Five Cases - CH 30

“So, what’s the next step?” Ji Fanyang closed the dossier and faced Lu Hui, who was languidly reclining on the desk, “Sister Yang and Feifei went to the hospital to investigate. Are we just going to sit here and relax?”

Lu Hui covered his face with the crook of his arm and yawned listlessly: “Xi Junhong?”

“Coming, coming.” Young Master Xi pushed open the door with a foot as he carried two bags of snacks, “Hungry?”

Ji Fanyang supported a cheek in his hand and watched him: “Feifei isn’t here.”

Xi Junhong was dazed for a couple of seconds then moved forward eagerly: “Okay, Feifei isn’t here. Can you guys give me some info? Like what Feifei likes. I feel a bit down.”

Ji Fanyang turned to look at Lu Hui, who’s eyes lit up as he stared closely at the two bags of junk food, entirely disregarding what Xi Junhong was saying.

Ji Fanyang deliberated internally for a moment, then said tactfully: “Feifei likes ice cream.”

“…” Xi Junhong blinked, “More specifically?”

“You’ve managed to avoid all prerequisites perfectly. Surprised?” Lu Hui looked at Xi Junhong, smiling slightly, “Bringing snacks and sending flowers. Even high schoolers would resort to cheap tricks like those.”

“Chief Lu, please instruct me.” Two bags of snacks were placed in front of Lu Hui. Xi Junhong smoothly pulled over a chair and sat next to Lu Hui, his face in earnest as he pulled out a notebook and a pen to jot down notes.

Ji Fanyang chuckled: ‘Young Master Xi, Chief Lu doesn’t have any romantic experience.”

Lu Hui slanted a look at Ji Fanyang, then said: “Use your heart.”

“Hahaha.” Ji Fanyang pulled out a handful of potato chips, “So profound.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Xi Junhong nodded vigorously.

Lu Hui stood up and stole the bag of chips from Ji Fanyang, then stuffed some in his mouth: “Alright, let’s go.”

“Go where?” Ji Fanyang asked.

Xi Junhong was uncertain: “I’m going too?”

“To Du Chengxian’s uncle’s house. Yes, you’re coming too.” Lu Hui said. He put on his jacket and wrapped himself up tightly, “Let’s go.”

Ji Fanyang and the dazed-and-confused Xi Junhong followed Lu Hui, but just as they left the office, they met Zhong Yuxiu.

“Chief Lu, you’re going out?” Zhong Yuxiu asked.

Lu Hui nodded: “Investigating.”

“Is it convenient to bring me along?” Zhong Yuxiu asked.

Lu hui dipped his chin in a slight nod: “Yes.”

The four of them drove to Du Chengxian’s uncle’s house. Lu Hui knocked on the door.

“Dong dong dong.”

“Who is it.” A man called impatiently, followed by the pitter-patter of slippers.

“Creak—” The door opened, revealing the face of a middle-aged man, “Who are you all?”

“Du Xinhua?” Lu Hui flashed his badge, “Public Safety Bureau of Linhua City, Zhuchuan Province, chief of the serious crimes squad, Lu Hui.”

Zhong Yuxiu spoke: “I am with Liangang City’s Public Safety Bureau, captain of team seven, Zhong Yuxiu.”

Du Xinhua moved aside to let them in, astonished: “Comrade Officers, please come in. May I ask what’s the matter?”

The four of them entered the room. Du Xinhua’s wife heard them and came out: “You all are?”

“They’re police officers.” Du Xinhua answered. He smiled at Lu Hui, “This is my wife, Hu Fang.”

“We are investigating some matters relating to your nephew, Du Chengxian.” Zhong Yuxiu said, “He is involved with a case in Zhuchuan Province.”

“Chengxian ah, what could a good child like him do?” Du Xinhua said.

Hu Fang darted a look at Du Xinhua, then warmly invited Lu Hui and the others to have some tea: “Have a drink.”

“Thank you.” Lu Hui took the cup of tea, then smoothly placed it down on the coffee table. He said, looking at Du Xinhua, “How many children did your older brother have?”

“One, Chengxian. How many more could he have ah.” Du Xinhua answered, “We brought Chengxian up closely, even closer than our own.”

“Right, right.” Hu Fang nodded.

