Chapter 481: Pitiful People Are Despicable in Their Own Way

Chen Shi opened the door to find Lin Dongxue standing there with a bag in her hand. She lifted it and smiled, “I brought some snacks and drinks to keep you company. I thought you might get bored.”

“We’re not hungry. But it’s always good to have a woman around to keep things interesting,” Chen Shi teased.

“Shut up!” Lin Dongxue retorted playfully.

She stepped inside and asked, “Bored here? Why did you volunteer for this stakeout? It’s so unlike your restless nature.”

Chen Shi replied, “Everyone else is grasping at straws. I think we have a better chance of catching the suspect here… Any updates?”

“We’ve contacted Zhang Xiao’s friends and family. He hasn’t been in touch with anyone recently. Most didn’t even know he was out of prison. The bank’s surveillance shows a tall, thin man withdrawing some money from Zhang Xiao’s account. He withdrew 100,000 yuan in cash over several transactions because of the ATM limit. The remaining money was transferred to another account under the name Zheng Jingjing, but it might be a fake ID bought online.”

“Seems likely the suspect has an accomplice. Has that account been frozen?”

“Lin Qiupu has contacted the bank. They will handle it first thing in the morning.”

“I suggest not freezing it. Doing so would alert them that the police are onto them. They already have enough cash to run. Seventy thousand yuan isn’t a lot. The priority is catching them.”

“I’ll mention it to my brother,” Lin Dongxue said.

“It’s just my suggestion. He can choose to ignore it.”

Lin Dongxue chatted with them for a while and then left. They planned to stay there overnight. As she was leaving, Chen Shi reminded her to be careful and take a taxi directly home. Lin Dongxue laughed, “I’m not a child, don’t worry!”

As Lin Dongxue walked out of the complex, the cool August night air felt refreshing. The night sky was clear, so she decided to take a short walk.

A van with “We Buy Junk Appliances” written on it was parked not far from the complex. Lin Dongxue found it familiar and walked over to knock on the window. Someone was inside. Wu Xu was wiping the interior with a cloth. Hearing the knock, he looked up, and his guarded expression relaxed upon seeing Lin Dongxue.

He opened the door and got out, “Officer Lin? Still working this late?”

“No, just passing by… What are you doing here?”

“Collecting junk, driving around. You’re not here to question me, are you?”

“No, no.” Lin Dongxue laughed. “I just saw your van and wanted to say hi. I’m leaving now!”

As she walked away, she heard footsteps behind her. Wu Xu caught up and handed her a small package. “Officer Lin, this is for you.”

Curious, Lin Dongxue opened it to find a small gift box inside. Surprised, she looked at Wu Xu, “What’s this for?”

“It’s a gift for you. I bought it with my own money. It’s not expensive, just a little token.”

“Why are you giving me a gift out of the blue?”

“You encouraged me back then, helped me get back on my feet. I always wanted to thank you but didn’t know where you lived.”

Lin Dongxue was amused. “I just said a few words. I can’t accept this.”

“Take it, please. Since I got out of prison, I haven’t bought anything for a girl in years. This is just to fulfill a wish… I know you have a boyfriend, this is just a thank you, nothing more!”

Feeling awkward, Lin Dongxue shook her head, “Sorry, I really can’t accept it. I appreciate the thought.”

She tried to return the box, but Wu Xu wouldn’t take it. He looked disappointed, “In the end, you’re just like everyone else. You look down on me because I’ve been in prison, don’t you?”

“You’re overthinking it. Really, I would do the same with anyone who randomly gave me a gift. It’s not about your past.”

“I know you despise me, but you’re too polite to say it. I know who you are and who I am. I shouldn’t have had such foolish thoughts.”

Lin Dongxue was getting annoyed. She shoved the box back into Wu Xu’s pocket and left.

Watching her walk away, Wu Xu bit his lip, his eyes flashing with anger.

The next morning, Chen Shi returned to the precinct. Another team had taken over the stakeout. Lin Qiupu had asked him and Xu Xiaodong to come back. Over breakfast, Lin Dongxue recounted her encounter with Wu Xu the previous night.

“I didn’t mean to discriminate against him. But if anyone gave me a random gift, I wouldn’t accept it. I don’t know why he took it so personally,” Lin Dongxue sighed.

Chen Shi said, “Wu Xu has been popping up a lot lately. Could it be…”

“You already checked him out. He’s not a suspect.”

“My point is, it’s natural to discriminate against someone like him.”

Xu Xiaodong clapped, “Chen always speaks the truth, no sugar-coating.”

“Why do you discriminate against him?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s a convicted felon. While others were studying, working, and getting married, he was in prison with society’s worst. His mental state is bound to be different from ordinary people. In everyday life, I would avoid people like him. I don’t feel any sympathy for them.”

Xu Xiaodong nodded, “Pitiful people are despicable in their own way.”

Lin Dongxue’s face twitched, “I didn’t expect you guys to be so cynical. I can understand Xu Xiaodong, but Chen, I thought you’d be more enlightened.”

Chen Shi laughed, “One of my life principles is never to sympathize with people who are suffering the consequences of their actions. There are many pitiful criminals brought to the police station, but I never feel sorry for them. People should bear the consequences of their own actions. Some saints can be all-forgiving, but I can’t. My sympathy is reserved for the truly unfortunate. So, I suggest you stay away from drug addicts, prostitutes, and ex-cons. Don’t give them any sympathy. It only encourages them.”

Xu Xiaodong praised, “Chen’s words are always so enlightening!”

Lin Dongxue looked at Chen Shi and smiled helplessly, “What are you laughing at?” he asked.

“Seeing you talk so righteously makes me think you’ll be very annoying when you’re old.”

“Haha, I’ve always been annoying, not just when I’m old.”

“Well, at least you’re self-aware.”

Just then, their phones rang simultaneously. It was news from the task force: another missing person had been found.