Chapter 49: Mysteries at the Corpse Refining Room

Outside the Corpse Refining Room.

Three veteran detectives stood before Xiao Yu, awaiting orders.

Xiao Yu’s expression was icy as he answered a call on his phone.

Who was calling?

It was a civilian deputy director from the police system.

This person was unknown to him, yet somehow knew his number and had called.

Calling during an investigation… his purpose was obvious.

“Sorry, please contact our team leader directly.”

Xiao Yu replied in a cold tone, “As soon as the team leader speaks, our unit will disperse.”

With that, he immediately hung up.

Could this be the call arranged by the Crematorium Manager?

Was that strong will to survive unleashing his hidden potential?

The more he pushed, the more it thrilled me!

But…

Some people are like QR codes – you have to scan them first to know what they’re about.

Not to mention you’re just a civilian employee; even if you were my immediate superior, so what?

Yesterday, Guo Qiang had remarked about how this case posed ‘significant resistance.’

Xiao Yu had already prepared himself for the repercussions.

Wonder if the team leader will even return his call?

Cut it out.

Though he hadn’t worked with him long, Xiao Yu knew the team leader was a man of integrity – straight-forward and uncompromising.

How can I put it?

He wasn’t the smoothest operator; a bit of a hothead.

When cornered, Zhao Changshan would only say, “Brothers, let’s go chop someone up.”

He was brilliant at cracking cases but clueless in scheming – each sticking to their own expertise.

Much to Xiao Yu’s surprise,

Zhao Changshan actually called him.

“Team Leader, what’s up?” Xiao Yu asked, his face revealing mixed emotions.

Did I misjudge him?

“Focus on your case. If any problems arise, leave it to me, the boss. I’m still alive – no one can challenge me. Call it a day!”

Zhao Changshan hung up.

Instantly, Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up, his blood boiling with excitement.

I love a boss who fiercely protects his own!

“Li Ge, go investigate that Manager.”

Xiao Yu turned to a detective, “You know what to look for, right?”

The detective grinned broadly, “Got it!” and strode off.

What else was there to probe?

Financial sources, living conditions, any signs of large unexplained funds…

Guo Qiang and another detective exchanged a look and smiled.

This Manager was really tempting fate – and you could tell Xiao Yu was genuinely angry.

Typically, detectives wouldn’t touch cases like these because they were under the economic crimes unit.

Once involved, it meant they were setting themselves up for a downfall.

Trying to put pressure on someone? Want to play tough?

I’ll take you down first – then what’s left to play?

……

“Liu Ge, pull up the surveillance footage.”

Xiao Yu looked over at another detective.

“Okay,” came the prompt response as the man left.

Among the two team members, one was Li Xin, 37 years old, a third-grade deputy inspector.

The other was Liu Hongqiao, 35 years old, a first-grade inspector.

Like Guo Qiang, both were seasoned detectives in the Criminal Investigation Team, highly skilled in case-solving.

It was clear that several team leaders and mentors had been assigned to work with him.

Xiao Yu’s abilities were renowned.

With three experienced team members by his side,

you could only imagine how formidable this unit was.

The Criminal Investigation Team was aiming to establish an internal ‘Major Cases Unit’ to tackle sudden high-profile cases.

Even if Xiao Yu couldn’t be promoted to Inspector or Section Chief after returning from the province,

he would still remain the leader of this team.

His talents were undeniable!

After organizing things, Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang inspected the interior of the Crematorium but found no leads.

Something was amiss.

That Manager was definitely up to no good.

And the staff too.

Not to mention the Crematorium itself – no detail could be overlooked.

What kind of person gets nervous at the mere sight of the police?

Innocent? Nervous?

Without any evidence, Xiao Yu wouldn’t take the staff in for questioning.

How can you interrogate someone when you don’t even know their crime?

Entering the small funeral home within the Crematorium, Xiao Yu paused as he observed an employee explaining something to a relative awaiting a body’s cremation.

“Sorry, our standard cremation furnace is under maintenance. The management has decided to use the green cremation furnace for the time being,” the employee explained with a smile.

“Is it going to be expensive?” a relative asked.

“Don’t worry – no extra charge. The rate is the same as a standard cremation,” the employee replied.

The relative agreed.

This exchange seemed perfectly normal. So what’s the issue?

Why was Xiao Yu so interested?

Because…

he had just witnessed a cremation in the Corpse Refining Room.

If the cremation furnace was broken, shouldn’t it have been fixed immediately?

And why hadn’t any repair personnel been seen?

Why downgrade to a green furnace, which actually costs more for the family?

Is the Crematorium known for doing good deeds?

The employee’s seemingly reasonable explanation had several inconsistencies.

Where did the problem lie?

Returning to the Corpse Refining Room, Xiao Yu asked an employee, “How long has the standard cremation furnace been out of order?”

“Huh?”

The employee was taken aback by the question and, sounding nervous, answered, “Since this morning.”

Since this morning?

What a coincidence!

If something’s broken, it’s broken – why get so worked up?

Xiao Yu was about to press further when

Liu Hongqiao, returning from reviewing the Crematorium’s surveillance footage, exclaimed, “Boss, there’s something wrong!”

“Hmm?”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up as he accepted the tablet from Liu Hongqiao.

He opened a surveillance video and began to watch intently…