Special Forces Medic

"Xiao Wu, your analysis is not without reason." Director Lin, having reached his position, didn't do so easily. With countless cases solved, he's not someone who wouldn't understand such in-depth analysis from Wu Shuang.

"Director Lin, any method of death that involves harm to the body is painful, as one experiences pain first. This suffering surpasses human sensory limits, so the thought is usually dismissed due to the pain at the start. I don't believe Fatty Wang would foolishly choose such a method to end his life."

"Hmm!" Director Lin thought for a while before speaking slowly. "The Wang Family has been in Yanjing for some years, and is considered the foremost of the four major families. Fatty Wang's death may very well cause a stir."

Suddenly, Director Lin felt a headache coming on. Fatty Wang's character might not be great, but he was nonetheless a leader of the Wang Family. Would Wang Zhanting stand by idly?

"Is Director Lin worried about something?" Wu Shuang felt she was being a bit impulsive. The smartest move now was to watch and wait. As the saying goes, "the gun strikes the bird that sticks out," which refers to people like her. So, while speaking, she considered changing her direction of meaning. Making things difficult for a superior isn't wise, and whether or not she has backing forces is secondary. Who is currently in the leading position is the main point now.

"What is there for me to worry about? We just follow whatever those above decide. That way, we can't go wrong."

Director Lin ignored the hidden implications in Wu Shuang's words. He was well aware of the backgrounds of every new member at the City Police Department. Someone low-key like Wu Shuang was rare, genuinely relying on her own abilities to work. So far, she hadn't gone through connections. Regarding matters like Xiao Lin's, if she really wanted to help, it wasn't impossible.

A common thug is still a life, but such matters could be resolved with money. Xiao Lin chose not to act, so Wu Shuang didn't either.

The secretary knocked on the door from outside, bringing in the forensic report. It was similar to what he expected: determined as a suicide. Generally, once forensics issued their judgment, the nature of the case changed. The higher up in rank one goes, the simpler the review procedure becomes. What seems like a complex process to outsiders is, in fact, just a mere formality.

"The forensic expert is a smart man." Director Lin handed the report to Wu Shuang. "You conclude this case. Since it's confirmed as a suicide, it can be closed. Hand the body over to the Wang Family for burial."

"Does Director Lin really think the Wang Family will let this go quietly?" Wu Shuang had her reasons for worry. In other words, the one to take the hit was not Director Lin, but her. "What if the Wang Family refuses to accept this conclusion and requests their autopsy?"

"Ah!" Director Lin sighed with a headache. He sometimes really didn't know how to deal with Wu Shuang's stubbornness. "Xiao Wu, the case itself isn't important. What's important is who's manipulating things behind the scenes. Do I need to spell it out clearly for you?"

"Director Lin, I do understand these things. I just want to think the issue through more thoroughly."

"Alright, I'll assign someone else to handle this case. You go ahead and conclude Xiao Lin's case first." Since someone couldn't understand the implications in his words, who couldn't follow his version of events, it was easy enough to change the person assigned.

"Understood." Wu Shuang placed Fatty Wang's report back on Director Lin's desk. She didn't want to take on such a hot potato either.

"Oh! The case of Wang Zhanting's attack should be put on hold temporarily; let's see how things develop before proceeding."

Wu Shuang nodded and exited the office, coincidentally running into the forensic expert. "Officer Wu, where are you off to?"

"Just taking a walk." Wu Shuang's mood was complicated, even more so facing the forensic expert. Initially, she truly didn't believe Xiao Lin's hypothesis, but from Fatty Wang's report, she had a direct premonition. The forensic expert might indeed be the one lurking within the police department, and he might have been the one who added the lock to Xiao Lin's cell. "Did you put the lock on last?"

"What?" The forensic expert turned, looking bewildered.

"Oh, it's nothing." Wu Shuang watched the forensic expert enter the office before turning around. She needed to go out for some air.

The information from the computer didn't hold any suspicious details. A graduate of a reputable law school, holder of a legitimate medical certificate, and a qualified specialist forensic certificate. If there was anything notable, it was that this person's scholarly abilities were exceptional. Where others might need years to complete their studies, this person could acquire all certificates in the same timeframe. A genius, perhaps? Wu Shuang stared at the screen. Isn't it said that genius and idiocy are just a fine line apart? Then she considered this person a genius.

Director Lin was quite surprised that the forensic expert came to see him. Looking at yet another examination report, he couldn't help but question this person's intentions. The reason he called the forensic expert brilliant was entirely due to a phone call the previous night.

