Chapter 156

Chapter 156

As soon as Zhao Zhentao returned to the Public Security Bureau, he heard that the new intern had solved the steel plant theft case together with Zhou Zhibin.

Due to the enormous amount stolen, which reached ten thousand yuan, the case was assigned to the Third Major Case Team.

The thief was highly experienced, leaving no trace at the scene, and the method of theft was extremely similar to previous cases.

The thief possessed exceptional lock-picking skills and was adept at concealing his tracks, never being caught in the act.

After each theft, he would lay low for a while before resurfacing somewhere else.

The intervals between each theft were irregular, making it difficult to predict his next move or target.

After the case was reassigned to the Third Team, it fell under their jurisdiction.

The steel plant case had only occurred a few days ago, and there had been no leads until now.

Now it was solved?

Zhao Zhentao called Zhou Zhibin over to inquire about the details.

Zhou Zhibin excitedly recounted the entire process, "Boss, the new intern is simply amazing. She could even identify the suspect's footprints on the smooth floor, and based on the footprint characteristics, we found more footprints near the factory. We followed the trail and caught the guy!"

The steel plant was located in a remote area, with many wild fields around. The thief came from one of these fields.

Although the fields were frequently visited, and some areas had been trodden into paths, this made it much easier for Tang Qingqing. The broken grass and muddy ground preserved the thief's footprints well, allowing Tang Qingqing to track him to a bustling area.

Based on her analysis of the footprints, Tang Qingqing questioned nearby vendors and provided a description of the thief, quickly finding someone who recognized him.

"That guy had come to scout the place before and even bought something from a small convenience store. The store owner remembered what he looked like. How coincidental, when we brought the witness back to the bureau to have Old Gu draw a sketch based on the description, we unexpectedly encountered the suspect who was arrested for gambling. The witness immediately identified him."

Zhou Zhibin laughed heartily, saying that luck really couldn't be stopped when it came.

Initially, they thought it would take a while longer, even with the sketch, finding the person in a sea of people would still require time.

But it turned out to be such a coincidence; they stumbled upon the suspect right away, almost making Zhou Zhibin burst with joy.

He often heard stories of such coincidences, like catching a criminal in the crowd while working on another case.

Sometimes, deeply hidden criminals were captured by chance, which was both amusing and frustrating.

Seeing Zhou Zhibin's elated state, Zhao Zhentao said, "This coincidence isn't particularly unusual."

"What do you mean?"

Criminals who frequently commit major thefts often go on spending sprees after a successful heist.

Gambling is often one of their pastimes, as money comes too easily and is easily squandered.

With a crackdown on gambling and prostitution underway, Zhao Zhentao applied for a focused effort, hoping to catch two birds with one stone.

Unexpectedly, the witness identified the suspect before they could thoroughly investigate the gambler's identity and financial sources.

Once the suspect was identified, gathering evidence became relatively easier.

The suspect had suddenly become wealthy, spending lavishly without a clear source of income.

During a search of his home, they found tools specifically used for breaking into safes and unspent cash.

Caught red-handed, the suspect had no choice but to confess.

"So that's how it was! I see!" Zhou Zhibin exclaimed, finally understanding.

Zhao Zhentao patted his shoulder, "Good job. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken to solve this."

Zhou Zhibin scratched his head, embarrassed, "Actually, it has nothing to do with me. I was just a bystander that day. It was all thanks to the new colleague. I could have watched the scene for a year and wouldn't have noticed anything."

Just then, Tang Qingqing walked in, noticing several people in the office. She glanced at her watch; it wasn't even time to start work yet.

Seeing her, Zhou Zhibin hurriedly greeted her, "Comrade Tang, come over. This is our boss. Boss, this is the new colleague, Tang Qingqing."

Seeing how young and beautiful Tang Qingqing was, Zhao Zhentao felt a bit surprised but didn't pay much attention. He had already heard about the new colleague.

Their criminal investigation team had more men than women, and now a beautiful and capable girl had joined, making quite a stir in the bureau.

