“I need you to recount everything that happened the night you went to see Tao Minxing, starting from the moment you left your room. Tell me everything, step by step, and don’t leave out a single detail.”
Jiang Cheng looked a bit dazed as he searched his memory. “Around midnight, I saw that the time was right and headed out. The Professor was just next door. Since he had specifically pulled me aside earlier to tell me to come find him, I didn’t knock. Before leaving my room, I sent him a message so he could time it right to open the door, and I went straight in.”
“Then the Professor told me about the data issue. I specifically asked him about it, and at the time, he said there was a comprehensive problem with the data. I think the Professor knew something; he likely had a general target in mind. At that point, he wanted to show me the reader, but for some reason, he took it back later.”
Lu Linjiang’s eyes lit up. “You touched the reader?”
“Yes,” Jiang Cheng said blankly. “Did I not mention that?”
Lu Linjiang took a sharp breath but kept his expression neutral. “Tell me about that part in detail.”
“The Professor is a germaphobe, and it’s only gotten worse over the last two years. I usually never touch his things. When we were talking about the data, he originally intended to get the reader himself, but his cold was very severe and he couldn’t stop sneezing. Both his hands were occupied with tissues, so he had me grab the reader for him.”
“Where was the reader at the time?”
“On his bedside table.”
“Just sitting on the table?”
“Of course,” Jiang Cheng recalled with certainty. “It was inside the computer bag on the bedside table.”
Lu Linjiang felt a stir of excitement. “The computer bag?”
“Yes. The computer bag has a small side compartment. As far as I know, he usually keeps it in there.”
Lu Linjiang finally saw a glimmer of hope. He pressed further, “What else?”
Jiang Cheng thought carefully. “Then he said he wanted to show me something, but he hesitated. He said everything would have to wait until after the conference was over, as he still had a few things to confirm.”
“I was very confused at the time and didn’t know what to say. The Professor kept coughing and was clearly very unwell, so he told me to head back first.” As Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Lu Linjiang refused to let him off, repeatedly asking if there were any other details.
Jiang Cheng struggled to remember. “That’s it. Oh, later I helped him look for his fountain pen. He usually clips it to the reader, but that day it had fallen into the computer bag. After that, I left.”
This was finally a breakthrough. Lu Linjiang had someone escort Jiang Cheng back to the small holding room while he drove straight to the International Hotel. The entire twentieth floor had been cleared by the hotel, and the guests had been moved to other levels. While taking the elevator, Lu Linjiang sent a text to Yang Bo asking for an update. Yang Bo replied almost instantly: *Reporting, Captain! The witness is being extremely uncooperative!*
Just as Lu Linjiang stood before Luo Jia’s door, ready to knock, Luo Jia happened to swing the door open. His face, flushed with anger, met Lu Linjiang’s unexpectedly, and he froze for a moment.
Luo Jia quickly recovered his composure. “Captain Lu, what is the meaning of this? Why did you send someone to spy on me!”
Lu Linjiang put on a look of pure innocence. “Spying? No, no, you’ve misunderstood. I sent my colleague here to protect you.”
Two men walked past them, glancing curiously at Lu Linjiang and Luo Jia upon hearing this. Lu Linjiang waited for them to pass before gesturing toward the room. “Should we take this inside to talk?”
Luo Jia thought for a moment and reluctantly stepped aside, revealing a miserable-looking Yang Bo behind him.
“It’s like this,” Lu Linjiang began. “After my colleagues and I surveyed the scene, we felt that everything exceeded our conventional understanding. The person who killed Professor Tao must be a high-intelligence criminal. Given that the killer hasn't been caught yet, I sent my colleague to protect you for your own safety.”
Luo Jia clearly wasn't buying it. “Captain Lu, I am not your prisoner. I need privacy! He even stands right outside the door when I go to the bathroom!”
“Oh, that?” Lu Linjiang looked at Yang Bo. Just as Luo Jia thought the Captain was going to scold his subordinate, Lu Linjiang said, “Good job!”
“Captain Lu!”
“Here’s the thing.” Lu Linjiang adopted what he considered a gentle smile to soothe Luo Jia. “Regarding the night the Professor passed away, I’ve always felt something was off. Thinking it over, I believe it might be the bathroom.”
