Scene 033

Inside a red QQ car.

Li Hui was driving, with Han Bin in the passenger seat.

“Tonight was a feast, all thanks to Captain Zheng’s generosity, treating us to hotpot,” Li Hui said, patting his stomach.

“My belly is almost pressing against the steering wheel. Drive carefully,” Han Bin reminded him.

“Bin, you really stood out at tonight’s dinner. Both Captain Zheng and Captain Zeng praised you in turn,” Li Hui said.

“Feeling envious?” Han Bin laughed.

“From what Captain Zheng said, you might be getting a bonus,” Li Hui winked.

“If I do get a bonus, I’ll definitely treat you to dinner,” Han Bin replied.

“I was just waiting for you to say that,” Li Hui said.

Just then, Han Bin’s phone buzzed. He opened it and saw a message in the Group Two chat.

Zeng Ping wrote, “Urgent task: a homicide has occurred at Xiangcheng International. Please respond if received.”

“Received,” Tian Li replied.

“Han Bin received, Li Hui received.”

“Tian Li, call Zhao Ming.”

“Understood.”

“Captain Zeng, Li Hui and I are near Xiangcheng International. We can get there in about five minutes,” Han Bin said.

“Once you arrive, secure the scene immediately. We’ll be there soon,” Zeng Ping instructed.

“Understood.”

Li Hui sighed, “Just ate and drank my fill, was about to head home for a nap, and now there’s a new case.”

Zeng Ping sent a voice message briefly describing what the informant had reported.

“Another homicide. Looks like we’re going to be busy,” Han Bin remarked.

“Killing someone right in the residential area—pretty bold,” Li Hui commented.

“Turn up ahead and we’ll be at Xiangcheng International,” Han Bin said.

“You seem familiar with this place?”

“A few years ago, when my parents were looking to buy a house, they checked out this complex. I felt the name was too tacky, so I convinced them not to buy here,” Han Bin explained.

“Good call,” Li Hui replied.

They parked the car at the entrance of the complex. As soon as they stepped out, a security guard approached.

“No parking here, move your car,” the guard said.

“We’re police officers, here to investigate a case,” Han Bin showed his badge.

“A case? Officer, what case are you investigating in our complex?” the guard asked.

Though called a security guard, he was really just a gatekeeper, around fifty years old—not someone who could chase down real troublemakers.

“One of your residents reported a homicide in the greenbelt. Take us there,” Han Bin ordered.

“Homicide!” The guard was startled.

“You didn’t hear anything?” Han Bin asked.

“I did—a woman was crying near the greenbelt. One of my colleagues went to check it out,” the guard replied.

“Don’t just stand there, take us over,” Li Hui urged.

The group entered the complex. Near the greenbelt, they could hear a woman sobbing.

“Woo…woo…”

Entering the greenbelt, they saw a small crowd gathered ahead—the crime scene, presumably.

“We’re police. Please make way,” Han Bin announced.

“The police are here.”

“Oh wow, this is serious.”

“It’s a life, after all,” the onlookers said, opening a path.

Han Bin and Li Hui walked over to examine the scene. A middle-aged woman sat on the ground, holding a blood-stained dog and crying.

Han Bin frowned and called out, “Who reported that their son was beaten to death?”

“I did—I’m the one who called,” the woman on the ground replied.

“Where’s the victim’s body?” Li Hui asked.

“Right here. Look, he’s covered in blood, beaten to death,” the woman stroked the dog in her arms.

“But that’s a dog. You told us your son was killed and specifically requested the criminal police,” Han Bin said.

“I’ve always raised him as my son. He eats and lives with me. In my heart, he’s family,” the woman cried.

“What’s your name?” Li Hui asked.

“Zhao Weina.”

“Do you have a history of mental illness?” Li Hui asked.

“What kind of question is that? You’re the one with mental illness!” Zhao Weina snapped.

“Li Hui, update Captain Zeng about the situation here,” Han Bin instructed.

Li Hui nodded and stepped aside with his phone.

At that moment, officers from Guang’an Police Station arrived, led by Sergeant Cui Hao.

“Bin, you two got here fast,” Cui Hao greeted them.

“Happened to be nearby,” Han Bin replied.

“I heard someone was beaten to death—where’s the victim?” Cui Hao asked.

Han Bin pointed with his chin, “A dead dog.”

“False report?” Cui Hao asked.

Han Bin nodded.

“Should we take her to the station and handle it?” Cui Hao suggested.

“Let’s wait. This case was assigned to our team. We’ll see how Captain Zeng wants to handle it,” Han Bin replied.

“Alright.”

A moment later, Li Hui returned. “I’ve updated Captain Zeng.”

“What did he say?” Han Bin asked.

“He said since we’re already here, we should handle it. He won’t come over,” Li Hui replied.

“What about Zhao Weina?” Han Bin asked.

“Captain Zeng said, ‘Each case is its own matter; handle it as appropriate,’” Li Hui answered.

Han Bin nodded, clear on what to do.

“Zhao Weina, your dog’s death can be dealt with by the station officers. Why did you make a false report and ask for the criminal police?” Han Bin questioned.

“What could the station officers do? They only mediate. Can they catch the killer who murdered my son?” Zhao Weina retorted.

“Zhao Weina, I’m telling you, this is a false report. You’ve wasted police resources,” Cui Hao said sternly, his expression darkening.

“According to Article 25 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, you can be detained for five to ten days, and fined up to five hundred yuan. For lighter cases, detention of less than five days or a fine under five hundred yuan,” he explained.

“If you can catch the murderer who killed my son, I’m willing to pay the fine,” Zhao Weina insisted.

Han Bin sneered. She had wasted so many officers’ time, treating them like fools, thinking a few hundred yuan could settle it? Did she think this was child’s play?

Zhao Weina definitely needed to be dealt with seriously. If false reports weren’t curbed, they’d never get any real work done, and would be swamped with fake cases every day.

“It’s late, everyone. Stop crowding here and go home to rest—work tomorrow,” Cui Hao told the residents.

“No worries, tomorrow’s Saturday—day off.”

“Yeah, the police are here. Will the killer who murdered the dog be caught?”

“It’s a life, after all. The poor little dog,” some residents remarked, not moving. The commotion drew even more people to watch.

“Bin, how do we handle this? With so many citizens watching, we can’t just wrap up,” Cui Hao asked.

“I’ll handle this case,” Han Bin said seriously.

The dog’s death wasn’t a major crime, but it touched on everyday life. Most people never encounter murder, but conflicts between pets and people are common.

Small as the case was, its impact was significant.

The case needed to be investigated, and Zhao Weina needed to be dealt with—only then could no one find fault.