Chapter 519: A Disturbance

In front of Zhang’s Noodle Shop, a white banner was strung between two utility poles. The banner read: “Unethical Noodle Shop, Patricide, Selling Human Meat, Morally Bankrupt!”

Zhang Farong shouted through a megaphone, “Ladies and gentlemen, come and see! This so-called filial son killed his own father, chopped him into meatballs, and sold them to customers! He even attacked his own uncle!”

Zhang Farong was shirtless, his upper body wrapped in thick bandages that were slightly stained with what looked like blood. He had purposely gone to a clinic to have his wounds rebandaged, adding red ink for a bloody effect.

His son, Zhang Kui, and a group of men wielding sticks were chasing customers out of the shop. “Still eating here? Enjoying human meat? Aren’t you afraid of being reincarnated as animals in your next life?” they shouted.

Customers fled, and Zhang Farong grew more excited. “Look at this! The ungrateful son who sells human meat for profit! The police are already investigating this place. It’s karma, karma!” He pounded his chest. “If I hadn’t run fast that day, I’d be in those meatballs now!”

Behind the counter, Zhang Hao’s face twisted with rage, and his grip on a rolling pin tightened to the point of creaking.

“Don’t stoop to that scoundrel’s level. I’ve already called the police. They’ll be here soon,” his wife advised.

Unable to contain himself, Zhang Hao rushed out. Zhang Kui and his men immediately blocked him, shoving and taunting him, “What, you want to silence us? Think you can take us all on?”

Zhang Hao’s eyes blazed with fury.

Fortunately, the police arrived, and the scene calmed down somewhat. Half an hour later, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue showed up. By then, Zhang Farong, his son, and their group were crouched on the ground with their hands on their heads. Zhang Farong was still yelling, “You arrest me, a law-abiding citizen, while the real murderer roams free? Did you take bribes from this kid? Is that why justice is so skewed?”

“Zhang Farong, haven’t you caused enough trouble?” Lin Dongxue said with disgust.

Seeing familiar faces, Zhang Farong grinned and stood up, only to be ordered back down by a policeman. “Sit down.”

Zhang Farong complied but continued, “Miss, can’t you control your men? I’m the victim here!”

Lin Dongxue was about to respond, but Chen Shi interjected, “There’s no use talking to this troublemaker. Let the officers take him away.”

The troublemakers were taken away, the banner was removed, and the crowd dispersed. Chen Shi walked into the shop and said, “Looks like there’s no business today, boss.”

Zhang Hao threw down the rolling pin and seethed, “Stop pretending. I know you let him out on purpose to mess with me. Can’t solve the case, so you resort to underhanded tactics?”

“That’s a bit harsh. Your uncle didn’t break any laws. Why would we arrest him?” Chen Shi retorted.

Still fuming, Zhang Hao’s wife tried to calm him, “Talk to the police nicely. Don’t cause more trouble.”

“Stay out of this and go back inside!” Zhang Hao snapped, shoving his wife’s hand away. He was clearly looking for someone to take his anger out on.

Lin Dongxue couldn’t stand it. “What do you think you’re doing? Want to get arrested again?”

“My own wife! What’s it to you if I hit her?” Zhang Hao snarled.

“And you call yourself educated? Don’t you know the law?” Lin Dongxue shot back.

Chen Shi said, “We’re here to inform you that we found your father’s remains.”

Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow, “Where?”

His reaction revealed that he already knew his father was dead. Chen Shi continued, “Your father was murdered. We have a few questions. We hope you’ll cooperate.”

Zhang Hao sat down, lit a cigarette, and said, “I have nothing to say. I know nothing about what happened after he disappeared.”

“I know you have a car. Could you drive it to the station for us to inspect?” Chen Shi asked.

Zhang Hao rolled his eyes, “Why should I?”

His wife interjected, “My father-in-law had a bad temper and made a few enemies. You can’t just suspect my husband right off the bat.”

“It’s not suspicion, just an investigation. Cooperating with the police is a citizen’s duty,” Chen Shi explained.

Zhang Hao took a deep drag from his cigarette, exhaled slowly, then stubbed it out on the floor. “Fine, I’ll take you to the car.”

Chen Shi left with Zhang Hao, leaving the shop quiet. Zhang Hao’s wife wiped her tears with a handkerchief, “One thing after another. How can we live like this? Do the police have to hound my husband?”

“Sister, don’t be sad. If your husband is innocent, the truth will come out, and it’ll be over,” Lin Dongxue consoled her.

“Innocent? So you do suspect him? He may have a bad temper, but he’s no killer,” she insisted.

“Grandpa was killed by Dad!” a child’s voice suddenly piped up.

Zhang Hao’s wife was startled and looked towards the stairs. Her son was standing there. She hurried over, “Xiaochi, go back inside. Adults are talking.”

“No, I want to say it. You should arrest Dad! Then he won’t hit Mom and me anymore.”

“Go back inside!”

“No!”

The boy ran down the stairs, dodging around Lin Dongxue and his mother. Lin Dongxue grabbed him gently, “What do you know, little one?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” his mother scolded.

The boy was scared into silence, and his mother dragged him back upstairs. Lin Dongxue suddenly felt something in her pocket. It was a piece of paper the boy had slipped in.

She found a quiet corner to open it. It was a child’s drawing, depicting a man with a bloody knife entering a room. Lin Dongxue was shocked. Could Zhang Hao’s son be a witness?

She wanted to go upstairs and ask the boy but decided to wait for Chen Shi.

Soon, Chen Shi returned with Zhang Hao’s car. He told Zhang Hao, “We’ll take your car to the station for inspection. We’ll return it if everything checks out.”

Zhang Hao frowned, “Make it quick. With business interrupted daily, my family can’t survive.”

Back at the station, Lin Dongxue showed Chen Shi the drawing. His reaction was similar to hers, “Did this kid witness the crime? But he’s a minor, and two years ago, he was under ten. His testimony might not hold up in court.”

“Maybe he knows where the murder weapon is.”

Chen Shi thought for a moment, “It’s been two years, and Zhang Hao is cautious. It’s unlikely the weapon is still around… The longer we wait, the worse it gets. Let’s go now and question him. Bring a few more people.”