Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Mountain Blaze (17)

Jie Yang was actually good-looking, but his demeanor was somewhat listless. “I don’t know if anyone else stole drugs. I can only say I didn’t.”

Wen Xu said, “By the way, drugs like propofol—are they used much here?”

Jie Yang’s jaw twitched a few times, clearly more tense than before. “Very rarely. Patients who need this kind of medication usually don’t come to our place.”

Wen Xu said, “So that means someone still uses it, right?”

Jie Yang looked elsewhere.

“That’s right,” Wen Xu said. “During the investigation of a case, we discovered that propofol is circulating illegally on the market. There’s a high probability it leaked from hospitals or clinics. You work in the pharmacy—have you heard anything about this?”

Jie Yang shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Wen Xu smiled. “Alright, sorry to take your time. If you hear anything, let me know.”

Jie Yang nodded in acknowledgment and turned to leave. Wen Xu watched his back for a moment, feeling somewhat concerned.

Later, Jie Yang chatted with the other pharmacists in the pharmacy. Some were relaxed, others indignant, swearing they had never done anything illegal. Compared to them, Jie Yang’s tension stood out even more.

Wen Xu couldn’t say for certain that he was connected to propofol, but he sensed that Jie Yang was afraid of facing the police and was surprised that the police had come to him because of the stolen drugs. It caught him completely off guard.

When Wen Xu mentioned Jie Yang, the team leader immediately said that Xiao Jie was the backbone of the pharmacy, upright in character, well-educated—a top student who graduated from Huiyong Medical University. Although not very talkative, he would cover shifts whenever colleagues needed help.

The team leader sighed. “This also has to do with Xiao Jie being unmarried. If he had a family, he probably wouldn’t have this much time. At his age, he should be married, but for some reason, despite his willingness, it never works out.”

Another pharmacist said, “Xiao Jie should have something going on recently. Maybe a happy event is coming soon.”

The team leader said, “Yes, yes, yes. He changed shifts with me. Maybe he’s going to see a young lady.”

Wen Xu asked, “Changed shifts?”

The team leader explained that the pharmacy worked in two shifts, morning and evening. Although shifts rotated, Xiao Jie had voluntarily taken evening shifts to accommodate female colleagues who needed to leave early. Recently, he had changed shifts several times, saying he had personal matters after work.

Wen Xu asked, “Which days did he change shifts?”

The team leader showed the work log. Jie Yang had switched to morning shifts three times recently. The last two dates made Wen Xu frown—they corresponded to the dates of Zhao Ruo Cheng’s death (March 18) and Yao Wei’s disappearance (March 20).

Hai Shu called Wen Xu, telling him the clue Liu Xing had provided. Wen Xu said, “Perfect. I also have an important clue.”

He detailed what happened at Kangmin Hospital today, focusing on Jie Yang. “I can’t yet confirm if he is the person Liu Xing mentioned, but his behavior while talking to me was off.”

Hai Shu thought for a moment. Although she hadn’t met Jie Yang, she gradually visualized him in her mind from Wen Xu’s description. “Because our presence caught him off guard… does he have any personality traits?”

Wen Xu said, “He’s relatively quiet, maintains friendly but distant relations with colleagues.”

Hai Shu said, “Alright, first clarify his background. For now, don’t treat him as a suspect.”

“Understood.”

Inside Kangmin Hospital, a drug audit revealed large amounts of false inventory. In addition to Ma Ye, three others were suspended for stealing or misappropriating drugs. The pharmacy itself escaped the sweep. The team leader complained passionately about the thieves, and everyone joined in.

It was understandable they were upset. Since the incident began, they had been the target of the most suspicion. Outsiders assumed pharmacists were the easiest to steal from, and now that the truth was revealed, the actual thieves were not them, yet some still looked at them distrustfully.

After finishing his complaints, the team leader looked back at Jie Yang and reassured him, “Xiao Jie, feeling down? Don’t worry. If you’re upright, you have nothing to fear. In time, no one will mention this again.”