Although Zhao Zhentao had been out most of the time, he occasionally returned and had heard about her.

"Welcome to our big family. Our team is the youngest and most vibrant in the department. Everyone is here today, so let's get to know each other."

Zhao Zhentao turned to the others, "Is anyone on duty later? Let's go out for a good lunch to welcome our new colleague. I'll treat everyone."

Wang Daqing, the tallest member of the Third Team, exclaimed, "Is the sun rising in the west? Our boss Zhao is actually splurging? Did you hide some private funds from your wife?"

Zhao Zhentao raised a file, pretending to hit him, "Get lost, what nonsense are you talking? Am I such a wimp that I don't even have this much money?"

"I'll remember that. Next time I see your wife, I'll ask her," Wang Daqing laughed, completely unafraid.

Zhao Zhentao kicked him, and Wang Daqing dodged.

Zhao Zhentao had just gotten married to an accountant who managed the household finances. He needed to request money for any purchases.

Many people did this since they were often away from home, leaving their partners to handle household affairs and manage their salaries.

However, except for Zhao Zhentao, none of the others in the Third Team were married, making him a unique case, and they often teased him about it.

Zhao Zhentao actually thought it was fitting to have a wife who could manage him. In the past, his salary often disappeared mysteriously, but after getting married, his living standards didn't decline; instead, there were even savings, though he pretended otherwise.

The team was full of young people, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Tang Qingqing quickly got to know everyone.

Another female team member, Huang Jiajia, was the happiest. "Before, I was the only woman in the group, which was sometimes inconvenient. Now that you're here, I have a companion!"

At noon, they said they would gather for a meal, but it was just a small pot rice at a nearby restaurant, and they talked about the case while eating.

The most discussed topic was the shocking mass murder that had rocked the entire city. The crime scene was extremely gruesome, but everyone had become accustomed to it, able to discuss the case over food while looking at the crime scene photos.

Tang Qingqing was initially worried they might be kicked out by the owner, as this could affect other customers' dining experience.

Fortunately, they sat in a corner, and other diners came and went hurriedly, not paying much attention to their conversation.

The pace in Jiang City was noticeably faster than in Yang City and other places, with everyone speaking and walking very quickly.

Not only did the owner say nothing, but when he was free, he even joined in the conversation.

Huang Jiajia explained, "The owner is Dr. Zhang's cousin. He used to be a chef in a factory, but now he runs his own place. They grew up together, so they are very close. For him, our discussions are just a drop in the bucket."

Dr. Zhang was a treasure of the Public Security Bureau, experienced and skilled, often finding many clues from the deceased.

She was also famous for her bravery and meticulousness, remaining calm even when faced with highly decomposed or gruesomely killed bodies, surpassing many male colleagues.

"One time, I happened to see Dr. Zhang using a hose to wash maggots off a decomposed body, talking to me as if nothing was wrong, analyzing the maggots to determine the time of death. I almost fainted on the spot!"

Recalling the horrific scene, Huang Jiajia shuddered involuntarily.

Although she had mostly adapted and no longer felt like vomiting at the scene, she still found it disgusting.

Tang Qingqing felt the same way. Although she had been involved in many cases, she often arrived at the scene after the bodies had been cleared away, so she didn't need to observe the bodies directly.

Just thinking about the scene made her feel nauseous, but she still found the meal delicious and was completely unaffected.

The others in Team Three were the same. Though the team members were young, they had all seen their fair share of intense situations and were no longer the inexperienced rookies they once were.

Zhao Zhentao looked at Tang Qingqing, "You'll join us in investigating the mass murder. I've already pledged to solve the case within seven days."

The mass murder had attracted significant attention, causing great panic among the public.

Home, for many, is a place of warmth and safety. To be killed while sleeping peacefully at home was deeply terrifying for many.

As long as the killer remained at large, people would worry about their safety and property.

Therefore, the higher-ups took the case very seriously, giving them little time.

Tang Qingqing agreed, "I want to visit the crime scene."

Zhao Zhentao pointed to Li Yue, who still looked like a student with dimples when he smiled.

