CH 205

“A single stab?” Lin Chen was surprised. It wasn’t easy to kill with just one stab, especially in a crowded area. It required considerable technical difficulty to find the target’s heart and avoid stabbing it into the hard ribs.

Zhang Xiaolong said seriously, “Only one stab.”

“Very clean and sharp.” After reading the forensic scene record, Xing Conglian flipped through the notes back and forth, frowned, and asked, “Was the murder weapon not found at the scene?”

“The murderer took it away,” Zhang Xiaolong said. “The forensics department has started rummaging through the garbage cans.”

“This experienced killer probably has 10,000 ways to dispose of the murder weapon. Don’t waste your time searching the garbage cans,” Xing Conglian said. He raised his umbrella, opened the cordon, and walked into the scene with Lin Chen.

“What do you think?” Xing Conglian asked.

“If there was only one stab, we can first rule out a crime of passion,” Lin Chen said, pausing and standing beside Xing Conglian. “Impulsive criminals won’t stop until they make a bloody mess of the body and the scene.”

“It’s not a robbery either.” Xing Conglian put his hands in his pockets. “The victim’s wallet and phone were still at the scene.”

Lin Chen looked up unconsciously, and Xing Conglian’s eyes were cold and mocking.

After thinking for a moment, he still asked, “Do you think there’s a good chance that Zhourui Pharmaceutical knew about the incident in Dana and killed the key witnesses in advance?”

Rain splashed on the umbrella surface, making a rustling sound. Their conversation was also limited to within the umbrella’s range.

“Consultant Lin, we’re all well aware of the probability,” Xing Conglian said. “But it’s a pity that we’ve experienced the darkness of the rainforest, the bloody drug factories, and the Gaomeng people who were used as illegal drug test subjects, but they haven’t. It’s even harder for ordinary people to imagine that, based on many reasons, what happened over there can only be temporarily sealed.” He turned his head and looked at the staring police officers, then continued, “Firstly, we have no evidence linking Zhourui Pharmaceutical to the illegal human experiments in the Dana Rainforest. Secondly, even if we find such evidence, it would still be very difficult to punish Zhourui Pharmaceutical within the international legal conventions for the crimes committed in the three unregulated regions. The lawyers of big pharmaceutical companies won’t take it lightly.”

“Yeah.” Lin Chen sighed. As they spoke, they had already reached the location where Dr. Tan Kang’s body had fallen. Looking at the markings on the ground for a long time, Lin Chen finally said, “But they panicked. Murder cases are always within our jurisdiction.” He looked up, and the spires of the European-style buildings in the distance were looming in the rain curtain. The scene from back then floated before his eyes. Tan Kang squeezed out of the corridor from the south to the north, and the crowd flowed mainly from north to the south. There were really a lot of people at the time, and most of the people were rushing to the water magic stage trying to seize a favorable spot, so Tan Kang was particularly annoying as he went against the flow. He struggled to get out of the crowd and resolutely walked towards his goal until he met the person and the knife that ended his life…

“The crime scene is intriguing. He chose to kill in crowded places, which is smart, but also risky,” Lin Chen said. “For the killer, he had to do it. If he missed the opportunity, it would be too late.”

“It’s indeed too risky.” Xing Conglian pursed his lips and continued, “And why did Tan Kang come here?”

“He came alone, without family or children. If it wasn’t for him suddenly wanting to relax, it could only mean he was here to meet someone.” Lin Chen spoke up.

“Meeting someone…” Xing Conglian said meaningfully. “So the killer had to take the risk of killing him.”

“That’s just a possibility,” Lin Chen said. “Of course, it’s based on the things we can’t talk about and our deduction.”

Xing Conglian nodded, half-sincerely and half-jokingly said, “It’s supposed to be a good crime drama, but we have to bring in spy routines. If he’s here to meet someone, his movements in the park must reveal something…”

Xing Conglian nodded and picked up a map of the park, which was placed outside a store in the corridor.

The layout of Hongjing Amusement Park was nothing special. Most amusement parks were divided into several areas. Lin Chen looked down, and Xing Conglian’s finger moved from the entrance to the location of the corridor, then he called out, “Xiaolong, come here.”

Comrade Zhang Xiaolong was talking to Wang Chao. Upon hearing this, the two of them ran over.

“Do we have on-site surveillance?”

“Report to Captain Xing, basically none.”

“What do you mean by ‘basically none’?”

Zhang Xiaolong looked apologetic. “This angle is not easy to set up. We only have a vague long shot.”

“So you can’t clearly see the scene at the time of the crime?”

“That’s right, and the park’s surveillance is too old. It’s black and white…” Zhang Xiaolong replied. “Just now, Lao Wang and the others have removed the surveillance, saying that the killer was still holding a bunch of balloons to block the view.”

