Fang Zhenyue reached out to pull over a chair and placed it in front of the whiteboard at the front row, calling out to Little Eleven who sat at the back, “Come, sit here.”
Yi Jiayi was startled for a moment. That spot was usually reserved for team leaders or seniors like Sergeant You and Uncle Jiu. How could she brazenly move up to the front?
Having no choice as Fang Zhenyue insisted, she walked over somewhat shyly and obediently took the foremost chair.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, still feeling uneasy, and looked back at You Zhaohua.
“It’s okay, I can just stand here and listen. Sitting for too long isn’t good anyway, need to stretch my legs,” You Zhaohua said with unusual politeness.
His team members watching the scene were shocked—What? Sir You can be this agreeable?
But after all, a hero deserves a front-row seat; no one could argue with that.
For the next hour, both sides shared all the existing clues from their respective cases.
“…Based on all the clues provided by Team A about the Lok Kwan Street Park dismemberment case, we can almost deduce that the two cases involve the same perpetrator,” Fang Zhenyue stated as he stood in front of the whiteboard, which was nearly covered in writing, and began to use colored markers to connect and extract clues.
“I agree,” nodded You Zhaohua, their discussion had been very thorough.
Fang Zhenyue pulled over a map and started marking it:
“This is where we found the dismembered body, which we can tentatively determine as the final dumping site.”
He then marked several other locations where body parts were discovered during the past few days of searching. After drawing several circles, he turned and asked:
“What have you all noticed?”
“The dumping sites are gradually moving north,” You Zhaohua, as Fang’s best partner and top student since the teams merged, was always quick to respond.
“Correct. What else?” Fang Zhenyue asked again patiently.
“Although the dismembered body in the B Team’s Ferry Street case was found in Yau Ma Tei, the areas where bodies were later found during searches are all concentrated north of Ferry Street,” You Zhaohua answered quickly again.
Wanting to speak but never managing to get a word in, Liu Jiaming felt a bit sour as he glared at Sir You, thinking resentfully: You’re already a team leader, why are you still competing with us detectives for a chance to shine? Why so competitive? Tsk!
“Yes, these dumping sites are actually all concentrated in Sham Shui Po,” Fang Zhenyue looked again at the area where the Ferry Street dismembered body was found, hesitating before speaking:
“It seems that the perpetrator dumping bodies in Yau Ma Tei was an exception. Although we don’t know why this exception occurred, we can basically consider three lines of thought:
“First, why would a killer, who has been dumping bodies in Sham Shui Po, make an exception to dump a body in Yau Ma Tei? Could it be that all the possible dumping sites in Sham Shui Po such as wastelands and parks have already been used, forcing him to find other dumping sites?”
“Secondly, most of the body dumping sites are in Sham Shui Po. We can basically determine that the perpetrator’s main activity area is in Sham Shui Po, right?
“Thirdly, since all clues indicate that the first immature case carried out by the perpetrator was the body dumping at Lok Kwan Street Park in Team A, we can basically determine that the perpetrator’s residence should be closest to Lok Kwan Street Park.”
During Fang Zhenyue’s speech, all the spirited youngsters, rebellious youth, and clever uncles fell silent, focusing intently on Fang Zhenyue discussing the case, afraid of missing the key logic in his thoughts.
Fang Zhenyue stared at the several body dumping sites he had marked on the map, then at Lok Kwan Street Park, and finally fixed the tip of his pen on a central area of the body dumping sites, moving towards Lok Kwan Street, and eventually settling on an area a few hundred meters from Lok Kwan Street Park:
“The most likely location for the perpetrator’s residence is this area. We should start a carpet search for traces of the perpetrator right here first!”
Yi Jiayi’s eyes lit up; these contents sounded simple and clear, yet they were all things she had not thought of.
Seeing the expressions of Uncle Jiu and others, it was clear that most people did not have such clever logic.
Overcome by emotion, she uncontrollably clapped her hands.
Everyone turned their eyes to the young policewoman, and she realized what she was doing.
This wasn’t a speech at the town hall; why was she clapping, acting like a sycophant?
Her face flushed, she quickly pressed her hands on her knees, swearing that these hands and her knees were now locked and stuck together, absolutely not making any strange sounds again.
However, Fang Zhenyue’s gaze softened when it swept over her; the gallant and mighty became even straighter in the chest, feeling better and more impassioned.
