Mystery Hunter

[NOTE: “Summit” is a mistranslation of “Guo Feng”, Previous chapters will be fixed.]

Jiang He’s voice was low and firm. “That’s correct. “Open the door, I need information.”

Fu Qianwei hesitated, casting a doubtful gaze at the stranger on the other side of the door. Though Jiang He claimed to be a cop, Fu Qianwei couldn’t help but wonder if he was a murderer himself. After all, he was nothing like the law enforcement officers she had seen in movies and TV shows.

“How do I know you’re a cop?” Fu Qianwei challenged him.

Jiang He didn’t waste a moment. He rattled off a long list of personal details that left Fu Qianwei reeling. Her name, her parents’ names, her job, and even her preferences—everything was accurate to the letter.

“I’m a cop, and you have it on your file,” Jiang He said. He explained patiently. “Could you please let me in now?”

Feeling a little unnerved by how much personal information had been recorded about her, Fu Qianwei reluctantly opened the door. Jiang He wasted no time in getting down to business.

“I’m here this time for He Huijuan’s case,” he said, his voice steady and emotionless. “We discovered that you actively organised a reunion two and a half months ago, but you were not a member of your high school class cadre. Such activities should, in general, be organised by class cadres. Why were you so enthusiastic?”

Caught off guard, Fu Qianwei stumbled over her words. She confessed that she had organised the reunion as a way to impress her former classmate Feng Bin, who was now successful and wealthy. He listened patiently, his sharp eyes scanning her face for any signs of deception.

As Fu Qianwei spoke, a sudden realisation dawned on Jiang He. He saw a connection between Feng Bin’s success, He Huijuan’s financial troubles, and Guo Feng, the wealthy driver who had been linked to He Huijuan’s murder.

“I appreciate it,” Jiang He spoke briskly before rushing out the door.

As Fu Qianwei sat on her sofa, she couldn’t help but feel a little shaken by the experience. She had expected the cop to grill her for hours, but he had only asked her one question before leaving. It was a strange feeling, almost like she had been caught in the act without even realising it. Jiang He’s words had revealed a truth that Fu Qianwei had never imagined possible.

_____________

The brightness of the summer morning provided a feeling of vibrancy to the city, and the buzz of faraway traffic appeared to melt away. Yet not everyone could enjoy the beauty of the day.

A man and a woman woke from a deep slumber, the rising sun filtering through the yellowed curtains. The interplay of light and shadow in the room was like a modern painting. The woman nestled against the man’s massive pectoral muscles, one hand tenderly caressing his skin. He held her close, resting his chin on her head.

“At last, we can be together,” she said, her eyes alight with joy.

“Is everything ours?” he asked, his voice full of excitement.

But before she could answer, the woman shivered with fear, noticing a figure sitting in the corner of the room, still in the shadows.

The man on the chair sat quietly, watching them.

It was a terrifying moment to wake up and find a stranger in your bedroom, possibly watching you for hours.

The man in the shadows finally revealed himself, just as the couple were about to scream.

“Are you Officer Jiang?” the man asked.

“What are you doing in our bedroom?” the woman demanded, her voice shaking.

“How did you get in here?” Hannah added as she was trying to keep herself covered. “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll have you arrested for breaking and entering.”

Jiang He raised his head and sat up straight. “The lock on your main entrance is difficult to open, but the garage door is simple. That’s a security flaw in your home. You should be more careful in the future. Thieves could take advantage of this and break in easily.”

“What do you want from us?” the man asked, his tone growing more aggressive.

“I’ll give you one minute to leave the house,” Guo Feng threatened. “If you don’t, I’ll beat you so badly that even your mother won’t recognise you.”

But Hannah stepped in. “Let’s hear what he has to say,” she said, still covering herself.

Officer Jiang nodded. “Three months ago, Li Weiyi ran up a debt of 130,000 RMB due to his own mistakes. Two months ago, Fu Qianwei organised a reunion, and that’s where He Huijuan and Feng Bin started an affair. That night, 50,000 RMB was transferred to He Huijuan’s account. A month later, another 30,000 RMB was credited to her account. And five days ago, Feng Bin killed He Huijuan.”

“What does this have to do with us?” Hannah asked, looking bewildered.

Jiang He spoke with the utmost seriousness, his gaze piercing through the air. “The person who funded the party was you. I learned of this news earlier today. With an 80% probability, I deduce that you hired He Huijuan to seduce her husband, Feng Bin, so that you could marry him and take control of the company’s assets. And the man behind you,” he gestured at Guo Feng, “your driver who can somehow afford luxury watches worth a hundred thousand, isn’t it suspicious? I calculate a 60% chance that he might have taken on some extra ‘jobs’ while driving. He’s what people usually call a little white face.”

The summit, now boiling with rage, charged at Jiang He. “Who are you calling a little white face?” he snarled.

But Jiang He wasn’t done yet. “When you were at the Public Security Bureau, I saw the cosmetics in your handbag. They were the exact same ones I saw at He Huijuan’s house. If her computer and peripherals were purchased long ago, then those cosmetics must have been bought recently. With a 60% probability, I assume that you gave those cosmetics to He Huijuan.”

Guo Feng towered over Jiang He, muscles bulging, ready to strike. “How do you want to die?” he growled.

But Jiang He held his ground. “Wait just one more minute. He Huijuan was saving money at that time, and I don’t think she would buy 6,000 yuan’s worth of cosmetics on her own. I calculate a 60% probability that you gave her that set. Am I right?” he said, staring up at Guo Feng.

“Got any proof?” Hannah looked at Jianghe with an innocent look.

“No, I don’t,” replied Jiang He. “The key people are all dead. This is just the most likely probability based on the current information analysis. But I believe that your personal choice indirectly caused Feng Bin to commit murder, which led to the death of all three members of Li Weiyi’s family. Did you really do this?” he asked Guo Feng.

Hannah remained silent, but Guo Feng stepped forward to punch Jiang He.

But Jiang He wasn’t intimidated. “I have a 70% probability that you won’t hit me,” he said calmly.

Guo Feng smirked. “You’re wrong,” he said, just as the doorbell rang.

Jiang He grabbed his phone. “The police have arrived. They’re here for me,” he announced. “I have a 90% probability that they’re here to take me away. You have more to worry about than I do,” he said to Hannah.

As he opened the door, he turned to Guo Feng. “If you still want to hit me, go ahead. But attacking the police could result in severe consequences. So, do you still want to do it?”

Guo Feng let go of Jiang He’s collar, and Jiang He left the room, leaving the two behind, staring at each other in silence.