Chapter 599: The Unique Apartment

As they walked out, Lin Qiupu noticed the film crew in the hallway, directing a group of police officers to stride purposefully while filming from various angles. It was more tiresome than an interview, and the police officers ensnared by the crew cast pleading looks at Lin Qiupu.

Seeing this, Lin Qiupu felt as if he had seen a ghost. He quickly ushered Chen Shi into the basement and then to the parking lot. Chen Shi laughed, “Next time you send reporters my way, I’ll expose you as a sister-obsessed guy.”

Lin Qiupu took this seriously and responded after a while, “Be a decent person.”

As they drove away from the police station, Lin Qiupu finally relaxed. Sitting in the passenger seat, he asked after a while, “You haven’t had a fight with my sister, have you?”

Chen Shi burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny? Is it that amusing?”

“I was just thinking you’d ask about Dongxue the moment you got in the car, and sure enough, you did.”

“Answer the question!”

“Relax, we’re fine, really. Any fights we have are over in a few minutes.”

The crime scene was mostly unchanged except for the absence of the bodies. Numbered markers were placed on the floor. Chen Shi walked around, examining everything. When he reached the kitchen, he noted, “The killer washed the pot they used to poison the victims. They were meticulous and well-prepared.”

He moved back to the living room, studying the blood-stained sofa, and mimicked the motion of slashing a throat. “What was the angle of the cut?”

“The report says it was a 40-degree angle from the spine, very deep, cutting through the esophagus and major veins. It was likely done with a very sharp, curved blade, possibly a folding knife.”

“So they pulled the victim’s head back to make the cut… Throat slashing is a brutal method. It’s not something a novice would do. The killer was calm and focused, showing no personal emotions. I suspect they have a criminal record.”

“Serial killer?” Lin Qiupu’s tone held a note of dread. Police officers dreaded dealing with indiscriminate killers the most.

“Any similar cases before?”

“Not sure. I’m having someone pull old case files from the precinct.”

“What’s that?” Chen Shi pointed to a blank space amid the bloodstains on the floor, as if something had been removed, leaving a clean, square area.

“That was a property brochure. The victim was planning to buy a house. It’s been taken for examination.”

“Where was the property?”

“Something called Tiancheng International, a new development.”

“I heard the prices there are steep…” Chen Shi glanced at the sofa. “Is running a pharmacy that profitable? They could afford to pay in full.”

He looked out the window, deep in thought. “The killer was probably someone the victims knew, invited into the house. They poisoned the porridge and left, taking the victims’ keys. When the poison took effect, they returned to kill and clean up… It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a professional job. Hired hitman? Who benefits from their deaths?”

“Obviously the wife. Zhang Chao wasn’t her biological son. With the father and son dead, she would inherit everything—the pharmacy, the house, and insurance money. Wang Zhenlong might also stand to gain.”

“They had insurance?”

“Zhang Chao had a life insurance policy purchased by Zhang Haichang’s wife a couple of years ago. It’s now active.”

“Given all this, the wife is indeed a prime suspect…”

“Old Zhang is currently looking into Zhang Haichang’s wife.”

“Seems you’ve already sent people to investigate the likely suspects. What am I here for? Anything missed?”

Lin Qiupu took out a list of the people the victims had contacted before their deaths. Most had already been interviewed, except for one, a salesperson at the real estate office responsible for the purchase contract.

Chen Shi said, “Let’s check it out. You like being thorough, so don’t miss this blind spot.”

They went to the Tiancheng International sales office, asking for Gong Jianqin, the salesperson. They didn’t reveal their identities. When the salesperson politely asked if they were looking to buy a house, Chen Shi nodded.

“What size unit are you interested in? What’s your budget? Shall I show you a model unit first so you can get a feel for it?” The saleswoman’s pitch was well-rehearsed, and Chen Shi’s nodding allowed the conversation to flow smoothly.

They were shown a 120-square-meter model unit, bright and spacious, with polished floors and complete furnishings—though buyers would likely receive a minimally or unfinished unit.

“How much for this unit?” Chen Shi asked.

“Thirteen thousand per square meter. The total is around two million. The down payment is at least thirty percent, but the more you pay upfront, the greater the discount. It depends on your needs and financial capacity,” she smiled, showing her perfect teeth.

“That’s a bit pricey.”

“That’s why we suggest financing. Are you looking for a marital home? How many will live here? Perhaps a smaller unit would suit you better,” she suggested when Chen Shi hesitated.

Lin Qiupu cleared his throat, flashing his badge. “Actually, we’re not here to buy a house. We have some questions.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you have a client named Zhang Haichang?”

“Mr. Zhang?”

“Yes. Have you visited his home recently?”

“No, I haven’t. What happened to him?”

“He was murdered. We’re investigating.”

The saleswoman gasped, covering her mouth. “We already signed the intent agreement. What happens to the house? Will his son buy it?”

“I’m afraid not. His son was also murdered. Keep this information to yourself.”

She widened her eyes in shock. Chen Shi asked, “Which unit were they interested in?”

“None of these.”

“Are there other model units?”

“No, that one is unique. Would you like to see it?”

Chen Shi and Lin Qiupu exchanged glances and decided to see the unique apartment. The saleswoman led them to an unopened floor. They took the elevator to the eighteenth floor, which had a different layout from the others. One side was a sky garden, and the other housed a single apartment.

Inside, they were impressed by the spacious living room, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and a floating balcony. There were three bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a utility room, all filled with natural light. Since it faced south, morning sun wouldn’t disturb sleep.

“How much for this unit?” Chen Shi asked, genuinely interested.

“A bit over two million.”

“The smaller model unit was also two million. Why is this one so much cheaper?” Chen Shi was considering his savings for a down payment. If he sold his current place, he could buy this one outright.

Imagining Tao Yueyue playing with the cat in the spacious living room, the thought was tempting.

“This floor is the eighteenth. Many people think it’s unlucky, so we made it a unique layout and reduced the price.”