SFTD -Chapter 296 Bride Who Fell From the Building (Part 5)

Seeing Zhou Hai’s movement, Fengzi quickly moved to the other side and joined in. It had to be said that not only was he good-looking, but he also had strength—within a few quick motions he managed to pry open the deceased’s fingers one by one.

A few white flowers drifted down. In Zhang Huihui’s palm, there were still two or three small blossoms left. They looked somewhat like baby’s breath, but more like tiny inverted bowls hanging on the flower stem. This unusual species made Zhou Hai frown slightly in confusion.

“Xu Biao, take a photo and search what flower this is,” he said out loud.

After speaking, Zhou Hai paused and looked up. He seemed to have grown used to it—instinctively calling for the “Xu Biao” to verify things. Only after scanning around did he remember that Xu Biao and the others were still in Jinzhou and hadn’t returned. He was now in the southeast.

Nearby, Zhang Wenqi, who was taking photos, heard Zhou Hai calling someone. Although it wasn’t directed at him, he understood it was meant for Xu Biao. He leaned over, glanced at the small white flowers, and quickly waved his hand at Zhou Hai, signaling Fengzi who was about to search on his phone to stop.

He then looked at both of them confidently.

“No need to check. I know this flower. It’s lily of the valley—and a very expensive variety called large-flowered lily of the valley.”

“Large-flowered lily of the valley?” Zhou Hai and Fengzi both looked puzzled.

Zhang Wenqi quickly searched on his phone and showed them the information.

“This isn’t a domestic flower. Lily of the valley is also called ‘Solomon’s seal,’ ‘valley lily,’ or ‘wind bell grass.’ It originally comes from Japan. This large-flowered variety is even more expensive. A single small cluster with seven or eight blossoms can cost several hundred yuan.”

Zhou Hai froze, holding the nearly stripped cluster of flowers. It was hard to imagine that just a few petals could cost hundreds of yuan.

“What is this flower usually used for? Does it have any meaning?” he asked.

Zhang Wenqi thought for a moment.

“I remember a celebrity once used it as a bridal bouquet at her wedding. A small bunch cost tens of thousands, and her husband even used it as a boutonniere.”

“The deceased probably grabbed it instinctively. It’s hard to imagine what such an expensive flower was meant for.”

Zhou Hai nodded. The wedding had already been canceled, yet the deceased was still wearing a wedding dress. Even more strangely, in her final moments she was clutching a stem of expensive flowers. It was all too bizarre. Was she going to confront someone? Or had she planned to replace the groom at the last moment?

He placed the lily of the valley onto a tray and noticed a scratch in the woman’s palm. It seemed she had grabbed something thin—like a thread or paper—leaving a long, narrow mark. There was slight bleeding at the base of the thumb, resembling a needle prick.

Zhou Hai shook his head.

“At the wedding on Saturday, I heard from Zhang Huihui’s mother that she was pregnant, so they rushed into marriage without even getting a certificate. I didn’t expect greed would cost her the wedding itself.”

“Alright, start the autopsy.”

Without further words, Zhou Hai began the procedure. He cut into the abdomen of the deceased, and blood immediately gushed out. Due to the high fall, there were no external open wounds on the torso, but fractures in the chest and abdominal cavity had caused internal bleeding—something that was easy to understand.

Fengzi quickly began collecting samples while Zhou Hai systematically examined the trachea, esophagus, and organs one by one. Fractured ribs were embedded in both lungs and heart, and multiple organs were ruptured.

Seeing the chaotic state of the internal organs, even Fengzi couldn’t help but turn away and retch. It was a horrifying mess of torn tissue, bleeding fragments, and intestinal contents—extremely challenging for the senses.

Zhou Hai finished inspecting the thoracic and abdominal organs and moved on to the uterus. As expected, it was enlarged. After separating it, he placed it on a small cart and began dissecting it.

Once the embryo was fully extracted, Fengzi prepared an electronic scale. The fetus weighed 22 grams and measured only 7.5 centimeters.

Looking at the data, Zhou Hai pressed his lips together.

“About three months… or slightly over three months. But I remember the mother-in-law said it was only around two months pregnant…”

Fengzi looked up.

“I don’t really study embryos, but is there a big difference between two and three months?”

Zhou Hai nodded.

“A huge difference. A two-month embryo weighs only about 2.5 to 6 grams and still has a small tail. This one already looks human-like.”

“So the wedding on Saturday might have—”

Fengzi immediately understood Zhou Hai’s implication and called Xu Jun.

“I’m Luo Yunfeng. Did you find Zhang Ziliang?”

“We did. The forensic information you provided was crucial. We found him at Southeast University and are currently questioning him. My team has already sent his blood sample to you!”

“No need for semen or anything else—we’ll run it all at once to save time. After the interrogation, I’ll come over myself.”

Hearing this, Luo Yunfeng felt slightly speechless, but the fast handling would save a lot of time. Since the sample was already sent, they would just wait.

He glanced at Zhou Hai, who had finished stitching up the body.

“Alright, we’ll wait for your people. Keep it polite—nothing is confirmed yet. Also, our chief just attended their wedding on Saturday; don’t push too hard.”

Xu Jun agreed and hung up.

Zhou Hai removed his gloves. Zhang Wenqi had already arranged for the body to be moved out. Zhou Hai looked at him.

“Send all these samples for testing. Ask Sister Zeng to expedite it.”

Zhang Wenqi held the tray tightly and finally spoke after a long pause.

“Deputy Director Zhou… please punish me. What I said at the Regent Hotel earlier was nonsense. I really like this job, I just… couldn’t save face at the time. Whatever punishment you give, I’ll accept it.”

Zhou Hai shook his head as he went to wash his hands, then returned to the table.

“I don’t remember what happened at the Regent Hotel. Just do your job well. Having temper is fine, but you also need backbone. Without ability, anger is just arrogance. I actually hope you can become truly confident one day.”

Zhang Wenqi froze, staring at him. He had never expected a leader to say something like that—no official tone, no reprimand, just guidance. His eyes reddened slightly, and he bowed deeply.

Zhou Hai waved him off.

“Send the samples quickly. Don’t delay the work.”

Zhang Wenqi carried the tray upstairs.

Fengzi smiled and leaned over.

“This kid’s good, just a bit arrogant. After this, he’ll probably be completely convinced by you.”

Zhou Hai smiled slightly.

“Send the deceased’s computer to Dr. Nan. After cracking it, check for any useful information.”

“And the fifth-floor corridor surveillance—send it over too. Extract all footage of anyone entering or leaving within one hour before and after the fall.”

Fengzi nodded and immediately arranged for Zhang Wenqi to deliver the items personally to speed things up.

After washing his hands, Zhou Hai asked, “What’s your opinion on this case?”

Fengzi’s expression turned serious.

“We still need Xu Jun’s investigation results. A woman who already broke off an engagement, yet is still pregnant but doesn’t rush to confront her ex-fiancé… instead stays in the hotel for two days and then dies wearing a wedding dress. It’s too strange.”

“I think it’s more likely a crime of passion—or an accidental fall, with the real party involved not daring to show up.”

Zhou Hai nodded. The analysis made sense.

The two returned to the second group office. Zhou Hai went straight to the whiteboard, listing all known clues, while Fengzi began arranging his own mental reconstruction on paper.

Zhang Huihui holding large-flowered lily of the valley

Ex-fiancé Zhang Ziliang

Zhang Huihui’s wide-open eyes

Embroidered colorful wedding dress

A password-protected laptop

A chair moved into the corridor

What exactly connects all of this?