Courtyard House: The Long-Lost Eldest Son Returns with Military Merit

Upon learning of Lin Xianfeng's affair with Wang Qiuyan, Liu Xiangqian was equally shocked and asked incredulously, "Lin Xianfeng, what did you say? You and Wang Qiuyan have an improper relationship? What exactly happened?"

When confronted by Liu Xiangqian, Lin Xianfeng recalled this unpleasant past and replied regretfully, "I can't really explain exactly how it started."

About two weeks ago, on my day off, while I was on duty patrolling the factory area, I heard a noise coming from inside the warehouse, so I went to check it out.

When I got to the warehouse door, I found it was locked from the inside.

I called out a few times, and then I saw Director Ding from the logistics warehouse and Wang Qiuyan come out together.

"At that time, I noticed that Wang Qiuyan's eyes were red, as if she had just cried, so I casually asked her why."

Wang Qiuyan explained that she had been reprimanded by Director Ding for making a mistake at work.

Upon hearing Lin Xianfeng's words, Jia Dongming vaguely sensed that there might be something going on between Director Ding and Wang Qiuyan, so he asked Lin Xianfeng, "When you saw them, did you notice anything unusual? For example, their clothing or their demeanor?"

Lin Xianfeng understood Jia Dongming's implication, tried hard to recall the scene that day, and then shook his head and replied, "At that time, I saw Wang Qiuyan crying, so I didn't look closely at their clothes. I just casually asked why Director Ding and Wang Qiuyan were working overtime in the warehouse today, which is not a rest day."

"They didn't seem to notice anything unusual when they heard this. Director Ding explained that the warehouse needed to be inventoried, and since supplies were frequently coming and going on weekdays, they had to work overtime on their days off to handle it."

"In the evening, Director Ding asked Wang Qiuyan to buy some cooked food and invited me to drink with him in the warehouse office."

When I woke up, I found myself lying on a cot in the warehouse with Wang Qiuyan.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming had a general idea that Lin Xianfeng might have fallen into a trap, and then asked, "When you woke up, were you and Wang Qiuyan wearing clothes, or had they already taken them off?"

"Furthermore, after Wang Qiuyan discovered she had slept with you, did she have any strong reaction? Or did she leave any traces related to her first time as a woman?"

Lin Xianfeng recalled the scene and shook his head again: "Wang Qiuyan was stunned after she realized it, and just sat on the edge of the bed and kept crying."

I was so focused on comforting her that I didn't notice the details you mentioned.

"She cried for about half an hour, then told me to pretend nothing had happened, and afterwards she deliberately avoided me."

Jia Dongming had already made a preliminary deduction about the case, and then asked seriously, "You said that Wang Qiuyan had been avoiding you ever since. So, last night you left your post without permission because you knew she was working overtime and planned to go see her midway through the day?"

Lin Xianfeng quickly denied it: "No, police officer, that's not true at all."

"After that incident, I was restless for several days, afraid that Wang Qiuyan would make me take responsibility."

So when she avoided me, I actually felt relieved.

"Last night when I was on duty, Wang Qiuyan suddenly came to find me and said that after I finished working overtime, she would wait for me in that abandoned yard near the factory, because she had something important to discuss with me."

"I was on patrol until after eight o'clock when I saw Wang Qiuyan leaving the factory after get off work. I made an excuse to go out and rushed to the agreed meeting place to meet her."

When we arrived at the abandoned courtyard, I asked her what she needed. She said she needed my help, and once it was done, we would be even.

"I asked her what kind of help she wanted, but she didn't say anything specific."

In a moment of confusion, I had sex with her again.

When I calmed down and asked her again, she still wouldn't give me a straight answer. She just told me to go back to the factory and that she would tell me after she had thought it through.

"I didn't think much of it and went back the way I came. It wasn't until you notified me that I learned that Wang Qiuyan had an accident."

Jia Dongming observed Lin Xianfeng's expression and judged that he was not lying.

According to this account, Wang Qiuyan's meeting with Lin Xianfeng and mention of "helping" was likely related to Director Ding, and the real culprit who killed Wang Qiuyan may very well be Director Ding.

Thinking of this, Jia Dongming said to Liu Xiangqian, "Section Chief Liu, please come out for a moment. There are some things I need to ask you about."

