S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 2 Chapter 30

Murderer vs Murderer 03 – Distraction

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When Gongsun walked into the SCI office with the autopsy report, he felt that the atmosphere was a little weird. Everyone had their heads down and were doing their own things. It seemed to be a little restrained and uncomfortable, unlike the usual joke-filled atmosphere. Gongsun walked in and asked Zhao Hu at the door, "What are you doing?"

Zhao Hu turned to Benjamin who was sitting not far away and flipping through the magazine casually.

Gongsun turned his face and glanced at him. Benjamin also raised his head and the two glanced at each other. Gongsun had always hated foreigners in military uniforms, so he looked away and ignored him.

"The test results of those bones came out?" Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao came out of the room.

"En." Gongsun nodded, "It's strange."

"Why is it strange?" Everyone stared at him.

"There are signs of gnawing on the bones..." Before Gongsun finished speaking, everyone gasped.

Gongsun waved his hand, "Don't think about it, it was not done by a human."

"Huh..." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "What made the bite marks then?"

"Canine, should be a wolf." Gongsun shrugged, "It is the treatment that corpses in the wilderness often get."

"What about the fatal wound on the head?" Zhan Zhao asked.

Gongsun nodded, "This is what I want to telly you about, it’s very interesting." He waved to several people and motioned for them to go with him.

When everyone went to the forensic room, Benjamin curiously followed. They saw several assembled skeletons on the dissection table, two of which were humans, and the others were animals.

"Look at these two skulls." Gongsun pointed to the two skulls, and picked up a straight bone that was sharpened. He said, "These two scars were caused by this bone."

Bai Yutang took the straight bone and looked at it, "Did someone nail this bone into the heads of the deceased?"

Gongsun nodded, "This is a human thigh bone, but..." Gongsun pointed to two complete human skeletons and said, "It's not from these two people."

Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao looked at each other, and Zhan Zhao asked Gongsun, "How long have these two people been dead?"

"A year or so." Gongsun said, "A man and a woman. They were both very young, between the ages of 25 and 30. Both were Asian."

"What about those animal bones?" Zhao Hu asked.

"It's all the same." Gongsun said, taking several animal skulls. "Look, the scars on the top of the head are the same."

Everyone was silent. Zhan Zhao seemed to be very interested in the sharpened bone and was looking at it the whole time.

"This is TVA's execution ceremony." Benjamin on the side suddenly said.

Everyone turned back to look at him, waiting for him to continue talking.

"The symbol of TVA is the wild wolf" Benjamin explained to the group. “It is said that Karula has an Indian background, so he has a special interest in jackals and he keeps many wolves in captivity. When someone betrays him or he captures someone who he thinks deserves to die, he will feed them to the wolves.”

Bai Yutang nodded and looked at the heads of the corpses. Zhan Zhao put the bones back on the dissection table and said, "It is the custom of Indians to pay tribute to the wolf god by nailing a sharpened bone into the skull because jackals like to suck the brains out. However, it is very troublesome to smash the skull, so the Indians help the wolf god break the skull.”

"Oh..." Everyone nodded, "I see."

Benjamin smiled reluctantly, and nodded to Zhan Zhao, "You’re very knowledgeable."

Gongsun was taken aback when he heard it, and glanced at Luo Tian next to him — ‘Why is this person so sour?’

Luo Tian smiled helplessly and glanced at Bai Yutang who was beside him.

Gongsun raised his eyebrows to see Zhan Zhao — ‘A love rival?’

Zhan Zhao glanced at Bai Yutang with anger.

Bai Yutang wanted to say that he was innocent.

"So, this case has been solved?" Bai Chi said suddenly, "It was two killer organizations testing the water. Karula used the leftover bones from their own wolves’ food as props?"

Everyone looked at each other. It does appear to be that way.

Bai Yutang nodded, and glanced at Zhan Zhao beside him. It looked like he was still confused about something.

When everyone returned to the office, Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao were called by Bao Zheng.

"How is the case?" Bao Zheng asked.

Bai Yutang told him all of the results of the investigation. Bao Zheng frowned and said, "Don't dig into Karula’s case. I don’t think he will make a move here.”

"Bao Sir, how do you know that?" Bai Yutang was curious, "Do you know inside information?"

"What inside information?" Bao Zheng glared at him and said, "If this case needs to be investigated, I will contact Interpol. You can investigate other cases first."

"There have been no other cases recently." Zhan Zhao whispered.

"It's okay if there is no case." Bao Zheng smiled, "If there is no case, then take this chance be lazy." After speaking, he sent the two out.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang left the office and walked towards their office. Bai Yutang asked, "Cat, do you have any problems with the case?"

Zhan Zhao frowned slightly, and said, "Don’t you think that using so many bones is unnecessary if Karula just wanted to come and test the waters?”

