Chapter 46: Enamel Cup

Chapter 46 The Enamel Cup

Although the details of the case were already clear, everyone was in low spirits as they left the interrogation room.

Despite being seasoned detectives who had seen many deaths, the number of child victims was relatively small. Especially since the cause of all this was an old man's absurd jealousy and competitive nature, everyone was at a loss for words.

Yue Lingchuan, seeing the low spirits of the team, cleared his throat and said, "Alright, it's good that the case is closed. We can now give some closure to the victim's family."

The captain chimed in, "Come on, everyone, cheer up. There's still a lot of work waiting for us. The case report hasn't been written, the victim's family hasn't been informed, and it seems Wang Qinghai only has one grandson left, doesn't he? Although the village Party secretary is temporarily taking care of him, we still need to inform his parents. Someone has to take care of him..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Kaiyang's melancholy instantly disappeared. He scratched his head and said, "Ugh, another case report! When will these case reports ever disappear?"

Zhou Qiming patted his shoulder and said, "It's not even dark yet, and you're already daydreaming? Listen up, this time the case report is your responsibility."

Luo Kaiyang rolled his eyes immediately, and Zhou Qiming turned his head away, trying not to laugh.

These detectives charge ahead like no one else when it comes to solving cases, but no one wants to write reports.

Luo Kaiyang, feeling dejected, suddenly remembered something and looked up at Shen Qingye with hope in his eyes. "Xiao Shen, you're good at writing reports, right? Can you help me with this one?"

Shen Qingye smiled and said, "I could, but I'm still in a clerical position, and there's work to be done in the office. Do you really want to pile two jobs on me, Kaiyang?"

Luo Kaiyang fell silent, looking embarrassed and utterly defeated.

Yue Lingchuan patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, handle your own work. Don't assume that just because she's a girl, she's easy to push around. Xiao Shen will come with me to Wangjia Village later to handle the follow-up."

Luo Kaiyang mumbled, "That's not what I meant..."

His voice trailed off, and upon reflection, he realized that perhaps there was some truth to Captain Yue's words. He had subconsciously assumed that as a girl, she would be better at handling paperwork. Moreover, since she had previously been in a clerical position, writing a case report should be a breeze for her.

Ultimately, he just didn't want to do it himself and wanted to pass the work onto someone else.

He awkwardly said, "I won't do that again..."

Shen Qingye smiled but didn't say much. Being a woman in a group of men had its pros and cons. Since she hadn't officially joined the team yet, she needed to set her stance early. Taking on a fair share of work was expected, but she didn't want to end up being the one everyone automatically assigned all the tedious tasks to, like case reports.

Wei Zhengyi stepped forward, put his arm around Luo Kaiyang's neck, and patted his chest, saying gallantly, "Alright, it's just a case report. I'll help you write it! Look at you, acting like you're about to face a dragon's den."

Luo Kaiyang, pulled down by his neck, his face turning red, couldn't help but glare at him and let out a couple of dry laughs.

As if it was just his task alone.

But with Wei Zhengyi's playful banter, the atmosphere around them lightened up a bit. Shen Qingye also smiled and said, "Kaiyang, do your best. I'll bring you something delicious when I get back."

Luo Kaiyang glanced at her, somewhat embarrassed, but still said, "Then I want the bread you gave the boss this morning."

Shen Qingye was momentarily speechless, then smiled and agreed.

·

Zhou Qiming took Luo Kaiyang and the others back to handle the remaining work, while Yue Lingchuan and Shen Qingye went downstairs, started the car, and drove off.

Shen Qingye thought they would head straight to Wangjia Village, but as she looked out the window at the unfamiliar road, she belatedly realized that this didn't seem to be the way to Puning District.

She asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

Yue Lingchuan, steering with one hand, replied, "To the hospital."

Shen Qingye blinked, "Why are we going to the hospital? Are you sick?"

Yue Lingchuan glanced back at her with a helpless expression.

He pointed vaguely at her neck, his voice drawn out: "It's to get you checked out."

Shen Qingye touched her neck, suddenly remembering that she still had injuries.

She couldn't help but say, "It’s not necessary. It looks bad, but it’s really not a big deal. I don’t even feel it anymore."

