Cherish You as My Life - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The members of Criminal Investigation Team 1 were like ants inside pants, slipping out one after another; when one came back, and the other immediately went out.

Captain Ji Yao noticed something strange, raised his head from the pile of materials, picked up the chalk on the table, threw it to the door, and asked casually, “Zhou Li, what are you doing?”

Zhou Li touched the shoulder that was hit, turned around, and smiled. “Reporting to the boss, I’m going to the forensic doctor to get some information.” After saying that, she ran away in a hurry, with the wind blowing under her feet, and he couldn’t even catch her.

Then another one stood up and ran out. “Boss, I’m going to help her.” After that, he ran away.

Then a few more people ran out, and the whole office became half empty.

This commotion, that lasted most of the morning, finally subsided.

In the second half of the morning, the gossip team, represented by Zhou Li, held a small seminar in private.

“I haven’t seen such a beautiful woman for a long time. But she just looks a little cold, not very friendly.”

“She seems to be the only female forensic doctor who does pathology in Nanquan City. I don’t know how good she is at her work. Let’s hope she is not just a vase.”

*******

Han Xi went to the door of the Criminal Investigation Office, knocked on the door next to her, and asked in a quiet voice, “Who is the captain of Criminal Investigation Team 1?”

The whole office suddenly became quiet, and no one spoke as they were afraid that if they made a noise, the scene before their eyes would be ruined.

This new forensic doctor was not an ordinary beauty. Her skin was too white and tender, like a fairy sitting in a transparent glass bottle which could be broken when poked.

Ji Yao tilted his head and glanced at her. “Sit wherever you want; you are welcome. We’re all part of the same family.”

The word “family” suddenly pulled the fairy in the glass bottle from the ninth heaven down to the world of mortals.

[TL: The highest heavens were referred to as the “ninth heaven,” “Jiu Quan,” or “the ninth spring,” where the afterlife is located beneath the deepest water in Chinese Mythology.]

Han Xi glanced at Ji Yao and quickly glanced around, stopping her gaze at a man wearing a public security uniform.

Vice-captain Zhao Jingjing stood up and explained. “It’s not me.”

His uniform was neatly ironed, and he was very calm. He looked so reliable that he was always mistaken for the captain of the team. At least he looked more like a captain than the flashy real captain.

Ji Yao raised his eyebrows. “It’s me.”

Han Xi stepped forward. “Hello, Captain Ji. I am Han Xi, the new forensic doctor. I would like to see relevant information about the jumping incident in the Zhuyuan community last Wednesday.” She had a businesslike tone that didn’t show any personal emotions, as if the scene that happened in the morning in the director’s office had never happened.

Seeing this attitude of the beautiful lady, Ji Yao looked at her with some interest, suspecting that this person was forgetful or too indifferent—so indifferent that she didn’t even want to get angry.

He put one hand in his pocket and leaned against the edge of the table. His peach blossom eyes slightly curved as he said, “No.”

Han Xi didn’t expect to encounter such a thorn. She was not good at arguing with others, so her face instantly turned red. 

Noticing the subtle changes in her expression, Ji Yao felt an indescribable sense of comfort all over his body.

Zhao Jingjing glanced at Ji Yao helplessly, found the information Han Xi asked in a stack of documents, and handed it over. “The body was examined by the previous forensic doctor, Lao Xing, who identified that it was a suicide. There were no traces of artificial loosening of the railings on the top floor.”

Han Xi took the information, nodded, and said thanks. She flipped through a few photos taken at the scene and frowned slightly. “Can I take it back and look through it?”

Zhao Jingjing: “Of course. Why? Are there any doubts?”

Han Xi thought deeply. “Not necessarily; let me take a look first.” After a pause, she said very seriously, “Thank you.” After that, she took the information and left.

Captain Ji, who was ignored throughout the whole process, thought it was never too late for a gentleman to seek revenge. He took out his phone and ordered ninety-nine red roses to be delivered to the Forensic Department tomorrow.

