Chapter 525: Business Trip

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue met several of Lin Hui’s close colleagues. One colleague mentioned that Lin Hui had always been diligent at work and had never made any mistakes. In just a few years, she was promoted to deputy manager. Her husband worked and lived in the neighboring city of Lieyang, which was a four-hour drive from Long’an. Because of the distance, Lin Hui rented a cheap apartment near her workplace and only went home on weekends.

Chen Shi asked this colleague for a photo of Lin Hui. He studied it for a while, and Lin Dongxue asked, “Is this the woman from last night?”

Chen Shi picked up a mirror from the desk, set it up, and walked a distance away so that they could see each other in the reflection. He said, “I only saw her briefly in the rearview mirror last night. It was dark, and she was wearing sunglasses, so all I could tell was that she had long hair.”

“You mean it might not have been her?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“I’m just saying we should be cautious about things we’re not sure of.”

Next, they spoke with another colleague, who provided some new information. This colleague mentioned that Lin Hui had been arguing with her husband frequently recently. She had once visited Lin Hui’s apartment and overheard a half-hour argument on the phone, apparently over a house.

The colleague later asked Lin Hui about it, and Lin Hui revealed that her husband had done something to betray her, and they were considering divorce.

Lately, Lin Hui had often stayed in Long’an even on weekends, indicating that she and her husband might be separated.

“These are just my guesses based on what she told me. She didn’t share the full details,” the colleague added.

Chen Shi asked, “The last time you saw her, how was her hair?”

“She usually ties her long hair up.”

“Is it this long?” Chen Shi gestured to his shoulders.

“Yes, about that long.”

After speaking with a few more colleagues without gaining any new insights, they left the company and went to Lin Hui’s rented apartment. The landlord provided them with the key to enter.

The apartment was small, with just one bedroom and one bathroom, designed for nearby office workers.

The place was tidy, and the trash had been taken out. Lin Dongxue noted, “It looks like she was planning to go out for a while.”

“Good observation,” Chen Shi praised.

“But it doesn’t look like a place where a dog was kept,” Lin Dongxue sniffed the air. “A house with a dog has a distinct smell.”

“This place is too small for a medium-sized dog. None of her colleagues mentioned she had a dog, so it might be kept at her home,” Chen Shi said as he checked each drawer. The apartment was so clean that it was uncertain if they could find any DNA evidence.

“Look at this!” Lin Dongxue pulled out a drawer to reveal a stack of papers, including a draft resignation letter written in pencil. The reason given was to go home and have a baby. “Lin Hui’s relationship with her husband is strained. She earns more than ten thousand a month. Would she really quit her job to be a housewife?”

“The resignation reason must be a cover. Maybe she recently got a large sum of money and plans to quit work,” Chen Shi speculated.

Before leaving, Chen Shi made sure to photograph every corner of Lin Hui’s apartment.

Downstairs, they debated whether to go to Lieyang. A round trip would take eight hours. Lin Dongxue suggested, “How about we call first to get some information?”

Chen Shi shook his head. “If her husband is a suspect, calling him would only give him a chance to cover his tracks. We either don’t call or go straight to him.”

“But a round trip means we’ll get back late. What if something happens in the meantime…”

“Sometimes you just have to act decisively. We’ll take the high-speed train; it’s only two hours.”

“Alright, I’ll book the tickets.”

On the way to the train station, Lin Dongxue chuckled. Chen Shi asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“Just thinking about how marriage is supposed to be about love and forming a social unit, yet when something goes wrong, the spouse is always the first suspect.”

“Captain Peng and I have often discussed that monogamy might not be the best system.”

“Then what is? Polygamy?”

“No, it’s just that monogamy became widespread because there’s no better alternative. I believe the fundamental social unit is the individual, not the family. That’s why Captain Peng decided to stay single.”

“The way you talk about Captain Peng, it’s like you’ve known him forever.”

“We hit it off right away.”

“How cheesy!”

On the train, Lin Dongxue texted Lin Qiupu about their plans. He advised them to be careful and contact local police if they needed assistance.

At noon, they arrived in Lieyang. Looking at the unfamiliar buildings, Lin Dongxue said, “It’s my first time going on a business trip as a police officer.”

“When you get some free time, you should go on a vacation.”

“Free time? We’re busy every day. When would I ever get free time?”

“Then maybe when you retire,” Chen Shi laughed.

Their return train was at 6 PM, so they had plenty of time. Following an online recommendation, Chen Shi found a well-reviewed Hunan restaurant nearby. After lunch, they headed to Lin Hui’s husband Li Xiang’s workplace.

Before meeting him, Chen Shi advised, “You ask the questions while I observe. Don’t mention the money. If he brings it up, then it’s a red flag.”

Li Xiang, an IT guy, came down to meet them wearing a black T-shirt that said, “Sony is the best,” which puzzled Lin Dongxue.

Upon hearing that his wife was missing, Li Xiang seemed shocked. Chen Shi watched him closely but felt his reaction was somewhat exaggerated.

“Have you found her? Is there a case?” Li Xiang asked.

“That’s why we’re here, to ask you some questions,” Chen Shi replied.

“Wait, are you suspecting me?”

“As her husband, we need to understand the situation,” Chen Shi explained.

“Alright, go ahead.”

“You have a Husky named Haha, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Is this it?” Lin Dongxue showed him a photo.

“Yes, that’s Haha. Is it with you?”

“It’s at the police station. When did you last see your wife?”

“The night before last. She came home to take the dog. We had a fight.”

“Why?”

“I feel it’s irrelevant, but you won’t be satisfied unless I explain. She complained that I wasn’t making enough money and suspected I was cheating on her. I think she’s seeing someone else. She hasn’t come home for a month.”

“Do you have any proof of her affair?”

“It’s just a feeling. She’s been distant recently. One time, I visited her place while she was at work, and a lawyer came by. When he saw she wasn’t home, he left. The lawyer’s car had the name of a firm that specializes in divorce cases. So, I suspect she’s planning something. She’s very calculating.”