Jie Yang absentmindedly counted inventory and nodded. “Mm.”

The team leader glanced outside. “Oh, the police are here again?”

Jie Yang slightly shrugged, but the team leader didn’t notice, greeting Wen Xu, “Officer Wen, here to arrest someone?”

Wen Xu said cheerfully, “Look at you talking—arrest someone just like that? No, I’m here to chat with Xiao Jie.”

Jie Yang said coldly, “Anything else?”

Wen Xu rested his hands on the table in front of him. “I want to verify two dates with you.” Then he turned to the team leader. “Sister, can I take Xiao Jie aside for a moment? Talking here will affect your work.”

The team leader hurriedly said, “Of course. Xiao Jie, talk properly with Officer Wen.”

Outside the hospital, Jie Yang took two steps and stopped. “Why can’t we just find a room in the hospital to talk?”

Wen Xu said, “Isn’t this for making a record? It’s more convenient at the police station, and there are other officers present.”

Jie Yang’s gaze was sharp. “You suspect me?”

Wen Xu said, “Then tell me, what do you think I suspect you of?”

The lines on Jie Yang’s face tightened. After a moment, he said, “How should I know?”

“So that’s why we’re talking. Don’t be so tense—once it’s clear, we’ll both be at ease.”

At the police station, Wen Xu greeted the officers with a smile and requested an interrogation room. After Jie Yang sat down, Wen Xu casually said, “This seems to be the room Wang Lao Gan stayed in, right?”

Jie Yang said, “If you have something to ask, just ask. I’m in a hurry.”

Wen Xu nodded. “On March 18 and 20, you were originally scheduled for the evening shift. Why did you switch to the morning shift?”

Jie Yang’s lips moved slightly, as if thinking. “You might not understand our scheduling rules. After working many evening shifts, you’re already allowed to take morning shifts. There’s no ‘why’ involved.”

“Oh? But as I understand it, you volunteered for evening shifts. If there were no special circumstances, you wouldn’t suddenly switch to morning shifts. What I want to know is, after your shifts on those two days, what did you do?”

Another pause. Jie Yang said, “That’s my private business. I have the right to keep it confidential.”

Wen Xu smiled. “If I were you, I’d tell me immediately, shut that annoying cop up. Didn’t you say I suspected you? Wouldn’t it be better to dispel that suspicion?”

Jie Yang said, “Your suspicion is baseless.”

“Then let’s play a recognition game.” Wen Xu took out a photo of Tang Jin Li. “Do you know this woman?”

Jie Yang glanced at it, his expression growing colder. “No.”

Wen Xu then showed photos of Yao Wei and Zhao Ruo Cheng. “These two people?”

Jie Yang grew impatient. “What exactly do you want to ask? Why must I know them?”

Wen Xu ignored his agitation and continued calmly, holding up Zhao Ruo Cheng’s photo: “This person was killed with propofol on the night of March 18.” Then he held up Yao Wei’s photo: “This person has been missing since March 20.”

“Ridiculous!” Jie Yang’s eyes widened. “Just because I switched shifts those two days, you think I’m involved? I don’t know them at all! Why don’t you check everyone who changed shifts in the city those days? Do you even have time to do that?”

“Hey, I never said you had a problem,” Wen Xu said calmly. “I just really want to understand why you happened to switch shifts those days. I get fixated on a problem—I’ll stick to it until it’s resolved.”

His words sounded like a joke but carried an unspoken threat. Jie Yang froze, his gaze repeatedly scanning Wen Xu’s face, as if weighing whether to explain what he did those two days.

A few minutes later, he said, “I had a cold a few days ago. I felt unwell and wanted to go home early to rest.”

Wen Xu said, “So you went home early to rest. No one can vouch for you?”

Jie Yang sneered, “When you’re home alone, does anyone vouch for you?”

Wen Xu said, “I often chat with the property management when I get home. If no one talks to me, I chat with the surveillance.”

Jie Yang muttered, “Crazy.”