Bai Yutang nodded and said, "Also, Gongsun said that the two tributes were Asians."

Zhan Zhao touched his chin, "Um... It is indeed suspicious." While they were talking, the two had already reached the door of the SCI office. Suddenly, a small figure rushed out. He hugged Zhan Zhao and put his arms around his waist, shouting, "Uncle Zhan!"

Both Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were surprised — 'Isn't this little Luoyang?'

"Yangyang, you’re back?" Zhan Zhao stretched out his hand to touch Luoyang's head, "Was the military training camp interesting? You are so tanned."

“It was interesting!" Luoyang exclaimed. Because of his background, Luoyang had never participated in any sports since he was little, so he was excited to participate in the military training summer camp that his school organized. He was extremely happy and got to meet many children around his own age.

Bai Yutang stretched out his hand and patted Luoyang, "Smelly kid, you only greeted the cat and ignored me!"

Luoyang hurried over with a grin and said, "Hey, Uncle Bai."

"I bought you a gift." Like he was giving them treasure, Luoyang took out some small cellphone charms made of ceramic from his bag. Luoyang looked through the charms and found the ones for Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao.

Bai Yutang took it and saw that it was a small white porcelain mouse with the word "Tang" written on his stomach. The one for Zhan Zhao was a small cat with the word "Zhao" written on his stomach.

"There is one for everyone!" Luoyang happily handed over two charms to Bai Chi; one was a little rabbit and the other was a baby dragon with the word “Zhen” written on it, “Bring this to Uncle Zhen. He taught me magic last time and I already performed it for my classmates. It was awesome!” Then he grabbed a white lion charm. “This one is for Lisbon.”

Gongsun also came up, "What about me?"

"En." Luoyang nodded and found two that he handed to Gongsun; one was a little fox with "Ce" written on it, and the other was a puppy with "Jin" written on it.

"Puff..." Bai Yutang couldn't help laughing, and asked Luoyang, "This puppy is for my brother?"

"En." Luoyang nodded, and took out two identical little raccoons, "These two are for Da Ding and Xiao Ding!"

As Luoyang handed out gifts, everyone rushed over. Zhao Hu got a little tiger, and Ma Han got a pony. They were all charms of cute animals. In the end, there was only a little black bear left.

"This..." Everyone smiled, "Is it for Bao Sir?"

Luoyang nodded, "Isn’t it cute?"

Bao Zheng sneezed in his office.

Although they were cheap little charms, they could tell that Luoyang was very attentive. When they thought about Luoyang squatting by the stall and looking for the charms, they all thought of the same image and thought — So cute!

While the atmosphere in the office was lively, Bai Yutang's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Bai Jintang.

"Hello, Big Brother?" Bai Yutang answered the phone while looking at Gongsun, as if asking — ‘Why is he looking for me and not you?’

Gongsun rolled his eyes and continued to admire the charm.

"Oh." Bai Yutang asked Bai Chi after hearing a few words, "Chi Chi, has Zhao Zhen's injury healed?"

Bai Chi nodded, "It's almost healed. The doctor said that if he continues to take the medicine and goes to the follow-up clinic every half month, then he will be cured.

"Oh," Bai Yutang replied to Bai Jintang, "It’s pretty much healed."

"Um, okay." Bai Yutang nodded and asked everyone, "Are you guys free tonight?"

Everyone nodded collectively and said yes. It seemed that Brother Bai had something to discuss, so of course, they were all free.

Bai Yutang said to Bai Chi, "You can ask Zhao Zhen to join us."

"Where are we going?" Zhan Zhao was curious.

"Big Brother said that he opened a new restaurant and hired a very famous chef. Recently, they got a batch of excellent yellow-lipped fish. He said that it has been a long time since everyone to get together, so he asked us to go together."

"Yellow-lipped fish?" Zhan Zhao got excited when he heard it.

Jiang Ping also said, "This fish is something that you can only come across by chance."

"Then we are all going!" Although Bai Yutang was asking, he used an affirmative tone.

Everyone smiled and nodded; their eyes were all fish-shaped.

Bai Yutang replied back over the phone, "Brother? We are all going." While counting the number of people, he saw Benjamin sitting not far away, and he was slightly taken aback. Bai Yutang was a little embarrassed, as he didn’t know whether to count him or not.

The Zhan Zhao helped Bai Yutang ask, "Ben, are you coming with us?"

Benjamin smiled slightly and asked, "Where are you going?"

Zhan Zhao said, "Yutang’s brother is inviting everyone out for dinner.”

Before Benjamin could reply, Gongsun spoke, “Yes, everyone who is going is part of our family.”

Everyone stuck out their tongues; Gongsun really wasn’t afraid to be rude. It seemed like he was defending Zhan Zhao.

