Chapter 159 - 157
The murderer, Lu Zhi, was simply jealous of how happy the victim’s family was, while his own was worn down by the daily grind and constant arguments.
So, on the morning of New Year’s Eve, he used the excuse of borrowing soy sauce to get into Tang Xiaomei’s home and murder her.
Tang Xiaomei’s family had gone out to shop for the New Year, narrowly escaping the same fate. When they returned and couldn’t find her, they called the police. The case was investigated for three whole months before the murderer finally slipped up.
During the manhunt, Tang Xiaomei’s husband, Hu Yuanyi, got into a fight with Lu Zhi and was stabbed dozens of times. He’s been in the hospital ever since, and from the sounds of it, his condition isn’t good. The couple also has a child, who is now four years old.
Luo Binglin took out photos of several key clues: fingerprints on the soy sauce bottle and some surveillance footage.
"After Lu Zhi left Tang Xiaomei’s house, he went straight home. He didn’t leave his house at all from New Year’s Eve until the seventh day of the new year."
"At first, we thought Lu Zhi had hidden the body in his refrigerator. But the meat inside was just pork, beef, and lamb—not what we were looking for."
"Next, we suspected he’d hidden the body in the walls, but we found nothing there either."
"Because we never found the body, Lu Zhi was given a suspended death sentence. I hear he’s been a model prisoner. I’m afraid if this drags on any longer, he’ll get out one day and retaliate against Tang Xiaomei’s child."
Luo Binglin lowered his head, filled with self-blame. "It’s been three years and we still have no leads. I heard the area where Tang Xiaomei lived is slated for development. If that happens, our job will become even harder."
"Hu Yuanyi has been issued critical condition notices several times. The only thing keeping him going is the hope of finding her."
After hearing the story, Jiang Li felt an invisible pressure settle on her. She looked up at Luo Binglin.
"Officer Luo, we’ll do everything we can."
Luo Binglin looked at her gratefully. "Thank you. Just do your best. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
He had heard the recent rumors about them, so he was clinging to a sliver of hope. After all, more people on the case meant more possibilities.
That evening, Luo Binglin took Jiang Li and the others to the place he had arranged for them to stay.
Jiang Li stared at the house before her, then turned to look at him in disbelief. "A villa?"
Luo Binglin chuckled. "Not exactly. It’s a bed-and-breakfast my family runs. But don’t worry, for the time you’re here, no one else will be around except my sister and brother when they come to clean. You can make yourselves at home."
"Tomorrow, I’ll take you to look around Tang Xiaomei’s neighborhood. For now, my mom has dinner ready. You should eat before you rest. It’s a good chance for everyone to get acquainted."
Jiang Li shot a helpless glance at Wu Ming.
"Then we’ll be in your care, Officer Luo," Wu Ming said with a smile, stepping forward and linking arms with Jiang Li.
Jiang Li’s tense nerves gradually began to relax.
Throughout the meal, it was Wu Ming who carried the conversation, chatting warmly with Luo Binglin’s family about everything under the sun—from the food to the house, and eventually to their families.
Jiang Li listened with a pang of envy. ’If that were me, I’d get so nervous in front of elders I’d start to stutter.’
After dinner, they all returned to their rooms to sleep.
「The next day」
Luo Binglin was waiting by the door in his car. After breakfast, they all went to the hospital together.
"That’s Hu Yuanyi. The one next to him is his son."
Jiang Li followed his gaze and looked inside.
By the hospital bed, a four-year-old boy was standing on a stool. He held a small towel, wiping Hu Yuanyi’s body with a clumsiness that was also somehow practiced.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Luo Binglin knocked on the door.
The two of them looked toward the door.
Hu Ping’an put down the towel. "Uncle Luo."
Luo Binglin walked in with a smile and placed the things he’d bought on a nearby table.
Seeing Luo Binglin, Hu Yuanyi shifted excitedly, turning his head to look at them. "Officer Luo, is there any news?"
Luo Binglin looked at him apologetically. "Not yet. But I’m confident we’ll find her soon."
After saying this, Luo Binglin made the introductions.
Wu Ming, her sweet dimples showing, stepped forward. "Mr. Hu, do you have your wife’s birth chart and her most cherished possession?"
Hu Yuanyi looked at them, licking his dry lips. After a few seconds of hesitation, he chose to trust them.
Hu Yuanyi glanced at his son.
Hu Ping’an pulled out a necklace from around his neck. On it was a pair of matching rings.
"COUGH, COUGH... Those are the rings from when we were dating," Hu Yuanyi rasped. "She never took them off."
"Thank you," Wu Ming said. "Mr. Hu, we will definitely find your wife. Please, you must focus on your recovery and listen to the doctors."
Wu Ming accepted the necklace from Hu Ping’an with both hands and offered a few more words of comfort to Hu Yuanyi.
Hu Yuanyi managed a weak smile. For three years, he had lain in this hospital bed like a broken man, able to do nothing but wait. He had waited so long that he’d started to lose all hope.
"Thank you."
After leaving Hu Yuanyi’s room, Jiang Li paid a visit to Kong Zhen’s ward. When she entered, Kong Zhen was staring blankly at the ceiling.
Jiang Li quietly walked over until her face came into Kong Zhen’s line of sight.
Seeing her, Kong Zhen’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Th-thank you."
Jiang Li shook her head, a gentle smile on her face. "It’s all in a day’s work. I’m just glad I could help."
Not wanting to disturb her for too long, Jiang Li watched for another moment before quietly leaving.
Luo Binglin then took them to Tang Xiaomei’s home. Acting like a little adult, Hu Ping’an brought them stools to sit on and got them water from the dispenser.
"Please have some water."
"Thank you," Jiang Li said, smiling as she took the water from Hu Ping’an. She then glanced around Tang Xiaomei’s home and noticed many small, wooden stools scattered about.
Jiang Li looked at Luo Binglin, wanting to ask something but holding her tongue. ’Doesn’t a child this young have grandparents?’
Luo Binglin patted Hu Ping’an on the head and sent him to his room. Only then did he speak. "When Tang Xiaomei died, Ping’an wasn’t even a year old. At first, they hired a nanny."
"The nanny wasn’t good to him. I came by a few times and noticed him being very withdrawn and secretive. It was only later I found out the nanny was taking her frustrations out on the child."
"I offered to help find a new one, but Ping’an cried and refused. After that, with the help of the neighbors, he just... grew up fast."
Lu Xingye got up and started looking around the house. The kitchen door was shut tight. On a low table next to it sat only a rice cooker and an electric hot pot.
Lu Xingye pushed open the kitchen door, and a musty smell wafted out.
"Was Tang Xiaomei killed in the kitchen?" Lu Xingye asked, looking back at Luo Binglin.
"Lu Zhi claimed it was the kitchen. After the incident, Hu Yuanyi never set foot in there again."