Girls are indeed nice.
Yi Jiayi knew how to positively react to his reasoning, which was truly delightful. Although the applause was a bit embarrassing, it greatly pleased him.
This was the most straightforward, candid, and adorable feedback he had received in his many years as a detective.
The other smelly, grumpy guys, no matter how exquisite and captivating his speech, just listened blankly, neither praising him with nice words and fancy rhetoric nor clapping or gazing in admiration.
He often spoke uninterestingly, only to become more and more concise.
“Jiaming, check which communities are in this area, whether there have been any reports of a foul smell nearby recently, and if the Sham Shui Po police station has received any strange reports about this area.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you uploaded the perpetrator’s DNA?” Fang Zhenyue asked You Zhaohua.
“I will upload it tomorrow, and then I will ask Brother Da Guangming to compare the perpetrator’s DNA from our two cases.”
“Good.” Fang Zhenyue nodded.
Even if the DNA from their two cases matched, but now with only a fingerprint database and no DNA database, he could only call each police station in Hong Kong one by one to compare a very limited number of DNA samples they have. The chances of finding a match were practically zero, and they were likely still far from catching the perpetrator.
After a moment of thought, he added:
“Although we have found the right hands of the two victims and collected their fingerprints, we didn’t find any matches in the fingerprint database.
“However, with these fingerprints, when the families of suspected victims come to identify the bodies, we can at least compare them to the victims’ fingerprints.”
“This greatly increases the chances of confirming the victims’ identities.”
“Gary, go find Sir Guo later and organize the physical characteristics we can extract from the victims into a file for him. Ask him to immediately contact the press. Ideally, we want an article published tomorrow asking citizens to help find the victims.”
Currently, there are too many missing persons at various police stations to compare one by one. It’s too demanding on the police officers, and they simply don’t have enough manpower to achieve this in a short period.
In a race against time to solve the case, we must utilize the resources of the Public Relations Division and ask the public to join the search.
“Okay.”
After Gary responded, You Zhaohua continued:
“Sir Fang, if there are any other tasks, please assign them to our Team A as well.”
“Alright, then let’s all go wander around Sham Shui Po tonight, see who’s roaming around at night, look for any information related to lime, mold… or anyone suspiciously hitting on women.”
Fang Zhenyue glanced outside the window; the rain had stopped while they were focused on discussing the case.
After the rain, the sky cleared, and the clouds drifting away at sunset were dyed with dazzling colors, moist and heavily saturated.
The clouds dispersed, and it seemed there would be no more rain tonight:
“Who’s free tonight, sign up.”
You Zhaohua was the first to raise his hand, followed by Liu Jiaming. Then those who were single and had no obligations at home also raised their hands. Yi Jiayi thought for a moment and raised her hand, saying:
“After I burn paper offerings for my parents with my family this evening, I can meet up with everyone. Being a woman, I might draw the killer’s attention more easily.”
Fang Zhenyue looked at her, delicate and seemingly vulnerable if actually targeted by the killer, yet he did not refuse given her enthusiasm, and nodded:
“We’ll talk about it with your brother when we go to Yi Ji for dinner tonight.”
“That’s settled, let’s call it a day and head to Yi Ji for dinner. Are you coming with us or will you meet us there later?” Fang Zhenyue asked You Zhaohua.
“Let’s go together; we’ll head back to tidy up first, then gather in your office.”
“Never mind, I need to go help with the release procedures for a mainland kid. His parents were still alive three months ago, not wandering the streets selling buns, so the suspicion of him searching the streets for victims falls apart. His family is well-off, lacking both motive and circumstances for the crime. Moreover, the lime found at his place doesn’t match what was found on the corpse, so the only reason for detaining him also holds no ground. Let him go back and burn some paper money for his parents.”
Fang Zhenyue pointed out the window:
“See you at the garage.”
“Okay,” You Zhaohua led the team out of Team B’s office.
Suddenly recalling something, Fang Zhenyue turned back and smiled at You Zhaohua:
“Hey, what did you say this morning? Wanted to see me apologize to the public at the press conference? Well, now the mainland kid is no longer a suspect, seems he is indeed innocent. Officer Yi Jiayi didn’t say anything problematic at yesterday’s press conference either.