He was actually around the same age as Zhao Zhentao, but his smiling eyes and dimples made him look only seventeen or eighteen.

Li Yue had a baby face and an innocent appearance, but he was actually the toughest in Team Three.

He had practiced martial arts since childhood, served in the military, and even fought in battles before being assigned to the Public Security Bureau after his discharge.

"Li Yue, you'll go with Tang Qingqing later."

"Sure thing," Li Yue replied with a smile.

Zhou Zhibin quickly raised his hand, "Boss, let me go. I've worked with Comrade Tang Qingqing before, and it will be easier to get things done."

Zhou Zhibin had always wanted to join the investigation of the mass murder, but he was currently organizing documents.

He would rather be bitten by mosquitoes outside than deal with those documents.

"This case isn't for you. Finish your current work first. Li Yue knows more about the case and is more suitable."

Zhou Zhibin sighed deeply, "What have I done to deserve this! Boss, if you make me do this again, I'll go on strike."

Wang Daqing laughed, "Don't complain. You should be happy to sit in the office on such a sunny day. Look at me, I'm almost sunburned black after just a few days."

"You like it, so you can do it."

Wang Daqing immediately looked around, avoiding the suggestion.

Zhao Zhentao finished his meal quickly, stood up, and said, "Alright, everyone, get moving. Let's wrap up the most urgent case as soon as possible."

He then turned to the owner, "Lao Zhang, put it on my tab. I'll have my wife settle the bill later."

"Rest assured, it's all recorded. No chance for you to skip out on the bill."

Zhao Zhentao nodded and walked out of the restaurant, and the others quickly followed suit.

Huang Jiajia hurriedly stuffed a few more bites into her mouth and rushed after them.

"Master, wait for me!"

The restaurant emptied instantly, without any delay.

Li Yue said, "You don't need to rush. Eat slowly. Our team leader is always like this; you'll get used to it."

Even with her experience, Tang Qingqing felt the pressure and quickly finished her meal, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and went to the crime scene with Li Yue.

The bodies had been removed, but the floor was still covered with bloodstains.

The hot weather made the air stink, and flies buzzed around.

Tang Qingqing put on shoe covers, gloves, and a mask before entering to examine the situation.

The house was a three-bedroom apartment. The deceased family were both working, with the male head of the household being a factory leader, which is why they were allocated a larger residence.

Inside lived a family of five: the husband and wife, along with their three children.

The eldest was a daughter, followed by two sons.

The eldest daughter was sixteen years old, attending high school, and had her own room, the smallest in the house.

The two younger boys, aged thirteen and ten, shared a bunk bed in the second bedroom.

Li Yue said, "Based on the scene marks and autopsy analysis, the murderer first killed the eldest daughter. It's estimated that the female victim heard the commotion and came out to check, only to be killed by the murderer. The male victim was also awakened by the noise, came out to investigate, and was then strangled by the murderer hiding behind the door."

"The two young boys were killed in their sleep. The murderer, having already killed so many people, decided to finish off everyone."

"The murderer's methods were extremely cruel and efficient. Except for the first victim, the others were all strangled to death with a single cut."

Tang Qingqing carefully entered the scene to examine the general situation.

"A person who can remain this calm and ruthless, and possess such skills, wouldn't be an ordinary thief."

Li Yue nodded, "His techniques are proficient and show no hesitation. We believe he has likely seen blood before, which explains his ferocity. He may have been a soldier or worked in places like slaughterhouses."

Tang Qingqing looked at the crime scene tape marking the body outlines on the floor. The eldest daughter died in the living room, with clear signs of struggle on the floor.

"I remember the eldest daughter's clothes showed signs of being torn?"

"Yes, the deceased's underwear was partially pulled down to her hips, and skin tissue was found under her fingernails. She had bruises on her body. Based on her injuries and the scene, it appears the murderer saw the victim in her nightgown going to the bathroom when he entered. He had evil intentions and tried to assault her. In the struggle, she kicked the coffee table, making a noise."

