Chapter 45: A Special Day

Chen Shi returned with a big smile on his face. Lin Dongxue eagerly asked, “What did you find out?”

Chen Shi took out his phone, lowered the volume, and played the recording he had just made. After listening, both were shocked. Lin Dongxue said, “There’s definitely something fishy!”

Xu Xiaodong added, “This recording alone should be enough to get a search warrant!”

“No, it’s not valid evidence legally, but it does reveal a bit of the truth and points us in the right direction. Let’s go!” Chen Shi replied.

“Are we really leaving this time?” Lin Dongxue asked with a smile.

“Of course… not!” Chen Shi said.

They went to a nearby cold drink shop and sat there, drinking beverages until six in the evening. The company remained quiet with no one coming out. Xu Xiaodong commented, “Wow, this company sure has a lot of overtime!”

“There are many companies that don’t follow labor laws, but what can employees do? They have to endure it for their livelihood,” Chen Shi remarked. “That’s why I don’t like working for others.”

“I agree! Being a cop is much more free,” Lin Dongxue said.

“But it’s not easy either,” Xu Xiaodong pointed out.

“If you like your job, even if it’s hard, you’ll still be happy,” Lin Dongxue responded.

Just then, a cleaning lady came out of the building. Chen Shi immediately stood up and said, “Target spotted! Let’s go!”

The two followed her outside. Lin Dongxue asked, “You waited all this time just for a cleaning lady?”

“Right now, we can’t confront them head-on. It’s better to gather some peripheral information first,” Chen Shi explained.

Chen Shi walked straight to the cleaning lady and said, “Excuse me, we are police officers and would like to ask you a few questions.”

“Ask me? About what?” the cleaning lady replied warily.

“Do you clean this company every day?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Can you tell us anything about this company? Anything you know is helpful.”

“It’s just a regular company. Are you investigating tax evasion or something? I wouldn’t know about that.”

Chen Shi took out a hundred-yuan note and said, “Just tell us what you know. This is a small tip for your trouble. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it confidential.”

Seeing the money, the cleaning lady’s face lit up, and she started talking. She mentioned that the company was very strict, with employees starting work at eight in the morning and often working until ten at night, mainly doing phone sales or door-to-door selling.

She also said the company promoted something called “wolf culture.” She had often seen employees slapping each other, kneeling, or even swallowing paper balls for not meeting targets. She shook her head, feeling sorry for them, thinking how hard it was to earn a living.

“Sigh, everyone’s life is tough,” the cleaning lady sighed.

“Wolf culture?” Xu Xiaodong asked. “You mean ‘wolf spirit’ culture?”

“Yes, that’s it. They even had a picture of a big gray wolf downstairs for a while, baring its teeth. It was pretty scary.”

“Has anyone from the company gone missing recently?” Chen Shi asked.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know everyone there… But I think a girl named Xiaoli has been missing for a few days. She usually greets me.”

“What’s her full name?”

“Xiaoli? I heard her colleagues call her that.”

“Has she been sick recently?”

“Sick? What kind of sickness? Serious?” The cleaning lady didn’t seem to know.

Chen Shi asked her to describe Xiaoli, but she couldn’t give a clear description. They had to give up. Chen Shi gave her another hundred-yuan note. The cleaning lady, beaming, said, “I didn’t provide much information, sorry about that. By the way, what case are you investigating?”

“Can’t disclose that. Thanks for your help,” Chen Shi replied.

After saying goodbye to the cleaning lady, Lin Dongxue teased, “You’re so generous, two hundred yuan just for that.”

“People have it tough… Anyway, can we get that reimbursed?” Chen Shi asked.

“You expect the cleaning lady to give you a receipt?” Lin Dongxue laughed.

“Alright!” Chen Shi turned toward the company’s main entrance and, with a mock gun gesture, pointed at the sign. “There’s something fishy about Kangxing Electronics! We’ll keep investigating tomorrow. I believe the truth is hidden in this building and behind the manager’s greasy smile… Let’s call it a day!”

Xu Xiaodong cheered, “Finally, let’s go get hotpot!”

“No thanks, I need to go home and take a shower.”

“I need to pick up my car from the service center. Give me a lift?”

After picking up his car, Xu Xiaodong offered to drive Lin Dongxue home. “Let me take you home.”

“No need. I’ll just take a cab,” she replied.

Chen Shi added, “Why not use my service? I haven’t had a single fare today.”

“How cheeky of you.”

“Ten yuan to take you home. Come on!”

Lin Dongxue got into Chen Shi’s car. Chen Shi patted the steering wheel and said, “Baby…”

Lin Dongxue glared at him, realizing he was talking to his car. “Two days apart and you’re even prettier.”

“Obsessive much?” Lin Dongxue joked.

“Don’t jump to conclusions! Want to grab a meal on the way?”

“Your ten-yuan service sure is generous… No thanks, I just want to go home and take a shower. I feel gross.”

Chen Shi drove Lin Dongxue to her apartment complex and got out of the car. Lin Dongxue frowned, “Why are you getting out?”

“To walk you up,” Chen Shi said with a smile.

“Whatever!”

At her door, Lin Dongxue asked, “You’re planning to come in?”

“Since you’re inviting me, I’ll come in for a bit.”

“You’re shameless. I warn you, don’t try anything funny. I know self-defense.”

“Just for a glass of water, alright?”

Once inside, Chen Shi remarked, “A typical girl’s room.” Lin Dongxue retorted, “You’ve seen it before, don’t pretend.”

Tired from the day, Lin Dongxue changed into slippers and collapsed on the sofa, turning on the TV.

Chen Shi, meanwhile, busied himself in the kitchen. Initially, Lin Dongxue thought he was boiling water, but hearing the clatter of pots and pans, she shouted, “What are you doing?”

“Making some noodles!”

“You act like it’s your own home!”

“It’ll be ready soon!”

In a short while, Chen Shi emerged balancing two bowls and plates, placing them on the coffee table. He had made instant noodles, garnished with cucumber and sea, with poached eggs on top, sprinkled with cilantro, and smelling delicious.

“Let’s make do with this!” Chen Shi said, handing her chopsticks.

“Not bad. Didn’t expect you to be this meticulous,” Lin Dongxue said, taking the chopsticks and starting to eat.

As they ate and watched TV, Lin Dongxue found it strange how she had let this older guy into her home.

She glanced at Chen Shi, who immediately sensed her gaze and turned to ask, “Any beer?”

“No!” she replied curtly.

After they finished eating, it was already eight o’clock. Lin Dongxue was curious why he hadn’t left yet and kept staring at him. Chen Shi stared back until Lin Dongxue suddenly said, “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

“Pfft!” Chen Shi spat out his noodles, grabbing tissues to wipe his mouth. “Lin, you’re a bit too forward.”

“I’m just setting boundaries so you don’t get any ideas.”

“Yes, yes, I get it!” Chen Shi’s expression turned somber. “Today is October 10th. It’s a special day for me, and I didn’t want to be alone, so I came here.”

“What’s special? Is it your birthday?”

To be precise, it should be considered the anniversary of my death, Chen Shi thought silently.