As soon as the off-duty time came, Ji Yao hummed a little tune and walked out of the City Bureau building with the car key in his hand. Just as he was about to open the car door and get in, he heard Director Cai’s loud voice coming from behind. “Next time, you are not allowed to drive a luxury car to work. How many times have I told you about it?”

Ji Yao turned back. “Today is a special situation; a blind date.”

Director Cai: “Your car affects the image of the police force and will be included in the year-end assessment.”

Ji Yao: “…” ‘This is already the cheapest and most low-key car in my family, costing only around two million.’

Several colleagues next to him who were off work greeted Ji Yao in a normal way, “The sky is vast and the fields are vast, and the investigation team of the City Bureau is busy with blind dates.”

“Success is almost guaranteed, Captain Ji.”

“Come on, Captain Ji, we’re waiting for the wedding candies.”

*****

It has been five years since he graduated from the police academy at the age of 23. 

Three hundred sixty-five days a year, sometimes three hundred sixty-six days: he’s either on a blind date or on his way to a blind date. He could only rest when he was busy with a case.

Thinking that, Ji Yao parked the car, opened his phone, and took a look. The old lady had sent a message. 

[Son, go for the blind date; otherwise, you will come home and inherit the family property. Go, go!]

The text was followed by emoticons. Then there was another text. [Friend, I send you my best wishes!]

Ji Yao didn’t reply. He put his cell phone into his windbreaker and walked into the restaurant.

The manager hurried over to greet him, bent down slightly, and said with a smile on his face, “Mr. Xiao Ji, you have arrived. Come with me, please.”

Ji Yao nodded and followed him.

Today’s blind date, who was a rich lady, was introduced by his distant cousin’s third nephew. 

The woman wore a long burgundy dress with a deep V-shaped waist. When she saw Ji Yao, she smiled gently and sweetly. She seemed very satisfied with his appearance.

Ji Yao sat down and took a rose from the vase on the table. “Flowers correspond to beauty.” His smile was polite, not frivolous at all. He never hesitated to praise a well-dressed woman. 

It was a compliment, but more to show respect. This was the education given to him by the environment in which he grew up. 

In short, it was the style of the romantic and corrupt bourgeoisie. Certainly, when facing extremely vicious criminals, he used another method.

According to the blind date process, the two first exchanged a few words about their respective interests and hobbies.

Then, back to the most critical question. “Why do you want to be a police officer?” the woman asked.

Ji Yao was very patient every time he answered this kind of question. “I was often kidnapped when I was young. I felt that kidnappers were most afraid of the police. For my safety, I applied for the Police Academy.”

What Ji Yao didn’t say was that when he put on the police uniform, stood under the national flag, and took the oath, a sense of pride and mission would really arise spontaneously. ‘When I work hard to catch criminals and give justice to the victims, I feel a sense of accomplishment and justice that no amount of money can buy.’

The woman then asked, “If we get together in the future, can you not be a policeman?”

The manager on duty who came to pour the wine in person couldn’t help wiping his sweat, thinking that this young master would probably blow it again this time.

Ji Yao smiled, his peach blossom eyes full of charm, but his tone left no room for doubt. “No.”

Usually, with this sentence the blind date would basically be over.

At this time, Ji Yao received a call. “Captain Ji, a murder occurred in Zhuyuan Community, and the murderer’s methods were extremely cruel.”

Ji Yao knew this place. It was the same community where the woman who jumped from the building last Wednesday lived.

Half an hour later, Ji Yao drove the car into Zhuyuan. He looked up and glanced at the safe community demonstration sign hanging on the wall. The cold moonlight shone on it, seeming to announce some ulterior crime.

This place had been rated as a safe community for ten consecutive years. Not to mention murders; even petty thefts and fights had not happened.

Ji Yao parked the car and quickly got into Room 201.

The scene had been protected by nearby police officers. Several onlookers were standing at the door; they were discussing and looking inside. Some were timid and wanted to see but dared not look. They covered their eyes and looked through the gaps between their fingers.

Ji Yao showed his police ID, put on gloves and shoe covers, opened the cordon, and walked into the murder scene.

