Chapter 32: The Inevitable, Finally Arrived

The next morning, Lin Qiupu arrived at the office and went to the technical team to pick up a test report. Peng Sijue had pulled another all-nighter, and the aroma of Blue Mountain coffee wafted from the coffee machine. Without turning his head, Peng Sijue said, “The report is on the table.”

Although Lin Qiupu usually preferred Longjing tea, the exhaustion from the recent case made the smell of coffee too tempting to resist. He helped himself to a cup. Peng Sijue was that kind of person—never standing on ceremony, and others didn’t need to be polite with him either.

As the bitter coffee went down, Lin Qiupu felt his foggy mind clear up. He said, “Thanks to you, Old Peng. If you hadn’t thought of testing the blood lipids, we would never have suspected him! By the way, how did you come up with that idea?”

“It wasn’t my idea. Chen Shi told me.”

“Chen Shi? Which Chen Shi?” Lin Qiupu was startled, nearly dropping his coffee cup.

“Is there any other Chen Shi? The driver you look down on!”

“Him!” Lin Qiupu put down his cup in shock and frustration. This guy, who was he really? How did he manage to beat the task force again? He had been feeling proud of the lead they found yesterday, thinking they would finally outdo him.

Peng Sijue said nonchalantly, “Should I not have told you?”

Lin Qiupu forced a laugh, “I asked him to assist in the case. What’s there to tell or not tell?”

“You two didn’t make any bets this time, did you?”

“No, we didn’t.”

“Good. Saves you from losing face in front of your sister.”

If anyone else had said that, Lin Qiupu might have blown up immediately, but Peng Sijue wasn’t just anyone. After finishing his coffee, Lin Qiupu grabbed the report and said, “I’m heading out.”

Peng Sijue didn’t offer a word of farewell, remaining focused on the computer. On the screen was a household registration file for someone named Chen Shi, marked “missing since 2016.” Peng Sijue murmured to himself, “Who are you really?”

Lin Qiupu went to the conference room. There were less than ten hours left until his self-imposed deadline to solve the case. There was little to discuss at today’s case analysis meeting; the situation was clear—mobilize all forces to capture the suspect!

In the conference room, people were passing around a newspaper. Standing behind some female officers, Lin Qiupu startled them when they noticed him, snapping to attention, “Captain Lin, you’re here!”

“What are you reading?”

“Uh, today’s Dragon City Morning Post. Some reporter leaked the case details. It’s pretty detailed.”

“What? Let me see!”

Lin Qiupu snatched the paper and skimmed through it. The article detailed the case’s progress and even sensationalized it: “When the victim’s child woke to find their family murdered, they helplessly jumped from the third floor, injuring their head. The poor child, now in a coma at the Third People’s Hospital, doesn’t know they’ve become an orphan. We hope kind-hearted citizens will donate to the hotline…”

Lin Qiupu nearly ripped the paper in anger. He shouted to the room, “Who leaked this information?”

Everyone looked puzzled, except Lin Dongxue, whose face showed a hint of panic. She knew this was Chen Shi’s doing. She had been there when he told a reporter about it yesterday. Despite her protests, Chen Shi had reassured her, “I’m not part of the team; Captain Lin didn’t tell me to keep it confidential. If anything happens, I’ll take the blame. What are you worried about?”

The newspaper was a bait Chen Shi had set. Although Chen Shi seemed confident, Lin Dongxue wasn’t convinced. Would Kong Wendong really risk coming to the hospital after reading the report?

The task for the day remained searching for Kong Wendong. After issuing instructions, Lin Qiupu told everyone to disperse, then called two officers, “Old Zhang, Xiao Zhang, you two go to the hospital to monitor.”

Lin Dongxue was startled, her reaction catching Lin Qiupu’s eye. He approached and said, “Trying to make a name for yourself this way won’t work!”

Blushing, Lin Dongxue replied, “It was Chen Shi’s idea!”

“I figured!” Lin Qiupu gritted his teeth.

Lin Dongxue stood straight, “Captain Lin, I request to join the hospital surveillance.”

After a few seconds of staring at her, Lin Qiupu said, “Go ahead! But don’t think I’m letting you take credit. I’m sure this lousy idea won’t work! We’re conducting a citywide manhunt for Kong Wendong. He’ll be hiding, not taking risks. Besides, look at the newspaper you chose—it has a circulation of only tens of thousands. Do you think Kong Wendong will see it? So self-righteous!”

With that, Lin Qiupu left, and Lin Dongxue breathed a sigh of relief.

She and the two officers went to the hospital, where Chen Shi had already been waiting. The boy’s physical health had recovered, but he was still in shock, sitting dazedly. Chen Shi was in the room, carefully peeling an apple and chatting with the boy.

“Come out!” Lin Dongxue said.

Placing the sliced apple on a plate, Chen Shi came out, still smiling, “What’s wrong? Why so angry?”

“Your idea was exposed by my brother. He also said this paper’s circulation is only tens of thousands. Kong Wendong might not even see it.”

“True, the circulation isn’t high, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be read. Do you know why I chose this paper? Because it’s cheap. Many breakfast shops subscribe to it, and customers read it while eating. Kong Wendong has to eat; he might see it.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“There’s always a risk. I can only say there’s a good chance he’ll come.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

Surveillance work was dull. The boy didn’t want to talk to anyone except Lin Dongxue, but he would tear up whenever family was mentioned.

Thinking about the boy suddenly losing both parents, Lin Dongxue felt sorrow and shed a few tears.

Chen Shi said, “Some people seem hateful from afar, but pitiful up close. They had homes and families but ended up on a path to ruin, leaving their families destroyed.” He looked melancholic as he spoke.

Lin Dongxue chided, “You talk like you’ve met many criminals.”

“From TV shows! I’ve been watching ‘The Mastermind’ recently!” Chen Shi’s cheerful demeanor returned.

Time flew by, and afternoon came. Lin Dongxue grew anxious, pacing the corridor, watching people come and go. Her hope of catching Kong Wendong faded. He wasn’t coming.

Though she didn’t say it, she desperately wanted to succeed, to prove herself to Lin Qiupu.

Her frustration peaked when an alarm suddenly blared in the corridor, red lights flashing. A nurse shouted, “Fire alarm! Evacuate immediately!”

Chen Shi ran out of the room, exclaiming, “The inevitable, finally arrived!”