Chapter 87 - Oh Mom!
Chapter 87: Oh Mom!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Translator: MintCatnip | Editor: AtlasStudios /Atlas Studios
The forensics team was also in the same building. It occupied one whole floor as it was a department by itself. However, the environment was different from what Xiang Wan had imagined.
Unlike those horror films, there weren’t any body parts and instruments placed visibly in the office. There weren’t any freezers with various organs in them, either. All the people and things here seem very down to earth.
Xiang Wan heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m nearly scared to death. I thought this place would be like what is being depicted in horror films.”
“Almost!” Bai Muchuan frowned as at that moment, Cheng Zheng, who was wearing the doctor’s coat, happened to step out of his office. “Just look at his face, don’t you think it’s even more horrifying than a horror movie?”
Uh!
Xiang Wan gave a cough.
Fortunately, the distance was safe enough. Cheng Zheng would definitely not hear that comment.
She took a glance at Bai Muchuan. “Why are you always at loggerheads with him?”
“Was I?” Bai Muchuan narrowed his eyes and his gaze felt chilly. “Maybe… this is inborn.”
Inborn? Being at loggerheads with each other can be inborn too?
Xiang Wan did not find any trace on his face that suggested he was just joking around. Meanwhile, Cheng Zheng had noticed them.
He appeared slightly surprised and walked over slowly. “Captain Bai, you’re looking for me?”
Bai Muchuan had one hand inside his pocket with a half-smile on his face and seemed relaxed. “I’m here to see your work progress.”
Cheng Zheng pursed his lips tightly while pointing at a direction calmly. “Let’s sit over there.”
Following the direction he had pointed, Xiang Wan saw that it was a room labelled as “Forensic Lab”.
Cheng Zheng led the two of them towards that direction…
The door opened.
They felt a gush of cool air.
The moment Xiang Wan took a look inside, her heart instantly sank.
The forensics department might not have the scary stuff that blockbuster movies portrayed, but the forensics laboratory should have those stuff.
Mei Xin was wearing her doctor’s coat; her face was so pale as if drained of color. She was sitting in front of the cold work table and seemed to be observing something under a microscope. When she turned to look at them, her emotionless gaze coupled with the human skeletal model behind her brought an unspeakable feeling of terror to Xiang Wan.
“Captain Bai, Captain Cheng!” Mei Xin greeted.
Cheng Zheng nodded his head, and without any emotion, he explained, “Captain Bai is here to see our progress. Do give her an introduction as well.”
In an instant, a task had befallen her, just like that.
Bai Muchuan took a glance at him, pursing his lips but did not say a word.
Mei Xin looked at both of them and got up slowly.
Frankly, even Xiang Wan felt the difficult position Mei Xin was in, to be caught in the middle of two men who could not get along with each other. However, Mei Xin did not seem to notice it.
Her expression was more apathetic than Cheng Zheng. She took the remote control and pressed the button to drew the curtains. Slowly, the entire laboratory fell into darkness.
Xiang Wan was startled as she did not know what they were trying to do.
Inside the dimmed laboratory, Bai Muchuan reached out an arm to her.
He hugged her shoulders slowly, as if to alleviate her nervousness, and at the same time, she felt there was concern in his action.
Xiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat.
At this moment, a faint light lit up in the room. It was light from the 3D display that Mei Xin was currently operating on.
“Captain Bai, please take a look…”
Mei Xin presented the findings with a computer and pointed to the display screen.
“These are the appraisal reports of the samples we’ve gotten from Sun Shangli’s suicide as well as the case of the mutilated body at ‘The Palace’. This is Sun Shangli’s autopsy report jointly done by Wang Dong, Liu Xiaoyuan, and myself. This is the gene mapping based on the DNA of the human tissue of Tan Ziyang…”
Mei Xin continued, “All these reports have been presented to Captain Bai for viewing.”
This also meant that the forensics team had completed their tasks—the progress was already 100 percent.
“Captain Bai, since we’ve confirmed the identity of the corpse within the walls, do you have anything in mind what we should do next?”
Wow! She’s good!
Xiang Wan looked at how she gave an account of their progress with a deadpan expression and how she outsmarted Bai Muchuan in return. She suddenly felt that this elegant, cold and meticulous Mei Xin was pretty incredible.
