Chapter 17: I Hate Going Into Places Like This

After getting into the car, Lin Dongxue planned to head straight home.

Glancing at Chen Shi, who was focused on driving, she thought, “It’s rare to have a day off. I shouldn’t spend it hanging around with this guy. I’ll go home, relax, and binge-watch a few episodes of Story of Yanxi Palace on the couch.”

She knew she was attractive and had received countless confessions since she was young. Sometimes she wasn’t even aware that a casual smile from her had made someone think she was interested in them.

It wasn’t that she was smug about it. Being liked by someone she wasn’t interested in felt awkward.

So, she couldn’t let Chen Shi think he had a chance!

Besides, he was a taxi driver and she was a cop. They probably wouldn’t meet again after this. It wasn’t like in the movies where they’d keep running into each other because of cases…

“Someone’s jumping!” A scream came from a nearby apartment complex.

Chen Shi slammed on the brakes, opened the door, and rushed out. Lin Dongxue couldn’t stop him. Annoyed, she unbuckled her seatbelt and followed.

They ran into the complex, finding a crowd gathered under a building. Chen Shi pushed through, saying, “Excuse me,” and Lin Dongxue followed. When she saw who had jumped, she covered her mouth in horror.

It was a child, probably in first or second grade. He lay in a flowerbed filled with shrubs, wearing a tank top and shorts, his head covered in blood.

Chen Shi checked the boy’s pulse. “He’s alive! Call 120! What floor did he jump from?”

A resident said, “He’s Old Xu’s kid from the third floor. Maybe his parents left him alone at home, and he fell out?”

Chen Shi nodded at Lin Dongxue. “Go check the third floor. I’ll stay with him.” He began talking to the child, trying to keep him conscious.

Lin Dongxue went up to the third floor, followed by some residents. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. She asked, “Does the property management have a key?”

“They probably don’t, but there’s a locksmith nearby. He’ll need a certificate from the police station, though.”

Lin Dongxue showed her badge. “I’m the police. Get him to come and open the door. I’ll vouch for it.”

While waiting in the hallway, Lin Dongxue smelled blood. Initially, she thought it was from the stairwell, but a closer sniff at the door revealed it was coming from inside.

Terrified, she called Chen Shi. “Something’s wrong. I smell blood.”

“Find a way in. Don’t touch anything when you do. I’ll come up after the ambulance arrives.”

After hanging up, Lin Dongxue wondered why she hadn’t called the station first. She decided to call Lin Qiupu but then thought, maybe it’s just an accident. She’d check inside first.

About fifteen minutes later, the locksmith arrived. After verifying her badge, he quickly opened the lock. They pushed the door open to a living room covered in blood. Behind the sofa, a pair of feet in slippers was visible.

The residents gasped, muttering, “What happened at Old Xu’s place?” “Did a thief break in?” “In broad daylight, what’s the property management doing?”

They tried to push inside, but Lin Dongxue blocked them. “Everyone back up! I’m the police. This might be a crime scene. Don’t disturb it. Thank you!”

“We just want to look. We’ve been neighbors with Old Xu for years. We care about what happens,” someone insisted, pushing harder.

A stern voice from behind commanded, “Don’t you understand the seriousness? This is a murder scene. Any footprints you leave will increase our workload!”

Everyone turned to see Chen Shi standing on the stair landing. His reprimand made them retreat sullenly.

Chen Shi continued, “Leave your names and contact information. We’ll need to interview each of you.”

A resident protested, “Officer, we’re all busy. This must be done by an outsider. What does it have to do with us?” Others agreed.

Chen Shi smirked. These cowards didn’t check on the fallen child but were eager to watch. Now, they didn’t want to leave their information.

He softened his tone, “I’m not saying you’re involved. You’re witnesses. You might have seen something suspicious. Cases are solved through the clues you provide. None of you want this to happen to your family, right?”

This last sentence made everyone leave their details. Chen Shi recorded each one on his phone.

Afterwards, he said, “One more thing, please keep this confidential. The suspect might still be nearby. If you talk about this, you might attract trouble.”

Everyone nodded, pale-faced. “We won’t interfere anymore. Officer, please catch the culprit!” They dispersed.

Lin Dongxue sighed in relief, “You handled that well. Good with the crowd?”

Chen Shi smiled and pulled out a cigarette. “I’m one of them, after all. I know them well. Plus, it’s easier with you around. They wouldn’t think I’m a cop otherwise, right?” He lit the cigarette.

“Hey, are you smoking here?”

“I need one to calm my nerves. Call your brother.”

Lin Dongxue shot him a look and warned, “Don’t litter the butt. I don’t get you men. What’s so good about smoking?”

After she made the call, Chen Shi finished his cigarette, wrapping the butt in foil from the pack. He nodded at the door, “Let’s check inside.”

“Okay…” Lin Dongxue felt scared, looking at the bloodied room. “You go first!”

“Ladies first.”

“Are you scared?”

Chen Shi rubbed his chin, “Honestly, a little. I think there’s more than one dead person inside.”

“I thought you were fearless. Fine, I’ll go first!” Lin Dongxue took a deep breath and stepped in, putting on shoe covers. Chen Shi followed, staying behind her.

She thought he was pretending to be scared and asked, “Are you really afraid?”

“Really!” Chen Shi smiled wryly. “I hate going into places like this the most.”