Just like a math problem, the top student can see the solution at a glance, but the struggler has to think hard and still might not get it.
Meng Jin may not be a total struggler in studies, but in front of Long De, he’s definitely outclassed.
The origin of the Red Maple Tree might just be planted by the murderer themselves; otherwise, why would B City have only one Red Maple Tree? Clearly, it wasn’t planted by the city authorities.
If the Red Maple Tree was planted over twenty years ago, after Lin Kun was murdered, was it merely a coincidence, or was the planter the murderer?
If the planter was indeed the murderer, it suggests a premeditated murder planned over twenty years ago. But why wait so long to act? And so, the mystery deepens.
That night, Zhao Yunzhi slept soundly, snoring loudly, while Meng Jin had a nightmare filled with unfinished physics exams, where Long De scored perfectly.
Waking from his nightmare, Meng Jin couldn’t sleep. He scrolled through his phone, mainly checking the news, which reported nothing significant. His room was pitch black, but through the crack in the curtains, he could see a faint dawn light.
If possible, he truly wished he never had to deal with Long De. He hoped he could peacefully accept his own mediocrity, though reluctantly, he was still frustrated.
As the dawn finally brightened, he contacted his superiors to have someone investigate the origin of the Red Maple Tree.
His leader, still half asleep and yawning, seemed skeptical about this line of investigation. After all, digging into something from over twenty years ago might yield nothing. But out of politeness, the leader didn’t refuse.
After a quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant, they took a cab to Yao City University. The director had asked them to wait at the entrance for someone to fetch them. Half an hour later, their contact arrived, and it was an old acquaintance, Old Yu.
It turns out, after the director and Old Yu chatted last night, Old Yu volunteered to accompany Meng Jin and his partner to Yao City University.
True to his roots as a social media influencer, Old Yu was dazzled by the sight of handsome men and beautiful women on campus, snapping pictures enthusiastically, especially of those dressed in trendy outfits, chasing shots for miles.
Meng Jin waited patiently for Old Yu, who after getting his fill of photos, led them to Lin Kun’s former university teacher, Zhang Shuqin.
Zhang Shuqin had retired and lived in the university’s family housing. The director had briefed her briefly, so she was clear on Meng Jin’s visit.
The coffee table was laid with fruits, snacks, nuts, and tea, neatly arranged in boxes, obviously prepared with care. Meng Jin was pleasantly surprised.
Talking about Lin Kun, Zhang Shuqin expressed her regrets; Lin Kun was one of her best students, and back then, anyone who could study abroad was considered extraordinary. It was tragic that he met such a sad end abroad.
Meng Jin asked her to recall Lin Kun’s university days, especially his romantic interests, and whether he had liked any girl in particular.
Zhang Shuqin said that after the director called her, she had begun to recall everything about Lin Kun and even sorted through some of his materials, including assignments, a Communist Party application, and various forms.
Lin Kun was handsome, tall, and had a good personality, making him popular among the girls, but she hadn’t heard about any specific girl he liked. Lin Kun was shy; he would blush when speaking to girls, suggesting he might have liked someone but was too timid to express it.
On Valentine’s Day, a bold girl confessed her love to Lin Kun in front of the boys’ dorm, lighting candles in a heart shape, holding roses, and shouting through a megaphone, “Lin Kun, I like you, will you be my boyfriend?” The scene was spectacular and sensational.
Lin Kun, urged on by the crowd, accepted the girl’s confession, and they dated until graduation. They broke up because Lin Kun had to return to Yao City to teach, and the girl didn’t want to work in a smaller town; she stayed in the city and later moved to the provincial capital.
“When did this girl start dating Lin Kun?” Meng Jin asked.
Zhang Shuqin, surprised by such a detailed question, pondered and then replied, “It was either in their first or second year, definitely not in the third.”
“Did this girl exhibit any unusual behavior? To be direct, did she ever have a child? She might not have told anyone, maybe she suddenly gained weight, or her belly was noticeably larger, or perhaps she took a leave for a while.” Seeing Zhang Shuqin’s confused face, Meng Jin briefly explained the possibility of Lin Kun having a child with a woman.
Zhang Shuqin, initially shocked, then realized, “No wonder Lin Kun went home every week. He said his parents were ill, and I praised him for his filial piety. It turns out he was going home to see his child.”
She recalled on her own, concluding that the child couldn’t have been his girlfriend’s, as the girl was petite, always attended classes on time, and was active in student clubs; a pregnancy would have been noticeable.
Meng Jin suddenly thought of something and asked, “When did Lin Kun start going home every week? Was it from the winter of 1993, or earlier?”
