Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1217: The Unlucky Thief

In any case, after scolding a few times, Long Xiruo—whose sharp tongue belied a soft heart—couldn’t help but sigh helplessly as she looked at Luo Pianxian’s little face, about to burst into tears.

She waved her hand toward Luo Pianxian, and a gentle force immediately enveloped the little butterfly Demon, preventing the strange powder from spreading further.

Luo Pianxian’s mutation had been triggered by Su Zijun, but even that brat probably hadn’t expected such a strange and lewd effect to emerge… it was truly insidious, and even Long Xiruo had been caught off guard.

Fortunately, the abnormality in her body was caused by an external substance, not a life-threatening condition. With True Dragon power circulating through her body, Long Xiruo expelled all the powder she had accidentally inhaled.

She carefully collected the powder scattered along the way. At first, she thought of just burning it, but considering that even she could be affected by it, she decided to keep it. It might prove useful in the future.

Interestingly, Luo Pianxian’s colorful wings could usually spread and stretch, but this powder had never appeared before. Could it be that it only manifests during the mating season?

With that in mind, the powder in her hand, though inherently arousing, had increased in value. Who knew when Luo Pianxian’s next mating season would occur, or whether this substance would appear again?

“I only inhaled a tiny bit, and it already caused a reaction. If it were a large dose, could anyone withstand it?”

Looking at the colorful orb about the size of a lantern fruit, formed from the collected powder, Long Xiruo pondered… even an immortal might not withstand it.

Watching more powder fall from Luo Pianxian’s wings, the True Dragon of Divine Land narrowed her eyes.The more emotionally stirred, the more powder was shed…

“Pianxian, if you can’t resist, just let your body follow its instincts. I’ll restrain you with True Dragon power; there’s no problem. You’ve grown up. It’s time to teach you the pleasures of being female!”

Long Xiruo extended her hands, her ten jade-like fingers moving like octopus tentacles.

“Eh… eh?!?”

…

The apartment wasn’t large but was a well-furnished one-bedroom, one-living-room, one-bathroom setup, perfect for a single person.

Nan Xiaonan, in her pajamas, curled up in a chair with a freshly made cup of oatmeal, was watching on her laptop.

Again marveling at the convenience of technology in this subworld, she muttered to herself.

Her transfer request hadn’t been approved. The laid-back Director, content with “peace and stability,” had rejected her request for various reasons. If it weren’t for her still-recovering powers, she could have resolved it easily.

But she didn’t want to stay here. She had learned from Little Bao that the woman protected by the world’s will frequently ran into the bureau. Nan Xiaonan insisted—almost to the point of resignation—and Director Liu had no choice but to grant a temporary limit: at least wait until the dismemberment case was solved before considering her transfer.

For Nan Xiaonan at this stage, her forensic identity was still useful. Her consciousness had only partially descended into this subworld, allowing her to manage, but she couldn’t train as freely as in her original world.

She needed to solve the case quickly, since just sitting in the forensic classroom wouldn’t suffice. Most available leads had been checked with nothing new found. She planned to visit the crime scene herself.

“Recovered power is only 0.012 units… hopefully that’s enough.”

Like a resource-limited homemaker, even with plenty of ideas, her lack of power units limited her. The subworld’s energy concentration was decent and increasing, but without understanding its rules, she couldn’t train as she did in her original world. Residual energy from corpses could supplement her, but such cases were rare.

Illegal entrants like her had limited rights and capabilities unless fully recognized by the subworld’s will. Essentially, she was like an undocumented resident with no legal protection or resources.

Time was life; she quickly got up, pulling off her pajamas to change.

As she bit her sock to pull up her pants, the kettle on the gas stove boiled over, scaring her. She stumbled, hit her forehead, and got a small bump.

“Why am I so unlucky…”

…

The investigation team was smaller today, as some had accompanied Ma Houde to City X.

But fewer people didn’t mean less work—it hinted at a possible breakthrough.

Early in the morning, Captain Zhou Yusheng was lively, studying new materials carefully. A female colleague spoke clearly:

“…Following Captain Zhou’s instructions, we’ve obtained all records of Wang Liang and Wu Rong, focusing on the month around their deaths.”

The records were photocopied. Chen Mingming reviewed his copy but his phone rang, breaking the quiet. Like a student in class, he apologized and quickly silenced it.

The colleague continued: “…According to the death dates, Wang Liang’s account had no activity after death. But Wu Rong’s account, between November 22 and 27 last year, had three transfers—56,000, 81,000, and 63,000… all transferred to Wang Liang’s account.”

“…Totaling 200,000. According to Brother Long’s statement, we immediately verified with other creditors of Wang Liang. During November 22–28, Wang Liang repaid three debts: 50,000, 70,000, and 50,000. Each repayment occurred within six hours after the corresponding transfer record.”

The colleague finished and sat down.

