I See Murders Before They Happen

Chapter 214: Chapter 212: He Knows the Mind Reading Technique

"Minister Qin."

In her excitement, Su Miaoyi swallowed the lozenge she was sucking on, a cool trail spreading from her esophagus down to her stomach.

She let out a soft cough.

Qin Chengyuan looked at her. "What’s wrong with your throat?"

"It’s nothing, just a little hoarse," Su Miaoyi said.

Qin Chengyuan glanced at her again, then turned to Lu Zhishen. "I heard you all pulled an all-nighter last night. How’s the progress? Yan Zheng just said you’ve finished the sketch?"

"Yes." Lu Zhishen held out the two sketches in his hand for him to see. "These are based on the description from the killer, Kang Hong’s, parents."

Zhuang Yanzheng closed the door and leaned in for a look. "It’s the third person involved in burying the body."

"Can you sketch what this person originally looked like?" Qin Chengyuan asked Lu Zhishen.

Lu Zhishen was silent for two seconds. Without any further explanation, he answered with two words: "I can."

Su Miaoyi looked at Lu Zhishen.

’In just this short time, he seemed much more spirited than usual—focused and full of life.’

’If he told her he was full of vitality right now, she’d definitely believe him.’

"Minister Qin, have a seat over here," Zhuang Yanzheng said.

"No, I have to head back to the ministry soon," Qin Chengyuan said.

So the four of them remained standing in the studio.

Qin Chengyuan looked at Su Miaoyi. "You were the one who saw the killer?"

Su Miaoyi’s gaze instantly shifted from Lu Zhishen to him. "Yes."

"That throat..." Qin Chengyuan took out a small metal tin from his pocket. "Suck on one of these."

"I just had one," Su Miaoyi said, though her hand was honest enough to accept it.

"It won’t hurt. These work better," Qin Chengyuan said.

Su Miaoyi opened the tin and popped a lozenge in her mouth. She couldn’t tell if it was effective yet, but it tasted great.

"Keep it," Qin Chengyuan said.

Su Miaoyi didn’t hesitate, stuffing it directly into her pocket. "Alright."

Zhuang Yanzheng glanced at her.

Lu Zhishen glanced at her too. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something felt strange.

"Carry on. I’m going to check on Yan Cheng," Qin Chengyuan said.

Zhuang Yanzheng went to open the door.

Stepping outside, Qin Chengyuan asked, "Have the victim’s family arrived?"

Zhuang Yanzheng froze for a second. The minister had just asked that, and he had already given an answer.

If the roads were clear, it would take at least another twenty minutes.

However, given the traffic in Jinghai City, even though it wasn’t the evening rush hour, there was bound to be some congestion.

"They’re almost here. I’ll go take a look," Zhuang Yanzheng said, then looked at Su Miaoyi. "Accompany Minister Qin."

Su Miaoyi looked at him.

"That’s fine. Go on," Qin Chengyuan said.

Zhuang Yanzheng stopped in his tracks and watched them leave.

Lu Zhishen stood at the studio entrance, watching Su Miaoyi follow the minister and his secretary toward the skywalk leading to the forensic center.

Zhuang Yanzheng started walking back. When he reached the studio doorway, he pressed a hand to his stomach. "Do you have anything to eat? Get me something, I’m so hungry my stomach is killing me."

Lu Zhishen walked into the studio. "Are you sure it’s hunger? I suggest you get that checked out when you have time."

"It is hunger. I’ll be fine after I eat something," Zhuang Yanzheng said.

Lu Zhishen found some small bread rolls for him. "You’re not just pretending so you can eat my snacks, are you?"

Zhuang Yanzheng tore open a package and took a couple of bites before speaking. "I really want to tell you to ’piss off,’ but can you promise you won’t bring up going back to Jiangcheng if I do?"

"No promises," Lu Zhishen said.

Zhuang Yanzheng fell silent and ate his bread roll.

The bread rolls were small. In the blink of an eye, Zhuang Yanzheng had eaten six of them.

Lu Zhishen poured him a glass of warm water and placed it by his hand. "Why did the Minister come by?"

