Chapter 212: Two Boxes of Special Supply

“Deng Hua, with a family visit visa, living abroad. Okay, got it.” Wang Dong’s voice came through the phone. “What kind of case have you stumbled upon this time?”

Xiao Yu briefly explained the details of the case.

“Ah!” Wang Dong exhaled audibly. “So it’s this kind of case? That’s a relief. To be honest, little brother, you’re pretty good at stirring things up. I was worried you might have run into another special case. Then we’d have to meet up again.”

Xiao Yu’s expression was rather peculiar. 

He thought to himself, ‘Why do you always jinx it like that, brother? What if it gets awkward later?’

Remembering the twenty-day deadline, the corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched. He couldn’t help but think that the national security guys might indeed need to come over.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve sent the cigarettes over to you.” Wang Dong continued, “They should have arrived at your unit by now, so don’t forget to check.”

“Eh?” Xiao Yu was a bit taken aback. 

Was there really a need to remind him about a special supply of cigarettes?

After ending the call, he returned to the Criminal Investigation Unit. And then, he noticed a police car with a Beijing license plate parked in the unit’s courtyard. He also saw two of Wang Dong’s subordinates, members of his second team.

“Hello, boss!” 

The two team members quickly greeted Xiao Yu.

Just like how Xiao Yu called Zhao Changshan “boss” and Zhou Tinghu “chief” in the Criminal Investigation Unit, Wang Dong was their “boss,” and Xiao Yu, who had become familiar with the second team, had now become the “chief” of the second team.

Why did this happen? 

After working together so many times, even Wang Dong had to listen to Xiao Yu’s instructions. Everyone could see who held the cards.

“Thanks for the trouble, bringing over the cigarettes must have been a bit of a hassle,” Xiao Yu said with a smile.

He shook hands with the two members. He didn’t mind the title they gave him. However, for his safety, Xiao Yu did not intend to join the national security team. 

‘They want me to be their boss? Keep dreaming!’

The fact that security personnel from Beijing had arrived meant that both Zhao Changshan and Zhou Tinghu had to greet them personally. However, it was clear that the visitors were only polite on the surface with them. When it came to Xiao Yu, their attitude was genuinely warm and friendly. 

This was something anyone with eyes could see.

When the two boxes of special supply were unloaded from the car, both Zhao Changshan and Zhou Tinghu gasped. They knew that these kinds of items were strictly regulated, with set quotas for those at the appropriate rank. Forget about two boxes—Wang Dong’s rank only entitled him to a few packs each month.

Zhao Changshan and Zhou Tinghu exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and disbelief on the other’s face.

It was kind of terrifying!

Xiao Yu finally understood why they needed someone to deliver the cigarettes personally. First, it was due to the special nature of the items, and second, because the quantity was large, specially approved by the big boss. If anything were to get lost, it would likely cause a major issue.

No joke!

“Grab a bite to eat and take the day off,” Xiao Yu said with a smile after receiving the cigarettes.

“No, we need to get back to work,” the two team members shook their heads, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then drove off.

When Xiao Yu turned around, he noticed that both the chief and the boss looked a bit off. Behind the unit’s windows, a group of people was watching curiously.

“Stop gawking,” Xiao Yu called out. “Chief and Boss each get a pack, and everyone else gets a box. I can’t split up more than that.”

Xiao Yu felt like he was being pretty generous, even though he didn’t have much to offer. With two boxes containing a hundred packs, there were only ten packs left after distribution—just enough for himself. After all, they were all family, so he didn’t mind sharing a bit.

While waiting for news from Wang Dong, Xiao Yu, and Guo Qiang headed to the scene where the body was supposedly dumped. Investigating things abroad would take some time, and Wang Dong would notify him once there was news. 

Xiao Yu was also curious.

If the suspect, Yu Shaoyang, really did kill and dispose of the body, how did it end up being a dog’s body instead of a human’s?

***

There were very few mountains within the city. Large mountains were typically found in the surrounding suburbs. 

According to the suspect, Yu Shaoyang, the body was transported using a taxi and taken to a place in the suburbs called Great Lone Mountain. 

Xiao Yu arrived at the scene where the body was dumped and entered the cordoned-off area. He squatted in front of a dirt pit and began his investigation. He had already reviewed the reports on the suitcase and the dog’s corpse. Although peculiar, there were no apparent discrepancies. If there were any issues, they could only be uncovered through a thorough search of the scene.

“Are there signs of second digging?”

Xiao Yu stared at the pit in front of him and casually asked.

“No, it was done in one go.”

Guo Qiang, with a special cigarette in his mouth, was smoking with satisfaction.

What was a second digging? What was one-time digging?

These were terms with specific meanings in criminal investigations.

For example, when something was buried underground, it typically involved digging a pit and then filling it back in. This was referred to as one-time digging. However, the soil from the dug pit would differ slightly in softness, dryness, and color from the surrounding soil. Even after three years, a careful observer could still spot the difference.

If someone had replaced a human body with a dog’s, they would have had to dig the pit twice and bury it twice. The soil in that spot would differ even more from the surrounding area, which was what was referred to as second digging. It was a common concept in criminal investigation techniques.

“Heh!”

Standing up, Xiao Yu glanced around at the surrounding mountains and forest. 

“The first time disposing of the body, it could only have been a dog’s body, not a human one, right?”

“That’s the only possibility,” said Guo Qiang confidently, with the experience of a seasoned detective.

“Let’s assume Yu Shaoyang really did kill, dismember, and then dump the body,” Xiao Yu smiled slightly. “Could that process have been swapped?”

“Normally, after committing a murder, someone would keep an eye on the body during disposal, right?” Guo Qiang thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Murder followed by dismemberment would definitely be done in secret, without anyone around. The chances are too slim.”

“Remember Yu Shaoyang’s statement about the suitcase?” Xiao Yu took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and continued, “He said he left the scene to buy a suitcase to transport the body. Is it possible someone was following him, bought a similar suitcase, and then, after Yu Shaoyang packed the body, swapped it out?”

“This…” Guo Qiang looked puzzled, even shocked. “How could that be possible?”

“Why not?” Xiao Yu exhaled a ring of smoke, narrowing his eyes. “Fifty-three cameras.”

Guo Qiang’s heart skipped a beat.

Right. What if Yu Shaoyang’s entire crime was monitored through cameras? What if someone had been watching his every move, then seized the chance to switch the bodies? Otherwise, why was Yu Shaoyang so sure he killed and disposed of the body?

But…

“There’s a question,” Xiao Yu frowned. “If Yu Shaoyang really did kill someone, and if there was someone who swapped the body, what was their motive? Are they crazy? Why get involved in a murder case that has nothing to do with you, and even go so far as to steal a corpse?”

Guo Qiang was completely bewildered.

Yeah, are you nuts? If not, what’s their purpose in doing this?

“It seems the key is still Yu Shaoyang,” Xiao Yu tossed away the cigarette butt and started walking down the mountain. “There must be some secret involving him.”