"Upon hearing the commotion from the room, the murderer, to avoid being discovered, killed the first victim and then rushed to kill the second. After killing everyone, he stole all the valuables in the house."

Tang Qingqing entered the master bedroom and saw the drawers and cabinets ransacked.

"Were there no fingerprints found at the scene?"

Li Yue replied, "He must have worn gloves; otherwise, it would be impossible not to leave any traces, no matter how careful he was."

"He came prepared. The floor is also clean. Are there similar theft cases?"

Li Yue shook his head, "We initially suspected the thief you caught before, but according to our investigation, he was gambling in an underground casino with many witnesses when the family was murdered."

Tang Qingqing nodded, "From what we've seen, their methods don't match."

The thief they previously caught was clearly uninterested in small amounts of money, confident in his skills, and targeted shops or factory financial rooms.

After all, ordinary people generally don't keep large sums of cash at home, and valuable items require fencing, which is risky.

Cash is different; unless it's a special serial number, it's hard to trace its origin.

This murderer targeted residential homes, was skilled, but might not have the same ability to open safes as the thief.

The crime scene was on the second floor, with the balcony door leading to the balcony forcibly pried open, showing less skill than the thief they previously caught.

From this, it can be inferred that the murderer climbed up from the first floor.

Tang Qingqing had already observed downstairs; climbing from the first-floor balcony to the second-floor balcony wasn't particularly difficult for someone agile, who could step on the first-floor balcony railing and climb up the wall.

The murderer was cautious; the first-floor balcony had been wiped clean, and Tang Qingqing found no footprints or fingerprints.

The incident occurred around three o'clock in the morning, when everyone was asleep, and no one saw the murderer.

Tang Qingqing stared at the floor, visualizing a dynamic scene of the murderer climbing up the balcony and committing the murders, mapping out his movements.

The situation here was much more complex than the previous theft case. Tang Qingqing spent the afternoon investigating the scene but made little progress.

Therefore, after dark, she went home directly without staying late at the scene.

Wang Heizi would bring Old Liu over the next day, and she needed to prepare to welcome him.

However, they didn't return to the Public Security Bureau until around nine in the evening. Fortunately, many stores were still open in the south, so they found a place to catch up on their missed dinner.

"I'm heading back. I'm off tomorrow, and I'll go back to the crime scene the day after. I think there are many aspects worth further investigation," Tang Qingqing said.

Li Yue wiped his mouth and said, "I'll see you home."

"No need, my rented place is quite close. You've had a long day; go home and rest."

Li Yue didn't speak but followed Tang Qingqing from behind.

Tang Qingqing stopped, "This area is near the Public Security Bureau; no one would dare commit a crime here. No need to see me home."

"Someone did. Previously, someone parked their bicycle at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau, went inside for about an hour, and came out to find only the chain left, the bicycle gone."

Tang Qingqing was shocked, "That thief is incredibly bold!"

Stealing right in front of the Public Security Bureau, the audacity was extreme.

"At least we caught the thief quickly; otherwise, it would have been a huge embarrassment."

Tang Qingqing thought it was embarrassing, indicating how poor the security was. This incident, if spread, would severely damage the reputation of the police force.

If they dared to steal at the Public Security Bureau, what else wouldn't they do? What were the police doing?

Tang Qingqing could imagine the public's ridicule.

She wanted to say she was also a police officer, skilled enough not to need such protection, but Li Yue insisted on seeing her to the gate of the compound and stood far away watching her.

Tang Qingqing felt grateful and gained a sense of belonging in this unfamiliar city.

She waved to him and turned around, only to see a familiar figure.

"Bro!"

Tang Qingqing was pleasantly surprised. "How did you get here? Why didn't you call me first?"

Zhai Hongyi nodded and smiled at Li Yue in the distance before turning to her. "I just arrived. Since you have work today, there was no need to tell you in advance."

"Don't do that next time. What if I had to work late?"

"Alright." Zhai Hongyi smiled. "Was that your colleague just now?"

"Yes, everyone here is very nice and very helpful."

