Chapter 150: Pretending to Be Song Lang

“Why?” Lin Qiupu asked.

Chen Shi replied, “I still have to buy New Year’s goods. The day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Can’t I have a peaceful holiday?”

Lin Qiupu raised an eyebrow, “That’s your excuse?”

Lin Dongxue added, “Actually, it’s not like we have to have you take the case. We’ve already sent several officers pretending to be Song Lang, but he said none of them were him. We just want you to give it a try.”

“How do I even resemble Song Lang?”

“You’re about the same age, and…” Lin Qiupu begrudgingly admitted, “you have a similar aura.”

Chen Shi shook his head, “You said the media has already been notified, so this case will definitely cause a citywide sensation. I don’t want to be in the spotlight, so I won’t consider it. You should find someone else. Goodbye.”

As Chen Shi was about to leave with Tao Yueyue, the conference room door was flung open. Lu Qixing’s eyes locked onto Chen Shi’s back, and he exclaimed, “Officer Song! You’re Song Lang!”

Chen Shi sighed, turned around, and said, “I’m not. You’ve got the wrong person.”

But seeing Chen Shi’s face, Lu Qixing became even more excited. He was trembling with joy and said, “The way you speak, you are Officer Song, I’m sure of it!”

Chen Shi, exasperated, tried to remain polite, “Sir, you’re mistaken. I really am not him.”

Chen Shi continued on his way, took Tao Yueyue to get something to eat, and then continued shopping for New Year’s goods. It was four in the afternoon when they got home. He saw Xu Xiaodong’s car parked outside his house.

With a sigh, Chen Shi walked to his front door where Lin Dongxue and Xu Xiaodong were waiting. Xu Xiaodong grinned, “Chen, so this is where you live. How much per square meter here?”

“When I bought it, it was over 5,000. Now it might be 8,000… Are you here about the case? Come in.”

Chen Shi let them in and offered drinks. It was Xu Xiaodong’s first time there, and he looked around curiously. Lin Dongxue said, “The old man is insistent that you are Song Lang and won’t let anyone else take the case.”

“I don’t get it. Since when did the police become a private detective agency? Can’t you just file the case and investigate as usual?”

“That’s true, but he won’t cooperate… Based on the time of death, he was probably the last person to see the victim alive. It’s a crucial lead.”

Chen Shi shook his head, “The media…”

“It’s been suppressed. My brother promised Long’an’s media outlets that they would get the first-hand scoop once the case is solved. They won’t interfere during the investigation.”

“Let me take a look.”

Lin Dongxue sighed with relief and handed over the photos and autopsy report she carried with her. Chen Shi examined the photos. The victim’s death was gruesome, with multiple stab wounds on his back and chest, and his face was disfigured by what seemed to be a corrosive liquid, making it unrecognizable.

DNA testing confirmed the victim was Lu Zhendong, Lu Qixing’s eldest son, with a 99.9% match.

Time of death was around 72 hours prior. The cause of death was yet to be determined. The victim had many stab wounds, some penetrating vital organs. Peng Sijue noted there were no defensive wounds, indicating the victim might have been unconscious or anesthetized.

The stab wounds were so severe that it was impossible to determine which was the first. Post-mortem examination might not provide clear answers.

The body was found near Nancheng Canal, with no surveillance or witnesses, and the vehicle used to transport the body belonged to the victim.

The autopsy also noted that the victim was missing a segment of his right thumb, suspected to have been cut off post-mortem.

Chen Shi carefully reviewed the autopsy report until he had memorized every detail. He asked Lin Dongxue, “What kind of person was the victim?”

“A typical rich kid with a complicated social life. He was linked to several internet celebrities but, among the wealthy, he was considered relatively decent. He ran his own business and didn’t have scandals like drug abuse or DUI.”

“I really don’t want to take this case,” Chen Shi sighed.

“Please help us,” Lin Dongxue pleaded, hands together in a begging gesture.

“How did he know Song Lang?”

“Five years ago, his second son was kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded a one billion yuan ransom, which was a huge case in Long’an. Many police officers were involved. At that time, Song Lang, then the captain of the second criminal investigation team, suggested the kidnapping was a hoax orchestrated by the son himself. After negotiating the ransom down to ten million, the police found the second son’s body in an abandoned building on the outskirts. Follow-up investigations confirmed Song Lang’s theory; the kidnapping was indeed a plot by the son, but his accomplices killed him after seeing the money. The accomplices are still at large. If the task force had heeded Song Lang’s advice and not paid the ransom, the tragedy might have been avoided.”

“Were you involved in that case?”

“No, but my brother was. He was just a junior officer then. That case made Song Lang his irreplaceable idol.”

“He doesn’t seem that impressive,” Chen Shi remarked.

“You can say that to me, but not to my brother. He’d go crazy if anyone badmouthed his idol.”

“The old man is pitiful, losing his second son and now his eldest,” Chen Shi sighed. “It’s getting late. Stay for dinner. Xiaodong, have you ever had my cooking?”

“Sure! I’d love to!” Xu Xiaodong said excitedly.

“Hey, we have a case to handle!” Lin Dongxue urged.

“What time is it? Let’s go tomorrow. I don’t want to be a workaholic… By the way, tell your brother, since I’m taking over this case, I need absolute authority. No one else should interfere. If anyone intervenes, I’m out; if the media shows up, I’m out; if I need police resources and don’t get cooperation, I’m out… If these three conditions are met, I’ll take it.”

“You’re getting more demanding!” Lin Dongxue chuckled.

“You’re the ones imposing on me. Don’t blame me.”

Lin Dongxue relayed Chen Shi’s conditions to Lin Qiupu, who, though exasperated, still agreed.

Chen Shi prepared hot pot for dinner. While busy in the kitchen, Tao Yueyue came in. Chen Shi put a slice of ham in her mouth. Chewing, Tao Yueyue asked, “Why do you pretend not to know Uncle Song? Wasn’t it Uncle Song who asked you to take care of me?”

“Shh!” Chen Shi put a finger to his lips. “That’s our little secret. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Not even Lin Sister?” Tao Yueyue asked, eyeing the ham.

Chen Shi gave her another slice, “Not even her. Promise?”

“Got it!” Tao Yueyue nodded.