Chapter 15: The Reason Behind the Neighbor’s Murder
Song Lin, captain of the city’s criminal investigation unit, had gone undercover numerous times to solve major cases.
Six months ago, he suddenly went missing while on duty, later confirmed to have been kidnapped by the suspect. In an effort to pressure the perpetrator and ensure Song Lin’s safety, the police department held a high-profile press conference, demanding his release.
That day, Fang Xiaocao happened to be working as an intern at a newspaper, so she vividly remembered this outstanding officer.
“You know me?” Song Lin was surprised.
“Of course! A lot of people thought you were dead.” Fang Xiaocao nodded enthusiastically.
Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and called Wang Qiang, reporting the basement situation and Song Lin’s survival. Wang Qiang, upon hearing the news, immediately promised to lead a team over and hurriedly hung up.
Song Lin let out a bitter laugh. Being imprisoned for six months, he was just relieved they hadn’t held a memorial service for him.
“Captain Song, was it Qi Yu who locked you up?” Fang Xiaocao asked curiously.
“Yes…” Song Lin nodded grimly. “He’s the one behind the infamous white-collar serial disappearances in Tang City six months ago.”
“What?!” Fang Xiaocao was shocked.
“Why were you following Qi Yu?” Song Lin questioned in return.
“Because he’s killing again…” Fang Xiaocao recounted the murder of her neighbor and how she had been hunted down. She conveniently omitted any mention of “Hot Noodles.”
“Was your neighbor named Chen Hong?” Song Lin’s gaze darkened.
“How do you know?” Fang Xiaocao asked in surprise.
“Because she was the only survivor of the white-collar disappearances case.”
A wave of sorrow flickered in Song Lin’s eyes.
“Survivor? But the news reported there were none?”
“That was a lie to protect her,” Song Lin admitted.
Fang Xiaocao, now fully immersed, pressed on: “Captain Song, what really happened back then? Why did Chen Hong survive?”
Song Lin sighed heavily.
“That night, I was returning from an operation, taking a shortcut through the hills behind the university. I encountered Qi Yu, who was abducting Chen Hong to a secluded area. When he saw me in uniform, he panicked and stabbed her in the heart before fleeing. I was too busy saving her to give chase.”
“If I had chased him instead, maybe all of this wouldn’t have happened…” Song Lin lamented.
Fang Xiaocao shook her head. “Captain Song, you made the right choice. Anyone would’ve saved the victim first.”
Then, she hesitated. “But wait… a stab to the heart? How did she survive?”
“Her heart was in the center of her chest, an extremely rare condition. Qi Yu’s knife missed the vital spot entirely. That’s why we kept her survival a secret—to throw Qi Yu off.”
Song Lin clenched his fists. “But he was too suspicious. Just from my investigation alone, he deduced that Chen Hong had described his appearance to us. It took him six months to track her down and silence her…”
His voice trembled with anger as the iron chains rattled around him.
Fang Xiaocao fell silent.
So, that was the reason Qi Yu killed her neighbor.
Chen Hong had narrowly escaped death once, only to be hunted down six months later.
Just then—
Ding-dong!
Fang Xiaocao’s phone rang.
It was Wang Qiang.
“Captain Song, the police should be here. I’ll go let them in!”
She rushed up the stairs, answering the call mid-run.
“Officer Wang, I’ll unlock the door now!”
Watching her leave, Song Lin smiled slightly.
“She’s got a cool head—she’d make a great detective. Shame she didn’t study criminology.”
He fell into deep thought until—
“Master!”
A familiar voice broke his thoughts.
Song Lin looked up to see Wang Qiang, running toward him, completely ignoring the foul stench of the basement.
He didn’t hesitate—he threw his arms around Song Lin, tears streaming down his face.
“Master… You’re alive… It’s really you…”
Song Lin chuckled. “You brat, what are you crying for?”
“Master, who did this to you? Tell me, I’ll go arrest him!” Wang Qiang choked through his tears, holding onto the iron chains.
Song Lin’s eyes darkened. “He won’t get away. I’ll take him down myself.”
Wang Qiang nodded. “Then we’ll do it together!”
Song Lin rolled his eyes. “Have I taught you nothing? A real man bleeds, he doesn’t cry!”
“I just hadn’t reached my limit yet…” Wang Qiang mumbled.
Song Lin shot him a glare. “That’s not how the saying goes! I told you to read more books instead of just fighting all the time.”
“Yes, Master…” Wang Qiang responded like a scolded schoolboy.
“Now step aside! Let the firefighters cut these chains before I die of exhaustion.”
The firefighters stepped in, carrying their tools.
Just then—
Ding!
Fang Xiaocao’s phone lit up again.
A message from Hot Noodles.
[Qi Yu is escaping!]
(End of Chapter 15)