“You shouldn’t insult a police officer,” Wen Xu hummed. “Where do you live? You don’t like chatting with property management? Then I’ll go talk to them.”

Jie Yang said, “No, what exactly are you investigating? I didn’t steal drugs, and I don’t know the people you mentioned. Why are you fixated on me?”

“Yeah, why…” Wen Xu thought. Of course, it’s because your odd reactions didn’t escape a detective’s experience.

Jie Yang stood up, ending the interrogation. Wen Xu didn’t force him to stay but insisted on escorting him back to the hospital. Just as they left the station, a loud, urgent ringtone sounded. Wen Xu immediately looked at Jie Yang, and a young female officer from the station also looked over.

Jie Yang quickly took out his phone and answered, “Sister, I’m still at the station.”

The team leader’s voice was loud enough for Wen Xu to hear. She asked if Jie Yang had been troubled or needed assistance from the hospital. Jie Yang replied briefly that he would return immediately and hung up.

Wen Xu watched him stride away, slowly stepping back, and asked the young officer, “Do you know what ringtone that is?”

The young female officer had just started her internship this year. Nervous and blushing, she stammered out the name of a popular anime.

Wen Xu muttered to himself, “Still into the second dimension, huh?”

Jie Yang refused to disclose where he lived, but the police had their ways. Half an hour later, Wen Xu arrived at the residential complex where Jie Yang rented an apartment. It was on Erlizhi Road, neither very good nor very bad in conditions.

Wen Xu put his skills to use and genuinely talked with the property management. Upon seeing Jie Yang’s photo, they said, “Isn’t this Dr. Jie? He’s been living here for many years.”

Wen Xu suggested checking the surveillance. Once the property manager learned he was a police officer, she immediately pulled up the video and said, “Dr. Jie follows a very regular schedule. On night shifts, he usually returns around 1 a.m. and starts work after noon.”

But on March 18, the surveillance showed Jie Yang leaving at 6 a.m. According to his own statement, he should have returned to the complex around 4 p.m., yet that day he didn’t appear until after midnight. On the morning of the 20th, after finishing the night shift on the 19th, he appeared on camera as usual.

Wen Xu repeatedly dragged the progress bar and confirmed that Jie Yang did not return home on the night of March 18 and the early morning of March 19.

“Are there any other entrances or exits here?”

The property manager shook her head. “Just this one.”

Wen Xu then checked the night of March 20 and the early morning of the 21st; Jie Yang still didn’t return.

The property manager said, “Maybe he drove? He has a car.”

Clearly, there was no need to drive from the complex to Kangmin Hospital. Wen Xu asked, “He didn’t drive today, right? Which car is his?”

The property manager enthusiastically helped search. The complex was old, and parking spaces were severely limited, so many cars were parked outside. She searched inside first, then along Erlizhi Road, finally finding it in an open lot about a kilometer from the complex. “This is it!”

It was an ordinary Ford, but unlike the surrounding cars, it was very clean, obviously recently washed, and barely used afterward.

Wen Xu carefully photographed it and copied the video with the property manager.

Hai Shu had been running between the city and the village, jokingly called the driver of the Criminal Investigation Team One by Sui Xing. She had already returned to the city bureau and watched the surveillance with Wen Xu.

Except for the unusual dates of March 18 and 20, looking back ten days prior, Jie Yang’s comings and goings became irregular. Sometimes he left the complex as early as 9 a.m., driving out, and sometimes returned at 3 a.m. What was he doing during these non-work hours?

Hai Shu pressed her index finger to her chin. “Scouting locations?”

The complex’s surveillance kept recordings for three months. Moving backward, his schedule was generally regular, as the property manager said. The irregularities coincided with the city-wide heated discussions about the bodies found during the flower viewing season.

Wen Xu also learned about Jie Yang’s personal background from the hospital. He was 29 years old, not a local of Huiyong City, but had stayed since coming for university. His undergraduate school was reputable, allowing internships at larger hospitals, but he couldn’t stay at a major hospital and moved through private hospitals before coming to Kangmin Hospital four years ago.

