Today, the newspaper industry in Hong Kong is fiercely competitive.
Everyone in Hong Kong reads the newspaper. The first thing people do in the morning is to go out and pick up the newspaper. They read it while squatting in the toilet, eating breakfast, riding the bus to work, and even during brief lulls at work…
With the citizens constantly reading, the newspaper industry thrives, earns money, and thus more and more publications spring up, big and small, creating intense competition that gives industry workers a real headache.
Thus, serial novels in newspapers keep everyone hooked, eager to find out which hero will win the contest or which beauty will end up with the hero. They buy the newspaper the next day, or even subscribe for the whole month. There are even those who draw readers with salacious content.
The Qing Orange Daily was established in the mid-to-late 1980s by the son of a real estate tycoon who had returned from studying abroad, during a boom period in the newspaper industry.
Although it has been making money these past few years, compared to major newspapers like Time Weekly, Ming Pao, and Hong Kong Daily, it has been just scraping by.
However, a few days ago, reporter Nie Weiyan wrote an article about a university student, Liu Xuejian, who had committed suicide. The story, with Liu Xuejian, a university student who had committed suicide before graduation, as the main character, narrated his fears of being fired after failing to close a deal during his probation period at his first job, leading him to quit preemptively and subsequently attempt suicide twice.
Nie deeply discussed how, despite Hong Kong’s booming economy and a period of great prosperity, young people are still under inhuman pressure and sometimes end their lives in such tragic ways. This highlighted the contemporary employment crisis and the real challenges young people face.
The article was highly praised and resonated with many young people, sparking discussions among many middle-aged individuals as well.
On that day, the newspaper sold extremely well. The Qing Orange Daily even reprinted the refined article on the front page of their new issue, and it sold out again.
Nie Weiyan became famous overnight. Today, being payday, the editor invited the team out for karaoke and drinks, mainly to celebrate Nie’s success.
However, no one expected that they would coincidentally encounter a murder case.
With breaking news right in front of them, how could a room full of reporters continue singing?
Everyone grabbed their cameras and rushed to the hallway, trying to get as close as possible to the VIP room where the murder had occurred to capture more sensational photos.
Even pushing past security guards, someone dashed into the room while the military police were busy setting up the crime scene tape, snapping photos until they were forcibly removed by the police.
Despite a flurry of reprimands, the person clutched their camera and still smiled broadly with wrinkles crinkling across their face.
The first to arrive at the scene were six forensic scientists and technicians. Chen Guangyao and his team put on masks, gloves, and shoe covers as they entered the KTV. They first asked the 16 people inside if they had moved from their spots after the murder was discovered. When everyone said no, they had Diane sketch out everyone’s seating.
Then, the military police escorted these 16 suspects to the next VIP room, watching them closely, not allowing them to go to the restroom. All their actions were to be monitored by the police, who would record everything without missing a detail.
Then, Chen Guangyao began leading the team for an onsite investigation, gathering evidence such as shoeprints, fingerprints, and other suspicious items for collection and storage.
The forensic department was bustling with activity as the major case squad and the forensic department arrived together.
Fang Zhenyue pushed forward, with Liu Jiaming and Sanfu clearing the way on either side. As they were about to reach the private room where the crime occurred, reporter Nie Weiyan squeezed next to Fang Zhenyue, loudly saying as they walked:
“Ah sir, I heard that the manager Qin Shaowei, who was also pursuing the female accountant with the deceased, is the prime suspect. Moreover, he invited everyone to sing KTV today, which could very well be his setup. Is he the killer?”
Fang Zhenyue glanced at Nie Weiyan but before he could reply, Sanfu had already pushed Nie away:
“Mr. Reporter, please do not interfere with official duties, step back!”
Yi Jiayi, walking behind Fang Zhenyue, turned back to look at the reporter being held back by Brother Sanfu. Their eyes met as Nie Weiyan looked over.
Nie immediately flashed a warm smile and nodded at her.
Jiayi’s gaze swept over the others, all like wolves smelling blood, their eyes intensely focused on them.
These were the people once dubbed as the uncrowned kings of journalism.
After the major case squad detectives and forensic officers fully equipped entered the supreme KTV private room, Nie Weiyan pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to the police officer guarding the crime scene tape:
“May I ask which team is handling this case?”
“West Kowloon Major Case Team B,” the officer replied, taking the cigarette and clamping it above his ear.
“The high-performing Team B, huh!” Nie Weiyan immediately recalled the relevant information. As a journalist, he was sensitive to all news, and the recently successful West Kowloon Major Case Team B had been making headlines.
“I knew she looked familiar—that woman, she’s the ‘Lucky Star’ detective who has been in the news several times,” said Nie’s colleague Joe, who had just rushed in to take photos, squeezing next to Nie.
“Really? Let me see!” Nie Weiyan immediately tiptoed to peer through the small window of the private room. Fortunately, the room was well-lit inside, allowing a clear view of everything.
