S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 5 Chapter 118

Screen Murderer 14 – Unknown Wound

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The direction of this case has Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao stumped, as they knew absolutely nothing about this game.

Since they didn't understand, it wasn't good to comment much. The two decided to hand this job over to Jiang Ping and investigate other matters first.

After this round of inquiries, both of them believe that Tang Xing definitely knew some important clues, most likely because of his relationship with Jin He.

But why is it that Jin He was killed, while Tang Xing was only threatened?

And if the intention was really to make him shut up, there are many ways to threaten him. Why use this character's voice to make the call? Among the many intimidation methods, this one is actually the most childish, not only easily recordable but also serving as a kind of reminder... as if reminding everyone that this case is related to the game New World.

Was this coincidental or carefully planned?

Zhan Zhao felt that this case was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface. At the same time, he could not fully trust Tang Xing.

Tang Xing's explanation of his behaviour could only be considered an explanation – It could barely hold up, but it wasn't convincing enough to make people fully believe it.

Moreover, what did Tang Xing really know?

Even Tang Xing himself didn't understand this.

The voice on the phone threatened him twice to keep quiet, but if he didn't keep quiet, what did he have to say? He didn't know any particularly important clues.

If Jin He had something on Wang Meiyun, Tang Xing didn't, he just has some minor gossip.

But his biggest similarity with Jin He lies in the game New World, which was indeed the key to this case. Did Tang Xing know some crucial information that he himself didn't realise?

Zhan Zhao stared at Tang Xing, not sure how to deal with him at the moment.

If they let him go back, this kid might end up dead in the streets like Jin He one day. But if they don't let him go back, where can they keep such a big guy? Plus, arranging people to protect him is quite a hassle...

As he pondered, Zhan Zhao had a sudden idea.

Bai Yutang saw Zhan Zhao suddenly clap his hands and exclaimed, "Got it!"

Tang Xing also looked up.

Zhan Zhao asked him, "Do you want to go to the Bai Group?"

Tang Xing nodded.

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao – Cat, we can't decide on this matter.

"Do you want to go back to the Dong Group?" Zhan Zhao continued asking.

Tang Xing shook his head vigorously, seeming quite afraid of Wang Meiyun. "Unless the company is not under Wang Meiyun's control, I'd rather quit acting and do something else instead."

Bai Yutang was a bit puzzled. "Why are you so afraid of Wang Meiyun?"

Tang Xing furrowed his brow, hesitated for a moment, and said, "It's just a feeling!"

"A feeling?" both Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang asked together.

Tang Xing nodded. "Yeah! Although everyone says she's dumb or something, I just feel like she's a bit intimidating."

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao – What's this? Intuition?

Zhan Zhao thought for a moment, then nodded – Perhaps if yours is the intuition of a wild beast, then his is probably the intuition of a small animal.

"Alright then," Zhan Zhao said to Tang Xing, "go to a safe place for a while, think carefully about any clues you can provide us, especially regarding that game. When we solve the case, you can decide where to go and what to do, alright?"

Tang Xing quickly nodded. With Jin He dead, the movie definitely couldn't be made, so he could lay low for a while.

Bai Yutang, on the other hand, looked at Zhan Zhao with some curiosity – Cat, the idea is good, but where do we put this guy?

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow at Bai Yutang – I already have a plan!

......

Early the next morning.

At Zhao Jue's villa.

Zhao Jue got up early, poured himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and walked over to the sofa, ready to sit down and read the news.

However, Zhao Jue stopped in front of the sofa, looking at a stranger sleeping soundly on it.

After a brief assessment, Zhao Jue ruled out the possibility of it being a humanoid robot butler, feeling slightly disappointed.

Eleven was having breakfast at the nearby table.

Zhao Jue pointed at the person on the sofa and asked him, "Who's this?"

Chewing on his omelette, Eleven inspected for a moment and replied, "A person... I guess."

Zhao Jue took a sip of his coffee.

Then he asked the passing Bai Ye, "Where did this person come from?"

