Chapter 344: Unconventional Investigation

The unconventional investigation was in full swing. A few nights later, Chen Shi arrived at the rental house to find the team already assembled; they didn’t need keys for this kind of visit.

Gu You said, “I bought some quality coffee beans; the ones you had before were undrinkable.”

“Thanks,” Chen Shi poured himself a cup of coffee, took a seat at the head of the table, “The police found a set of fingerprints in the victim’s car and some hair fibers at the scene, but there’s no clear evidence that Yi Qing was there. We can’t get an arrest warrant or make comparisons… Let’s hear what everyone has found!”

“Considering the density of the hair, let Sister Gu go first,” KK said, earning a glare from Sun Zhen, who was sitting in front of the computer.

To save face for Sun Zhen, Gu You said, “Little Bug, why don’t you go first?”

Sun Zhen cleared his throat, “The doctor and Yi Qing have been communicating on social media for quite some time. But from an outsider’s perspective, it’s clear that Yi Qing is just leading the doctor on, using him.”

“On the self-cultivation of a backup,” KK commented.

Ignoring him, Sun Zhen placed several sheets of paper on the table, “There are quite a few chat records between them. I’ve printed out the more critical ones.”

Chen Shi said, “Good job.”

“Also, the surgical records are fake. The ones the doctor has don’t match those in the hospital’s database. There was indeed surgery that day, but the patient wasn’t Zhao Puyang. What the doctor showed you was altered.”

“You’re really something!” Chen Shi praised.

Sun Zhen chuckled, “The hospital’s network was down at night, so I had to use force to get this information.”

“Not caught on camera, right?”

“Who do you think I am? I couldn’t possibly be caught on camera!”

Gu You picked up the chat records and a conversation caught her eye: “In December last year, Yi Qing invited the doctor to meet at the orphanage?”

“Is there a problem?” Chen Shi asked.

“Let me first share my findings. To infiltrate the orphanage, I organized a psychological support event for the orphans. However, Zhao Puyang is not easy to approach; she’s almost always with Yi Qing. I had a brief conversation with her, but we’re not close enough for me to learn any secrets. But despite being a closed-off child, Zhao Puyang has a few close friends. Through them, I learned some things. Zhao Puyang has a violent tendency; she often beat up other children when she first arrived at the orphanage. Yi Qing deliberately got close to her, but she didn’t really respond until something happened…”

“What something?”

“A child said that in December last year, they heard Zhao Puyang cursing fiercely and the sound of things being thrown. This child sneaked out to check and saw a strange man sneaking out of the office with scratches on his face, then Yi Qing entered the office to comfort Zhao Puyang. It is said that since then, Zhao Puyang has been like Yi Qing’s shadow, depending on her and never leaving her side.”

“What about the characteristics of the strange man?”

“Not clear.”

“December?” Chen Shi pondered, “Zhao Puyang was sexually assaulted, could it have been the doctor? Yi Qing used this to control both the doctor and Zhao Puyang.”

Sun Zhen said, “In the chat records between the doctor and Yi Qing, the doctor said, ‘I’ve done something for you that would send me to hell, won’t you accept me yet?’ Was he referring to this?”

“A vicious woman!” Gu You said, “But with her methods, murder would be easy. Why involve a child like Zhao Puyang?”

Chen Shi speculated, “After Zheng Guohao’s death, the police will investigate everyone he sexually assaulted one by one. Yi Qing is bound to be exposed to the police’s scrutiny, especially considering she has killed her own father before and might be suspected. At this time, she needs a scapegoat. What’s more, Zhao Puyang is a minor, and Zheng Guohao’s victims were all minors. It’s convenient to get close to Zheng Guohao; secondly, it’s a perfect form of revenge.”

“Although she herself was sexually assaulted in her childhood, does Zhao Puyang’s life not matter to her? This woman has a histrionic and controlling personality. She is good at showing her best image, but in fact, her heart is desolate and indifferent. She will use anyone who can help her revenge. In her view, revenge is above everything.” Gu You said sadly.

“No wonder!” KK exclaimed, “No wonder I took this strange photo.”

“Let’s see it.” Chen Shi said.

KK threw a photo onto the table; it should have been the women’s locker room. Yi Qing was changing clothes in her bra, but that’s not the point. Her head was bald like a nun’s, and it was almost unrecognizable at first glance.

Gu You looked at the photo suspiciously, “Your motive for taking this photo was really for the investigation?”

“Who cares about my motive, as long as it achieves the goal… Brother Chen, is this helpful?”

“It turns out she was wearing a wig, a smart way to prevent leaving hair at the scene, but…” Chen Shi looked at KK, “How can I show this photo to the police?”

“Hehe!” KK smiled embarrassedly, “I have something else.”

He threw out a few more photos. After looking at them, Chen Shi said, “Are you a scumbag?”

“I’m investigating a case! Do you think I’m interested in the bodies of underage girls?”

The photos were taken in the women’s bathroom, where Zhao Puyang was taking a bath. The lingering steam played the role of a mosaic, but it made people doubt where the photographer was hiding and what kind of indecent expression he had when taking the photo.

KK pointed to Zhao Puyang’s abdomen and said, “Didn’t she have appendicitis surgery? There’s no scar on her stomach.”

What Chen Shi noticed was other information, “Taking a bath? You can’t take a bath after appendicitis, no, that’s within a week, now it’s already passed…”

Gu You said, “The children at the orphanage have an ID card, and they need to swipe it to use the bathroom.”

“Good, another breakthrough.”

“Then there’s the bombshell!” KK raised his eyebrows and threw the last set of photos on the table. They were all personal photos of Yi Qing, seemingly retouched, as beautiful as portraits.

“What is this!?” Chen Shi questioned.

“Didn’t you notice the photos were taken from a flipbook? You should ask where they came from!” KK was smug.

Chen Shi thought for a moment and said, “The doctor’s house?”

“Bingo! After I finished at the orphanage, I went to the doctor’s house. Damn, ultimate fanboy. His bedroom wall is full of these. Tell the police to search his house!”

“Did you do anything extra?”

“I ate a piece of cake from his fridge and then used the bathroom. Is that a problem?”

“Be more careful next time!” Chen Shi said helplessly.

Of course, none of these photos could be used. Chen Shi couldn’t answer Lin Qiupu’s questions. He only took a printed document of the fake surgical records as evidence and said, “Everyone go home, I’m going to the police now.”

“So late?” KK said.

“The sooner, the better. I’ll leave first and contact you after it’s done. Remember to close the door.”

KK watched Chen Shi’s back and shook his head, smiling, “He’s really handsome. If I were a woman, I would fall in love with him.”

Sun Zhen looked disdainful, then blushed and said to Gu You, “Miss Gu, I wrote an interesting little program. Come and have a look.”

Sun Zhen pressed the run button, and the function program calculated a shape, a red heart made of lines appeared on the screen, he stammered and asked, “What do you think?”

Out of politeness, Gu You smiled, “Little Bug, you are really talented.”

For this compliment, Sun Zhen was delighted and couldn’t sleep all night…