Moreover, she noticed that Mei Xin had subconsciously taken the side of Cheng Zheng.
She took on the responsibilities of the forensics team onto herself, and while she was at it, she conveniently hinted that the detectives over at the investigation and fieldworks team could not keep up to their pace. As there were no new evidence for the forensics team, the unsolved case would have nothing to do with the forensics team nor their Captain Cheng.
Of course, that was only Xiang Wan’s intuition.
Just as what she had told Bai Muchuan, that was exactly what her sharp sixth sense or seventh sense told her.
This cold, somewhat detached female Medical Examiner might be voicing her indignance on behalf of Cheng Zheng. Or, perhaps, it was due to the working relationship she had with Cheng Zheng for a period of time that caused her to release such an aura.
Xiang Wan noticed that other than herself, no one else seemed to notice this.
“Very good.” Bai Muchuan clapped his hands and sat on a chair. Next, he tapped on the complete and clear forensic reports while turning to face Cheng Zheng. “Captain Cheng seemed disinterested in this case?”
Cheng Zheng replied, “I don’t understand what Captain Bai is trying to say.”
“Starting from the death of Sun Shangli, it seems that you’ve done nothing besides signing on their autopsy and various appraisal reports. Don’t you think that you’re doing injustice to your impressive resume…”
“I trust them,” said Cheng Zheng calmly. “It’s more important to train more talents for the police force than for me to do all the work by myself. With regards to this point, I believe Captain Bai will understand. Can you finish all the fieldwork investigation all by yourself? You can’t, right?”
“I can’t.” Bai Muchuan sneered, his gaze even colder than before. “But I would not turn a blind eye to cases that involves the fate of my colleagues.”
“Everyone is different,” said an expressionless Cheng Zheng. “I have never given more compassion to people who have nothing to do with me.”
Hmph! Bai Muchuan got up slowly. “You mean you have extra compassion for those who are related to you?”
Looking at his somewhat mocking expression, Cheng Zheng pursed his lips tightly and chose to stay silent.
For a moment, the Forensics Lab was suddenly cold as ice.
Xiang Wan felt a little itch in her nose. She felt like sneezing…
Just then, Mei Xin suddenly spoke, “I’ve heard Teacher Xiang knows profiling? I’m also very interested in this. I would like to ask you, according to your analysis, what kind of person is the murderer of this mutilated corpse case? Where would the remaining parts of the corpse be hidden?”
“…”
Xiang Wan stayed silent for a moment.
“If someone could answer that accurately, that would be a deity and not profiling.”
“It doesn’t have to be accurate.” Perhaps sensing the weird atmosphere in the Forensics Lab, Mei Xin brought up profiling in an attempt to alleviate the situation. “Let’s just chit chat about it, I would like to hear your views.”
Her cold eyes shone with curiosity. It was really evident, but Xiang Wan had felt it. Mei Xin was actually not trying to pick on her.
Mei Xin is actually a very simple person, Xiang Wan thought.
A simple job, a simple sentence. She was not someone who liked to socialize and engage in complicated conversations. There were probably no complicated social relationships for her as well. She belonged to those type of people who were forthright and would not worry too much about the trouble her words would cause to people.
“Alright, then I’ll put in my two cents. Please don’t take it seriously and take it as entertainment.”
Xiang Wan smiled before her expression turned serious. “The murderer is a deliberate and meticulous person; someone who does things calmly and decisively. He should have a grudge toward the deceased. By mutilating his corpse and hiding them separately without being found out, that’s really impressive. Of course, in order to mix the human tissue into cement and seal them onto the walls, there has to be something that offered this convenience to the murderer. Without a doubt, the murderer must be closely related to the one who built ‘The Palace’. As long as we find the people who had taken the job of concrete masonry, there will definitely be a major breakthrough.”
She had said all these emotionlessly.
At that moment, Mei Xin started to see her in a different light.
“So this is profiling?”
“No, this is deduction.” Xiang Wan took a look at Bai Muchuan. “It’s based entirely on what we have on hand. It may not be accurate, but definitely not far from the truth.”
By using the words “not far”, that meant she was actually pretty confident.
