Miss Forensics – Chapter 90

Volume One: First Scroll

Cold Case

Song Yuhang lowered her head, letting her be kneaded and shaped at will.

Amidst a long silence and watchful gazes, Zhao Junfeng put down his chopsticks.

“Why the sudden urge to ask about this?”

Song Yuhang remained impassive. “It’s a cold case, after all. I want to solve it.”

Zhao Junfeng gave a cold snort and refilled his own glass. “It’s not a cold case. The court already passed sentence and closed the case back then.”

“But the suspect died in the detention center, didn’t he?” Song Yuhang retorted. “That means the case isn’t over.”

“Then what do you want to do? Dig a dead man out of the ground to confront you face-to-face?” Zhao Junfeng’s hand, gripping the wine glass, tightened slightly, sending ripples across the surface of the liquid.

“You want to earn merit, but this isn’t the way to be so eager for quick success.”

Song Yuhang opened her mouth, but before she could speak, she was silenced by a sharp glance from Zhao Junfeng.

“Or are you saying that for the sake of a certain Lin Yan, you’ve thrown all national laws and regulations to the wind? I turned a blind eye to the things you two stirred up in Jiangcheng, but that doesn’t mean I can endlessly indulge your reckless behavior.”

As the head of a provincial public security department, he naturally had his own sources of information and informants. Song Yuhang had never intended to hide it from him.

“This has nothing to do with Lin Yan. I want to investigate this myself.”

Even if it’s for the sake of the tragically deceased Li Bin and for Guo Xiaoguang, who must forever hide in the shadows, unable to show his true face, I have to see this investigation through.

Zhao Junfeng took a sip of wine and smiled.

Song Yuhang didn’t understand his meaning until his gaze fell upon her, and in it, there was a trace of pity.

“Yuhang.”

He called her by her given name, just as he had when she was still a student.

“You see Lin Yan, and the entire Lin family, in far too simple a light.”

“What is Lin Yan’s status? A Ph.D. who returned from studying abroad. Before she went to your Jiangcheng Municipal Bureau, she was employed at the nation’s largest forensic science institution. Even for cases registered by the Ministry of Public Security, a good number are entrusted to them each year. How many people can achieve that at such a young age? Looking back through the entire history of forensic medicine since the founding of New China, there are probably very few who can compare.”

Song Yuhang looked at him, her own reflection appearing in his turbid eyes. She picked up a glass of wine, also took a sip, and set it down heavily.

“That’s the result of her own hard work. She spends all her time in the autopsy room, aside from eating and sleeping. I doubt many people could do what she does.”

To love the work of forensic medicine as she does, to always hold the maxim ‘to speak for the dead and secure the rights of the living’ in her heart.

Zhao Junfeng smiled faintly and refilled her glass. “You’re wrong. In this day and age, there are too many people who want to get ahead. Hard work is just the passing grade. You need money, connections, cunning, and skill. Most importantly, you have to be ruthless.”

He was truly an old public security officer who had come up through the narcotics division. Perhaps Song Yuhang herself hadn’t realized that, under the influence of alcohol, the question she had first raised was gradually being led astray, and she was being led by the nose.

“Think about it carefully. Are Lin Yan’s actions truly so innocent? When you look in the mirror, the person in the mirror is also looking at you. But how do you know that the person in the mirror is the same one you spend every day with?”

“After all, a person’s heart is separated by their belly; you may know a person’s face, but not their heart.”

Zhao Junfeng lightly clinked his glass against hers and downed his in one go.

Song Yuhang looked at the rippling wine on the table and smiled faintly. “You truly live up to your reputation, Master. Psychological induction. I was almost led astray by you. However—”

She pushed the wine glass further away. “I won’t make the same mistake on a subject I’ve failed on before, like in my graduation exams.”

Zhao Junfeng was taken aback for a moment, then began to laugh.

“Not bad. You’ve improved.”

Song Yuhang picked up a piece of a cold dish with her chopsticks and placed it on his plate. “So, can we talk about the case now? Master.”

Space Line

Lin Yan had rented a computer at a nearby internet cafe. After leaving a surveillance image at the entrance, she disappeared through the back door.

She directly hailed a taxi and went to her appointed meeting place.

The man was, as usual, dressed in loose sportswear and was currently swinging a golf club.

The ball went into the hole, and his guest arrived.

The man turned around, wiping sweat with a white towel. “You’re here. Sit.”

