Chapter 250: Making a Small Fortune with Pride
Chen Shi yelled, “You idiot! Do you realize how important that thing was?”
Wang Daji defended himself, “That was before they came looking for me. How was I supposed to know there was something secret on that USB drive?”
“Which company was it?”
“Yuhua Pharmaceutical.”
Chen Shi did a quick search on his phone and a news article popped up. A batch of drugs from Yuhua Pharmaceutical had caused the deaths of nine patients. The families had sued, and the company had paid a total of three million in compensation.
The news was dated five years ago, quite a long time in this age of information overload.
Chen Shi confirmed, “You took the USB drive four years ago?”
“Technically, it was three years ago, just before the New Year.”
“This company had already caused deaths five years ago. What else could they be hiding? Could there be other dark secrets?”
“I’ve seen a lot in my years on the road,” Wang Daji said, “Any big company has its dirty laundry. They’re often filthier than us in the underworld… at least we’re openly dirty.”
Tao Yueyue interjected, “Uncle Chen, if it’s something they want to hide, why leave evidence?”
“Kids should stay out of adult conversations,” Wang Daji said impatiently.
“Don’t talk to Tao Yueyue like that!” Chen Shi warned.
“You call this proper child-rearing…”
“Shut up!” Chen Shi turned to Tao Yueyue, explaining, “These kinds of secrets are also important to them. For example, a corrupt official keeps records. If they don’t, and they take money without delivering, they offend people. In short, the value of keeping this information outweighs the risks.”
“If it was on a USB drive, wouldn’t it also be on their computers?” she asked.
“Possibly…” Chen Shi turned to Wang Daji, “Continue. How did your brother die?”
“Not long after the incident, he was hacked to death in an alley. Do you know which officer handled the case?”
“It wasn’t me, or I’d remember.”
“It was handled by Li Mu. You know him, right? The case went unsolved. You guys really have a low case-solving rate.”
“Why didn’t you provide clues back then?”
“Because I had my own issues!” Wang Daji grinned. “I was avoiding the police. How could I go to them voluntarily? But I knew it was Yuhua’s people trying to silence us. I had also offended a boss at that time and had to flee. That’s why nothing happened. I came back to avenge my brother. That day at the health club, I had a military knife ready to stab one of those bastards.”
“Who?”
“The secretary of Yuhua’s boss, Hou Yue. After my brother died, he resigned and got a big payout. He has shares in that health club, basically co-owns it. He goes there often.”
“You did your homework!”
“Of course. My brother and I were like Chen Haonan and Chicken. I swore to avenge him!”
Chen Shi brought out a notebook, “Tell me everything you know, every detail.”
“Officer Song, you’re really into this?”
“Of course. Who wants to be wrongly accused of soliciting prostitution? I’ll do everything I can to solve this case.”
“Looks like you really like that chick,” Wang Daji chuckled.
After three hours, Chen Shi had documented all of Wang Daji’s information, confirming every detail meticulously. This case wasn’t just about Wang Daji; it was about him too. He had to be prepared for any questions.
Wang Daji, parched from talking, helped himself to a drink from the fridge, mixing it with whiskey. Sitting down, he smirked, “That chick is really something. Have you slept with her?”
Chen Shi ignored him, focused on the notes. Meng Er’gou’s death, Wang Daji’s brother, seemed circumstantial. Without Wang Daji’s testimony, no one would link it to Yuhua. No wonder Li Mu hadn’t solved it back then.
The case was three years old, with no surviving leads. Solving it would be like winning the lottery.
Stretching, Wang Daji said, “Let’s continue tomorrow. Where do I sleep tonight?”
“You’re not leaving?” Chen Shi asked, surprised.
“Where to? If I get seen near your place, it’s on you.”
Chen Shi sighed, “Fine, you can sleep on the couch.”
Late at night, Chen Shi was awakened by coughing and the sound of a flushing toilet. He found Wang Daji washing his face. It was five in the morning.
“Damn seafood gave me the runs. I’ve been puking and shitting all night,” Wang Daji complained.
“You snore really loudly,” Chen Shi frowned.
“Sorry about that. The sun’s almost up. Want to grab breakfast?”
“No, I’ll eat here.”
“Didn’t know you’re a home cook. Great, I’ll try your cooking!”
Cooking for a different audience, Chen Shi’s enthusiasm waned. He made some toast with jam and heated up three cups of milk. As they ate, Chen Shi asked, “You really don’t remember anything about the USB drive’s contents?”
“My brain can’t retain that stuff. Aren’t you Song Lang? Everyone says there’s no case you can’t crack.”
“Even Song Lang can’t solve every case,” Chen Shi sighed.
“Officer Song…”
“Call me Chen Shi!”
“Feels weird calling myself. Fine, old Chen, what’s the plan today?”
“I’ll look into that case at the station. You stay here and don’t go anywhere.”
“I’ll go nuts being cooped up!”
“I have a computer. Use it.”
“Any women?”
“Are you a stud horse?”
“I can’t stay indoors. I’ll go out, but I’ll be careful not to embarrass you, Officer Song.”
“Call me Chen Shi!”
After a while, Tao Yueyue came out for breakfast. She eyed Wang Daji warily, ignoring his attempts at conversation. He was a chatterbox, asking Chen Shi, “Is she your illegitimate daughter?”
“Without her permission, I won’t discuss her background.”
“Jeez, treating a kid with such respect?”
Tao Yueyue retorted, “Uncle Chen, is this one of those rotten adults you mentioned?”
“Yes, if you don’t study hard, you’ll end up like him.”
Wang Daji laughed, “Right, slack off and you’ll end up like me, making big money every day. Study hard and end up like your Uncle Chen, making a small fortune with pride.”