Chapter 12: Heavy Rain

Chapter 12 Heavy Rain

Yue Lingchuan and Xu Yanting both turned their attention, and Zhou Qiming and another person nearby also ran over in surprise.

Shen Qingye used both hands to trace its outline, brushing away the soil around the faint yellow edges, and unexpectedly discovered that the bone appeared to be quite long.

When she carefully cleared the soil, fully exposing it in the pit, everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Zhou Qiming murmured, "It appears to be over twenty centimeters long."

Xu Yanting had already grabbed a tape measure, and after extending it, he measured and announced, "22.5 centimeters, it's the ulna."

Shen Qingye examined the bone and frowned, "Why are there brown spots on the bone?"

"Normal," Yue Lingchuan said, "After being buried in the ground for so long, the effects of various microorganisms, along with bone mineralization, it's normal for it to appear this way."

Shen Qingye nodded, now understanding.

Uncertain of the bone's state of weathering, they were cautious not to disturb it, afraid of compromising the scene. Yue Lingchuan stood up, brushing the soil off his hands, and exhaled, "Alright, inform Captain Qin."

Upon getting the news, Qin Yilang hurried over with the forensic team in just over half an hour, and without delay, they immediately began the investigation.

Wei Zhengyi, who had also arrived, couldn't help but marvel, "So, we've found the body?"

Yue Lingchuan glanced at Shen Qingye, "Thanks to Xiao Shen's efforts."

Shen Qingye didn't claim the credit but looked up at him and said, "Captain Yue had already noticed it, right?"

Yue Lingchuan paused, not saying anything, while Wei Zhengyi chuckled foolishly, "That's right, our boss is amazing, no criminal can escape his sharp eyes!"

Yue Lingchuan's temple twitched as he slapped the back of Wei Zhengyi's head, "Quiet."

He met the girl's smiling gaze, hands in his pockets, watching Qin Yilang busy himself, feeling somewhat embarrassed for once.

-

More than an hour later, the forensic team finally picked out all the bones, large and small, and pieced them together.

Qin Yilang carefully examined the skull, pelvis, and other bones, then stood up after a moment and said, "The deceased is female, based on the angle of the mandible and the healing of the palatal suture, she was approximately 25 to 30 years old at the time of death.

"Observing the pubic bone, she had a history of childbirth.

"Based on the color of the bones and the changes in bone quality, she was buried here approximately 15 to 18 years ago.

"Additionally, we found some undegraded clothing fragments in the soil, which we will take back for further testing to see if we can extract any DNA residue of the perpetrator."

He looked up at everyone and said, "Preliminary judgment, the basic situation of the deceased matches Lv Xiuqin very closely, it's highly likely to be her."

He said to Yue Lingchuan, "Captain Yue, we can file the case now."

Finding the body without much trouble should have been a cause for joy, but there was not much relief on everyone's faces.

Xu Yanting rubbed his forehead and said, "Really... Cai Chengyong's case isn't even over yet, and now another case comes up."

Jiang Cheng's expression was calm, "It's also a good thing."

Xu Yanting looked at him, "Huh? How can someone's death be a good thing?"

Jiang Cheng said, "According to Cai Limin, Lv Xiuqin ran away in 1987, so it's highly likely that she was killed that year.

"This year is 2003, if we hadn't discovered this body this year, in a few more years, even if it were found, it might not mean much."

Hearing this, it suddenly clicked for everyone.

Shen Qingye had the same thought.

Criminal law sets a 20-year statute of limitations.

For someone like Lv Xiuqin—whose death went unnoticed, unreported, and who died quietly here—once the 20-year statute of limitations passes, even if the body is found again, Cai Limin can’t be charged or punished.

This year marks the 16th year.

After so many years, if it weren’t for Cai Chengyong's case, would anyone even remember Lv Xiuqin? Would anyone still care if she actually ran away?

When you think about it, isn’t that a good thing?

"Alright, everyone, snap out of it," Yue Lingchuan looked around and said, "We’ve got the case and some leads. Instead of sulking, let’s focus on cracking the case."

