Simulated Crime, This Criminal Doesn't Seem to Be Acting

Chapter 83

The door slowly creaked open, revealing a pitch-black interior that radiated an ominous aura.

The thick scent of blood seeped through the crack, hitting the nostrils of the three who had arrived on the scene.

From here, Qiu Jianguo could already sense that something was amiss inside.

Having been to countless crime scenes, seasoned criminal investigators like him could even distinguish between the smell of blood mixed with other odors, making a rough judgment about the situation inside and even estimating how long the victim had been dead and what state the body would be in.

So, with just the first push of the door, they could make their judgments.

"Put on gloves and shoe covers, let's go in," Qiu Guoqing quickly donned his protective gear, pushing the wooden door open completely with his gloved hand.

Xu Wan was deliberately pushed to the side by Qiu Guoqing, allowing him to enter alone.

"Click"

The lights in the room turned on.

"Call Brother Zhou and Fan Jingsi to come…"

After a long silence in the room, a voice finally spoke.

Xu Wan tried to peek inside but was immediately pushed back by Qiu Guoqing. Another younger male investigator also tried to look but was pushed back by Qiu Guoqing as well.

The two exchanged glances, and Xu Wan quickly reacted, calling the forensic team to the scene.

[Curious, what kind of scene is it that no one is allowed to see?]

[Some crime scenes are just too gruesome. Brother Qiu is doing it for their sake. Without preparation, seeing it might make them vegans for the next two weeks.]

[I want to go there, just sneak a peek.]

Ye Sangsang arrived at the scene at ten-thirty PM.

"Another day of overtime, I'm already exhausted…" a colleague yawned, looking lethargic.

This era wasn't like ten or twenty years later, when nightlife was vibrant and varied, leading to a nocturnal lifestyle where many people didn't sleep before midnight.

In this era, most people were in bed by ten PM.

People who went out to sing and dance were seen by many as somewhat improper.

Ye Sangsang was also feeling a bit drowsy, a physical fatigue.

Zhou Jianguo, however, was the most alert. He strode briskly with his tools, knowing full well what kind of scene they were dealing with.

About seven or eight minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

After getting off the car, Ye Sangsang and her colleague rubbed their faces vigorously to wake up completely and focus on their work.

There were quite a few onlookers at the scene, pointing and whispering towards the lit-up area upstairs, saying they had noticed something was off.

The victim's room was on the second floor of a small apartment building that was otherwise unoccupied.

They went straight up the stairs to the second floor.

At the corner of the staircase leading to the second floor, Ye Sangsang's gaze fell on a bicycle tucked away in the corner. It was meticulously cleaned, standing out starkly against the dusty and cement-covered surroundings.

When they reached the door, Xu Wan immediately came up to meet them.

She mumbled a few words, her whole being exuding a dazed aura, her face looking ghastly.

Earlier, under Qiu Guoqing's prompting, she had mentally prepared herself countless times to view the scene with another colleague.

Even with preparation, even though she wasn’t seeing her first brutal crime scene, the sight had deeply repulsed her, leaving her utterly disoriented.

In the middle of talking, she leaned against the railing and gagged.

"Let's go," Ye Sangsang said with a helpless tone.

Xu Wan took a deep breath, following closely behind Ye Sangsang, clinging tightly, as if Ye Sangsang could shield her.

To Xu Wan, Ye Sangsang was her most important support in this game, which felt more like a horror game for her.

Ye Sangsang, however, didn't understand what Xu Wan was thinking as she quickly followed the other two inside.

None of them had gone home, waiting for a possible lead that might lead them to the perpetrator or the crime scene, so they could be the first on the scene.

It turned out that they had really waited for the scene.

The smell of blood grew heavier, making them feel uncomfortable all over.

Ye Sangsang’s sharp senses detected the scent of formalin, possibly used to preserve the fetus? Immersed in it, it wouldn't decay.

Inside, bloodstains were scattered everywhere, and the bedding was soaked in blood, its original color indistinguishable.

The entire room was coated in dark brown from the blood, and walking on the ground gave a sticky, fleshy sensation, making one feel deeply uneasy.

Under the white light, only a few scattered spots could be seen as they originally were.

The room was filled with glass containers, their contents ranging from dark to light blood colors, with bloodstains covering the floors and ceilings. Crushed bones, flesh, and hair were scattered everywhere.

Large flies swarmed the room, dense to the point of being overwhelming.

Even horror movie scenes couldn't compare to half of this hellish sight.

"This dismemberment case scene is really…" Ye Sangsang murmured softly.

Zhou Jianguo's expression was complex. The ground-level bedding was enough to suggest that the perpetrator knew about the dismemberment case from ten years ago and was trying to imitate it.

Because ten years ago, the murderer had also placed the bedding on the ground while dismembering the victim.

This was done to avoid noise that might alert people in the surrounding buildings.

The three exchanged glances, needing no words to understand.

After finding a place to set down their tools, they split up to

After committing a massacre, the murderer didn’t commit any other crimes.

That was quite rare.

When something is unusual, there’s usually a reason...

Ye Sangsang figured out a few things but didn’t log into the game. Instead, she continued with her regular routine.

