Chapter 4 This young master of the Sheng family...
Shengfang was so surprised that she forgot to close her little mouth, her eyes darting around.
Maybe Daddy didn't hire a female bodyguard, but a fortune teller, but she hasn't even started calculating yet!
The hillside terrain was like a maze. After being led by Young Master Sheng past the third fountain, Zhu Qing finally arrived at her destination.
Having been stationed halfway up the mountain for over a decade, veteran employee Uncle Lin had become quite the smooth operator. He would fall asleep even more soundly upon hearing footsteps, until Zhu Qing tapped her police ID three times on the corner of the table, finally waking him up with a start. He smacked his lips and reluctantly bid farewell to his dreams.
"West Kowloon CID".
Have you heard about the case of the Sheng family's skeletal remains?
The young master of the Sheng family stared wide-eyed. The female bodyguard was actually a female police officer?
Uncle Lin: "Madam, sit down and tell me slowly."
He got up and offered the comfortable swivel chair to Zhu Qing, then pulled out a plastic stool for himself and casually picked up the tea-stained thermos.
The next moment, the short-legged young master climbed onto the swivel chair, sat down steadily, and crossed his legs like his dad. His neatly combed slicked-back hair had been washed and smoothed, but he still looked like a calm and composed little boss.
The discovery of skeletons at the Sheng family's residence halfway up the mountain caused a sensation. During the day, television stations vied to interview the family, and at night, the top news anchors took turns broadcasting the story. Colleagues on shifts marveled at the discovery, and Uncle Lin had naturally heard about it before.
There was no previous owner in the villa, the fireplace had no hidden compartments, and the house was never reported for renovation after construction was completed. The police initially suspect that the body was hidden in the Sheng family mansion when construction first began.
“It was when the villas on the hillside were first completed, I remember…” Uncle Lin recalled, “At that time, I heard from the old neighbors that the hillside property management was hiring security personnel. I used to be a lion dancer when I was young, so I went to try my luck.”
“With the construction team working every day, some people complained that the work at night was disturbing the peace. Mr. Sheng simply waved his hand, paid them off, and continued to work through the night.”
"I don't know why, but later the construction team leader said that Shengsheng himself was unwilling to work night shifts, which slowed down the progress for several months."
Zhu Qing used a fountain pen to write down the words "working through the night": "Have you noticed a young woman, about five feet three inches tall and in her twenties, coming and going, and having any conflicts or disputes with her? For example, chasing after debts or demanding back wages."
“How could that be? Mr. Sheng is known for his generosity. The last time I opened the car door for him, the tip I gave him was this thick.” Uncle Lin pinched two fingers together to describe the thickness of the tip, then waved one hand firmly, saying, “He would never owe the construction team their wages!”
“Young women… the construction site is mostly full of roughnecks. Mr. Sheng’s family hasn’t even moved in yet, so it’s impossible for them to hire maids and gardeners so early. Besides, Madam, you don’t know, Second Wife is a jealous woman, and she’s most afraid of young girls threatening her position!”
The police confirmed this with the old housekeeper.
Among the Sheng family's workers, there were no maids of the same age as the deceased, nor were there any who had mysteriously disappeared.
"Besides—is this for filming? Even if a rich man kills someone, he won't put a fireplace in his house!"
What about the outsiders?
“Our property security is very strict. You can only get in by signing.” Uncle Lin awkwardly touched the corner of his mouth to make sure he hadn’t shed any foam in his mouth in his sleep. “Before, there were also manual patrols and basic surveillance. Even flies couldn’t get in without identification.”
He pointed to the register in use: "The register is all there, but we can only get the key to the archives room when the manager comes to work at eight o'clock tomorrow."
Feeling somewhat guilty for waking up from a dream, Lin Berg cooperated with the police investigation, though his eyes kept glancing at the young master of the Sheng family.
Shengfang spun around in the swivel chair, then suddenly bounced back, making her dizzy. She bent over and repeated the motion over and over again.
"Young Master," Uncle Lin hesitated, glancing at the clock, "It's ten o'clock. Does the Second Miss know that you...?"
Her playful fiddling with the swivel chair knobs was interrupted, and her chubby little face showed displeasure.
Mind your own business!
Zhu Qing noticed that it seemed everyone familiar with the Sheng family was focusing on the second young lady, Sheng Peishan, after the old gentleman passed away.
Logically speaking, Sheng Peirong is the one rumored to be more likely to take over the entire Sheng family business. Even if it's a gamble, there's no reason to bet everything on the second young lady.
"I heard that the eldest daughter of the Sheng family didn't even come to offer incense to Old Master Sheng?"
When this issue was brought up, Uncle Lin had even more to say.
He lowered his voice: "Several years ago, the eldest daughter of the Sheng family and her husband moved to Shek O."
"The old gentleman is holding onto the power of decision-making, while Miss Sheng is a strong-willed, wealthy idler."
"The father and daughter have become bitter enemies and have long since stopped speaking to each other!"
Seeing the policewoman deep in thought, Uncle Lin turned his attention back to Sheng Fang.
"Young Master, you should go back. If you do this... I won't be able to explain it to the Second Miss." He said with difficulty.
"That's about it." Zhu Qing snapped her notebook shut. "I'll contact you again if I need anything."
Protecting every taxpayer is the duty of the police. We cannot allow a three-and-a-half-year-old boy to explore alone; we must ensure his safety.
Zhu Qing leaned against the door frame: "I'll take you home."
Madam is like a shepherd, blocking the young master's path and preventing him from continuing his wandering.