"It seems you're adapting well."

Tang Qingqing said proudly, "I've already solved a theft case."

Zhai Hongyi gave her a thumbs up without hesitation. "No wonder they call you 'Detective Lady'!"

Tang Qingqing shot him an annoyed glance. "Have you found a place to stay? How's everything going in Port City? I thought you were coming in a couple of days."

"I've taken care of everything. Old Liu will be here tomorrow. If I can't pick you up, he'll definitely get angry and think I'm not being thorough enough."

"How petty can Master be?"

Zhai Hongyi pulled out a small box from behind his back and handed it to Tang Qingqing.

Tang Qingqing looked curiously at the box. "What's this?"

"You'll see when you open it."

Tang Qingqing opened the box and saw a small black device with a tiny screen on top.

"Is this... a beeper?"

Beeper phones had been in the country for two or three years. Owning one was a highly enviable status symbol.

They were all foreign brands, expensive, and the service fees were high, making them a sign of economic power.

Though not as convenient as mobile phones would later become, they still made communication much easier than before, requiring only a phone call to respond.

Now, installing a telephone was much easier than it had been a few years ago, so there were many places where one could make calls.

"It will make communication more convenient. This model is a bit outdated; they're already using mobile phones in Port City," Zhai Hongyi said with a hint of regret.

He had the means to bring these products back to the mainland, but without the necessary signal, it would be useless until the telecommunications infrastructure improved.

Tang Qingqing, though she hadn't seen a beeper in action, knew what it was and how expensive it was. She was startled by his words.

"That thing is so expensive! I feel extravagant just carrying a beeper. Carrying a mobile phone around would be too much trouble; I'd be too busy protecting it to do anything else."

Holding a large mobile phone was a sign of wealthy businesspeople. For a police officer like her, it would look out of place.

The device was also quite bulky and hard to hide.

"The beeper is perfect then."

Tang Qingqing finally realized this and sighed. "This gift is too valuable."

"We don't need to talk about such things between us. My money is your money. If you weren't so reluctant to manage finances, I would have given you all my money to handle. Your job involves risks, and having this will give me some peace of mind."

After they confirmed their relationship, Zhai Hongyi had taken out his savings book and offered it to Tang Qingqing.

Tang Qingqing didn't accept it. She had always earned a salary, and university didn't require tuition, plus she received subsidies. With her previous savings, the pocket money from Su Rong, Old Liu, and even Wang Heizi, and her lack of material desires, she rarely spent much money. Over the years, she had saved enough to live comfortably.

She wasn't good at managing finances or investing, so the money in her hands only earned interest.

Tang Qingqing knew that prices would rise and money would lose value over time. Keeping the money with her would result in a loss.

Therefore, she not only refused to take the savings book but also gave part of her own money to Zhai Hongyi to manage.

Zhai Hongyi could make the money grow, although there was a risk of loss, it was better than the guaranteed loss in a bank account.

Tang Qingqing didn't hesitate and accepted the gift.

Other things aside, if she didn't accept it, Zhai Hongyi wouldn't be able to rest easy and might even consider hiring a bodyguard for her.

As a police officer, needing a bodyguard to go to work was really inappropriate.

The two stood for a while, and then Zhai Hongyi took Tang Qingqing home.

Tang Qingqing hesitated. "Why don't you stay the night? The bed in the next room is already set up."

Zhai Hongyi's throat moved up and down. Although he knew it was just a simple stay, his heart still trembled.

Although they had slept together before without any ulterior motives, now that their relationship had changed, his feelings were different.

"I've already booked a room and left my things there. Go to sleep early. I'll wait for you downstairs at 7:30 tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Tang Qingqing didn't say anything more. After entering the house, she waited until she saw Zhai Hongyi leave before getting ready for bed.

Unbeknownst to her, after leaving, Zhai Hongyi turned back and smoked under a big tree, waiting until the light in her room went out before leaving.

The next morning, Tang Qingqing, as usual, went for her morning exercise and saw Zhai Hongyi waiting downstairs.

