A Psych Case Just Joined the Team Chapter 005

Bloodshed – 05

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Everyone's eyes turned to Qing Ming, including Xing Zui's, those deep, ink-dark eyes of his, seated at the very head of the meeting room table... For a moment, the atmosphere grew strange. It felt as though the lighting technician, cameraman, and sound engineer were already in place, it was just missing someone handing Comrade Qing Ming a microphone.

Qing Ming, however, didn't seem to mind. He said calmly, "I've just arrived and am not familiar with the case yet. Everyone has their own tasks, I can't just sit around doing nothing, can I?"

He then emphasised, "Oh, and I can drive."

It was an offhand remark, yet it hit someone's sore spot directly... Xie Xun instantly thought of Comrade Fang Lai, who couldn't drive, and couldn't hold back a laugh, reaching out and patting him on the shoulder in mock sympathy. Fang Lai looked utterly disgusted and swatted away the paw resting on his shoulder.

Xing Zui withdrew his gaze and stood up. "That's it then, meeting adjourned."

After work, everyone else left, but Qing Ming stayed behind on purpose. He wasn't the sort to work overtime on his first day, he hadn't yet developed that kind of selfless spirit. Just as he was growing thoroughly bored, the door to Xing Zui's office finally opened. Seeing Xing Zui step out, he quickly caught up with him.

Before getting in the car, Qing Ming asked Xing Zui to drop him off at a hotel near his place, that way, the two of them could easily meet up again the next day. Xing Zui was silent the entire ride, remaining deep in thought until the car finally stopped in front of a hotel named Chongyang Residence.

Xing Zui turned his head and remarked, "This hotel name really suits yours."

"Chongyang... Chongyang, Qing Ming... ha ha, they really do match well," Qing Ming said with an awkward chuckle.

Seeing that Qing Ming showed no intention of getting out of the car, Xing Zui urged, "Why are you just sitting there? Get out of the car."

But Qing Ming wasn't flustered. He spoke up, "Senior, you live alone, right?"

Xing Zui didn't say anything. His eyes narrowed slightly, a cold gaze shooting from beneath his lids and landing squarely on Qing Ming's face.

"I heard from Xie Xun that you live alone."

"Get to the point!"

"Well, since you live alone, and we're both grown men, it'd be quite convenient for me to stay over a few nights too, wouldn't it, Senior...?"

The corners of Qing Ming's eyes curved into a charming arc, and his face carried an expression of fifty per cent sincere devotion, fifty per cent harmless innocence. He looked exactly like a child pleading for candy.

"......"

Xing Zui had clearly grasped his intention. If he said this before getting in the car, Xing Zui wouldn't have brought him here in the first place. He was never one to meddle. Although his subordinates might each have their own character flaws... oh, correction, "shortcomings"... they weren't helpless little lambs in need of his constant care. By his usual style, he would've dumped Qing Ming at the station entrance and gone home to shower and sleep, perfectly at ease...

He thought to himself: This kid's got some skills, only just met me and already has a handle on my temperament.

This time, Xing Zui, most uncharacteristically, opted for kindness and camaraderie. Without another word, he stepped on the accelerator and drove off in the direction of home.

Qing Ming chuckled to himself in secret, but it was a pity that the tragic, disillusioned image he'd carefully constructed in his mind, an impassioned young man travelling far from home to work, lonely and unsupported, was now entirely redundant. And the moving, soul-stirring speech he had prepared to convince Xing Zui had likewise been rendered useless.

He leaned against the passenger seat and casually flattered him, "I knew you were a good boss, Senior, otherwise, how else could someone so young become captain of the criminal investigation team?"

Xing Zui smiled faintly and said, "Don't get the wrong idea, I'm no saint. Caring for the intellectually challenged is everyone's responsibility, I'm just afraid you'll end up clinging to my leg sobbing on the roadside and disgrace me."

Hearing that, Qing Ming turned his face towards the window to hide the impulse to retort... Though, to be fair, Xing Zui wasn't wrong. If he hadn't agreed, Qing Ming had indeed been planning to put on a full pitiful act.

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Xing Zui's place was larger than Qing Ming had expected. Upon entering, there was a living room, and a right turn led to the kitchen. Qing Ming found the bathroom, lifted his shirt to undress, then suddenly paused... After thinking for a few seconds, he simply turned on the tap, washed his hands, and wandered off to the kitchen, where he opened the fridge without hesitation.

Inside the fridge were a dazzling array of vegetables, fruit, and drinks, all things Xing Zui typically bought from the supermarket after work. As for the beer, those were brought over now and then by Mu Sen when he dropped by.

"I never would have guessed, Senior actually cooks."

