Chapter 465: A Home in Distress

Chen Shi asked, “How do you know that? Did you see her that day?”

“Yes… I went to see my brother about the thing I told you last time. When I reached his door, I saw him with Aunt Song. She said she didn’t want to interrupt our conversation and left.”

“Why did your aunt visit your brother?”

“How would I know? I was angry at the time. When she left, I went in and started arguing with my brother. I didn’t bother asking.”

“How long did she stay at the door?”

“She just said a few words and left. It was probably less than a minute.”

“Thanks!”

Chen Shi hung up and turned to Xiao Sun. “You said the woman left after half an hour?”

“Yeah, it’s clear in the surveillance footage. I brought it along.”

“Leave it here. I’ll watch it later.”

“Officer, is this information important?”

“Can you tell gold from a freshly dug-up ore at a glance?”

“Oh, come on. Stop with the riddles. I just want to know if this counts as atonement.”

“We won’t arrest you, don’t worry.” As Xiao Sun was about to cheer, Chen Shi added, “But on one condition: you must disclose all your buyers, forums, and QQ groups for these photos.”

Xiao Sun was reluctant but agreed to avoid jail time. Chen Shi handed him over to Lin Qiupu, asking him to assign someone to investigate Xiao Sun’s illegal activities.

Chen Shi watched the surveillance footage Xiao Sun had brought. As Xiao Sun said, the victim’s aunt and the victim entered the community together on the evening of July 22nd, around 8 PM. She left alone at 8:30 PM.

Chen Shi had visited the community several times. Even for an elderly person with limited mobility, it wouldn’t take half an hour to walk in and out.

On the matter of her stay duration, Song Yuqiang had no reason to lie. This meant the woman had indeed lingered in the community after parting from the victim. But what had she been doing?

She was also the mother of Wanjun, the cousin who had been mentioned multiple times.

Chen Shi went to find Lao Zhang. “Any response from the Australian university?”

“No, they might be on summer break.”

“Try to contact them as soon as possible. If necessary, call them… Dongxue, let’s go out.”

Lin Dongxue came over. “Where to?”

“To see someone.”

Chen Shi got the aunt’s address from Song Yuqiang, and they drove to her place. She lived in an old dormitory building of a defunct state-owned enterprise, without any property management, relying on the community committee for utility fee collection.

A middle-aged man, shaking, opened the door when they knocked. Lin Dongxue showed her badge. “We’re here to see Ms. Song Xiulan. Are you her husband?”

“Yes, she’ll be back soon. Come in, please.”

The man let them in. Chen Shi noticed the dim, cluttered room with medicine bottles by the bed. The man went to the bathroom, coughing and spitting, then returned to the bed. “Sorry, I’m not well… I know why you’re here. That boy’s death was sudden. We didn’t expect it. His parents must be devastated!”

“I heard your families are close,” Chen Shi said.

“My wife visits often. Song Yuwen’s parents were too busy to care for their children. My wife took care of them for years. Recently, my health has declined, and they’ve helped us financially. We’re very grateful.” The man coughed again.

“Your daughter is abroad?”

“Yes, studying in Australia. She planned to come back for the summer but couldn’t due to school issues.”

“Do you talk often?”

“She and her mom talk a lot. I don’t have much to say… She doesn’t know I’m this sick. I don’t want to affect her studies.”

“Not telling her might be more harmful. She should know.”

“No need!” The man waved it off. “She’ll find out when she comes back for New Year’s.”

“When did she last visit?”

“Last year… No, the year before, during Chinese New Year. She brought these gifts, all foreign stuff.” He pointed to a shelf with an out-of-place, fancy ornament.

Chen Shi picked it up, examining it. “Mr. Shi, I have a question. Don’t take it the wrong way. Your family doesn’t seem well-off. Why send your daughter abroad?”

“That was her wish. We wanted to fulfill it… Besides, the tuition isn’t that high, about fifty or sixty thousand yuan a year. She gets scholarships and works part-time. We manage to get by.”

“How much is your monthly income?”

“I can’t work anymore. My wife has two jobs. We scrape by. We only need to endure another year. When she graduates and returns, we’ll finally have a break.” The man smiled sincerely.

“What’s her major?”

“International trade or something. I’m not sure. We missed out on education, but we know it can change our fate. So, we make sure she gets a good education.”

“Very true!” Chen Shi smiled. The man’s excessive talkativeness made Chen suspect he was prepared for this.

He was sure something was off about this family, but hadn’t pinpointed who yet.

Just then, Ms. Song returned. Seeing the police didn’t surprise her. She put down the groceries, wiped her hands, and said, “Sorry about the mess. The house is small and cramped. How about we talk outside?”

They moved outside. Chen Shi asked, “Ms. Song, what’s your relationship with Song Yuwen’s family?”

“Oh, I’m his father’s cousin.”

“Cousin?”

“No, actually we’re more distant. My father and his grandfather were brothers.”

“Do you know why we’re here?”

“Of course. It’s about Song Yuwen… such a good boy. How could this happen…” She wiped her tears, then composed herself. “I know you have to ask around. Go ahead. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“When did you last see Song Yuwen?”

“Let me think… The day before yesterday?”

“Why did you visit him?”

She smiled awkwardly. “It’s embarrassing. I went to borrow money.”