Yue Lingchuan chuckled lightly at her words, saying, "Let’s still get it checked out—it might help."

He adjusted the rearview mirror to face Shen Qingye: "Or do you want to go home looking like this tonight?"

After spending some time together and observing Detachment Leader Song and Director Gao's attitude towards her, Yue Lingchuan vaguely understood that the people around her probably didn't approve of her working as a criminal police officer. Now that Director Gao had finally given in, if she went back with such visible injuries, her family might not take it well.

Shen Qingye looked in the mirror at the obvious red marks on her neck and thought of her mother, falling silent for a moment.

Seeing her unusually obedient demeanor, Yue Lingchuan couldn't help but smile slightly, saying, "Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time. We’ll go to the hospital first, then to Wangjia Village. We’ll make it."

Shen Qingye finally nodded in agreement.

·

The People's Hospital was located in Zhongyuan District, about a half-hour drive away.

After the examination, the doctor determined that the injuries on her neck were not serious. He gave her an ice pack to use for a while and prescribed an ointment, insisting that she apply it for a few days and it would be fine.

Shen Qingye felt relieved and was about to leave when Yue Lingchuan pulled her to another department for a full-body check-up.

He insisted, "Since we’re here, we might as well do the other tests. What if there’s something you missed?"

Shen Qingye was helpless but couldn't refuse his kindness, so she obediently complied.

By the time they finished, it was already after three. Yue Lingchuan looked at the stack of reports indicating her good health and finally relaxed, taking her out of the hospital.

…

By the time they arrived at Wangjia Village, it was already past four.

Last night, the village Party secretary had gone around knocking on doors, warning the villagers not to go out the next morning and not to react to any noises. However, he didn't explain why, leaving everyone on edge and curious.

It wasn't until this morning when they heard the commotion outside that they realized the murderer of Wang Zhiyong was Wang Qinghai! The reason they were told not to go out was because the police were making an arrest!

The incident had been the talk of the village all day, with no sign of the excitement dying down. When they saw the police arrive, everyone tried to get more details, crowding around.

Yue Lingchuan simply said that case details couldn’t be shared and had the village Party secretary disperse the crowd before heading to Wang Qinghua's house.

Wang Qinghua looked heartbroken and full of regret, blaming himself for not seeing Wang Qinghai’s true colors sooner. If he had distanced himself from Wang Qinghai sooner, or if he had curbed his boastful nature, maybe his grandson wouldn’t have died.

The old man was drowning in guilt, and Shen Qingye felt heavy-hearted seeing this. She gathered herself to offer a few words of comfort before leaving.

The villagers outside had been persuaded to leave by the village Party secretary, but near Wang Qinghai's house, a man of average build with glasses stood by the door, peering timidly in their direction.

Shen Qingye paused. This person... must be Wang Qinghai's son.

The two of them walked over to the next house. Wang Shixin nervously adjusted his glasses, saying, "Officers..."

Up close, Shen Qingye saw that he looked worn out. His eyes were red-rimmed, and his clothes were disheveled.

He hesitated, then looked up and asked cautiously, "Did my dad... did he really kill Zhi Yong?"

Shen Qingye, seeing his demeanor and recalling the villagers' comments about Wang Qinghai growing up under his dad's strong pressure, thought their description was somewhat conservative.

She sighed inwardly and said, "The evidence is conclusive, and the killer has already confessed."

Upon hearing this, the faint light in Wang Qinghai's eyes gradually dimmed, and his shoulders slumped.

He looked bewildered, unable to comprehend how things had come to this. Why had his dad turned out this way?

He closed his eyes, remained silent for a long time, and then murmured, "Thank you... comrade."

"Thank you, comrade..."

He sighed softly, his voice filled with a world-weariness that didn't match his age.

His dad had always been overly domineering, making all the decisions. Now that this had happened, his emotions were complex.

He didn't fully understand his own feelings—there was confusion, bewilderment, and even a strange mix of relief and release.

Shen Qingye glanced into the courtyard and changed the subject, "How's the child? How is he holding up?"

Wang Qinghai slowly came back to his senses and nodded, "He's fine. His mother has returned and is with him in the room, sleeping."

Yue Lingchuan nodded, "Good to hear."

