Chapter 7: The Murder Case in Ping'an Community (1)

On a bustling commercial street

“Daddy!” A sweet and adorable little girl in a white floral dress called out affectionately to a man among a group of burly men, opening her arms in delight as she tried to rush toward him.

“Tiantian, come back!” Her mother grabbed her just as she was about to leap forward, retreating in terror. At that moment, the group of men surrounded the pair, and the little girl shrank into her mother’s embrace, too frightened to speak. One of the men, whose face was marked by a dark mole, turned to a sturdier companion and asked, “Biaozi! Is this your wife?”

“Of course, Brother Tian. If not, why don’t we take this little girl home? Tonight, I’ll be her daddy. What do you think?” The man called Biaozi stepped forward, grinning as he stroked the mother’s smooth chin.

The girl’s mother twisted away, dodging his hand.

“Good idea, Brother Biao. We’d like to adopt a daughter too!”

“Brother Tian, why don’t we take them away? Tonight…” A sleazy-looking man whispered to the first speaker, eyeing the mother and daughter with wicked intent.

“Don’t make trouble! There are so many people around here. If you mess up the boss’s business, you’ll regret it. Keep your belts fastened!” Brother Tian looked around at the busy crowd and barked at his men.

The group swaggered away, and only then did the mother, clutching her daughter’s mouth tightly, breathe a long sigh of relief. She quickly hurried away with her child, while the curious onlookers slowly dispersed.

The commercial street remained just as lively as before, as if nothing had happened.

…

After wrapping up the case at Central Park and finally finishing the paperwork, Wu Zui and Xiao Keyan, at her suggestion, decided to celebrate with a meal. This was, after all, her first criminal case—a milestone worth commemorating.

Unable to resist Xiao Keyan’s persistent pleas, and with his stomach nearly revolting after a day of hunger, Wu Zui agreed.

Xiao Keyan drove, turning here and there, until they arrived at a large, dilapidated warehouse.

Just a warehouse—barbecue?

“You want to eat here?” Wu Zui watched Xiao Keyan leap out of the car, eager and excited, and glanced at their surroundings in confusion. He wasn’t picky, but at the very least, hygiene and safety were non-negotiable.

“Of course! Food and cases are not to be missed. Eating, solving cases, and surfing the web are my greatest joys!” Xiao Keyan grabbed Wu Zui’s arm and dragged him into the warehouse.

You’re easily satisfied!

“What kind of delicacies could be here? Specialty skewers?” Wu Zui, unable to shake her off, asked helplessly.

“Master, just eat! Today I swiped my mom’s card. Otherwise, we’d have to make a reservation and wait in line! Waiting in line for food—it’s just outrageous!” Xiao Keyan wore a pair of white rabbit ears, looking adorable, and whispered indignantly to Wu Zui, as if she were committing a crime.

As soon as they stepped inside, Wu Zui was stunned. The warehouse was filled with high-tech ambiance, nothing like its shabby exterior. He even wondered if it was an alien spaceship.

“Good evening, sir and madam. We are fully booked today. Would you like to make a reservation?” A tall man in a sharp black suit, with the air of a butler, addressed them respectfully but coldly.

Xiao Keyan handed over a card, her voice tinged with excitement. “Forest Cabin—please bring the dishes quickly!”

The tall man glanced at the card and immediately became enthusiastic. “Certainly, please follow me! Your dishes will arrive soon!”

Xiao Keyan took back the card and led Wu Zui briskly into a small room. The tall man closed the door behind them and went to prepare the food.

Wu Zui noticed there weren’t many people here—so why did the man say they were fully booked? Then he was stunned by the room’s decor. It was designed like an ancient wooden house; aside from a few glass lamps, there was no trace of modern craftsmanship. Xiao Keyan had already opened the wooden window, revealing a small bamboo grove outside, the subtle fragrance of bamboo drifting in.

Now Wu Zui understood why Xiao Keyan insisted on coming here. Eating here wasn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it was a feast for the senses—sight, smell, and taste all at once. What a remarkable place!

“What do you think, Master? Worth the trip, right?” Xiao Keyan tilted her head and grinned.

“Yes… it’s nice! But sometimes we have tasks at night, so no alcohol, understood?” Wu Zui replied a bit awkwardly. Even when he was deputy bureau chief, he’d never come to such a place.

