Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Grim Joy (03)

In the late night, the Criminal Investigation Division temporarily commandeered the Zhou Ping Town police station's conference room. Wen Xu stood beside the projector, displaying details of the crime scene investigation and the autopsy. Hai Shu sat in the front row, her eyes reflecting the coldness of the light.

"We collected Wan Zeyu's DNA sample from his family. Based on these samples, we confirmed that the victim in the smoking barrel is Wan Zeyu. His torso has nine cut wounds, and the living response is extremely weak, indicating these injuries were inflicted after his death."

Wen Xu took a few small steps and continued, "After killing Wan Zeyu, the murderer quickly dismembered the body. Tests on his blood and liver confirmed that he had been drinking before death."

Hai Shu spoke, "I saw Wan Zeyu at the Yin family's banquet last night. I left around 11:20 PM, and his table had already consumed a significant amount of alcohol."

Wen Xu nodded, "Alcohol was detected. Wan Zeyu was likely killed after drinking. He might not have been completely unconscious, but the alcohol affected his movements and judgment. In addition to the alcohol, there's something noteworthy: his neck and waist both have two needle marks, and animal anesthetic components were detected in his system, at a high dosage. He lost his ability to move due to the anesthetic before being killed."

Hai Shu furrowed her brows, "Does the murderer have an anesthetic gun?"

Wen Xu replied, "The needle has already been removed. We still need further analysis to determine what type of anesthetic gun it was. In any case, the animal anesthetic and the anesthetic gun are the most important clues. Officer Hai, did you notice anything unusual with Wan Zeyu last night?"

Hai Shu leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and thought for a moment. "Most people had already left by then. The remaining ones were mostly young men drinking. None of them knew that Wan Zeyu had gotten into trouble during the night. It wasn’t until noon today that they realized he was missing and started looking for him. This means Wan Zeyu might have been alone after the men left, either heading home or to somewhere else when the incident occurred."

Hai Shu looked up and locked eyes with Wen Xu, "Teacher Wen, the limbs hanging—can they confirm the victim's identity?"

Wen Xu shrugged, "There are no matching DNA records in the system."

Hai Shu asked again, "What did the autopsy reveal?"

Wen Xu smiled and observed the new team leader for a moment, seemingly pleased with the question. "The limbs had multiple fractures, consistent with the characteristics of a fall from height. The cut surfaces showed no signs of life response, and the dismemberment tool was the same as for Wan Zeyu: a bone cleaver. Such tools are uncommon in households but can often be found in markets. Based on the degree of decomposition, Victim X's time of death was earlier than Wan Zeyu's." Wen Xu paused, "Captain Hai, what do you think this means?"

Everyone looked to Hai Shu. She uncrossed her arms, her fingers intertwined. "The murderer first killed Victim X, then after the banquet, killed the isolated Wan Zeyu in the forest. They dismembered both victims and combined their body parts to mislead the police."

After speaking, Hai Shu frowned. Was the murderer only trying to mislead the police? The Wan family and the Yin family lived on the same road. If Wan Zeyu had gotten heavily drunk, his brothers would have escorted him home. If he could still walk, it made sense for him to walk back on his own. Even his brothers who lived farther away could have walked him home.

So why was Wan Zeyu alone? Did he go somewhere on his own after saying goodbye to everyone? How did Victim X fit into this?

Hai Shu shook her head lightly. No, there were still too few clues. Premature judgment would only affect the investigation.

"I arrived in Zhou Ping Town a day earlier than you, indirectly interacted with Wan Zeyu, and heard some things about him and his family. I'll share my thoughts, and feel free to add any ideas." Hai Shu stood up, facing the others.

"Wan Zeyu is a popular figure in Zhou Ping Town now, but before he came of age, he was a local bully. He had bullied many people his age, and perhaps even women and the elderly. Could these people still hold a grudge against him after all these years? Could these motives be strong enough to kill? We need to check this thoroughly."

"Wan Zeyu is a self-employed individual. He started his group-buying and courier business early and even infiltrated the glass factory, taking a share in it. On the positive side, it shows he was hardworking, visionary, and good with people. But on the negative side, did he use any unscrupulous methods to damage others’ interests? Business is competitive—could someone hold a grudge against him because of that? This is the second point we need to investigate."

