Insights Chapter 21: Mummified Corpse

Chapter 21: Mummified Corpse

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The examination of the mummified corpse was completed, and it was placed into a black body bag, zipped up, and then transported to the City Bureau. At nine o’clock in the evening, Shen Junci had already entered the first autopsy room. He and Qi Yi’an took the corpse out; the body was very light, and the two of them were sufficient for the task. Qi Yi’an placed the corpse in position and measured its weight. “Only 27.3 kilograms.”

Shen Junci was not surprised by this result. “After becoming a mummified corpse, the body loses most of its weight.”

The City Bureau was quiet at night, and in the autopsy room, only the hum of the ventilation system could be heard. After the basic measurements, Shen Junci first took a beaker, cut off the woman’s index finger at the joint, and soaked it in water.

As the finger fell into the beaker, slight bubbles appeared, followed by visible changes, absorbing water. Shen Junci finished processing the finger and turned back to face the autopsy table.

Due to dehydration, the woman’s cheeks were sunken, and her teeth protruded. Moving down to the chest, the ribs were particularly noticeable, and her abdomen was deeply concave, resembling the interior of a ship, also known as a boat-shaped depression. The dissecting knife entered from below the neck, cutting open the woman’s body. The blade passed through the cracked skin, emitting a tantalizing sound, like cutting through thick leather.

Cutting through the body of a mummified corpse was much more challenging than a fresh corpse. Shen Junci exerted some effort to make the incision. Unlike a regular corpse that would release fluids and blood, the mummified corpse remained dry.

Inside the abdominal cavity, the organs had turned a dark brown color, and their size had significantly reduced. After opening the chest cavity, the lungs of the woman were almost black, hardened, and tightly adhered to the back.

One could imagine the brain being the same way, with all moisture drawn out and the blood vessels shriveled. The entire corpse, like a withered flower, had lost moisture and dried up. Shen Junci was fully focused, beginning the various examinations…

Two hours later, at eleven o’clock at night, Gu Yanchen finally finished his work at the crime scene and returned to the City Bureau. After archiving the evidence, his first priority was to check on the situation in the medical examiner’s room. Gu Yanchen, with a tall and imposing figure, entered the room, making the already low ceiling feel even more oppressive. Shen Junci was sewing up the corpse, and the rigid skin made it a bit difficult.

Gu Yanchen proactively put on a mask and gloves. “Have the blood samples been sent? What did the lab say?”

“Both sets of blood samples have been sent.” Qi Yi’an replied, “The lab staff said they’re on duty, but they need to wait in line. It might take two days to get the DNA results.”

“Communicate with them;” Gu Yanchen suggested, “it would be best if we could have the results by tomorrow.”

Qi Yi’an removed his gloves. “I’ll check with them later.”

Seeing that the autopsy was complete, Gu Yanchen inquired, “Has the cause of death been determined?”

“There is a blunt force injury at the back of the victim’s head.” Shen Junci said, “The preliminary cause of death is high temperature and dehydration. Also, there’s a birthmark on the sole of her foot, which can be used for identification.”

“Can the time of death be more specific?” Gu Yanchen turned and asked again.

“I speculate it was in the peak summer,” Shen Junci replied, “around July to September, approximately during summer vacation.”

If it were winter, the temperature might not be sufficient, and the corpse could decay, making it difficult to form a mummified corpse. Gu Yanchen continued to inquire, “Is there anything else that can be confirmed?”

“I performed a skull scan and attempted facial reconstruction.” Shen Junci said. This was a relatively new technology.

City Bureau had a complete set of 3D modeling equipment that could greatly reproduce the appearance of the deceased during their lifetime. The head and skeletal structure of the woman’s corpse are well-preserved, making reverse reconstruction not too difficult.

As they were discussing, a computer in the autopsy room emitted a beeping sound. Shen Junci walked over and found that the head reconstruction was already complete. The computer automatically generated an image based on the reconstruction of the skull and muscles.

Shen Junci clicked with the mouse, and a charming young woman appeared on the screen. The girl looked to be in her twenties, with shoulder-length hair and a sweet, attractive appearance.

Shen Junci made a series of adjustments based on the corpse’s skeletal structure, hairstyle, and facial features. He then input the woman’s height, weight, and the clothing she was found in.

Soon, the software provided a full-body portrait that looked like a standard photo. Shen Junci printed the image and handed it to Gu Yanchen, saying, “You can use this as a reference.”

Gu Yanchen took the picture and thanked him. With the simulated image, they could quickly confirm the identity of the deceased.