He felt embarrassed—he had planned to pay for the meal himself, but with his wallet already fat and full, it seemed this time it would slim down considerably.

Though his wallet might not be pleased!

“Master, please sit! The best part is you don’t have to order. They keep track of guests’ preferences and allergies, so every visit brings new dishes. Isn’t it full of surprises? And each dish is always delicious!” Xiao Keyan’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she spoke.

Soon, the small wooden table was filled with an array of dishes—eight in total, for just two diners.

“Honored guests, your dishes are served. Please enjoy!” The tall man bowed slightly and left, closing the door behind him.

This is such a waste!

Wu Zui thought silently.

While he was still in a daze, Xiao Keyan had already started eating. Her first target was stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat—not the dish parents made when their kids failed exams, but real bamboo shoots stir-fried with beef!

0_0!

Watching Xiao Keyan eat with refined manners but hamster-like speed, Wu Zui began to eat as well. The beef was tender, melting in his mouth with the fresh aroma of bamboo shoots—not dry at all, utterly delicious!

He tried a bite of fish—fresh, with not a hint of fishiness. Even the bones had been expertly removed. Perfect!

Compared to Xiao Keyan’s ladylike approach, Wu Zui ate with abandon.

“I only wish to guard every moment of beauty…”

Wu Zui’s phone rang, and his face darkened.

Could it be that my unlucky prediction came true? Another case at night?

Seeing Lin Feng’s name on the screen, Wu Zui felt he’d guessed right.

“Wu, a homicide at Ping’an Community on West Street. Two dead, one is a minor. Hurry over!” Lin Feng’s voice was urgent.

“Okay, Xiao Keyan and I are eating nearby. We’ll be there soon!” Wu Zui replied quickly.

“Ding—”

Xiao Keyan pressed the call bell.

“Hello, do you need anything?” The tall man appeared within ten seconds. Wu Zui wondered—was he always standing outside the door?

“Pack all of these!” Xiao Keyan pointed at the untouched dishes on the table, reluctantly.

Half a second later—

“…Certainly! Please wait a moment!” The tall man seemed struck by lightning—pack up? He hadn’t heard that word in ages! But his excellent professionalism brought him back to his senses, and he quickly complied.

“If reheated, the flavor drops by at least half. Damn those criminals—why commit a crime now of all times? If I catch them, I’ll starve them for two days first!” Xiao Keyan glared at the untouched dishes, gritting her teeth. Wu Zui felt that if the culprit were in front of her, she’d bite him to death.

Within five minutes, the tall man had packed the dishes into special containers.

Even though some flavor would be lost, at least eighty percent could be preserved.

Xiao Keyan calculated this silently, feeling a bit happier. She carefully carried the boxes and followed Wu Zui out.

“Take care, sir and madam. We hope to see you again!” The tall man’s voice echoed as they left. Xiao Keyan placed the packed food in the trunk.

No need to pay?

Feeling as though he’d dined and dashed, Wu Zui quickened his pace. If caught, how embarrassing! He decided to bring the money tomorrow.

…

West Street, Ping’an Community

Ping’an Community was an older residential complex, somewhat run-down. Despite having property management, the surveillance cameras weren’t very clear—not good news for gathering evidence. Xiao Keyan followed Wu Zui to the crime scene.

The site was on the fourth floor, in a unit without a number—let’s call it 401.

The forensic team had finished, marked the outlines, and the bodies had been taken away. Wu Zui could only ask Lin Feng about the specifics on site.

Inside the living room, there were extensive bloodstains, clearly wiped by someone. The walls were splattered with blood, and there were obvious signs of struggle—making Xiao Keyan uneasy.

Seeing Wu Zui with Xiao Keyan, Lin Feng quickly said, “One of the victims was Liao Yan, a 32-year-old middle school teacher. The preliminary forensic examination found three stab wounds to the abdomen, one to the heart. Defensive wounds on both arms suggest she fought back.

The other victim was an eight-year-old girl. Preliminary examination—one slash to the throat, instantaneous death. The detailed report will be ready soon.”

All traces of joy and excitement from the meal vanished from Xiao Keyan’s face. Though she had considerable authority as an inspector, her family didn’t allow her to wander freely, and her cases were typically routine.

This was the first time she’d encountered such a brutal case. The thought that a young girl, just starting school, had been murdered made Xiao Keyan feel deeply unsettled.