Being a pharmacist at Kangmin Hospital was an unremarkable position. Colleagues asked why he, so young, didn’t try at a larger hospital. Jie Yang said it was too exhausting; he only wanted a stable life. Everyone understood—while big hospitals pay more and have a higher reputation, not everyone can endure the pressure.

Jie Yang seemed to have little connection to his hometown. He rarely took leave for “going home” during holidays. The property manager also said she had never seen his family visit.

“Besides work, he’s an anime expert.” Wen Xu mentioned the phone ringtone and hummed it a little. He almost forgot the name the young female officer told him, but Hai Shu corrected it halfway through.

Wen Xu laughed. “You’re an anime expert too?”

Hai Shu was not, but she recognized the song. A quick online search revealed discussions, fan works, derivative creations, and cosplay. Seeing one cosplay group, she lit up and quickly opened Feng Cheng Anna’s video homepage.

Wen Xu leaned over. “Let me see too.”

Unlike still images, videos are harder to search. Hai Shu scrolled through them and finally stopped at a video Feng Cheng Anna posted two years ago in August. The character she cosplayed was the same as the one from Jie Yang’s phone ringtone. The character was very popular, with countless cosplays online, but Feng Cheng Anna’s was considered the most faithful.

Hai Shu leaned back in her chair, silently staring at the screen.

Wen Xu reacted as well. “Tsk, interesting.”

Hai Shu pinned Feng Cheng Anna’s photo on the whiteboard, stepped back, and spoke, “Yao Wei and Feng Cheng Anna have a relatively close working relationship. Yao Wei also got to know Tang Jin Li through Feng Cheng Anna. So far, we haven’t found any connection between Feng Cheng Anna and Zhao Ruo Cheng, but Jie Yang very likely knows Feng Cheng Anna.”

Wen Xu followed. “If Jie Yang is the doctor Liu Xing mentioned, what does Feng Cheng Anna have to do with this?”

Hai Shu thought. Feng Cheng Anna was on the periphery of the case, but Tang Jin Li’s death had some indirect connection to her. Current evidence, however, wasn’t enough to draw any conclusions.

“Jie Yang lied about what he did on March 18 and 20. We have reason to question him again.”

The atmosphere at Kangmin Hospital had been tense the past two days. At night, when his shift ended, Jie Yang hurried out, barely stopping along the way, going straight back to Erlizhi Road. Passing his parked car, he suddenly stopped, staring at his reflection in the glass.

There were no other pedestrians. He looked around—only the silent streetlights and deep corners. Yet he felt something watching him from the darkness. The person in the glass didn’t seem to be him. He seemed hypnotized, staring motionless at the glass, finally gasping and hurrying toward the complex entrance, eventually running.

The duty property manager greeted him, “Xiao Jie, you’re back.”

Jie Yang had already walked a distance, then suddenly stopped and turned back to the gatehouse. The property manager asked, surprised, “What’s wrong?”

Jie Yang’s voice was tense. “Uncle, did anyone come looking for me today?”

The property manager thought for a moment. “Ah, I heard from the day shift staff that the police came to check the surveillance.”

Jie Yang’s pupils contracted. “What did they say?”

The property manager said, “You can ask Old Zhou tomorrow. I wasn’t there during the day.”

Jie Yang said dazedly, “Thanks,” and slowly walked toward the apartment building. Soon, the window of 10-4 lit up, standing out sharply in the surrounding darkness.

In his apartment, filled with the smell of disinfectant, Jie Yang paced back and forth, biting his fingers nervously. He grabbed clothes and stuffed them into his suitcase, then took them all out and returned them to their original place. He muttered softly to himself, eyes fixed on the ceiling, before finally taking out a spare phone from the cabinet, inserting the SIM card, turning it on, and dialing a number. It rang for a long time before a tired male voice answered, “What is it? So late?”

Jie Yang steadied his emotions. “When will you come to collect the goods?”

The voice cursed softly. “Didn’t we agree next month? I don’t have time now.”