“In fact, for this problem, the strangest thing to me is that Huo Shan is unable to provide us information on the one who subcontracted the concrete masonry works. Although he sounded as if he had spoken the truth, he must have something hidden from us. Even if he is not the murderer, there must be some sort of connection between them.”
This sentence coincided with Bai Muchuan’s analysis as well.
Mei Xin turned to look at Bai Muchuan. “Captain Bai, do you think Teacher Xiang is correct?”
“I only believe in evidence.” Bai Muchuan still said the same old sentence as he leaned on the chair leisurely. His chiseled side profile revealed a tough personality—a distant gaze, a sly smile, and an aloof and haughty attitude. “Profiling, however, can be used as reference.”
Xiang Wan had a brief look at him before she finally sneezed.
“Please excuse me.” She smiled apologetically at them. “I think I’d better get going, it’s too cold here.”
There was a disinfectant smell in the Forensics Lab which made her feel like she had stepped into a mortuary or had attended a funeral. She did not want to stay there any longer.
“Caught a cold?” Bai Muchuan looked at her with worry. “Let’s go!”
Xiang Wan smiled at Mei Xin and Cheng Zheng.
“Sorry for disturbing, I’ll get going now!”
“Teacher Xiang!” Cheng Zheng suddenly called out to her before she turned away.
Xiang Wan felt that there was something different in Cheng Zheng’s expression. Somehow, she felt that there seemed to be tinge of mocking or sarcasm, but he was mainly cold and void of emotion.
“I saw your mom at your youngest aunt’s place the other day.”
“?” Xiang Wan tilted her head, unable to comprehend what he was trying to say.
“She didn’t seem to be in good health. She has been coughing quite badly. Autumn is coming, flu and colds are on the rise. If you have time, show some concern for your family.” Cheng Zheng pursed his lips slightly. “There are too many things in the world that needed attention but our energy is limited. What we can do is to care about the people we care as much as possible. You don’t need to put too much energy on people and things that are not related to you!”
“!”
Xiang Wan did not expect Cheng Zheng to suddenly say this.
It was a lecture yet not really a lecture, which made her unable to refute what he had said.
This was because he was telling her something about her mother. No matter how she tried to put across her point, it would appear that she was a very unfilial daughter.
In actual fact, it had been quite a while that she had not made a trip to her youngest aunt’s place. Firstly, she wanted to avoid the awkwardness ever since that day her youngest aunt chastized her. Secondly, she had not been in a good mood ever since she came back from the capital. She had been in a fret and did not want to let her mom worry about her.
Every time when she called her up, her mom would tell her that she was totally fine…
She really did not notice that her mom was actually not feeling well.
Xiang Wan looked into Cheng Zheng’s eyes. Her throat got stuck: there was a bitter feeling which was especially difficult to swallow.
“Thank you Captain Cheng. I will.”
She lowered her head and was prepared to leave when Cheng Zheng looked at her as he removed his gloves and said slowly, “My request last time is still effective. Do consider it.”
Eh?
So many things have happened and he still remembered that request?
Xiang Wan was unsure of how to react.
Is he really so confident that she should seize the opportunity and not miss such an excellent man like him?
“My apologies,” smiled Xiang Wan, “I’ve said what I wanted to say the last time. My needs are different from yours. You’re not the kind of person who can make me give up what I want. I’m sorry!”
Originally, out of politeness, words of rejection should not be said with others present.
Nevertheless, as Cheng Zheng did not consider her embarrassment when he told her about her mom’s health, she felt that she need not consider his feelings as well.
This man is too arrogant!
Xiang Wan knew that he might not be a bad person, but she knew that with her personality, nothing good would come out of the relationship with him. His request—”a romance without love”—was something that was unacceptable for her. Hence, by directly rejecting him and keep things clear, it would save a lot of embarrassment in future lest Cheng Zheng kept thinking about it.
“Captain Cheng!” Bai Muchuan suddenly spoke with a snicker, “My thoughts are similar as yours, focus on your work and do a good job. I’ll be waiting for a more detailed report! I believe with your skills and professionalism, you’ll provide more clues to solving the case.”
Cheng Zheng just stood there without moving, his eyes half-opened as he held onto his white gloves.
Bai Muchuan turned, took Xiang Wan’s wrist, and walked away in his usual big strides.
This is really awkward!
