Chapter 490: Six Years Ago

The first victim, Yan Qilin, was a high school senior, introverted and shy, who mostly enjoyed reading alone. After her murder, the police focused their investigation on three individuals.

The first was Xiao Ran, a classmate and close friend of the victim. They had been inseparable since meeting during military training in their freshman year. While going through the victim’s belongings, Xiao Ran found a diary, which she handed over to the police. The diary mentioned that both girls had liked the same boy, but Xiao Ran had stepped aside, leading Yan Qilin to feel indebted and treat her even better.

Based on the victim’s diary and Xiao Ran’s statements, this issue did not seem severe enough to be a motive for murder. Moreover, Xiao Ran had an alibi; she was on a date with another boy at the time of the crime.

The second person was Zhang Jinlei, the boy Yan Qilin had a crush on. They were classmates, and it wasn’t until after graduation that they started dating and applied to the same university. During the summer break, no one besides Xiao Ran knew about their relationship.

Yan Qilin’s death deeply affected Zhang Jinlei, who became very despondent and even vowed to avenge her. He got into a fight with another boy, Yue Chao, almost ending up with a criminal record.

On the night of the incident, Yan Qilin was supposed to meet Zhang Jinlei near Wuyi Road. He waited for a long time, unable to reach her by phone.

Though Zhang Jinlei was alone at the time and lacked an alibi, various investigations eventually ruled him out as a suspect.

The third person was Yue Chao, also a classmate of the victim. However, he had dropped out in the second semester of their senior year and did not take the college entrance exams.

Zhang Jinlei claimed to have seen Yue Chao act inappropriately toward the victim, but Yue Chao insisted they were like siblings and that any physical interactions were just playful. He suggested Zhang Jinlei was overly sensitive and misunderstood the situation.

Yue Chao worked at a place Yan Qilin often visited, indicating they had a good relationship.

Yue Chao also had a solid alibi, so the police dismissed him as a suspect.

After reviewing the thick stack of statements, Chen Shi asked, “Where’s the victim’s diary?”

“It’s in the evidence room. I know what you’re thinking. The diary is authentic, truly the victim’s. We checked the binding—no pages were removed. Zhang Jinlei had also seen it before.”

“Why did Yue Chao drop out? A senior student quitting school must have made a big mistake, right?”

“According to teachers and classmates, he was always a troublemaker. The exact reason for his dropout isn’t clear, but the officers involved in the investigation confirmed it had nothing to do with the victim. It was an isolated incident.”

Chen Shi stared at the fluorescent light, lost in thought.

Lin Dongxue said, “When the first murder happened, we interviewed these three and many others close to the victim. We’ve ruled out the possibility of an acquaintance being the killer. With the subsequent similar cases, the police now classify it as a serial murder case.”

“But investigating it as a serial murder case hasn’t led to any progress, has it?… Where’s your brother?”

“He’s out.”

“On a case?”

“No, he assigned officers from various district branches and stations to patrol tonight. It might be like finding a needle in a haystack, but who knows, we might get lucky and run into the killer.”

Chen Shi chuckled, “Seems like this case has tormented you all.”

“Yes, every year as Qixi approaches, everyone gets tense… Do you think the killer will strike again this year?”

“If the pattern is clear and consistent, and the killer hasn’t slipped up in six years, I think this person has formed a psychological habit. They will definitely commit another murder this year.”

Lin Dongxue sighed, “It’s so frustrating! Waiting for another girl’s body to be delivered here tomorrow.”

“I’m hungry. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Having spent the whole day working on the case without dinner, they went out for barbecue. Chen Shi ate while deep in thought, his mind clearly racing. Lin Dongxue refrained from disturbing him.

Suddenly, Chen Shi remarked, “When you think about it, there are differences in these cases.”

“What differences?”

“From the second case onward, the victims were killed elsewhere and then dumped in remote places. Only the first victim was killed at the scene… Have you considered that the last five murders were copycat crimes?”

“We did, but the details of the case, especially the numbers written on the victims’ arms, were never made public. Outsiders couldn’t possibly know.”

“True…” Chen Shi muttered, grabbing a skewer of lamb. His attention was caught by a flashing light approaching—police lights.

Lin Dongxue noticed too. The police car returning to the station with its lights still on indicated something urgent. They both called out to the boss, then exchanged a smile. Chen Shi said, “Check, please! And pack it up!”

They hurried back to the station and saw a man being escorted out of the police car, along with a girl who appeared drunk, staggering and slurring her words at Xu Xiaodong, “Hey handsome, what’s your number? Why aren’t you talking?” Xu Xiaodong looked mortified.

Lin Dongxue asked Lin Qiupu, “What’s he done?”

“Suspicious behavior spotted during patrol.”

The man shouted, “You’re all crazy! I was on a date with my girlfriend, and you just arrest me out of nowhere!”

“We’ll discuss it inside!”

“You lunatics! I’ll sue you!”

Lin Dongxue thought the man looked familiar but couldn’t place him.

After learning the man’s name, she was stunned—it was Yue Chao, the person connected to the first murder case.

Six years had passed. Now twenty-five, Yue Chao worked at a health products sales company.

Police patrolling near the first crime scene, now a residential area, found Yue Chao acting suspiciously with a drunken girl. Upon seeing the police, he tried to flee with the girl but was stopped. They discovered a red dress and a bag of salt in his possession.

These findings only heightened police suspicion.

The drunk girl was taken to an office to sober up, while Yue Chao was led to the interrogation room. He seemed impatient, fidgeting and asking for a cigarette. Ten minutes later, Lin Qiupu entered and sat across from him, saying, “Six years later, we meet again. Explain why you were arrested this time.”

Yue Chao sneered, “How should I know why you arrested me?”

“What’s with the red dress?”

“It’s for my girlfriend.”

“And the bag of salt?”

“I bought it to cook with. Is that a crime?”

Lin Qiupu smirked, “It’s not a crime, but six years ago, Yan Qilin was murdered. Every year since, a girl has been killed in the same way on Qixi. You were connected to Yan Qilin’s case. These items mean more than you think, and you know it.”