Shen Junci then showed Gu Yanchen the right index finger that had been cut off and soaked in water. The dehydrated finger looked like a thin claw. Shen Junci explained, “It takes about ten days for the fingerprints to be restored after complete soaking. If the restoration is not satisfactory, we may need to inject paraffin.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yi’an felt that enough information had been provided, and further details would have to wait for additional examination results. Gu Yanchen continued to inquire, “Doctor Shen, is there any other information?”

Different medical examiners facing the same corpse could gather completely different information. Some may know more, while others may discover less. What can be deciphered from an unnamed corpse? The details hidden within may exceed most people’s expectations.

Forensic investigators, using anthropological methods, can gather more information about the deceased through observation, measurement, statistics, and various other means. It’s like a puzzle presented to medical examiners, testing not only their experience and attention to detail but also their innate abilities.

“The rest is not directly related to the case, and many are just my personal deductions without a theoretical basis. They won’t be included in the medical examiner’s report.” Shen Junci said, some findings may not even qualify as clues, and sometimes these tiny details can lead the police astray.

Gu Yanchen, leaning on the nearby table, said, “Tell me anyway. I will judge based on the actual situation.”

Shen Junci then continued, “The deceased was approximately 25 years old at the time of death. She had a good family background in her early years, and her parents were somewhat conservative. Details such as the nails, hair, and body hair suggest that she paid attention to personal hygiene, had no sexual activity during her lifetime, and had an intact hymen.” Shen Junci walked to the corpse and pointed to Gu Yanchen, saying, “She acquired many skills but seemed to abandon them midway. From the skeletal development of her back, ankles, and toes, it appears she received ballet training before bone development. The asymmetry of her clavicles indicates she played the violin, and there are calluses on her hands from playing the piano. Professional vocal training is evident in her throat.”

Qi Yi’an, who had been with the autopsy, didn’t notice these details. He hurriedly returned to the corpse and carefully observed it again. Many details indeed matched Shen Junci’s description, but they were not apparent without careful observation.

Gu Yanchen said, “If she had all these skills, she must have come from a good family and been talented.”

At this point, Gu Yanchen had a clearer picture of the victim, finally getting the answers he sought. After finishing their tasks, Shen Junci and Qi Yi’an went to store the corpse, and Gu Yanchen helped them push the cart to the basement freezer.

The temperature here was several degrees lower than upstairs. Qi Yi’an took out the key card, opened the freezer door, and, together with Gu Yanchen, they placed the corpse inside. As the tray slid in, the woman’s body gradually entered the refrigerated compartment.

Shen Junci went upstairs to change his clothes and came down to find Gu Yanchen’s car parked outside. Gu Yanchen honked the horn. Shen Junci opened the car door, “Are you off duty too?”

Gu Yanchen replied, “We’ll continue tomorrow. Sometimes haste makes waste.”

Shen Junci got in, fastened his seatbelt, and the car slowly left City Bureau. The night outside had deepened, with many shop signs dimmed, leaving only the streetlights glowing. As Gu Yanchen drove forward and reached a turning point, he suddenly said, “I feel there’s something different about the crime scene this time.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Junci raised his eyes to look at him. 

“Amusement parks are usually places parents take their children during their childhood, and most people associate this place with fond memories. the victim died here.” Gu Yanchen said. He had searched the amusement park for a long time.

“Perhaps she just happened to know it was abandoned,” Shen Junci speculated softly. He moved uncomfortably, “Not everyone’s memories of amusement parks are pleasant.”

Gu Yanchen sensitively asked, “Have you experienced something?”

Shen Junci recalled for a moment, and his gaze turned to the darkness outside the window. “Today, as I passed through the amusement park, I remembered something. When I was in kindergarten, the school organized a trip to an amusement park. I remember it very clearly. One of the rides was a small train with two rows of seats, twenty-four seats in total, excluding the driver and staff. Our class had exactly twenty-five kids.” Shen Junci paused before continuing, “I happily lined up, waiting to board the small train. At that time, the teacher suddenly called my name and pulled me aside. I had no idea what was happening, just watching the other kids happily board the train, which then departed.”

Gu Yanchen was puzzled, “Why didn’t they let you on?”

“They probably needed to leave one seat empty and chose someone from inside,” Shen Junci said, “but I realized then that I wasn’t liked by that teacher.”

“At least the teacher should have arranged for you to join another class and go with the other kids.” Gu Yanchen consoled.

Shen Junci looked out the window with indifference, “The whole class couldn’t wait for just one person. There are times in life when you have to be left out, but I was very young at that time.”

That day, they played many other activities, and it was his turn at some point, but he never laughed happily again. He wasn’t the ugliest or most disobedient kid in the class, but because of this incident, he was ostracized. He repeatedly wondered if he was too disobedient or if he had made a mistake somewhere, angering the teacher.

This childhood incident led to a period of self-doubt for him. As he grew older, he experienced similar situations. If there were more people than available spots, he would voluntarily step back, avoiding the chance of being excluded by others. It was only later in life that he realized sometimes preferences and rejections were inexplicable.

