Chapter 152: Old Master Lu Arrested

Previously, Chen Shi and Peng Siyue had analyzed that the killer seemed to harbor deep hatred towards the victim, making it likely the perpetrator was male.

Chen Shi recorded the list of suspects and continued, “When was the last time you saw your son?”

“The evening of February 2nd.”

“What did you do? What did you talk about?”

Lu Qixing glanced at his sleeve, seemingly involuntarily, and said, “We discussed some company matters. He started a small, failing film company that hasn’t made any money. I wanted him to shut it down and come work for me… After all, I don’t have many years left.”

“In this room?”

“Yes, in this room.” Lu Qixing glanced at his sleeve again.

“When did he leave?”

“Around 8 PM.”

Chen Shi thought to himself, this was very close to the time of death. Lu Qixing might have been the last person to see Lu Zhendong alive.

“Just a random question, do you have any illegitimate children?”

Unexpectedly, Lu Qixing replied, “Quite a few.”

“Are any of them around?”

Lu Qixing laughed, “Since my company went public when I was forty, almost every year a woman with a child comes to claim they are mine, wanting money. Nine out of ten are fake.”

“And the one who isn’t?”

“You can investigate. I’m not sure. I’ll have my secretary give you a list of the company’s senior staff.”

A delicious aroma wafted in. A servant called from outside, “Master, breakfast is ready.”

Lu Qixing said, “Wait a moment,” and took out a card from a drawer, placing it in Chen Shi’s hand. “There’s 200,000 yuan on this card, no password. It’s for the investigation expenses. I’ll give you more when it’s done.”

“Thanks.” Chen Shi accepted the card.

“I have one request. While investigating, remember that in a big company, some shady dealings are normal. I hope Officer Song can turn a blind eye to them.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t send you to the detention center again.”

“That’s reassuring!” Lu Qixing patted Chen Shi’s hand. “With Officer Song on the case, my son’s murderer will surely be caught… Come on, let’s eat!”

They went outside where a table of food was ready. Jia Xingyun was still there, anxiously waiting for Lin Dongxue to return. Lu Qixing called out, “Nephew, come and eat.”

“No, no, I have things to do.”

“Come on, don’t be so formal!”

So Jia Xingyun joined them. During the meal, servants stood by, and Lu Qixing served Chen Shi some food. “Try this wild game, it was just brought in.”

“What is it?”

“Pheasant?” Lu Qixing looked at a servant.

The servant replied, “Master, it’s a golden pheasant.”

“Yes, golden pheasant. Officer Song, have you ever tried it?”

“Wait, what is it!?”

“Golden pheasant.” Lu Qixing looked confused.

Chen Shi covered the dish and called Lin Qiupu, “Send some people over. Someone is eating a second-class protected animal…”

“Who?”

“Lu Qixing.”

“Stop joking! Focus on your case!”

“If you don’t cooperate, I’ll quit immediately… Hurry up!”

Lu Qixing pleaded, “Officer Song, that’s really not fair. I told you to focus on the case. It would be embarrassing to take me in.”

“Stop talking! Are there any other wild game dishes? I’ll check your kitchen later.”

“Just this one,” Lu Qixing said miserably. Jia Xingyun, completely bewildered, sat frozen.

Half an hour later, Lu Qixing was handcuffed and escorted out to the sound of sirens and the gaze of curious onlookers. Lin Dongxue, standing beside Chen Shi, covered her mouth with a laugh. “In just a couple of sentences, you’ve arrested the informant. This is a bold move.”

“He was too troublesome, and I didn’t wrong him.”

From the police car, Lu Qixing gave Chen Shi a resentful look. Xu Xiaodong, who had just returned, saw this and asked in surprise, “What’s going on?”

“I’ll explain later. What did you find out?” Chen Shi asked.

“Jia Xingyun and Lu Zhendong did indeed have dinner together that night,” Xu Xiaodong said, glancing aside.

Jia Xingyun stepped out and said, “I wasn’t lying, was I?”

“What did you eat?” Chen Shi asked.

“Scrambled eggs with chives, sea egg drop soup, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and fish-flavored pork.”

Lin Dongxue was shocked. “Rich people can’t eat simple food? You can check Zhendong’s Weibo. He posted about the ‘feast’ that day.”

“I was surprised too. I confirmed it twice with the hotel. That’s what they ate,” Xu Xiaodong said.

Chen Shi told Jia Xingyun, “You must have been close.”

“Haha, yes, we were very close. Our relationship was rock solid. Can I leave now, Officer?”

“We’ll contact you if we need anything else.”

“No problem!” Jia Xingyun winked at Lin Dongxue and left.

Tao Yueyue asked, “Uncle Chen, can I eat the food in that room?”

Chen Shi laughed, “Let’s go together.”

Lin Dongxue protested, “Hey, we’re investigating! Don’t be so relaxed.”

“It would be a waste. Let’s eat together.”

“I’ll pass!”

The four returned to the room. Chen Shi and Tao Yueyue dug in, though the golden pheasant dish had been taken as evidence. While eating, Chen Shi said, “Want to try rich people’s food? I can’t even tell what these dishes are made of.”

Lin Dongxue smiled wryly, “No thanks, I’ll stick to fast food.”

Lin Dongxue checked the victim’s Weibo. Jia Xingyun was telling the truth. On February 2nd, Lu Zhendong had posted about the “feast,” describing each dish:

“Oriental herbs mixed with egg bits, reminiscent of Tao Yuanming’s poetry.” — Scrambled eggs with chives.

“Sea and egg soup, as refreshing as a sea breeze.” — Sea egg drop soup.

“Potato with green pepper, a bold and luxurious sensory feast.” — Stir-fried shredded potatoes.

“Pork in a special sweet and sour sauce, a Rococo-style taste encounter.” — Fish-flavored pork.

Lin Dongxue chuckled, “This guy had a sense of humor… Too bad this was his last post.”

“What does Jia Xingyun do?” Chen Shi asked.

Lin Dongxue searched, “He’s the son of a government official, recently transferred to the city. He runs an art and media company.”

“One in film, one in media. Birds of a feather…” Chen Shi pondered. “Xu Xiaodong, when you have time, look into the projects Lu Zhendong’s film company has done.”

There was a knock on the door. Chen Shi called out, “Come in.” A lobby manager entered with a group of waiters and cleaners. Lin Dongxue looked puzzled. Chen Shi said, “I called them for questioning.”

Chen Shi addressed the group, “On February 2nd, Lu Zhendong was here. Can those who were present raise their hands?”

Several people raised their hands.

Chen Shi had the others leave, keeping one person back. “What happened that day?”

The person replied, “Father and son played chess for a while, chatted for half an hour, then Lu Zhendong left.”

Chen Shi asked another, and the story was the same.

By the fourth person, Chen Shi didn’t ask any more questions. “Even the wording is identical. They’ve been coached.”