Lin Yan sat down opposite him and got straight to the point. “I want Zhu Yong’s medical report from back then.”

The man’s hand, holding a teacup, paused. “That’s impossible. It’s a top-secret file. I can’t get it.”

Lin Yan looked at him coldly. “Name your price.”

The man lifted the teacup lid to skim the foam from the surface. Amidst the curling green steam, her features were as captivating as if they were submerged in an ink wash painting.

He set the teacup down, his gaze landing on her, a hint of interest in his eyes.

“The old rule. It’s not like she’s with you today, is it?”

It was a hint, an invitation, a temptation.

It all depended on how Lin Yan chose to respond.

Their eyes met. He thought she would agree, but to his surprise, she let out a soft laugh and leaned back in her chair.

“You’re not the only one who’s short on cash. I can find someone else. Your competitor, for example…”

The man’s expression changed abruptly, and he spoke through gritted teeth. “No one is willing to help you with this except me.”

“That’s not necessarily true.” Lin Yan took out a cigarette. A waiter leaned over to light it for her.

She languidly blew out a smoke ring. “After all, you all share a common enemy. Solving this case will only benefit you, me, and anyone who wants to see him fall from power. There are no downsides.”

“How you choose is up to you.”

As her words fell, a fair, slender hand placed a bank card on the table.

Threats and inducements; she truly had a thorough grasp of the human heart.

The man laughed. He looked at her face—so beautiful, yet it sent a chill through his heart.

“When I say I can’t get it, I can’t get it. However, I can tell you who the prison doctor was that performed his medical examination back then.”

Space Line

Zhao Junfeng took a sip of wine, his expression unchanged.

“There’s really nothing to say about this case. Fourteen years ago, you were still in school, and Lin Yan had just turned eighteen. How could you know whether the police force at the time made any effort on this matter?”

“Yuhang, you can’t be too narrow-minded as a person, nor can you look at problems from only one side.”

“Of course I know that, and I’ve heard the rumors. Lin Yan might be biased against the police, but I’m not. I only believe in facts. The fact is, Zhu Yong had no motive. We definitely arrested the wrong person. Or to put it another way, what kind of ironclad evidence could have made the police, the media, the lawyers, and the general public all believe he was a murderer in one fell swoop?”

Zhao Junfeng scoffed. “Modern criminal investigation values evidence over confessions. If you say you didn’t kill anyone and had no motive, will the police just believe you? Is that how you would handle a case?”

A series of questions were thrown out. Song Yuhang firmly refuted them. “No, I wouldn’t. But if there are doubts, I will investigate them thoroughly to the very end. I will produce evidence that will leave the criminal with no choice but to admit their guilt.”

Now that things had come to this, there was really nothing more for Zhao Junfeng to say.

“I was in the narcotics division back then. Even if this case was registered with the Ministry of Public Security, it wasn’t our jurisdiction. You’ve come to the wrong person.”

Song Yuhang looked at him. He had aged. His temples were graying, and his eyes, which had seemed bright just two years ago, now looked clouded with cataracts.

The alcohol had burned his dark complexion red, but he did not avoid his student’s scrutinizing gaze.

Song Yuhang knew the answer. She gently raised today’s final glass of wine and toasted her teacher.

“I am going to investigate this case.”

So she said.

Zhao Junfeng clinked his glass with hers. “If you want to investigate, then investigate.”

“If the investigation leads to someone, I will not be merciful.”

“Oh? Getting bold, are we?” Zhao Junfeng placed his empty glass on the table.

His gaze was gentle and calm from beginning to end as he looked at his beloved student.

“I’m old. I’m about to retire. If you can really overturn this case, I’ll be able to rest easy.”

Song Yuhang drained her glass, almost fleeing in disarray under that gaze.

She rose hastily. “Shimu, don’t serve any more. I’m full. There’s something at the bureau, so I’ll be heading back now.”

“Hey—eat a little more,” her Shiniang called, poking her head out of the kitchen.

Song Yuhang shook her head, grabbed her coat, and walked out the door.

Zhao Junfeng gave her one last piece of advice. “Never, ever let your guard down around the people closest to you. A dormant beast will still devour people once it awakens.”

Space Line

Just as she was leaving with the satisfactory answer she had obtained, the man called out to her again, his gaze somewhat flirtatious.

“I never thought I’d see the day you’d remain chaste for someone.”

Lin Yan turned back, a brilliant smile on her face.

“Can’t be helped. That’s just my type.”

