Chapter 10: The Home Invasion Murder Case at Ping’an Residential Complex (4)

"In my view, drug trafficking undermines the very foundation of our nation. Why shouldn’t I kill them? When one person becomes addicted, their entire family is halfway to hell. The harm it causes is far worse than any isolated act of violence!" Wu Zui spoke with no attempt to disguise his thoughts.

"Well, sentencing them is the law’s responsibility! How can we... I won't argue with you. I'll hand the people over—just be careful," Wang Zhengang said, pausing as he noticed Wu Zui’s face darken.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”

Wu Zui turned to go.

“Wait!”

Wu Zui looked back; through the swirling smoke, he could still see Wang Zhengang’s piercing eyes. But right now, those eyes seemed to carry a hint of mischief.

Was I mistaken?

“The newcomer, Xiao Ke'ai—try to interact with her more! Stop barking at her for no reason. You’re not that young anymore! It’s time you...” Wang Zhengang suddenly became meddlesome.

Is he trying to set me up with someone? Old Wang, are you crazy? I’m only twenty-four!

Wu Zui glanced at the figure in the smoke, thinking to himself.

“And then?” Wu Zui’s voice was cold.

“Uh... Just go now!” Wang Zhengang, caught off guard, hurriedly dismissed him.

Wu Zui walked out, closing the door behind him.

Hopefully, that kid will finally wise up! If he really manages to win her over, next time something like last time happens, he won’t get demoted from deputy bureau chief.

Wang Zhengang watched Wu Zui’s departing figure, mulling over his thoughts.

…

Lin Feng’s Office

“Do we have results yet?” Wu Zui pushed the door open and startled Lin Feng.

“Wu, you’re here! Yes, we have results. Look here. Wang Meng entered Binhai City illegally early the morning before yesterday. According to the Sky Eye system, this is his route map. The only point where he crosses paths with Liao Yan is at the central shopping plaza. Liao Yan was shopping with her daughter; Wang Meng’s purpose there is still unclear.”

Lin Feng turned his computer toward Wu Zui. A dense web of routes appeared on the screen—the earliest intersection, only at the shopping plaza that morning when Liao Yan was murdered.

Wu Zui watched Wang Meng’s video footage, falling into deep thought. The video was from the day before yesterday, showing Wang Meng with a thick, dark cloud above his head—a clear sign he was no good.

The strange thing was, this was the same man Wu Zui had seen on Xiao Ke'ai’s surveillance footage last night, but then his head was shrouded in a dead, pale haze.

Are my eyes failing me?

Wu Zui silently wondered; his vision had always been reliable and nothing like this had ever happened before.

“Wu... Wu... Are you alright?” Lin Feng noticed Wu Zui spacing out. At first, he thought Wu Zui was concentrating on the case, but then realized something was wrong—cold sweat poured down Wu Zui’s face like water.

“Huh? Ah! I’m fine. Do you have video of Wang Meng and Liao Yan meeting at the plaza?” Wu Zui, returning to his senses, found his clothes soaked through with cold sweat.

“Yes, but there’s no audio! Are you... really alright?” Lin Feng paused before playing the video, eyeing Wu Zui with concern.

“I’m fine, probably just tired. Go ahead.”

Wu Zui tried to appear unconcerned, though his heart was racing for reasons he couldn’t fathom.

“Alright!” Lin Feng responded and played the video.

Soon, a little girl joyfully ran toward a man, only to be pulled back by Liao Yan. The screen filled with people surrounding two vulnerable women.

Wu Zui looked at the tops of their heads—each was encircled by black mist. The man the little girl had approached had both black mist and golden light above him.

Wu Zui had seen cases like this, though rarely.

“Have you found where these people are staying?” Wu Zui asked Lin Feng.

“Not yet, it’s been too little time.”

Lin Feng replied, a bit embarrassed.

“Send me the video. Tell Director Wang to call in the people he promised,” Wu Zui commanded, the aura of his former rank as deputy director in full force—forgetting entirely that he was now only a junior detective.

“Alright, I’ll send it now.” Lin Feng was used to this; Wu Zui rarely showed him any deference.

“Mm.”

Wu Zui responded and turned to leave.

“Master, I bought some... Master, are you alright?” As soon as he stepped out, he encountered Xiao Ke'ai, who had been waiting with several cups of milk tea.

Suddenly, a small hand touched Wu Zui’s forehead.

“No fever! Master, are you feeling unwell?” Xiao Ke'ai placed the milk tea she’d been holding in her mouth back in her hand, concern in her eyes.

“It’s nothing, probably just tired.” Wu Zui took a cup and began drinking. The sugar helped him recover from his mental exhaustion.

“Lion, do you want to come to my place and rest for a while?”