“Balloons?”

“Yes, Captain Xing. Lao Wang has already started investigating the balloon seller, but the park said that there were about 5,000 people today, so…”

“So it’s unlikely that the seller can remember everyone who bought balloons. Do we have any eyewitnesses to make a portrait of the perpetrator?”

“We’ve looked for them, but no one really noticed what the attacker looked like.” Zhang Xiaolong pressed the ballpoint pen and looked helpless.

Xing Conglian nodded and looked at Wang Chao. “Wang Chao and Xiaolong, collect all the surveillance videos from the park from the opening to the closing today, and check Tan Kang’s movements in the park.” He thought for a moment and added, “Since the killer was holding a distinctive balloon, it should be relatively easy to track his movements, but still be careful of any tricks he may use with the balloons.”

“Okay, Captain Xing!” “Understood, Boss!” Zhang Xiaolong and Wang Chao said enthusiastically.

After speaking, the two young comrades ran off as if they were flying.

Lin Chen thought he had escaped unscathed, but apparently not.

Lin Chen raised his head, and Xing Conglian shook his head in the direction of the exit. “I’ve seen the scene. Can we go, Consultant Lin?”

……

Lin Chen thought he could escape, but obviously he didn’t.

Xing Conglian only kept him at the scene for about ten minutes before rushing him to Hongjing Hospital.

Because of the rain and the sky was dark, the streetlights on both sides of the road had already lit up, enveloping the entire city in a misty rain. Lin Chen leaned back in his seat while Xing Conglian was driving intently. The soothing melody of a violin flowed out from the stereo, making him feel drowsy.

“Feeling sleepy?”

At a red light, Xing Conglian stopped the car and patted Lin Chen’s head.

Lin Chen responded with a faint “Mm,” continuing to look down at the map of the amusement park in his hand, but he still felt sleepy, so he half-opened his eyes.

Xing Conglian stared at him for a while and said, “Consultant Lin, I noticed you spent more time looking at that map than at me.”

“That’s to make you aware of the potential danger,”

Xing Conglian said, “But still, don’t sleep in the car. We’re almost there.”

Lin Chen sat up straight reluctantly and said, “Captain Xing means that I’m going to be in the hospital bed for a few days, and I shouldn’t sleep now.”

Xing Conglian chuckled. “Consultant Lin, are you throwing a tantrum?”

Lin Chen shook his hand, then let go of it. “Just focus on driving. I won’t sleep.”

“What I meant was, can you not be completely absorbed in the case?”

“I’m not completely absorbed. Just now, I thought you looked really handsome while driving, so I stole a glance for a while.”

“Lin Chen…” Xing Conglian sounded very helpless, as if he had guessed his thoughts. He continued, “This is a common trick. I won’t be fooled multiple times.”

“Can you ask Wang Chao to send me a copy of the crime scene video? I want to see it.” Lin Chen decided to confess and thought his next request might be a bit too much. “I want to watch the full surveillance video during that time period.”

Xing Conglian spoke up. “Consultant Lin, where are we going now?”

“To the hospital.”

“Why are we going to the hospital?”

“Because I almost died of sepsis in Dana, and although I am gradually recovering and out of danger, I still need a full-body checkup and proper rest.”

“It seems you know it well.”

“But you see, Captain Xing, proper rest and watching surveillance videos are not contradictory. You can control my daily viewing time. As a public servant, I still hope to contribute what I can to solving the case.”

“Tell the truth…” Xing Conglian interrupted him.

Lin Chen felt that since he had kissed Xing Conglian, the latter seemed to have picked up some of his bad habits, such as speaking too sharply.

“I think this case is very strange. Although from the perspective of a simple case, the killer’s methods are simple and straightforward. At first glance, it seems that a large corporation killed to cover up its crimes in the process of drug research and development. But do you remember why I got involved in this case?”

“You killed a Zhourui Pharmaceutical employee who pretended to be mentally ill and wanted to kill Jiang Chao’s wife.”

“Yes, that’s also why Duan Yang found me. Let’s not talk about what happened later, but let’s look back at this. The new drug, Nordren, has already been approved for market release while Vice Captain Jiang’s wife is still alive. So, I don’t understand why they took the risk of killing her. ” Lin Chen lowered his eyes.

“Are you afraid that they will kill innocent people indiscriminately?” Xing Conglian frowned. “Why do you suddenly have this idea?”

“I’m not a person who doubts myself. I’m sure that my judgment at that time was correct. But you see, just saying so is not enough. This is too subjective. I need sufficient real evidence to prove this.”

“With Tan Kang stabbed to death suddenly, could this mean that Zhourui Pharmaceutical may have resorted to extreme measures, including murder, to ensure the smooth launch of the new drug?”

