SFTD -Chapter 69 Who’s Next (Part 7)

Xu Biao had only been gone for a short while when Xiao Liang’s face also turned rather unpleasant. He raised a hand apologetically toward Zhou Hai and hurried off toward the restroom as well.

“What’s wrong with them?” someone asked.

Zhou Hai thought for a moment.

“We just went to the pedestrian street and ate some snacks.”

“And you’re fine?”

“I only ate liangpi. They ate more—and more complicated things. Probably their stomachs are reacting.”

“Anything useful from the investigation?”

“Actually, the two camera angles are pretty good. They basically cover the area. We’ve already taken photos of all the shops within the surveillance range. Next, we’ll wait for Team Two’s investigation results—see who has moved that manhole cover.”

Chu Menghan understood Zhou Hai’s meaning. The corpse parts were relatively large and could not have been flushed out through the sewer, so they must have been directly dumped into a manhole. This would significantly narrow the scope.

“Got it. Seems like we’ll have good news soon. After all, not many people would touch a manhole cover.”

“Not necessarily. The two holes on the cover were deliberately tied with ropes to make it easier to lift.”

“Also, the pedestrian street is in a low-lying area. The sewage from three residential communities often flows back here.”

“So, it’s very common for people to secretly dump food waste that can’t go into the sewer into these manholes.”

“In that case, the investigation just got much harder.”

Chu Menghan opened her mouth as if to argue, but after a long pause, she said nothing in the end.

Xu Biao and Xiao Liang soon returned, both pale-faced, supporting themselves against the wall as they slowly walked.

“How are you two feeling? If it’s bad, go get an IV drip at the hospital first. Team Chu and I can go take a look,” someone suggested.

The two exchanged a look. Xu Biao was still okay, but Xiao Liang’s legs were trembling uncontrollably. If he suddenly had another “inspiration” on the way, how would that be handled?

Xu Biao hesitated. Taking Xiao Liang—who looked like he could “erupt at any moment”—out in front of Chu the beauty captain would be too embarrassing for Team Two.

“Alright then. I’ll stay with Xiao Liang for an IV drip and recover a bit. We’ll catch up with you later. Captain Chu, I’ll leave her in your care.”

Chu Menghan shot him a glance.

“You… even like this and you still have the mood to joke. Learn your lesson this time—don’t overeat. Look at how Xiao Liang got dragged into this by you.”

Xu Biao immediately looked weak, leaning against the wall and holding his forehead.

“Ouch… being scolded by a beauty actually feels pretty refreshing. I’ve learned my lesson—I’ll never overeat again. Too much meat, probably. Sigh… I’m getting old. A jin of roasted meat, two meat sandwiches, a bowl of liangpi, plus a bucket of ice cream—and I’m done for. Come on Xiao Liang, let’s go find the doctor.”

Seeing he was still joking around, it was clear nothing serious was wrong.

Zhou Hai and Chu Menghan went downstairs and drove to Guangping Garden.

Guangping Garden was the largest of the three residential communities.

It consisted entirely of high-rise buildings, divided into Area A and Area B. Area A was commercial housing, while Area B was resettlement housing. Due to complaints from Area A residents, the two areas were separated by iron fencing.

After all, Area B had too many rental tenants, high population turnover, and a mix of all kinds of people.

This Zhu Manli’s registered temporary address was Room 2303, Building 17 in Area B.

The two found the building and took the elevator to the 23rd floor.

After waiting a while, officers from Chu Menghan’s team arrived with a search warrant. The landlord and property manager were also there, all looking tense.

“Team Chu, we knocked on Door 2303 as soon as we got your call, but no one answered. This is the landlord, Auntie Zhou.”

“Hello, Auntie Zhou. Don’t be nervous. I’m Chu Menghan from the Changhe District Criminal Police Team. Is the tenant Zhu Manli?”

Auntie Zhou clenched her hands and nodded hard.

“Yes… yes, it’s her. But ever since she paid the rent for the second half of the year in July, I haven’t seen her again.”

“Do you have a spare key? Zhu Manli may have been harmed. We need to search her residence.”

“Yes, yes.”

Trembling, Auntie Zhou pulled out a large bunch of keys and only managed to open the door on the third try.

The moment the door opened, a wave of foul stench rushed out. Zhou Hai’s eyelid twitched, and he raised a hand to stop an investigator who was about to rush in.

“Wait!”

The man froze and looked back at Zhou Hai. Seeing that even their beautiful team captain did not object, he naturally didn’t dare act rashly.

Zhou Hai called Xu Biao. After a moment, the call connected.

“Can you still hold up? If you can, come over. There’s a discovery here.”

A greasy, smiling voice came through the phone.

“Hehe! Miss me already after just a short separation? Send me the address, I’m on my way.”

Soon, with a “ding,” the elevator doors opened. Xu Biao swayed as he stepped out, still wearing his signature grin despite looking a bit weak.

“Surprise!”

Chu Menghan lowered her head, holding back a smile, while many of the surrounding investigators couldn’t help but laugh.

“Let’s get to work,” Zhou Hai said.

He began changing into protective gear. Xu Biao set down his kit and quickly followed suit, not forgetting to hand Chu Menghan a mask and gloves.

Considering his condition, Zhou Hai and Chu Menghan accompanied him into the apartment.

It was a two-bedroom, one-living-room unit.

The room was extremely dim—not because of poor lighting, but because thick curtains were tightly sealed shut. Combined with long-term lack of ventilation, the familiar stench was nauseating.

Even the officers outside put on masks.

Xu Biao turned on the forensic light. Footprints on the floor were clearly visible—blood footprints of a single pattern.

Some were thick, sticky dark-purple prints, others were diluted and pale. There were also smears and drag marks, with blood droplets scattered along both sides.

Zhou Hai glanced at a slipper lying on its side. Its sole pattern matched perfectly.

On the white wall switch, a dark purple bloody fingerprint stood out sharply—but it had a grid-like texture. The killer was wearing fabric gloves, making the print meaningless.

The footprints extended from the entrance into the largest bedroom, then dragged toward the bathroom.

Xu Biao glanced back at Zhou Hai and Chu Menghan.

“Captain Chu, can you handle it? Should I and Zhou Hai take a look first? There’s nothing pleasant about a dismemberment scene.”

Chu Menghan shot him a glare.

“Cut the nonsense. Move.”

He shrugged and pointed toward the bedroom with his chin.

“Let’s start there.”

Zhou Hai stepped on the forensic mat and followed him in, with Chu Menghan close behind.

The bedroom door was open. A large pool of blood covered the bed. The walls, headboard, and wardrobe were all splattered with arterial spray—spindle-shaped, teardrop-shaped, column-shaped patterns.

“This is arterial blood spatter. This should be the primary crime scene. Take photos and collect samples,” Zhou Hai said.

The wardrobe doors were open, clothes and luggage scattered everywhere. It looked like the killer had been searching for something.

Chu Menghan asked through her mask gap, “So messy… was it robbery?”

Zhou Hai shook his head.

“Doesn’t look like it. There’s a rectangular area with no blood stains. The killer seemed to be looking for a box—probably to transport the body.”

Chu Menghan clenched her fists.

Xu Biao quickly finished collecting evidence, and the group moved toward the bathroom.

The moment the bathroom light was switched on, even Zhou Hai froze.

It looked like hell on earth.

Xu Biao leaned in, shrank his neck, and exclaimed:

“Damn… this is literally a real-life hell!”