Bai Ye poured coffee as he answered, "Yutang brought him over this morning."

Zhao Jue and Eleven turned their heads simultaneously, looking at Bai Ye.

Bai Ye, sipping his coffee, glanced at the two of them – What?

"Yutang..." By the kitchen door, Issel leaned against the wall with a slight smile. "Jintang, Yutang... these two brothers only have cute names."

The three glanced at Issel, as if asking – Why are you up so early?

Issel shrugged and said, "Being a driver."

As everyone was puzzled, they saw Mia running down the stairs with an energy bar in her mouth, carrying a laptop.

She ran into the kitchen, grabbed a can of milk from the fridge, and gestured at Zhao Jue a couple of times.

Zhao Jue tilted his head. "Are you going to SCI?"

Mia nodded vigorously, then gestured again.

The adults all tilted their heads – Going to play games?

Mia nodded again, then pointed at the pile of documents on the table.

They all looked over, feeling a bit overwhelmed – So much...

Mia lifted her hand and gestured a few more times, then pointed at the few adults – She had organised the documents they needed, and all the ones on the table were for them. Now, get to work and don't argue!

The adults all nodded – Understood, understood.

Issel helped Mia with her backpack, grabbed the car keys, and escorted his daughter to SCI to "play games."

Zhao Jue continued sipping his coffee, looking at the person sleeping soundly on the sofa, and asked, "After all that talk, who is he?"

"They said he'll stay here for a few days and will be picked up later." Bai Ye said, tapping his head while speaking. "Xiao Zhan said it's dangerous for him to stay outside, and he probably remembers something important but doesn't remember that he remembers."

After saying that, Bai Ye took two eggs and asked Zhao Jue, "Fry on one side or both?"

Zhao Jue said, "One side! Don't forget the honey!"

After that, he went to sit at the table and read the news.

Bai Ye picked up the bottle of honey, looking at the frying eggs in the pan. After a brief internal struggle, he poured honey into the eggs... shaking his head as he poured.

......

In the SCI office, Zhan Zhao, who had sent Tang Xing to Zhao Jue's villa for "safekeeping," relaxed and took a nap in the lounge.

After waking up in the morning, as Zhan Zhao was about to open his tablet to check the news while enjoying coffee and snacks, Ma Xin rushed into the office carrying large bags. "Big news!"

Everyone looked up as Ma Xin placed the bags on the table and asked Zhan Zhao, who was holding the tablet, "Have you seen it? It's all over the headlines this morning!"

Zhan Zhao was puzzled, wondering what had happened now. He opened his social media feed...

At the police station's cafeteria, Bai Yutang, having just finished running around the building, bought a cup of vegetable juice and watched the news on the TV mounted on the wall while drinking. The airport entrance was swarming with reporters.

Bai Yutang frowned – What's happening now?

......

It turned out that this morning, major media outlets reported that Dong Yuan had a legal wife abroad and a handwritten will. Many insiders from the Dong Group emerged, claiming that Dong Yuan and Wang Meiyun were not even in a relationship.

Since the news broke about Wang Meiyun and Qian Fu, it's been a media frenzy with a constant stream of news, each one more sensational than the last. This time, it directly escalated to an overseas dispute over property. Furthermore, major media outlets have published a statement from Anna, in which she explicitly states that Dong Yuan had told her that if anything happened to him, it would be because of Wang Meiyun. Anna suspects that Wang Meiyun conspired with others to fabricate a will, attempting to embezzle Dong Yuan's assets and murder her husband. She has flown to S City and is ready to cooperate with the police to investigate the truth behind Dong Yuan's murder. The news even included the flight number, and according to the airline, the plane will arrive back in S City this afternoon. At the moment, almost all reporters have rushed to the airport to secure positions.

Meanwhile, the news of Jin He's murder has largely been overshadowed, with few people paying attention. The news coverage merely mentioned it briefly – a certain director surnamed Jin died on set.

But where's the fun in a murder when there's an inheritance dispute to watch? Half of the reporters are camping at the airport for Anna, while the other half are at the Dong Group's building waiting for Wang Meiyun.