"Yes," Zhou Qiming stretched his arms and smiled, "We’ve got a tough fight ahead when we get back."

He rubbed his stomach, "Speaking of which, I’m starving. What time is it?"

Shen Qingye glanced at the time, "Almost two."

Zhou Qiming clicked his tongue, "No wonder—it’s so late."

He looked at Yue Lingchuan, "Boss, let’s grab a bite on the way back. We haven’t had a decent meal since last night—I’m starving."

Yue Lingchuan lazily replied, "Alright, I’ll treat you all to a good meal."

Zhou Qiming and Wei Zhengyi immediately started arguing over what to order, while Xu Yanting, standing nearby, said irritably, "Alright, alright, get out of here—you’re getting on everyone’s nerves."

We’ve all been hungry all morning. They can leave, but the forensic work here isn’t finished yet, so they can’t leave. If they can have dinner on time tonight, they’ll be lucky.

Yue Lingchuan waved his hand, "I’ll have Brother Zhengyi bring you something later."

Xu Yanting instantly smiled, "Thanks, Captain Yue!"

Zhou Qiming scoffed and ribbed him a few more times. Xu Yanting was in a good mood and, for once, let it slide.

·

After driving back to the city, they grabbed a bite at a restaurant before heading back to the team.

Yue Lingchuan and the others went to the forensic department to get the test report, planning to interrogate Cai Limin. Shen Qingye couldn’t follow anymore, so she volunteered to go back and handle her work.

In the office, Fang Yun was clearly surprised to see her, "I didn’t see you this morning—I thought you took the day off?"

"No," Shen Qingye explained, "I came early today and went on a field trip with Captain Yue and the others."

"Another field trip?" Fang Yun raised her eyebrows, somewhat disapproving, "Why does Captain Yue keep pulling you in? You’ve got your own work to do."

Shen Qingye laughed, "Ms. Yun, you misunderstood, I went on my own."

"You went on your own?" Fang Yun blinked, somewhat disbelieving.

Shen Qingye said, "Yes, I’m quite interested, so I wanted to go and see."

Fang Yun asked, "Is it still that serial murder case?"

Shen Qingye nodded, "Yes."

Fang Yun frowned and shook her head, "You really have no fear..."

When the case first came to light, she was also very scared, too frightened to commute alone every day.

Shen Qingye said, "The suspect has already been apprehended, so there won't be any more danger."

As she spoke, she sorted through the paperwork on her desk. Fang Yun glanced at her and joked, "It's fine to step out now and then, but don't let it interfere with your work."

Shen Qingye laughed, "Don't worry, Ms. Yun, I'll make sure to get my work done thoroughly."

Fang Yun also smiled, "I know you're always on top of things."

Shen Qingye shared a few more laughs with her before settling down to focus on her work.

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit interrogation room.

A crack suddenly opened in the door, and Cai Limin, half-asleep, blinked and looked up, momentarily finding the outside light a bit dazzling.

Yue Lingchuan, Zhou Qiming, and Jiang Cheng walked in. Seeing the officers, Cai Limin slowly sat up, his dry lips twitching slightly, revealing a simple smile, "Officers."

Zhou Qiming smiled and said, "We've been swamped today and couldn't get to you sooner, hope you don't mind?"

"No, no," Cai Limin hurriedly shook his head, rubbing his hands, and asked directly, "Officers, I just want to know when we can leave?"

"The investigation is still ongoing," Yue Lingchuan said. "If you're found innocent, you'll be released."

Cai Limin said, "Then, how long will the investigation take? I still have work at the factory..."

"Take it easy," Zhou Qiming spread out the documents in front of him and said, "Even without this case, it's established that you misused the factory's vehicles, right? Such behavior is illegal, so we can't let you leave so quickly."

He glanced at him and said, "Try not to worry about the factory right now. Just stay here peacefully for a few days."

Cai Limin's fingers scratched the table, hurriedly agreeing twice, and couldn't help but ask, "Is there something happening now?"

