Chapter 189: Lin Dongxue Moves

February 24th, today is the Lantern Festival. Lin Qiupu told everyone to go home early and spend time with their families.

Lin Dongxue returned to her place, lost in thoughts about a detail in a case she was working on. As she reached her door, she suddenly exclaimed, “Oh no!”

A few days ago, her landlord had informed her that his son was being released early from prison and wanted to move back into the house. To apologize, the landlord offered to refund six months of rent, with today set as the move-out date. However, Lin Dongxue had been so busy that she forgot to contact a moving company.

She opened the door and took one last look at the place she had rented for five years, feeling a bit reluctant. She then searched for moving companies, but they all said they were fully booked and required appointments.

Holding her phone, Lin Dongxue felt lost. She didn’t have too many things, but enough to need help. Who could she ask?

Xu Xiaodong? She didn’t want to disturb his personal life.

Lin Qiupu? If her brother found out the landlord had broken the lease, he would cause a scene, making things unpleasant, so that was not an option.

The only person left was Chen Shi. Lin Dongxue smiled wryly, realizing she had no friends outside her small circle of police colleagues.

When she called Chen Shi, he asked, “Have you found a place to stay?”

“Not yet. I’ll just find a cheap hotel for now and look for a suitable place later.”

“Start packing. I’ll be there soon.”

Lin Dongxue began packing her things when she heard a loud bang and a shout from downstairs: “I just got out of prison, and no one will hire me. Stop begging people!”

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a green army coat with a shaved head appeared at her door as she was moving a box. Lin Dongxue was momentarily stunned.

“I… I thought you had already moved out,” the man said awkwardly.

“I’m moving now.”

“Is it heavy? Let me help.”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

Ignoring her, the man carried the box to the stairway. Lin Dongxue felt embarrassed. The man said, “I’m really sorry. My sudden return caused you to move.”

“It’s fine.”

“You heard what I said earlier, right? People like me can’t find work anywhere. My mom has been begging everyone, only to be rejected. It breaks my heart!” He teared up.

Lin Dongxue didn’t know how to comfort him and said, “Maybe try freelancing, like starting an online store.”

“I’ll try.” He mumbled and continued moving things. While packing, he noticed some police academy textbooks and asked in surprise, “Miss, are you a police officer?”

“Yes, I am.”

“A detective?”

“Yes.”

“Do you look down on people like me?”

Lin Dongxue paused and said, “I remember your mother said you were convicted of manslaughter, right?”

He sat down on a small chair, head lowered. “That’s what the court ruled. In prison, I regretted that day every single day. When you’re young, you do stupid things and spend your life paying for them.” He shook his head.

“Now that you’re free, cherish it. You’re only in your thirties, still young.”

He smiled bitterly and looked at Lin Dongxue, making her a bit uneasy. He said, “I’m Wu Xu. What’s your name?”

“Lin Dongxue.”

“I know this might be hard to ask, but can you do me a small favor?” Wu Xu stammered. “I haven’t touched a woman in over ten years.”

“What!?” Lin Dongxue stepped back in shock.

“No, no, don’t misunderstand. I mean, can you touch my head? You can refuse. I don’t want to force you.”

Lin Dongxue’s first instinct was to refuse, but then she thought of her profession. As a detective, she had sent him to prison. If even she avoided him, the idea of “reformation” would be meaningless.

“Come over here.”

Wu Xu complied, lowering his head. Lin Dongxue gently touched his short hair, the gesture feeling almost like a blessing. To lighten the mood, she said, “Stay on the right path, okay? I know it’ll be tough, but don’t let your mother down.”

Wu Xu nodded, tears falling. “Thank you, Miss Lin.”

Outside, a car horn honked. Lin Dongxue said, “I have to go now. Take care of yourself.”

“Let me help you move your things.”

A small truck pulled up outside, and the driver turned out to be Chen Shi. Lin Dongxue asked, “Why did you bring a truck?”

“I borrowed it from a friend.” Chen Shi got out of the truck and thanked Wu Xu, “Thanks, man!”

“No problem.”

Once in the truck, Chen Shi suggested, “Why don’t you stay at my place for a few days? There’s a bed, and you can look for a place in the meantime.”

Lin Dongxue thought about it. With Tao Yueyue there, it wouldn’t be just the two of them, and it was only for a few days. She asked, “Do I need to pay rent?”

“Haha, do I seem like that kind of person? Just treat me and Yueyue to dinner tonight.”

“My stuff isn’t even moved yet, and you want dinner? Fine, I’ll treat you to grilled fish!”

That night, the team members went home to be with their families. Lin Qiupu finished some paperwork in the office, took a sip of his now-cold coffee, and was about to leave when he got a call from the dispatcher.

“Captain Lin, we just got a call from a neighborhood near the electroplating plant on Shuangta Road. There were sounds of a struggle, and a middle-aged man’s body was found.”

“Alright, I’ll handle it.”

Lin Qiupu thought about calling someone but decided against it. It was the Lantern Festival; he’d let everyone rest.

Passing by the technical team, he found Peng Siyue still working overtime. “Old Peng, there’s a murder case. Come with me.”

An hour later, they arrived at the scene. Three police officers stood at the door, briefing them on the situation. Inside, they found a messy room and a blood-covered man on the floor. Peng Siyue remarked, “So sad.”

“Yes, a single man killed alone at home.”

“No, I mean it’s sad that we’re working a case on the Lantern Festival.”

“When did you get so sentimental? Let’s get to work.”

The police had identified the victim as Zhou Taiyang, 56, a former state-owned electroplating plant worker now working at a private plant. He had been married once, divorced shortly after, and had no children.

Lin Qiupu took photos while Peng Siyue examined the body. Zhou’s thin clothes revealed numerous bruises, likely from a stick or belt. His pants were pulled halfway down, exposing bedsores on his buttocks. Peng Siyue found some sticky substance near his anus.

He dipped a cotton swab, examined it, and said, “Looks like lubricant.”

There were burn marks on the victim’s neck and ears, inflicted before death. Nearby, they found a soldering iron with burnt tissue on it.

“Could it be sexual abuse?” Lin Qiupu speculated.