......

At the same time, in the Bai Group building.

Bai Jintang was also watching the news. In the office, the twins grabbed a pair of binoculars and peered out the window at the entrance of the Dong Group's building.

There were so many reporters at the Dong Group's entrance, causing chaos, and the Dong Group's employees couldn't even get to work.

"Wow! Impressive!" The twins exclaimed. "Looks like Anna has some serious backing. This is a preemptive strike!"

"Let's see how Wang Meiyun responds. Will she hold a press conference later?"

Bai Jintang didn't seem to have much interest after reading the news. "It's probably a collaboration between someone from the Dong Group and Anna's side."

"I think so too!" Xiao Ding also received some intel. "All the senior members at the Dong Group are against Wang Meiyun taking over. They're talking about resigning, buying stocks, taking their artists and leaving. There are also many who want to join us."

Bai Jintang rested his chin on his hand. "Any talented individuals? Bring them over!"

Da Ding shook his phone, indicating – already in contact.

"But the film festival is coming up soon," Xiao Ding expressed concern, "the attention is all diverted by this gossip."

Bai Jintang didn't seem to mind. He waved his hand, saying, "Keep a low profile... a low profile!"

The twins both looked at him. "But one person has already died!"

Big Brother Bai sighed. "It's still my fault in the end..."

The twins were surprised – He's actually reflecting now!

"So, I've decided!" Bai Jintang pulled out a travel brochure. "During the film festival, I'm going on a trip with Gongsun..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he was bombarded with pillows by the twins.

"You're dreaming!"

"You have a speech to give!"

"You better be there!"

......

Big Brother Bai pushed away the pillows and studied the travel brochure. "Where should we go... The most important thing is to have a good hotel! How about, let's go to Scandinavia. We don't care about the daytime activities, the longer the nights, the better..."

......

"Achoo..."

In the forensic room, Gongsun, who was preparing for the autopsy, suddenly sneezed.

Xiatian and Ma Xin both looked at him – Bless you!

Gongsun put on his gloves and turned on the recorder, while Ma Xin raised the camera, and Xiatian turned on the shadowless lamp...

On the autopsy table, there were two bodies.

One was Jin He's, and the other was the deceased Wang from the flower and bird market.

Gongsun compared the wounds on the two bodies.

Wang's wound was on the right side of his neck.

Jin He's body had a wound on the left side of his chest.

Both wounds were penetrating injuries, and both were fatal, causing death on the spot due to excessive bleeding.

Ma Xin compared the photos of the wounds she took.

Through computer analysis, both wounds were round in shape, with relatively regular edges, no gunpowder residue, and no burns.

The three looked at the computer's analysis of the wound shapes, feeling puzzled.

Ma Xin and Xiatian both asked Gongsun, "They don't seem like bullet wounds!"

Gongsun nodded. "Looks like they were pierced by some kind of sharp blade!"

"Right!" Ma Xin nodded as well, simulating a possible weapon using the system. It resembled a long, pointed blade, similar to an elongated ice pick.

"But the video footage didn't show anyone approaching the victims!" Xiao Xiatian pulled up the surveillance footage from the night of Jin He's death.

"And this hole is so small!" Ma Xin measured it. "It's only 0.5 millimetres in diameter."

"If we consider Wang's injury as relatively vulnerable due to the neck's fragility, then Jin He's injury is quite impressive!" Ma Xin said. "Entering through the chest, piercing through the ribs and even through a ten-centimetre-thick wooden board behind. If the weapon is a thin needle with a diameter of half a millimetre, how much force would be needed to cause such damage? And the needle would also need a handle that is easy to grip and sturdy, or it wouldn't be possible..."

"Even if it were possible..."

Ma Xin and Xiatian both pointed at the surveillance footage, "Why wasn't it captured?"

Gongsun frowned as well. "How were these strange wounds caused? And why did two seemingly unrelated victims, a film director and a flower shop owner, die the same way?"

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

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

Translated: April 11, 2024 by Angel

Edited: September 26, 2024 by Angel