Chapter 12: The Nacheng Case (Part Five)

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Gently pondering for a moment, Wenrou said, “The premise is that the deceased may have known Liu Meixin, or at least she was aware that this ring could identify Liu Meixin.”

“Exactly. Otherwise, how do we explain her desperate attempt to remove this ring?”

“But there’s still something that doesn’t make sense,” Wenrou questioned.

“I know what you’re thinking. If Liu Meixin were truly a suspect, or even involved in the crime, why wouldn’t she retrieve this ring that could be fatal to her?” Li Rui interrupted.

Wenrou nodded.

“Perhaps she was unaware beforehand, and by the time she realized it, the body was already thrown into the cellar. Out of luck, or maybe fear of facing the mountain of corpses down there, she didn’t act. Or maybe she knew her crimes were inexcusable and wanted to give her conscience a chance for redemption.”

“Regardless, this is a significant discovery. We should report to Director Han immediately,” Wenrou said.

“Not so fast!” Li Rui cut in. “You mentioned physical evidence found? Industrial solvent?”

“Yes, a type specifically used for metal processing and cleaning,” Wenrou replied.

“Any suspects?”

“Yes. According to the chemical analysis report, we’ve narrowed it down to three large factories.”

“Let’s go check them out!”

…

The first factory was located on the outskirts of the city, mainly producing automobile parts. The factory owner was a middle-aged man who looked honest but appeared somewhat nervous at the police’s arrival.

“We operate legally and have never had any problems,” the owner said, rubbing his hands nervously.

Li Rui glanced around. The machines roared as workers busily operated the equipment. He approached one machine and observed its operation carefully but found nothing suspicious.

Suddenly, he asked, “How long has this factory been running?”

The owner hesitated, then said, “About ten years.”

“How’s business?”

“Business? Oh, not great, just enough to keep the factory running.”

“Nasheng has been making auto parts for over ten years. Where do your products go?”

The owner explained, “Actually, this factory used to make screws; we only recently started making auto parts.”

“Screws?”

“Yes, just ordinary screws.”

Wenrou asked, “Do you use trichloroethylene here?”

“Trichloroethylene?” The owner looked puzzled.

“Oh, it’s commonly called ‘board cleaner’ or ‘trichloro water’.”

“Ah, board cleaner! Yes, we definitely have that,” the owner replied.

“Has it been in continuous use?”

“Yes, it’s great for cleaning but quite toxic. A few years ago, some workers would occasionally faint.”

Throughout their conversation, Li Rui kept a close eye on the owner’s expressions.

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Nervous, but within reason.

After all, no one can remain completely calm when suddenly confronted by the police.

“Has there been any theft?” Li Rui asked abruptly.

The trichloroethylene residue found in the pigsty likely belonged to the suspect. It was probably used to sedate the victim, facilitating murder and robbery.

Its presence in the pigsty suggested it was mixed into the food, causing unconsciousness without detection. The poisoned food was then eaten by the pigs.

A tragic fate for the pigs, but at least it showed the poison dosage was low—non-lethal.

This indicated the suspect was well aware of trichloroethylene’s toxicity.

“Theft?” The owner looked at Li Rui in confusion. “Who would steal this stuff?”

Li Rui shook his head. “We need to inspect.”

The owner’s face turned pale, stammering, “Th-this…”

Li Rui fixed him with a cold stare. “If you don’t cooperate, we can apply for a search warrant.”

With no choice, the owner led them to the warehouse.

Because of its toxicity, trichloroethylene must be stored separately.

“Old Cui, open the door!” the owner called out.

A lean old man, the warehouse custodian, opened the door.

“It’s all here?” Wenrou examined the shelves carefully.

Li Rui didn’t inspect but asked, “Is there a usage log?”

“Yes!” The owner nodded. “I’ll get it now.”

“I want the records from three years ago.”

At this, Old Cui at the door suddenly trembled.

Li Rui remained composed, thinking this was getting interesting.

“Old Cui, hurry and get it!” the owner urged.

When Old Cui brought the logbook, Li Rui didn’t check it but turned to ask, “Master Cui, are you usually the only one here?”

Old Cui’s face darkened further. He stammered, “Y-yes, just me.”

“So that means all the board cleaner usage goes through you?” Li Rui pressed.

Old Cui hesitated. “Y-yes.”

“Good. That’s what we wanted to hear. Come with us,” Li Rui suddenly raised his voice.

“What?” Old Cui froze, trembling. “W-why? I didn’t do anything!”

“Nothing?” Li Rui smiled coldly. “Then why are ten bottles of board cleaner missing?”

“Ah?”

Everyone present was stunned.

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What’s going on? This guy hadn’t even looked through the records—how could he know ten bottles were missing?

Wenrou looked at him in surprise and whispered, “Li Rui, what are you doing?”

Li Rui remained unmoved and continued, “To be honest, we already have the evidence. You’re the only one handling the board cleaner. Shouldn’t you come with us for questioning?”

At these words, Old Cui’s legs gave out.

“It’s over…”

Wenrou realized Li Rui was bluffing.

There was no missing ten bottles of trichloroethylene—he had made it all up.

But judging by the effect, it was undoubtedly successful.

Old Cui was definitely hiding something!

“Officer, I’ll confess! It was Jia Wenming. He told me to steal it!” Old Cui cried.

“Save it for when you’re with us,” the officer said.

In the interrogation room, Old Cui wore an expression of deep regret.

He never imagined that after so many years, the police would come looking for him over a few bottles of board cleaner.

“Cui Tiejun, tell us,” Lei Chen glared at him like a wrathful deity. “Who is Jia Wenming?”

“J-Jia Wenming was a former employee of the factory,” Old Cui stammered.

Li Rui sat in the adjoining room, observing through the one-way mirror.

Wenrou handed over a file. “Jia Wenming was born in 1985, a local of Nasheng. After graduating middle school, he worked in a parts factory but was fired for inappropriate relationships.”

“Any prior offenses?” Li Rui asked.

Wenrou shook her head. “Other than a detention for soliciting prostitution, no other records.”

One winter in 1985, a baby boy was born in a modest family on the city outskirts. After much thought, his parents named him Jia Wenming—‘Wen’ meaning ‘culture’ and ‘Ming’ meaning ‘tomorrow.’

They hoped he would grow into an educated man with a bright future.

But Jia Wenming disappointed his family. He disliked studying and wanted to drop out early in middle school. Though disappointed, his parents didn’t force him, believing life was his own choice.

After graduation, his parents used connections to get him a job in a factory assembling parts. Though not glamorous, it was the best they could manage.

Back then, factory work was a solid, secure job, but he wasted the opportunity, showed no ambition, and maintained inappropriate relationships with several female workers.

The factory director, seeing him as a bad influence, fired him and warned, “This boy will bring great trouble someday.”

The director’s judgment was sharp; the prophecy came true.

After losing his job, Jia Wenming became idle and began hanging around the streets. One day, a heavily made-up woman, smoking a cigarette, asked him for a light.

Noticing her wealthy appearance, he saw an opportunity. Needing money, he decided to take advantage of her.

He lit her cigarette and struck up a conversation. With his good looks and sweet words, Jia Wenming soon captured her heart.