National Forensic Doctor
Chapter 692 - 635: Enhancing Wisdom

Chapter 692: Chapter 635: Enhancing Wisdom

Pig brain is very tender. After trying it, it falls clearly above 8.5 points in food rating, with 9 points reserved for the likes of Liu Yifei, which is considered a legendary benchmark.

In fact, the brains of most animals are delicious, a typical example being sheep brain, which should also be at least an 8-point standard. The principle is the same with rabbit heads; while the meat on the brain is certainly good, it’s still not quite right without the brain itself.

However, the main issue with animal brains is that they are too small. Pig brains are relatively large, but at most, they’re the size of a rebellious teenage girl’s fist. If only they could be a bit bigger... From this perspective, one might speculate—merely speculate—that monkey brains would taste quite good...

However, after consuming pig brains, a group of detectives didn’t see any noticeable improvement in their IQ.

Jiang Yuan agonized over the conundrum and found it rather challenging.

Firstly, for him as a forensic doctor, there was no point in mentioning bodies, as there wasn’t even a crime scene. Forget about the first or second scene; they didn’t even know where the incident had occurred.

Beyond the absence of a body or crime scene, the time of the crime was unclear, and even the car driven by the victim couldn’t be located...

As Jiang Yuan ate hotpot and contemplated the case, Liu Cheng beside him felt he could guess Jiang Yuan’s state of mind.

Though he was Ningtai Jiangyuan, at this moment, Ningtai Jiangyuan’s brain was probably mush. He was in exactly the same state as Liu Cheng himself.

In truth, as an inconspicuous police officer, Liu Cheng frequently encountered similar situations with cases.

For detectives, it’s not like there are always perfect strategies or so much advance planning to be had.

If they really thought it through... thinking things through isn’t so easy, especially when there’s not a shred of evidence.

But if they couldn’t figure it out, did that mean they could just give up on the case?

Of course not. Thus, the detectives’ usual strategy in facing a case could be summed up with one phrase: Just do it!

Liu Cheng observed Jiang Yuan, trying to further guess his thoughts.

At that point, Jiang Yuan also spoke up, "Keeping the focus on the car as a direction for investigation, I think that’s correct."

The others, engrossed in their meal, couldn’t help but look up at Jiang Yuan.

"You always need some sort of transportation. Even without a vehicle, disposing of a car is a challenging process. It’s easier to find a car than a person." Jiang Yuan paused, then added, "If we pull all the surveillance footage, theoretically, there’s still a chance to spot the target."

Qian Tongyi’s squadron probably had twenty to thirty people. With that number of people, it would still be impossible to review all the roadside surveillance.

So... if Jiang Yuan could organize a few hundred people to check the footage, then there might be a chance to locate the vehicle.

Jiang Yuan had cooperated with Xu Taining a few times before, and as the saying goes, even if you haven’t seen a pig run, you’ve eaten its brain.

Liu Cheng and the others were somewhat stunned by his suggestion; the cost seemed too high. Besides, even if they found the vehicle’s trace, there was no guarantee of finding the car, and even if they found the car, there was no guarantee of uncoveringany clues. So much manpower invested upfront... Normally, they wouldn’t handle cases this way.

"It’s been a month already. If the car went to Pingzhou, the evidence is probably already contaminated. If it’s been dismantled or dumped in a lake, finding it would be useless." Qian Tongyi expressed mild opposition, because if this task was set in motion, it was he who would truly have to undertake it.

Jiang Yuan nodded in agreement. Indeed, even if they managed to find surveillance footage from a month ago, it might be in some small corner, serving only to confirm the direction the vehicle took. The clearer images from checkpoints had already been checked. Reviewing them again would be pointless.

Jiang Yuan blew on his food and ate half a pig brain, reviewing his own arsenal, and wondered if it was time to call on Xu Taining again.

Liu Cheng thought it was too difficult and pitied the waste of Jiang Yuan’s combat power. He cleared his throat and said, "If this were happening at our station, an expert like Captain Jiang wouldn’t need to waste time on such a case."

Qian Tongyi, in the midst of eating meat, was unhappy with the remark. He grunted, put down the pig brain, turned his head, and asked, "How is this a waste? What kind of case is this?"

"This kind of case might be one where the victim has gone home on his own. He could be sneakily playing poker somewhere for all we know." Liu Cheng paused, then continued, "When utilizing an expert, you should use their core expertise. You’re making Captain Jiang do everything, which is a waste of both his time and your own capabilities, isn’t it?"

His words left Qian Tongyi somewhat speechless.

Jiang Yuan, however, looked at Liu Cheng with newfound respect and then chuckled, "I also get impatient staying in the lab all day. It’s nice to go out and crack cases. How about this, tomorrow morning, we’ll visit the victim’s company and home to have a look. If he ran off on his own, there should be some clues."

