Chapter 68 With an Ulterior Motive

Chen Mao looked at the photographs in the camera, completely dumbfounded.

Seeing his reaction, Shu Yan guessed that Chen Mao had been kept in the dark.

She said, "Now that you know, your son has been subjected to prolonged abuse by your wife. Last night, not only did she beat the child across the back, but she also hung him up like this, which led to your son's death by asphyxiation."

Chen Mao found it hard to believe. "You're talking nonsense! It was his hands that were tied up, not his neck. How could that possibly cause death by asphyxiation?"

"Who told you that hanging someone by their hands can't cause asphyxiation?" Shu Yan retorted.

She explained, "This is known as positional asphyxiation. When our bodies remain in an abnormal position for an extended period, the respiratory muscles become fatigued and oxygen-deprived, leading to death. Your son's body shows distinct signs of congestion and cyanosis."

"And the color of his lips is purplish-blue. These are all classic signs of death by asphyxiation."

Chen Mao felt a sudden restriction in his breathing. Trembling all over, he began to gasp heavily for air while tears streamed down his face.

He still refused to believe what he was hearing.

Shu Yan looked at Liu Xun and said, "Take him down."

With that, she turned and walked toward the elevator, pressing the call button.

At the elevator entrance, Shu Yan let the men carrying the stretcher go in first, followed by herself and the rest of the team.

Liu Xun untied Chen Mao, then turned to Lu Chengfeng. "Should I still put the cuffs on him?"

Lu Chengfeng looked at Chen Mao, who was kneeling on the ground and weeping bitterly. "Assaulting an officer—what do you think? Should he be cuffed?"

"Right, cuffs it is then," Liu Xun said sheepishly as he slapped the handcuffs onto Chen Mao.

He thought to himself that Chen Mao really had no eyes in his head. Of all people to pick a fight with, he had to cross Shu Yan, so he had no right to complain when Lu Chengfeng flew off the handle.

Through this incident, however, Liu Xun was now certain that Lu Chengfeng definitely had feelings for Shu Yan.

Naturally, Lu Chengfeng wouldn't pass up such a golden opportunity to play the hero saving the damsel in distress.

Ah, the newly appointed detachment captain was not only exceptionally capable in his line of work, but he also certainly knew a thing or two about pursuing women.

He really ought to take notes from Lu Chengfeng and use those tactics when trying to win a girl's heart in the future.

Liu Xun had already come to terms with it over this past period; he had given up on Shu Yan. After all, you just don't compete with your superior for a woman.

On the other side, Shu Yan and her group headed downstairs and walked toward the parking lot.

Because they were carrying a body bag, passersby turned their heads to stare and began whispering to one another.

Just as she stepped past the cordon, Zhou Qi squeezed out from the crowd and shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Shu Yan! Give me your number. We're having a class reunion next weekend, and you simply have to come!"

With so many people watching, Shu Yan had no choice but to input her phone number into the smartphone Zhou Qi handed her.

Even so, she emphasized, "My line of work is quite unique, so I might not have the time. We'll see how things look when the time comes."

Zhou Qi said, "Understood. Just try your best to make arrangements. You haven't come to any of our reunions all these years, and everyone always brings you up."

Shu Yan took it as polite small talk. "I need to get going."

Zhou Qi replied, "Alright, go ahead and get your work done. I'll add you in a bit and we can chat more."

Without another word, Shu Yan turned and resumed walking.

After they had walked a short distance, Taozi leaned in and whispered, "Director Shu, that classmate of yours doesn't look like someone who brings peace of mind. You'd better watch out."

Shu Yan gave a faint smile. "What is there to fear? We are police officers, and I don't have anything about me that she could possibly scheme for. Her family is quite well-off; they own a self-built house that they rent out. They're the genuine local tycoons."

"No wonder," Taozi said. "Now that you mention it, she really does give off the vibe of a local tycoon. Someone tried to set me up with a boyfriend once—he was a local tycoon from Licheng, a demolition household, and I heard he received sixty million in compensation."

"Then why didn't you date him?" Yang Young asked from behind.

Taozi glanced back and rolled her eyes at Yang Guang. "Do you take me for someone who covets vanity and wealth? Your big sister here values good looks and mental connection."

Yang Guang let out a snort of laughter. "You'd be better off coveting wealth and vanity. Can good looks fill your stomach?"

