Chapter 64

Chang Huaqiang called Gu Changzheng to inquire about Xiao Jiang, and only then did Gu Changzheng remember the nightclub supervisor Xiao Jiang; he asked casually when Xiao Jiang would return to Zizhen, adding that if he could describe the girl who left with Xiao Fang, it would greatly aid the investigation.

Chang Huaqiang froze at these words—he told Gu Changzheng he had gone to the provincial capital these past few days, and upon returning yesterday, discovered Xiao Jiang hadn’t shown up for work, only then recalling he had mentioned going to the branch to assist with the investigation. When the two compared notes, Gu Changzheng said he had received a message from someone claiming to be Xiao Jiang, stating he was returning to his hometown for a few days and would come to Zizhen before heading to the branch. Both realized something was deeply wrong—just then, Lu Haoxuan called from his office: “Changzheng, new development! Come with me to the scene!”

The scene Lu Haoxuan referred to was by the Qingjiang River in Jiangdong District, where the Water Police had pulled up a male corpse—his clothing intact, but bizarrely, the body was tied to a bicycle!

This clear case of homicide prompted the Water Police to immediately notify the branch.

Lu Haoxuan led Gu Changzheng, Hu Jinquan, and other criminal investigation team members, along with Forensic Officer Zheng.

The on-site autopsy revealed obvious irregular patchy abrasions on the back of the skull, accompanied by intermittent linear scratches—initially judged as active trauma caused by brick or stone. When the victim’s mouth was pried open, no signs of drowning were found; it was deduced the victim had been struck violently on the back of the head with a brick or stone, then dumped into the river.

Examination of the victim’s chest showed pressure marks from heavy objects; combined with the outer clothing remaining intact while the inner autumn shirt bore several irregularly worn edges, it was concluded the killer, fearing a bicycle alone wouldn’t sink the body, had placed several stones inside the victim’s cotton jacket—the stones later fell out after the body entered the water.

On-site autopsy conclusion: Male victim, age 20–25, no signs of decomposition, severe corneal opacity, faint lividity, active brick/stone trauma to the back of the skull, no drowning indicators in mouth or nose. Victim was likely killed at close range from behind by a brick or similar weapon, then weighted and submerged. Time of death approximately 72 hours ago.

After hearing Forensic Officer Zheng’s conclusion, Gu Changzheng pulled Hu Jinquan aside: “Old Hu, does this victim look familiar to you?” Hu Jinquan had the same suspicion—though three days of submersion had altered the face significantly, even with the cold weather preventing bloating, the resemblance was unmistakable. They stared for a long while, then spoke in unison: “Luhua Nightclub!”

Gu Changzheng remembered Chang Huaqiang’s call and suddenly realized: “Xiao Jiang! The supervisor from Luhua Nightclub!”

Hu Jinquan, hearing Gu Changzheng name Xiao Jiang, slapped his thigh: “That’s him! His pants are the same ones he wore that night!”

Lu Haoxuan, having listened to their exchange, seemed to anticipate something—he asked: “Connected to Case 1.10?” Every incident has a cause. What enemy could a penniless, powerless young man possibly have? What deep grudge? The only possibility was that he had stumbled upon a secret—or threatened someone’s safety.

“Zheng, is the time of death confirmed at 72 hours?” Lu Haoxuan asked.

Forensic Officer Zheng Guoqiang replied: “Captain Lu, some details still need confirmation after autopsy, but the time of death—I’m certain it’s around three days ago.”

Lu Haoxuan nodded slightly: “Changzheng, you two just said you knew the victim?”

Gu Changzheng recounted the conversation he’d had with Xiao Jiang that night at Luhua Nightclub. After listening, Lu Haoxuan fell into thought, then said: “We’re getting somewhere. It seems the several major cases that have shaken Zizhen these past days are all connected—and the force stirring up this chaos is likely that girl!”

Gu and Gao stared at their master in astonishment—this hypothesis was too bold! Each of these cases was a major criminal investigation—and now all were tied to a single girl?! If it were them, they’d never dare such an assumption.

“Master, where do we start with Xiao Jiang’s murder?” Hu Jinquan’s mind was still foggy.

Lu Haoxuan smiled confidently: “The timelines match. Jinquan, immediately find Xiao Jiang’s residence, his basic social connections, and determine which colleagues he was close to—especially who might have known he was coming to the branch tomorrow, the 17th.”

“The killer, if I’m right, was likely someone at Luhua Nightclub—possibly another staff member, someone who got along well with Xiao Jiang. We need to find out who left the nightclub after the 17th.”

“The crime scene must be searched immediately—that’s critical. Once we have this information, I believe the killer will reveal himself.” Lu Haoxuan gazed steadily into the distance, as if he could already see the scene before him.

Hu Jinquan immediately went to Luhua Nightclub to consult Chang Huaqiang.

Gu Changzheng said: “Master, you suspect the killer…” Lu Haoxuan replied: “There are no such things as coincidences. These murders aren’t isolated—the key thread, the driving force behind them all, may be one person. Bold hypothesis, rigorous deduction, cautious evidence collection! Every case passes through these three stages. Changzheng, let’s go meet Tao Xiaoyong, the one who dismembered the body.”

Gu Changzheng didn’t understand his master’s intent—there was no evidence yet linking Xiao Jiang’s death to Tao Xiaoyong. Why go there?

Lu Haoxuan saw his hesitation and smiled: “Hurry up and get the car—you’ll understand later.”

Gu Changzheng had never doubted his master’s judgment—he simply hadn’t grasped the key point yet.

With questions in his mind, he brought over the police motorcycle with its flashing lights, and the two set off for the Jiangnan Branch.

————

Meanwhile, Hu Jinquan arrived at Luhua Nightclub with a fellow officer from the criminal investigation team. Chang Huaqiang was in his office; after ending his call with Gu Changzheng, he sensed trouble, guessing Gu and the others might come looking for him—and sure enough, Hu Jinquan showed up.

Chang Huaqiang still didn’t know about Xiao Jiang’s death, and Hu Jinquan said nothing. He noticed a young man in Chang’s office, roughly Xiao Jiang’s age, and glanced at Chang with suspicion. Chang immediately said: “Oh, Officer Hu, this lad is Xiao Jiang’s close friend—Long Guangsheng. I thought you might want to learn more about Xiao Jiang—he might be able to help.”

Hu Jinquan gave Chang another look, thinking to himself: This man is clever indeed.

The questioning went smoothly—Hu Jinquan learned a crucial detail from Long: after he and Gu Changzheng had left the nightclub that night, Xiao Jiang, along with his good friend Long, two female waitresses, and a waiter named Xiao Yong, had eaten late-night hotpot at a red canopy stall (a local roadside food cart, covered with a makeshift red tent in winter). When someone asked what Xiao Jiang had been doing in Brother Qiang’s office, he initially refused to say, but after drinking more, he revealed a piece of information that would cost him his life.