Chapter 109: Keeping a Mistress is a Skill

The skin flakes found under the victim’s fingernails belonged to Shao Dahai, a businessman who had been supporting her financially. In fact, Shao Dahai was currently at the station.

Hearing this news, Chen Shi was both surprised and a bit disappointed. Peng Sijue noticed his expression and asked, “Are you hoping for a more challenging case?”

“Haha, the sooner we solve the case, the sooner we can rest. I’m all for that! Where’s the suspect?”

“In the interrogation room.”

“Let’s go have a look.”

“I have work to do,” Peng Sijue replied.

“Come on, the biggest thrill of being a cop is uncovering the truth.” Chen Shi dragged Peng Sijue along with him.

In the interrogation room, a balding middle-aged man was desperately defending himself, “I didn’t kill anyone! How could I possibly kill someone? I’ve done so much charity work, donated several Hope Schools, and I believe in Buddhism. There’s no way I could kill anyone. Please don’t frame me!”

Lin Qiupu held a freshly printed forensic report, “The skin flakes under the victim’s fingernails are yours. How do you explain that?”

“This…” Shao Dahai’s eyes darted around.

“Speak up!”

Shao Dahai trembled in fear, “I did meet her that day. You know, I used to be involved with her. Later, my wife found out and made a huge scene. She brought my brothers-in-law and confronted us in public, even pulling her hair and hitting her. It was all filmed by bystanders and is still online, ‘Long’an City Mistress Beating Video.’ My wife was upset that I spent a lot of money on her and made me get the money back. I went to demand it a few times, but things were tense between me and Kong Tingting, so we lost touch for a while.”

“And then?”

“A few days ago, she suddenly contacted me, said she was lonely and wanted to get a room. Of course, I didn’t refuse. That night, we… you know, had relations. I thought maybe she still had feelings for me. Keeping a mistress is a skill, like raising cats or dogs—it requires time and money. Kong Tingting is a pretty girl, quite presentable, and not very educated. A woman’s lack of talent is her virtue, right? Also, my wife was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and doesn’t have long to live, so I thought maybe we could rekindle our old flame. Once my wife passes, I could marry her.”

“So you went to find her?”

“Yes, I went to chat with her, sent her money, but she was indifferent. I thought, can women also be heartless after getting what they want? Was she just looking for a thrill that night? So I went to her place…”

“When?”

“Noon on Christmas Eve. I planned to ask her out for dinner, but she told me to get lost. I got angry, and we argued. That’s when she scratched me… Look, I still have the marks!”

“What a story!”

“Sir, I’m not making this up. Everything I said is true. If there’s even a single lie, may I be struck by lightning.”

“Enough with the swearing. Do you know why she suddenly wanted to get a room with you?”

Shao Dahai shook his head, “Maybe she was lonely?”

“Actually, she suspected she had contracted HIV and wanted to take revenge on society, including you.”

Shao Dahai was shocked, “Did she…?”

“No, we tested her. She didn’t have it.”

Shao Dahai’s eyes were still wide open, and then he buried his face in his hands, “Damn, I almost ruined myself. I thought she liked me! I’ve been such a fool, nearly died because of her.”

Shao Dahai’s words made the female record-keeper frown. Lin Qiupu tapped the table with his pen, “Tell us about the day of the incident.”

“The day of the incident… what incident? I didn’t kill anyone.”

“Where were you at 7 PM that night?”

“At home, my son can testify.”

Chen Shi, listening from outside, shook his head, “He’s not the killer.”

“His height and build don’t match,” Peng Sijue agreed.

“Let’s go check it out.”

Peng Sijue grabbed an investigation kit, and the two returned to the crime scene. They didn’t enter immediately but stood outside observing the electrical box. Peng Sijue said, “The handle has no dust on it.”

“Look around. The surroundings are dirty, but the handle is clean. Someone touched it and wiped off the dust.”

“Doesn’t necessarily mean it was that day.”

Peng Sijue wasn’t just arguing for the sake of it. They were debating based on possibilities, a method they often used when working with Song Lang, a practice both enjoyed. Peng Sijue felt a knot in his stomach, knowing who this man really was but unable to say it out loud. He repeatedly reminded himself that he could never mention “Song Lang” anywhere. That man was a fugitive with two murder charges, even though Peng Sijue believed he was innocent. As a police officer, he had to uphold the law.

The man before him was Chen Shi, a good Samaritan who solved cases. Peng Sijue tried to convince himself.

“What are you daydreaming about?” Chen Shi’s eyes were fixed on him.

“Thinking about something,” Peng Sijue replied nonchalantly.

“Let’s open it.”

The electrical box didn’t need a key; it opened easily. Chen Shi took Peng Sijue’s magnifying glass and examined the circuit breaker, “The main power has been tampered with.”

“Are there fingerprints?”

“This thing is ceramic. I can’t tell.”

Peng Sijue connected a UV light to the battery and shone it on the circuit breaker, shaking his head, “Nothing.”

“No prints is suspicious. If the owner touched it, why would they wear gloves?”

“Let’s check inside.”

For investigation convenience, the scene’s keys were kept by the local committee. Chen Shi had obtained the keys earlier. He opened the door. Bloodstains on the floor hadn’t been cleaned, and the police had outlined the victim’s position with ropes. They headed straight for the fridge. As soon as it opened, a rotten stench hit them. Chen Shi fanned the air with his hand and saw Peng Sijue had already put on a mask.

“Give me a mask too!”

“I only have one… These vegetables are rotten. Even at room temperature, they wouldn’t rot this badly in this season.”

“Looks like you don’t cook often. This girl wasn’t careful. She stored raw and cooked food together. In a sealed environment, the bacteria from the raw meat spread, accelerating the decay.”

“It still wouldn’t rot this quickly. For vegetables to rot like this, it would take at least a week.”

“These seem to be leftover takeout. Let me check!”

Chen Shi rummaged through the trash and found a takeout receipt. He matched the items; they were indeed ordered a week ago, left in the fridge ever since… This girl’s fridge was essentially a deluxe garbage bin.

Chen Shi was silent. At that moment, Peng Sijue noticed a piece of leftover pudding. He picked it up, “This looks fresh, probably bought in the last few days… It has an expiration date of December 24.”