Chapter 798: The Conning Expert

“This is just like the hooligans in Tianjin before liberation selling rotten peaches as divine peaches, forcing people to pay high prices,” Old Zhang said.

Chen Shi nodded, “Exactly, it’s all under the guise of business but really extortion, exploiting the fear of others.”

Lin Dongxue added, “No wonder Mr. Shen was willing to offer a 40% commission to sell this painting. He knew he couldn’t keep it anymore. Lige Guoxiao found out about it, so he sent Liu Feng to teach him a lesson. Wait, if that’s the case, Liu Feng’s motive for murder seems plausible too. Mr. Shen wasn’t afraid of threats; he simply didn’t want to give up the painting. So Liu Feng went there late at night to kill and take the painting!”

Many found this deduction convincing, but Chen Shi disagreed. He said, “People in these circles generally wouldn’t commit murder. They understand the severity of punishment. If the goal was just a painting, there would be no need for murder.”

“Not necessarily,” Old Zhang said, “People on the street have hot tempers, easily provoked. I once handled a case where two gangs who didn’t know each other went to eat barbecue. The owner served one table first, which escalated into a fight. It escalated, and thirteen people ended up dead or injured. The survivors got a total of fifty years. Can you believe that mess?”

“The barbecue place called Shihouzi’s on Stone Monkey Road?” Chen Shi asked.

“Yeah, that’s the one. Famous for their roasted pig’s feet,” Old Zhang chuckled.

“Some people really live life as a joke,” a voice commented from a shadowy corner.

“Who’s gossiping there? Xiao Dong, is it you?” Lin Qiupu glared at Xu Xiaodong.

“N-No, not me!” Xu Xiaodong replied innocently.

Lin Qiupu said, “Since Chen Shi has suggested this hypothesis, let’s investigate in this direction. We should search Liu Feng’s home and reconsider the witness’s testimony.”

Lin Dongxue said, “Should we go straight to the source and ask Lige Guoxiao about the situation?”

Chen Shi said, “No use. That old fox won’t say a word if you visit him.”

After the meeting, Chen Shi prepared to accompany Lin Dongxue to the scene. Lin Dongxue said, “Didn’t you say you were going to buy fish for Yuanyuan?”

“I suddenly got interested in this case again. I’ll go buy them later tonight; it’ll be fine,” Chen Shi laughed.

“Can it be the same? Seafood isn’t fresh in the evening.”

“Do you mind if I take a detour to the seafood market during the investigation?” Chen Shi teased.

“Haha, truly taking your time!” Their delay meant that when they arrived at Shangma Street, they found Lin Qiupu chatting with a woman—the same pawnshop owner they had seen yesterday. Lin Dongxue exclaimed, “Brother, what are you doing here?”

“Just catching up with an old acquaintance. Let me introduce you. This is He Jingjing, the adopted daughter of He Taiyang mentioned this morning.”

Lin Dongxue glanced at the sign, “Are you managing this pawnshop now?”

“Haha, just making ends meet…” He Jingjing chuckled. “Lin Captain was just asking me about something. I must say you police officers are quite sharp, exposing that old man’s tricks.”

“You mean the incident with Lige Guoxiao selling counterfeit items!” Lin Dongxue was shocked.

“Exactly, he’s done this multiple times. Whenever a pawnshop in the city has a valuable antique, his minions find out and pressure the owners to sell. The items in his collection are said to be worth over a hundred million, and he hasn’t paid a cent for any of them. When you have power, you have money, it’s that simple!” He Jingjing sneered.

“Why focus on pawnshops?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Because this industry operates in gray areas. Most pawnshops also do lending, which means they need to collect debts. Some pawnshop owners themselves are part of the underworld.”

“Have you been cheated too?”

“He took a painting by Zhang Dedian from us.”

“Zhang Dedian’s painting?” Lin Qiupu recognized the name.

“Yes, the genuine one my adoptive father had. It was actually a big misunderstanding. Both He Jun and I found out later. My adoptive father had the real Zhang Dedian’s work, but Lige Guoxiao found out and brought a fake to exchange. My adoptive father, knowing he was targeted, reluctantly swapped his real painting for the fake. But little did he know, his son, He Jun, switched it back. As a result, Lige Guoxiao took back the fake, causing the scene that day. Officer Lin, if you hadn’t shown up, our little shop would surely have been smashed by those men.”

Lin Qiupu suddenly realized, “So after He Taiyang died, the painting left in the shop was the real one. That explains it!”

“He’s such a despicable old man. He’s extorted over a billion, but nobody dares to accuse him. Moreover, the pawnshop records show these items as genuine with no proof.”

“Miss He, would you dare to sue him? If you’re willing, we’ll do our best to gather evidence and get rid of this cancer!” Lin Qiupu said.

He Jingjing smiled bitterly, “I dare not sue him. I don’t want to disappear mysteriously one day. Maybe someone else would be willing to stick their neck out, but definitely not me. It’s hard enough for a weak woman like me to survive in Long’an.”

Lin Qiupu tried to persuade her to stand up for justice, but He Jingjing adamantly refused. Lin Qiupu could only change the subject, “Did you visit Mr. Shen’s shop yesterday?”

“Yes, I did. Around ten in the morning, Liu Feng and his gang barged in. There was banging and crashing inside. I guess what happened. Maybe Mr. Shen didn’t want to hand over the painting, so Lige Guoxiao used some silly reason to beat him up.”

“A gang?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Yes, a gang, they came in two cars.”

It seemed the witness’s evidence had new loopholes. After discussing what needed to be said, He Jingjing said she had to get back to work. She smiled at Lin Qiupu, “Officer Lin, how about joining me for tea sometime?”

“Absolutely not,” Lin Qiupu replied seriously.

“Just as distant as seven years ago,” He Jingjing smiled and prepared to leave. Chen Shi, who hadn’t spoken until then, asked her, “Did you visit Mr. Shen’s shop yesterday?”

He Jingjing noticed Chen Shi for the first time. Although she hadn’t met this uncle before, his sharp eyes seemed familiar to her. “You are…”

“Being with Lin Captain, naturally, I’m also a policeman,” Chen Shi lied.

“I… I did go once. The poor man was harassed by thugs. We didn’t dare to intervene, but it’s only right to go over and comfort them. After all, they’re neighbors and colleagues,” He Jingjing explained.