Zhou Yusheng looked around and said seriously: “Wu Rong had already died before transferring, yet the recipient was Wang Liang… your thoughts?”

“These are mobile transfer records, but Wu Rong was already dead. Someone—probably Wang Liang himself—used Wu Rong’s phone to transfer money after her death,” a colleague said thoughtfully.

“Actually, it’s already quite clear. Wang Liang most likely acted out of greed… As everyone knows, he usually flits between different women, all for money. According to the investigation, these women had all given Wang Liang money, which he used to pay off gambling debts. Wu Rong even lent him money more than once… and before leaving, she had even caused a big scene at the bar where Wang Liang worked…”

“Suppose Wang Liang used various means to convince Wu Rong to leave with him for City X, then waited for things to calm down before borrowing more money. If Wu Rong refused, could Wang Liang have lost control?”

“You mean he killed Wu Rong, took her phone, then started a series of planned actions, pretending Wu Rong was still alive, and began using her inheritance?”

“If that’s the case, why would Wang Liang also die at his own home? It can’t be Wu Rong seeking revenge after death… And don’t forget, although Wu Rong’s estimated death was between November 18 and 22, she apparently returned via the train station on November 25… Who was that person who returned?”

The case seemed to plunge into contradiction again.

The meeting room fell silent.

Zhou Yusheng clicked his tongue, glanced at the thoughtful Chen Mingming, and casually asked, “Chen Mingming, what’s your take?”

Chen Mingming looked up, meeting everyone’s gaze, no longer appearing as nervous as before. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Lend me the laptop.”

He walked to the female colleague and took her place, fiddling with something. On the projector, everyone saw Chen Mingming at work.

He was using Photoshop.

Chen Mingming seemed deep in thought—he pulled up a photo of Wang Liang and began editing it.

Soon, Wang Liang’s face gradually transformed into a woman’s. Looking closely, the altered image bore a six- or seven-tenths resemblance to Wu Rong.

No one knew why Chen Mingming did this, but Zhou Yusheng was struck and quickly asked, “You mean… Wang Liang disguised himself as Wu Rong and took the train?”

Chen Mingming nodded. “The two returned sequentially, but in terms of timing, Wang Liang had enough time to return to City X secretly, disguise himself as Wu Rong, then come back. Then he could continue impersonating Wu Rong for other movements, before returning himself.”

“And the evidence?” Zhou Yusheng’s eyes brightened but did not affirm.

Chen Mingming said calmly, “It’s just a hypothesis… but it can be proven. To travel from this city to City X outside normal means, one would need an unlicensed private car. Wang Liang, wanting to erase normal traces, would only choose such an illegal car… The route is long, and even if drivers existed, there wouldn’t be many. It should be easy to check.”

He glanced at the female colleague whose seat he’d taken. “Also… is it possible to achieve this level of disguise with makeup? I’m not familiar with it.”

She thought carefully and said, “Considering Wang Liang and Wu Rong’s body types, it’s possible. IDs don’t mark height, and train stations are crowded. Security checks are brief. If he planned carefully, it’s entirely feasible!”

“One of Asia’s three great dark arts…” a colleague muttered.

Zhou Yusheng pressed on: “Mingming, how did you think of the disguise?”

Chen Mingming pondered. “I don’t know, it just came to me suddenly… I can’t give you a basis if you ask.”

“Sometimes solving a case requires inspiration,” Zhou Yusheng nodded. “This hypothesis is good… We’ve entered a new puzzle. Let’s follow this lead. Send someone to find drivers involved in the private car business between City X and here. See if Wang Liang appeared!”

“Yes!”

Everyone quickly got to work.

Chen Mingming exhaled, closed the laptop, and rubbed his forehead.

Zhou Yusheng came over, concerned: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just a bit tired,” Chen Mingming shook his head.

“Tired so early?” Zhou Yusheng asked. “Did you not sleep well last night?”

“Maybe it’s spring fatigue,” Chen Mingming smiled faintly. “I’ll check the private car drivers too.”

Zhou Yusheng nodded. “Come with me.”

Truthfully, Zhou Yusheng enjoyed this father-and-son-like teamwork… Chen Mingming didn’t resist, smiling and nodding.

…

Holding a black umbrella, Nan Xiaonan returned to Wang Liang’s crime scene.

She’d been here once before, so finding her way wasn’t an issue. Last time, mostly police were around, and she hadn’t intended to spend her precious power units on the case.

This time, to secure her transfer quickly, she had no choice.

Unexpectedly, she heard a voice like a nightmare…

“Eh, isn’t this Forensic Nan? What a coincidence, you’re here too!”

Before her stood the woman protected by the world’s will—Ren Ziling!

Ren Ziling held an umbrella, a cup of soy milk in hand, a handbag over her shoulder, walking briskly with a lively expression.

Nan Xiaonan’s expression changed.

What’s going on…

(End of Chapter)