When Wu Shuang went to the sea police station, Director Lin had already received a call from the Director of the Maritime Bureau. Fatty Wang's death was no ordinary matter. At the same time, he also got a notice from Secretary Luo stating that, regardless of the findings, the conclusion should be confirmed as suicide. So on the way when accompanied by the forensic expert, he only needed to give Director Lin a single-word reply.

"I thought you were a smart person; this report shouldn't exist." The second practical report submitted by the forensic expert concluded with homicide.

The forensic expert shrugged indifferently and pulled out a chair in front of Lin Zhifang to sit down. "I'm on Officer Wu's side. Finding out the truth behind the deceased's cause of death is my basic professional ethic as a forensic expert. Of course, the specifics depend on what Director Lin wants. I've handed both reports to you, how you use them is none of my concern."

Lin Zhifang rubbed his forehead. He could handle Wu Shuang well enough, but with the addition of this person, it was a headache—a severe headache. He didn't know how to communicate with this person. "Xiao Mu, you've spent a considerable amount of time in our department, and certain things, well, I can't spell out too clearly. Do you understand what I mean?"

The forensic expert nodded understandingly, with a subtle smirk on his lips. A police director operating at this level is indeed intriguing. "Director Lin, there's no need to explain to me. I'm just doing what I should do."

"That's good." The forensic expert wasn't as difficult as imagined, nor did Lin Zhifang need to waste his breath. Relieved, Lin Zhifang pulled a thin-rolled cigar from the box on the table. "Is there anything else?" he asked casually upon noticing the forensic expert showed no intention of leaving.

"To be honest, Director, I do have a personal matter to trouble you with." The forensic expert smiled, tapping his fingers on his knee. His eyes were obscured by bangs and blurred in the reflection of his lenses.

"What is it?" Lin Zhifang took a deep drag from the cigar, enjoying its instant dizziness and the rich aroma of tobacco, which lingered longer in the air.

"I'd like Director Lin's help finding someone." The forensic expert leaned in closer to Lin Zhifang, deliberately lowering his voice. "I wonder if it's convenient."

"Isn't the police department's archives enough for you to search?" The City Police Department's archives contain all sorts of information, and the computer database consolidates national information—shouldn't finding someone be straightforward?

"To be honest, this person is a dangerous individual." The forensic expert showed a troubled expression, his hesitant demeanor piquing Lin Zhifang's curiosity. The forensic expert was akin to an oddity in the department, not much interacting with people, spending more time communicating with the deceased in the basement morgue and the pleasure of dissecting bodies. Someone drawing his sudden attention filled Lin Zhifang with curiosity.

"Dangerous individual? Xiao Mu, you're not involved in some dangerous event, are you? Your reputation in the department is quite good, with various departments considering you. If you're seen dragged into criminal dealings now, your evaluation might suffer, impacting your future!"

Lin Zhifang kindly reminded the forensic expert. People like them from the older generation would eventually step down, and to have a few capable successors among the younger generation to take over pleased him.

"Thank you for your concern, Director Lin!" Mu Rongyun modestly smiled, pushing the glasses up his nose, hesitating to reveal who it was. "This person isn't some extreme villain, just... just..."

"Xiao Mu, I'm confused by your words. If he's not an extreme villain, why is he considered a dangerous individual?" After smoking a few puffs, Lin Zhifang pinched and snipped the burning end, with sweet smoke slowly rising.

"The person I want to find is named Hong Lian. I wonder if Director Lin still remembers him."

"Hong Lian?" Lin Zhifang tried to recall; the name sounded familiar. He had read about it, but couldn't remember who it was—he should be someone unforgettable.

"Yes! Director Lin, do you recall the counterfeit case from years ago?"

"Ah!" With the forensic expert's prompt, Lin Zhifang finally remembered the person named Hong Lian. In those years, that counterfeit case implicated numerous people; back then, he was just a senior investigation department chief, assisting the city in cracking the case.

"Remember?"

"Yes, and what do you want this person for?"

"Due to that case back then, many families were devastated, including a lot of bodies that passed through my hands." Lin Zhifang felt a pang of emotion thinking of the desperate looks of those families. Bought with a massive sum, the items turned out to be counterfeit without any collection value or ability to make a comeback. He sighed a bit. "Hong Lian vanished without a trace while under detention. If I'm not mistaken, Director Lin was also the primary examiner of the case!"

Lin Zhifang nodded; Hong Lian's disappearance was said to be a ploy, but at the time, he was merely a small official, not in a position to involve himself. "You've asked the wrong person on this matter." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)