Chapter 10: The Nacheng Case (Part Three)

Two days passed quickly, yet the police remained without any leads. Deputy Director Jin was immediately dismissed, and the Director was suspended for review. Then, in the city bureau’s conference room, the Bureau Chief convened a case analysis meeting.

A stranger appeared on the podium today, startling everyone present:

“Old Sun, am I seeing things? What was that badge number again? 000003? The chestplate says Public Security Department?”

“Damn, it’s Han Junshan!”

Deputy Director Han Junshan had come in person to Nacheng, with provincial and municipal leaders all present. Han Junshan spoke bluntly:

“This case is of grave importance. If it cannot be solved swiftly, it will not only trigger widespread social panic but also directly undermine entrepreneurs’ confidence to invest. Chairman Liu is already preparing to move assets. Once South China Shipbuilding leaves the mainland, the loss will be irreparable.”

The town police below did not comprehend these implications; all they knew was that if the case wasn’t cracked soon, Nacheng was doomed.

The case was so terrifying it sent chills through the community, and people began calling Nacheng the “bandit city.” Even more extreme rumors circulated, with panic-stricken voices saying, “If you don’t want to live, come to Nacheng.”

As this was said, the conference room door opened. A well-dressed middle-aged woman helped an elderly man with white hair enter, followed by several bodyguard-like figures.

He was none other than Liu Huaqiang, Chairman of the South China Shipbuilding Group.

Han Junshan approached and shook Liu Huaqiang’s hand, saying, “We’re sorry, we’ve done all we can…”

Liu Huaqiang replied, “How much do you want?”

Han Junshan was puzzled. “What?”

“How much do they want?” Liu Huaqiang repeated.

Only then did Han Junshan realize that Liu Huaqiang still believed his precious daughter, Liu Meixin, had been kidnapped.

This was a typical mindset among the wealthy, their instinctual reaction.

Han Junshan felt a pang of pity and looked toward the city bureau’s Criminal Investigation Captain.

The captain immediately understood and stood up, saying, “Chairman Liu, from what we can see, the likelihood that your daughter has been kidnapped for ransom is very low. She has been missing for three years, and in all this time, we have not received a single ransom demand.”

Liu Huaqiang asked, “So?”

The captain answered, “Therefore, the nature of this case is preliminarily twofold: one, robbery and murder—in which case the probability that your daughter is still alive is very low; the other, that she is alive, but…”

Out of respect for the family, the captain refrained from continuing.

Liu Huaqiang pressed, “But what?”

With Han Junshan’s permission, the captain sighed and finally uttered two words that almost made Liu Huaqiang fall over.

Those two words were: Detention.

Detention cases were rare in the Northeast, but in the Southwest, they were not unusual. In some impoverished mountain villages, men had been known to pay for wives. These “purchased” wives were often kidnapped women, sometimes even university students.

These women naturally tried to escape, but their “husbands” would not allow it. Extreme measures were taken to prevent their flight—detention.

Could it be that Liu Meixin was sold into the mountains to be someone’s old man’s wife?

All of this, however, needed evidence.

Han Junshan had come wielding the “imperial sword,” personally overseeing the investigation in Nacheng. To ensure a timely resolution, the meeting decided to establish a special task force, granted the authority to act as they saw fit, with all departments required to cooperate unconditionally.

The task force comprised four members, selected from the province’s elite.

Han Junshan had already appointed Wen Rou, Director of the Provincial Forensic Center, to lead the physical evidence work. Wen Rou recommended Li Rui, a forensic expert from Haishi City Bureau.

As Han Junshan’s trusted assistant, Wen Rou was well known to those present—after all, the Provincial Center’s “star” had a reputation, and which man could resist her charm?

As for Li Rui, he was even more familiar.

His professional skills rivaled Wen Rou’s, having solved countless major cases, but he had never risen beyond Haishi City Bureau. The reason was simple—he had offended many people, including several leaders.

In the conference room, Li Rui and the other three task force members sat upright. After flipping through the case files, Li Rui sighed helplessly and said, “You’ve got me into trouble again.”

Wen Rou, who had remained silent beside him, couldn’t help but smile.

