Chapter 251: The Unexpected Fall

Chen Shi arrived at the police station and found Meng Er’gou’s case in the archives. Meng Er’gou had indeed been hacked to death, and the police had classified it as a gang fight resulting in death. The suspect was a small-time thug who had a grudge against Meng Er’gou and had disappeared after the incident, still wanted by the authorities.

Li Mu was known for his meticulous case handling, ensuring there were no wrongful convictions. Chen Shi reviewed the evidence collection process and found no issues.

He speculated that the case might have no connection to Yuhua Pharmaceutical because Wang Daji couldn’t provide concrete evidence—everything was based on his own claims.

So, Chen Shi directly investigated Yuhua Pharmaceutical, contacting the law firm that had sued the company years ago. They told him that Lawyer Liu, who handled the case, wouldn’t be back until the evening.

With no other options, Chen Shi went to the information department to check on a few key people within Yuhua Pharmaceutical.

First was the president, Ma Wanli, who still served as the company’s CEO and owned five properties in Long’an.

The president’s secretary, Hou Yue, had resigned three years ago. However, contrary to Wang Daji’s account, Hou Yue resigned before Meng Er’gou’s death and currently had no fixed job.

The production manager, Zhu Jun, had died in an accidental fall three years ago.

Another individual Wang Daji mentioned was a financial analyst named Yang Fen, who also died from an accidental fall three years ago, according to police records.

Sensing something suspicious, Chen Shi went to the police station handling the case. His position as a criminal consultant for the central bureau helped him access the case files easily.

The entire file contained only a few pages. When Zhu Jun fell, his door was locked from the inside, and the only key was found on his body, creating a locked-room mystery. A half-empty bottle of wine and some snacks were found in his room, leading to the conclusion that he had drunkenly tried to open a window and accidentally fallen.

Chen Shi examined the photos. The deceased had landed face down, with a large patch of dust on his back. He noted the incident location and went to investigate.

The house was empty, managed by a real estate agency. Chen Shi didn’t bother with the agency, instead breaking the lock to enter. The place was a three-bedroom apartment, empty and echoing.

Standing in the middle, Chen Shi mentally reconstructed the scene based on the photos. A table had been near the window, a side-sliding window. Standing on the table to open it did present a fall risk, but he doubted it was just an accident.

How could two people fall during the same period? Such coincidences usually hid deeper secrets.

Back then, the two cases weren’t investigated together, and since the lawsuit against Yuhua had already been two years old, the incidents hadn’t drawn much attention.

Chen Shi then went to another district police station to check Yang Fen’s case. Similarly, there were no significant clues in the file, and with the family refusing an autopsy, it was closed as an accident.

The location of Yang Fen’s fall had been demolished last year.

After visiting three locations, it was already afternoon. Chen Shi grabbed a quick meal when his phone rang. It was Lawyer Liu.

“You were looking for me?” Liu asked.

“I’m with the police and need to understand the Yuhua Pharmaceutical case.”

“That case was five years ago, and the families have been compensated.”

“I apologize, but I need some information.”

“Alright, come to my office.”

At the law firm, Liu Lawyer briefly exchanged pleasantries with Chen Shi before getting to the point. He handed Chen Shi a stack of documents. “These are the evidences from the lawsuit against Yuhua Pharmaceutical. Nine patients died after taking their drugs. Even though public opinion was against the company, it took a lot of effort to gather evidence and a year-long lawsuit to get compensation.”

“What was wrong with their drugs?”

“This document mentions that their liangjunjiasu injection contained diethylene glycol, which causes kidney failure. A similar incident in the US in 1937 caused 107 deaths, and the head pharmacist committed suicide due to the public outcry. The diethylene glycol was used instead of the non-toxic propylene glycol to cut costs.”

“How did Yuhua defend themselves?”

“They claimed it was an accident, blaming the procurement officer and publicly apologizing, firing the person responsible. However…”

“What?”

“I suspect they still use the same formula. After handling this case, I gained some reputation in medical lawsuits and received calls from patients who experienced adverse reactions after using Yuhua’s drugs.”

“No deaths?”

“There were! In the past five years, seventeen patients have died, and Yuhua has settled all cases out of court, paying compensation quickly.”

“You mentioned the 1937 US incident. Do you think the pharmacist really committed suicide, or was he silenced?”

Lawyer Liu laughed, “Detective Chen, you seem to like conspiracy theories. Just remember to hire me when you sue.”

“If it becomes a criminal case, the prosecution will be handled by the prosecutor’s office, without needing a lawyer.”

“Oh, right!” Liu sat back, disappointed. “But keep me posted. I’ve been following Yuhua for years. We’re practically arch-enemies.”

“Deal.”