"The Wan family experienced a car accident over ten years ago, where Wan Zeyu's father died a terrible death. The accident seemed to be an unfortunate event, and I can’t immediately see a direct connection between that and his murder. But I still think it’s worth mentioning, as it might be useful for the investigation."

Hai Shu paused for two seconds. "Right now, we don’t know the identity of the other victim, so the investigation can only focus on Wan Zeyu. Early-stage investigations are tedious, so I appreciate everyone's hard work."

The sound of paper flipping filled the conference room as Hai Shu scanned the room, waiting for any questions. She never believed in a one-sided conversation during investigations and even welcomed criticism.

At that moment, Sui Xing cleared her throat. "But I think these are relatively ordinary motives."

Hai Shu raised an eyebrow, signaling Sui Xing to continue.

"Wan Zeyu being a bully happened over ten years ago. He made life miserable for someone, and that person hated him so much they wanted to tear him apart. But can such hatred last until now?" Sui Xing answered her own question, "Maybe it has, and the motive is strong. But the way he was killed doesn’t match the motive. It feels off."

Hai Shu said, "The limbs and head were severed, only leaving the torso, and the torso was stuffed into the smoking barrel—this is a deep grudge, and one that can’t be held for over ten years."

Sui Xing nodded, "Exactly. Similarly, if Wan Zeyu was killed by a business competitor, it’s hard to imagine such a scene."

The room fell silent as everyone pondered. Hai Shu lowered her head, her fingers tapping silently on the table. What Sui Xing pointed out was exactly where the contradiction lay. And another thing: if Wan Zeyu’s death was connected to his bullying others or monopolizing business, what about the other victim?

But even with so many doubts, both angles still had to be investigated.

Suddenly, Sui Xing asked, "Captain Hai, were you here to attend a friend’s wedding?"

Hai Shu didn’t want to discuss personal matters, but Sui Xing’s question triggered a realization. Wan Zeyu had a good relationship with the groom, Guangjun. When they found out the victim might be Wan Zeyu, Guangjun fainted from the shock. Wan Zeyu was killed on the day of Guangjun’s wedding. Why that day? Could Wan Zeyu’s death be connected to the wedding? Yin Canxi had mentioned that Guangjun’s father was the deputy director of the glass factory, and Wan Zeyu’s father had died while working at the factory. Later, Wan Zeyu was taken care of by the factory...

A lot more thoughts began to emerge, but they were increasingly messy. Hai Shu snapped back to reality, "I used to work with the bride, Yin Canxi, in Bincong City."

Sui Xing's eyes showed curiosity, but she didn’t press further.

This was only the first debriefing after the murder occurred. Clues were still limited, and after the meeting, everyone returned to the accommodations arranged by the police station, preparing for tomorrow’s challenging work.

As Hai Shu was about to go downstairs, she saw a familiar figure. Yin Canxi, wrapped in a black long down jacket, was pacing under the streetlight, occasionally bringing her hands to her mouth to blow warm air. Her hair was a bit messy, but she seemed unaware.

Hai Shu felt a bit helpless. Just yesterday at this time, Yin Canxi was happily smiling, inviting her to be her bridesmaid, but in just one day, Yin Canxi's face was now filled with sorrow.

"President Hai!" Yin Canxi switched back to the previous title and hurried towards Hai Shu. "Everyone’s saying it’s really Wan Zeyu. Is it true?"

The search would begin after daylight, and at this point, hiding the truth was pointless. Hai Shu said, "Yes."

Yin Canxi took a step back, nearly stumbling, her right hand covering her mouth as tears fell. "How could this happen..."

Hai Shu supported her. "Where are your family members? It's late, you should go back now."

Yin Canxi squatted on the ground, her shoulders shaking. "What kind of wedding is this? Such a thing happening... our family is done for."

A man in his twenties hurried over, holding Yin Canxi and repeatedly apologizing to Hai Shu. Hai Shu recognized him as Yin Canxi’s younger brother.

The younger brother persuaded Yin Canxi to go back. Watching their retreating figures, Hai Shu fell into thought.

"Captain Hai, do you always look this cold when you're thinking?" A female voice sounded, and Hai Shu turned her face to see Sui Xing.

A match made in heaven. The phrase flashed through Hai Shu’s mind.