“Sergeant You, looks like I’m going to disappoint you~”
Teased again, You Zhaohua hastily clasped his hands together and gave a wry smile: “Please spare me, Sir Fang! Just consider my morning words as nonsense, okay?”
Fang Zhenyue shrugged.
You Zhaohua sighed and quickly left the scene, thinking as he entered his own office: Maybe he should keep his mouth shut about Fang Zhenyue’s business from now on.
He couldn’t afford to lose face like this.
…
…
The military police received Sir Fang’s documents and immediately headed to the detention cell where Sun Xin was held.
The sound of unlocking caught Sun Xin’s attention, and the young man looked up, his face blank.
“Sun Xin, your suspicion has been cleared for now. You’re free to go,” the policeman opened the door, stepped back, and gestured for Sun Xin to leave.
The young man stared blankly at the officer, it took him a while to realize what he was saying.
Rising to meet the expectant gaze of the officer, he walked dazedly to the door, the tension that had been taut in his heart suddenly snapped.
Over the past few days, the fear that he would die alone in confinement, possibly wrongfully imprisoned or even facing execution, tormented him day and night. Sometimes, just thinking of those possibilities made him tremble with fear.
The cold hard bed, malice from others, a bleak future, and even his parents’ car accident—every negative emotion swarmed and suffocated him.
It was only at this moment, when he suddenly relaxed, that he realized he could walk out of this prison.
Stepping out of the iron cage, and taking a few unaware steps, he suddenly turned and leaned against the wall, unable to hold back, he burst into tears.
The fear, anger, despair, and the grief of being abandoned by his parents over these past few days all spiraled out of control at this moment.
The military police came over and gently patted his back.
Watching another person, who was released with Sun Xin, walk away briskly, the policeman sighed and handed him a newspaper, with the headline stating that Yi Jiayi believed in his innocence.
Fortunately, he was indeed innocent and did not disgrace the police.
“Go home, have a good meal, and take a hot bath,” the policeman patted his back. Sun Xin choked up for a while before he gripped the newspaper with both hands and stepped out into the light from this place he never wanted to revisit.
It was not until he stepped out of the police station that the sunlight fell directly on him, and Sun Xin fully believed that his grievances had truly been washed away and he was really free.
A strong sense of relief swept over him, almost knocking him off his feet.
He struggled to stand for a few seconds, then slowly sat down on the steps, gradually feeling the warmth of the sun on his body and slowly regaining his strength.
Another young man who had been released with him, temporarily detained for a brawl, had already walked down the steps but hadn’t left yet.
The young man’s family of three came to meet him; his father had even prepared a fire basin, saying it was bad luck to enter the police station on such a day and insisted his son jump over the fire basin to ward off bad luck.
The young man was reluctant, but his parents insisted, so he quickly jumped over the fire basin.
His parents immediately rushed to pat his back, aiming to scatter any bad luck or evil spirits right there, making sure they didn’t follow him home.
After jumping over the fire basin, his brother standing below the steps lit firecrackers to scare away any wandering spirits, clearing the land of any lingering resentful spirits, and ensuring a clean return home.
Sun Xin just sat there, watching the lively scene unfold.
At the Major Crime Unit dinner, Yi Jiayi saw Sun Xin sitting on the steps to the left of the police station entrance, staring helplessly at the people walking by, reminiscent of how he looked at candy as a child, unable to move his feet, rather pitiful.
Hesitating for a few seconds, she quickly walked over to the young man’s father who was about to pack up the fire basin and struck a deal with a smile. Seeing that she was a policewoman, he amiably obliged.
Yi Jiayi then borrowed some thick gloves and carried the fire basin over to Sun Xin.
Sun Xin hadn’t realized what was happening when Yi Jiayi looked up at him with an exceptionally warm smile: “Jealous, right? Come on, you jump too.”
Sun Xin’s eyes widened as he looked at the photo in the newspaper and then at the young policewoman in front of him, suddenly feeling a rush of warmth.
His lips formed a straight line as he stood up.
He wasn’t really jealous of others; it was just that his legs were weak. But… his eyes turned to Yi Jiayi again, and seeing her encouraging nod, he finally took a big step and crossed over the fire basin.
Yi Jiayi smiled and patted his back, “All right, all the bad luck and misfortune are swept away, let’s go.”
