Chapter 114

"Mu Mian, are you saying that the reason the deceased maintained a smile was because she was inhaling laughing gas before she died?" Fang Rui asked.

Nitrous oxide has many uses. It can be used as an anesthetic or as a propellant for whipped cream. Although its production is regulated, it's not classified as a drug and is relatively easy to obtain. In recent years, there have been several cases in Jiangzhou City of disability and death caused by inhaling laughing gas, mainly among young people.

"Yes. Her brain had already undergone pathological changes, so she had likely been addicted to it for some time," Mu Mian said. "This gas tricks the brain into producing a feeling of euphoria while causing the facial muscles to lose control, forming an eerie smile. The deceased maintained her smile because of this gas."

Mu Mian continued, "The murder weapon was an ordinary fruit knife. These knives are very common and sold in many department stores."

Fang Rui remembered Chen Xinran mentioning that the deceased had particularly treasured that bookshelf. Could that be where she hid the laughing gas?

"Mu Mian, come with me to the deceased's office. Let's see if we can find where she hid the laughing gas," Fang Rui said.

"Alright."

Fang Rui and the others returned to Director Zhang's office.

Mu Mian searched the office, and her gaze was quickly drawn to the red balloon under the desk.

The balloon was somewhat deflated and looked no different from an ordinary balloon. It had fallen under the desk.

Mu Mian picked up the balloon and slowly brought it to her nose.

Fang Rui, who had been searching the bookshelf, saw Mu Mian's action and rushed over to cover her nose.

"Fang Rui, I can't breathe! I hate the feeling of suffocation."

"Mu Mian, what were you trying to do?" Fang Rui was exasperated. Balloons are the main tool for inhaling laughing gas, and it likely contained toxic gas. Mu Mian was really a handful!

"I wanted to smell if it was cream-scented. Just a quick sniff, it wouldn't be a problem. It was originally used as an anesthetic..." Seeing Fang Rui's darkening expression, Mu Mian quickly changed her tune, "Alright, I'll take it back for testing."

Zhang quickly took out an evidence bag, letting Mu Mian put the balloon inside, and stated that he would keep it in his custody.

"Officer Zhang, you don't trust me at all!" Mu Mian complained, "I'm a forensic expert, I wouldn't put myself in danger!"

Fang Rui began listing Mu Mian's "glorious" deeds: "Last March, you were taken to the roof by Chen Hui; last June, you got your hand scratched by Ye Zeling; you were also kidnapped by Zhou Junwei..."

Mu Mian sheepishly changed the subject: "Fang Rui, hurry up and collect evidence. Don't slack off during work hours."

Fang Rui looked at Mu Mian and said emphatically, "Mu Mian, you can't do such dangerous things in the future, or I won't bring you along on investigations next time!"

"I didn't do anything dangerous... Alright, I promise!" Mu Mian gave up arguing, "Fang Rui, don't be angry anymore. When you're angry, I feel like the air pressure here is so low, I can hardly breathe."

"..."

Zhang held his head in his hands. Mu Mian had even learned to make jokes, albeit cold ones!

"Boss, there's a fruit bowl over there," Zhang pointed to a bowl tucked away in the corner with several unpeeled apples. "Could the fruit knife used to kill the victim have been in that bowl before?"

Fang Rui noticed that one of the apples had been half-peeled. The killer might have picked up the fruit knife from the bowl and stabbed the victim. It was likely a crime of passion.

"Possible."

The bookshelf was full of books, but Fang Rui's attention was drawn to several angel figurines on the top shelf. The angels were made of plastic, about a palm high, with white wings inserted in the back. The craftsmanship was crude, with unevenly applied paint.

Fang Rui picked up one of them, feeling that the weight was off. This type of plastic figurine shouldn't be so heavy.

He shook it and found that the figurine was hollow with an opening at the bottom. He pulled out the plastic plug and two small silver canisters fell out.

"Found it," Mu Mian came over, picked up one of the canisters, and said, "Laughing gas is usually stored in steel canisters like these."

There were seven angel figurines in total, each hiding small canisters inside.

They also found two notebooks disguised as books. The covers were fairy tales, but inside were handwritten pages. One was a diary, and the other seemed to be an account book recording the orphanage's income and expenses.

Fang Rui briefly flipped through the diary. Director Zhang used delicate words to describe her guilt and longing for her deceased son. She seemed to have never emerged from the shadow of her son's death.

The latest diary entry was written on March 19th, two days before the incident. It read:

"Today marks 9,495 days since my child passed away. I dreamed of him again last night, he was covered in blood and waving at me. He asked me why I didn't save him. I didn't know how to answer him. I killed him. I could have saved him, but I was tired of those days of endless giving without any emotional return, tired of having to watch over him every moment. I had lost my own life, I was on the verge of breakdown.

If he had grown up and I couldn't move him anymore, couldn't change his diapers, what would I have done? A child like that, not normal, living would only be suffering... As I hesitated, that car killed my child. My poor child. It's mommy's fault, mommy didn't protect you! If mommy had another chance, I would rush to protect you without hesitation, even at the cost of my own life.

Child, if you really hate mommy so much, then take me away. Mommy is living in too much pain."

She mentioned multiple times in her diary:

"The devil, it was the devil who tempted me.

She told me this thing could make me happy, but it doesn't. I'm still in pain. But I can't get rid of it anymore. I've already made a deal with the devil. If falling and sinking can let me see my child again, I'm willing to continue dealing with the devil."

From Director Zhang's diary, it seems she started inhaling this gas a year and a half ago, and someone deliberately lured her into depending on it. But her diary didn't name that person.

Who could it be?

Fang Rui then flipped through the account book, which detailed every income and expense clearly. Star Home received millions in corporate donations each year, but most of this money was donated through the foundation to other families with autistic or disabled children in need. From the accounts, the income and expenses basically balanced out.

Fang Rui speculated that the killer might have been trying to control Director Zhang through this method to gain benefits.

"Zhang, take this account book and investigate to see if there are any issues with the accounts in it."

"Alright."

After leaving the director's office, they passed by the treatment room.

Several volunteers and an elderly woman with graying hair were standing in the treatment room, all looking very anxious.

Seeing Fang Rui, Li Min came over and asked, "Officer Fang, where did Sister Chen go? Why hasn't she come back yet? Yuan Yuan still refuses to come out of the cabinet. He hasn't eaten or drunk anything for two days. If this continues, he'll become dehydrated."

They tried to open the cabinet, but as soon as they did, Yuan Yuan would burrow deeper inside, hitting the cabinet walls without stopping, constantly banging against the wooden boards. His resistance was very intense, and they couldn't restrain him even with several people.

"Hasn't a therapist come?" Fang Rui asked.

"Teacher Jiang is an experienced autism intervention specialist, but even she is at a loss now," Li Min sighed, pointing at the elderly woman. "Yuan Yuan's condition was already quite severe, and now that he's been traumatized, he's completely out of control."

Mu Mian recognized Teacher Jiang. She had dinner with her and her sister last time.

"Little Mian, long time no see. What are you doing here?" Teacher Jiang also saw Mu Mian and greeted her warmly.

"Work." Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Mu Mian looked at the tightly closed cabinet, seeming to see a lonely and helpless soul hiding inside.

"Can I give it a try?" Mu Mian said, "The 52-hertz whale is unable to hear the sounds of other whales, unless it encounters another whale that can produce a 52-hertz sound."