Liu Xiangqian followed Jia Dongming back to his office and asked earnestly, "Deputy Captain Jia, you're looking for information about Director Ding of our factory's logistics warehouse, aren't you?"

Jia Dongming nodded: "Yes, I hope you can introduce the specific situation of this Director Ding."

Liu Xiangqian then introduced, "Director Ding's name is Ding Chunliang, he is 28 years old, and he was transferred from the ministry to the machine repair factory at the beginning of this year. He is one of the youngest cadres in our factory."

Jia Dongming pondered for a moment and said, "Section Chief Liu, where is the logistics warehouse office? Could you take me to see Director Ding?"

Liu Xiangqian readily agreed: "It's not far from here, I'll take you there right away."

Jia Dongming turned and went into the next room, instructing Xie Jian, "Xie Jian, let Xiao Zhang and the others stay here and continue working. You come with me to the logistics warehouse office of the machine repair shop."

Shortly afterward, the three arrived at the logistics warehouse office of the machine repair shop.

A gentle-looking young man saw Jia Dongming and his group and humbly asked Section Chief Liu, "Section Chief Liu, Captain Xie, have you come here? Has Wang Qiuyan's case been solved?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiangqian smiled and introduced, "Director Ding, this is Deputy Chief Jia of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Dongcheng Branch."

He came here today mainly to ask you about some things.

Upon learning Jia Dongming's identity, Ding Chunliang's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible hint of panic. He then extended his hand and warmly shook hands with Jia Dongming, saying, "Deputy Captain Jia, hello! Please feel free to ask me anything you need to know. Our logistics warehouse will fully cooperate with the public security authorities."

When Jia Dongming first met Ding Chunliang, he had already subtly used his observation skills to notice the obvious scratch marks on the other man's wrists and neck.

During the handshake, Jia Dongming spoke with a meaningful look on his face: "Director Ding, hello."

How did you get these scars on your wrists?

Ding Chunliang's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled and explained, "There was a stray cat meowing around the house last night, and I got scratched a few times when I tried to catch it."

Jia Dongming tightened his grip slightly and continued to press, "This cat certainly knows how to pick its spots; it not only grabbed my wrist but also my neck."

Ding Chunliang felt a chill run down his spine. Even if he were slow to realize it, he would have been noticed by the police.

He forced a calm reply: "Yes, the cat struggled fiercely and accidentally scratched its neck."

Jia Dongming's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said sternly, "Ding Chunliang! Your affairs have been exposed. Now come with us."

These words caused Ding Chunliang, who had been holding on, to nearly collapse, his legs buckling. He hurriedly cried out, "Captain Jia, is there some misunderstanding? How could I possibly kill Wang Qiuyan?"

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Jia Dongming's eyes: "I only said you 'committed a crime,' but I didn't mention Wang Qiuyan."

"You've essentially confessed without being asked."

Ding Chunliang was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground and crying out, "Wang Qiuyan's death has nothing to do with me! You're framing an innocent person!"

Jia Dongming stared at him coldly and said, "Wang Qiuyan has skin flakes and bloodstains under her fingernails."

By comparing this evidence with your blood, it can be determined whether you are the murderer.

Faced with irrefutable evidence, any attempt at sophistry is futile.

Xie Jian, standing to the side, listened with some confusion, wondering to himself, "Do we really have a method like this—identifying a murderer by comparing bloodstains—in our investigations?"

The commotion in the logistics office quickly attracted Director Liu of the machine repair shop.

When he arrived, he heard Ding Chunliang crying out for justice. He immediately went inside and asked Liu Xiangqian, "Comrade Liu Xiangqian, what happened?"

Liu Xiangqian turned around and saw the factory director, and hurriedly reported: "Factory Director Liu, the police suspect that Director Ding is the murderer of Wang Qiuyan."

Although Ding Chunliang had been at the machine repair shop for less than a year, he left Director Liu with an impression of being polite and refined.

Upon hearing that he was suspected, Factory Director Liu asked incredulously, "Comrade Liu Xiangqian, are you sure? Is Ding Chunliang really the murderer of Wang Qiuyan?"

