Chapter 65

Chapter 65 6. The Silence of the Lambs-0

The baby’s adoptive parents bought a villa with a small garden near the university where the husband taught. It was a bit far from the city center; driving from Qi Shanyu’s home took a full hour, and taking the subway or bus would take even longer.

Liu Yi, being considerate of Officer Qi Shanyu, who didn’t have a car, arranged to pick him up so they could go together.

That day, Qi Shanyu came downstairs at the agreed time and immediately saw Liu Yi parked his flashy champagne-colored BMW prominently at the entrance of the residential compound.

Qi Shanyu’s neighborhood had once been a police compound, with buildings about thirty years old.

The veteran detectives assigned there long ago had all retired, most moving to more spacious, comfortable high-rise apartments to enjoy their later years. The old apartments were now mostly sold to young couples seeking school districts in the old city or rented to nearby office workers. Even the elderly who remained wouldn’t drive a car so loud in color and style.

So Liu Yi’s car stood out dramatically, like it was under a spotlight, catching over ninety percent of passing glances.

Residents entering or leaving the compound almost instinctively looked at the prominent blue-and-white cross-target logo, then glanced at the driver, curious who he was.

Liu Yi saw Qi Shanyu approaching, rolled down the window, leaned on it, and teasingly whistled, “Hi, handsome, get in.”

Qi Shanyu’s face turned red at the teasing invitation. Seeing others’ curious glances at him, afraid Liu Yi might say something even more suggestive, he hurried forward, opened the passenger door, and quickly slipped into the car.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Today, Liu Yi wore casual clothes: a black lining with an indigo jacket, neat hair, and narrow silver-rimmed glasses. He looked extremely accomplished. When he raised an eyebrow and smiled at Qi Shanyu, his charm was irresistible, making hearts race.

Qi Shanyu looked down to fasten his seatbelt, averting his gaze.

He had spent much more time than usual preparing for today—getting his hair done, picking out an outfit—but compared to Liu Yi, he felt rough and unpolished.

However, Liu Yi didn’t drive off immediately.

“Hey…”

He reached over and lightly brushed Qi Shanyu’s temple. “Did you just get a haircut?”

Qi Shanyu flinched at the unexpected touch, lifting his head in surprise.

“Not bad. Looks good.”

Liu Yi’s eyes crinkled behind his clear lenses, smiling like a flower. “This style suits you.”

Qi Shanyu’s ears flushed even redder.

He didn’t know when his skin had become so thin. Liu Yi’s casual compliment made him blush, his heart race, and his mouth dry. He could barely respond, muttering a vague “Mm” while fumbling with the stubborn seatbelt.

Liu Yi glanced at Qi Shanyu’s flushed ears, smiled softly, and finally, seemingly relenting, stopped teasing. He pressed the accelerator and drove toward the city ring highway.

An hour later, they arrived at their destination: the Huacheng Villa District near Xinhai University City.

The adoptive couple’s surname was Tan for the husband and Luo for the wife, so the baby now had a new name: Tan Luo Bao.

When Liu Yi and Qi Shanyu arrived, the Tans were holding the baby at the door, waiting for them.

After two months of careful feeding and care, the formerly thin child had gained some chubbiness, cheeks plump like a little dumpling. He wasn’t afraid of strangers, lying in his father’s arms, quietly watching the two handsome uncles, then suddenly grinning and babbling joyfully.

Liu Yi and Qi Shanyu felt their hearts melt at the sight.

It was their first time seeing the baby smile and making sounds interactive with adults.

It proved that the Tans were indeed taking excellent care of their adopted son, not only providing daily care but also scientifically training him in speech and hearing skills he had previously lacked. After just two months, the child could track sound like other babies and interact emotionally through smiles.

Qi Shanyu found him increasingly adorable and couldn’t resist wanting to hold him.

Professor Tan, hearing this, proudly handed the soft little ball of a baby to Qi Shanyu like a show-off dad.