Xing Zui didn't respond, taking the documents he'd brought back into the study and shutting the door. An hour later, when he emerged, he saw Qing Ming carrying a steaming bowl of soup out of the kitchen at just the right moment.

"Dinner's ready."

Looking at the food on the table, for a brief second, Xing Zui felt that this person in front of him wasn't quite as much of an eyesore as before.

Qing Ming had made two dishes and a soup. Xing Zui picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour eggplant and placed it in his mouth. Qing Ming looked at him eagerly and asked, "How is it, Senior?"

Xing Zui couldn't be bothered to comment, he began, "It's very..."

His gaze landed on Qing Ming's face and, seeing the blatant anticipation written there, Xing Zui deliberately suppressed all emotion and finished the sentence flatly, "... average."

Although the two dishes were somewhat lacking in appearance, they tasted perfectly fine, and more importantly, they matched Xing Zui's palate exactly – slightly sweet. The reason Qing Ming had been able to pin down his taste so precisely was that earlier that day, he had seen several packets of Swiss candies in Xing Zui's car, some already unwrapped, and in the meeting room, while Xing Zui was thinking over the case, he would now and then pop a candy into his mouth. All of this clearly indicated that Xing Zui had a sweet tooth. Qing Ming was slightly surprised by this. Xing Zui was tall, at a glance, at least 1.88 metres, and at first sight, he could easily be categorised as the aloof and obsessive type. Who would have thought that such a manly guy would like candy... It was oddly endearing.

After hearing his evaluation, Qing Ming felt somewhat dissatisfied, completely forgetting the fact that he was currently living under someone else's roof. He opened his mouth and said, "Just... average? That's a bit perfunctory, isn't it? I cooked based on your preferences, you know. I usually never lift a finger in the kitchen, I can count the number of times I've cooked on one hand. I cooked a meal for you, and you can't even say something nice..."

"Should I go to the station tomorrow and put in a commendation for you?"

"Hehe, no need for that, just let me stay here a few more days."

Seeing his daft grin, Xing Zui thought to himself: Since I've already been generous once today, might as well follow through with being a 'good person'. He said, "Fine, you can cook dinner for the next few days until you leave."

Qing Ming hadn't expected Xing Zui not to refuse again, and was so moved he nearly cried, but that didn't stop him from trying to push his luck. He went on, "Well, since I'm already staying here, how about I take care of dinner from now on, pay rent and living expenses on time every month, and just stay at your place? Your apartment's so big, Senior, it must be lonely living here alone."

Xing Zui put down his chopsticks, interlaced his fingers beneath his chin, and looked at the person beside him with raised brows. "And what exactly gave you the impression that I'm lonely?"

Qing Ming quickly glanced around and adopted a look of serious analysis. "First, all the toiletries in the bathroom are clearly men's, which means you don't have a girlfriend. Such a big place, and you're the only living thing in it, so you've got no one to talk to at home. In that kind of environment, it's easy to develop a sense of loneliness. Second, your fridge is filled with food, which means you cook for yourself. That shows you've got strong domestic instincts, but your family isn't with you. Being single for a long time would definitely leave you feeling emotionally isolated."

Xing Zui maintained a composed expression, gazing steadily at him.

"And third, there are multiple sets of dishes in the kitchen, which means that you've had guests here before. And that, more than anything, proves you actually want company. Am I right, Senior?"

Xing Zui raised an eyebrow and looked at him for a moment before finally speaking. "Finished?"

"Nothing to add for now."

Xing Zui gave Qing Ming a leisurely smile. "First, I don't need another living being sharing my oxygen, creating unnecessary noise that disturbs my breathing and sleep. Second, I'm an orphan, I don't have family, and I'm certainly not lacking in women. Third, those extra sets of dishes came as a free gift with the rice cooker."

As he spoke, Xing Zui noticed Qing Ming's expression falter slightly, just for a moment, before it was quickly masked with a "fawning" smile.

"You've got so many empty rooms in your place, renting me one won't be any trouble. The price is negotiable, plus, you'll have a roommate. Who knows, if you have an accident at home one day, at least someone will be around to help."

Glancing at the dishes on the table, Xing Zui asked, "You really want to stay?"

Qing Ming nodded vigorously.

"Forget rent and living expenses, from now on, all cooking, cleaning, laundry, and household chores are yours to handle, deal?"

Qing Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Deal!"

It might have been an utterly one-sided agreement, but it was still far less hassle than running around looking for an estate agent and viewing apartments.

And so, Qing Ming quite naturally became a tenant at Xing Zui's home.

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The next day, the two of them drove to Lin Datong's hometown – Luo'er Village in northern Jiangsu. Qing Ming, who had so confidently volunteered to take on the role of driver, was now perfectly content snoozing in the passenger seat.