Yue Lingchuan's gaze swept over his fingers, and after a moment, he slowly smiled, "Don't be nervous, we're just here to have a casual talk."

"Oh, talk, talk. You say, you say," Cai Limin's face piled up with a smile.

"How old are you, sir?" Yue Lingchuan casually asked.

Cai Limin was stunned, then said, "I'm 53 this year."

"You're close to retirement," Yue Lingchuan changed his posture and asked gently, "What do you think?"

Cai Limin paused, and after a moment said, "I never intended for this... but ever since his mother left, he's been acting out. I wanted to discipline him, but on one hand, I'm swamped from morning till night and don't have the time; on the other hand, I just can't bring myself to, after all, he's already lost his mother, and as a father, I inevitably spoil him a bit."

He sighed, "It's entirely my fault. If I had raised him right from the start, maybe he wouldn't be like this now..."

Yue Lingchuan smiled ambiguously upon hearing his answer.

Zhou Qiming asked, "You said his mother ran away, why did she run away?"

Cai Limin looked downcast and shook his head, "In the end, it's because I'm not capable."

Yue Lingchuan leaned back in his chair, watching him with ease.

"When I entered the factory, it looked glamorous to outsiders, but in reality, the security guard's salary was just a little bit each month. After she married me, she didn't have a job herself, and I had to support the whole family alone. Life wasn't exactly tight, but it wasn't great either."

"Over time, she began to grumble and find fault, saying that if she had known marrying me would lead to such a life, she would never have married me. I had no choice, we were already married, and even if we argued, we had to keep going, right?"

"Not long after, within two years, we had a child, and her personality improved significantly. I thought she wanted to settle down with me for the sake of the child, but who knew..." He sighed: "One night when I came home from work, I saw the house in a mess. She was rummaging around everywhere, and when she saw me, she turned around and left without saying a word. At that time, Chengyong was locked in the room where he slept, crying and calling for his mother. I couldn't worry about anything else, so I quickly opened the door to go in and stay with him. When I came out, there was no one left in the house."

"I asked Chengyong what had happened, and he said his mother had locked him in the room and wouldn’t respond no matter how much he called..."

"I ran outside to look for her, but she was already gone. It was pouring rain, and with the child at home, I couldn’t leave him alone, so I had to go back."

"The next day, when I went to look for her, she was nowhere to be found."

Zhou Qiming said, "So, you just assumed she ran away?"

Cai Limin replied, "When I went back, all the valuable items in the house were gone, and even our savings had been ransacked. I saw her leave with my own eyes—how could it be a lie?"

Zhou Qiming nodded, suddenly understanding: "I see."

He then asked, "So, all these years, you've been raising the child alone? Working day and night, isn’t it tough?"

Cai Limin smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Well, there was no other choice... At first, it was really hard, but I got used to it eventually. Usually, I just sit in the guard room, nothing much to do."

He paused, then looked at them with a hint of humble flattery: "If we’re talking about hardship, it’s you officers who have it tough, handling cases diligently and protecting us civilians... our personal safety."

"It is quite tough," Yue Lingchuan didn’t deny it, but casually added: "Today, it’s pouring outside, and running around in this weather is such a pain."

Cai Limin's eyes flickered: "Is it raining outside now?"

Zhou Qiming also understood Yue Lingchuan's implication and said, "Yeah, it’s really coming down."

He half-jokingly complained: "Yesterday, the weather forecast said it would be sunny today, but instead, we got such heavy rain."

Cai Limin smiled: "Really? I didn’t hear it."

Yue Lingchuan said, "This room is soundproofed, so it’s no surprise you didn’t hear it."

He gave Jiang Cheng a look, and Jiang Cheng got up, opening the interrogation room door a crack.

Yue Lingchuan smiled gently, coaxing: "Uncle, listen carefully."

He said: "This rain—doesn’t it sound just like the rain on the night Lv Xiuqin died?"

Cai Limin nodded: "It does..."

Suddenly realizing something, the smile on his face froze.