In the adult world, such experiences were akin to missing a salary raise opportunity or being left out of a dinner gathering. It might cause discomfort, but it wouldn’t leave the deep childhood shadows as before. Due to this past, he used to avoid taking initiative, refrained from getting close to others, and never engaged in futile attempts to please.

During those times, Lin Xianglan often described him as stubborn, cold to people, and arrogant, disdaining even the act of pretending. Lin Xianglan didn’t know that the obedient, enthusiastic Lin Luo, who embraced life, had long been left on that childhood platform.

Many years had passed, and numerous childhood memories had become blurred. Yet, even now, this scene remained etched in his soul. Sometimes, he would dream of that small train, dreaming of himself standing on the platform, watching other kids ride past him.

The vehicle quickly entered the residential area, and Gu Yanchen parked the car in the underground garage. They went upstairs together, and at the door, Gu Yanchen said, “It’s okay if you missed the last train. Perhaps there’s a special car waiting for you.”

Shen Junci replied, “Thank you.” He noticed that, regardless of when or where they were, Gu Yanchen always managed to warm his heart with a few words.

.

City Bureau, early morning, Bai Meng spent the previous night checking the records of missing women in the city for the past two years but found no similar cases. She arrived at City Bureau early in the morning with dark circles under her eyes, applying eye drops to alleviate her fatigue.

Gu Yanchen had to explore other avenues. He compiled various pieces of information, and the numbers on the victim’s membership card were imprinted. According to the number, the corpse’s membership was 1049.

A year ago, the gym had over a thousand members, indicating it was likely a large fitness center. Lu Ying adopted a straightforward approach, leading two teams to check each gym one by one. After checking the thirteenth gym, they finally received news. A year ago, there was a female member who attended yoga classes for six months but later became uncontactable by phone.

Lu Ying showed the reconstructed image to the gym instructors, and a few of them found it familiar. Following the lead from membership number 1049, they traced the phone number used during registration. The registered name was Xu Yapei, matching the age and height. Gu Yanchen imported the information provided by Lu Ying into the system, quickly retrieving all relevant details, including ID number, phone number, and bank card information.

“It should be her; the phone and bank card haven’t been used for over a year,” Bai Meng remarked after looking at the photos in the system. “The ID card photo also closely matches the reconstructed image.”

In modern society, it’s challenging for someone to go a year without using such essential life information.

“Xu Yapei, a graduate student, worked as a kindergarten teacher and resigned a year ago,” Bai Meng added. Piano, dance, and other skills seemed fitting for a kindergarten teacher, aligning with the autopsy results. “Finally found her…” Bai Meng sighed in relief, stretching lazily. She walked over to Gu Yanchen’s computer to compare the information.

Xu Yapei’s mother was Tang Lu, 52 years old, and she had been widowed at 32. Tang Lu was a senior researcher at a research institute. Xu Yapei also had a younger sister named Xu Ziyue, 23 years old, currently pursuing a postgraduate degree at Bincheng University in the same city.

Gu Yanchen posted the relevant information in the police work group and instructed, “Inform the family to come for identification.”

Bai Meng called the family directly, reaching out to Tang Lu first, who didn’t answer. She then called Xu Ziyue. The girl was surprised to hear that the police were inquiring about her sister Xu Yapei, “My sister? You… you found her?”

“It’s better for your family to come to the City Bureau soon for confirmation,” Bai Meng replied diplomatically.

Xu Ziyue hesitated for a moment and said softly, “I need to discuss this with my mom. I’ll let you know the specific time later…”

Gu Yanchen, listening to the conversation, wrote a line on a piece of paper and handed it to Bai Meng.

Bai Meng looked at the words on the paper and asked, “Your sister has been missing for over a year?”

Xu Ziyue replied, “We haven’t seen her for a long time…”

Bai Meng continued to inquire, “Why didn’t you or your mother report her missing?”

Xu Ziyue hesitated and said, “Back then, my sister had a boyfriend. They had a big fight, and she left home. I thought she was avoiding us to be with that man…”

Gu Yanchen, listening, wrote another line on the paper.

Bai Meng, having read it, asked Xu Ziyue, “Do you know how to contact that man?”

Xu Ziyue claimed not to know, so Bai Meng gave her the City Bureau’s contact number, requesting her to consult with her mother. After a while, Tang Lu called back, stating that she and Xu Ziyue would come to the City Bureau at 1:30 in the afternoon to identify the body.

After contacting the family, Gu Yanchen watched Bai Meng organize Xu Yapei’s social connections. The schools Xu Yapei attended and the places she worked were all listed. Gu Yanchen pondered for a moment, “I suspect the killer is someone familiar with the victim, possibly someone close.” The absence of signs of forced entry or robbery suggested it might not be a crime of passion by a stranger.