Lu Hui reached out to pick up the cup of tea and held it. As he sat there, silent, an invisible pressure built in the space between them, making the Du couple afraid to even breathe too loudly.

“Do you both know that the hospital keeps birth records?” Ji Fanyang broke the silence.

Du Xinhua turned to look at Hu Fang, who straightened her neck and said: “Du Xinhua’s brother only entrusted Du Chengxian to us, and we only know of Du Chengxian.”

“Then you don’t deny that Du Chengxian has a brother?” Lu Hui asked.

Cheng Xinhua sighed: “If he had a brother, how could we not support him? In any case, he would be my brother’s child, our blood relative.”

“We did a background check. Over thirty years ago, you all weren’t so well off. How could you raise three children?” Ji Fanyang queried.

Du Xinhua had two daughters of his own, so with the addition of Du Chengxian, there would be a total of three children. Thirty years ago, they had been utterly destitute, with nothing but the bare walls around them. Under these kinds of impoverished conditions, the probability of raising them to adulthood was very small.

“We haven’t called on your old neighbors yet, but we have already found their addresses.” Ji Fanyang said, “What do you think we’ll dig up?”

“Yes, it was difficult back then.” Du Xinhua said. His expression was sorrowful, like he was recalling those difficult days, “I worked three odd jobs, A Fang took care of the kids at home, each of us doing our best to bring up three children. They all treat us well, especially Chengxian. He brings us gifts all the time.”

“Bzz bzz bzz.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Hui picked up the call: “Sister Yang?”

“It was too long ago, but we did find some records. Du Chengxian’s birth records were filed alongside twin birth records. His father was Du Xinhe, his mother was Wang Yun.” Yang Jie said, “Identical brothers.”

“Got it.” Lu Hui hung up, then looked at Du Xinhua as he said, “Confess now, and I’ll do my best to find a good detention center for you.”

“What?” Hu Fang’s eyes widened in shock.

Ji Fanyang sighed; he always had to play good cop. He explained gently: “We investigated Du Chengxian’s birth records. Your brother signed the papers.”

Hu Fang wanted to say something, but Du Xinhua stopped her. The wrinkles on his face deepened as he said: “Alright…we admit it, Du Chengxian has a twin brother. They were born about seven minutes apart. When my brother and sister-in-law passed, they were only a month old. A Fang was still pregnant when we brought them home. Looking at these two kids, we were always worried.”

“Who would be able to raise so many children ah.” Du Xinhua said. He held his wife’s hand. Hu Fang couldn’t help but sigh, and she buried her face into the crook of her husband’s neck. Du Xinhua’s voice sounded much more weathered and worn as he continued, “We were only thinking of sending one away. A month-old child wouldn’t remember anything. Not two months later, A Fang gave birth to fraternal twins. Four children. We lost all hope.”

“Xinhua originally wanted to only send one away to a good home.” Hu Fang said, “But back then, we were so poor that we couldn’t afford food. We couldn’t even buy eggs, let alone formula. Someone came to the door looking to buy a child. The man gave us fifteen thousand yuan, and we agreed.”

“You both sold Du Chengxian’s brother.” Lu Hui, his cool gaze slicing into Du Xinhua like a knife, “Does Du Chengxian know he has an older brother?”

Du Xinhua shook his head: “No, we’ve never told him.”

“When was the last time you saw Du Chengxian?” Lu Hui asked, “What happened to his hand?”

Du Xinhua pondered for a moment, then shook his head again: “We saw him the other day. His hand? It was fine ah.”

Hu Fang nodded in agreement.

Lu Hui laughed, his manner like that of a wolf catching the scent of fresh blood: “I believed part of your story before, a good part of it. But your final answer stopped all of that.” He stood up, “We’re already past the statute of limitations, so there’s no need for you both to go to prison.”

“You!” Du Xinhua’s eyes widened, “You tricked us!”

“You tricked us too.” Lu Hui said composedly, “Your relationship with Du Chengxian is not as good as you said. At the very least, you haven’t seen him in two years.”

“I will have to check what the consequences of deceiving the police are.” Ji Fanyang lifted his notebook, “I’ve recorded everything here.”

Du Xinhua looked panicked. Hu Fang leaned forward and looked at Ji Fanyang anxiously: “We…We didn’t mean to…”

Lu Hui patted Ji Fanyang’s shoulder encouragingly: “Good job.”