He looked at Wang Qinghai and said, "No matter what, the child is innocent. Life must go on, so focus on raising him well."

Wang Qinghai forced a bitter smile, "I know, I understand..."

But with a grandfather who's a murderer, and all the gossip and rumors outside... How was he supposed to raise his child?

Shen Qingye offered a few more words of comfort, but seeing that his spirits were low, she suggested they take a look at Wang Qinghai's bedroom, as it was the scene of the crime.

Wang Qinghai naturally didn't refuse and led them inside.

The door creaked open, and Shen Qingye surveyed the room. It was sparsely furnished—a bed, a wardrobe, and a table by the window with a thermos and an enamel cup on it.

Just as Shen Qingye was about to speak, an elderly voice reached her ears, "Oh, someone's here... Huh? Two unfamiliar faces..."

Shen Qingye's gaze paused, her eyes naturally drawn to the old enamel cup.

"Officers, this is where my father usually stayed," Wang Qinghai explained. "He was always frugal, so there's not much here. These chairs, tables, and the teapot and cup have been around for years."

"That's the bed he slept on..." Wang Qinghai couldn't bear to look at it, remembering that his father had killed someone on that bed. He turned his head away, "You can take a look."

Shen Qingye maintained her composure and naturally agreed, but her eyes kept darting to the enamel cup, listening as it spoke:

"So it's the police... Well, he killed someone, so of course the police would come."

"What a tragedy... Such a good child, destroyed by him. That child used to call him 'Second Grandpa'..."

"He really went off the rails in his old age..."

Listening to the cup's broken speech, Shen Qingye's expression grew more serious. She thought to herself, "So it's true."

Wang Qinghai had told the truth; he hadn't lied. And her suspicions about her own abilities were becoming firmer.

She looked at the enamel cup—a common design, the kind you could buy on the street for two yuan. Shen Qingye felt a strong urge to take it, but this wasn't just any place. She couldn't just pick it up and leave. Of course, if she asked for it, Wang Qinghai might not refuse. But asking for someone's cup out of the blue would surely raise suspicions.

Reluctantly, Shen Qingye had to let it go.

The two of them stayed in the room for a while longer, getting a clear picture, and then didn't linger further, said their goodbyes.

Wang Shixin saw them out to the courtyard, watching them drive away before turning back into the yard.

He stood at the doorway of another bedroom, looking at his wife and child sleeping soundly on the bed, and after a long silence, finally managed to smile.

The police were right, he still had his wife and child, and even if it was just for them, he had to get his act together.

...

By the time the two got back to the station, the sun had completely set. Luo Kaiyang and Wei Zhengyi had already finished the paperwork and had left work. Shen Qingye had also finished her work tasks and, after checking out with Yue Lingchuan, drove home.

At the station, facing a group of colleagues, she could still maintain her composure. But when she was alone, she no longer had to hide her excitement, and even Little Stone could clearly sense her joy.

Uncle Gao had finally relented, and from now on, she could officially join the Major Case Division on cases.

This joy lasted all the way home, becoming even more real when she faced Shen Linyue.

Shen Linyue looked at her daughter, who was giggling like a fool beside her, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "Oh, so you caught the killer, and you're this happy?"

Shen Qingye shook her head: "Not just that!"

Shen Linyue put down the newspaper, her face showing surprise: "Sounds like it's a big deal?"

She leaned back on the sofa, slowly crossing her legs, and said: "This is rare. Spill it, what's the good news? Let me in on it."

Shen Qingye hugged her mother's arm with both hands, her eyes curving into a smile: "Uncle Gao agreed to let me join the criminal police!"

Shen Linyue's eyes widened at the words, her eyebrows raising high: "You mean, Uncle Gao relented?"

Shen Qingye, not yet sensing the danger, nodded vigorously.

Shen Linyue tilted her head, her gaze slowly sliding down to her daughter's fair neck, her tone leisurely: "Is that so? It's really not easy."

She slowly spoke: "What did you do to get Uncle Gao to agree?"

Shen Qingye opened her mouth, about to speak, when she suddenly realized something and abruptly stopped.

She pursed her lips, carefully looking up to gauge her mother's reaction.

Shen Linyue's expression remained unchanged, her arms crossed, watching her with ease: "Well? Why the silence?"