There hadn't been any recent cases, so Team Two had been able to get off work on time these past few days.
After dinner with his parents, Han Bin put on his headphones and listened to an audiobook while strolling through his neighborhood.
Huayuan Community had great landscaping, and Han Bin really enjoyed these peaceful walks. When he got tired, he sat on a bench to listen, occasionally chuckling out loud—drawing curious glances from passersby.
Three people approached from not far away. One of them looked familiar. Han Bin took a closer look—it was his colleague, Li Hui.
The other two, a man in a white shirt and slacks and a woman in professional attire with a company badge, looked like real estate agents.
Han Bin stood up and greeted, "Yo, if it isn't Officer Li! What brings you here?"
Li Hui exaggerated his expression. "Long time no see! What's Officer Han doing here?"
Han Bin glanced at his watch and replied, "Yeah, it's been a while. Almost two hours."
The real estate agents beside them didn't quite know how to react to their banter.
"Binzi, do you live in this neighborhood?" Li Hui asked.
"My house is here."
"No way! So we might be neighbors soon?"
"You're buying a place?"
"Are you kidding? Housing prices are sky-high. I can't afford to buy. I'm just looking to rent a single room."
"The environment here is nice. I'll show you around."
Han Bin lived in Building 6, and Li Hui was looking at a place in Building 9—Unit 801. It had the same layout as Han Bin's: three bedrooms, two living rooms, and two bathrooms.
After entering, the female agent explained there were two available rooms. One was the master bedroom with an ensuite, and the other was a south-facing side bedroom. Han Bin just glanced at them and lost interest—same layout as his place.
"How much is the rent for these rooms?" Li Hui asked.
"The master bedroom with ensuite is 1,200. The side room is 1,000," she replied.
"Any chance of a discount?" Li Hui asked.
"Mr. Li, this is already the lowest price."
Li Hui looked around. "Is the other room occupied?"
"Yes, by a female tenant," the agent said, pointing to one of the rooms.
"Okay, I've got a general idea. I'll think it over," Li Hui said.
After they left the building, the agents departed, and Han Bin and Li Hui stayed behind to chat.
"Binzi, do you think that's expensive?" Li Hui asked, still uncertain.
"It's alright."
"Which room do you think is better?"
"Which one do you like?"
"Of course the master bedroom. But it's pricier."
"Then go for it. Having your own bathroom is more convenient and private."
Li Hui nodded, still pained by the idea—it was 1,200 after all.
"It's good to live nearby. We can look out for each other," Han Bin said.
"And I can mooch off your cooking," Li Hui joked.
...
Not every day was a cooking day at Han Bin's home. Sometimes, in the morning, he would eat at the precinct's cafeteria.
A meat bun, a serving of soup dumplings, and a carton of milk—criminal police never knew when a case would pop up, so they needed the energy.
After breakfast, Han Bin went to the office and saw that Li Hui, Tian Li, and Zhao Ming had already arrived.
After saying hi, Han Bin went to make tea.
Team leader Zeng Ping walked in briskly and clapped his hands: Clap clap clap…
"Pack up. We've got a crime scene."
"What kind of case, Captain Zeng?" Han Bin asked.
"Homicide."
Homicide cases were serious, so everyone quickly got ready and headed to the scene.
The forensics team came along as well.
"Captain Zeng, where's the medical examiner?" Tian Li asked.
"Dr. Chen is at a training seminar at provincial HQ. Team One is also handling a murder case, and Dr. Wu is still out on their scene. He'll come over later."
"What's the situation?" Han Bin pressed.
"The caller, Li Yu, works as a highway toll collector. She was on the night shift. When she came home this morning, she found her husband, Xing Jianbin, hanging."
"Suicide or murder?"
"Not sure yet," Zeng Ping replied.
A hanging death counts as unnatural, so the police must be called. Only after ruling out foul play can the family proceed with funeral arrangements.
...
The crime scene was in a village on the outskirts of town.
Local police had already cordoned off the area. Many curious onlookers were gathered, pointing at a three-story house.
Han Bin got out and looked around—no surveillance cameras in sight.
Through the gate was a courtyard with a beautiful three-story building in the center.
Han Bin put on shoe covers and gloves and entered the first-floor living room, where he saw a rope tied to the ceiling fan. Hanging from it was a short, middle-aged man with short hair.
A woman in her thirties sat on the nearby sofa, covering her face and sobbing.
Lu Wen, one of the techs, looked up. "Captain Zeng, can we take the body down now? We need to take photos and collect evidence."
Zeng Ping nodded. "Go ahead, just be careful not to damage the body."
Zhao Ming, bold as ever, volunteered to help Lu Wen take down the body and laid it on the floor.
Zeng Ping knelt down to examine the corpse. Determining whether it was suicide or homicide would dictate the next steps.
If it was suicide, the case was closed.
If it was murder, they'd start a full investigation.
Han Bin also squatted beside the body. Working up some nerve, he touched it lightly with his fingers.
"I think the time of death is more than nine hours ago."
"How do you know?" Li Hui asked, coming closer.
"Rigor mortis typically begins within 30 minutes to 2 hours after death, and fully sets in around 9–12 hours."
These forensic facts were knowledge Han Bin had exchanged for merit points from the police database. They felt imprinted in his mind—he could recall and use them effortlessly.
"So is it suicide or murder?" Tian Li asked.
Han Bin closely examined the marks on the neck. "Murder."
"How do you know?"
"Two main reasons. First, the strangulation marks. In hangings, the marks usually angle upward at about 45 degrees. In murder by strangulation, the marks are usually horizontal."
Everyone nodded—that made sense.
"And the second reason?"
"Hanging doesn't cause death by suffocation like most people think. Although the airway is compressed and it feels like you can't breathe, the actual cause of death is blocked blood flow to the brain. The brain can't get oxygenated blood."
"How's that different from being strangled?" Li Hui still looked puzzled.
"In hangings, blood supply to the brain stops, so the face typically turns pale."
Han Bin pointed to the victim's face. "But when someone is strangled, there's usually significant bruising in the face and neck. It turns dark red due to broken capillaries."
"Hey, you're right!" Zhao Ming said.
"Good analysis," said a voice behind them.
Everyone turned and saw Zheng Kaixuan standing nearby, watching with interest.
(End of Chapter)