When she found Song Yuhang downstairs from Zhao Junfeng’s apartment, she was squatting by the roadside, throwing up.

Lin Yan walked over, unscrewed a bottle of mineral water for her, and gently patted her back. “You drank so much when you can’t even hold your liquor.”

Song Yuhang waved her hand, rinsed her mouth with the water, and let Lin Yan’s strength pull her to her feet. She stumbled into her arms, resting her head on her shoulder.

“Where did you go? I went to the internet cafe to look for you, but no one was there.”

Lin Yan took a small step back to help her stand steady, her heart skipping a beat.

“Nowhere. I was sitting for too long and felt uncomfortable, so I went out for a smoke and some fresh air.”

Song Yuhang buried her face in Lin Yan’s neck and sniffed hard. “Liar. There’s no smell of smoke. But there is a… a—”

It was a pleasant scent she couldn’t quite describe.

The warm breath on her ear made it flush crimson.

Lin Yan helped her up straight, cupping her head in her hands. “You’re drunk. We should go back.”

Song Yuhang buried her face in Lin Yan’s palms again, muttering, “No, no, let’s get a room. I want to find a place and sleep with you, sleep!”

In broad daylight, on the side of the road, Lin Yan’s face flushed red. She tugged on her ear. “Don’t you dare push your luck. We’re going home!”

“Oww—” Song Yuhang drew out her response. “It hurts, it hurts. I was wrong, Yanyan, baby, fiancée, wife…”

This person really could spout any shameless word when she was drunk.

Lin Yan had long been familiar with her drunken behavior. Her scalp tingled, and her face burned with embarrassment. She clamped a hand over her mouth, fierce and harsh.

“Shut up for this old lady! Say one more word and you can find your own way back!”

Song Yuhang nodded compliantly, her eyes still sparkling as she stared at her.

Lin Yan couldn’t stand that gaze. Being looked at like that filled her heart with a melting softness, making her want to ruffle her short hair.

And so she did. Song Yuhang lowered her head, letting her be kneaded and shaped at will.

“Let’s go. Home.”

Lin Yan took one of her arms, supporting the staggering woman as they walked forward.

At the Zhao residence.

After Song Yuhang left the table, Zhao Junfeng also put down his chopsticks.

“Old Zhao, not eating anymore?”

At his wife’s call, Zhao Junfeng rose unsteadily. He draped his old woolen coat over his shoulders—a coat issued by his unit that he had worn for decades. His hands trembled as he pushed back his chair. His back hunched, he walked toward his bedroom.

“I’m done. You can clean up.”

Space Line

With Song Yuhang this drunk, she couldn’t take the bus; Lin Yan was afraid she’d cause a scene on the way. After some thought, Lin Yan called her contact in the provincial capital and had someone bring a car over. She helped Song Yuhang into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.

“Miss, do you need me to have someone follow you?”

Lin Yan had been about to say “no,” but seeing Song Yuhang’s drunken state, she nodded.

“Alright. Keep your distance. Don’t let anyone notice.”

The informant quickly made the arrangements. She then called him back. “Has the person who went to the Fangyue Cleaning Company with my business card been settled in?”

The other party paused, looking at her expression, not daring to make assumptions.

“I’m not in charge of the Fangyue side. I’ll ask and get back to you, Miss.”

Lin Yan frowned slightly. For the sake of secrecy, her private businesses and informants were all separate and independent, had never met, and each had their own responsibilities.

What he said was indeed correct, but Lin Yan felt a strange sense of unease, though she didn’t let it show on her face.

“No need. I’ll ask myself.”

“Alright. Goodbye, Miss.”

The owner of the car rental agency nodded, watching her car merge into the heavy traffic.

Lin Yan drove, put on a Bluetooth headset, and pulled a blanket from the back seat, tossing it onto Song Yuhang.

While waiting for the call to connect, her fingertips tapped impatiently on the steering wheel.

After a short ringing tone, the call was answered.

“Hello?” Guo Xiaoguang’s voice was slightly weary.

A flicker of joy went through Lin Yan’s heart. “Are you okay? Have you arrived?”

It was a vast, empty warehouse.

The exhaust fan hummed, casting chaotic shadows on the ground.

He was tied to a chair. A man in black held the phone to his ear, the dark muzzle of a gun aimed at him.

Guo Xiaoguang swallowed hard. “I’m fine. I’ve arrived. I’m at the place.”

Lin Yan relaxed slightly. “That’s good. Have they arranged work for you?”

