Chapter 208: Little Monk

Chen Shi returned to continue eating. Lin Dongxue glanced at the monk and said, “Watch, he’ll soon try to sell you a blessed talisman.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Sure, loser treats to dinner.”

They waited. The monk almost finished eating, then walked over, bowed to Chen Shi, and left.

Lin Dongxue was dumbfounded. Chen Shi smiled, “Looks like he’s a genuine monk.”

“Not necessarily…”

“Don’t always guess based on feelings.”

“I’m not guessing. There are so many swindlers on the streets nowadays. When I see people like him, I default to them being fake.”

“That’s just your way of thinking. I won’t argue. Let’s go!”

They fetched their car. As they started driving, they passed by the little monk. Chen Shi rolled down the window and asked, “Master, where are you headed? Need a ride?”

The little monk bowed, “Thank you, benefactor. I’m going to the police station.”

Lin Dongxue exchanged surprised glances with Chen Shi. She asked, “Little Master, are you going to report a case?”

Chen Shi waved, “Come in first. No parking here.”

The little monk seemed unfamiliar with cars, struggling to open the door. Chen Shi leaned over and helped him. Once inside, Lin Dongxue said, “I’m a detective. What case do you want to report?”

The little monk seemed excited. “Amitabha, meeting two benefactors like you must be a great fate… May I ask, do homicide cases fall under detectives?”

“Detectives specialize in those.” Lin Dongxue replied, realizing the little monk lacked common knowledge. Observing closely, he seemed unusually young, almost appearing underage due to his shaved head.

Yet his face was quite handsome. With a bit of grooming, he could attract a lot of attention. Lin Dongxue wondered why someone so young became a monk.

“What a coincidence!” Chen Shi chuckled. “The two of us—one drives, one is a detective. It’s exactly what you need.”

“I don’t need you!” Lin Dongxue retorted. “Little Master, what case do you want to report?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Let’s find another place and sit down to talk.”

Chen Shi drove around the street and stopped at a tea house. They went upstairs. The little monk ordered a cup of tea and bowed to the table and patrons, then took out a worn notebook from his pocket and pushed it forward.

It was very old, Lin Dongxue recalled using similar ones in elementary school. It still had outdated cartoon patterns, its edges heavily worn, and the paper yellowed.

Opening it, she saw pencil drawings of several figures resembling crude comic strips. In the first panel, three people were chatting together in a strangely perspectival view. Two faced away, yet their faces were visible.

In the second, one man was assaulting another, a woman clinging to the assailant’s leg pleading.

In the third, a man and a woman were inside a house. The man seemed to be mistreating the woman, while another man entered, his head ablaze.

In the fourth, a man struck another with an unknown tool, his expression fierce. A woman knelt on the ground, tears exaggerated in her eyes.

Drawn by a child’s hand, the scenes were eerily unsettling, sending chills down Lin Dongxue’s spine.

She looked up. “Little Master, what’s this?”

“This depicts the villains who killed my father and robbed my mother. I was only five at the time and witnessed it all. This is what I remember.”

“What’s your name and age?” Chen Shi asked.

“I’m Chen Xuan, 18 this year.”

“Can you tell us more about this?”

“Sure. When I was young, I lived in Long’an City. My parents were deeply in love. My mother, Yin Wen, taught me phonetics and words at home every day. My father, Chen Guang, was an employee at Ruihua Factory. Every time he rested, he would take me out to catch dragonflies… Later, my father seemed to have met someone, probably discussing a business deal. I don’t remember clearly. But unexpectedly, this person was a villain who not only… violated my mother but also killed my father with a knife. I still remember what my father shouted to me before he was killed… ‘Chen Xuan, hide! Quickly!’ I ran outside, crying and running, but got lost. Later, a village abbot found me, and I became a little novice in the temple. The abbot was kind and raised me, teaching me Buddhist teachings and the ways of the world, telling me that everything in the world is karma, and not to be obsessed with revenge. I stayed in the temple for more than ten years. This year, the abbot passed away. I… I still can’t let go of this matter and want to report it to the city, seeking justice for my parents!”

Chen Shi flipped through the notebook. “The story matches what Chen Xuan said. Although the case is within the statute of limitations, evidence may no longer exist. It’s just your word against theirs, making it difficult.”

“How much money do you need? I can fundraise!” the little monk asked eagerly.

“Police investigations don’t require money. What I mean is, this case is very challenging!”

“But my mother might still be alive! She might have been under the control of the villain for more than ten years!” The little monk suddenly became agitated.

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances. Chen Shi asked, “Do you remember anything else?”

The little monk shook his head. “Not much. My memory is very blurry.”

“We can’t decide on this alone. Let’s go back and discuss.”

“Okay!” The little monk clasped his hands together. “I know this is difficult, but for over a decade, I’ve dreamed of that night every day. Please don’t just dismiss me. I will pray every day.”

“Rest assured, we’ll take this seriously. Are you staying in the city recently? Do you have a place to stay?”

“Monks are used to fasting and sleeping under the stars. It’s okay.”

“Then leave us your contact information.”

The little monk took out his phone. They exchanged contact details and parted ways, with Chen Shi holding onto the notebook.

After leaving the tea house, Lin Dongxue said, “How do we investigate such a case with no leads?”

“Discuss it with Lao Peng and your brother. They might have ideas.”

“Ha, my brother will probably say it’s nonsense. Without a body, how can we investigate?”

They soon arrived at the bureau. Lin Qiupu was still working overtime, typing a report on the computer. After hearing their account, he widened his eyes. “Nonsense. Without a body, how can we investigate?”

Lin Dongxue secretly smiled, mouthing to Chen Shi, “See, I told you so!”

“I’m not asking you to open a case. Borrow Lin Dongxue, Xu Xiaodong, and Lao Peng to help me investigate. Let’s see if there’s any clue first before opening a case!”

Lin Qiupu looked helpless. “As long as they agree.”

Lin Dongxue raised her hand. “Captain Lin, I’d like to follow up on this. This case seems quite challenging.”

“An ancient old case with no leads won’t give you much experience.”

“Without experience, how do you know it won’t?”

“Fine, I’ll give you a week. If there’s no progress in a week, forget it.”

“Okay, bro!” Lin Dongxue excitedly agreed.