Rehabilitation, rest, lunch and dinner, and even a yacht ride before bedtime.

After washing up, she entered the game.

She sat up from Fan Jingsi’s bed and went to wash up.

Before she could finish, her phone rang.

She quickly spat out the foam, rinsed her mouth, and picked up the phone.

“Sister Jing, we’ve found Song Jiaqi, but...”

Ye Sangsang arrived at the scene in casual clothes. The dilapidated, filthy garbage dump was swarming with flies, mosquitoes, and crawling insects.

Everything here seemed gray and dirty.

In the flat area of the garbage dump, many police officers and reporters, despite being told not to, were taking photos.

They asked the police guarding the scene relentlessly, trying to find out who the dead person inside was.

When Ye Sangsang and Zhou Jianguo arrived at the garbage dump, the area was already packed with onlookers. The nearby residents must have all come to see what was happening.

They pushed through the crowd and crossed the yellow police tape to get inside.

Xu Wan and Qiu Guoqing looked exhausted, their eyes dark with fatigue. Seeing Ye Sangsang, Xu Wan’s face showed a hint of frustration.

Ye Sangsang was puzzled, unsure why Xu Wan seemed disappointed.

Xu Wan ran to her and said, “Song Jiaqi is dead.”

“I know,” Ye Sangsang nodded. Before coming, she already knew who the dead person was.

The police found him, yet he was dead.

Such a turn of events felt absurd, almost comical.

He hadn’t died in the garbage dump but in a garbage truck, killed with a single stab to the abdomen.

Seeing the full garbage truck, both Ye Sangsang and Zhou Jianguo mentally prepared themselves before stepping inside.

Since the forensic team was coming, the truck’s container had been detached for easier investigation.

Seeing a complete body for the first time in this game, Ye Sangsang felt a mix of emotions.

Zhou Jianguo’s face showed great solemnity. The murderer was killed by someone else, and the case, which had just shown some leads, now had a new mystery. What was behind all of this?

Ye Sangsang didn’t think much and focused on examining the scene.

The smell inside the garbage container was unbearable, and both put on masks and prepared themselves before moving the body out.

After a preliminary inspection, they took the body back to the station.

It was simple: too many people were around, the environment was unsuitable, and since the body was intact, there was no need to put it back together—just take it directly.

Their colleagues were at other scenes, so they handled the autopsy themselves.

After putting on protective gear, they started examining the body.

They checked for injuries on the outside, focusing on the head and neck to see if there were any blows or needle marks.

Then they examined other parts of the body.

This was the initial autopsy. After this, Ye Sangsang needed to ask the deceased’s family.

Out of humanitarian reasons, autopsies should seek family opinions, especially when the body is relatively intact.

That hadn’t been done before because the previous bodies were dismembered, making it unnecessary.

This time, with a relatively complete body, they needed to ask.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait. The police, knowing the man was dead, immediately notified his family.

Song Jiaqi’s wife.

Yes, she was still legally his wife.

Song Jiaqi had no other immediate family, so his wife had the right to make decisions.

Ye Sangsang walked over to the woman sitting on the bench in the hallway outside the department. She was quite pretty but looked pale.

Learning that someone close to you was involved in a notorious massacre case would shock anyone.

Even if they had been on the verge of divorce two months ago, with her moving back to her parents’ house and declaring she wanted a divorce.

“Is there something you need?” She stood up nervously.

Xu Wan stood beside her. After finishing her questioning, she brought her over to sign.

Ye Sangsang looked down at the woman’s abdomen, her gaze quickly moving away. She spoke softly to the woman, “We need you to sign, to allow the autopsy on your husband’s body.”

The woman frowned slightly. Dissecting a body, making it incomplete, was hard for someone from the early 2000s to accept.

Just as Ye Sangsang thought she might think about it, the woman said, “Okay, dissect it. I’d also like to know how a man like him could die.”

【Good line! I want to know that too!】

【Me too! How did he die?】

【She’s pretty decisive, didn’t make a scene.】

Ye Sangsang handed the documents to the woman and pointed out where to sign.

After the woman signed, Ye Sangsang looked at her.

“If you don’t feel well being pregnant, go home. The police will catch the murderer.”

The woman’s face turned pale upon hearing this, her eyes filled with sadness and anger, tears welling up.

Ye Sangsang turned and left, telling Zhou Jianguo they could proceed with the autopsy.

The blade slashed down, exposing the flesh beneath, which was photographed for records before proceeding to cut the ribs and so on.

They would also cut open the stomach, remove its contents for examination.

Examining the abdominal hemorrhage, determining which internal organ was injured and caused the death, as well as the number of stab wounds, their sizes, and the direction of the stabs.

In some cases of self-defense, the injuries would also be analyzed in terms of how many times the blade was swung, which wounds hit the person, and the direction and force of the blade.

If someone died, they would also look at the force used, specifically which stab caused the fatal rupture of a major blood vessel or organ.

While the police interrogate suspects repeatedly, forensic experts directly use the scene's evidence to make a judgment, which is crucial in court.

"The blade was slightly downward. The attacker should be taller and stronger than the victim. After penetrating halfway, they intentionally pushed it further inside, piercing through the kidney and other organs, causing abdominal hemorrhage and death."

