"Exactly! That's precisely what I wanted to say," Ping'an said, interlocking his fingers and leaning back lazily on the sofa. He offered a perfunctory response, as if waiting for Mei Qian to elaborate.
"Your findings are indeed more insightful than most, but they only explain the perpetrator's methods. While useful for solving the case, such as confirming the suspect would need to mix cement and concrete, and therefore would have water in the vehicle, these are indeed avenues for investigation. However, I’m struggling to understand the value of the palm print on the metal frame you mentioned. I noticed it too, but it was a gloved print, without any fingerprints. It seems useless," Mei Qian asked Ping'an earnestly. If he had previously dismissed Ping'an as a mere attention-seeker, his discoveries and explanations now suggested the man before him was genuinely capable.
"Why don't you ask me why the perpetrator chose to dispose of the body in such a peculiar, flower-planting manner? The forensic examiner concluded that Niu Jian died in the early hours of the morning, yet less than an hour later, the suspect brought him to the construction site and used such an elaborate method for disposal. If the intention was simply to get rid of the body, burying it, burning it, or discarding it would have sufficed. Why such a complex method? And why the rush?" Ping'an countered, glancing at Yan Qing and Gao Xiaofei.
"Was it a show of defiance? Or a warning? Although the ring road this overpass is on is designated the Fourth Ring, it connects to an old street called Ping'an Street, so some people also call the bridge Ping'an Bridge," Gao Xiaofei concluded after some thought.
"That's a possibility, and I considered it, but it still doesn't get to the core of the matter," Ping'an replied.
"Just say it. Stop beating around the bush," Yan Qing said, clearly seeing that Ping'an had already figured everything out but was reluctant to reveal it.
"I recall the forensic examiner mentioning that the victim's wounds were contaminated with cement and concrete, making it impossible to determine the cause of injury or conduct further examinations, correct?" Ping'an asked.
"Yes! Could it be...?" Gao Xiaofei suddenly hit upon a crucial point.
"Precisely what you're thinking. The perpetrator went to all this trouble, unless they were psychologically disturbed, it was to conceal something that might expose their identity. That something is on the victim's wounds!" Ping'an exclaimed excitedly. "Aren't you curious? Such a large wound, how could there be no blood at the scene? He hadn't been dead long, so there should still be some residual warmth from the blood, right? How could there be no dripping blood? It wasn't until I saw the complete palm print on the metal frame that I understood. The victim's wound had been kept frozen in ice. Only by contact with ice could a clearer and more complete palm print than usual be left on the metal. If you re-examine the palm print now, you will discover something new." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"This... this is too unbelievable! Could it be that the water marks left by the black van were also from melting ice?" Mei Qian asked incredulously.
"The more something is overlooked, the more important it often is. Officer Mei, from the beginning, you assumed the construction site wasn't the primary scene and stopped paying attention to it. Otherwise, you would have discovered it too," Ping'an said. "The perpetrator disposed of the body at the construction site because there were cement and concrete bridge piers. He could have used a trick to mix the genuine with the fake, using the horrifying 'flower planting' method to conceal the secret on the victim's wounds. I can even infer that the perpetrator didn't intend to plant flowers; he simply wanted to merge the victim's wounds with the cement and concrete. He never expected that his unintended action would lead to such a revelation."
A deathly silence filled Yan Qing's office. After listening to Ping'an's deductions, the other three fell into deep thought. Just as Ping'an reasoned, no one had considered that the perpetrator's method of body disposal was to conceal himself. If this inference was correct, what was he trying to conceal?
"Tomorrow morning, organize the technical investigation team to re-examine the construction site. Deploy all available resources; I want them to dig three feet deep to see what we've missed. Mei Qian, focus your investigation outwards from the construction site in a carpet-like sweep, paying particular attention to cold storage facilities where large quantities of ice are kept," Yan Qing commanded on the spot. "Xiaofei, notify the forensic examiner immediately to find a way to re-examine the victim's wounds and try to extract some information."
"Ping'an, do you have anything further to add? Honestly, have you had these deductions for a while?" Yan Qing asked Ping'an after making new deployments.
"The truth? Alright, then I'll tell you the truth. Ever since I went to the crime scene, I felt that the perpetrator's method of disposal had another purpose. This morning, in the conference room, I looked at the photographic evidence, and after hearing the forensic examiner's conclusions, I began to get a clearer picture. I basically deduced the method of the crime and the motive behind the disposal. However, I have a bold idea." Ping'an frowned and said word by word, "I suspect that the person who killed Niu Jian might not be related to the report! Perhaps there's another hidden motive."
The other three were stunned by his statement. Not related to the report? "Ping'an, I admire your insight and imagination, but if it's not related to the report, what else could it be? What makes you believe Niu Jian's death is unrelated to the report?" Even Gao Xiaofei was a bit unsettled by this bold speculation.
