Animal Detective

"Come in!"

A voice came from inside the room.

Shen Xin immediately pushed the door open and went in.

He hadn’t expected anyone else to be in there. After seeing who it was, Shen Xin quickly offered a greeting.

It was the detachment’s Political Commissar, Xu Daokai.

He looked a bit younger than Zhang Hancheng, with side-parted hair, glasses, and a slightly long face.

But as a political commissar, his expression was naturally more serene. He nodded to Shen Xin, motioning for him to sit.

Then he smiled and said, "Xiaoshen, I was thinking of finding a chance to have a good chat with you once you transferred to the city bureau. But then you went off to help out in Songpu, and I missed my chance. Come by my office in a bit, and we can talk."

Shen Xin, who had just sat down, immediately straightened his back.

’A chat?’

’What would we talk about? My ideological alignment?’

"Of course, Political Commissar Xu. I’ll head over in a little while."

It was unavoidable, but Shen Xin was single-mindedly focused on his work, so there wouldn’t be any problems.

At the mention of Songpu, a smile appeared on Zhang Hancheng’s face from behind his desk. "Shen Xin, you did a good job on your trip to Songpu."

"I heard the case was at a standstill, but you helped break the deadlock. Now there’s been a major breakthrough. You deserve a lot of the credit."

"By the way, what’s that phrase my son is always saying?"

He furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment before it came to him. "Right, it’s ’carry’ something ’the whole match.’ Is that kind of what you did?"

Shen Xin chuckled. "Not at all, Captain Zhang. I’m still confused about the whole thing. To be honest, the case progressed thanks to the task force. I saw their setup—it was an impressive, even intimidating, operation."

He couldn’t help but think, ’Zhang Hancheng is surprisingly trendy. He even knows the term ’carry’.’

But speaking of which, he had gone to Songpu to play a supporting role, yet in the end, it was just as Zhang Hancheng said. The support had ended up carrying the whole match, leading the ADC to storm the high ground.

Zhang Hancheng laughed heartily. "It’s good to be confused. Just focus on doing your own job well and don’t worry so much about the rest."

Shen Xin nodded.

It was obvious Zhang Hancheng also knew a thing or two about the situation.

Zhang Hancheng must have known why Shen Xin was there, as he proactively brought up the Cold Case Resolution Office.

He started with a warning. "Kid, don’t think you were transferred to the city bureau to sit in an office and enjoy a cushy life."

Compared to a branch bureau, working at the city bureau, which focused mainly on operational guidance, was already much, much easier.

"Since Director Zhao established this Cold Case Office and said it’s supposed to take the lead, you’ll need to produce some results, right?"

After applying pressure, he naturally had to offer a carrot.

Zhang Hancheng continued, "I can give you some time to get familiar with the work. You can also bring up anything you need. But once that time is up, I expect to see results."

Shen Xin nodded immediately.

Since the topic of needs had come up, Shen Xin took the opportunity. "Captain Zhang, I’ve worked on cold cases before. Several of them, like the Dadao Gold Case and the Shajin Farm case, were only solved thanks to the help of my colleagues from the branch’s Criminal Investigation Division."

Before he could finish, Zhang Hancheng cut him off with a raised hand.

"Old Xu, see that?" Zhang Hancheng said, pointing at Shen Xin. "He’s already started complaining to me about needing more people."

This was clearly a way of doing Xu Daokai a favor.

Xu Daokai chuckled. "Cold cases... Times change, the circumstances are complex. To solve them, you not only need fresh ideas but also have to put in even more effort than was put in back then."

"An office of just three people like theirs really is short-staffed."

Shen Xin nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Hancheng said, "All right, spit it out. Who do you have your eye on? It’s that Zhao Tianxing, isn’t it? He’s been wandering around the offices all day, gathering intelligence for you."

Shen Xin quickly replied, "Captain Zhang, nothing gets past you."

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Xin mentioned Yang Zeran’s name.

It seemed Zhao Tianxing had been right. The moment Yang Zeran’s name was mentioned, Zhang Hancheng’s expression changed slightly. He said in surprise, "You’ve got some nerve, kid. You sure know who to ask for."

Shen Xin didn’t dare overstep his authority, much less try to call in a favor on the spot.

Employing a strategic retreat, he gave an awkward smile. "Captain Zhang, I was mainly thinking that since Yang Zeran is young, he’d fit in well with us. But if you feel it’s not appropriate, then we can just forget it."

