Chapter 197: She’s Hotter Than a Volcano

“It’s over, this case is totally blown.” 

Leaning back in his chair, Xiao Yu didn’t even bother to open the other folders. He also ignored the pale-faced and shell-shocked Guo Qiang and the others beside him. Instead, he muttered to himself, “That family of three, were they really innocent? If they were innocent, then why did they have something like this? Why would the killer come after it? Because this thing was his to begin with, right? No wonder the deaths of the family seemed so natural, like suicide. It’s because the killer knew the human body way too well.”

Countless questions started to connect, forming a clear line in Xiao Yu’s mind.

Xiao Yu’s heart sank to the bottom, feeling the malice of the heavens. Even though it was already summer, cold sweat soaked his back.

He wasn’t scared—no, it was more than that. 

He was disgusted.

Why? Why could humans be so brutal to their own kind? How could someone do something so inhumane?

Are you even still human?

***

The memory card contained a total of nine folders, each filled with similar photos—men, women, it didn’t matter.

So, here’s the big question: Are the nine skinned people still alive?

The answer was simple: Nine lives, gone.

The Criminal Investigation Unit freaked out. 

Soon after, the entire city police force freaked out. Not long after that, the provincial bureau freaked out too.

Six hours later, Wang Dong stood in front of Xiao Yu with a complicated expression.

“Little Brother, I’m begging you, please… can you not do this?” Wang Dong looked exhausted, practically drained of energy. “Why do your cases always turn out like this?”

Xiao Yu didn’t respond, too tired to deal with him.

‘How is this my fault? I’m just a reincarnated guy posing as a cop.’

***

Outside the Criminal Investigation Unit.

“So, what now?” Wang Dong puffed on a cigarette, looking completely lost.

“Seriously? You’re the last person who should be asking that,” Xiao Yu said, taking a drag from his own cigarette. “You’ve got the highest rank, the most authority, the biggest say in all of this. And you’re asking a little guy like me what to do? Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”

“You definitely have a plan. No one’s got more tricks up their sleeve than you.” Wang Dong turned, staring at Xiao Yu with a dead-serious expression. “Right?”

Xiao Yu rolled his eyes. “So that’s what you think of me? I’m some scheming mastermind now? Funny how I didn’t even know that about myself.”

So much for brotherhood!

“A whole box of special supply, straight from the big boss,” Wang Dong said with a bitter smile. “This case is huge. If what’s inside gets leaked, it would cause absolute chaos.”

“I know,” Xiao Yu shrugged. “But I can’t do anything about it.”

And that was true. He knew if they couldn’t contain this case and it got exposed, the public would find out that nine people had been skinned alive. That would cause mass panic. But Xiao Yu wasn’t worried about that at the moment. Instead, he took out his phone because he knew there was no way he’d be going home tonight.

WeChat chatbox:

Xiao Yu: Sis, I’m not coming back. The ‘Dog King’ showed up again.

Mu Qingwu: Haha, stop picking on Brother Wang. He seems pretty pitiful.

Xiao Yu: That’s not the point. Sis, think about it.

Mu Qingwu: Got it, got it. Wang’s here, so the case must be big, huh?

Xiao Yu: So…

Mu Qingwu: Don’t worry about it. I’ll behave, you don’t need to stress. Oh, by the way, I’m going out for dinner soon.

Xiao Yu: Useless communication. Now I’m mad. Women just love tricking honest men!

Mu Qingwu: Alright, alright. I’m going out to eat with mother. We’ll probably leave around 8, and with our appetites, we’ll be back by 10. I’ll be staying at her place tonight, so don’t worry.

Xiao Yu: That’s better! See, you can be reasonable when you want to.

Mu Qingwu: Haha.

Xiao Yu: Sis, do you know what I love most about you?

Mu Qingwu: Black stockings? Schoolgirl outfits? Or that nurse uniform you’ve been wanting me to wear lately?

Xiao Yu: Cough cough… Of course not! It’s that I love how you never make things complicated and always give me a sense of security.

Mu Qingwu: I’ll believe it when I see it!

Xiao Yu: Sis, do you think it’s too late for me to fix my image in your eyes?

Mu Qingwu: Probably too late. Your true colors as a pervy little brother are impossible to hide.

Xiao Yu: How can you call it pervy? It’s just the natural order. ‘Fair lady, a gentleman pursues!’

Mu Qingwu: Heh… Men!

Xiao Yu: Girls are the same though, right? When a hot guy flirts, it’s called charm. When an ugly guy does it, it’s just being a creep. Am I wrong?

Mu Qingwu: What do you think?

Xiao Yu: Sis, don’t try to outsmart me. With my natural gifts and IQ, those little tricks of yours…

Mu Qingwu: And?

Xiao Yu: I can’t figure them out at all!

Mu Qingwu: Haha… You’re terrible, always making me laugh.

Xiao Yu: I have to get back to work now, Lady Sis. Any last instructions?

Mu Qingwu: You’re not allowed to chat with any other sisters, and definitely not with any little sisters. Got it?

Xiao Yu: Whose jealousy jar just tipped over? Smells strong!

Mu Qingwu: Just suck it up and fall into your sister’s trap, okay?

Xiao Yu: …

Mu Qingwu: Hurry home tonight. I’m in the mood to kiss my little brother.

Xiao Yu: Will do!

***

Putting down his phone, Xiao Yu grinned wide, showing his teeth. Watching the younger man turn into a love-struck fool, Wang Dong couldn’t help but sigh. Ah, youth. Back when he met his wife, wasn’t he just like that?

And what happened next?

With a smug grin, Wang Dong thought, give it another ten years or so, and this kid will learn how ruthless women could be. Haha…

“You’re grinning like that—are you just waiting to see me mess up?” Xiao Yu turned his head to look at Wang Dong, with a smirk.

“Uh!” Wang Dong’s grin froze. He quickly denied it, “No way!”

Can this kid read minds?!

“Heh.” Xiao Yu scoffed, full of confidence. “My wife will always treat me well.”

“Honestly, I’ve always been curious.” Wang Dong genuinely wondered, “Why did your wife choose you back then? She seemed like… a bit of an ice queen.”

“That’s exactly why she’s mine. You wouldn’t get it.” Xiao Yu flashed a cocky grin. “She’s never been an ice queen. Ever since she’s been with me, she’s hotter than a volcano.”

‘My sister would never act cold around me. And if she did… well, I’d just give her a hard time—or maybe she’d give me one.’

“Let’s get moving,” Xiao Yu said, standing up with a smile.

“Yeah,” Wang Dong stood up too.

They shared a glance.

This case had to be cracked. Some people truly deserve what’s coming to them.