Tang Qingqing smiled, not surprised by his early arrival.

"You haven't guided me for a long time. Let's see how I'm doing now."

Tang Qingqing's body was no longer prone to fainting due to low blood sugar as it used to be.

After years of consistent exercise and training at school, her physical skills are still quite impressive.

Don't be fooled by her slim figure; it's mostly muscle, which makes her not light at all. Her punches pack a considerable punch.

Zhai Hongyi raised an eyebrow. "I won’t hold back."

"Bring it on!"

After finishing breakfast, the two took a taxi to the train station.

Although Tang Qingqing isn’t short of money, she usually wouldn’t take a taxi, but Zhai Hongyi didn’t care; he prioritized convenience and comfort.

If he could fly, he wouldn’t take the train; if he could have a soft sleeper, he wouldn’t settle for a hard sleeper, let alone a hard seat. As he put it, reducing travel time and fatigue would help him get into the right state more quickly.

Though Tang Qingqing is frugal, she found his point valid.

When you have the means, you should enjoy life and not be overly frugal.

Therefore, whenever she takes the train, she tries to buy a sleeper ticket, though she usually doesn’t opt for a soft sleeper, as it’s hard for ordinary people to get and is very expensive.

A hard sleeper meets Tang Qingqing’s needs. Although she gets tired after a few days of travel, it’s nothing compared to the discomfort of a hard seat, where she feels like half her life is squeezed out, with swollen legs and feet.

After waiting for some time at the train station exit, they saw Wang Heizi leading Old Liu out.

Wang Heizi was dressed in a particularly flashy manner, making him the most eye-catching presence in the crowd, impossible to miss.

Wang Heizi had a keen eye. After looking around, he spotted Tang Qingqing and Zhai Hongyi and waved his hat at them.

"Brother Yi, Sister Qing!"

Behind Wang Heizi were several large bags, and he didn’t forget to support Old Liu as they walked out.

"You stay here, I’ll go get them." Zhai Hongyi said, then pushed through the crowd.

Tall and agile, he quickly reached them and took one of Wang Heizi’s large bags.

"Woah, it’s already September, and it’s still so hot!" Wang Heizi exclaimed.

Zhai Hongyi glanced at Old Liu, who looked relatively well, and felt somewhat relieved.

"Old man, how are you feeling now?"

Old Liu gave him a sidelong glance with his single eye and snorted. "When I used to run around, you weren’t even born yet. If you throw me into the desert, I’d still survive."

Wang Heizi tsked. "Old Liu, I’ve noticed you’ve been getting more boastful since you came down from the mountain."

Old Liu snorted again and ignored him, walking toward Tang Qingqing.

Tang Qingqing asked with genuine concern, "Master, are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Your master is still strong. How about you? Did you drink the water mixed with the soil I asked you to bring?"

They had a custom: when traveling far from home, one must bring some soil from their hometown.

Once there, they would mix it with water and drink it to avoid being affected by the change in environment.

Tang Qingqing wasn’t sure if this method worked, but she always followed Old Liu’s instructions.

Whether it was due to her adaptability or the effectiveness of the method, Tang Qingqing had never experienced any discomfort.

She appreciated the local cuisine wherever she went and never had trouble adapting or falling ill due to unfamiliarity.

Previously, she had stayed in the dry northern regions, and now, in the completely different southern climate, Tang Qingqing felt no difference and could immediately start working.

"I’m fine. Let’s head back. Brother Yi and I bought some groceries this morning, and we’ll have a meal at home later."

Tang Qingqing was worried that Old Liu might find it difficult to adapt after such a long journey and a change in living environment, so she planned to cook something he often ate before to help him adjust.

Although Old Liu had been to the capital before, it was several years ago.

With age, things can change significantly each year.

Last year, Old Liu fell ill, and his health wasn’t as good as before, which made Tang Qingqing very conflicted. She even considered returning home to work.

But Old Liu dismissed her idea, saying he would break her legs if she dared to come back.

Without hesitation, Old Liu ordered, "I want sour soup noodles."