Chapter 439: Suspect – Chen Jinfa

Fortunately, there was only half a tank of oil to begin with; even if it all drained out, I wouldn't mind.

Soon, the oil in the tank was drained completely; the bucket contained only oil, no water.

It seems this person didn't go that far; Ye Cheng's anger eased a little.

After checking the condition of the big ship, the two went to look at the small boat; the situation was similar.

The small boat's diesel was fine too; its trawl net and winch were broken, but for the small boat, this repair shop has parts, so it can be fixed tomorrow.

The big ship still needed to go procure supplies, so during this time Ye Cheng could only go out to sea using the small boat.

"Brother, who do you think did this?" Xiao Hu asked.

"Who knows? During this time, with the multi-level marketing business, I've offended many people; even though some know it's illegal, they still hate me."

That's just how society is; the story of the farmer and the snake isn't just a tale—there are many real-life farmers and snakes.

"Come on, let's go to the dock and have a look, see if anyone saw anything."

Ye Cheng took Xiao Hu to stroll around the dock; this incident probably happened in the past two days.

With people coming and going at the dock, Ye Cheng didn't believe that nobody noticed any clues.

It's just a matter of whether they're willing to tell him.

If only there were surveillance cameras like in later times; under the heavenly net, nowhere to hide.

"Brother, should we report it to the police? The police can investigate using fingerprints, DNA, and such, right?" Xiao Hu suddenly said.

"Wow, you're not bad—you've improved, you even know about that."

"That's right; I've been watching Hong Kong detective dramas lately, and they talk about a lot—I now feel like I could solve a case myself."

"Give me a break, you think you can solve it yourself. For this kind of thing, the police wouldn't be much help—there are all sorts of people coming and going on our boats, and fingerprints aren't that easy to collect; we should just ask around first."

Ye Cheng first asked a few dock workers loading cargo; they were all acquaintances, so offering a cigarette was enough.

But none of those few had seen anything; they said they were busy loading cargo and didn't notice, and one said he hadn't come these two days because he was doing multi-level marketing, then added that he didn't know which bastard had set off the multi-level marketing scheme, and now he didn't even know if he could get his money back.

Ye Cheng was also resigned—he had basically come just to get scolded.

Fortunately, when he asked Lao He, he got a clue.

"Your boat was tampered with? I was wondering why I saw Chen Jinfa sneaking past your boat that day—could it have been him who did it?"

"Chen Jinfa? Are you sure?"

"Definitely; it was either the day before yesterday or three days ago. During this period, few people went out to sea—they were all busy with multi-level marketing. I was bored, so I walked along the dock for exercise, and I happened to see him coming from your boat, looking pleased with himself."

"I even greeted him at the time, but when he saw it was me, he gave a forced laugh, hurried off, and didn't even want the cigarette I offered."

Ye Cheng secretly pondered: Chen Jinfa, the day before yesterday.

At that time, I was probably helping at the city bureau, and the matter of refunding money hadn't been brought up yet.

He had spent 40,000 yuan buying something, which I reported and caused him to lose; if he came to sabotage my stuff, that would indeed be plausible.

"Brother, go ask him—this bastard hasn't lost a cent of his money, yet he came to mess with our boat; I think he's just itching for a fight," Xiao Hu said angrily.

Seeing Xiao Hu like that, Lao He immediately said nervously,

"Well, Lao Er, let's get this straight—I'm only telling you this because we're close; don't go telling others I said this, I still have to do business at the dock."

Ye Cheng gave an OK sign, then patted He Lao Ban on the arm,

"Don't worry, I understand this kind of thing."

After leaving He Lao Ban's place, Ye Cheng now felt that Chen Jinfa was the most suspicious.

"Brother, should we beat him up?" Xiao Hu still kept it simple and brutal.

"What beating? Fighting is illegal—don't do that." Ye Cheng gave him a glance; in a law-abiding society, it's best to avoid such things.

Besides, we're only suspecting him at the moment—there's no evidence.

"Come on, let's test his tone." Since we're suspicious, not probing would be pointless.

"Sure, I'll bring a stick." Xiao Hu said.

"Don't go yet; I'll go alone. If you went, he'd think we'd already confirmed it was him, but if I go by myself he'll assume I'm just asking casually."

"Huh? What's the difference?" Xiao Hu scratched his head.

"Go back, then turn on your Hong Kong drama and watch the psychological crime episode properly."

"Oh, right—add some diesel to the small boat, and tomorrow we'll go out to sea in it."

Having said that, Ye Cheng first returned to the village alone.

Riding his scooter, Ye Cheng drove all the way home, then started walking slowly toward Chen Jinfa's house.

The Chen family's circumstances were average; their house was a bit run-down, and I don't know where he got that 40,000 yuan.

"Anyone home?" Ye Cheng pushed the door open directly.

"Who is it?" As the door opened, Chen Jinfa walked out; upon seeing Ye Cheng, he froze for a moment.

"How come you're here?"

"I'm here to ask you something." Ye Cheng wore an arrogant expression: "My boat was sabotaged; someone said you went to the dock the day before yesterday—was it you who did it?"

Upon hearing that, Chen Jinfa's eyes instantly panicked.

"How could that be? How would I ever do such a thing?"

"Besides, you had me get my money back, and I suffered no loss—why would I do something like that?"

"I went to the dock that day for other business; your boat was definitely messed up by someone else—maybe other villagers found out you reported the police and deliberately took revenge on you."

Hearing him say all that, Ye Cheng's suspicion gradually lessened.

"Really not you?"

"Not me, Lao Er. Although I don't like you, I have principles—how could I possibly mess with a fellow villager's boat? You agree, right?"

"Besides, you know me—if I really did it, I'd surely pour water into the fuel tank; just tampering with the engine and net isn't my style."

Chen Jinfa insisted on his explanation, while also throwing in a bit of self-deprecation.

"Forget it, I'll go ask others; I don't believe I can't find this person." Ye Cheng saw he wasn't admitting it, and didn't want to keep arguing.

Seeing Ye Cheng about to leave, Chen Jinfa breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Ye Cheng stopped halfway, turned around, and pointed at Chen Jinfa's house, saying,

"Your house looks so run-down, yet you can actually come up with 40,000 yuan—you're richer than the Village Chief!"

Chen Jinfa gave an embarrassed laugh,

"What money? I just scraped together from here and there."

Ye Cheng smiled faintly, waved his hand, and left.

Chen Jinfa wiped a cold sweat, seeing Ye Cheng like this, he probably still didn't know it was him who did it; otherwise he would have surely come straight to his door.