Chapter 834: Breakthrough

After leaving Jia Laosi’s house, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue returned to the crime scene. They saw Lin Qiupu talking to an agitated man in a suit, who was waving his arms and speaking loudly. As they got closer, Lin Dongxue heard him saying, “The police must hand over all the information you have so far. We will decide what to release to the media.”

“Sir, I understand your concern, but your actions are hindering our investigation,” Lin Qiupu replied before walking away, leaving the man fuming.

Lin Qiupu approached them and said, “That guy’s from the singer’s company, making all sorts of unreasonable demands.”

The man in the suit was on the phone, glaring at Lin Qiupu with a vengeful look.

Lin Qiupu sighed, “This case is too high-profile. The bureau will put special emphasis on it. No rest for us in the coming days.”

Lin Dongxue said, “Brother, Chen and I believe the killers are the rice harvesters. They’re trying to use the singer to divert attention.”

“Another one of your theories?”

“I have evidence. Let’s have Lao Peng check it out,” Chen Shi said.

Lin Qiupu nodded, “Investigate however you see fit. Within my authority, you have the freedom. Just solve the case.”

“Can we get some manpower?” Chen Shi asked. “I have an idea. If we gather all the rice harvesters from these villages, we might get valuable information. I suspect there’s some shady deal between the farmers and the harvesters.”

“Forget it. The team is already stretched thin, and the local stations are on their way… Besides, that guy is still here overseeing everything.” Lin Qiupu discreetly pointed at the man in the suit.

“Alright, we’ll do it ourselves,” Chen Shi sighed. “Oh, if possible, could you bring the phone tracking equipment? The harvesters keep playing hide and seek with us, so we need technical help.”

“I’ll contact the bureau.”

Lin Qiupu went back to the crime scene. Lin Dongxue asked, “What now?”

“We find Jia Laosi!” Chen Shi said decisively.

Based on his ID usage records, Jia Laosi was located at a guesthouse in a nearby county. They drove straight there.

It took over three hours to get there from Wangchenggang. Even though it was already past 1 PM, they had no appetite and went directly to the guesthouse. Jia Laosi hadn’t checked out, and they found his rented room through the front desk.

The guesthouse staff unlocked the door. The room was empty, but the bed was unmade, and his luggage was on the floor, suggesting he was still nearby.

“Thank you, we’ll wait here,” Chen Shi told the staff, who then left.

The room was small. Chen Shi noticed some calling cards on the floor and a well-worn pirated book on the nightstand. There was a trash bag full of snack wrappers. Jia Laosi had been holed up here for two days, probably very bored.

He was so compliant with the harvesters that there had to be a mutual benefit. Chen Shi surmised that the rice wasn’t ordinary. Either the rice itself had issues, or the harvesters were using the rice as a cover for illegal activities.

There was a click as Lin Dongxue opened the luggage on the floor. Chen Shi said, “The guy hasn’t returned, and you’re already searching?”

“Nothing else to do!”

The suitcase contained clothes, but at the bottom was a package of seeds labeled “Shennong No. 24.” The red packaging featured a poorly photoshopped girl holding rice seeds. Inside were several small bags of rice seeds, looking quite ordinary.

Finding the rice seeds they had been searching for so easily surprised them. Chen Shi examined one of the bags and checked the information on his phone. “The address of the manufacturer is fake. This company doesn’t exist.”

“What’s the secret of these seeds?” Lin Dongxue wondered again.

Footsteps approached from outside. Chen Shi signaled Lin Dongxue to quickly close the suitcase. The door opened, and Jia Laosi walked in. Seeing people inside, he tried to run, but Lin Dongxue shouted, “Stop! Police!”

Jia Laosi froze, then slowly turned around with a forced smile. “What do you want?”

“Why did you run? Who did you think we were?” Chen Shi asked.

“No… no one. Isn’t it normal to run when you see strangers? Officer, want a cigarette?” Jia Laosi offered, reaching for his pack.

“No thanks.” Chen Shi pulled out his phone and showed Jia Laosi two photos. “Do you know them?”

“Uh…”

“Chu Wei and Luo Chuanlong, right?”

“Oh, the rice harvesters. Yes, I know them.”

“Then why didn’t you recognize their photos?”

“What!?”

“The photos I showed you were random. I only said their names afterward, and you immediately recognized them?”

“I know them, but I only see them once a year. How can I remember their faces?” Jia Laosi was sweating profusely.

“Let’s talk inside,” Chen Shi said.

Jia Laosi didn’t dare refuse and followed them inside. Chen Shi shut the door and windows, making Jia Laosi even more nervous. “What do you want from me? I didn’t do anything!”

“Why are you here? Why did you leave right after the rice was harvested and lie to the villagers about going to Xi’an?” Chen Shi stared at him.

Jia Laosi nervously licked his lips and looked at Lin Dongxue, forcing a smile. “I’m here for personal matters, taking advantage of the off-season.”

“What personal matters?”

“Uh… a blind date.”

“Who’s the date? Let’s call her to confirm.”

Jia Laosi panicked. Chen Shi said, “Lying won’t help. We’ll verify everything you say.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong! What do you want to know?”

“On the 17th, two policemen came to your village to mediate a dispute. Do you remember?”

Jia Laosi nodded silently, seemingly aware of what Chen Shi was about to ask.

“They went missing. We found some of their belongings in your tractor shed. How do you explain that?”

“I don’t know how they went missing. My shed is always open. No one steals a tractor. I only lock it at night.”

“One of the officers, named Jia, is your relative. You invited them to lunch that day.”

“Yes, I saw Jia and his partner on duty and invited them in for a meal. Is that a problem?”

“No, but did you drag them to your shed after lunch? How did you manage two policemen alone? Did you drug them?”

“No, I didn’t…” Jia Laosi was in a panic under Chen Shi’s interrogation.

“If you’re not involved in their disappearance, why are you hiding? Did someone tell you to hide?”

Chen Shi had considered this. Jia Laosi had no reason to hide unless he was easily intimidated and likely to give himself away. This made him the perfect breakthrough point.

Jia Laosi’s reaction confirmed he wasn’t a tough guy.

To break him, Chen Shi kicked over a thermos, causing a loud bang. Jia Laosi jumped and trembled, his shirt soaked in sweat.

“Who told you to hide?” Chen Shi growled.

“It was them… the harvesters!”

“Who are they?”

“The rice harvesters…” Jia Laosi lowered his head.