Chapter 469: Twelve Years Ago

On July 30th, Song Yuwen’s funeral was held at his parents’ home. Chen Shi had all the officers involved in the case stationed nearby while he, Lin Dongxue, and Xu Xiaodong attended the funeral.

Lin Dongxue kept asking, “Are you sure the killer will be among the attendees today?”

“Absolutely sure.”

“It’s Song, isn’t it?”

Chen Shi made a silencing gesture. “Even if you know, don’t make a fuss. We don’t want to alert anyone prematurely.”

Song Yuwen’s parents and younger brother stood vigil at the altar. His mother’s eyes were swollen from crying. As mourners paid their respects, the family would bow in return. Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue, dressed in black, bowed three times before the altar and lit three sticks of incense.

The Song family’s house was large. The living room was filled with a somber atmosphere, but the other rooms were different. Chen Shi noticed relatives chatting and laughing in the master bedroom. They looked like middle-class people from their attire.

Outside, more relatives gathered, including Song and her husband, chatting and smoking. These people seemed to be of more modest means.

Lin Dongxue quietly observed, “It’s interesting how the poorer and wealthier relatives naturally form separate groups. Economic status seems to matter more than family ties.”

“Relatives are just strangers connected by blood,” Chen Shi replied.

At that moment, Song Yuqiang approached them. “Officers, you’re here.”

Chen Shi asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be keeping vigil for your brother?”

“My father told me to take a break and also to greet you. Today’s attendees are all relatives. You two must feel awkward not knowing anyone.”

Chen Shi glanced at Lin Dongxue and smiled. “It’s fine. As long as I’m with her, I don’t feel awkward anywhere.”

Yuqiang laughed, “You two make a good pair. By the way, about what we discussed earlier…”

“Let’s talk somewhere private.”

Every room in the house was occupied. They ended up in the kitchen, where even a few uncles were smoking. They moved aside when Yuqiang came in. He handed Chen Shi a tablet. “Here are the photos you wanted.”

Lin Dongxue peeked over his shoulder. “What’s this?”

“I asked Yuqiang for all his brother’s photos,” Chen Shi explained as he flipped through them.

Yuqiang was attentive to Lin Dongxue. “Officer Lin, would you like a drink?”

“No need. I have some questions… You have a lot of relatives.”

“Yeah, my grandfather and his brother had many children.”

“I noticed a stark contrast in wealth among your relatives.”

“Haha, you’re observant. The wealthier ones are from my grandfather’s line, while the poorer ones are from my grand-uncle’s.”

“So, the difference started with your grandfather’s generation?”

“Yes. Before the liberation, our family was poor. My great-grandfather could only afford to send one of his sons to school. They drew lots, and my grand-uncle won.”

Chen Shi interjected, “Did I hear that right? Wasn’t it your grandfather who went to school and changed the family’s fortune?”

Yuqiang continued, “No, my father and uncle always said it was my grand-uncle who went to school. During the Cultural Revolution, he was persecuted and his children suffered as well. My grandfather, being a poor farmer, escaped that fate. His children got good jobs because of their ‘good’ class background. My grandfather often said it was fate—my grand-uncle had good luck early on, but he had bad luck later, while my grandfather had bad luck early on but good luck later.”

“A small event can change the course of many lives,” Lin Dongxue mused.

Chen Shi pointed to a group photo on the tablet. “When was this taken?”

“That was my brother’s eighteenth birthday.”

“Is this you?”

“Yes.”

“And this cousin?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

“And this one?”

“My younger cousin.”

“Why such a big celebration for the eighteenth birthday? Isn’t it usually the twentieth that’s celebrated?”

“It was summer, my brother did well on his exams, and he turned eighteen, so we rented a vacation villa at Moon Bay and stayed there for a few days.”

“Seems like your family had money. Celebrating exam success with a villa rental…”

“We drank. My brother had just turned eighteen and wanted to try alcohol. We all got drunk.”

“And then?”

“My cousin and I went out to play games. We were teenagers obsessed with gaming. We stayed out all night.”

“So your brother and cousin were left alone in the villa, and they were drunk?”

Yuqiang’s expression changed. “You’re thinking too much. We’re cousins. Nothing could happen.”

“I didn’t say anything. What are you implying?” Chen Shi watched Yuqiang’s reaction closely. “Or do you know something?”

Yuqiang looked down, hesitating. “Well… when we left the villa, my brother did ask me about pregnancy… I didn’t think much of it then. But now, it seems they might have…”

“Your cousin, who belongs to the poorer side of the family, was often with you?”

“My aunt used to take care of my brother, so she often brought my cousin over. We grew up together. My brother used to say he wanted to marry her.”

“You’re not implying that she killed your brother, are you?”

Chen Shi avoided the question. “One last question. Since that villa trip, have you seen her in person?”

“We’ve talked on the phone, chatted on QQ, and played online games…”

“I asked if you’ve seen her in person.”

“Not really.”

Lin Dongxue’s eyes widened. She seemed to understand. Chen Shi told Yuqiang, “Call your parents and aunt and uncle outside. We need to talk.”