Chapter 398: The Second Corpse

Lin Dongxue and Xu Xiaodong returned to the crime scene. Lin Dongxue finally opened the note from Chen Shi, and Xu Xiaodong peered over her shoulder to read it. It contained just one line: “Directly beneath the burial site.”

They both glanced towards the area cordoned off by police tape. Xu Xiaodong said, “No way, it can’t be that simple.”

“Exactly,” Lin Dongxue replied. “Think about it, this is the only place we haven’t searched on the entire hillside. It’s our own inertia.”

“Chen Ge is brilliant… Ah, I’ll save that praise until after we find the body.”

“Let’s start digging!”

They began to dig with their shovels. After about ten centimeters, they uncovered a black bag. Xu Xiaodong, excited, knelt down and brushed away the loose dirt. Through the decayed bag, he felt human bones. “Chen Ge is amazing. He figured out such a tricky hiding spot!”

“He probably put himself in the criminal’s shoes.”

After half an hour, they managed to drag the bag out. Opening it, they found a complete skeleton. Judging by the pelvic bones and overall size, it was likely a woman.

“Let’s see what else is buried here,” Lin Dongxue said.

After further digging, they found some burnt plastic and fabric remnants, as well as a smashed phone. Lin Dongxue examined it and said, “This could be Guo Bilian’s phone.”

“Same as being a mother, why would she do this to another child? They share half the same genes.”

“That’s the thing about motherhood. You’d do anything for your own child, but a child from another woman with your husband? That’s a different story.”

“Scary motherly instincts.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

They carefully placed the body in a bag and loaded it into the car. On their way back, Lin Dongxue called Chen Shi. “You were right. The body was there.”

“Where are you now?”

“On our way back.”

“Specifically?”

Lin Dongxue glanced at the GPS. “Almost at Guangchang Street.”

“Have Xiaodong take a detour. Meet me at Daqing Street. I have a lead to follow up on.”

They met Chen Shi at Daqing Street. He was leaning against his car, eating a skewer. Lin Dongxue jogged over, and Chen Shi smiled. “Quick as always. Let’s go find Hao Jie’s uncle.”

“Is he the accomplice?”

“Highly likely. Hao Jie mentioned him inadvertently. Look.” Chen Shi showed her a photo of himself with Hao Jie.

Seeing Chen Shi’s strategy, Lin Dongxue smiled. “A bit underhanded, aren’t you? It’s like telling that woman, ‘I have your child.'”

“If she confessed, I wouldn’t use this. But she’s apparently still messing with your brother, acting like a drama queen. A mother’s weakness is her child. No matter how tough she appears, touch that nerve, and she’ll crumble… Of course, I don’t want to exploit that.”

“A woman carries a child for ten months, feels it grow inside her, and then it becomes a living baby. Only a mother can understand that feeling. Many trafficked women who end up in remote villages, even if they initially resist, often choose to stay once they’ve had a child. The child becomes a tether to the mother’s heart,” Lin Dongxue mused.

Chen Shi glanced at her meaningfully. “Don’t even think about it. I’m not considering this before thirty.”

“Considering what? I was just asking if you wanted a snack.” Chen Shi offered her a bag of treats.

Hao Jie’s uncle owned a restaurant. They spotted a large SUV outside. It was the afternoon, so the place was nearly empty. A middle-aged man greeted them, “What can I get you?”

“You’re Qin Xiang’s brother, Mr. Qin?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Yes… What’s this about?”

Lin Dongxue showed her badge, and he looked nervous, pulling out a cigarette. “Still on that case? It’s been six months with no results. You cops are really inefficient.”

While Lin Dongxue was still considering her approach, Chen Shi cut straight to the chase, “We’re investigating a murder related to your sister.”

Hao Jie’s uncle was startled, then laughed, “Are you joking, officer? My sister’s a good person. She wouldn’t hurt a fly. That’s a big joke.”

“I didn’t say she killed someone. I said it’s related to her. Isn’t your reaction a bit…”

He gulped, slowly lit a cigarette, and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We haven’t been close since she got married. Why are you looking for me?”

“Really? When I met Hao Jie, he immediately asked if I was your friend.”

“Ha, Hao Jie and I are close…”

“But to you, isn’t Hao Jie already dead?”

Hao Jie’s uncle’s hand trembled, and ash fell on the table. He quickly brushed it off. “Oops, ruined the tablecloth.”

He stood, pretending to grab a cloth, then bolted for the door. Chen Shi threw a vinegar bottle at him. He yelped, and Lin Dongxue used the opportunity to cuff him.

“You cops? What kind of cop throws bottles? Look at my clothes!”

“I’ll replace it with… a brand new prison uniform,” Chen Shi quipped.

“Hey, I didn’t kill anyone. I just helped…”

Realizing his slip, he turned pale.

“Let’s discuss this at the station.”

Back at the station, Lin Dongxue and another officer began the interrogation. Chen Shi visited Peng Sijue, who was having coffee, his work done for the day.

“The report’s on the table,” Peng Sijue said.

Chen Shi read it. “The second body is indeed Guo Bilian.”

“No visible injuries. Cause of death is also carbon monoxide poisoning, but that’s not conclusive.”

“Hao Jie’s uncle has a car. It might have been used to transport the body. Let’s check it out. Thanks!”

“For your sincerity, I’ll finish my coffee and then go. This time, you really broke a record.”

“Only because of your groundwork. It made the flaws obvious.”

“When did you become so humble?”

“Always have been… Dinner’s on me later.”

It was evening, but the task force was energized. As police, the best moment is when the truth is within reach. They had found many clues but were missing one critical piece to complete the evidence chain.

That key might be in Hao Jie’s uncle’s car or from his confession. Chen Shi thought and said, “Old Zhang, bring the mushroom seller to identify these two.”