Xiang Wan felt as if there was fire on her back—Cheng Zheng’s gaze, as well as Mei Xin’s gaze, that followed behind her.
They were scrutinizing over her relationship with Bai Muchuan. She felt somewhat abashed, but Bai Muchuan was not bothered about this. His steps were firm and swift…
It was sunny outside.
Xiang Wan’s heart was pounding loudly as she swept a glance at the hand that was holding her wrist and could not help lifting her head to look at his face. As the golden light rays shone on his side profile, she felt that his features were even more well-defined—dark eyes, a prominent nose, a mouth which was tightly pursed, as well as a rebellious, sexy, and free aura that felt like an unbridled wild horse…
Bai Muchuan lowered his head all of a sudden. “So, what are you looking at?”
His mood seemed to be very good? Xiang Wan thought.
Bai Muchuan looked at her face intently. “What do you think?”
Their gazes met each other. In the invisible line of gaze, they had a tacit understanding they knew inside their heart. It was a feeling as if they had jointly defeated a little boss in a game.
Pffft! Xiang Wan sneaked a laugh as the unhappiness in her heart dispersed much. She puffed a sigh and remarked, “Cheng Zheng is someone who’s quite egoistic, but his capability is certainly there. You should cooperate with him more rather than be at loggerheads.”
“Hmph!” Bai Muchuan refused to give a definite answer. “Are you speaking up for me or him?”
“…”
Did she speak up for anyone?
“I’m just stating a fact for the sake of the residents of Hongjiang District, is that okay?”
“Sure!” Bai Muchuan smiled lazily. “Rest assured, when it’s time to cooperate, we will cooperate. When it’s time to pit against each other, both him and myself would not hesitate.”
“…” Xiang Wan was speechless.
After two seconds, she looked at Bai Muchuan who started to walk again. “Did you have a bitter grudge with him?”
Bai Muchuan suddenly paused and looked stiff for an instant before walking even faster. “It’s worse than a bitter grudge.”
“Ah, what happened?”
“I’m hungry and you keep talking about him, isn’t this a grave matter?”
“It’s indeed a grave matter!” Xiang Wan stopped at her tracks and narrowed her eyes to take a look at the sky. “Captain Bai, I’m not going for lunch, I need to go back to see my mom.”
Cheng Zheng’s words earlier had hit a nerve in her.
She always felt that she had a lot of things to do and everything was important.
On the other hand, her mom stayed at her youngest aunt’s house and took care of her little cousin, facing the family of four everyday. Was she lonely? Did she miss her very much?
She suddenly felt that her avoidance behavior was actually an act of selfishness toward her mom.
No matter how youngest aunt reprimanded her, no matter how Xing Feifei dreaded to see her, she shouldn’t have avoided not visiting her mom…
The moment she got this sorted out, her low spirits were as if evaporated by the sunlight, and she felt relieved.
“My mom’s sick, I need to go see her.”
Bai Muchuan hesitated for a while. “Initially, I wanted you to have a meal with my elder cousin, then we’ll make a trip to ‘The Palace’. Once Tang Yuanchu completed the procedures for Kong Xinqiong’s case to be under our charge, we’ll interrogate Huo Shan again.”
“Erm…” Xiang Wan’s heart was stirred; she wanted to go too.
After considering a while, she said, “Why not you go ahead for lunch? I need to go back and see if she’s fine. If time allows, I’ll meet up with you again?”
“Alright!” Bai Muchuan walked in front. “Let’s go?”
Where are we going? Xiang Wan looked at his back view, bewildered. Bai Muchuan got impatient and turned to give her a glare.
“Hurry up! I need to pick up my bro and give you a lift.”
“I’m not going to my place, it’s not on the way. I’m going to my youngest aunt’s place…”
Bai Muchuan squinted his eyes to examine her for a moment. He grunted a laugh, but he did not ask about her private matters.
“Jin City is only so big, which place is not on the way?”
Fine, Detective Bai always wants to have his way!
Since he wanted to give her a lift, Xiang Wan had no need to take the trouble to call for a cab.
While on the road, both of them did not really converse with each other until the car stopped outside her youngest aunt’s villa.
Bai Muchuan tilted his head and gave her a glance, his finger gently tapping on the steering wheel. “Do you want to engage me to pretend as your boyfriend?”