He arrived as soon as he received the call before his colleagues from the City Bureau could arrive.

Unexpectedly, someone had already arrived first.

The person had a high ponytail, without a trace of hair on her forehead, and was wearing a forensic uniform issued by the City Bureau. She had a calm face and was taking photos of the scene with a camera.

‘This should have been done by the assistant, but it seems that the assistant hasn’t arrived yet.’

Han Xi looked up and saw Ji Yao. “I live in this community.” She didn’t give another explanation.

Hearing that, Ji Yao nodded and began to observe the scene.

Most of the floor in the living room was stained crimson with blood, and a strong smell of blood hit his nose. The blood was not completely dry, and it indicated the murder had not happened not too long ago.

Ji Yao stepped on the area that was not soaked in blood and walked around the body.

Han Xi put down her camera and reported, “The deceased man was between 60 and 65 years old. It was initially estimated that the time of death was between 7 pm and 9 pm today. The cause of death was suffocation. Judging from the body spots, the body has not been moved.”

Before the autopsy, the forensic doctor could only make a rough guess based on medical knowledge and experience, and they had to wait for the autopsy report for more details.

The deceased was lying naked in a large bathtub, filled with half a basin of water, in the living room, with his face facing up. There were a few pieces of tofu, green onion, ginger, and other seasonings  at the bottom of the tub.

A long gash was opened in the abdomen. There was no physiological reaction, such as blood coagulation. It was a wound caused after death. The internal organs had been taken out and thrown into the trash can by the door of the kitchen.

Han Xi knelt and put the clothes of the deceased in the trash can into the evidence bag. Her eyes focused on the two long black hair strands that were buttoned to the clothes.

Ji Yao knelt down and took a look. “This important physical evidence was most likely left behind when the murderer was entangled with the deceased.”

Han Xi said nothing and put away the evidence bag. When she stood up, her long black silky hair moved, and when the light shone on it, it emitted a moving lustre. 

Ji Yao glanced at her and said nothing.

Soon, the investigation police team and the forensic assistant also arrived.

Even though he appeared at the scene late at night, Deputy Captain Zhao Jingjing was still wearing a neat criminal police uniform. Naturally, the onlookers recognised him as the captain.

“Captain, who killed this person? This is so tragic.”

Zhao Jingjing was too lazy to explain. He only heard the real team captain say, “Zhang Xiang will make notes for the reporter, and Zhou Li will investigate the social relations of the deceased. It’s late today, so we’ll focus on asking those at the door first. The others will continue to survey the scene.”

Zhang Xiang took out a pen with a pink fluff ball from his document bag. There was also a picture of a busty Japanese manga girl printed on the pen barrel, and he walked towards the reporter.

Ji Yao glanced at Zhou Li. “At night, avoid eating fried junk food.”

The smell of potato chips was stronger than the smell of blood, so she must have eaten them secretly in the car.

Zhou Li stood up straight and reported in a serious tone, “Boss, please order Haojia Tianyuan tomato-flavoured potato chips. They are healthy and not fried.”

Ji Yao ignored her, turned to Zhao Jingjing, and said, “Jingjing, come here.” Then he walked towards the balcony window.

Zhao Jingjing followed him and reminded him in a low voice. “How many times have I told you not to call me Jingjing? I’m not a girl.”

Ji Yao turned on the flashlight and looked at the outer wall of the balcony. “Jingjing, look here.”

Zhao Jingjing: “Don’t call me Jingjing.”

******

At the end of the day, Director Cai called Ji Yao to ask about the case.

After listening, Director Cai gave instructions on how to do his work and finally asked, “How was the blind date today?”

Han Xi walked out of the corridor carrying a silver-grey toolbox. The light cast a faint light on her body. Different from the capable work she did when working at the crime scene, she now looked more like a person walking in the moonlight. A beautiful little woman with charming eyes and eyebrows and a natural charm.

Ji Yao leaned against the car door, slightly curving his lips, and pointedly said to the phone, “It was not good; I’m waiting for the organisation to make arrangements.”

End of chapter 2