Chapter 384: Investigating Du Xuemei

The next day, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue got out of the car, yawning. Lin Dongxue said, “I can’t believe the truth of that case turned out to be so unbelievable.”

“At least I fulfilled my promise to your brother. Yesterday was exhausting.”

“What promise?”

“Come with me.”

They went to Lin Qiupu’s office, where he handed Chen Shi a file from yesterday. “It’s a ten-year-old cold case. The chief wasn’t keen on reopening it, but I convinced him it might be connected to Zhou Xiao. He’s currently liaising with the prosecutor’s office. The paperwork should be finalized soon.”

Chen Shi asked, “So we can’t officially reopen the case yet?”

“Investigate first. If you find a suspect, I’ll handle the arrest warrant.”

Thinking about the case’s two culprits—Wang Sunxu in custody and Zhou Xiao still at large—Chen Shi shook his head. “We might not find a suspect, but we can uncover the truth.”

“Uncovering the truth is a start. Since I’ve given you the green light, go all out…” Lin Qiupu noticed the dark circles under Lin Dongxue’s eyes and looked at Chen Shi’s. “No staying up all night.”

“We didn’t stay up late; it was the case that went on until late,” Lin Dongxue said.

“Were you two together?”

“No, I don’t have a car or a license, so I rode with him.”

“Get your license soon. A police officer not driving looks unprofessional!”

“Got it!” Lin Dongxue responded lazily. She turned and walked away, chatting and laughing with Chen Shi.

Lin Qiupu punched the cushion of his chair a few times. Another officer walked in, and Lin Qiupu quickly started dusting off the cushion, pretending, “Why so much dust… What’s up?”

Lin Dongxue asked Chen Shi, “How did you guess this old case was related to Zhou Xiao?”

“If I didn’t say that, the chief wouldn’t have approved the reopening.”

“So, it’s not really related?”

“Not exactly. I think it might be connected to Wang Sunxu, which led me to consider Zhou Xiao. I’ll explain more later,” Chen Shi said evasively.

They went to the information department to look up information on the victim, Du Xuemei. Her background showed she was born into a family of teachers, studied abroad, and upon returning, worked as a secretary for Zhang Bin, the president of Zhang Group. Zhang Bin became her lover, and they were involved for over a decade, even after Du Xuemei left Zhang Group.

Zhang Bin was notorious. After his death, many scandals emerged online. He started from scratch in the 1980s and, even in his fifties, had a robust appetite, reportedly keeping seven mistresses simultaneously.

Zhang Bin’s wife, Li, had three children with him. Their marriage seemed like one of convenience, as they never divorced. Unverified online rumors suggested that a Hong Kong master told Zhang Bin that Li’s presence was crucial for his success. So, despite his wild lifestyle, he never agreed to a divorce.

Chen Shi surmised the real reason for not divorcing might have been Li’s influential family background, which greatly benefited Zhang Bin’s business. Also, a divorce would mean losing half his wealth, which he was smart enough to avoid.

“The red flag at home stays up while the colorful flags outside flutter,” this typical portrayal of a successful man seemed fitting here.

In 2008, Zhang Bin died of liver cancer. His will was executed secretly by his lawyer and not made public. It appeared his wealth went to his wife and children, with the mistresses getting nothing.

However, Chen Shi pondered if the will’s secret execution meant an outsider benefited. Why else keep it secret if it was just for the legal heirs?

2008 was also the year Du Xuemei was burned to death in a villa. Her records didn’t show any connection to the orphanage where Wang Sunxu stayed. Despite her long “fall from grace,” she still belonged to the elite class, seemingly having no intersection with Wang Sunxu.

Chen Shi pondered, “That year, Wang Sunxu was only ten, and his brother was sixteen, already working… Dongxue, you check the lawyer’s office for Zhang Bin’s will. I’ll visit the orphanage.”

“Will? Orphanage? What’s the connection? Are you thinking of some soap opera twist where Wang Sunxu is actually Zhang Bin’s illegitimate child?”

“We won’t know until we investigate!” Chen Shi smiled.

Chen Shi dropped Lin Dongxue at the lawyer’s office and drove to the orphanage where Wang Sunxu once stayed. On the way, he called Sun Zhen. “Help me dig up everything on Du Xuemei.”

“Who’s Du Xuemei?”

“The first hit you’ll find online. But I need more than what’s online—I need her chat logs, emails, financial records.”

“Damn, she’s been dead for ten years… Do you know how long internet records last?”

“Just do your best!”

At the orphanage, the director found Wang Sunxu’s file. “Sorry, officer, we had a fire a few years ago. All records before 2008 were destroyed.”

Chen Shi was stunned by the coincidence but then realized it might be a deliberate cover-up by Wang Sunxu or Zhou Xiao.

“How did the fire start?”

“Old wiring, only the archive room burned. No children were hurt.”

“No backups?”

“Only from after the fire.”

“Do you know Wang Sunxu? He was here from 1997 to 2009.”

The director shook his head. “I’ve only been here a few years. I don’t know him.”

“I’d like to speak with the other teachers.”

Looking uneasy, the director hesitated. Chen Shi discreetly slipped him 500 yuan. “By the way, I’d like to donate to the orphanage.”

“Alright, I’ll gather the teachers.”

The teachers gathered in a room. When asked about Wang Sunxu, one recalled, “I might’ve taught him. He was a quiet kid. His older brother was here too, left at fifteen to work but occasionally visited.”

“Yes, that’s him… Just one question: was he ever adopted?”

“Yes! But not for long,” a teacher confirmed.

“When?”

“Early 2000s. A very stylish woman wanted to adopt him. I remember because she was in her thirties, single, and childless—not the typical candidate for adoption. But Wang Sunxu liked her, and she seemed caring, so I approved it and processed the paperwork… But she brought him back within three months, saying he had psychological issues and was violent. It was heartbreaking; he finally had a home but was sent back, making him even more withdrawn.”

Chen Shi showed a photo of Du Xuemei he found online. “Was it her?”

“Yes, that’s her!”