Zhang Shuqin murmured to herself, calculating the time, not quite sure, and pulled out a folder from a drawer. She found Lin Kun’s party application, pointing to the date, “1992. I don’t remember exactly when, but there’s one thing I clearly remember. I asked Lin Kun to write his party application, and when he submitted it, I felt it lacked sincerity and asked him to rewrite it and hand it in on Saturday. He said he had to go home on Saturdays. A classmate mentioned that Lin Kun went home every week, without fail. I asked if he could skip just once, but Lin Kun said he couldn’t. I was quite angry then. From what I see on this party application, it started in 1992.”
Lin Kun went from the city to Yao City County every week, likely not just to visit his parents but to see the mother of Lin Dongzhi. Lin Dongzhi was born in the winter of 1993. The woman would have been pregnant early in the year, but Lin Kun had been going home weekly since 1992. If it wasn’t to see his parents, it was likely to meet Lin Dongzhi’s mother.
That means Lin Dongzhi’s mother was from Yao City.
“Why did Lin Kun decide to teach in Yao City County instead of staying in the city? Do you know why?”
Zhang Shuqin’s brows furrowed, still annoyed, “It makes me angry to think about it. He could have stayed at the university to teach, but he insisted on returning to Yao City. He said he was an only child and needed to be near his parents to fulfill his filial duties. Several teachers tried to persuade him, but it was no use; that kid was too stubborn, and once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.”
Since he was committed to being filial, why then did he go abroad? That clearly was just an excuse. Lin Kun returned to Yao City likely for Lin Dongzhi and his mother.
Zhang Shuqin had never heard of Lin Kun having a child, indicating how tightly he had kept this secret.
Meng Jin took away Lin Kun’s belongings and got the contact information for Lin Kun’s girlfriend before saying goodbye to Zhang Shuqin.
Zhang Shuqin insisted on walking them to the campus gate, and Meng Jin felt she had something to say and didn’t refuse. Along the way, Zhang Shuqin reminisced about the past, pointing out where the canteen used to be a playground and where the playground had been a wasteland. As they talked, the conversation returned to Lin Kun.
“Lin Kun was such a good kid. Once during a sports event, Lin Kun was running the 3000 meters and was among the front runners, either third or second, I don’t clearly remember. Someone pulled him from behind, causing him to fall, and the person who pulled him ran ahead, but then slipped on a puddle and broke his leg, unable to move. None of the dozen or so students stopped to help him, but Lin Kun carried him to the infirmary.”
Zhang Shuqin’s voice choked up, her nose tingling, and tears uncontrollably fell. She felt embarrassed and quickly turned away to wipe them, “Such a good child, how could he just die so mysteriously? He was non-confrontational, kind to others, I don’t believe he could have offended anyone.”
The old teacher stopped, earnestly requesting, “Officer, please, you must catch the murderer and let Lin Kun’s soul rest.”
Meng Jin solemnly promised, “We will do our best.”
The old teacher still seemed uneasy, “Not to hide it from you, but I have late-stage stomach cancer and don’t have much time left. My only regret in this life is Lin Kun. I hope to see the truth of Lin Kun’s murder before I die. When I meet Lin Kun below, as a teacher, I’ll bring him the news, to let him rest in peace.” Her voice choked again, and her aged, cloudy eyes filled with tears as she tightly grasped Meng Jin’s hand, “Officer, please, I beg you.”
Meng Jin wasn’t one for empty promises. Without full certainty, he couldn’t guarantee anything, although he too wished to offer a kind lie. He couldn’t bear to let a dying person down again.
Warm hands enveloped Meng Jin and Zhang Shuqin’s hands. Meng Jin turned back to see Zhao Yunzhi, a big boy crying his eyes out, his face streaked with tears and snot.
“Teacher Zhang, rest assured, Team Meng is our department’s ace detective. There’s no case he can’t crack. If he had known about Lin Kun’s case earlier, it would’ve been solved by now,” Zhao Yunzhi sobbed, his voice firm yet sincere.
Meng Jin internally face-palmed, speechless. This kid would brag about anything.
Next stop, Lin Kun’s girlfriend, named Li Feiya, who held a deputy director position at a certain institution. According to Zhang Shuqin, she was the most successful of their class.
Old Yu insisted on driving, claiming he was free and wanted to relive his police days by tagging along with Meng Jin.
Meng Jin was prepared for a long wait, thinking the deputy director would be busy, but before they even arrived, Zhang Shuqin called.
Li Feiya was supposed to have a meeting, but upon hearing they were coming for Lin Kun’s sake, she delayed the meeting by an hour to meet them first.
Clearly, Li Feiya truly cared for Lin Kun. Even after so many years, Lin Kun mattered more to her than her job.