Zhang Hancheng didn’t reply, just quietly sized up Shen Xin.

Just as Shen Xin was starting to feel unnerved by the scrutiny, Zhang Hancheng finally spoke. "Fine. Since you have the guts to ask, I’ll give him to you. As long as Yang Zeran himself is willing, I have no objection."

Shen Xin quickly thanked him.

But inwardly, he was puzzled. ’There’s a hidden meaning in Zhang Hancheng’s words. He has no objection, but if Yang Zeran doesn’t agree, it’s all for nothing.’

What Shen Xin had hoped for was for Zhang Hancheng to step in and order Yang Zeran to join his unit.

’This can only mean Zhang Hancheng truly values Yang Zeran and is reluctant to let him go.’

Since he had already started making requests, he decided he might as well ask for more. Shen Xin then requested an additional vehicle.

They only had one police car at the moment, which wasn’t enough.

"Fine."

Zhang Hancheng nodded nonchalantly. He’d already given him a person; what was a car?

After a few more words of instruction, Shen Xin got up and left.

Xu Daokai took the opportunity to follow him out.

He went to Xu Daokai’s office for a while. There was no long lecture, just a simple chat about his personal situation, during which Xu Daokai didn’t hold back his praise for Shen Xin.

He said that Shen Xin was young and had earned many merits, but he shouldn’t get arrogant and must continue to work hard.

It was the usual boilerplate advice, which Shen Xin took to heart. He found the political commissar to be quite approachable.

When he arrived at the Criminal Technology Division’s office, Zhao Tianxing was in the middle of an awkward conversation.

Upon seeing Shen Xin, he stood up as if granted amnesty, quickly pulling Shen Xin aside to complain, "Shen Xin, you handle this. This kid’s as cold as an iceberg. He’s over here trying to play the cool, handsome loner with me."

Shen Xin glanced at Yang Zeran.

He was staring at his computer screen with a blank expression, engrossed in his own work, not even bothering to give Shen Xin a proper look.

In that instant, an image of Yang Zeran instinctively formed in Shen Xin’s mind.

’The classic ’other people’s kid’ who was always number one. A top student from a prestigious school, accomplished at a young age, arrogant because of his talent.’

’That’s how they’re always portrayed in TV dramas.’

After venting, Zhao Tianxing asked what Zhang Hancheng had said.

Hearing that Zhang Hancheng had agreed, he immediately said, "Then why waste time with him? Just tell him to come over and be done with it."

Shen Xin shook his head. Zhang Hancheng’s exact words were that Yang Zeran himself had to agree.

After some thought, Shen Xin said, "Let’s not rush. We need to be strategic about this."

They’d never even met and weren’t familiar with each other. Shen Xin didn’t believe for a second that he could just walk over, invite the guy to the Cold Case Office, and have him eagerly accept on the spot.

The guy was doing just fine in the Criminal Technology Division, his superiors valued him—why would he, with nothing better to do, come join this little three-person shoestring operation?

"Besides, I need to test him," Shen Xin added.

He was said to be a graduate of the Public Security University’s investigation program, but Shen Xin had no idea what his actual case-solving abilities were like. He had to put a question mark on that for now.

Zhao Tianxing instinctively wanted to say, ’You’re going to test *him*?’ but a look from Shen Xin stopped the words in his throat.

Shen Xin took one last look at Yang Zeran before leading Zhao Tianxing back to their office.

Shen Xin had a few ideas on how to test him. After returning, he asked Ding Yuwei for the case file on the Oceanarium murder.

The original file was at the Lishan Branch, so Ding Yuwei had only made some notes.

"Let’s go. To the Lishan Branch."

Shen Xin told the other two to get ready to leave.

Zhao Tianxing drove while Shen Xin sat in the passenger seat, flipping through Ding Yuwei’s notes.

The case occurred on April 17, 2016.

The deceased was named Lin Zenghui, 29 years old, a local resident.

At 3:22 AM on the 17th, the dispatch center received a call from a security guard on duty at the Ocean Institute, who had discovered Lin Zenghui’s body.

There were no crime scene photos, but according to Ding Yuwei’s notes, the deceased was naked, floating face-up in the dolphin pool.

Shen Xin was taken aback.

’Naked?’

Then he continued reading.

