Chapter 781: The Origin of Legends

“Three, two, one… Haha, it’s quitting time.”

The next afternoon, Lin Qiupu’s partner, Dachang, once again “left on time”. He waved to Lin Qiupu and said, “I’m heading back. You should go home early too. We’ll check more tomorrow.”

Frowning, Lin Qiupu replied, “Dachang, this isn’t good. Everyone else is working day and night on these clues, and you should also spend a bit more time on it!”

Dachang patted Lin Qiupu’s chest twice, saying, “I don’t need you, a newcomer, to teach me how to be a cop!”

With that, he drove off, leaving Lin Qiupu sighing and shaking his head.

It had been a busy day with little progress on the case. Lin Qiupu truly felt the challenges of investigations. Just as he was preparing to visit another pawnshop before dark, he received a call from Song Lang asking, “Where are you?”

“I’m… on Shangma Street.”

“Don’t move, I’m coming to find you.”

With that, the call ended abruptly. Lin Qiupu wondered why the captain wanted to see him. Was there something important? After spending several days together, Lin Qiupu had felt the captain’s concern for him. Whenever he heard the captain’s voice, he felt a warmth inside.

Half an hour later, Song Lang’s car appeared in front of him, calling him to get in.

Once inside, Song Lang said, “Let’s go eat!”

“Captain, did you call me just for this?” Lin Qiupu asked.

“No, I plan to visit Taiyang Pawnshop. I knew you were out, so I thought I’d bring you along. Let’s consider this meal a reward for working overtime!”

Lin Qiupu felt flattered.

They arrived at a regular restaurant where Song Lang ordered a few dishes casually and lit a cigarette. “What have you found out?” he asked.

Opening his notebook, Lin Qiupu replied, “Regarding the legend of this bowl, there are three versions in total. Some say it belonged to Zhaodi, others to a Russian monk, and yet another claims it was from the last criminal of the Qing Dynasty. Aside from these, many pawnshop owners have received similar bowls. I suspect someone is using the legend to commit fraud.”

“Yesterday, Old Peng verified that the bowl you brought back was made of ox bone, whereas the one from Taiyang was made of monkey bone.”

“What? Neither is real!?”

“I also checked the records. This bowl first appeared in Yuxiang Pawnshop. The originator was caught long ago. Here’s the story: one unemployed young man brainstormed this ‘innovative’ fraud method one day. He used a small, worthless bowl and made up a story to scam people. He was humiliated by a pawnshop owner that day and slapped. Out of spite, he later killed the owner’s family of three that same night. He hid for a few days, scared out of his wits, and eventually turned himself in. He’s still in prison now. Logically, the story should end here, but miraculously, this bowl and legend spread like a virus through Long’an’s pawnshops. Almost every pawnshop received it. A small minority paid the ‘life-saving fee,’ while most laughed it off. Statistically, it lacks credibility, but after being embellished by outsiders time and again, it became increasingly eerie. There are even three versions of the bowl’s origin story.” Song Lang shook his head and smiled. “This case is a classic example of rumor propagation. It could even be included in sociology textbooks. Lin, what are your thoughts?”

“Um, someone is using it?”

“Why are they using it?” Song Lang encouraged.

“Because… because the legend is creepy, and pawnshop owners are superstitious. Using it can deceive people into giving money.”

“Exactly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The reason this legend has vitality is because it can bring tangible benefits, just like all other laughably crude scams.”

“Is this legend related to the case?”

“No, because He Jingjing lied,” Song Lang said calmly.

“What?!” Lin Qiupu was shocked. The captain knew from the start that there was no connection, yet he had him investigate for two days.

“Don’t look disappointed. Investigating a case isn’t just about proving; it’s also about disproving. Why did He Jingjing use this legend? What could she gain? Before he died, He Taiyang withdrew a million from the bank, and we still don’t know where that money is. Perhaps He Jingjing brought up this legend to swallow that money. Of course, there could be other motives.”

“I think we should focus our investigation on her!” Lin Qiupu became excited.

Song Lang smiled. “Don’t fixate on one person. He Jingjing is indeed suspicious, but she doesn’t have a clear motive for murder, at least not yet.”

Lin Qiupu checked his notebook. “One pawnshop owner mentioned that He Taiyang and his nephew He Jun didn’t get along well recently. They argued over money.”

Song Lang nodded.

“And the owner of that calligraphy and painting, I asked around. These pawnshop owners seem to know something but refuse to say.”

“You’re diligent,” Song Lang chuckled. “They won’t talk because they fear offending that person. This individual wields considerable influence.”

“Captain, does Long’an still have organized crime groups?”

“In a city this size, they definitely exist. Any group of people using violence for profit qualifies as an organized crime group under the law… Finish your meal quickly; after eating, we’ll continue with the investigation.”

At that moment, the dishes arrived, and Lin Qiupu murmured in acknowledgment, lowering his head to eat.

After the meal, Song Lang took Lin Qiupu to Taiyang Pawnshop. To his surprise, Captain Peng was also there, carrying an inspection case. Standing next to him was an unfamiliar middle-aged man who didn’t look like a policeman.

“Why did you take so long!?” Peng Sijue complained.

“Haha, looks like you didn’t wait long for me. After half an hour, you won’t talk to me anymore,” shamelessly remarked Song Lang.

“Fourteen minutes. I stood here waiting for you for fourteen minutes!”

“My sincere apologies.”

Song Lang showed no guilt and exchanged a few polite words with the stranger, learning that he was an expert in calligraphy and painting appraisal.

Inside the pawnshop, He Jingjing was absent, leaving He Jun to mind the store. Seeing the four of them arrive, He Jun seemed impatient. “Why do the police come every day? We’re not in business?”

“Not every pawnshop experiences murder cases. Please cooperate,” Song Lang said.

“Okay, what do you want to ask this time?” He Jun asked impatiently.

“We’ve learned that this store once received a painting by Zhang Deting. Do you know who that customer was?”

“I do, but I can’t say.”

“Why?”

“Because if I do, you’ll go looking for him, disturb the old man’s peace, and if it turns out to be my fault, I’ll be in trouble!”

“Heh heh!” Song Lang chuckled dryly. “Even billionaires have times when they’re strapped for cash, sending someone to pawn art?”

“Even billionaires can have liquidity problems. This big shot sent someone to pawn it. Uncle He handled this matter badly. He split the painting into two halves. After a few days, the other party came to redeem it. Uncle He was greedy and handed over one piece while keeping the other. When the big shot found out, he was furious and threatened Uncle He!”

He Jun provided yet another version of events.

“So, on the day He Taiyang was killed, did he take the remaining half of the painting and money to apologize?” Song Lang asked.

“I don’t know what was in his box.”

“Is the other half of the painting still here?”

“I’m not sure about that!” He Jun said with evasive eyes.