Chapter 223: Human Leather Workshop (1/2)

Old Madam Hu suffered through another coughing fit. She held out her trembling hands, ready to put on the handcuffs, only to suddenly sprint towards the window. But an alert Wang Yuanchao rushed over and stopped her at once.”Let me die!” she begged. “I killed the person I love. What's the point of living?”

Xiaotao immediately called up an officer to get her under control, specifically reminding him to keep a watchful eye over her so she didn’t commit suicide.

Before Madam Hu was escorted to the police car, they searched her for her keys, cell phone and wallet. Grabbing the keys, I said, ”Let’s take a look at her leather workshop!”

Dali timidly quaked. ”I-I’m not going then,” he chuckled.

I expected no less of him. When Xiaotao and I climbed to the top floor, I tried the keys one by one till I finally unlocked the door. We both held our breaths as I pushed the door open. The room was dim with the curtains all drawn, and a pungent smell of mirabilite, quicklime, as well as blood filled the air.

The living room was completely empty, but when we came to the bathroom, we found a large bloody barrel. There were uncleaned splatters of blood all over the floor tiles, as well as pieces of flesh and fat. In the barrel, the figure of a curled up person twisted into an awkward position was vaguely visible. Because all her skin had been removed, the body looked small in comparison. It had been preserved with quicklime so it didn't give off a stench.

Xiaotao covered her mouth in shock. ”How could the old lady bring herself to do this?” asked Xiaotao as she puckered her brow.

I sighed, ”Unrequited love begets bitter hate. The hatred she accumulated for 40 years was enough to turn the old lady into a murderer!”

”Song Yang, I can't stand being in this place any longer. Let's get out of here!” said Xiaotao.

”I’ll come back later with Bingxin to clean up the scene.”

Xiaotao suddenly glared at me, a clear sign she was jealous. I truly wasn’t implying anything. Undoubtedly, such gruesome scenes weren’t meant for the average person. Bingxin was a coroner, while I was a Traditional Coroner, so it stood to reason that our ability to endure blood and gore was higher than the average person. ”Fine,” I relented. “I won't call her. You can assign a few bold officers.”

”That's more like it!” laughed Xiaotao.

As soon as she got out the door, Xiaotao took in a long breath of fresh air and said, ”This time, we really broke the record by closing the case within 10 hours. I’ve decided to give the entire team three days off.”

”Are you sure it’s alright for you to abuse your power like this?” I teased.

”How can this be called an abuse of power?” she argued. “This would’ve taken others a month or even a year to solve. You’ve earned us these three days! Do you have any plans then?”

”I’m thinking of going on a date with a certain someone,” I confessed.

”Well, that someone just agreed! I’ll see you tomorrow then!” she smiled.

Before the Lunar New Year, our plans for a date had somehow fallen through. In the warm springtime of blooming flowers and new beginnings, it seemed almost illogical for another repeat of a failed date. The next day we met at the Golden Dragon Mall and went to watch a movie after a meal together.

I felt as if we both shared a tacit understanding and closeness that allowed us to feel comfortable in each other’s company even as our conversation lapsed.

After leaving the cinema, I asked her what Xiaotao wanted to do next, to which she replied, ”I’m tired. Why don't we find a hotel to rest?”

By now, I thought there was nothing Xiaotao could say to make me blush yet her words threw my heartbeat into high gear. Throat dry, I gulped, ”A-are you sure?”

Today, Xiaotao was wearing a plaid skirt, yellow sweater, and a little red beret. Without her usual sharpness, she looked just like the cute and innocent girl next door.

”I only mean to take a short break. Are you thinking of something else?” she teased.

I scratched my head awkwardly, not entirely sure how to answer that question.

”Haha, I'm just teasing you,” laughed XIaotao. “Let’s go shopping for clothes!”