Xiang Wan laughed as she rolled her eyes. “Thank you so much, but I don’t need that.”
“Don’t miss the precious opportunity.” When Bai Muchuan wore a half-smile, he looked sly and a little cold. “I’m expensive, not any ordinary person are able to engage my services.”
Xiang Wan was preparing to get down the car. When she heard that, she turned around to give him a peeved look. “So are you offering me any discount?”
“No discount. But for you, I can put you on credit.”
He was wearing a leisurely smile as if filtered by the sunlight. His smile was not blinding but more of a warm smile.
He’s such a heartthrob.
His eyes are so mesmerizing.
A pity that he’s a natural, born actor.
Xiang Wan’s heart fluttered, but she knew she was unable to touch his heart.
“… Forget it. I can’t afford even if it’s on credit!”
She got off the car and left.
Her back view was thin, fragile and maybe there was even loneliness…
Bai Muchuan squinted at her back view for a while before he chuckled softly and left.
…
It was noon. Xiang Wan’s sudden appearance elated her mom, Tan Yunchun.
“Oh my little girl is here? Have you eaten lunch? Come sit here quick, mom will make you something to eat.”
Xiang Wan looked at her mom who was cleaning up after the mess that her toddler cousin spilled all over the place. She furrowed her eyebrows as she examined her mom.
For a good while, Xiang Wan did not hear her mom cough or saw any signs that she was sick. She was relieved to see that and she smiled at her.
“I’ve eaten. I’m just here to see you.”
“You’ve eaten?” It was evident that Tan Yunchun appeared to be a little disappointed, but the next moment, she laughed. “Alright, then you sit on the sofa, I’ll cut some fruits after I finish clearing Tiantian’s mess…”
“Let me help you.” Xiang Wan put down her bag and started to do some household chores.
When she was at her rented house, she could be lazy as a dog. When she was at her youngest aunt’s place, she would transform into a hardworking bee, helping her mom handle chores that she was able to do so her mom would not worry about her.
“Nah, don’t!” Tan Yunchun rejected her offer and even gave her a cold glance. “All these will make your hands coarse, you’re still single and should take care of yourself…”
“…”
She’s at it again!
Xiang Wan just knew it. Her mom would always nag about her being single at every opportunity she got.
“Wanwan ah, don’t blame mom for nagging at you. You’re 26 and not young anymore. Just the other day, I went to the market and met your high school classmate, her kid’s already attending nursery…”
“Mom!” Xiang Wan groaned helplessly. “That’s her choice in life.”
“Hmph, you always say you won’t settle for just anyone. Mom can understand that and will not force you. But mom really doesn’t understand what kind of man you really want? That Cheng Zheng is handsome, has a stable job and is an expert in his area of work… More importantly, your youngest aunt told me that his family is well-known in the capital, wealthy and powerful. Why don’t you want him? You’ve really confused mom.”
Xiang Wan kept quiet.
From her mom’s viewpoint, Xiang Wan was acting crazy.
During her mom’s era, when men and women took a fancy to each other and met each other’s requirements, they would get married.
Times were different now. She did not just want a man to be with her as a companion, she also wanted her man to be her soulmate—someone who held the same views and beliefs as her.
She knew that what she wanted could be too much to ask for, but she would rather stay single than settle. Instead of entrusting the future to the unknown and gamble if she would be happy in a marriage by choosing to settle, she might as well stay single and enjoy her freedom.
Of course, such thoughts could not be told to her mom, or she would certainly be locked up at home and get brainwashed.
“Mom, precisely because he’s too good a catch that I can’t match up to him. He’s out of my league.”
“Nonsense! I beg to differ. My daughter is so pretty, why can’t you match up to him? Ever since ancient times, the talented men is matched up with beautiful women. As for family background, I’ve only heard of people mocking when the woman has a better family background than the man, not the other way round!”
“…”
That was her mom’s theory, full of love for her daughter, so Xiang Wan was unable to refute that.
From her mom’s perspective, she and her sisters’ marriage were a living example for all to see.
Youngest aunt’s success was largely attributed to her having married to a good husband.
Eldest aunt’s mediocrity was also because she married a mediocre husband.