Taozi raised her chin. "Of course they can! I want to find a boyfriend who is tall and handsome just like our Captain Lu. Looking at a handsome face can instantly put you in a good mood, and besides, the kids we have in the future will have great looks too."

Yang Guang glanced sideways at Shu Yan and said, "Taozi, Captain Lu likes someone of Director Shu's type. You don't stand a chance."

"Oh please," Taozi protested. "I was just giving an example! Of course I know Captain Lu likes Director Shu. I have enough self-awareness."

Shu Yan scolded, "Stop talking nonsense and chattering away all day long."

Taozi blinked playfully at Shu Yan. "Director Shu, we aren't talking nonsense at all. Just now when Captain Lu rushed to your rescue, we all saw it. Didn't you see the look in Captain Lu's eyes?"

"What look?" Shu Yan genuinely hadn't paid attention.

Given how sudden the situation had been at the time, she really had been frightened, plus she was worried about the child in her belly.

Taozi said, "It was the look of someone who wanted to murder that man."

Yang Guang chimed in as well, "Director Shu, I saw it too. I think Captain Lu looked ready to snap that man's neck right off."

Shu Yan said, "Alright, that's enough nonsense. Start thinking about how we're going to look for evidence during the autopsy later."

Taozi gasped, "Huh? Director Shu, what evidence do we need to look for? Didn't you already deduce it all just now? The victim was hung up with a rope by his stepmother for an entire night, resulting in positional asphyxiation and death."

Shu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Can deductions put food on the table? The courtroom demands evidence."

Taozi's shoulders slumped in discouragement. "And here I thought this case was practically wrapped up. Director Shu, going by what you're saying, this case is going to be tough to handle. If the suspect refuses to confess, it's going to be very hard for us to secure a conviction, right?"

Shu Yan replied, "Exactly. That's why we first need to establish scientifically that the victim died of asphyxiation. Furthermore, cases like this are typically prosecuted as involuntary manslaughter."

"Then the victim's death is far too unjust," Taozi said indignantly. "He was only six years old!"

Shu Yan let out a helpless sigh. "Reality is that cruel. Besides, as you both saw just now, the victim's father is clearly biased toward his current wife; he might very well issue a statement of leniency."

"How can such parents exist in this world?" Yang Guang said with bitter hatred. "His own biological son was murdered, yet he's covering for the killer. I bet this father knew all along that his son was being abused."

"Living under the same roof, it's impossible he didn't know anything," Taozi said, pouting. "He definitely knew."

"That's not our affair to dwell on," Shu Yan said. "What we need to do is perform a meticulous autopsy and pinpoint the exact cause of death."

Taozi and Yang Guang nodded in unison.

The group returned to the mobile crime lab, climbed aboard one by one, and headed back.

Shu Yan sat down and pulled out her phone to check her notifications.

She found a new friend request with the note attached: Zhou Qi.

After a moment of thought, she accepted it.

Zhou Qi seemed to have been waiting, as a message came through immediately.

Zhou Qi: Old classmate, let me pull you into our class group chat. I just mentioned it to everyone, and they all told me to add you.

Displeasure flickered in Shu Yan's heart.

She had no desire to join any class group chats; the only group she needed was her department's team chat.

No sooner had Zhou Qi sent that message than she sent a group invitation link.

Shu Yan clutched her phone, hesitated for a moment, and decided to decline.

Shu Yan: Sorry, old classmate. My line of work is special, and it's inconvenient for me to join group chats. If there's anything, just message me privately.

Zhou Qi: Ah... That's such a shame. I already boasted to everyone that I would definitely get you into the group.

Shu Yan: Apologies.

Zhou Qi: Alright then. Try your best to make it to our class reunion next Saturday night.

Shu Yan: We'll see when the time comes. I can't make any guarantees.

Zhou Qi: I'll contact you next Friday to confirm then. By the way, old classmate, there's a small favor I'd like to ask of you.

Shu Yan's brow furrowed slightly. Taozi's words had proven true after all.

Zhou Qi genuinely had an ulterior motive.

Before she could reply, Zhou Qi sent over an image.

It was a picture of Lu Chengfeng stepping across the police cordon.

The very next second, another message from Zhou Qi popped up.

Zhou Qi: Old classmate, do you know this handsome guy? Does he have a girlfriend? Could you introduce us?