Chapter 411: What’s Your Problem?

Lin Dongxue was thrilled, “This really is the crime scene!”

Chen Shi continued spraying the reagent on the tiles. There were large bloodstains on the floor, but they had been cleaned. Chen Shi sniffed the floor and said, “Ammonia. It can break down proteins, so we probably won’t be able to get any DNA.”

“Should we call someone to collect samples? There might be something left.”

“The hotel won’t let the police in.”

“This is so frustrating!”

Even though the chances of getting DNA were slim, Chen Shi still collected some blood samples from the grout lines. Lin Dongxue called Lin Qiupu to report the situation. Lin Qiupu told her to secure the scene. Lin Dongxue said, “It’s a presidential suite, costing over forty thousand a day, and someone is currently staying here.”

Lin Qiupu was silent for a moment, then asked, “Is that person a suspect?”

“Doesn’t seem like it. They just checked in.”

“Take photos of everything, don’t miss a spot! I’ll try to talk to the hotel.”

Lin Dongxue started taking photos with her phone. The bloodstains clearly showed signs of repeated cleaning. Just then, the overweight man knocked on the door, “Are you done? I need to use the bathroom!”

“Almost!” Lin Dongxue said, annoyed. “It’s so frustrating not being able to secure the crime scene.”

“At least there’s no body here, just these washed-away bloodstains,” Chen Shi said.

After making sure they photographed every stain, Chen Shi used the shower to wash away the reagent. Then he opened the door, and the overweight man entered, seeing the wet floor. He suspiciously looked at them, “What were you doing? Are you really investigating?”

“Go use your bathroom,” Chen Shi said.

While the man was in the bathroom, they quickly collected fingerprints around the room, finding five sets. When the man came out and saw the powder all over the place, he exclaimed, “What the hell, you could have told me!”

Chen Shi sat on the armrest of the sofa, “We need to talk. This place might be a crime scene.”

“A crime scene? How exciting!” the man responded.

“Ahem, I mean, the police can’t officially investigate yet. Since you’re staying here, could you help us protect the scene?”

“Hmm…” the man pondered, “Did someone die here?”

“Very likely.”

“Who?”

“We’re still investigating.”

“Why are the police so inefficient?” the man complained, then pondered again, “So, I have to stay alone in a haunted room tonight? That’s… a bit scary!”

Chen Shi followed up, “How about switching rooms with us?”

“Switch rooms? My presidential suite for your standard room?”

“How do you know we’re in a standard room?”

The man laughed, “There’s only one presidential suite per floor. The rest are standard, deluxe, or couple’s rooms. Do you know who’s staying above me? The famous Luo Zuyu!”

“How long has he been here?”

“He seems to be here for a show, about a week.”

“And you?”

“I’m here on a business trip, just checked in for half a day.”

Chen Shi mused over the frequent mentions of “Luo Zuyu.” Could it really be him? He had his own team, fitting the profile of the suspect. Chen Shi was shocked by how big this “fish” might be.

The man said, “If you cover the price difference, I’m okay with switching.”

“Do you really need the money?”

“That’s beside the point. Do we have a deal or not?”

“No deal. You keep your room. We don’t have that kind of budget. Besides, we’ve already taken our photos. Goodbye!”

The man ran over and blocked them, “Hey, you promised to share information.”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances. Chen Shi sighed, “Don’t tell anyone outside.”

“Of course not. I know how important this news is. Tell me!”

“Someone died in the bathroom!”

The man shivered, “Is that all?”

“That’s all we found.”

“Damn, police are so inefficient. Bro, let’s exchange contact information!”

After saying goodbye, they returned to their room. Sun Zhen was eating instant noodles, “Chen Ge, eating this in a five-star hotel? Why not order room service?”

“Budget constraints. I don’t even know if I’ll get reimbursed.”

“That smart toilet is nice, though…”

Lin Dongxue said, “Hacker, get to work!”

Sun Zhen wiped his mouth, “Sis-in-law, you don’t understand. Hacking the CCTV system requires accessing the circuit board port. It’s right in the hallway, facing the camera. I can’t do it now!”

Chen Shi sat on the sofa, “We’ll wait.”

Lin Dongxue glanced at the painting on the wall, “The security is really lax. They still haven’t noticed the missing painting.”

“No matter how tight the system, it’s run by people. People are the weak link… Xiao Chong, I need the hotel guest list for the past week and all surveillance footage from this floor and the floors above starting from noon on July 14.”

“Leave it to me!” Sun Zhen patted his chest.

It was already evening outside. Chen Shi took out some food from the bag, and he and Lin Dongxue started eating. Lin Dongxue asked, “Do you really think Luo Zuyu did it?”

Sun Zhen sprayed his iced tea in shock, “What? The suspect is Luo Zuyu?”

“Hey, don’t spread rumors,” Chen Shi cautioned. “We haven’t confirmed anything yet.”

“I heard Luo Zuyu was once linked to a missing woman case but wasn’t charged due to lack of evidence,” Sun Zhen whispered.

“How do you know?”

“A friend on the dark web sells celebrity info. Let me tell you, compared to the scandals of cheating and drug use, their real lives are unimaginable.”

“How come we never hear about this? Doesn’t your friend sell the info?”

“Depends on who buys it. Sometimes it’s the celebrity’s own studio, like hush money. Other times, it’s sold to rival studios. Big stars have dirt on each other, like nuclear deterrence. When XXX was exposed, other stars had scandals leaked too. It’s all about interests.”

“Is that friend really you?” Lin Dongxue asked suspiciously.

“No, no!” Sun Zhen waved his hands. “If I had those skills, I wouldn’t be eating instant noodles here!”

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue opened it to find three stern-faced security guards outside, “What’s your problem? Why did you steal the painting from the wall?”

Chen Shi smiled, “You guys are quick. It only took three hours to notice?”

“Where’s the painting? Give it back, or I’ll tell the manager!”

Chen Shi gestured, and Lin Dongxue showed her badge. The security guards were stunned. Chen Shi pretended to be serious, “Actually, we were testing your security system. It’s really poor. How can guests feel safe here? Who would be responsible if something happened? Didn’t you say you were going to get the manager? Let’s go together, and I’ll report this.”