investigation Team handed it over to the detective squad for a thorough investigation.

Team Leader: Bu Wenhui, 29, First-Class Inspector — Team Leader… fallen in the line of duty!

Team Members: Li Jin, First-Class Inspector; Tong Guishun, Second-Class Inspector.

The course of the investigation.

Investigations pointed to a ‘known person’ mentioned by Jiang Dan’s parents.

Suspect: Dong Qi, 47, unemployed, with multiple convictions; he had previously spent six years in prison for human trafficking.

With the target identified, they proceeded to arrest him.

The arrest was unsuccessful as Dong Qi managed to flee.

Later, Bu Wenhui visited Dong Qi’s home and the homes of nearby residents several times…

during which Dong Qi’s family repeatedly obstructed him, subjecting him to abuse and threats…

After his fourth visit, Bu Wenhui went missing.

Three days later, his body was discovered in the reservoir, his injuries horrifically brutal…

……

After finishing the last bite of his takeout, Xiao Yu dropped the disposable chopsticks and turned to the officers who had finished their meal.

“Have we investigated the significant suspicions around suspect Dong Qi’s family?”

“We checked 347 leads.”

One officer stood up and said, “After a thorough inspection, on the day Bu Wenhui went missing, all of Dong Qi’s family were at home—neighbors can confirm that. Moreover, Dong Qi’s house is in a village. If they had gone out, argued with Bu Wenhui, or even… committed murder, there should be traces. But nothing has been found. It seems Bu Wenhui was killed after leaving the village.”

“Hmm.”

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yu’s eyes as he asked, “Has the online fugitive tracking been activated?”

“It has.”

An officer stood, nodding, “It’s classified as Level B!”

“Other than the lead on Dong Qi, is there anything else?” Xiao Yu pressed on.

“Nothing else.”

This time the speaker was Qian Long from the Criminal Investigation Team.

At that moment, he was a member of the Special Investigation Team.

“From the interrogation of Jiang Dan’s parents, only Dong Qi’s name came up.”

Qian Long shook his head, “Dong Qi’s whereabouts remain unknown; we have no idea where he is hiding. Continuing the investigation will be extremely difficult. It’s very likely he has already fled Y City or even left the province…”

“Has the murder weapon been found?”

Xiao Yu was referring to whether any weapon was discovered near the body of fallen officer Bu Wenhui.

“No.”

Qian Long, frustrated, added, “We even drained the reservoir but still couldn’t locate the weapon.”

Truly a case of ‘three no’s’ with every question.

Xiao Yu rubbed his temples in exasperation.

This only suggests that the murderer was cunning, meticulous in covering his tracks, and brutally efficient.

As for whether he possessed high intelligence?

The crude method and excessive traces rule out a high-IQ crime.

“What does the autopsy report say?” Xiao Yu asked Qian Long.

“Forensic Doctor Fang has just sent over the report.”

Qian Long spoke gravely, “The injuries on Bu Wenhui’s limbs were caused by a blunt axe-like weapon. The wound on his neck was inflicted by a regulated knife. His tongue… was cut with scissors. His eyes… were injured by a spoon-like tool!”

An axe, a dagger, scissors, a spoon?

Xiao Yu’s expression turned increasingly baffled.

He wondered, “If you’re going to kill, you’d take an axe and a dagger. Why bring scissors and a spoon along?”

The answer came swiftly, “I’m here to kill, not to feast on crabs. What use would the latter two be?”

Then, where are scissors and spoons most common?

In ordinary homes!

“The reservoir was merely a dumping ground for the body.”

Xiao Yu stated coolly, “Recheck the village where Dong Qi is from.”

“Yes!”

Ten team members stood up and left the meeting room.

“Chief, do you suspect the initial crime scene is still in the village?” Guo Qiang frowned.

“When you go out to kill, would you ever carry a sharp knife and spoon?”

Xiao Yu shrugged. “It’s unlikely in the village, but we can’t rule it out. Let’s check until we’re sure—start from the village and work outward.”

Guo Qiang nodded.

This was the best approach given the lack of clues.

Compared to the human trafficking case, our first priority is to find clues for the murder.

As for Dong Qi… Xiao Yu scoffed bitterly.

Now isn’t the time for his games—he’d be on his own for days.

Four hours later, at 10 p.m.

The team members returned one by one, each shaking their heads to show nothing out of the ordinary was found.

“Alright, everyone, go home and rest. Meet again at 7 a.m. tomorrow,” Xiao Yu ordered as he stood up.

Such cases can’t be solved in the dead of night.

Instead of wasting time feigning activity, it’s best to conserve energy so you’re sharp for the investigation.

Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang went to the guesthouse arranged by the Criminal Investigation Team.

A guesthouse is basically similar to a hotel.

But with different commercial purposes, service content, and pricing.

Generally, they’re only open to government agencies; nowadays they’re also open to the public, much like regular hotels.

After freshening up and lying on the bed, Xiao Yu’s mind kept analyzing the case.

Yet his hand reached for his phone, sending a message to Mu Qingwu.

On WeChat.

Xiao Yu: Sis, are you asleep?

Mu Qingwu: Not yet, I’m shopping online for you.

Xiao Yu: You’re buying something for me?

Mu Qingwu: By the way, how much is left on your bank card?

Xiao Yu: Just four months’ salary in total…

Mu Qingwu: Transfer it all to me. There was an issue with online banking just now.

Xiao Yu: Transferred XXXXX yuan… done.

Mu Qingwu: Silly brother, spend money as a lesson.

Xiao Yu: ???

Mu Qingwu: A man’s wallet shouldn’t have money.

Xiao Yu: …Sis, then what am I going to spend on?

Mu Qingwu: I’ve already linked your WeChat and Alipay to my card. That way, every expense you make will send me an alert… for example, if someone spends on ‘Red Romance’, I’ll immediately know what you’re up to.

Xiao Yu: Sis, is life really that hard?

Mu Qingwu: Good night, little brother.

Xiao Yu: Good night… Sis, you really are a dog!

Mu Qingwu: Ha, do you even know what ‘good night’ means?

Xiao Yu: Good night? In pinyin it’s ‘wanan’… does that mean I love you? Love my sister!

Mu Qingwu: Are you an idiot?

Xiao Yu: Huh?

Mu Qingwu: ‘Good night’ means I won’t be by your side tonight. You’d better behave, understand?

Xiao Yu: …Understood!

Mu Qingwu: I love you!

Xiao Yu: I love you!

He put down his phone.

Xiao Yu paused for a long moment before smiling.

After all, Mu Qingwu is as shrewd as Old Silver Coin in business.

Chatting with a sister like her while trying to multi-task is a sure way to get caught in her traps.

See? In the blink of an eye, you turn into a pauper. One day, you’ll really be spending my money.

Shaking his head, he mulled over the case as he drifted off to sleep…