The slender figure standing just a step away from the body seemed to be staring at it in a daze, seemingly unafraid of the corpse.
Nie Weiyan, who often had to cover murder cases, still found himself scared of corpses, fearing the dead. This young female officer, however, appeared calm and collected.
Could it be that professional differences really have such a big impact on people?
As he pondered, he wrote down in his notebook:
“The professionalism of the Major Case Squad detectives is awe-inspiring. Even a young person, who might cover their eyes during a horror movie, shows no fear when faced with the inevitable sight of a corpse at work. Does the luck of the lady officer stem from this fearless dedication and her total immersion in her duties?”
Joe’s voice reached his ears:
“People say that policewoman is a star made by the police force, just like a beauty queen, serving as a decorative figurehead.”
“Really?” Nie Weiyan shifted his gaze back from his notebook to look at Joe. Although skeptical, he couldn’t help but probe further, “Is that information reliable?”
“What’s there to be accurate or not? Just a few days ago at the press conference for the dismemberment case, they specifically showcased her as an image of a justice-driven policewoman. What does that tell you? The police are insecure, not daring to praise her investigative skills,” Joe declared confidently.
When something unprecedented suddenly appears before the public, the group’s first reaction is often skepticism.
“So, you’re saying she’s not really a detective in the Major Case Squad, but rather a PR mascot?”
“Exactly, it’s all a big game played by the police.”
The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t notice the door to the private room opening.
…
In the supreme VIP room of the KTV, the forensic scientists and detectives from the Major Case Squad only venture deeper after the forensic department has completed its evidence collection, so at this moment, they were still standing by the door, patiently observing and waiting.
Yi Jiayi was making detailed notes in her own specially prepared notebook while watching everyone collect evidence.
She meticulously recorded every detail of the investigation process, including Sir Fang’s every reaction during this observation phase.
She wanted to know everything he looked at or might be looking at.
After reaching the side of the body during evidence collection, Chen Guangyao became even more meticulous and focused, and after about fifteen minutes, he finally turned to Xu Junhao and said:
“Sir Xu, you can come over to examine the body now.”
The supreme VIP room was vast, with two sets of extra-long sofas with high backs placed together in front of a large TV. Most people were sitting on the sofas singing, playing dice, or chatting.
Behind the sofas, elevated three steps higher than the singing area, was a space for chatting, drinking, and resting.
From both the leftmost and rightmost sides of the connected long sofas, there were small stairways leading to the darker area behind. Each of the three small tables was surrounded by two stools, where people tired from singing could find a quiet spot to chat or relax alone with a drink.
The victim was found murdered, lying face down on one of these small tables, draped in a thin suit jacket, seemingly passed out drunk under the dim lights.
Xu Junhao approached the body to confirm the cause of death:
“The knife was plunged into the heart, likely resulting in immediate death. The murderer did not take the weapon.”
“I’ve checked the murder weapon, no fingerprints were collected,” Chen Guangyao said.
“Wearing gloves?” Liu Jiaming asked.
“Go to the neighboring private room and search the 16 people present at the scene to see if anyone has gloves or similar items,” Fang Zhenyue immediately ordered Liu Jiaming.
“There might be blood on the material wrapped around the knife handle,” Xu Junhao indicated.
The body was stabbed in the chest from below while slumped over the table, with blood flowing out from the chest wound, likely splattering on the murderer’s hands, sleeves, and whatever was wrapped around the dagger, like gloves.
“Focus on finding gloves or similar items with blood stains,” Fang Zhenyue thought for a moment and added, “Also look for skirts, outerwear, etc. It’s possible the murderer could have lifted a long skirt to wrap around the knife handle.”
“Got it, Brother Yue,” Liu Jiaming turned and left the private room.
“The victim showed no signs of struggle during the stabbing, and no one else singing along noticed the crime happening. It’s not ruled out that he was first drugged and then killed,” Xu Junhao pointed at the beverage on the table the victim was leaning over.
Chen Guangyao nodded immediately, calling a technician to seal the drink along with the glass.
“So, let’s assume the person who poisoned and the murderer are the same. Eyewitnesses at the scene said the victim had been sleeping here alone, with no one talking to him or sharing drinks. Thus, the murderer might have left footprints from coming and going twice to poison and then to stab. Brother Da Guangming, focus on capturing such shoe prints,” Fang Zhenyue scanned the surroundings.
“Okay, I’ll inspect again,” Chen Guangyao nodded but preemptively reminded Fang Zhenyue:
“There are a lot of footprints at the scene. I’ve asked around, and after the victim was found, the KTV manager, waitstaff, security, and two of the victim’s colleagues all came to check, so the footprints may not necessarily provide the information you need.”
“I understand,” Fang Zhenyue nodded, not showing disappointment.
Yi Jiayi feverishly jotted down Fang Zhenyue’s thoughts and then looked up at the body.