The gun pressed against his temple made his scalp ache. Guo Xiaoguang’s voice was a little rushed.

“N-no rush to start work. I want to… to rest for a couple more days.”

“Fine, it’s up to you. You don’t have to work if you don’t want to. By the way, have the police looked for you?”

Lin Yan asked, driving the car toward the city exit.

“Yes, yes, they came this morning. I told them everything you taught me. They shouldn’t be suspicious. They even said they’d return all the money that was stolen from me.”

“That’s good.”

Lin Yan wanted to say more, but the man in black lifted the gun impatiently. Cold sweat dripped down Guo Xiaoguang’s forehead, and he took the hint, ending the call that had felt long and torturous for him.

“If… if there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up. My mom is waiting for me to feed her.”

“Okay.” Seeing that she was about to get on the highway, Lin Yan took off her headset, hung up, and focused on driving.

Hearing his voice means he’s still alive. And if he’s still alive, it means he’s temporarily safe.

Still, I should send someone to check on him.

She made her plans, not knowing that it was already too late.

By the time she realized it, Guo Xiaoguang had vanished as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth.

When she stopped for an inspection, Song Yuhang grunted a few times, rubbing her temples as she slowly woke up.

“Where are we?”

Lin Yan, wearing sunglasses, gave a small yawn and tossed her a bottle of mineral water.

“The toll booth. We’ll be in Jiangcheng in a few dozen kilometers.”

Song Yuhang twisted it open, took two gulps, and stuffed it back into the armrest box, turning her head to look at her.

“This has been hard on you. How about I drive for a while?”

“Don’t.” Lin Yan tossed the change from the toll onto the dashboard.

“I just got this car today, and I only got my A1 license¹ last year. I’d rather not get any points deducted.”

Song Yuhang smiled and squeezed her hand.

“I’ll give you a good, long relaxation session at the villa later.”

Lin Yan snorted as she passed through the toll gate.

“Who said we’re going to the villa? Go back to your own place.”

“That works too. My home is your home anyway. It’s all the same whether you come with me or I go with you. It’s just that it might not be as convenient at my place at night…”

Song Yuhang winked, joking around to keep her from getting bored while driving.

If she hadn’t been driving, Lin Yan would have hit her directly, snapping, “Get lost!”

On their way back to Jiangcheng, another call was connected.

“They’ve obtained the key evidence,” a man’s voice, sounding somewhat old, said.

The person on the other end of the line chuckled softly, as if they had expected it all along.

“If you don’t remove the root when cutting the weeds, they will grow again when the spring breeze blows². I told you back then…”

Before he could finish, he was abruptly cut off.

“Do not harm innocent people! That is the bottom line!”

The voice on the other end sounded quite urgent.

The man was silent for a long moment. “Stay out of this. I’ll handle it.”

“How will you handle it? They are—”

“So what? This was never a case they should have touched in the first place. I gave them countless chances, both overtly and covertly. They refused a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit³.”

“Heh, you really have the heart to be so ruthless.”

The person on the phone let out a soft, cold laugh.

“Those who achieve great things don’t sweat the small stuff. What’s more…”

After a brief silence, he said, “You and I both know that if the truth of this case comes to light, it will do neither of us any good.”

Space Line

The remaining few dozen kilometers to Jiangcheng were all winding mountain roads. Lin Yan drove with full concentration.

Song Yuhang glanced in the rearview mirror. “Someone’s following us.”

Lin Yan, wearing sunglasses and chewing gum, said, “They’re my people.”

Song Yuhang shook her head. “The white car on the left is yours, right? The one behind us isn’t.”

Lin Yan steered with one hand, pulling her sunglasses down slightly to take a look. A cold smile touched her lips.

“Let’s test them and find out.”

As she spoke, there was a ramp ahead. She spun the steering wheel, taking a sharp turn straight onto the side road, heading for an unnamed mountain path.

The car behind them was clearly startled and slowed down.

A voice came through her earpiece. “Miss?”

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow nonchalantly and glanced at Song Yuhang. “Don’t make a move unless I tell you to.”

The radio went silent again.

Song Yuhang slung her backpack over her shoulders and stretched her limbs. “Ah, I slept for a bit too long. It’s about time for some exercise.”

Her white car on the left quickly pulled aside, while the black car followed her onto the ramp.

The corner of Lin Yan’s lips curled up. “Come on, then. It’s been a long time since I’ve raced.”

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Re-translated on June 20, 2025

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