Liu Xiangqian recalled Jia Dongming's interrogation of Lin Xianfeng and what he had just said to Ding Chunliang, and nodded affirmatively: "Director Liu, this matter should be correct."

The police have obtained crucial evidence.

This confirmation shocked Director Liu, who couldn't understand why Ding Chunliang would kill Wang Qiuyan.

Seeing that Ding Chunliang was slumped in his seat, Jia Dongming instructed Xie Jian, "Xie Jian, contact the branch office to send a car to take the suspect back for interrogation."

Shortly afterward, Ding Chunliang and Lin Xianfeng were both taken to the Dongcheng Branch of the Public Security Bureau.

Inside the interrogation room, Jia Dongming looked at the dejected Ding Chunliang and solemnly asked, "Ding Chunliang, confess—why did you plot against Wang Qiuyan and Lin Xianfeng? And why did you murder Wang Qiuyan and frame Lin Xianfeng?"

Ding Chunliang at this time had lost his former radiance.

Faced with Jia Dongming's questioning, he remained silent for a moment, then pleaded in a low voice, "Deputy Captain Jia, could I have a cigarette?"

After Ding Chunliang made the request to Jia Dongming, Jia Dongming did not refuse.

He got up from the interrogation table, walked quickly to Ding Chunliang, took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for Ding Chunliang, and handed it to Ding Chunliang, who was wearing a cigarette. Only then did he turn around and return to the interrogation table.

Ding Chunliang took the cigarette, took a deep drag, and a look of regret appeared on his face. He muttered to himself in a low voice, "Lust is a dangerous thing! If you could believe a woman's words, pigs would fly! I truly regret it!"

Seeing his expression, Jia Dongming asked, "Ding Chunliang, tell me, what exactly happened?"

Ding Chunliang seemed lost in memories, smoking as he recounted, "This story begins about two weeks after I was transferred to the machine repair shop."

Not long after I arrived, Wang Qiuyan expressed her affection for me and hinted several times that she wanted to be my boyfriend.

But I already have a family, so naturally I couldn't agree and politely declined her offer.

"I thought the matter was over, but Wang Qiuyan was still not giving up."

One afternoon more than three months ago, the factory hosted a dinner party. I drank quite a bit and then went back to my office to rest.

"Wang Qiuyan took advantage of my drunkenness, sneaked into my office, took off her clothes, and crawled into my bed."

Because I had been drinking, I couldn't control myself and had sex with her.

"Last month she suddenly came to me and said she was pregnant with my child. She used the child to threaten me and force me to divorce my wife."

I disagreed, and she started making a scene, which attracted Lin Xianfeng from the security department.

"I wasn't sure if Lin Xianfeng had heard what we were arguing about, so I arranged for Wang Qiuyan to buy some cooked food and treat Lin Xianfeng to a meal. I also slipped some aphrodisiacs into their drinks, hoping to get rid of Wang Qiuyan's harassment."

"Last night, after finishing overtime at the warehouse, I was about to leave when I saw Wang Qiuyan go to find Lin Xianfeng."

Knowing her extreme personality, I became suspicious and secretly followed her to see what she was up to. So I followed her to an abandoned courtyard near the machine repair shop.

"I witnessed the entire process of Wang Qiuyan and Lin Xianfeng's illicit affair in the courtyard."

When Lin Xianfeng finished and was about to leave, he asked Wang Qiuyan what she wanted to see him about.

For some reason, Wang Qiuyan simply said she would look for him again later, and then let Lin Xianfeng leave first.

"After Lin Xianfeng left, I was about to leave too, but I heard Wang Qiuyan muttering to herself that she wanted to take revenge on me and that she wanted Lin Xianfeng to deal with my wife and children."

"When I heard about her plan, I was so angry that I rushed out from the shadows, strangled Wang Qiuyan, and staged the scene in an attempt to frame Lin Xianfeng."

I just didn't expect that my supposedly flawless plan to frame someone would be exposed so quickly.

After listening to Ding Chunliang's account and understanding the whole process of the case, Jia Dongming couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Ding Chunliang.

He then stood up from behind the interrogation table and solemnly instructed Xie Jian, "Xie Jian, the rest is up to you."

"Also, please convey my opinion to the person in charge regarding the forensic pathologist."