I took the case file from Director Cheng and stepped out of the room. The celebration banquet had already ended.
Most police officers had gone home. The waiters were clearing the table, while Wang Dali lay slumped over his seat, groaning—he had clearly drunk quite a bit.
I found a chair and sat down, opening the file to study it carefully.
This was the first case Director Cheng mentioned, which occurred three months ago in the nearby city of Wuqu. The victims were a family of four: the father was a 36-year-old general manager at a large multinational corporation—a young and promising talent. The others were his wife and two children, including a one-year-old daughter. The family had been harmonious, loving, but on that fateful night, they suddenly erupted into a fierce argument.
A colleague called during the quarrel. The father answered roughly, spoke a few harsh words, and then tossed the phone aside without hanging up. The colleague was terrified—he knew the man came from a scholarly family, usually refined and polite, never cursing like that.
Over the phone, the colleague heard the couple hurling vicious insults at each other. Their ten-year-old son screamed and smashed things, while the baby cried incessantly. The scene was terrifying.
According to the colleague, the family seemed possessed by a vengeful spirit, their personalities completely changed. The call ended abruptly when the phone was broken during the couple's struggle.
Neighbors also heard the commotion. An elderly man knocked on the door twice; the first time there was no answer, the second time silence followed shortly. Thinking all was well, he left—unaware the family was already dead.
The death scene was horrifying: the son grabbed his baby sister's legs and smashed her against the floor, the wife killed the son with a wine bottle, and the husband stabbed his wife three times in vital areas. Finally, he knelt amid the corpses and slit his own throat with the same knife.
The scene was sealed off—no intruders. Bloodstains, fingerprints, and hairs all belonged to the family. The nanny, who had cooked dinner and left early, was initially suspected. But after interrogation, a lie detector test, and forensic checks found no suspicious substances on the bodies, she was cleared.
Though the case file read quite plainly, I felt a chill run down my spine. This case was too strange, too bizarre.
Suddenly, Huang Xiaotao tapped me on the shoulder. I realized she had been sitting quietly beside me reading the file all along—I hadn't noticed her presence.
"So, Song Yang, do you have confidence?" she asked.
"Want the truth?" I smiled wryly.
"Of course."
"None at all. The more I read, the more confused I get."
"You still accepted it?"
"Confidence and certainty are different. The file was written by the police. Maybe if I visit the crime scene myself, I can find some clues."
Huang Xiaotao sighed. "You're going alone to Wuqu? Not sure if the local police will cooperate."
"Who said I'm alone? You're coming too."
"The special investigation order from Director Cheng has only your name on it. Wuqu has its own police system, and Director Sun is notoriously stingy. He complains I eat two bowls at dinner—do you think he'd let me go on this trip?"
As we spoke, a burly figure appeared behind her.
"Who's talking about me behind my back?"
Huang Xiaotao nearly fell off her chair, quickly standing with a respectful tone. "Director, Song Yang and I were discussing the case."
"Alright, I know what you call me behind my back. Sit down." Sun Laohu sat in Huang Xiaotao's chair. She remained standing.
He patted me on the shoulder. "Nephew, confident you can solve this?"
"About eighty percent."
"Do your best. Don't worry about me—I trust the Song family's abilities."
I asked, "Uncle Sun, how's Auntie?"
"She's fine. Heard she had a big, healthy boy."
"Heard?"
"I'm divorced. Police life means being away from home constantly, destined to be lonely. Your grandfather was wise—not letting you become a cop."
He added, "If you need help solving this case, just ask. I can't promise everything, but I'll do what I can."
"I want to bring a few people."
"Name them."
"Huang Xiaotao, Wang Yuanchao..." I glanced at the passed-out Wang Dali, "and this guy Wang Dali."
Huang Xiaotao was surprised; Sun Laohu readily agreed. "Alright, public expense approved."
"I plan to leave tonight."
"No need to rush. Leave tomorrow morning. I'll arrange a car."
"Director Cheng said there was a similar case three days ago. In homicide, every second counts. I want to leave tonight."
Sun Laohu laughed. "You're too eager—just like your grandfather. When it comes to homicide, you two are unstoppable."
I was surprised. "But didn't you complain before that Grandpa was harder to get than a god?"
"That was for ordinary cases. For strange, bizarre ones, he can't wait even a second and drags me there running. You two are just alike."
Sun Laohu ordered, "Xiaotao, get Wang Yuanchao. Take Song Yang and this guy. Leave immediately. When you're back, I'll host a welcome party."
Huang Xiaotao saluted. "Yes, Director!"
After he left, Wang Yuanchao arrived—breath reeking of alcohol, even stronger than Wang Dali's. This guy could really drink.
Huang Xiaotao briefed him quickly and told him to help Wang Dali outside. She took the wheel.
At the parking lot, she asked, "Why insist on Wang Yuanchao? He's strong but hot-tempered—a real troublemaker. You know he broke a paramilitary officer's leg three years ago, right?"
"Whoa, that's quite a record."
"Yeah. In his thirties, demoted to a low-level cop. He should have been promoted by now. His temper's terrible. When first assigned to the detective squad, I was hesitant, but Captain Lin said to give him something to do; otherwise, he'd just drink and skip work every day. No one can control him."
"Afraid he'd beat you up?"
"Get lost."
I valued Wang Yuanchao's ability and courage. A guy who could leap from buildings and catch killers—that kind of nerve isn't common. He's definitely a hidden gem.