Chapter 303: Searching for the True Identity

Chen Shi sighed deeply at the thought of having to host the “time traveler” at his home for the next few days. He decided to consult Lin Dongxue for the robbery case files.

“I thought you weren’t interested in this case?” Lin Dongxue asked curiously.

“The sooner we solve it, the sooner I can get rid of that guy. Hosting a prince at home is unbearable,” Chen Shi explained.

“Good thing I moved out recently,” Lin Dongxue laughed. After the last case, she had moved back to her rental apartment. “Are you any good with robbery cases?”

“Not really,” Chen Shi admitted.

The files included an inventory of the stolen items and surveillance footage. The footage, captured from across the street, showed two masked robbers arriving at a jewelry store on Yangquan Road on April 23. One of them pulled out a gun, while the other used a hammer to smash the glass display cases, causing the staff to scream in terror.

The entire heist lasted less than five minutes. Despite the store’s tempered glass, the robbers threatened the staff at gunpoint and managed to fill their bags with gold jewelry before fleeing. The stolen goods were estimated to be worth around 300,000 yuan, although their resale value would be much lower.

Chen Shi watched the video twice and then asked Lin Dongxue, “The gun was never fired. Do you think it was real?”

“We suspect it was a fake. It’s difficult to obtain real guns in Long’an. We’ve investigated but haven’t found any leads on this particular gun, so it’s likely a fake. But in that situation, the staff wouldn’t take the risk, so they complied.”

“These two seem pretty professional. Any similar cases?”

“There was a similar convenience store robbery two years ago in Long’an. The style matches, but back then there were three culprits.”

“A convenience store robbery? For cash?”

“No, they took cigarettes and alcohol.”

“Professional indeed!” Chen Shi marveled. With most transactions now digital, convenience store registers don’t hold much cash. The real value lies in the high-end goods on the shelves, which are easy to sell.

Chen Shi reviewed the video again, pointing to the robber with the hammer. “This person looked at their accomplice three times during the robbery. They were both masked, only showing their eyes, likely for reassurance.”

“What does that indicate?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“It shows they have a close relationship. This person relies on the other for psychological support. They were probably quite nervous during the robbery and sought encouragement from their partner’s eyes. They might be siblings or a couple.”

Lin Dongxue scrutinized the screen, “This person is bundled up tightly and isn’t very tall…” She fast-forwarded to the part where they fled on the motorcycle. “When they left, they hugged the accomplice’s waist. That seems more intimate. I think it’s more likely they’re a couple.”

They decided to refer to the woman as B and the man as A. Chen Shi then asked Lin Dongxue to find the footage from the convenience store robbery two years ago.

In that footage, B also frequently glanced at A, while the third person (codenamed X) stood at the door, signaling. X seemed to be the leader of the small gang.

Lin Dongxue pondered, “Which one is the time traveler?”

“Let’s compare and see.”

“How?”

“Follow me.”

Nalan Fang was still in the interrogation room, pacing after finishing a box meal Lin Qiupu had brought him. Chen Shi filmed him with his phone and then compared it to the footage from the two robberies.

Nalan Fang’s movements were distinctly different from the three robbers, not even close in terms of height and build.

“It seems the time traveler isn’t part of the gang. You can relax about having him stay at your place,” Lin Dongxue remarked.

“How did the time traveler get involved with the robbery gang?” Chen Shi mused. “Let’s decode his fabricated backstory. He mentioned a father, two brothers, and a villain preventing him from meeting his family… a kidnapping?”

“I think you’re overthinking it. Maybe he just found the gold ingot that one of the robbers dropped.”

“Why don’t I ever come across such luck?” Chen Shi chuckled.

“Try walking with your head down from now on,” Lin Dongxue laughed along.

“Let’s see what Peng Sijue has found,” Chen Shi suggested.

Peng Sijue had taken the time traveler’s clothes and shoes to the forensics lab. A soil expert analyzed the dirt on the shoes, concluding that the time traveler had likely been in the southern suburbs for a while.

As for the clothes, they were a blend of 70% synthetic fibers and 30% cotton, clearly not something he could have brought from ancient times, where synthetic fibers didn’t exist.

The forensic team consulted some cosplay forums, and users confirmed that the fabric was used in both photo studios and cosplay costumes. These were typically produced by small workshops, not large-scale manufacturers.

“We’ll have to visit these places one by one,” Lin Dongxue suggested.

“I guess I’m done for the day. I’ll take the prince home,” Chen Shi said.

Chen Shi brought Nalan Fang home. Upon seeing Tao Yueyue, Nalan Fang asked Chen Shi, “Your daughter?”

“No, my ward.”

“Hello!” Nalan Fang greeted Tao Yueyue.

Chen Shi thought, This guy understands modern Mandarin. He’s definitely a modern person. If we can figure out his real identity, solving the robbery case will be much easier.

Nalan Fang wandered around the house, examining everything. To keep him occupied, Chen Shi handed him a copy of Dream of the Red Chamber and pointed to the computer. “Do you want to read this or watch something on that?”

Nalan Fang pointed at the computer, “What is this?”

Chen Shi turned it on and played a historical drama for him. Nalan Fang nodded approvingly, “A feast for the senses, very comforting.”

Tao Yueyue pulled Chen Shi into the bedroom and whispered, “Is this weirdo staying with us?”

“Unfortunately, yes, for a few days.”

“I feel uneasy with a stranger in the house. Can I stay with Sister Lin?”

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll talk to Dongxue.”

Tao Yueyue thought for a moment and said, “Never mind. I’ll just keep my bedroom door closed. And tell him not to touch my cat.”

“Look how well-behaved he is,” Chen Shi said, turning to see Nalan Fang trying to grab a bottle of liquor from a shelf. Chen Shi rushed to the living room, “Hey, careful there, prince!”

Nalan Fang was generally well-behaved, though his presence made the house feel strange.

In the evening, Chen Shi heard the door open next door. Knowing Gu You was back, he went over to repay her.

“Where’s the time traveler?” Gu You asked.

“In my apartment,” Chen Shi replied with a wry smile.