Hong Kong Storm: The King of Jobs

Chapter 359 136: The Answer

(Thanks to the boy who loves reading historical novels for his support!)
Chi Mengli had only recently met the person in the photo, though only once.

Although they met at night, Chi Mengli still clearly remembered the face of the thin middle-aged man.

After all, in the South, it's rare to see the square faces of men from Guanzhong, or their broken Cantonese with a slight Qinqiang accent.

He tossed the photo onto the table, paused for a second, and then decisively said, "I request a refund. I now realize that your detective agency is a fraud ring."

"Mr. Shandong, I am really disappointed with your investigation."

Anyone with a brain knows the person in the photo can't be Song Sheng, because he's too young, and he can't be a professor, because people from the Guanzhong Plain can't go out to sea to fish, even though Qujiang is really long.

Since it's neither Song Sheng nor the professor, there's only one possibility left: the person in the photo is a coffin maker.

Xiao Shandong smiled, picked up the photo from the desktop again, put it back into the file, and then took out another photo from the folder. But instead of putting it down, he said, "The previous photo was just a bonus to show that I've been busy lately."

"And this photo will make you take back your arrogant and infuriating words, and then empty your wallet to pay my overtime."

Hearing Xiao Dongbei's self-praise, Chi Mengli became interested and looked at the photos in Xiao Shandong's hand, waiting for the answer to be revealed.

Upon seeing that the young man before him was a stingy and miserly man who wouldn't part with a single penny, Xiao Shandong sighed and placed the photo in front of Chi Mengli.

This is a group photo. Sitting in the center is Robin. Standing behind Robin, with half of his body visible, is Boxing King Sheng. Next to Boxing King Sheng is Nine Girl, who is laughing heartily. The people next to Robin are all unfamiliar faces.

"The first person on the left is the Nine-Tailed Fox, Guang Qianjun. She's a big star. Just look up a few articles about her and you'll know if what I'm saying is true. But this guy is a dead fellow. His eyes are glazed over and his body is thin."

"The physiognomy book says that a short and narrow philtrum, a pointed face, and a low nose with little flesh are signs of a person who is destined to have a life of toil and little happiness. I have seen the movies that Guang Qianjun has acted in. She walks like a deer or a roe deer, which means she is destined to have a life of toil and little happiness."

Xiao Shandong placed the report in his hand in front of Chi Mengli and continued, "This photo was taken on Lamma Island in April of this year. Guang Qianjun has been keeping it on her car ever since."

"I borrowed it for a moment, then took a picture of it and handed it to you."

"I have identified most of the people in the photo, but I couldn't find the identities of two of them."

"And I've made a small discovery, but I'm not sure if Chi Sheng wants to hear it?"

Xiao Shandong deliberately kept everyone in suspense, looking at Chi Mengli with a smug expression.

"Don't tell me yet, let me guess! The people in the photo are probably mostly dead by now!"

Chi Mengli instantly understood the meaning behind Xiao Shandong's words: this wasn't a photograph, it was the Book of Life and Death, and everyone whose picture was on it was already dead.

"The general manager of Meiluo Pharmaceutical committed suicide by burning charcoal due to failed stock investments, leaving a suicide note. The day before his death, he transferred his shares in Meiluo Pharmaceutical."

"The general manager of the Hong Kong branch of Oak International Freight Company died from a sudden heart attack caused by a car accident."

"The general manager of Kowloon Special Transport Company died on his way to the hospital after accidentally eating poisonous pufferfish."

"The person sitting in the very center needs no introduction, right? Robin, killed by the coffin maker, but ostensibly died of cardiac arrest." "Their deaths occurred around the same time, all within a month."

"The only people still alive in the photo are Nine-Tailed Fox, Boxing King Sheng, Ninth Sister, and those two whose whereabouts are unknown."

Xiao Shandong pointed to the people in the photo and explained to Chi Mengli what became of them.

Chi Mengli remained silent, listening attentively to Xiao Shandong's explanation. When she saw that Xiao Shandong had finished speaking but hadn't mentioned the most crucial point, she immediately asked, "What about the last one?"

Xiao Shandong was also stunned for a moment. He began to think about what Chi Mengli had said, but since his investigation had not missed anything, he shook his head, indicating that he did not know what Chi Mengli was talking about.

"I'm asking, who was the bastard who took photos of these short-lived bastards here?"

He's truly hopeless! I don't know how Xiao Shandong managed to get to where he is today in the detective business. But Chi Mengli isn't Xiao Shandong's father, so she doesn't have the time or obligation to teach this old idiot to be smart. She can only offer him a hint.

He was disappointed by so many things today, and he needed to go to a Finnish sauna to relax.

Xiao Shandong immediately realized that regardless of whether the person taking the photo was a key figure or not, it was of great value, and he wondered why he had overlooked such crucial information.

"Alright! My disappointment has increased again today. Judging from your expression, I can tell you've overlooked the most crucial point."

Chi Mengli picked up the documents and examined the autopsy reports provided by Xiao Shandong word by word. But after reading just one, she immediately frowned, looked at Xiao Shandong, and asked, "Although we are not sure who did it, we can make a bold assumption."

"These unfortunate souls all died of natural causes, but we all know that in Hong Kong, the cops will investigate such accidental deaths, unless..."

Chi Mengli paused deliberately, giving Xiao Shandong a chance to shine.

"Unless there's something wrong with the case files, or something wrong with the forensic doctor who performed the autopsy, or either of these two bastards have been bribed."

As a former police officer, Xiao Shandong immediately realized the direction that Chi Mengli had deduced.

Money makes the world go round! Hong Kong people are very pragmatic, they look at everything in terms of money. With money, everything is OK, they can even sell their parents. If you don't have money, get out of here and don't waste everyone's time.

It took Chi Mengli quite a while to fully familiarize herself with Hong Kong's business atmosphere.

People need to pay mortgages, chase girls, eat well, and dress well. If someone gives them money and asks them to do something convenient without affecting them, of course they'll help if they can.

“Chisheng, I think we’ve gone off-topic. You asked me to find out who killed Robin, not to fight the criminal organization. Although I’m very familiar with your scent, fighting the criminal organization is really not suitable for an old man like me.”

Xiao Shandong wasn't fooled. If he investigated further, he would definitely uncover a whole bunch of scoundrels, and there might even be many old friends among them. For his own safety, he couldn't get involved in this mess.

"You're overthinking it. I'm looking for you for an answer, not for you to pick up scraps and rotten grains from my footsteps. It's been a week, and you still haven't given me an answer."

To be honest, Chi Mengli didn't need Xiao Shandong's help to eradicate evil; she just needed this old man to give her an answer.

(End of this chapter)