Chapter 463: Deleted Surveillance

Soon after, several photos were sent to Chen Shi’s phone. At first glance, he couldn’t make out what they were, but upon closer inspection, he realized they were top-down shots of women’s cleavage. Not just one or two, but dozens.

Lin Dongxue had appended a message: “Along with these photos, there are numerous videos. Someone deliberately adjusted the surveillance camera at the entrance of the building to capture the residents’ cleavage. I suspect it was the security guard who did this, which is why he formatted the entire hard drive out of guilt.”

Chen Shi said, “Interesting, I’ll handle this.”

On the day of the incident, there were two security guards on duty. One was the deceased Lao Wang, and the other was Xiao Sun, who had been questioned by the police. Chen Shi and Peng Sijue went to the property management office and learned that Xiao Sun had already gone home. Chen Shi noted down his address.

When they arrived at Xiao Sun’s place, they found the door ajar. Chen Shi pushed it open and saw that the lights were on and a computer was running. A cigarette was still burning in the ashtray. Peng Sijue said, “Stop right there, don’t trespass!”

“The door was open. If you’re uncomfortable, you can wait outside.”

Chen Shi walked straight in. He called out from the bedroom, “Lao Peng, come here!”

Peng Sijue thought there might be a body inside and rushed in, only to find nothing. Chen Shi laughed, “You came in too. Aren’t you trespassing?”

“Damn you, you tricked me!”

“How did I trick you?”

“I thought there was an emergency, so I…”

“I see. To you, trespassing is justified if there’s an emergency. So what’s an emergency? Someone dying? Someone falling ill? Basically, if someone needs you, it’s an emergency. Well, I need you now, so don’t feel guilty! Ever heard of the saying, ‘No rules for small matters, no deviations for big ones’?”

Peng Sijue glared at him. “Stop twisting words. This kind of need and that kind of need aren’t the same. You can’t fool me. I’m leaving.”

Peng Sijue was about to leave when they heard someone coming in. He had to step back, glaring at Chen Shi. It turned out that Xiao Sun had gone out to buy food. He sat down to eat fried rice and drink beer, unaware of the two people watching him from the bedroom.

He then started a voice call, “Hey Bai, why are you just getting online? I’ve been waiting for you.”

The person on the other end said, “Where have you been lately?”

“I’ve been working. You don’t know? A guy got shot to death where I work, and another security guard was killed. Scared me to death.”

“Really? Did they catch the killer?”

“Not yet… I was worried the cops would find out about the photos, so I formatted the hard drive. They think the killer did it and haven’t questioned me, haha!”

“Wow, gutsy. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you?”

“Screw you!”

“Seriously though, did you take new photos?”

“Yeah, got some new ones for you to check out…”

Chen Shi peered through the crack in the door, watching Xiao Sun open a folder and send a batch of photos. He pushed the door open and shouted, “Police!”

Xiao Sun nearly fell off his chair. Recognizing Chen Shi, he stammered, “How did you get in?”

Chen Shi cut to the chase, “Explain what you just said about fooling the police, or I’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice!”

Terrified, Xiao Sun begged, “Please don’t arrest me! If I go to jail, I’ll never make it in this city again. Please!”

“Spit it out!”

Xiao Sun nervously confessed. He had been a security guard for three years and had repurposed the idle surveillance cameras to make money by capturing suggestive images of female residents. He didn’t see anything wrong with it, considering it just a way to make extra cash since his security job paid so little. He argued that the women didn’t lose anything by being photographed.

When the police arrived, fearing they would discover his scheme, he formatted the hard drive.

Chen Shi glanced at the computer screen, “You’ve been doing this for a while, haven’t you? I know this type of operation—taking voyeuristic photos for others to ‘appreciate.'”

“Are you into this too?” Xiao Sun asked hopefully.

“What do you think? Why do something so dark and twisted to make money? If you’re not depraved, you wouldn’t think of such a thing.”

“I’m not depraved…” Xiao Sun defended himself. “I barely graduated high school and have no other skills. I stumbled upon this opportunity, and these photos sell well online. A good quality one can fetch dozens of yuan.”

“How many have you sold?”

“About three hundred.”

“Not discussing this further. Do you realize how much trouble you’ve caused by deleting the footage? You’ve set back our investigation by two days. What if the killer escapes because of this?”

Xiao Sun looked very guilty.

“Do you have any other information about the case?”

“I handed over my shift early that day. I don’t know much.”

“Have you seen Song Yuwen with anyone?”

“I can’t remember. I’ll let you know if I do.”

“Fine, but I’m taking your computer. There might be evidence on it. And stop doing this crap.”

Reluctantly, Xiao Sun handed over his “work.” Leaving his place, Peng Sijue asked, “Not going to report him?”

“Let’s see how he behaves for a couple of days.” Chen Shi checked his watch. “It’s almost ten. I’ll take you home.”

“We need to return the protective suits to the station.”

“Do it tomorrow. You’re the head of the technical team; no one will mind.”

“You’re a disaster for the system.” Peng Sijue insisted on returning the suits, so Chen Shi went along. By the time he got home, it was already eleven.