The young master of the Sheng family was unwilling to be locked back in the children's room. He buried his head and slowly strolled past the fountain, kicking up pebbles on the mountain path.
"Deliberately taking a longer route?" Zhu Qing pointed in the direction they came from and pulled him back.
The little legs, in full bloom, took to the air again.
She's only been here once, how could she possibly know the way...?
The young master is always fuming and ready to breathe fire.
He quickened his pace, kicking his designer slippers so loudly they made a deafening noise. Head drooping, he nearly tripped over his own feet, his little face dark with anger, as he stumbled and ran towards home.
"Would you like me to ring the doorbell for you?"
The young master took off his schoolbag and threw it into the bushes by the side wall, then climbed onto the drainpipe.
Zhu Qing: "Be careful."
The spotlight on the young master of the Sheng family's forehead shone brightly, like a koala clinging to a big tree. With a "thud" as he landed, his stubborn little voice rang out.
"It's none of your business."
As the flowers bloomed and entered the courtyard, their slender forms gradually disappeared.
Judging from his skill level, the night owl was a repeat offender; the rust stains on his clothes cuffs were repeatedly ignored by the Filipino maid and bodyguard.
This young master of the Sheng family may really be left unattended.
...
The next morning, Inspector Weng stood at the door of the Criminal Investigation Team's office, knocking loudly with his knuckles like a death knell, demanding that his subordinates submit today's briefing.
Several officers turned their backs, winked at each other, spread their hands at Mosa, and mouthed "Good luck to you."
Zhu Qing had already received the register of visitors and construction teams from ten years ago, which was delivered by the property manager of Banshan early in the morning. The register was piled high on her workstation. She twirled a pen with her slender fingertips and drew marks with her eyes down.
She inadvertently noticed the newspapers scattered on the next workstation.
Uncle Li scoffed: "A butterfly hair clip found among skeletons in a mansion's fireplace? These unscrupulous tabloids always twist criminal investigation announcements into sensational stories."
Three groups of family members who came to identify the body have arrived.
Mo Shazhan said, "Uncle Li, show this young lady some sights."
As they left the CID room, Uncle Li pointed towards the autopsy room and habitually lit a cigarette: "These families could have gotten their death certificates long ago, but look, they're still keeping it as a memento..."
Accepting reality is one thing, but now that the case has progressed, no family member wants to find their own loved one lying in the morgue.
The first mother and daughter already had red, swollen eyes from crying.
"Mom, don't worry, maybe it's not Aru?"
"Why not? The police said the deceased had leg surgery, and Aru was pierced by a steel bar when she was a child..."
The sound of crying echoed in my ears.
Uncle Li has seen many newcomers. Some vomit bile when they see a corpse for the first time, some submit job transfer applications the day after seeing skeletons, or feel heartbroken when they see the victims' families crying and their own eyes redden. No matter the gender, none of them are exceptions.
However, Zhu Qing remained surprisingly calm.
She handled things professionally and arranged for family members to be tested according to the established procedures.
The body had been weathered down to bones, and according to regulations, the police would not allow the family members to directly face the remains.
The skeletons found in the fireplace of the Sheng family villa were compared with the medical records of the missing persons. Because the remains had surgical records, several families that met the criteria were selected.
The hospital has kept the surgical records from more than ten years ago, but there are no electronic files. The paper certificates are yellowed and the ink has become blurred.
Before arranging DNA comparison, Zhu Qing confirmed the surgical details with the family again by comparing medical records.
The terrified mother belatedly realized what had happened and raised her voice eight octaves: "I remember now, Aru didn't have surgery on her left leg, it was on her right leg!"
"Mom, are you sure?"
Overjoyed, the other person cried, "It's the right leg! I remember now, it really is the right leg! This skeleton isn't your sister's!"
Zhu Qing handed the documents to them: "You can leave after you sign them."
“Madam, my sister Aru ran away from home ten years ago when she had a fight with my mother. My mother cried every day until her eyes were swollen, and she confusedly forgot which leg my sister had surgery on.”
"Aru hasn't returned for so many years, could you please—"
The family members held Zhu Qing's hand, their expressions agitated.
She subtly withdrew her hand, then heard Uncle Li speak.
"Go back and wait for news."
Uncle Li, along with the capable newcomers, leisurely leaned back to fill up their water bottles in the tea room to save their energy. Zhu Qing had already walked up to the third group of family members.
"When will the report be available?
This was a couple with graying temples who clearly didn't know how to deal with the police and hesitated for a long time before speaking.
They asked about the DNA report, but after receiving Zhu Qing's answer, their expressions did not lighten. They looked at each other with worry and then lowered their heads.
After a long pause, the old woman spoke hesitantly, as if expecting something: "Officer, I heard from the fishmonger Hui at the street corner... there was a hairpin next to the dead man?"
The police arranged for the identification of the body, and a public notice was issued, with the characteristics of the skeletal remains and the belongings published in the newspaper.
It's just that unscrupulous tabloids wrote nonsense for the sake of page space, misleading the public.
That's a rumor.
Zhu Qing handed the evidence register to the two elderly people: "This is the only personal item you have with you."
"Officer, what does it say? We can't read."
"It's a plain platinum ring."
With a "thud," the old woman's cane struck the floor tile, making a sharp sound.
Just as Zhu Qing was about to reach out to help, she saw the two elderly people's cloudy pupils suddenly contract.
"Is there English lettering engraved on the ring?"
Zhu Qing turned to look at Uncle Li, whose expression had become serious.
“Jia’er is disobedient…” The old lady muttered to herself, her eyes glazed over. “She shouldn’t have gone to work at the nightclub.”
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