Chapter 376: The Floating Corpse (1/2)

”Will your bodyguard get there so soon?” doubted Bingxin.

As soon as we walked out the station, I saw Song Xingchen waiting nearby as he sipped on bubble tea. The man was like a ghost who could show up at any given moment.

We hailed a cab from the side of the road. Song Xingchen sat in the passenger seat with his Tang sword in hand, frightening the driver into nervous silence. The three of us crowded into the back. In order to draw a clear line with Dali, Bingxin sat in the innermost seat, holding my arm the entire journey.

Along the way, Dali chattered endlessly, sharing his worries about what might have happened to Luo Youyou. He swore he would treat her well and never quarrel again.

”She has the face of good fortune,” I comforted. “She must be alright!”

Although I didn't quite believe those words, I knew this wasn’t the time to give up hope.

When we arrived at the address given by Lao Yao, we were greeted by the sight of an incomplete building. This area was part of the urban-rural combination plan and its geographical location wasn’t very good. It was probably developed in line with the trends during the real estate boom from a few years back and was abandoned when they failed to sell the units.

We got out of the car and went on foot. I kept my eyes on my cell phone and when we reached Luo Youyou’s last known whereabouts, I looked around and found tire tracks on the dusty road. Using Cave Vision, I scanned the area and discovered two tiny, white objects.

Upon careful inspection, they turned out to be a SIM card that had been broken into two.

”Song Yang-gege,” cried Bingxin. “There’s another SIM card here. It’s also been broken!”

”Don't pick them up with your bare hands,” I warned. “There may be fingerprints on it!”

Bingxin carefully placed the SIM card in an evidence bag. We walked along the tire tracks until it finally disappeared on the asphalt road.

”Oh no!” Dali pulled at his hair. “The murderer’s gone. Something must have happened!”

I narrowed my eyes and said, ”Let’s search separately. Call if you find anything!”

We climbed up the abandoned building and searched all over. I found discarded food packages in one of the buildings and human excrement in the corner. There were four bricks stacked on the floor with the insides burnt. It looked like a simple, makeshift stove.

It seemed like someone had been living here for some time. Was it the murderer’s hiding place? Of course, it could also have been a homeless man.

Right then, Bingxin phoned to report, ”Song Yang-gege, I found a body!”

”Whose?” I asked anxiously.

”I don't know. I only see the back. Hurry, come to the south side!”

And judging from the figure, it was a man, much to my relief.

”Let's take a look!” I said.

We went downstairs and walked towards the pool. Bingxin called to inform the others but it would take some time for the police to get here.

As we approached the pool, I noticed scratches on the concrete floor and estimated the distance between the pool and the edge of the water.

”This is the original crime scene!” I yelled.

”Isn't it obvious?” Bingxin shrugged.