Inside a small red Chery QQ car…
Li Hui was driving, and Han Bin sat in the front passenger seat.
"Man, that hotpot hit the spot. Captain Zheng really treated us well tonight," Li Hui said, patting his stomach.
"Your belly's practically hitting the steering wheel. Watch the road," Han Bin reminded him.
"You were the star tonight, Binzi. Captain Zheng and Zeng both praised you like crazy."
"Jealous?"
"From the way Captain Zheng spoke, I bet you're getting a bonus."
"If I do get one, I'll treat you to dinner."
"That's what I like to hear," Li Hui chuckled.
Buzz!
Han Bin's phone chimed — a message from their Team 2 WeChat group.
Zeng Ping had sent a voice message:
"Urgent case. There's been a murder at Xiangcheng International. Respond if you see this."
"I'm here," Tian Li replied first.
"Han Bin reporting in. Li Hui too."
"Tian Li, call Zhao Ming," Zeng Ping instructed.
"On it."
Han Bin glanced out the car window. "Zeng, we're right near Xiangcheng International. We'll be there in five minutes."
"Once you arrive, secure the scene immediately. We're on our way."
"Got it."
"Man…" Li Hui sighed. "Just ate a big meal, was planning to go home and sleep. Now we've got a new case."
Zeng Ping sent another voice message briefly explaining the situation as reported by the caller.
"A homicide again. Looks like we've got work to do," Han Bin said.
"Someone got beaten to death in a residential complex? That's bold," Li Hui added.
"Turn the corner up ahead — we'll be at Xiangcheng International."
"You know this place pretty well, huh?" asked Li Hui.
"A few years ago, my parents were thinking of buying a place here. But I thought the name was too lame, so I talked them out of it."
"Good call," said Li Hui.
They parked at the entrance of the residential community. As soon as they got out, a security guard walked over.
"You can't park here. Move the car," the guard said.
"We're police. Here to investigate a case," Han Bin replied, showing his badge.
"A case? What kind of case?" the security guard was shocked.
To be fair, he wasn't really a trained guard — just an older man around 50 keeping an eye on the gate. If something really bad happened, he wouldn't be much help.
"Someone in your complex reported a murder in the greenbelt area. Take us there," Han Bin said.
"Murder?!" The guard's jaw dropped.
Han Bin frowned. "You didn't hear anything?"
"I heard someone crying earlier near the greenbelt. A coworker of mine went to check it out."
"Then what are you waiting for? Take us there!" Li Hui urged.
They entered the complex and, sure enough, near the greenbelt they heard the sound of a woman sobbing.
"Wuu wuu…"
As they got closer, they saw a small crowd gathered — this must be the scene.
"We're police. Please make way," Han Bin called out.
"The police are here."
"Yikes, this is serious."
"Well, someone did die…"
The crowd parted to let them through.
Han Bin and Li Hui walked over and saw a middle-aged woman sitting on the ground, hugging a bloody dog, crying her heart out.
Han Bin frowned and raised his voice:
"Who reported the crime, saying their son had been beaten to death?"
"I did. I'm the one who called," the woman sobbed.
Li Hui was confused. "Where's the victim's body?"
"Right here," the woman said, gently stroking the dead dog in her arms. "Covered in blood. Someone beat him to death."
"…That's a dog," Han Bin said flatly. "But in your report, you said your son was murdered and even specifically requested our criminal investigation unit."
"I raised him like a son. He ate with me, slept with me. To me, he was my family."
"What's your name?"
"Li Weina."
"Do you have a history of mental illness?" Li Hui asked.
"What kind of question is that? You're the one with a mental illness!" Li Weina snapped.
"Li Hui, update Captain Zeng on the situation," Han Bin ordered.
Li Hui nodded and stepped aside with his phone.
Just then, officers from the Guang'an Police Station arrived, led by Sergeant Cui Hao.
"Binzi, you guys got here quick," Cui Hao greeted.
"We were nearby."
"We heard someone was beaten to death. Where's the body?" Cui Hao asked, scanning the scene.
Han Bin gestured with his chin. "It was a dog."
"A false report?" Cui Hao frowned.
Han Bin nodded.
"Want us to take her back to the station and handle it?" Cui Hao offered.
"Let's wait. The case was assigned to us. We'll see what Captain Zeng wants us to do."
"Fair enough."
A moment later, Li Hui returned. "I filled Captain Zeng in on everything."
"What did he say?"
"He said since we're already here, we might as well handle it. He's not coming."
"What about Li Weina?"
"Captain Zeng said we should handle it by the book. Just because it's minor doesn't mean we ignore it."
"Understood," Han Bin nodded.
He turned to Li Weina. "Your dog died. That's something the local police station handles. Why did you lie and say your son was killed? Why demand that the criminal unit come?"
"What can the station do? All they do is mediate. Can they catch the killer who took my son away?"
"Li Weina, you filed a false police report and wasted resources," Cui Hao said sternly. "According to Article 25 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, you can be detained for 5 to 10 days and fined up to 500 yuan. If the offense is minor, it can be less."
"As long as you catch the one who killed my son, I'll pay the fine," she said defiantly.
Han Bin scoffed. They'd just spent hours chasing a fake murder, mobilizing multiple officers — and she thinks a 500-yuan fine settles it?
She thought this was a game?
This kind of false reporting had to be punished severely. If not, they'd never get any real work done, always chasing fake cases.
"It's late. Everyone, please head back home. You've got work tomorrow," Cui Hao told the onlookers.
"It's Saturday tomorrow — no work."
"Yeah, but are you going to arrest the dog killer or not?"
"It's still a life. Poor little pup…"
More residents gathered instead of dispersing.
"Binzi, what should we do? All these civilians are watching. We can't just pack up and leave," Cui Hao asked.
"I'll handle this case," Han Bin said seriously.
Killing a dog might not seem like a big deal, but it's something people relate to. Most citizens will never see a homicide up close — but pet conflicts are common.
It may be a small case, but it has big implications.
They had to investigate the incident and punish Li Weina. Only then would the public be satisfied.
(End of Chapter)