“Yes, if a company is a collective, then Zhourui Pharmaceutical as a whole gives me the feeling that they are already too crazy. They can calmly retreat from Dana, and even dare to play tricks on Zaratul. Why are they doing things so recklessly now? Although Duan Yang explained to me the problem of the entire drug industry chain, including R&D investment and the necessary cost recovery in the later period, I still feel that they could have slowed down and sought other ways out. Why must they push for the launch of the drug at all costs like they are doing now?”

“Good question, Consultant Lin.”

“Based on the above considerations, I believe that we must quickly solve the case of Tan Kang’s murder and find the core breakthrough of the whole case.”

Xing Conglian thought carefully for a long time and turned the car onto the street of Hongjing Hospital before finally saying, “I understand, but you still have to be hospitalized and follow the doctor’s orders.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen stopped speaking.

As they were about to enter the hospital area, Xing Conglian slowed down the car and finally said slowly, “To be honest, for me, those trivial matters of Zhourui Pharmaceutical may not be as important as your pinky. It may sound a bit cheesy, but this is my true feeling. I don’t want to see you waste your energy on these things during your recuperation.”

Lin Chen wanted to speak, but Xing Conglian held his hand to stop him.

“I am very serious about wanting to be in a relationship with you, appreciating your achievements in the professional field, and respecting your independent personality. But in fact, I also know very well that in the process of our relationship, we are transitioning from one relationship to another. We need to be good colleagues and good lovers at the same time. I am not as broad-minded as you think. My current thoughts are to keep you in a private sanatorium with strict 24-hour care, but of course, this is not possible. This is not respectful enough to you and ignores your original intentions. I understand all of these, so choosing Hongjing Hospital is almost my last bottom line after psychological adjustment. I admit that there are reasons behind this, but after you were kidnapped, I need to do some psychological construction before I can let you go out again. Please give me some time to adjust my mindset.”

Xing Conglian parked the car in the parking space and ended the conversation.

The twilight outside the window was hazy, and the whole hospital looked less cold in the slanting wind and rain and the gradually brightening lights.

“Sorry, I should be more understanding of your feelings.” Lin Chen was silent for a long time before finally saying this.

Xing Conglian reached out his hand to him. “So, happy cooperation, Consultant Lin?”

Lin Chen put his hand on it. “Happy cooperation, Captain Xing.”

Xing Conglian seemed to have received some kind of guarantee and had a relieved expression. “So, if I have something else to tell you, you will be understanding, right?”

The turning point came too quickly. Lin Chen looked at Xing Conglian suspiciously. He saw Xing Conglian open his umbrella, get out of the car, walk over, open his car door, and politely invite him out.

“Except for you telling me that you’re already married, I can try to understand everything else as much as possible.”

Seeing Xing Conglian’s hesitant tone, Lin Chen hugged him and could only half-jokingly respond like so.

“Of course not!” Xing Conglian said seriously. “It’s some things that I wanted to tell you a long time ago. Although you haven’t asked, I have to explain clearly.”

Xing Conglian took him to the back of the Jeep, took out the key, and gently pressed the trunk unlock button.

The trunk door slowly opened. Although Lin Chen had seen this scene many times before, he still had to say that the trunk of Xing Conglian’s Jeep was really messy.

Drinking water, snacks thrown around by Wang Chao, various electronic equipment accessories, piles of cleaning rags, scattered paper materials, and of course, the toolbox lying upside down.

Xing Conglian leaned over and opened the toolbox, then dragged it out a bit to make it clearer for Lin Chen to see. “My mother said that according to Chinese tradition, when a man has money, he becomes bad. I don’t know where she got her fallacies, but anyway, you can consider it my secret money… uh, is there such a thing as secret money?”

Listening to Xing Conglian’s explanation, Lin Chen looked at the toolbox that he had just opened, which still continued the style of Xing Conglian’s trunk.

There were scattered repair tools, wrenches or screws, and all kinds of colorful VIP cards pressed on a stack of papers. These VIP cards were the ones that Xing Conglian took out last time. In short, there were no gold bars or diamonds inside. Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Why are you so cute, letting me confiscate your toolbox?”

But just as he relaxed and turned to look at Xing Conglian, he suddenly heard the other party say in a rare solemn voice, “I need to reintroduce myself…” Xing Conglian paused, slightly bowing to him, “Consultant Lin, my surname is Xing1.”

“I know your surname is Xing1…” he hadn’t finished speaking yet when he suddenly looked at the other party.

1Clarity: Xing (邢) the elite family of China vs his current identity Xing (刑).

Xing Conglian’s eyebrows and eyes were somewhat blurred in the twilight, but his back was straight, and his demeanor was stern. The noble aura emanating from him couldn’t be concealed by the vague night.