As for her mom, she had ended up like this because she had married Xiang Wan’s dad…
Xiang Wan had heard too much of these. She was helpless against these since long ago and lost the interest to try to correct her mom’s viewpoint.
So she chose to keep quiet and continue doing the chores.
Tan Yunchun had said so much and started to get agitated. “Say something? Why don’t you want him?”
Xiang Wan paused and lowered her head. “Cheng Zheng and I are not suitable for each other. He’s not my cup of tea.”
“You lass! You want to anger me to death?!” Tan Yunchun felt exasperated as she had said so much, yet her daughter was being cold and tried to brush her off. Her agitation could no longer be held back. She threw the rag back to a bucket and glared at her with a gloomy face.
“On what basis?” Xiang Wan straightened her back.
Every time, mom would only say it’s youngest aunt’s idea, but can’t I have my own thoughts?
“If youngest aunt like him so much, let Feifei get into a relationship with him! Why get me involved?
“You… what nonsense are you sprouting? Feifei is only 19!” Tan Yunchun took a peek toward outside.
Luckily, both youngest aunt and uncle, as well as Xing Feifei, was not at home. The other nanny had found an excuse to go find some friends for a game of mahjong after her lunch. There was no one else besides the mother and daughter. If such words were to spread, how embarrassing would that be?
“Lass, don’t be stubborn. Your youngest aunt has seen so much more than mom. There’s nothing wrong in what she said. There’s nothing wrong for youngsters to have their own thoughts as well. However, if you end up regretting your decision later, it’ll be too late. Women fears marrying the wrong man most! Your youngest aunt has a good eye, I trust her…”
“Mom!” Xiang Wan felt her head starting to ache. “What exactly does youngest aunt see in him that he would be a good choice for me?”
“What exactly in him that puts you off then?” Tan Yunchun stared at her daughter and responded with another question.
Xiang Wan was stumped, unable to answer.
In fact, on what basis, if she relate to family background and wealth, did she have to spurn Cheng Zheng like this?
However, when it came to affairs of the heart, being a good catch didn’t mean Cheng Zheng would be a good match for her.
“Mom,” Xiang Wan sighed as she met her mom’s angry gaze directly and spoke gently, “I know you want to find a good man for your daughter so you could hold your head high and be proud, or rather, you could live a life free from worry in future. But, I really don’t want to entrust my life into the hands of men…”
Hmph! Tan Yunchun snorted and kept quiet with her eyes red.
Xiang Wan wiped her mom’s hands, led her to the sofa, and spoke to her gently, “Mom, don’t you get it? Only self-reliance is reliable… men are not. I don’t have to worry about burning bridges when I’m building my own.”
As she said that, she held her fists and looked so serious that Tan Yunchun puffed a sigh and teased her daughter.
“Self-reliance huh? If you depend on yourself, I’ll be glad if you don’t starve yourself to death.”
“Mom, don’t look down on me! Don’t you worry, when my novel gets popular, I’ll get a big house…”
“Wanwan ah!” Tan Yunchun shook her head, her eyes melancholic and miserable. “Mom doesn’t want to stay in a big house. I only have you, and you don’t have any siblings nor a father… Sometimes, I would think that if my health deteriorates one day or I didn’t see an incoming vehicle…”
“Mom! What are you saying?”
“… If I’m gone, then you’ll be alone. Mom’s worried about you!”
Tan Yunchun patted Xiang Wan’s hands and continued to say her piece after puffing a sigh.
“Listen to mom! Youngest aunt is doing this for your own good. I’ve seen that Cheng Zheng. He’s a quiet person and not easy to get close to. But such people have their good points too, as they’re not easily impressed by pretty women. At the very least, they won’t be easily snatched by other women. Just this point alone, he’s already much better than most guys.”
Hurhur!
Xiang Wan was sneering inside her head.
It was not that he was unimpressed by pretty girls, but that he had no heart at all.
A person like him was totally like a block of ice. If she were to be with him everyday, she would be frozen to death!
While both mother and daughter were talking, there was a phone call from youngest aunt to Xiang Wan’s mom.
“Second sis, Little Cheng says he’s coming to pick you up to the doctor’s now. He should be arriving anytime soon. Just leave Tiantian with the nanny and go see a doctor with him. You’ve been coughing quite badly recently…”