In the criminal police team, there were mostly men. In Bincong City, she had met many excellent male detectives, but it was her first time meeting a female detective like Sui Xing, who was so interesting. It made her feel a sense of mutual respect.

"How long have you been observing me?" Hai Shu asked.

Sui Xing replied bluntly, "Since I saw you."

Hai Shu chuckled. Yin Canxi and her brother had already turned the corner and were out of sight. She casually raised her hand and pointed, "That was just my friend. The person who’s taking her back is from her family."

Sui Xing could tell that Hai Shu had something to say, and she tilted her head, looking at her intently.

"Guess what I’m thinking?" Hai Shu said. "I’m thinking that she stayed at the police station so late just to ask me if the victim is Wan Zeyu. No one wants something like this to happen on their wedding day. Her actions are completely normal. But... why didn’t her husband stay with her? Why didn’t he come to pick her up?"

Sui Xing remained silent, deep in thought.

Hai Shu glanced at Sui Xing. "Guangjun, the groom, fainted at the scene earlier, but tonight he let his newlywed wife come alone to the police station. It’s a bit interesting."

Sui Xing pushed her gold-rimmed glasses up, and the light flickered off the lenses. "Captain Hai, you’re the most interesting boss I’ve met."

The next day, the investigation gradually unfolded. The focus shifted to investigating buildings that could have caused a fall and Wan Zeyu’s social network.

Zhou Ping Town had very few public surveillance cameras, but the Yin family’s house had one. Sui Xing retrieved the footage, and it showed Wan Zeyu leaving the Yin family’s house at 12:20 AM on January 7th. His coat was draped over his shoulder, and he was smiling as he bid farewell to Guangjun and others who had seen him off. Seven men left the yard with him.

Sui Xing then checked all available public surveillance but did not find any trace of Wan Zeyu.

Hai Shu went to the Wan family’s home. Wan Zeyu’s mother had been sent to the hospital due to excessive grief, leaving only a group of workers who worked for the Wan family.

The workers were hesitant, claiming that they only did the work—moving goods and deliveries—and didn’t know anything about Wan Zeyu’s business affairs.

Hai Shu focused on a worker named Haozi, a man in his twenties with an honest appearance. She had seen him sitting at the same table as Wan Zeyu at the family banquet. He was also one of the seven men who left the Yin family’s yard with Wan Zeyu.

When questioned, Haozi became nervous. "I... I came back with Brother Zeyu. We both drank. I was a bit drunk, went home and slept. Brother Zeyu could handle his liquor, and he even walked me to my room."

Hai Shu asked, "Are you sure he came back with you?"

"Yes, he even laughed at me for not being able to hold my liquor. He actually asked me to block drinks for him, but I didn’t drink as much as him. If Brother Zeyu hadn’t walked me to my room, I might have ended up lying in the street."

"He asked you to block drinks?"

Haozi’s eyes shifted uneasily, as if he thought he had said something wrong. "Well... he didn’t want to drink too much, but in that situation, people were definitely forcing him to drink. I’m the youngest at our shop, so I always end up blocking drinks."

Haozi’s voice grew smaller, and he lowered his head. "But I didn’t block much. It’s all my fault. If I helped Brother Zeyu drink more, he wouldn’t have gotten into trouble."

This didn’t seem to be about alcohol. Hai Shu thought for a moment and asked, "Has he ever asked you to block drinks before?"

Haozi wiped away a tear. "No, just this time."

Hai Shu confirmed with the other workers, and they all said that Wan Zeyu had never asked them to block drinks. The other six men also said they saw Wan Zeyu return home.

These seven men were the last people to see Wan Zeyu, and they were the most likely suspects. However, the police had not yet found any motive among them, and they all insisted that Wan Zeyu had returned home.

Crime scene technician Cheng Wei found no blood or signs of a struggle at the Wan family home. Had Wan Zeyu quietly left after getting home and avoided everyone?

Hai Shu kicked a small stone outside the Wan family’s door, thinking about Wan Zeyu’s unusual request for Haozi to block drinks for him. Was he preparing for something he needed to do in the middle of the night?

Just as she was thinking, Hai Shu heard a hoarse, unidentifiable voice. She turned around and saw an elderly woman with white hair and a wrinkled face.

The old woman trembled, her cloudy eyes filled with fear. "This kid deserves to die!"