At 3:29 AM, the Qianfeng Police Station arrived and secured the scene, immediately notifying the Lishan Branch’s Criminal Investigation Division.

That night, the Criminal Investigation Division was conducting an arrest operation, so it was the detective left on duty, Xi Fenghua, who rushed to the scene with his team.

The time was 3:38 AM.

Seeing the name, Shen Xin paused slightly and turned to ask Ding Yuwei if this was the same Xi Fenghua they had met before.

Back during the task force case, He Wei had given him a list of eleven names. The first person he investigated from that list was named Wangyin Mountain.

At that time, the Lishan Branch had sent someone over to provide support, and that person was this very Xi Fenghua.

Ding Yuwei nodded. "That’s right, it’s him."

’That’s good news.’

If they were familiar with Xi Fenghua, who had been at the crime scene, the case would be much easier to handle.

Shen Xin continued reading.

The medical examiner determined that Lin Zenghui had drowned. The time of death was estimated to be between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM.

The water temperature in the dolphin pool was kept at a constant 22 degrees Celsius, which affected the accuracy of determining the time of death to some extent.

The notes mentioned that the security guards worked in two shifts and were required to patrol once every three hours at night.

In reality, however, they would patrol once around 9:00 PM after starting their shift at 8:00 PM to clear the premises.

Then they would patrol again around three or four in the morning, depending on the situation.

Soft tissue contusions, bite marks, and signs of impact to the face were found on the body.

Without photos, it was hard to be certain of the specifics just from the description.

Then, it was written that the four surveillance cameras inside the Dolphin Hall had been moved to face the walls.

The Dolphin Hall had a total of four exits.

Two for visitors, one for employee entry and exit, and one for freight.

"But isn’t there a suspect?"

Shen Xin turned his head and asked.

Ding Yuwei’s notes stated that the suspect was named Hou Shishi, female, 23 years old, also a local.

Ding Yuwei said, "That’s right. The investigation revealed that this Hou Shishi was Lin Zenghui’s new girlfriend."

"The Oceanarium’s surveillance cameras caught the two of them. They went to the Dolphin Hall a little after 10:00 PM. The security guards remembered them."

"This Lin Zenghui was a decent-looking guy. His colleagues all said he was a smooth talker and always knew what to say. He changed girlfriends frequently."

"He was a dolphin trainer, right? He would often secretly bring girls to the Oceanarium after hours to interact with the dolphins and whatnot. Anyway, that was his trick for attracting girls."

Shen Xin nodded.

Girls like small animals, so getting to have a close encounter with dolphins was indeed a good way to pick up women.

Ding Yuwei continued, "So those cameras were actually moved by Lin Zenghui himself. The security guards knew about it, but they didn’t bother him."

"Then at 11:47 PM, a camera outside the Dolphin Hall captured Hou Shishi leaving alone. She looked flustered. A security guard at the exit also saw her but didn’t ask any questions."

"And after that, Lin Zenghui’s body was discovered."

"The Lishan police questioned Hou Shishi immediately. At first, she was uncooperative, just saying she didn’t know anything."

"Later, she claimed that Lin Zenghui had tried to rape her, she fought back and left, and she didn’t know what happened afterward."

"So some of the injuries on Lin Zenghui’s body were inflicted by her."

As she said this, Shen Xin suddenly cut her off, surprised. "Wait, did this Hou Shishi die?"

Flipping forward, Shen Xin was shocked to find Hou Shishi’s death record in the following notes.

"That’s right."

Ding Yuwei nodded. "The case occurred on April 17th. On the 28th, Hou Shishi was summoned for a second interrogation."

"During this interrogation, she confessed the details of Lin Zenghui’s attempted rape."

"But on May 3rd, while the investigation was still ongoing, Lin Zenghui’s mother, Ye Xinyi, intentionally ran over and killed Hou Shishi with her car."

"Once Hou Shishi died, the investigation became very difficult to continue, and it ultimately became a cold case."

"As for Ye Xinyi, her arrest was approved. She was sentenced to death in the first trial, and the second trial’s verdict is also coming soon. I estimate she only has a few months left before the execution is carried out."

Shen Xin drew in a sharp breath. ’Good God,’ he thought.

Shen Xin knew that for a case to become a cold case, there were always all sorts of bizarre and varied reasons.

But this was the first time he had ever seen a case go cold because the suspect was run over and killed. It was a real eye-opener.