Xing Zui had always lived alone and never had guests stay over. Although there were two spare rooms in the house, neither had a bed... The previous night, Qing Ming had been forced to sleep on the sofa. Unfortunately, he had a habit of being picky about where he slept and had barely managed to sleep at all, so he was now catching up on rest.

The car had been on the highway for about five or six hours before, following the GPS, it turned off onto a narrow gravelly dirt path. Even then, the passenger wasn't disturbed by the jolting...

Xing Zui thought to himself: "Is this guy part dead pig?"

As though sensing the disdain radiating from Xing Zui's mind, Qing Ming reached up and scratched his face... Xing Zui glanced at him from the corner of his eye, assuming he was about to wake up. But Qing Ming merely shifted slowly, rolled to the side, and continued his dreamlike entanglement with the god of sleep.

"......"

The car continued along the bumpy road for another two hours before finally coming to a stop.

"Wake up."

Seeing no response, Xing Zui reluctantly reached out and shoved Qing Ming's head. The force was a bit too strong, and the sleeping man finally reacted. Qing Ming's eyes remained half-closed, his long, thick lashes crushed halfway under his drooping eyelids.

"Mm... we've arrived?" he murmured, stretching his waist...

"The road ahead's too narrow, the car can't get through, get out."

On the desolate winding road, with no signs of civilisation in front or behind, Xing Zui abandoned the car and the two continued on foot. After walking for more than fifty minutes, they finally saw some low stone walls and houses not far away, haphazardly situated at the foot of a mountain, exuding a serene and distant atmosphere, with a decayed aura that felt out of sync with the modern era.

Qing Ming wiped the sweat from his forehead, bent halfway over and panting heavily as he said, "... Senior, don't you think this feels like one of those Bear Grylls wilderness survival shows, we finally found signs of 'human civilisation'."

Compared to Qing Ming, Xing Zui only had a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. Seeing the state he was in, he replied expressionlessly, "We've barely walked a few steps and look at the state of you... Kid, if you've got a kidney deficiency, better get it treated early!"

"You... who has a kidney deficiency? I just... just haven't done intense exercise in a long time..."

"Intense exercise?" Xing Zui's voice was laced with mockery. "Your definition's probably still stuck at the elementary sports day 50-metre dash."

"Hey, Senior, don't say that, sports have never been my strong suit since I was a kid... My talents lie elsewhere, nothing to do with physical fitness. But when it comes to my strengths, now that's where I shine in our line of work, I..."

Qing Ming rambled on to himself, but when he turned around, he saw Xing Zui had already walked well ahead. "Hey, Senior, why'd you walk off on your own? Wait for me... Senior"

Luo'er Village can be considered an isolated village cut off from the outside world, with only about twenty or so households, most of them elderly, as all the young people have basically gone out to work. The older generation chose to stay behind, tending their land and living a self-sufficient life through the changing seasons. As the seasons changed and day turned to night, their souls had long been deeply rooted in this pure and unspoiled land, untouched by the clamour of the outside world.

As soon as Xing Zui and Qing Ming entered the village, the unfamiliar presence they brought with them immediately drew the attention of several sharp eyes. Qing Ming spotted an old man sitting on a stone step in front of his house, puffing on a long-stemmed tobacco pipe, and ran straight up to him.

"Elder, is there anyone in your village named Lin Datong?"

The old man continued puffing at his pipe, ignoring him. Xing Zui walked over, gave a slight nod, and took out his police ID from the inner pocket of his jacket. "Excuse me, sir, we are detectives from the Dang City Police Station, we'd just like to ask for some directions. How do we get to Lin Laogen's house?"

The old man lifted his deeply wrinkled face, his clouded eyes scrutinising the man before him. Xing Zui met his gaze head-on, his expression as dark and unreadable as a moonless night.

Finally, the old man spoke. "Lin Laogen and his wife passed away five years ago. Their son and daughter-in-law moved away too."

"Are there any other relatives in Lin Laogen's family?"

"Lin Laogen's father and my father were cousins. In this whole village, my family's the only one with any blood tie to his. What are you police doing here? Did Lin Datong get into trouble outside?"

"On the 10th of this month, Lin Datong's body was discovered in a sewer. The police have already intervened and determined it was a homicide. We've come today to investigate Lin Datong's background, hoping it'll help solve the case."

The old man extinguished his tobacco and slowly stood up. Qing Ming, being very perceptive, immediately stepped forward to offer support.

"Come inside and talk."

With that, the old man entered the house.

‿︵‿︵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: June 30, 2025 by Angel

Edited: July 22, 2026 by Angel