Benjamin nodded knowingly and said, "You guys can go. I’m not well acquainted with everyone so it’s not convenient for me to join you. Bai, you can bring me back to the hotel later.”

Bai Yutang nodded, and said to Bai Jintang on the phone, "Brother, there are twelve of us going."

On the other end, Bai Jintang said, "Well, on my end, I have the twins with me. That’s a total of fifteen which is perfect for one table. Also, have Zhao Zhen bring Lisbon and we’ll prepare good beef for him."

"Okay." Bai Yutang laughed and hung up the phone. Everyone was full of energy and ready to have a big meal after getting off work.

Bai Yutang looked at his watch. It was almost time, so he spoke to Benjamin, "Let’s go. I’ll take you back to the hotel first.”

Benjamin nodded and stood up. Bai Yutang said to Zhan Zhao, "Cat, you and Ben go downstairs and wait for me. I'll go get the car."

"En." Zhan Zhao nodded.

"Uh..." Benjamin smiled, "Bai, don't bother Dr. Zhan. You can bring me back alone."

Bai Yutang had already run out of the office, and they didn't know whether he had heard Benjamin's words or not.

Zhan Zhao walked in the direction of the elevator with his hands in his pockets. While looking at Benjamin, he said, "We still have some things to do later."

Benjamin nodded, and somewhat helplessly followed Zhan Zhao into the elevator.

"I'll go too." Bai Chi followed in. "Brother, can you take me to Zhao Zhen's place? I need to tell him in person because he can’t use his cell phone right now."

"He can't even use a cellphone?" Zhan Zhao was surprised.

"En." Bai Chi nodded. "The machine at his house that checks his lung function is very advanced, and the radiation from the cellphone can affect the results."

Zhan Zhao nodded.

As the elevator descended, Benjamin smiled suddenly and said, "The way you guys get along with each other is very interesting."

Zhan Zhao turned his face to look at him, "Why is it interesting?"

Benjamin thought for a while and said, "Well, as the forensic doctor said just now, you guys are like a family."

Bai Chi smiled stupidly, "Yes, we are a family. Captain Bai and Dr. Zhan are the parents."

Benjamin stared at Bai Chi's innocent smile and his face changed slightly.

Zhan Zhao couldn't laugh or cry, Benjamin was probably overthinking it. Bai Chi was really a pure person. However, the more pure one is, the more hurtful they can be.

The three of them went downstairs, just as Bai Yutang’s car drove out of the parking lot and picked them up. Out of courtesy, the good boy Bai Chi opened the door to the back seat and let Benjamin get in first. He also said, "Ben, you go first."

Zhan Zhao felt helpless; Xiao Bai Chi is really indescribably cute sometimes.

The car started, and they drove to the hotel where Benjamin was staying. Along the way, Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao were discussing the yellow-lipped fish. Bai Chi leaned over between their seats and chatted with them. From time to time, Bai Chi also chatted with Benjamin.

Soon, the car arrived at the door of the hotel.

Benjamin got out of the car and the three people in the car said goodbye to him. Benjamin suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, Bai, tell me your cellphone number."

Bai Yutang gave his number to him. After Benjamin put it in his cellphone, he pressed the dial button. Bai Yutang's cell phone rang and Benjamin said, "This is mine."

Bai Yutang nodded. He took out his cellphone, entered the name, and saved it. Benjamin clearly saw that there was a charm hanging on the white mobile phone; it was a chubby little tabby cat with the word “Zhao” on its belly. Its originally cute expression had an indescribable cunning feeling to it.

Bai Yutang closed the flip phone, said goodbye to Benjamin, and drove away.

Benjamin, who was standing outside the hotel, had seen the wallpaper of Bai Yutang’s phone; it was a photo of him and Zhan Zhao.

He turned around and slowly walked into the hotel room. When he opened the door to his room, he heard someone say, “So, were you able to meet the man of your dreams.”

Benjamin looked up and saw a man sitting on the sofa watching TV.

"You..." Benjamin opened his mouth wide in surprise. He hurriedly closed the door and glared at the man, "You are crazy. If people find out that we know each other, we are both dead!"

The man smiled indifferently, and said, "Speaking of which, I saw the man of your dreams in the shower earlier. He truly is amazing. But it seems like he already has a lover."

Benjamin poured a glass of spirit and drank it, "I already knew that a few years ago."

The man smiled indifferently, "Don’t be obsessed about it. It’s bad for both of us.”

Benjamin sighed and said, "I know."

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

I love that Gongsun is protecting his family (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

If that man does ANYTHING to harm Zhan Zhao I am gonna be so mad. He'd better leave the couple alone and not touch a hair on our cat!

Also, Luoyang once again is absolutely adorable. ٩(♡ε♡ )۶

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: March 22, 2021