Chapter 606: Wishing for More Deaths

The investigation continued. Early the next morning, Chen Shi called on Xu Xiaodong to join him in the investigation. Xu Xiaodong, noticing Lin Dongxue eating breakfast in the office, said, “Dongxue, join us!”

“Who are you talking to?” Chen Shi looked towards the office. “Is there someone in there? Can you see ghosts? Oh my, is it a police officer who died in the line of duty?”

Lin Dongxue smirked, stood up, and said, “Someone’s blind, and their misdeeds are catching up to them.”

Chen Shi told Xu Xiaodong, “Tell that ghost that I have a clear conscience. They spy on others and create their own dramatic narratives. That’s a sickness and needs treatment.”

Lin Dongxue retorted, “Tell that blind man that he knows what he’s done. He hides everything and pretends to be righteous. Even Yue Buqun would bow to his hypocrisy!”

“Tell that ghost that unless she apologizes first, she won’t hear any explanations. Let her stew in her own dramatic fantasies!”

“Tell that blind man to save his useless explanations. I’m not blind; I know what he’s done and what he’s thinking!”

Xu Xiaodong awkwardly said, “Why don’t you two just argue directly and leave me out of it?”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances. Lin Dongxue scoffed and turned away, making Chen Shi even angrier. Not wanting to argue further, he told Xu Xiaodong, “Let’s go, let’s solve this case. When it’s over, we’ll have a good meal.”

In the car, Xu Xiaodong asked, “Chen Ge, are you two fighting?”

“Fighting? What fight? I’m perfectly calm! It’s her who’s unreasonable!”

“Chen Ge, you know, people who fight are usually immature. Right now, you’re acting immature.”

“Give me a cigarette!” Chen Shi gestured.

“Come on, you quit.”

“I quit for an unreasonable woman. Now, I don’t care. Give me one! Shortening my life by five minutes isn’t a big deal. Not being with her will let me live a few more years!”

Xu Xiaodong handed him a cigarette, but Chen Shi just looked at it and didn’t light it.

“How did you two end up fighting?” Xu Xiaodong asked. “When I used to have a crush on Dongxue, I thought if I ever caught her, I’d treat her so well… Is this offensive to you?”

“No, not at all. Do you and Xiao Li ever fight?”

“Not anymore… we broke up.”

“No wonder you two haven’t been together lately.”

“It’s a long story!”

A car ahead blocked the way, and Chen Shi angrily honked the horn. “If I could choose in my next life, I’d be gay. Only men understand each other. Men and women are like beings from different planets, forced together by primitive reproductive needs, causing endless tragedies. Look at these cases—all because of men and women and their issues. Love? Love is nonsense. It’s just an illogical psychological anomaly. If men and men, women and women were together, the world would be perfect!”

Chen Shi’s rant made him sound like a philosopher in a rage.

“That kind of world would be doomed.”

“Xiaodong, you’re a cop, rarely home. Marriage will be tough. You should stay single like Old Peng. No need for kids or a family. The Xu family won’t die out.”

“Let’s not talk about this. Let’s discuss the case.”

“Sure. Any progress?”

“No.”

After a pause, Chen Shi said, “This whole issue is her fault. She needs to apologize. Let her see what dignity means. I won’t bow to unreasonable forces, no matter how pretty they are.”

Throughout the ride, Xu Xiaodong endured Chen Shi’s complaints. By the time they arrived, he felt like dumping all he’d heard.

Their target today was Liu Jin, a mechanic who fit the suspect profile: currently without a house, wanting that specific apartment, and having attended three openings. According to a sales staff member, during the second opening when the second victim, Li, got the apartment, Liu Jin had an intense argument with Li in the parking lot.

At the repair shop, Liu Jin, in greasy overalls, wiped his hands with a rag and approached them, asking, “What do you want?”

Xu Xiaodong showed his badge and let Chen Shi handle the rest. Chen Shi asked, “You’ve been aiming to buy apartment C8-1818 in Tiancheng International, right?”

Liu Jin’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I’m saving up.”

“What’s your monthly income?”

“Is this a discriminatory question? You think a mechanic can’t afford it?”

“Just a regular question. Don’t overthink it.”

“About four or five thousand a month. But I sold my house in my hometown, so I have some savings. You must have seen that apartment. It’s great, isn’t it? I plan to buy it, bring my parents over, and live there with my future wife. It’s 180 square meters, plenty of space for four people. My whole family is trying to gather money for it.”

“How much more do you need to buy it?”

“Why, are you going to lend me some? I’m almost there. The down payment is manageable. I’ll pay the mortgage slowly. As an outsider wanting a household registration in Long’an, you need a house first. No house, no girlfriend. Nowadays, women are very realistic! Officer, why are you asking about this? Is there something illegal about buying a house?”

“I want to advise you against buying it because everyone who wanted it died.”

Revealing this was to gauge Liu Jin’s reaction. His eyes widened with a mix of excitement and fear. “So, it’s cheaper now? Hey, you’re not suspecting me, are you?”

“We’re not suspecting you. We’re visiting everyone interested in that apartment.”

“How many people died? What’s the price now?”

“Two million in full.”

“Still so expensive. A few more deaths might help… Just kidding.”

“Do you know Li Xiaolei?”

“No.”

Chen Shi showed him a photo. Liu Jin recognized him. “Oh, him! We argued at the opening. I wanted him to give up the apartment because I really wanted it. In hindsight, it was unreasonable. Many people wanted that place. Even if he gave it up, I might not get it because of an internal policy.”

“What policy?”

“Full payment buyers get priority. It’s discrimination against us poor folks. I waited from six in the morning, but he got it even though he arrived late. So, I argued with him.”