SFTD -Chapter 77 Who Is Next? (Part 15)

At the scene, however, they still couldn’t find anything. After a full sweep, no evidence turned up—only more confusion was added.

Zhou Hai glanced around. The room was too clean. There wasn’t even a single worn-out piece of clothing. It was so clean it felt lifeless—less like a home, more like a workshop.

Xu Biao had already left the room. As Zhou Hai turned, a photo in the master bedroom caught his eye.

He paused briefly, then turned and walked out.

He took out his phone, typed a WeChat message, and sent it to Wang Man. At the same time, he found that photo on Xu Biao’s camera and pointed it out to Wang Man—they still had that level of tacit understanding.

Xu Biao fiddled with the camera for a moment and sent the photo to Wang Man, who had already gone downstairs, arranged things in the car, and quickly rushed back.

Wang Shuli had also been taken into a police car. Wang Limin, still handcuffed, was dragged over.

Wang Limin, who sold cold rice noodles, lived in the same building—Unit 2, 15th floor.

They took the elevator down and headed toward Unit 2. On the sidewalk between the two units was the truck compartment with the broken tire.

Not to mention, that location was actually quite convenient for two people to use. The container was also on the side of the underground parking entrance and didn’t really block traffic. That was probably why it hadn’t been cleared away yet.

Wang Man followed behind Zhou Hai, carrying his case.

They took the elevator up to the 15th floor of Unit 2 and, using the same routine, entered after questioning Wang Limin again.

The layout and size were similar to Wang Shuli’s home, but the moment the door opened, a strong stench of sweaty feet hit them.

Xu Biao gagged immediately, while Zhou Hai showed no reaction at all.

Zhou Hai stepped inside. The entire place was a mess—extremely chaotic.

Five or six pairs of shoes were thrown near the entrance, their surfaces greasy and filthy. A pile of dirty clothes and smelly socks lay on the sofa—these two spots were the source of the odor.

For a small street vendor who worked hard every day, even if he made money, it was all hard-earned. This kind of environment was, in a way, his truest reflection.

There were two bedrooms; the smaller one was used as a storage room.

Inside was a large vat filled with rice, and a huge iron basin soaking kelp. When the lid was lifted, the strong smell immediately revealed that formalin had been added.

Random ingredients were piled all over the floor in complete disorder.

The master bedroom was no better. Apart from the walking paths, the rest of the floor was covered in dust. A full search revealed nothing suspicious.

Xu Biao had already finished checking the living room, and the two of them moved on together to the kitchen and dining area. On the greasy stove sat a large pot and a stack of aluminum trays used for making rice noodles. Beside them was a basin filled with dirty water.

“My god!”

“So this is how the cold rice noodles we eat are made?”

“This is way too dirty!”

“In a small workshop like this, there’s no way to install surveillance. This is already considered clean. Did you forget that gutter-oil workshop we saw in Duping last time?”

Zhou Hai’s words brought back unpleasant memories for Xu Biao, and he immediately gagged twice.

Beside the cutting board stood several knives. Xu Biao sprayed each of them with reagents—no reaction.

Both Xu Biao and Wang Man looked discouraged. The investigation had stalled again.

They closed the door. Wang Man pulled off his hat and wiped sweat from his forehead.

“Finally found a matching DNA sample, and we’ve searched both places—why is neither of them right?”

Zhou Hai stood by the window, looking down. He could see the police car and the old container below, and a police officer guarding Wang Shuli was smoking beside it.

Wang Shuli leaned back in his seat, eyes closed as if resting—but his thumbs kept circling against each other. He was nervous.

They had already searched his home. Why was he still nervous?

Was there something they had missed?

Zhou Hai glanced back at Wang Limin’s room, then quickly walked to the door, opened it, and stared directly at Wang Limin, grabbing him by the collar.

He dragged Wang Limin inside and gestured for the two officers behind him to close the door and come in as well.

Zhou Hai stared into Wang Limin’s eyes for a long time without speaking.

Wang Limin was already sweating heavily. The man’s gaze was terrifying—like it could see straight through his bones, cold enough to make him shiver.

“W-what… what’s wrong?”

“Where is your second uncle’s wife?”

“She ran away!”

“When did she run? With whom?”

“I don’t know who she ran off with. I was still young then—maybe fifteen years ago.”

“Why did you come to Dongnan City? Don’t tell me it was because of better money or to accompany your child’s studies. I want the truth.”

Sweat kept dripping from Wang Limin’s face. He became even more nervous.

“I hurt someone… I was afraid of being arrested, so I came to hide with my second uncle in Dongnan City. It’s far from Xianyang.”

“Hide with him? So your second uncle was already in Dongnan City?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Besides this apartment, did Wang Shuli rent any other places? Don’t try to fool me. Do you know what I do? I’m a forensic doctor—we only show up in murder cases.”

“From the way you grabbed your pants just now, I already knew you were trying to lie. These tricks don’t work on me.”

“Right now, the only DNA at the crime scene belongs to you. If you want to clear your name, you’d better cooperate and help us find the real killer—otherwise no one can help you.”

“Think carefully before you answer. Does he have any other rented rooms or storage spaces?”

At this point, Wang Limin’s brain seemed to freeze. But his long-standing fear of police made his body tremble uncontrollably.

Zhou Hai’s words hit every weak point—DNA, murder cases, dead bodies, evidence at the scene.

Wang Limin couldn’t understand how a prostitution case had suddenly escalated into a murder investigation.

He raised his hands and waved them frantically.

“Don’t scare me! I’ll talk! I’ll talk!”

“My second uncle… he might have a garage in the underground parking lot. I’m not sure.”

“It’s said to be in a dead corner, partitioned and sold off by the property management. No property rights.”

“Back when we bought the house, someone asked about it. They said whoever bought it made a fortune—prices have tripled or quadrupled.”

“But later when I asked him, he said he’d already sold it. I don’t know if that’s true.”

Wang Man and Xu Biao both widened their eyes. They hadn’t expected Zhou Hai’s words to shake so much hidden information out of him.

Zhou Hai still stared at Wang Limin without blinking.

“Do you know the location?”

“It seems to be between Building 18 and Building 19. I really don’t know the exact spot!”

Wang Man was already calling the property manager, asking whether such a garage existed.

At that moment, Zhou Hai suddenly let go of Wang Limin. The man nearly fell over.

He slumped against the sofa, wiping sweat from his forehead, staring at Zhou Hai with lingering fear.

Soon, Wang Man returned, unable to hide his excitement.

“Yes, there really is such a garage. Some residents have even complained about people defecating there—the smell is very strong.”

“The property manager already went over. Should we go take a look downstairs?”