Lu Linjiang watched Luo Jia’s expression closely as he spoke. The man’s face flickered slightly at the mention of the “bathroom.” Lu Linjiang pretended not to notice and continued, “You see, since you suspect the Professor died because someone intentionally infected him with the flu virus, even though a strain storage tube was found in his luggage, we can’t be sure the culprit didn't strike elsewhere. The bathroom ventilation duct would be an excellent route.”
Lu Linjiang had led him in a circle before finally revealing his hypothesis, only to find that Luo Jia remained unusually calm this time. His heart sank slightly, but he continued unfazed. “So, my colleague is just taking precautions. I hope you understand.”
Luo Jia took a deep breath before speaking slowly. “Officer Lu, do you think I’m easy to fool?”
Lu Linjiang acted shocked. “How could you think such a thing?”
“Officer Lu, where is Jiang Cheng?” Luo Jia abandoned his passive stance and interrogated him instead. “Are the fingerprints on that storage tube Jiang Cheng’s?”
This time, Lu Linjiang stopped talking in circles and answered frankly, “Yes. There was one and only one fingerprint on that tube—Jiang Cheng’s. That is why he is currently in custody.”
A trace of smugness appeared on Luo Jia’s face. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Lu Linjiang. “As far as I know, the relationship between you and Jiang Cheng is... unusual. Shouldn't you have recused yourself? I strongly suspect you are abusing your position for personal reasons!”
Lu Linjiang broke into a smile—one so sharp it made Yang Bo, standing behind Luo Jia, feel his skin crawl. “It’s like this, Comrade Luo Jia. The matter of recusal ceased to be an issue the moment the paperwork for my separation from Jiang Cheng was finalized. Our current relationship is that of ordinary strangers. It does not fall under the criteria for recusal.”
Luo Jia didn't back down, his tone becoming aggressive. “Is that so? I will certainly be looking into that!”
“By all means. In fact, I must thank you, Mr. Luo, for your enthusiastic supervision of our law enforcement. It is precisely because of concerned citizens like you that our work can be more scientific and rigorous. Yang Bo!” He beckoned to his subordinate. “Give Mr. Luo the number for the supervision hotline in a moment.”
Yang Bo replied briskly, “Yes, sir!”
“And, remember to be mindful of your working methods. When Mr. Luo is using the bathroom, give him appropriate space. Respect the citizen’s privacy.”
“Understood!”
The two of them played off each other so well that Luo Jia looked ready to spit fire. “You! Officer Lu, I must warn you, Professor Tao has many students both at home and abroad. If there is any professional negligence on your part in this matter, believe me, the outcome will not be something you enjoy!”
“Upholding the law impartially is one of the most basic ethics for us officers. Please rest assured on that point. Even if Professor Tao were just an ordinary person, we would strive to find the killer. Right, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going.” Lu Linjiang made a move to leave, then suddenly stopped. “Oh, by the way, Comrade Luo Jia, Mr. Jiang Langmin has agreed to return in three days. Please be sure to cooperate with our investigation during this time.”
Ignoring Luo Jia’s fury, Lu Linjiang retreated and went to Tao Minxing’s room. Having tested Luo Jia several times just now, the only reaction he’d gotten was at the mention of the “bathroom.” Lu Linjiang entered the cramped bathroom once more. The full tub of water he had drawn earlier that day had not been drained. He searched the bathroom thoroughly again but still couldn't find anything useful.
He stared at the bathtub for a while, put on his gloves, and searched every corner and edge. He even brought over a stool to study the ventilation duct, but in the end, he found nothing. Almost everything in the room had already been taken away by the forensics team. Lu Linjiang walked around and opened the wardrobe. Two shirts were still hanging inside. Beneath the shirts sat a black computer bag.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 阅读器 | Reader / E-reader | A device for reading digital data or books. |
| 电脑包 | Computer bag / Laptop bag | |
| 姜朗旻 | Jiang Langmin | A new character name mentioned by Lu Linjiang. |
| 回避 | Recusal / Withdrawal | Legal term for an official stepping down due to conflict of interest. |
| 门生 | Students / Disciples | Refers to the academic followers of Professor Tao. |
| 监督热线 | Supervision hotline | A public line for reporting police misconduct. |
