Chapter 164: Private Detectives

The kidnapping case was discovered by Xu Xiaodong. Grandpa Lu’s private detectives ransacked Sun Shenyong’s home and even went to his wife’s family’s house, blocking people. Yesterday, they kidnapped his wife.

When Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue arrived, Xu Xiaodong had just taken down one of the private detectives. Both had bruised faces, indicating a struggle.

The private detective wore a long coat and a hat, sitting on the ground with handcuffs, looking defiant. Chen Shi asked, “Who ordered you to do this? Grandpa Lu?”

The detective raised his face slightly, “No one ordered us. We did it ourselves!”

Lin Dongxue, angered by his arrogance, snapped, “Have you ever investigated a murder case? All you do is catch cheaters!”

The detective fell silent. Chen Shi asked, “Where is she?”

“Sent to the hospital.”

“Let’s go check.”

Xu Xiaodong took the detective to the station, while Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue went to the hospital. The kidnapped woman was lying in bed, receiving an IV, with a little boy crying beside her.

Seeing strangers enter, the woman panicked. The boy stretched out his arms to protect his mother, eyes full of wariness.

Lin Dongxue showed her badge, “Don’t be afraid, we’re not bad people. We’re the police. We’re here to catch the bad guys who kidnapped your mom.”

The woman weakly said, “Fengfeng, go outside for a while. Mommy needs to talk to the police.”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue pulled up chairs by the bed. Chen Shi asked, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. Those beasts! I told them I didn’t know where my husband was, and they hurt me, stepping on my fingers with their shoes and feeding me wasabi. They were horrible…”

Chen Shi glanced at her bandaged fingers, feeling a pang of sympathy.

“We’ll make sure they’re severely punished and cover all your medical expenses,” Lin Dongxue said.

“Thank you… Did Shenyong kill someone and run away?”

“Who told you that?”

“Those bad people. They said he killed Lu’s eldest son. With Lu Qixing’s power, he wouldn’t let it go.”

Chen Shi asked, “When did you last see your husband?”

“Half a year ago!”

“Half a year ago?” Chen Shi was surprised.

“Officer, I’ll be honest. Our marriage is almost in name only. Because of his job, he followed Mr. Lu everywhere, like a servant. Sure, the pay was good. We bought three houses in a few years, but at what cost? I felt like a widow! When he got promoted to executive assistant, he was thrilled, thinking he’d made it big. Looking back, I should’ve told him to quit! He rarely comes home. Once, he finally got a day off because Mr. Lu went to an event in the Philippines. He hadn’t even sat down when Mr. Lu called, saying he forgot his water flosser, and my husband had to fly it over. Can you believe it? We haven’t had a normal married life for so long. I’m sure he’s got women outside, given his income and constant travel. When I asked him to spend time with our son, he said he was busy with his career. What career? Being a rich man’s servant? The money he sent home each month was the only thing that kept me going for our son’s sake. I called him after hearing about Mr. Lu’s murder, but couldn’t reach him. I didn’t dare call the police. Then Lu’s men came, ransacking the house, scaring my son. We hid at my parents’ place. Then yesterday, I was kidnapped while shopping. I thought I’d never make it back alive…”

She started crying.

Chen Shi was glad he hadn’t accepted Grandpa Lu’s dinner invitation. A rich but unfree life would be torture for him.

After she calmed down, Chen Shi asked, “Where does Sun Shenyong live?”

“In Jinxiu Garden, the same place Mr. Lu lives. He bought a small apartment there to be on call. Officer, Shenyong couldn’t have killed anyone. He makes good money. Why would he do something so desperate?”

“Do you have a key to his place?”

“No, but you can check the power box. He likes to hide a key there… Please, let me know if you find anything!”

“We will. And kidnapping isn’t a small matter. We’ll help you sue Lu’s group.”

“No, no!” She panicked. “I can’t afford to anger them. I just want them to leave us alone.”

“We’ve got your back.”

After much persuasion, she agreed to provide evidence for the lawsuit. Chen Shi called Peng Siyue to send a forensic doctor for examination.

Leaving the room, Chen Shi sighed. Lin Dongxue asked, “Are you planning to invite Grandpa Lu for tea again?”

“He’s a bastard. Does money let him do anything? Is his son’s life more valuable than others’?”

“Calm down!”

“Let’s go somewhere.”

Lin Dongxue’s premonition was right. Chen Shi drove straight to Grandpa Lu’s hotel. Lin Dongxue chuckled, “You’re serious!”

“Wait here. I’ll handle him.”

“What if you go too far? No, I’m coming with you.”

Chen Shi called the police first, then went straight up to the hotel room. Grandpa Lu was getting an oil massage, and he waved the therapist out upon seeing Chen Shi.

“Officer Song, any progress?”

“My name is Chen! Did you order the private detectives to act so recklessly?”

Lu Qixing sat up, draped a blanket over himself, and glanced out the window. “Mr. Chen, could you calm down… My son is dead. Of course, I’m anxious. Yes, I told them to use some methods, but I didn’t know the specifics.”

“They threw someone off a sixteenth floor!”

“Impossible!” Lu Qixing was shocked. “I only told them to tie her up for questioning. How could they do that?”

This confession was recorded on Chen Shi’s phone in his pocket.

Chen Shi shook his head, “You old bastard! Playing with people’s lives.”

“You brat, who do you think you are? Don’t think I’m scared of you. You’re not a cop. Disrespect me again, and I’ll crush you!”

Chen Shi took out his phone, “Keep talking. I’ll sue you for threats.”

Lu Qixing’s face softened instantly, “Just angry words! I see you police aren’t focusing on Sun Shenyong, who is clearly the main suspect. That’s why I hired private detectives to help.”

Hearing hurried footsteps outside, Chen Shi said, “Explain that to the police.”

Lu Qixing’s expression changed, “You’re no fun. I treated you to dinner last night…”