Lin Chen felt a loud noise in his ears for a moment, but Xing Conglian’s voice was still very clear and powerful.

He said, “It’s not Xing using the radical from sword but from beside the right ear*. My father’s name is Xing Liyuan, and my mother is from the Zhou family in southern Anhui. In order to respond to the one-child policy, they only gave birth to me.”

*Clarity: The Xing he’s currently using used the radical from sword (剑) while the other Xing used the radical (阝) which is commonly known as “beside the right ear” as the radical looks like a human ear (but has nothing to do with ears).

Lin Chen’s heart trembled, and he couldn’t speak for a while.

The two names that Xing Conglian mentioned were really shocking.

Although some clues before vaguely gave him the feeling that Xing Conglian might be related to the Xing family, he always felt that Xing Conglian might be some distant relative who just got a small share of the family business. When it came to inheriting the family, he didn’t think there was any connection at all with his lover, who liked to eat crayfish by the roadside.

During the five minutes or even longer, Lin Chen had all kinds of thoughts in his mind. He felt like he had found a gold mine, so he should be laughing, but he couldn’t really laugh out loud. Xing Conglian was now glowing all over, but this was really troublesome. Why was the Xing family so self-willed to send their eldest grandson to be a police officer? From Xing Conglian’s appearance, he didn’t seem to have a falling out with his family. How did Boss Xing feel about his only son having a boyfriend…?

In the end, Lin Chen could only look at the other person and ask seriously in the same tone, “Do we have to have this important conversation about your identity in front of your car trunk?”

Not only in front of the trunk but also in the corner of the hospital parking lot, which was a bit too casual.

Xing Conglian smiled lightly with a genuine sense of joy.

Lin Chen felt the other person put his hand on his waist and pull him into his arms, saying slowly, “I want you to know these things, not because they are particularly important, but essentially, these things are not a big deal to me. And I am very aware that these things are not a big deal to you either. They will not affect your view of me or change our relationship in any way. The reason why I want to tell you is that I don’t want to appear to be deliberately hiding anything from you over something that is not a big deal. I just want you to know, that’s all.”

The main idea of Xing Conglian’s words was that the content wasn’t a big deal, and the important thing was the attitude of him reporting it. This was what he wanted Lin Chen to see.

Lin Chen leaned on Xing Conglian’s shoulder, looking at the streetlights in the distance gradually lighting up, coloring the rainy night with a gentle hue. Perhaps it was really quiet around them, that his heartbeat, which had just sped up due to Xing Conglian’s words, quickly calmed down.

As Xing Conglian said, the fact that his family was very wealthy didn’t seem to be a big deal either. Although he thought so, he still had to emphasize, “You think too highly of me. It will definitely affect my view of you.”

“Such as?” Xing Conglian held the umbrella, covering both of them.

Lin Chen felt the low laughter coming from the other side, “Such as…” he thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with any extravagant ideas because he was poor. In order to save face, he could only reluctantly say, “Such as I don’t want to eat hospital dinner tonight.”

“What do you want to eat, from which country. I will notify them to airlift the chef and ingredients over.”

Lin Chen shuddered. “Sorry, just forget what I said.”

“Well, airlifting takes too long. It’s not appropriate if you go hungry. For dinner tonight, there is only one three-star Michelin restaurant in Hongjing. Shall I notify them to close and let us go there?”

“No, I’ll eat the hospital’s nutritious meal properly. Can we talk about something else?”

“What do you want to chat about? Is there anything else you want to know?”

Lin Chen couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “What exactly is in the toolbox?”

After some thought, Xing Conglian reported, “All kinds of bank cards, checks… not the kind bought on Taobao, some land deeds, and possibly some company stock contracts. I didn’t look at them closely…”

Lin Chen suddenly looked up, moved away from Xing Conglian, and tried to calm himself down. “Why don’t you keep these things in a bank vault?”

“It’s just loose change. I’m too lazy to put them away. It’s fine just keeping them close…” Xing Conglian said naturally.

Lin Chen couldn’t bear to hear any more and interrupted Xing Conglian, “I have a headache. Let’s go to the hospital for a check-up.”

He tried to pull Xing Conglian towards the hospital, hoping to get away from the Jeep as far as possible, but Xing Conglian remained in place and did not move.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Chen turned around and asked.

“You forgot something,” Xing Conglian said.

“What?” Lin Chen was afraid that the other party would bring up the toolbox again and was very alert.

Before he could finish speaking, Xing Conglian turned his head, leaned in close to his lips, and whispered, “Sir, this is where we should kiss.”

His hot breath sprayed on Lin Chen’s face, and before he could answer, Xing Conglian’s lips had already covered his.

Lin Chen closed his eyes.

In the darkening sky, with the sound of rain falling quietly, everything was just right.