Based on the rigor mortis, the time of death should be around midnight last night. The victim’s stomach contained alcohol, marinated food, peanuts, etc., indicating they were drinking with someone.

"After death, the body was dumped in a trash truck, causing simple bruises on the arms, thighs, and head. Based on the wounds and their appearance, these injuries can be determined to have occurred post-mortem."

Ye Sangsang explained everything and looked at Zhou Jianguo.

Zhou Jianguo nodded, "Yes, that's about right. Note down the approximate length and type of the weapon."

Ye Sangsang nodded and began filling out the report.

The chest cavity, of course, needed to be restored. After finishing the report, Ye Sangsang began helping with the restoration.

The two worked in perfect harmony, with incredibly fast cleaning speed.

Aside from the victim's identity, this autopsy was straightforward, and the cause of death wasn't complicated.

It was like a routine autopsy procedure.

In fact, the atmosphere wasn't even heavy.

At least that was Zhou Jianguo's feeling; Ye Sangsang was indifferent.

When Ye Sangsang came out, Xu Wan was waiting at the door. Her eyes sparkled with dependence as she saw her.

This player was strange.

Her behavior made Ye Sangsang a bit curious. How could someone so timid play such a stimulating game?

Ye Sangsang didn't show any of these thoughts. She directly handed over the report to Xu Wan.

Xu Wan reached out, hugged the report to her chest, and looked at Ye Sangsang. "Sister Jingsi, since you're free, let's go together."

Ye Sangsang nodded.

The woman had already been brought to the interrogation room by Xu Wan, while the family members still needed to stay there, waiting for the police's questioning.

In the Criminal Investigation department, they were scratching their heads, wondering why, just as the case was about to be closed, the suspect suddenly died.

Was there someone behind it all?

Who exactly killed Song Jiaqi?

When the forensic autopsy report was handed out, all the police gathered around.

"Drinking and feasting last night. The guy was living a pretty luxurious life!" a police officer muttered through gritted teeth.

Another added, "The time of death is too perfect. It feels like a deliberate murder to cover up."

The police weren't fools. They started analyzing it, going back and forth.

Outside, the police had already begun visiting the scene, reconstructing Song Jiaqi's actions from last night.

Qiu Guoqing, upon receiving the information, drew a route on the whiteboard.

"Alright, the last place Song Jiaqi was seen was at a place called Old Flavor Barbeque. According to Old Zhao's questioning, the barbeque shop owner said that he drank and ate with someone until around 11:40 last night."

Qiu Guoqing paused and circled a time. "After eating, Song Jiaqi's friend said he was being called home and left. Song Jiaqi left around midnight."

In other words, Song Jiaqi was killed right after stepping out.

There were no surveillance cameras inside the shop or at the place where he exited.

So who killed him? The police were still investigating.

At that moment, Qiu Guoqing received another phone call stating that a convenience store reported Song Jiaqi had bought a pack of cigarettes around midnight.

The shop owner recalled that someone was following Song Jiaqi at the time.

Based on the shop owner's memory, the person seemed to be a local troublemaker with a criminal record who liked to wander around the streets nearby.

It was possible that Song Jiaqi was killed by the troublemaker.

Regardless of the circumstances, they needed to find the person and question him.

That afternoon, the troublemaker was arrested and brought to the Public Security Bureau.

Initially, he refused to confess, but once the police showed him the murder weapon, he finally opened up.

He explained that while walking down the street, he saw Song Jiaqi buying cigarettes and thought about borrowing one.

However, Song Jiaqi was arrogant and even sneered at him.

It was the first time he'd seen someone so arrogant. He couldn't take the provocation. Plus, he didn't want to stay outside, so he just stabbed him.

The troublemaker spoke very nonchalantly, his expression even carrying a hint of defiance. "I've never seen such a guy. He thought he was so tough, so powerful, but in the end, a single stab killed him. Tui, such a rubbish killer in a mass murder case. What a moron."

He swayed his legs, his yellow-dyed hair messy on his head.

Seeing the troublemaker's yellow-haired demeanor, the police found it hard to believe that the case was already solved.

The arrogant and ruthless murderer of the dismemberment case, just killed by this yellow-haired troublemaker?

When ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‍Ye Sangsang received the result, she also felt it unreal.

Just like that, he died?

"A bit dramatic, but real cases can sometimes be so strange."

"I've even seen cases solved through dreams. It doesn't seem that odd anymore."

"Killer of extreme employees, cruel and indifferent murderer, ended up being killed by a troublemaker."

Ye Sangsang held the case file, her eyes downcast. She chuckled, finding it amusing.

This case, up to this point, became truly interesting, completing a perfect closed circle.

Even if there were suspicions of an unseen mastermind, there wasn't a shred of evidence. Everything pointed to this being an entirely complete dismemberment case.

Ye Sangsang's task in this instance seemed to be completed, with the option to click to close the case and exit the instance available.

She placed the case file in Xu Wan's hands and turned back to the forensic department.

She needed a clue, a hint.

This clue should be on the victim's body, something they had all overlooked.