Xiao Ke'ai, sipping her own milk tea, spoke in a dialect almost indecipherable.

“A girl shouldn’t talk while eating,” Wu Zui admonished, though he understood perfectly, gazing into her wide, innocent eyes.

“Gulp!”

“Okay, Master! So... do you want to nap at my place?” Xiao Ke'ai swallowed her mouthful, blinking at Wu Zui.

The room instantly fell silent; every detective perked up their ears.

Rare gossip about Wu!

“To the small conference room, for casework!” Wu Zui barked, and the office snapped back to life.

Small Conference Room

Wu Zui used Xiao Ke'ai’s computer to play the scene of Wang Meng meeting Liao Yan. He needed to identify the leader—the only one who might know where the drug syndicate boss was today.

The footage was from a shop’s surveillance camera, of mediocre quality. Even with technical enhancements and Xiao Ke'ai’s computer, some details of their speech remained unclear.

“Can you zoom in on the mouth movements from 54:30 to 55:15 and loop it?” Wu Zui asked Xiao Ke'ai, who was watching intently.

“Of course!” Xiao Ke'ai sprang into action, and soon the specified section was enlarged and played on a loop. Wang Meng, with a lecherous grin, was speaking to another man.

“Dian... Lian... Tian? Tian! Brother Tian!” Wu Zui watched Wang Meng’s lips, mimicking the words. He concluded Wang Meng was addressing him as Brother Tian. Now it depended on Wang Zhengang’s detective—how did Tiger call him?

“Loop 53:40 to 53:58!” Wu Zui instructed Xiao Ke'ai.

“Got it!” Xiao Ke'ai excitedly tapped away.

It was quickly confirmed that both men addressed him as Brother Tian, likely the highest-ranking among them. With the target identified, Wu Zui turned to Xiao Ke'ai, “Any milk tea left?”

Xiao Ke'ai glanced at the four empty cups, “None left! Master, should I go buy more?”

“Mm, go ahead,” Wu Zui immediately agreed.

“Okay! Wait for me, Master, I’ll be right back!” Xiao Ke'ai, in her white dress, vanished out the door for milk tea.

Once she had left, Wu Zui checked his phone. It was already nine o’clock—if he didn’t hurry, the suspects might escape. He set an alarm, then fixed his gaze on the man called Brother Tian, his eyes reddening.

Thud!

Wu Zui collapsed onto the conference table, as if he’d fallen asleep.

…

“Brother Tian, what do we do? Mengzi is dead!” Someone cried out in panic to “Wu Zui.” Wu Zui realized he was seeing Brother Tian’s memories.

“Don’t panic! He was supposed to kill that woman, but insisted on having his fun. Now he’s dead—whose fault is that? Toss him in the sea; he was an illegal immigrant anyway, no one will report it... Does he have any other family? Prepare the compensation, give a little extra if needed.” Brother Tian paused, considering his subordinates’ feelings.

“Mama!” came a child’s sobbing voice. The perspective shifted; Wu Zui saw Liao Yan, clothes torn and face bloodied, shielding her child.

On the floor before her lay Wang Meng, shirtless, his throat torn open, blood pooling beneath him. Judging by his wide, shocked eyes, he must have never expected to be killed by a woman.

“Tie them up!” Brother Tian ordered, and his men surged forward.

After a fierce struggle, Liao Yan and her daughter were bound together, as Liao Yan refused to let go of the child.

“Go, stab them! We need to get out of here with Mengzi!” A knife was handed to the man called Tiger. Liao Yan clamped her hand tightly over her daughter’s mouth, terrified she might cry out.

“Brother Tian, this woman’s so beautiful—it’s a waste to kill her! What if we take her with us for some fun?” Tiger leered, addressing Brother Tian.

“Biaozi, when I say kill, you kill! Why all the nonsense? They aren’t your wife and kid, are they?” Brother Tian eyed Tiger meaningfully.

“Of course not! If you say kill, then kill!” Biaozi shrugged, unconcerned. He approached Liao Yan and her daughter, but as he passed Brother Tian, suddenly reversed his grip and stabbed at him.

Brother Tian, prepared, dodged the attack and drew a gun, aiming at Tiger. “I knew you were trouble! How convenient—so many people, and only you get called ‘Dad!’ Drop the knife and come with me to see the boss, let him deal with you!”

“Not a chance!”

Tiger lunged with the knife.

For reasons unknown, Brother Tian did not fire. Dodging, he left Tiger to be grappled by the others, and instead hurried to Liao Yan, stabbing her twice in the abdomen.

“Biaozi! Will you stop?” Brother Tian shouted, stabbing Liao Yan again, as Tiger grew more desperate. Tiger was kicked over and pinned to the ground by several men.