Chapter 45: Begin the Investigation
“Captain Song!”
Fang Xiaocao greeted Song Lin.
“Xiaocao? Weren’t you in the hospital?”
Seeing her, Song Lin asked in surprise.
“When I saw the car drive up, I thought I was mistaken.”
He chuckled.
“I just came back to pick up some things. I’ll be staying in the hospital for a few more days, but I didn’t bring anything with me.”
Fang Xiaocao smiled.
She deliberately avoided looking at Axi. She wasn’t sure if he still remembered her. Even though she’d grown up and her appearance had changed, her name remained the same.
“Looks like Wang Qiang was right—you have the ‘Detective Conan’ effect.”
“You seem to run into cases wherever you go.”
Song Lin teased.
“Oh, come on, Captain Song, not you too.”
Fang Xiaocao sighed in exasperation.
“So, what’s going on here?”
She asked curiously.
“These two are the parents of the victim from apartment 402. Since they didn’t live together, they managed to avoid the tragedy.”
“This child is the victim’s son—also the sole survivor of the case.”
Song Lin introduced them.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, sir, ma’am.”
“I’m your downstairs neighbor, from apartment 302.”
“When I heard the news, I was devastated.”
Fang Xiaocao said sincerely.
“Sigh… Thank you, young lady.”
The elderly couple responded with grief.
“Hey there, little one. You’re so cute.”
Fang Xiaocao crouched down and gently pinched Axi’s cheek.
Axi flinched, then quickly hid behind the elderly woman, pretending to be shy.
“He’s been through a lot. He’s scared of strangers.”
The old woman stroked Axi’s head.
“I understand.”
Fang Xiaocao smiled.
She had originally planned to expose Axi on the spot, but she knew Song Lin needed evidence. She couldn’t act rashly.
Instead, she decided to secretly inform Song Lin, letting him gather the proof necessary to bring Axi to justice.
Axi had evaded capture multiple times. Not because he was exceptionally clever, nor because law enforcement was incompetent—it was simply because no one would ever suspect that a seemingly seven- or eight-year-old child could be the mastermind behind such brutal murders.
That assumption had allowed Axi to escape justice again and again.
But as long as Fang Xiaocao pointed Song Lin in the right direction, she was confident that he would uncover the truth within a day.
“Officer Song, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be heading back now.”
The elderly woman said, sensing her grandson’s discomfort.
“Understood. Please contact me if you remember anything.”
Song Lin nodded.
The elderly couple nodded as well and slowly walked away, supporting each other as they went.
Before disappearing around the corner, Axi turned back to glance at Fang Xiaocao. His gaze carried a hint of curiosity and scrutiny.
Fang Xiaocao pretended not to notice. She waved and said cheerfully, “Bye-bye, little one~”
Only when they were completely out of sight did she let out a deep breath, her expression growing serious.
“Xiaocao, what’s wrong?”
“You look pale.”
Song Lin asked, concerned.
“Captain Song… that child… there’s something wrong with him.”
Fang Xiaocao said, her voice trembling slightly.
“What?”
Song Lin froze.
“That child isn’t who he seems.”
“He’s the killer!”
Fang Xiaocao stated firmly.
Song Lin frowned in confusion, reaching out to touch her forehead.
“Hey! I don’t have a fever!”
Fang Xiaocao slapped his hand away in frustration.
“I know that child! He’s a dwarf!”
She declared.
Song Lin’s expression darkened.
“Explain everything.”
He knew Fang Xiaocao wouldn’t make such a serious accusation without reason.
“His name is Axi. We were in the same orphanage as kids. He was adopted early on, but even back then, he looked exactly the same.”
Fang Xiaocao recounted their past.
“How can you be sure it’s him?”
Song Lin asked, still skeptical.
“In our investigation, we found no records indicating that the victim had ever adopted a child.”
“Then check again.”
“But you have to act fast.”
“You called my name just now. I can’t be sure he didn’t recognize me.”
“If he did recognize me, he might try to run… or worse, kill to cover his tracks!”
“If he flees, that elderly couple could be in grave danger.”
Fang Xiaocao warned.
Song Lin’s face hardened.
“I’ll investigate immediately. If what you’re saying is true, then this might not be his first crime.”
Song Lin’s voice was grave.
“I’ll leave you to it, then, Captain Song.”
Fang Xiaocao smiled.
With that, she walked into the building.
Half an hour later, she emerged with a bag of items, completing the charade. She wanted to make sure Song Lin had no reason to suspect her.
Though Song Lin had already left by then.
Fang Xiaocao drove away from Xintiandi Community and returned to the hospital.
…
As her red Land Rover disappeared into the distance, Song Lin stepped out of a hidden corner, watching the car’s taillights fade into the horizon, lost in thought.
Moments later, he dialed a number.
“This is Song Lin. I need you to look into the orphanage Fang Xiaocao grew up in, as well as her background. Also, check the adoption records for a boy named Axi. If there are any photos, even better.”
After giving his instructions, he hung up.
“Fang Xiaocao… are you really just a student?”
“Something about you seems… off.”
“It’s as if you appeared here on purpose today. Was that really just a coincidence?”
Song Lin murmured to himself.
He made another call.
“Mr Lin, it’s me. Can you check the past ten-plus years for any unsolved cases involving murdered foster parents in our province or neighboring ones?”
“Pay special attention to cases where a boy was adopted into the household. If any exist, try to find out what happened to the child. If you can get pictures, that’d be even better.”
After saying thanks, he hung up.
With that, he turned and got into his car, driving away from Xintiandi Community.
…
An hour later.
Song Lin parked his car in a rural village on the outskirts of the city.
Through the car window, he observed a small house.
Inside lived an elderly couple and a child—the very same people from Xintiandi Community.
…
At the City Bureau.
“Team Leader, the forensic team is ready. We can conduct the examination on Han Xue at any time.”
A young female officer reported to Wang Qiang.
Wang Qiang nodded.
“What about the investigation into Han Xue?”
He asked.
“Han Xue has a history of purchasing chlorpromazine in large quantities.”
The officer responded.
Wang Qiang’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
(End of Chapter 45)