Qi Shanyu held the baby, teasing him all the way inside, reluctant to put him down. When Mrs. Luo invited them into the study and brought tea, he returned the baby to Professor Tan, who had been waiting.

“The baby’s about due for feeding. I’ll go feed him. You two can chat.”

Professor Tan smiled and carried the baby upstairs.

Liu Yi and Qi Shanyu exchanged a glance, realizing Professor Tan was intentionally leaving them alone, meaning Mrs. Luo likely had something private to discuss.

Sure enough, Mrs. Luo sat across from them. Her gentle smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.

“Um, actually…”

Mrs. Luo hesitated, considering how to begin.

“Actually, it’s about the suicide of the young man surnamed Xiao that was reported in the newspapers last week. I have some information I’d like to share with you two.”

Hearing this, Liu Yi and Qi Shanyu exchanged a glance.

They both knew the “young man surnamed Xiao” was Xiao Bin, the one who had killed himself using the bizarre nail-board method.

Xiao Bin had risen to a mid-level position at an investment bank at a young age, earning over three hundred thousand a year—successful by any measure. For such a talented young man to suddenly commit suicide in such a shocking way naturally drew media attention. Several newspapers reported it, and it had significant coverage online.

However, to protect the deceased’s privacy, the reports omitted his full name and did not disclose the method, merely saying it was “extremely painful.”

As the lead forensic examiner, Liu Yi knew the truth of the case. Qi Shanyu, a frontline detective in the city, had also studied the case file. But they didn’t understand why Mrs. Luo suddenly brought up Xiao Bin’s suicide.

“Actually, I asked around before and learned that the autopsy of Xiao Bin’s case was conducted by Mr. Liu,” Mrs. Luo said, smiling awkwardly at Liu Yi.

Liu Yi nodded, unsurprised that she had found out. The forensic institute was small, and in the legal circles, anyone could trace the lead examiner’s name with some effort.

“Do you have doubts about Xiao Bin’s suicide?”

Liu Yi handled the case and knew, although the method was strange, it was indeed a suicide.

The apartment’s security was good, with cameras on every floor recording everyone’s comings and goings. The police confirmed that six days before the body was found, Xiao Bin had entered alone and no one else had entered after that.

Moreover, although the balcony window wasn’t closed, it faced the street, under neon lighting even at night. It was hard to imagine anyone climbing in from that height. Xiao Bin’s apartment was on the 21st floor—not exactly Spider-Man.

“No, I know Xiao Bin committed suicide,” Liu Yi said.

Mrs. Luo shook her head, then slowly explained: “Actually, Xiao Bin used to be my patient. He had been treated for depression with me for nearly two years.”

According to her, Xiao Bin was diagnosed with depression about two and a half years ago at the X University Affiliated Hospital where she worked and had been under her care since.

He was very busy, under extreme stress, and had poor family relationships. Over time, he developed severe depression. During two years of treatment, his condition fluctuated, with later episodes including hallucinations, delusions of persecution, and several noticeable suicide tendencies. Mrs. Luo closely monitored him, ensuring he attended appointments and took medication.

“Then, around the time of New Year, Xiao Bin suddenly stopped coming for appointments.”

Mrs. Luo continued:

“I saw he hadn’t come for two full weeks past his appointments, so I called him. At first, four or five times, he didn’t answer. Then one night, he called me himself. His state seemed very strange…”

She paused, adding professionally: “It seemed he had taken an overdose of psychiatric medication, his speech was soft and fast, slurred, and his tone a bit excited.”

Looking seriously at Liu Yi and Qi Shanyu, she said:

“At that time, he told me, ‘Dr. Luo, I found a way to atone—don’t avoid it. If I go to hell first, I can reduce the punishment, clear my sins early, and be reborn.’”

Author’s note: I’ll be out tomorrow evening, so updates may not be possible. Don’t wait, mwah~