Ping'an rubbed his eyes, took a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and took a deep drag. "To silence someone, must they dispose of the body? Why not bury it on the spot? Was it truly to intimidate me? Making Niu Jian disappear completely would have been the best way to silence him. Without evidence, even if they knew who reported it, what use would it be? Such a high-profile disposal method, drawing the police's intense attention, is it meant to make the police investigate further? Most crucially, I suspect that the person Niu Jian reported must already know that I'm aware of the report. Otherwise, I wouldn't be followed. If I were the perpetrator, I would quietly eliminate Niu Jian, find a secluded place, ideally where the body would never be found, and then quietly deal with me."
This time, Yan Qing, Gao Xiaofei, and Mei Qian were plunged into deep thought once more. That night, Ping'an's deductions resolved many issues and pointed the investigation in a practical direction, but they also raised more perplexing questions. Indeed, what was the killer's true intention in disposing of the body? What seemed like an ordinary case of murder to silence someone was riddled with so many doubts that the more they investigated, the more questions arose, leaving them utterly bewildered.
"Ping'an said something very important tonight: what is overlooked is often the most important. The enemy has gone to great lengths, precisely because they want us to overlook certain things, and these overlooked things are the most crucial. Now, I can vaguely ascertain that the killer is a very intelligent person. Everyone investigating this case, please remember this: no clue, no matter how small, should be ignored. We'll conclude for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll discuss further after receiving the new investigation reports and autopsy reports," Yan Qing said, glancing at his watch. It was almost midnight.
"Let's go, let's go. Old custom, let's grab some late-night supper. My treat," Yan Qing said, as he had found some achievement in the night's discussion. He understood the principle of taking things one step at a time, being an experienced detective. Seeing Gao Xiaofei and Mei Qian still engrossed in the case, he stood up and cheerfully invited them for a late meal.
"Mei Qian, come on, let me treat you to a bowl of our Hechuan lamb soup. One sip, and you'll feel comfortable all over!" Yan Qing warmly called out.
No matter when the boss treats, subordinates are expected to act like eager young men, otherwise how could the boss achieve personal satisfaction with minimal expense?
The four of them walked out of the Public Security Bureau building, laughing and chatting, when they suddenly saw a black luxury car slowly pulling up downstairs.
"Auntie, did Uncle buy you a big car?" Ping'an, with his sharp eyes, recognized Yan Qing's wife as she alighted from the car.
Yan Qing's wife was a researcher and rarely paid attention to her husband's work. Ping'an often teased Yan Qing about this.
"Don't talk nonsense. This car was assigned to me by the research institute. You, you little troublemaker, you're not going home again tonight, just hanging around with them every day," Yan Qing's wife said, her words seemingly chiding Ping'an but actually reminding Yan Qing about "hanging around" and not coming home.
"Ahem, there's a major case in the city recently. Ping'an just got a lead, discovering the case is related to ice. He's planning to visit the slaughterhouse..." Facing his wife, Yan Qing appeared as submissive as a subordinate reporting to a superior.
"I know you're busy. I brought you some medicine. Is it okay if you don't come home, but you must take your medicine?" His wife admonished him, her face displeased.
"I know, I know. You go back. It's windy out here," Yan Qing said, trying to save face in front of his subordinates, mumbling as he furtively glanced back.
As expected, the astute Ping'an and Gao Xiaofei had already moved to the main entrance, waiting with thoughtful understanding. Only the less perceptive Mei Qian stood awkwardly beside them, trying to curry favor.
*Sigh, why did I pick up such a dimwit?* Yan Qing thought helplessly.
After finally seeing his wife off, Yan Qing awkwardly led Mei Qian to the main entrance.
"Director Yan is amazing. He handled Auntie in just a few words. If you can be a leader, you must have a way at home too?" Gao Xiaofei said, trying to flatter Yan Qing as he approached with a displeased expression.
*Well, look at that, a smart subordinate offering a way out.* If he hadn't had the dimwit beside him, Yan Qing could have simply laughed heartily at the sky, maintaining his dignity.
But now...
"I think Director Yan is a good husband who respects his wife. Auntie didn't retort at all when she was scolding, and he maintained his composure. Truly a good husband, rare indeed!" Mei Qian managed to put his foot in his mouth again.
"Ah, ha ha ha, cough cough cough, well..." Yan Qing gave an awkward laugh, pretending to scratch his back as he turned his face away.
Gao Xiaofei and Ping'an looked at Mei Qian as if he were an idiot.
"Alright, alright, enough about me. Let's go, let's go. I'm hungry, time for lamb soup!" Yan Qing realized he had to clean up his own mess. Finally, with a pained expression, he pointed across the street.
The four of them walked directly to a lamb soup restaurant across the street.