“Even you have tough cases?”

Seeing Wen Rou smile, Han Junshan introduced her, “Wen Rou, no introduction needed, right? Director of the Provincial Forensic Center and head of our physical evidence work on this task force.”

A tall young man stood and saluted Wen Rou. “Director Wen, I’m Lei Chen. Please guide me!”

Wen Rou smiled and stood as well. “Since we’re colleagues, no need for formal titles. I’m not like some people with airs. Just call me Rou or Wen Rou.”

Lei Chen blushed. “Okay, then I’ll call you Rou.”

Li Rui detected the subtle sarcasm in Wen Rou’s words and stood up. “Director Wen, Lei Chen is younger than you, so ‘Rou’ is appropriate. But how should I address you?”

Wen Rou replied calmly, “At work, call me Comrade Wen Rou, or just Wen Rou.”

Han Junshan smiled slightly. “Enough, you two! I’ve long suspected you brought this guy onto the task force out of favoritism. He’s here now; the rest is up to you. But let me remind you, if the mission isn’t completed, I’ll hold you accountable!”

Li Rui paused, about to explain, but Wen Rou cut in. “Director Han, I think you’ve misunderstood. There’s no private relationship between me and Li Rui, nor any favoritism. We will prioritize the work and ensure the mission is completed, living up to the leadership’s trust!”

Han Junshan nodded approvingly. He had heard of Wen Rou’s sharp tongue; today, he witnessed it firsthand.

The “mission” he spoke of could mean solving the “cellar corpse case” or resolving her personal matters—a double entendre.

Wen Rou’s “mission” could also refer to both the case and her personal feelings, a quick-witted response. Her last phrase, “living up to the leadership’s trust,” carried layered meaning, revealing her cleverness.

Han Junshan continued, “And this is Li Rui, no need for introductions—a famous online forensic expert at Haishi City Bureau.”

Lei Chen saluted Li Rui. “Li, a pleasure to meet you!”

Li Rui smiled. “Lei Chen, I’ve heard of you—the provincial champion of last year’s big competition. Pleasure!”

At that moment, Han Junshan looked at another person present and introduced, “Lei Chen, you know him, but you might not know her.”

The woman stood, saluted, and smiled. “Hello, everyone, I’m Qi Wei, from the Provincial Economic Investigation Unit.”

“Economic investigation?” Li Rui was slightly puzzled. “Isn’t this a criminal case? Why is the economic unit involved?”

He kept his thoughts to himself.

Qi Wei explained, “I’m a new officer this year, specializing in computer science. I hope to contribute to this case!”

Wen Rou smiled, “Welcome, little Qi.”

Han Junshan gestured for her to sit and said, “You all understand the basics. The case is indeed difficult, but no matter the difficulty, it must be solved!”

Li Rui closed the case file and said, “Director Han, may I speak frankly?”

“Ah…” Wen Rou started to intervene, but Han Junshan cut in.

“Let him speak!”

Li Rui said without concern, “To be honest, based on the current clues, this case can’t be solved in the short term. For three reasons: First, the bodies found at the scene have been dead for over three years, some over ten. There’s nearly zero valuable physical evidence.”

Han Junshan nodded, signaling him to continue.

“Second, the only clue we have—Liu Meixin—her status, alive or dead, remains completely unknown. There’s nothing to investigate.”

“Third…”

“Why stop?” Han Junshan asked.

“Third, so much time has passed that the suspect may have long fled. Even if we turn Nacheng upside down, it would be futile.”

Han Junshan’s face darkened suddenly.

Wen Rou looked at him, sweating on Li Rui’s behalf.

How could he not hold his tongue? His words were too blunt.

“Director Han, don’t listen to Li Rui’s nonsense. Yes, it’s difficult, but it’s not impossible. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right? That’s just how he is—don’t take it personally…” Wen Rou stood and said.

Han Junshan’s expression relaxed slightly. “Li Rui, you’re not entirely wrong, but don’t forget, we are police officers. Solving cases is our duty!”

Li Rui shrugged. “I’m not saying I’m giving up. Just stating the facts so everyone has realistic expectations.”

“In fact, there are methods to investigate, it’s just…”