Chapter 99: The Real Culprit Caught (Even if it’s Late at Night)

Deng Zhongming, a middle-aged divorced man, lived above the paint shop he ran. Chen Shi, along with Lin Dongxue and Lin Qiupu, arrived one after the other. Lin Qiupu stepped out of the car, glanced at his watch, and said, “It’s eleven o’clock. If you got it wrong, or he’s not here, then I win the bet… You really pushed your luck this time. Even the best cops can’t solve cases this fast, and you’re not even a cop.”

Chen Shi retorted, “Maybe Lady Luck is on my side this time?”

“Lady Luck is your aunt, huh? Always on your side, huh, I don’t believe it… I’m sure that guy has skipped town.”

“No way, there’s a guild battle tonight, he’s definitely online.”

Lin Dongxue chimed in, “You two are really something, making such a serious bet. Now I know why two middle-aged men playing games can lead to murder—it’s just male nature.”

Their gaze then fell on Tao Yueyue, who had come with Chen Shi. Tao Yueyue called out, “Dad! When can we go home to sleep?”

“Dad?” Lin Dongxue gaped in astonishment, “She’s your…”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense, she’s just a troublemaker. She’s my friend’s kid; I’m looking after her for a while,” Chen Shi explained.

Lin Dongxue was still skeptical, glancing between Chen Shi and Tao Yueyue, who didn’t seem very alike.

Tao Yueyue pulled Chen Shi aside and whispered, “Is that auntie your sweetheart?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Chen Shi became anxious.

“Keeping secrets has its price, you know~”

Chen Shi resignedly said, “Tomorrow noon, I’ll take you to Pizza Hut.”

Tao Yueyue giggled and hooked her little finger with Chen Shi’s in a promise.

The police secured all exits around the area. Lin Qiupu took out lock-picking tools, approached the shutter door, and gently pulled it open. The officers followed him inside, keeping the lights off. The only light was the faint glow from the windows. Lin Qiupu gestured for everyone to search.

The paint shop was small and seemingly had no hiding places. Just as Lin Qiupu was about to mock Chen Shi, Chen Shi raised a finger to his lips for silence, then pointed to a shelf nearby.

Listening closely, they could hear movement behind the shelf.

Chen Shi gestured for Lin Qiupu to help move the shelf, revealing a staircase leading down. Hidden beneath was a basement.

They descended with flashlights. As they went deeper, sounds of furious typing echoed. Approaching a door emitting a faint light, they entered to find a middle-aged man at a computer, his face illuminated and tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Deng Zhongming!” Lin Qiupu called out.

The middle-aged man didn’t respond until Chen Shi shouted, “Kuang Hai Longao.”

Only then did the man look up, his eyes showing deep weariness. He held up five fingers, “Give me five minutes to say goodbye to my brothers.”

He turned on his microphone and said, “Guys, I know this is sudden, but I’m leaving the game… When will I return? Not coming back. The guild is yours now; do well, aim for first in next year’s cross-server battle… I’ve really enjoyed our time together, truly!” He cried as he spoke, then shakily turned off the game and lit a cigarette.

Chen Shi raised an eyebrow at Lin Qiupu, who muttered, “A small man’s brief authority.”

Then he tossed handcuffs on the table, “Cuff yourself.”

“How did you find me so quickly? I thought it would take you longer to uncover the truth,” Deng Zhongming said.

“Oh, so you’ve resigned yourself to your fate?”

“He got what he deserved, constantly humiliating me. When I did it, I was ready. I’d already taken my revenge and conquered the castle—it was worth it,” Deng Zhongming exhaled smoke and closed his eyes, savoring his victory.

Lin Dongxue frowned in disdain, “A grown man, killing over a game dispute?”

“Watch your tone, young lady. It’s not your place to lecture me. I’m Kuang Hai Longao, one of the top players in the game, revered by many!”

Hearing Deng Zhongming’s harsh words to Lin Dongxue, Lin Qiupu immediately got angry, grabbed his hands, and cuffed him, “I remind you, you are a suspect in a murder case. Watch your attitude! Let’s go.”

“Arrest me if you must, but don’t get cocky. I could be your father by age… Oh, my leg, my leg!”

“What’s wrong?”

“My leg!”

It turned out that Deng Zhongming had a bad leg; he picked up a cane, which he used to walk. Chen Shi noted the size and length of the cane, saying, “Is this the murder weapon?”

Deng Zhongming glanced down at the cane and said, “I didn’t intend to kill him. I just wanted to teach that old guy a lesson. Who would have thought he’d actually drown… Well, he deserved it!”

“To the end, you show no remorse. Come with me,” Lin Qiupu commanded sternly.

As they led him out, Deng Zhongming took one last look back at his shop and asked, “Will my game account be confiscated?”

Chen Shi explained to Lin Qiupu, “He’s spent quite a bit on that account, maybe hundreds of thousands. It should be considered personal property. I guess the court might auction it off.”

“That’s good to hear,” Deng Zhongming said, somewhat relieved. “Whoever has the money to buy my account will be worthy of inheriting my nickname. Ha, even if I go to jail, Kuang Hai Longao will come back.”

Lin Qiupu handed him over to his subordinates and put him into the police car, muttering, “I really want to hit him.”

Lin Dongxue agreed, “Same here! He’s just a lunatic.”

Chen Shi looked at his watch and said, “11:20, it took us seven hours from the incident to solving the case. Pretty fast, huh? Did we set a new record for you guys?”

Lin Qiupu grumbled, “Don’t gloat. It was just good timing.”

“Hope Captain Lin honors the bet,” Chen Shi added.

Lin Qiupu shot him an annoyed glance and ordered, “Let’s wrap this up.”

Earlier, when they were making the arrest, Peng Si Jie had briefly looked after Tao Yueyue. As Chen Shi approached him, Peng Si Jie remarked, “Some people look ordinary, but under that facade, they hide a sinister identity.”

As he said this, his gaze fixed on Chen Shi.

“What’s gotten into you today, Captain Peng? You’re usually not this sentimental,” Chen Shi responded with an unwavering smile.

Peng Si Jie snorted and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Chen Shi.

Chen Shi reached out, pausing when he saw they were Zhongnanhai, his fingers hovering in the air for a few seconds before accepting one. Peng Si Jie mentioned, “This was my friend’s favorite brand. He influenced me to start smoking.”

Chen Shi, finally taking a cigarette, said, “I’ve never been one for these.”

“Really?” Peng Si Jie scoffed coldly.