Chapter Sixteen: Analysis of the Cause of Death

On the very first day of my arrival, I encountered this sort of incident. The security around the research institute was even tighter at night than during the day. The sentries posted on the mountain behind the institute also sprang into action. Occasionally, I could hear the calls of soldiers, and an armored vehicle arrived fifteen minutes after we had left. The military's efficiency was truly remarkable.

Accompanied by a shrewd staff member, Miss Wang and I returned to our lodging. Old Liu soon came looking for me as well, and by this time, it was nearly four in the morning.

Though Old Liu was technically the host, he made himself quite at home in our quarters. As soon as he entered my room, he hurried to pour me some tea. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Tingting, who lived across the hall, invited herself in unceremoniously. She snatched the cup of tea from the table, took a sip, and then blinked her large eyes at me in a playful gesture.

Old Liu burst out laughing and poured me another cup, squinting his eyes as he said, "You two really are a perfect match!"

"Who’s a match with him?" I protested loudly, startled by Old Liu’s remark. To my surprise, Miss Wang echoed almost the exact words at the same moment. As soon as we both finished, Old Liu was laughing so hard he could barely speak, clutching his stomach and gesturing at us.

Miss Wang’s cheeks flushed red. She snorted, lowered her head, and sipped her tea, feigning indifference. But the flush creeping up her neck betrayed her embarrassment.

For a while, I found myself staring at Wang Tingting in a daze. I had never paid her much attention before, only thinking her moderately attractive and nothing more. Later, through information provided by Officer Li, I learned that this seemingly delicate girl actually possessed remarkable skills and a distinguished background. I began to take more notice of her. Now, seeing her calm in the face of danger, her sharp analysis, and her poised yet spirited demeanor, I found myself wrestling with a complex tangle of emotions.

But just as I had a moment to reflect, Old Liu interrupted my thoughts.

A cup of hot tea was set before me. Old Liu was still laughing so hard his hand shook, and a drop of hot tea splashed onto my hand, snapping me out of my reverie. As I wiped it off, Wang Tingting giggled and teased, "Serves you right!" Old Liu, embarrassed, pretended not to notice.

I rolled my eyes at her and ignored her as I sipped my tea.

Unable to sit still, Wang Tingting suddenly blurted out, "Don’t you think Academician Zhang’s death was strange?"

"What’s so strange about it? It’s just a murder, isn’t it?" Still flustered from before, I covered up with a sarcastic laugh. Old Liu seemed to want to say something but held back, glancing at Wang Tingting.

Unfazed, Wang Tingting continued, counting off on her fingers: "First, there were no fingerprints or other traces of outsiders in the victim’s room. Though the room was messy, as if it had been ransacked, nothing valuable was missing. That means whoever was searching was looking for something specific. And if there were no fingerprints at the scene, unless the victim himself was searching, the person must be highly experienced with anti-investigation skills. Perhaps even a professional killer."

"Oh? And the second point?" Old Liu, impressed by her analysis, pressed her to continue.

"Second," Wang Tingting said, pleased, "the victim had three fatal injuries. The first was a mark across the center of the neck, likely made by a weapon that was so sharp and fast it severed the neck in less than half a second, yet not enough to decapitate the head. The other two fatal injuries, according to the forensic report, were caused by shock and electrocution. Our household electricity runs between 220 and 240 volts, but to make someone's hair stand on end from a shock would require at least ten thousand volts. As for the shock..."

"I doubt the shock was the main factor," I interrupted, knowing she wanted to dwell on this. "If the neck was cut and there was electrocution, either could have frightened the victim to death in his final moments, leading to a misinterpretation during the investigation."

"Then why was the victim staring at the TV when he died? Was there something on the screen?" Wang Tingting pressed, skeptical.

"It could be a coincidence, or perhaps a deliberate distraction set up by the killer, or something else entirely. If you really want to know, ask Academician Zhang next time you see him," I replied coldly.

That last comment startled them both. Wang Tingting scolded me, pouting in annoyance. Old Liu, however, turned pale. It was, admittedly, a bit much to joke about speaking to the dead right after someone had died, but hearing it said aloud sent chills down the spine.

Old Liu, still pale, managed to ask, "Could there be some supernatural element?"

The mention of the supernatural made me tense up as well, but I quickly dismissed it, "There’s no need to jump to such conclusions."

Relieved, Old Liu relaxed. Wang Tingting, curious about our reaction, asked, "What do you mean by supernatural?"

Old Liu and I exchanged glances, not wanting to elaborate. Seizing the chance to change the subject, Old Liu said, "Miss Wang, your keen observations are admirable—no wonder Changfeng, who usually works alone, brought you along. You truly are a valuable partner. Your analysis is so thorough; if there’s a third point, I’d love to hear it."

The old are truly wise—he flattered her so much that Wang Tingting forgot about her previous question. Counting off a third finger, she said, "Third, the skills of the killer. He must be a top-level assassin."

"And why do you say so?" Old Liu asked.

"Huang Feng told me that the men Ren Tianxing brought were all carefully selected, half of whom had anti-terrorism and survival training. Their skills and reflexes are top-notch. Three security personnel were on duty at the time, and with all those layers of protection, the killer still managed to get in and out undetected. That alone shows formidable skill. Moreover, if the killer came in through the window, the two small holes found there must have been left by some tool used as a foothold."

I nodded in agreement at her deduction.

Suddenly, Wang Tingting looked around cautiously and lowered her voice, "There’s one more important thing I noticed—"

"What is it?" Old Liu and I asked in unison.

She blinked and whispered, "When we entered the room, I seemed to smell a floral fragrance. On the windowsill there was a petal, and the scent was the same. The petal’s shape and fragrance reminded me of chrysanthemum. It could very well have been a chrysanthemum petal."

"A floral scent? Chrysanthemum?" I murmured. Women are especially sensitive to such scents, so it was no surprise none of us noticed it at the time. Now that she mentioned it, I felt as if I’d encountered that scent somewhere before, but the memory eluded me.

I slapped my forehead, trying to clear my mind, when my phone suddenly rang.

Our first reaction was surprise; anyone would find it odd for a phone to ring at four in the morning.

I looked at the caller ID—it was Gu Jing, that old fellow, calling in the dead of night. Frustrated by my inability to recall the matter of the chrysanthemum, I snapped into the phone, "Old man, I’m not dead yet—you don’t have to call and rush me!"

A chuckle came from the other end, "If you were dead, I wouldn’t be interested. But compared to you, I’m far more curious about your half-dead student."

"What?!" I exclaimed, a sense of dread creeping over me.

Gu Jing sighed, "It’s all trouble you brought me. A young man named Tang Xin, who said he’s your student, came to me for help. He’s half dead now, lying here. If it weren’t for the protective charm you inscribed on his back before you left, he’d be gone by now. Luckily, I used the Three-Flavored True Fire to force out the corpse poison in him—otherwise, he’d be a puddle of rotting flesh. The poison’s gone, but he hasn’t woken up yet. You’d better come back soon."

"Fine. Keep him alive for now. I’ll return as soon as I’ve dealt with things here." I knew that with Gu Jing’s skills, few perished under his care. I was somewhat reassured and hadn’t expected that the protective charm I gave Tang Xin before my departure would prove effective.

"I’m exhausted. I’m going to rest," I said after hanging up, noticing the astonished expressions on their faces. My reaction to the call must have startled them, so I took the opportunity to politely usher them out so I could collect myself.