"Boss, four bowls of lamb soup, eight fried dough sticks, plenty of chili, and large chopped scallions!" Yan Qing loudly ordered when they sat down.
"Just three bowls of lamb soup will do..." Ping'an interjected when he heard Yan Qing ordering.
"Hey, it's my treat, my treat. Have at least one bowl, don't be shy..." Hearing Ping'an, Yan Qing thought he didn't want any and generously offered. But before he could finish speaking, he heard Ping'an add, "My bowl should be pure lamb, large size, double meat, no chili, and with garlic cloves!"
Yan Qing: "..."
"It's rare for Director Yan to treat. If I don't eat my fill, how can I do justice to myself!" Ping'an said to Gao Xiaofei with a smile, glancing at Yan Qing.
Gao Xiaofei seemed accustomed to the interaction between Yan Qing and Ping'an. A high-ranking official like Yan Qing showed no airs in front of Ping'an. Sometimes, one truly wondered if Ping'an was Yan Qing's illegitimate son. Mei Qian, sitting on the side, although aware of the good private relationship between Ping'an and Yan Qing, hadn't expected it to be this close. He had indeed felt a bit foolish earlier and now felt more like an "outsider" compared to Ping'an.
"Alright, let's talk about something serious first. Your aunt didn't just come to bring me medicine; there's an important matter," Yan Qing said in a low voice while waiting for the lamb soup. "Just now, my old classmate from the Municipal Disciplinary Committee paid a visit. He didn't say anything when he saw I wasn't here, just told me to be careful lately and to keep a closer watch on my subordinates!"
It turned out Yan Qing's wife had come to the Municipal Bureau late at night to deliver a message. If she were a young person, she might have made a phone call, but this auntie had a high level of awareness and would only speak face-to-face, never by phone.
"It seems this case is starting to escalate. The investigation is already troublesome, and now we have to deal with the Disciplinary Committee," Mei Qian said with a worried expression.
"Little Mei, it's tough on you. You've just arrived in Hechuan and haven't had time to adapt, and now you've been handed this mess," Yan Qing said, seeing Mei Qian looking rather solitary. He initiated a conversation with him.
"It's okay. Since coming to Hechuan, I've discovered that our bureau truly has hidden talents. Such a major case has already seen significant progress in just a few days, something my previous unit couldn't achieve," Mei Qian said humbly. "I still have a lot to learn from my colleagues and will adapt to the work environment here as quickly as possible."
"Don't be modest. You were a hero in solving the '6.01' explosion case. That's why we went to such lengths to recruit you. Honestly, at the exchange meeting, I just tried my luck, and I didn't expect you to agree so readily. Hahaha, it seems we're truly destined," Yan Qing said. "You're currently living in the staff dormitory, yes, four people to a room, a bit cramped. I know you're from the south and have some particularities. Heh, but our cadre apartments are undergoing renovation and reconstruction and won't be habitable for a year. If you want to rent a place outside during this time, just let me know, and I'll help you look."
"I can manage that myself. It is indeed a bit inconvenient to live here now, I can't even change my pajamas easily at night. I plan to go out this weekend and look for a suitable place nearby. By the way, Director Yan, I heard that besides renovating the cadre apartments, our bureau is also developing a residential complex? I'd like to buy a unit," Mei Qian said with a humble smile.
"You're planning to settle down in Hechuan! That's great, Little Mei. I'll inform the logistics department tomorrow. There will be preferential pricing and payment arrangements. Your investment is a good one!" Yan Qing said with a beaming smile.
"I want a unit too..." Ping'an interjected pitifully while eating lamb.
"Get lost! Isn't your villa enough for you? You've already caused enough trouble for our Public Security Bureau, so don't add to the chaos in the family quarters," Yan Qing flatly refused.
"Speaking of which, Little Mei, you're the same age as Ping'an, only 32 this year, right? Are you married? Do your family members agree with you settling in Hechuan?" Yan Qing asked kindly.
"My family is a military family. My parents divorced and remarried separately, one in the capital, the other on the frontier. My grandmother raised me. My grandmother passed away a few years ago, and I've actually been living alone. Whether in Su Lu or Hechuan, it's all the same," Mei Qian said. "I've been working since graduating with a master's degree and am not married yet, but I have a girlfriend..."
"Oh, I understand. That's good. Settling down in Hechuan, since it's in the north, I worry you might not adapt. Take your time, take your time," Yan Qing said. "Xiaofei and Ping'an are both good kids I watched grow up. You can get along well with them in private. If you need anything outside, just find Ping'an. Don't mind his arrogant demeanor; he's actually a good person."