Jie Yang said, “Then get someone else to do it!”

“Tsk, what are you saying? This job can be done by someone else?”

Jie Yang swallowed. “Then when is the earliest you can?”

“Tsk, I said next month… fine, I’ll come next week. Be ready.”

After hanging up, Jie Yang slammed his fist on the table. A few minutes later, he clenched his fists again, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and muttered as if cheering himself on, “It’s okay, it’s fine, everything’s handled!”

The next day, Jie Yang arrived at Kangmin Hospital on time. Before he could change, the team leader nervously said, “The police are here again today.”

Jie Yang looked up and saw this time it was a woman. He lowered his head and replied to the team leader, “It’s fine, didn’t you say, a straight person doesn’t fear a crooked shadow?”

Hai Shu was carrying a formal investigation permit. Jie Yang glanced at the black-and-white text and sneered, “You’ve changed people, and it’s still me you’re investigating? What exactly did I do to make you hold on so tightly?”

Seeing the situation was bad, the team leader quickly went to inform the deputy director on duty. She meant well, thinking that if Xiao Jie was being harassed by the police, the deputy director could say a word and resolve it. But once the deputy director heard, his expression immediately darkened. “The police are checking Jie Yang; they must have discovered something. We should cooperate. Don’t get involved in this.”

“This…”

The deputy director was impatient. “Isn’t it enough trouble around here lately?”

Hai Shu put away the investigation permit and showed her credentials to Jie Yang. “On March 20, a disappearance occurred. The missing person’s car vanished after entering Erlizhi Road, and on that day, you unusually swapped shifts. Surveillance shows you did not return home after your shift. What’s more strange, when my colleague asked you about your whereabouts yesterday, you firmly said you were unwell and swapped shifts to rest at home. Dr. Jie, I can reasonably believe you lied.”

Jie Yang looked at Hai Shu coldly. He had relaxed earlier, not seeing Officer Wen today, but this woman was even more imposing than Wen.

Hai Shu said, “Please come with me and clarify where you went and what you did on the days you swapped shifts. Also…” She paused slightly. “What is your relationship with Feng Cheng Anna?”

Upon hearing the name Feng Cheng Anna, Jie Yang’s eyes widened sharply. In that instant, Hai Shu understood: Jie Yang not only liked the theme song, he definitely knew Feng Cheng Anna.

Jie Yang cleared his throat. “Where’s Officer Wen?”

“Oh, he’s probably already at your complex.” Hai Shu glanced at the time, then at Jie Yang. “Given the suspicion around you, we also obtained a search warrant. Do you want to go now, or finish the questioning first?”

Anger appeared on Jie Yang’s face, but he could not erupt. He curled his lips perfunctorily. “You’re going to search behind my back?”

Hai Shu said, “I already informed you, didn’t I? You can come along with us.”

Jie Yang snorted coldly. “You’re accusing a law-abiding citizen. I haven’t done anything illegal; you won’t find anything.”

Fifteen minutes later, Hai Shu and Jie Yang arrived at the complex. Wen Xu had already prepared for inspection and smiled. “Is that brat Cheng Wei slacking off in Guibai Village? I have to do all the work for him.”

The door opened, and the disinfectant smell hit them. Hai Shu looked at Jie Yang meaningfully. Jie Yang picked up hand sanitizer from the shoe rack, rubbing it on his hands. “I work in a hospital; I’m used to using some disinfectant indoors while cleaning.”

Wen Xu nodded. “Understood.”

The apartment was old, but the interior was simple and clean, with almost no large cabinets crowding the space. All kitchen and bathroom trash was discarded; the furniture and floor were spotless.

Jie Yang said he cleaned whenever he had free time in the morning and emptied all the day’s garbage before leaving for work.

Yet compared to the apartment’s cold style, the anime figures and plush toys on the bookshelf and bay window were excessively vibrant.

Hai Shu picked up a scantily dressed figure—it was the character Feng Cheng Anna cosplayed. “So you really do like these.”