Chapter 186: Until Next Life

That day, everyone focused on verifying Chen Shi’s deductions.

Reviewing the surveillance footage, they found no suspicious “woman” leaving the neighborhood that night, indicating that the killer had somehow evaded the cameras.

The hairs found in the sewer pipes were identified as belonging to Ji Chunma.

By checking the deceased’s online shopping accounts and comparing them to the remnants of burned wigs and makeup products, they discovered that a lipstick, foundation, eyebrow pencil, false eyelashes, and a black long curly wig were missing from the crime scene.

The police immediately revised the wanted poster and focused their investigation on the city’s wig shops and clothing stores.

Catching a fugitive proved more challenging than solving the case. After several days, Grandma Liu said she needed to leave due to family matters. With police permission, she left with a reluctant Goudan.

Then it was time for Tao Yueyue to start school.

That day, Chen Shi and several members of the special task force were dining together. Lin Dongxue complained, “Catching people is really exhausting. Every day, stopping chubby middle-aged women in the street to ask questions is getting on my nerves.”

Xu Xiaodong added, “Also, the station is like a runway show of cross-dressers lately. Man, it’s an eye-opener! A few days ago, we caught some prostitutes in the park, all of them men. I curiously asked them how they conduct transactions with their clients. They gave me some flamboyant answer about it being a trade secret. One cross-dresser, wearing silicone breasts so realistic they could fool anyone. There was one who looked even prettier than a real woman. I couldn’t believe he was a man. I was about to switch sides! Now I doubt every girl I see on the street.”

Old Zhang mentioned, “That guy has shown up on the surveillance of several clothing stores, but we’ve never caught him in person. He’s slippery, no wonder he’s been a fugitive for five years. Xiao Chen, any bright ideas?”

“This time I don’t have any. Catching people is tough work… I’m off to pick up Tao Yueyue.”

Today was Tao Yueyue’s first day of school. As Chen Shi drove her home, he kept looking around, prompting Tao Yueyue to ask out of the blue, “Uncle Chen, do you like fat women?”

“Huh?” Chen Shi was puzzled.

“You keep looking at the fat ladies on the side of the road.”

“I’m just keeping an eye out because the police are after a ‘fat lady.'”

“Is it that person?” Tao Yueyue pointed to a blond, buxom woman across the street, walking slowly with a small bag.

As Chen Shi passed by the woman, he glanced in the rear-view mirror and felt a sudden familiarity—it reminded him of the fugitive Ji Chunma. “I’m going to turn around up ahead.”

“Is it her?”

“Not sure. If it is, I’ll give you this signal, and you jump out of the car.”

“Are you going to fight her to the death?”

“I plan to go out with a bang.”

“Liars!”

Turning the car around, Chen Shi slowly pulled up beside the fat lady and rolled down his window. “Sister, need a ride?”

The woman eyed Chen Shi’s car. “Is this a taxi?”

Hearing her voice, which was clearly feigned, and seeing her face, which bore a striking resemblance to Ji Chunma, Chen Shi felt nearly certain it was her.

Today was his lucky day, he thought.

“Private taxi,” Chen Shi replied.

Ji Chunma looked skeptical. “How much to Grass Meadow Estate?”

“Fifty!”

“Alright then.”

Ji Chunma got into the car, noticed Tao Yueyue in the passenger seat, and commented, “Why’s there a kid? You should give me a discount for carpooling.”

“No, this is my daughter.”

Ji Chunma fell silent, fiddling with her phone.

Chen Shi started the car, but as they approached a street where police were conducting checks, Ji Chunma suddenly panicked. “Don’t go this way, take another!”

“Alright, alright, turning around.”

Chen Shi signaled, and Tao Yueyue immediately pushed open the door and got out. Chen Shi swiftly pulled out the keys and exited from the other side. Ji Chunma realized something was amiss and tried to open her door, but found it locked. Through the glass, her expression turned fierce, and her voice deepened, “What are you doing?”

“Officer, there’s a fugitive here!” Chen Shi yelled.

As the police approached, Ji Chunma tried to force the door open, managing to create a small gap. The car stopped in the middle of the road, causing a backlog of traffic and incessant honking and cursing from behind.

With a loud thump, Ji Chunma’s hefty body burst through the car door, tumbling onto the ground. Her bag spilled open, revealing identification, a cellphone, and a small knife. She grabbed the knife, ready to fight back, but Chen Shi quickly kicked her in the face, sending the wig flying from her head.

The sensation under his shoe told Chen Shi that he might have loosened one of her teeth.

“You lousy driver, I’ll kill you!” Ji Chunma shouted furiously as bystanders began to gather around, adding obstacles for the approaching police.

Tao Yueyue grabbed a handful of dirt from a nearby flowerbed and threw it at Ji Chunma’s face and mouth. Ji Chunma cursed, “I’ll slaughter you! What are you looking at? I’m a murderer!”

“It looks like we found the right person,” Chen Shi grabbed a nearby shared bicycle and thrust it at Ji Chunma’s face. The advantage of length in a fight is undeniable, and Ji Chunma’s small knife stood no chance.

Chen Shi continued to bash her with the bicycle, effectively pinning Ji Chunma down who could do nothing but hurl insults and threats. In a fight, both parties use their hands and feet, but using tools adds an advantage. Humans are tool-using animals, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

This was a street-fighting “martial art” realization by Chen Shi.

Under the bicycle’s pressure, Ji Chunma was utterly defenseless. Many bystanders took out their phones to record the scene, causing Chen Shi to realize he had been exposed.

Finally, the police arrived and handcuffed Ji Chunma. As they prepared to thank the courageous driver, they found he had already left.

Chen Shi drove straight to the police station, rushing in with Tao Yueyue. Lin Dongxue was still there, and he asked, “Where’s Ji Chunma?”

“The heroic driver wasn’t you, was it?”

“That’s me!”

“I should have known. Who else could be so brave… They’re bringing him in now.”

“Do me a favor, it was an emergency and lots of people got footage of me. Can the police help delete the posts and tweets? I don’t want to become famous.”

“You really like to keep a low profile, huh? Okay, I’ll speak to my brother.”

As news of Ji Chunma’s capture spread, all the officers gathered at the entrance to “welcome” her. A police car arrived, and a disheveled Ji Chunma, still in women’s clothing but without her wig, was brought out.

“It’s definitely him!”

“Finally, the case is closed!” The team was exceptionally pleased.

Ji Chunma saw Chen Shi among the crowd and his face twisted in rage. “You stinking driver, so you were a cop!”

“I’m a friend of the police.”

“You little bastard, wait till I get out, I’ll make you pay!”

“With at least five lives on your back and solid evidence against you, all I can say is, I hope to see you in the next life.”