Sun Xin obediently followed behind Yi Jiayi, his eyes full of the young policewoman. The sunlight hitting her brought out the vitality of her life, making her glow, and he felt as if he too was drawing strength from it, even feeling his mind become more active.
Below the steps, Liu Jiaming turned around and saw Yi Jiayi, and Fang Zhenyue said, “Little Eleven is only twenty years old, taking advantage of an eighteen-year-old boy, helping him to ward off bad luck, treating him like a son, huh?”
Fang Zhenyue raised his hand to smack the back of Liu Jiaming’s head, and Liu Jiaming, frightened, quickly took a few steps back and shouted, “It’s the Hungry Ghost Festival today, Brother Yue, you shouldn’t smack people on the shoulders or head.”
After Yi Jiayi and Sun Xin finished the ceremony, You Zhaohua also rushed out with Team A. Seeing the two standing in the sunset like a golden boy and jade girl, he asked Yi Jiayi:
“Does the guy from the mainland also live in Sham Shui Po?”
“Yes,” Yi Jiayi nodded.
“Then come with us, we’ll drop him off on the way,” You Zhaohua said, and without another word, he slapped Sun Xin on the back and led the youth towards the garage.
Originally, Sun Xin had intended to either follow Yi Jiayi or walk home by himself, but against a domineering character like You Zhaohua, there was hardly any need for his own ‘original intentions or otherwise’.
Yi Jiayi smiled at their backs, turned to return the brazier to the old uncle, and then jogged to catch up with the others.
Entering the parking lot, You Zhaohua stuffed Sun Xin into his own large car.
Sun Xin, who had never ridden in a car before, looked like a frightened little animal. As he crawled into the car, he not only stumbled but also bumped his forehead.
He suffered more in this moment than during his entire detention period.
Through the still-open car door, Yi Jiayi saw the young boy squeezed among several burly agents, completely surrounded.
The car was bursting with yang energy, was it the Hungry Ghost Festival already? Fearless.
The ghosts approached but evaporated instantly, two meters away.
Another jeep bursting with yang energy carried Yi Jiayi out of the parking lot, driving away briskly.
There was a new development in the case; although the murderer had not been caught yet, everyone felt that it might be soon. The good mood lightened everyone, and even Sir Fang’s accelerator pedal was pressed more cheerfully, making the car feel lighter.
At dusk, the time of day and night transition, some places refer to this as the “witching hour.”
The evening of the Hungry Ghost Festival was still damp from the rain, making all the scenery look misty, as if seen through thick fog.
As the light dimmed and before the neon lights came on, paired with the special weather, the atmosphere of the Ghost Festival was fully drawn out.
Through the car window, Yi Jiayi saw some people who didn’t wait for dark; they had already set up iron basins on the roadside and alleys, drew circles, and laid out gold ingots and paper money, waiting for the auspicious time.
On the road, countless people hurried to various rituals, big and small.
On this day, people dared not eat while walking on the road, fearing to attract hungry ghosts. They also avoided the seaside and riverside, fearing water ghosts looking for substitutes…
Passing by the park, the crowd was surging. The staff were probably already prepared for tonight’s Ghost Festival celebration. In a fleeting glimpse, it seemed like seeing the park path adorned with wreaths on both sides, one could imagine that walking down that path at night might feel like stepping on the road to the netherworld.
After the jeep drove into Sham Shui Po, the atmosphere grew even denser.
Red sedan chairs stuffed with paper figures, a three-meter tall festival sign painted with colorful spells and strange patterns, glaring paper dragon heads, and images of black-faced demons… All kinds of gods gathered together, decorating parks, markets, and makeshift shelters in communities.
Occasionally, one might see someone in opera costume hurrying into the park, surely an actor from the Ghost Festival opera.
Yi Jiayi’s gaze followed, watching for a long time, yet she couldn’t discern whether the person was portraying a deity or a mortal.
That night, the paths of the hungry ghosts and the realm of humans merged, as a multitude of spirits roamed the same street. People were afraid to go out, fearing they might encounter misfortune.
However, the occupants of the two yang-energy-packed vehicles that drove out of the police station were not afraid of evil spirits.
In fact, as they watched the streets gradually enveloped by darkness through the windows, they silently hoped:
May the evil spirits come out tonight, so they might catch one red-handed!
Thanks for the chapters!
So hearttouching