This thought widened Jiang Yuan’s own perspective.

For him, as long as there was a scene, there was always something to be gleaned. Like an old house lived in for over a decade, it may seem devoid of old traces, but if someone in the house was a victim of domestic violence to the point that blood splattered on the walls, and the paint was applied thinly, there was a chance to spot it.

The traces of life over a decade could reveal many details. If an experienced psychologist or a family and marriage expert were to investigate, they could write an entire book.

Jiang Yuan wasn’t counting on uncovering any key evidence directly, but the victim might have left clues hinting at key personal relationships at home, such as the presence of a current girlfriend, an ex-girlfriend, or a casual partner, or possibly unique sexual preferences. As for the company, productivity, work patterns, and the state of the employees could all potentially provide information.

Jiang Yuan’s spirits lifted after he figured out his plan. He waved to summon a server and said, "Bring us the same amount of pig brains."

After putting his hand down, Jiang Yuan explained with a smile, "I feel like my intelligence has been nourished."

Thus, the group responded with good-natured smiles, not wanting to be impolite.

Mu Zhiyang glanced at Qian Tongyi from the corner of his eye, thinking: You have no idea about the financial crisis you just narrowly avoided!

...

The next day.

Jiang Yuan got up, went downstairs and entered a Cantonese-style dim sum restaurant. He ordered everything on the menu before leisurely sipping his tea and methodically eating it all.

The restaurant, located beneath the small house Jiang Yuan had purchased, was a place he occasionally visited while living in Changyang City. Due to his tall stature, which stood out from the crowd, the owner recognized him and often greeted him. It was quite a pleasant place to visit.

Qian Tongyi and the others drove straight to the restaurant to pick up Jiang Yuan. Jiang Yuan packed some food for the group before getting in the car. After a short nap, they arrived at the home of the victim, Shang Geyong.

"This is the place Shang Geyong rented for ten thousand a month, which is considered one of the best complexes in Xinjian District. The apartment is also quite spacious, measuring around 170 to 180 square meters," Qian Tongyi explained as they walked. "Shang Geyong also bought an apartment here with a similar layout but slightly smaller. It’s currently being renovated. His factory is about twenty minutes’ drive away. The roads in Xinjian District are good and clear, though somewhat desolate..."

After wandering around Shang Geyong’s apartment for quite some time, Jiang Yuan asked, "Is his newly renovated apartment nearby? Does Shang Geyong visit it often?"

"He does. Shang Geyong designed the renovation himself. But you wouldn’t be able to tell right now; we’ve also had a look. They’ve just finished the plumbing and electrical work, haven’t even started tiling yet."

"Let’s also take a look," Jiang Yuan said.

The crime scene was sadly lacking; it felt as though there was one fewer place to inspect.

The group went downstairs and moved to another building not far away.

The newly renovated apartment had a large advertisement from Xin Xin Construction and Decoration Company plastered on the door. After opening the security door, they were greeted by a rough cement floor and a chill wind that swiftly enveloped the space.

With a spacious living room in a cross-hall layout and an open kitchen, the room felt very expansive. The partitions for the other rooms had already been put up, ultimately forming a three-bedroom, two-living-room floor plan...

Jiang Yuan followed Qian Tongyi inside, his brow furrowing slightly.

Seeing Jiang Yuan’s reaction, Qian Tongyi chuckled, "The smell of a newly renovated place is quite strong; they’ve left all those construction materials inside... Go open some windows."

"Wait a moment." Jiang Yuan stopped everyone and then sniffed the air, "There’s a faint smell of decaying flesh."

Qian Tongyi was taken aback but then took a deep breath.

"Ugh... there really is." Qian Tongyi was genuinely surprised, "We didn’t notice this smell last time we were here."

"It might have been too soon," Jiang Yuan replied calmly.

Mu Zhiyang pulled out his baton, put on shoe covers, and started inspecting the interior.

"It’s empty."

"All the rooms are empty."

After a thorough search by the police officers, their attention turned to the newly built east wall in one of the rooms.

This was supposed to be the TV wall.

In the middle of renovation, the apartment was essentially empty except for some construction materials and debris. If there was still a decaying smell...

"Let’s open it up and take a look," Qian Tongyi instructed, after taking photos and recording videos. He found a crowbar in the corner of the room and began to pry at the bricks.

Others found various unsuitable tools and began prying at the wall.

"There it is."

The newly built wall wasn’t very sturdy, and a few strong men quickly pried open a small hole.

A toe, which seemed unmistakably human, poked through the small hole in the TV wall, wrapped in a cement bag.