"This case came on suddenly and suspiciously. Mei Qian and Xiaofei, you two need to cooperate with each other, one after the other. The criminal investigation will depend on you from now on," Yan Qing said, looking at his two beloved subordinates with doting eyes, then casting a fly-like glance at Ping'an. "As for you, do what you need to do tomorrow. This case is different from previous ones, so don't get too involved. The Municipal Committee will also notify your newspaper. This case is quite sensitive, so no further tracking reports for now."
"Old Yan, you were the one who begged me to come out, and now you're kicking me aside after using me? You're discarding me before I've even buttoned up? Even a one-night stand involves some semblance of parting affection. Even the most broken-down outhouse can hold your meager amount of black excrement. You're not being considerate!" Ping'an said indistinctly while stuffing his mouth with meat. Yan Qing paid no attention, pretending to play with his phone and turning his face away. Mei Qian's stomach churned upon hearing Ping'an's words. He already found the strong-smelling lamb soup difficult to stomach, and then hearing "black excrement" sent him over the edge, and he vomited profusely onto the table. Only Gao Xiaofei, his confidant, calmly slurped his soup, treating Ping'an's remarks as trivial.
At 1 AM, Gao Xiaofei drove Ping'an to the sports community, also delivering late-night snacks to the officers on stakeout.
"Anything unusual?" Gao Xiaofei asked casually, looking at the police officers eating ravenously.
"No, Ping'an's sister invited us in, but we declined," replied a younger-looking officer.
"You're not outsiders. Come in. What's the point of sitting in the car? Don't catch a cold and then be unable to do anything if something happens," Ping'an said, unlocking the door and walking in without looking back.
"Go on, Ping'an's place isn't like anyone else's. Sleeping on the living room sofa is better than being outside. Autumn is coming soon, don't freeze," Gao Xiaofei urged them.
"Alright, we'll go," the two officers replied sheepishly after hearing Gao Xiaofei, implicitly agreeing.
It was late, but An Jing was still awake. Hearing the sound of her brother returning and opening the door, she quickly came downstairs in her slippers.
"Go get two blankets. Our police officers are guarding outside in the cold. I've asked them to come in and rest," Ping'an took out two pairs of slippers and gestured for the two officers to change into them. He then looked up and saw that the two officers were a bit shy. He smiled and said, "You're Gao Wei, and you're Lai Xiang, both former special forces soldiers, right? Assigned here after retirement."
"Brother Ping'an still remembers us?" Gao Wei asked, surprised.
"Of course. Didn't you two catch that rapist? We worked together. I remember you," Ping'an said. "Don't hold back. You're protecting me and my sister. I can't thank you enough. Make do tonight. Fortunately, the living room sofa is quite spacious, enough for you two to rest. You decide how to manage your shifts, preferably taking turns to rest. The TV remote is here, watch whatever you want. There's coffee and beer in the fridge, help yourselves. I'm exhausted, so I won't keep you company."
The two young men before him, though young, had both served in special forces, unlike the big-bodied Liu Kedou from earlier. Ping'an knew these two were the most skilled and vigilant individuals in the serious crime unit, and it was undoubtedly Xiaofei's doing. With the case still unsolved, having these two protecting him put Ping'an at ease. He went to bed and slept soundly until morning.
Ping'an slept soundly, and An Jing fell asleep peacefully. Gao Wei, on the first watch, was drinking coffee and watching a suspense film. He appeared engrossed in the movie but suddenly pressed the mute button on the remote and cocked his ears, listening intently to something. Lai Xiang, who had been sleeping soundly on the sofa, opened his eyes the instant the TV went silent, his right hand already subtly reaching for his holster.
"Boss, Ping'an's place has two guard dogs, and they're not ordinary ones. One is manageable, but two are too much," a shadow leaning against a tree in the greenery opposite Ping'an's house reported into his phone while observing the situation inside Ping'an's house with infrared binoculars. "I tried to sneak in, but I failed."
"No rush. Even if Ping'an knows that it was me Niu Jian reported, he has no evidence. I'm still quite familiar with this person. He seems unreliable, but he's quite cautious in his actions," Chen Nairong's voice emerged from the other end of the phone.
"Boss, when Ping'an is alone..." the black-clad man said maliciously.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, even alone, Ping'an isn't easy to deal with," Chen Nairong scoffed.
"Boss, doesn't he also have a delicate little sister?" the black-clad man continued maliciously.
"To deal with one Ping'an, one of you is probably enough. To deal with one An Jing, hmph, try it if you're not afraid of a fractured bone," Chen Nairong continued to taunt.
"Forget it. I've spent 200,000 yuan to persuade an old friend. Cooperate with him and get this done quickly."
"Uh, yes!" the black-clad man replied unhappily.
As the night deepened, the bright moon was obscured by a patch of dark clouds. A cold autumn wind began to blow. It seemed unsatisfied with merely scattering fallen leaves, and it also seemed to penetrate the thick walls of the house, causing the sleeping Ping'an to shiver long and hard.
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