"He was passing by the municipal bureau, checking in on our work," Zhuang Yanzheng said. "He came from the main office area, then to you, and finally to Yan Cheng."

"Why didn’t I see Director Meng?" Lu Zhishen asked.

"Director Meng and Minister Qin were at the same meeting. She’s not back yet," Zhuang Yanzheng said.

Lu Zhishen didn’t reply. ’I wonder what Director Meng will think when she gets back and hears Minister Qin visited.’

Zhuang Yanzheng’s stomach ache subsided after he ate. He drank some water, then stood up. "Alright, get back to it. I’ve got to get back to my work too."

"Take a few with you, in case it hurts again later," Lu Zhishen said.

"No need," Zhuang Yanzheng said as he left the studio.

Lu Zhishen sat down in front of the drawing board, looked at the two sketches, and began to work.

Meanwhile, on Su Miaoyi’s end.

She was accompanying Qin Chengyuan toward the forensic center.

"Is your throat any better?" Qin Chengyuan asked.

Su Miaoyi nodded. "More effective than my lozenges."

"That’s good." Qin Chengyuan looked at her.

"Is there something you wanted to tell me?" Su Miaoyi asked.

"I just came from a meeting and was passing by, so I wanted to check on the case. Yan Zheng looked a little under the weather, so I’m giving him a chance to rest," Qin Chengyuan said.

"He’s not feeling well?" Su Miaoyi frowned.

"You didn’t notice?" Qin Chengyuan looked at her. "You still need to work on your observation skills."

Su Miaoyi looked at him.

"Not convinced?" Qin Chengyuan looked at her.

Su Miaoyi pressed her lips together. "No."

"You said that ’no’ with such reluctance."

Su Miaoyi: "..."

’How is it that I feel completely transparent in front of him?’

"Feeling transparent in front of me?" Qin Chengyuan added.

Su Miaoyi stared at him in shock. "Mind Reading Technique!"

A faint smile appeared on Qin Chengyuan’s serious face. "I’ve been in this line of work for longer than you’ve been alive."

Su Miaoyi said nothing.

’She had to give him that.’

"I’ve looked into this Kang Hong case, and Yan Zheng gave me the gist of it when I arrived." Qin Chengyuan returned to the topic of the case. "Kang Hong won’t give up the source of the drugs, which means there’s likely a more extensive transaction chain behind him. You all must be careful while investigating."

"Okay, got it," Su Miaoyi replied.

"Ever since you were a child, you’ve had a habit of rushing headfirst into things, charging in all by yourself," Qin Chengyuan said admonishingly. "You’re still the same way now that you’re working. You’ve taken no small amount of criticism and written plenty of written reports because of it."

Su Miaoyi’s mouth twitched.

’So I was a reckless hothead, huh.’

"There’s always someone better out there. Don’t assume you can charge into any situation just because you can fight. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t beat a weapon," Qin Chengyuan said. "You may be a good fighter, but someone else could always be better."

Su Miaoyi didn’t speak, trying to recall something.

But her mind was a complete blank when it came to Qin Leyan.

Qin Chengyuan looked at her and, assuming she thought he was nagging, didn’t continue. "Anyway, just be careful."

Su Miaoyi looked at him. "I know. Don’t worry."

Qin Chengyuan nodded, hearing that her voice had also gotten a bit better.

After seeing Yan Cheng, Qin Chengyuan left. He had more work to do.

Zhuang Yanzheng, Su Miaoyi, and other leaders watched Minister Qin’s car leave.

"Xie Lili’s parents aren’t here yet?" Su Miaoyi asked.

"Not yet. This Jinghai traffic..." Zhuang Yanzheng sighed.

Su Miaoyi looked at him. "Are you not feeling well?"

"Who said that?" Zhuang Yanzheng asked.

"Minister Qin. He said you looked unwell, so he had me accompany him to the forensic center to let you rest," Su Miaoyi said.

Zhuang Yanzheng was silent for a moment. "You can’t hide anything from Minister Qin."

"He’s incredible. He has the Mind Reading Technique," Su Miaoyi said, full of admiration.

...