Morning, 9 a.m., Linhua City Public Security Bureau Chief’s Office.
Gao Zhengcheng pushed the door open, took off his coat, and hung it on the rack. He sat in the leather chair with his phone in hand, ready to start the day’s work.
Due to the situation with Lu Hui, work was not going smoothly. Wei Congjia from the Public Security Department called every two or three days, urging him as if his life depended on it. Lu Hui, however, was stubborn and refused to let Wei Congjia know that he was still alive. Gao Zhengcheng wasn’t sure what Lu Hui was plotting and didn’t dare to act recklessly, so he had to keep it a secret for Lu Hui.
Lu Hui had a high probability of being a murderer. Ji Fanyang didn’t believe it, and naturally, Gao Zhengcheng didn’t either. He pressed the Second Team to find clues, leaving no stone unturned. The evidence from the forensic examination had been checked dozens of times, and the entire Second Team had practically set up camp at the crime scene.
Gao Zhengcheng rubbed his temples. Since he brought Lu Hui into the bureau, he seemed to attract trouble and solve bigger cases. Every time he passed by a shopping mall, he hesitated whether to go in and buy a wig. Managing Lu Hui, he thought, would eventually cost him his hair.
A short message silently slipped into Gao Zhengcheng’s phone. He opened it and saw that it was from Lu Hui.
Gao Zhengcheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. Lu Hui had never sent him a message before. The content was a news article from yesterday titled “Missing ‘Anatomy Teacher’ at Zhuchuan Medical University Linhua Campus.” Maybe it was a mistake on Lu Hui’s part, Gao Zhengcheng thought, and dismissed it, turning off his phone and picking up a document to start the day’s work.
Noon, 12 p.m., Linhua City Public Security Bureau Second-floor Cafeteria.
“Yang Ge.” Rao Feifei sat across from Ji Fanyang, holding a tray. “Feeling good today?”
“Yeah.” Ji Fanyang smiled at Rao Feifei, a happiness he couldn’t hide on his face. “The pig I’ve been raising finally turned into a spirit. How can I not be happy?”
“What’s the Lu team up to?” Rao Feifei asked with interest.
Ji Fanyang shook his head mysteriously. “Can’t tell you.”
“Tsk.” Rao Feifei lowered her head disinterestedly.
“What’s wrong, Feifei?” Yang Jie sat down next to Rao Feifei, holding a tray. “Did Fanyang bully you?”
“No, where would I dare?” Ji Fanyang waved his hand repeatedly. “Only the Lu team dares.”
“Has the Fourth Team not come for lunch?” Rao Feifei looked towards the entrance of the cafeteria. “They just arrived, doesn’t seem like their style.”
“The Fourth Team just arrived?” Ji Fanyang turned his head. “Did they transfer the title of hungry wolves?”
“They were temporarily called out to handle an explosion case,” a knowledgeable colleague sitting nearby said. “The internet is buzzing about it.”
“What?” Rao Feifei lowered her head, reading from her phone slowly, “A Wuling Hongguang fell into the Sanwan River from Changliu Bridge. Onlookers were about to start rescue efforts when the car exploded three minutes after falling into the river.”
“Sanwan River…” Ji Fanyang read aloud.
“Can a car explode in the water?” Yang Jie wondered. “How is that possible?”
Afternoon, 3 p.m., Chief’s Office.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“Come in,” Gao Zhengcheng said, looking up. “Xiao Wu.”
“Chief.” Wu Xueling walked in with a report and closed the door behind her. “The autopsy report for this morning’s car explosion case is out.”
“So fast?” Gao Zhengcheng took the report and opened it.
“It’s a bit strange. The identity corresponding to the corpse was already registered as dead, and there’s a signed body donation document.” Wu Xueling said.
Gao Zhengcheng was surprised. Suddenly, he thought of the message he received in the morning. With a thought, he said, “Keep this with me. Provide another report stating that the body belongs to Lu Hui. I sent him undercover, and we need a death report.”
“… Chief, is this your impromptu decision?” Wu Xueling asked. “What happened to Lu Hui?”
“The body is stolen.” Gao Zhengcheng said.
“Did you consider that he might have fled in fear of the crime?” Wu Xueling asked.
“… ” Gao Zhengcheng slapped his forehead. “I always feel he has a trick up his sleeve.”
“You trust him too much.” Wu Xueling said disapprovingly. “The report I wrote clearly states that I found Lu Hui’s hair and blood.”
“The explosion was too powerful; the body was blown into pieces and burned almost entirely. Only relatively hard parts, like teeth and thigh bones, remained.” Wu Xueling said. “It’s not Lu Hui.”
“Lu Hui wants us to believe he’s dead.” Gao Zhengcheng said, picking up the phone. “Xiao Li, call a few reporters to my office.”
Wu Xueling looked at Gao Zhengcheng meaningfully. “I’ll leave now.”
“Go ahead.” Gao Zhengcheng waved.
Evening, 5 p.m., Criminal Investigation Heavy Case Unit Office.
“Second Team has closed the case,” Rao Feifei said. “Yang Ge?”
“I don’t believe it.” Ji Fanyang picked up his coat. “I knew Lu Hui had gone through those things, but I didn’t expect it to be like this…” He choked for a moment. “I’m going to check it out.”
“Wait.” A voice came from the doorway. Ji Fanyang turned, and Wei Congjia was standing there.
“Captain Wei.” Ji Fanyang said.
“I want you to find Lu Hui’s notes. He has a habit of taking notes.” Wei Congjia said. “I knew he was back early. He didn’t tell Lu An, and I acted like I didn’t know either.”
“I just asked Chief Gao, looked at the forensic report.” Wei Congjia said. “Sister Wu couldn’t have faked it; Lu Hui is indeed dead.”
“I want the notes he kept at the Public Security Bureau.” Ji Fanyang said.
Wei Congjia handed him a folder. “This is a copy. I came specifically to give you this.”
Ji Fanyang took the folder and walked out of the office. “Lu Hui’s new notes. I can only give you a copy.”
“Of course.” Wei Congjia walked alongside him. “Now? Going to get them?”
“Day after tomorrow. After I read it, I’ll make a copy and put it in Chief Gao’s office. You can go pick it up.” Ji Fanyang said.
Wei Congjia nodded. “Alright.” He patted Ji Fanyang’s shoulder and left.
