Chapter 513: The Unexpected Meat

“Help! Murder!”

A piercing scream shattered the peace of the alley. People flung open their windows, looking down to see a bloodied man burst from a shop at the alley’s entrance, collapsing onto the street. The rainwater around him quickly turned red.

Following him was a man with a kitchen knife. He glanced up at the shocked faces of his neighbors, then calmly dropped the knife and pulled out his phone to dial 110.

“Hello, this is the police.”

“Someone has been attacked with a weapon,” Zhang Hao said calmly.

“What’s the address?”

“No need, I’ll turn myself in at the main station.”

The next morning, after the rain had cleared, Chen Shi, still craving the meatball noodles, returned to the shop only to find it closed.

He wasn’t the only one disappointed. Many regulars were gathered outside, eager for their morning ritual of Zhang’s famous soup noodles. For some elderly patrons, a hot bowl of noodles at dawn was an irreplaceable part of their day; they even brought their own teapots and bottles of wine.

Among the crowd, a local resident animatedly recounted the previous night’s events.

Apparently, a thief had broken in late at night. The owner, Zhang Hao, had attacked the thief with a knife, only to discover it was his own uncle. Zhang had then called the police on himself, and both men were now in custody.

“So, when will the shop reopen?” was the only concern of the gathered customers.

Chen Shi sighed and decided to find breakfast elsewhere. Just then, several police cars arrived, familiar faces stepping out—Peng Sijue, Lin Dongxue, and Xu Xiaodong among them. Chen Shi greeted them, “What a coincidence!”

“Chen Ge, how did you hear about this?” Xu Xiaodong asked, surprised.

Lin Dongxue remarked, “Look at him, does he seem like he knew? He’s just here for the noodles.”

“Well, no noodles today,” Chen Shi chuckled. “Is everyone alright?”

“Who told you about it?”

“A neighbor.”

“His uncle was slashed on the back but is not seriously hurt. Both are in custody now. It turns out the uncle broke in to poison the food. We’re here to collect evidence.”

“Poison?” Chen Shi was taken aback. “Good thing the owner caught him. Otherwise, who knows how many people would have been affected this morning.”

“It wasn’t exactly poison. The uncle admitted it was just a laxative he got from the pharmacy.”

Lin Dongxue knocked on the door. Though the shop was closed, Zhang Hao’s wife and son were inside. After explaining the situation, the police were allowed in to examine the scene.

A window was broken, and there were scattered glass shards and bloodstains on the floor.

Several trays of minced meat in the freezer were taken as evidence. All the meat was beef.

A neighbor who had picked up the knife Zhang Hao discarded the previous night handed it to the police. It was an ordinary kitchen knife, usually kept on a shelf according to Zhang Hao’s wife.

“This seems like a straightforward case,” Lin Dongxue said. “Do you want to stay and observe?”

“Hmm…” Chen Shi pondered, “This will determine if I can have those noodles tomorrow. I’ll stick around.”

“Haha, you’re really dedicated to your food!”

“Thanks to you. Since I quit smoking, everything tastes better. I think I’ve gained weight recently.”

At the station, Chen Shi visited Zhang Hao in his holding cell. Wrapped in a blanket provided by the police, Zhang Hao looked dejected. Chen Shi said, “I’ve heard the neighbors’ accounts. Your uncle was in the wrong, and you called the police yourself. You should be fine.”

“If possible, I don’t want to press charges. He’s my father’s brother. I don’t want to strain family ties further,” Zhang Hao said.

Curious, Chen Shi asked, “Why don’t you want to pursue legal action?”

“Blood is thicker than water.”

Chen Shi didn’t buy this explanation but responded noncommittally before leaving.

Peng Sijue had someone buy several common brands of laxatives, and tests quickly confirmed that the substance found was indeed a laxative. Zhang Farong, unfamiliar with the dosage, had only used a small amount in each tray of meat, not enough to cause significant harm.

Peng Sijue said, “Whether this constitutes a crime of endangering public safety will depend on the court.”

Lin Dongxue added, “I hope that old rogue gets sentenced. But he’ll definitely be convicted of trespassing.”

Chen Shi thought for a moment and said, “Can I handle the interrogation?”

Peng Sijue replied, “You’re practically a regular here. Just clear it with the team leader.”

“Sure, Dongxue, let me take the lead during the interrogation.”

Lin Dongxue was puzzled about Chen Shi’s intentions but agreed.

Despite his exaggerated claims of injury, Zhang Farong wasn’t seriously hurt. In the interrogation room, he groaned dramatically, “Hurry up, I need to go to the hospital. I’m old; injuries like these could be fatal.”

Chen Shi tossed a stack of documents on the table. “Zhang Farong, your record is quite colorful—selling pirated CDs, organizing prostitution, brawling. It’s a wonder you weren’t executed back in the ’90s. Quite a lucky life you’ve had!”

Zhang Farong waved dismissively, “Those were the good old days! All in the past now.”

“Let’s talk about the present. Why did you try to poison Zhang Hao’s shop last night?”

“Officer, you’re exaggerating. It wasn’t poison, just a bit of laxative to mess with him. It wouldn’t kill anyone.”

“Do you know about the crime of endangering public safety? Most of that shop’s customers are elderly. A laxative could cause serious harm. Can you take responsibility for that?”

Hearing this, Zhang Farong turned pale. “Is it that serious? I didn’t know… It didn’t even work. Look, I’ve already been punished. Can you let me off the hook?”

“Attempted or not, there’s also the charge of trespassing!”

“I didn’t steal anything, just put in the laxative… which didn’t even work!”

“Don’t try to squirm out of this, old man. These charges could put you in prison, and at your age and health, that might be your grave!”

Cold sweat broke out on Zhang Farong’s forehead. He looked ready to cry. “Officer, please have mercy. My family depends on my pension.”

Lin Dongxue glanced at Chen Shi, wondering why he was scaring Zhang Farong so much.

“Your fate depends on your cooperation,” Chen Shi softened his tone. “Tell us everything, and maybe we can help.”

Swallowing hard, Zhang Farong asked, “What do you want to know?”

“Motive!”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Farong said, “Test that meat. It’s not beef.”

“What is it then?”

“Meat you’d never expect!” Zhang Farong nodded solemnly.