“A young kindergarten teacher – what could be the motive for her murder? The killer might be a relative, colleague, or boyfriend,” Lu Ying speculated, following his train of thought. “Intensify the investigation, focusing on Xu Yapei’s friends and colleagues,” he directed. “Also, start monitoring the online accounts of Xu Ziyue and Tang Lu from now on.”

The detective team got busy, quickly establishing contact with Xu Yapei’s previous workplaces and questioning her friends and acquaintances. The feedback from those interviewed arrived swiftly.

Xu Yapei went missing during the transition between jobs – the summer vacation. She had left her previous job but had not yet started the new one, so the kindergarten did not report her absence to the police. According to the feedback, Xu Yapei was beautiful, lively, and had strict morals. Many guys pursued her, but she had a mysterious boyfriend.

There were instances in the past where Xu Yapei suddenly stopped responding to messages but would reappear after some time, so her absence didn’t raise much concern among friends and family.

Friends and former colleagues were unaware of her whereabouts. As the investigation deepened, the police became increasingly convinced that the victim was indeed Xu Yapei. They were waiting for the final confirmation from her missing family member.

.

The identity of the deceased had been found, which was equivalent to taking an important step. Gu Yanchen immediately relaxed, then had lunch, and Deputy Director Dong generously treated the entire detective team to watermelon, buying a total of ten melons.

Gu Yanchen picked one with the clearest pattern and split it in half at the Special Criminal Division. The watermelon’s juicy, red appearance was enticing.

Bai Meng and Lu Ying approached, greeting Gu Yanchen, “Captain Gu, how much do you want to eat?”

Gu Yanchen waved his hand, “You guys go ahead. I’m going to the medical examiner’s office to wait for the family. I’ll bring them over to eat together.”

In the Special Criminal Division’s medical examiner’s office, only Qi Yi’an was busy with autopsy reports, and Shen Junci was not there. Seeing Gu Yanchen approaching, Qi Yi’an turned and said, “Captain Gu, my Teacher is taking a nap. If it’s urgent, I can wake him up.”

Gu Yanchen gestured, “No need. I just came to bring a watermelon. You guys worked late yesterday, let him sleep.”

Qi Yi’an checked the time, “Alright, he’ll wake up soon.”

Gu Yanchen, noticing a refrigerator in the office, opened it to put the watermelon inside. As soon as the door opened, he smelled a bloody odor and saw the fridge was full.

Qi Yi’an suddenly remembered something and jumped up from the computer, “Sorry, Captain Gu. The pathology lab’s fridge is full, so we borrowed this one temporarily. Let me tidy up.”

Qi Yi’an went to the fridge, arranging brains, livers, kidneys, and soft tissues. Gu Yanchen, holding the watermelon, fell silent for a moment but decided to put it back on the table, “Is the pathology department’s fridge not big enough for all the samples? Must you occupy ours?”

Some time had passed during their conversation.

Shen Junci walked in from outside, seeing Qi Yi’an cleaning the fridge and Gu Yanchen standing nearby with the watermelon. He understood the situation.

Doctor Shen didn’t mind, “It’s okay. This fridge is usually empty.”

Shen Junci called Qi Yi’an, “Stop cleaning, come eat watermelon. Captain Gu, have you eaten?”

Gu Yanchen suddenly felt that coming to the medical examiner’s department for watermelon might not be a good decision. He was afraid they would take out a dissecting knife to cut the watermelon. Fortunately, Qi Yi’an closed the fridge door, took out a fruit knife from the drawer, washed it outside, and then came back to cut the watermelon for them.

Half a watermelon was divided into nine slices, each large. Nothing beats the satisfaction of eating a sweet and juicy watermelon on a hot afternoon. Qi Yi’an took a big bite, “This melon is really sweet.”

Shen Junci ate gracefully, using tissues as a mat for his hand.

Gu Yanchen also picked up a slice, eating more boldly than the other two, devouring a large chunk in one bite. Qi Yi’an placed a trash bin in the middle for seed disposal. Gu Yanchen kicked towards them, “I don’t need that.” He usually swallowed the seeds along with the watermelon.

Qi Yi’an advised him, “Captain Gu, this habit is not good. When I was a child, the adults used to say that swallowing watermelon seeds would grow watermelon sprouts in your stomach.”

Gu Yanchen retorted, “Save that story to trick your son.”

Shen Junci nodded in agreement, “Yeah, swallowing a small amount of watermelon seeds won’t do anything. Usually, they just aren’t digested.”

Encouraged by the support, Gu Yanchen ate the watermelon more vigorously. Then Shen Junci said, “I remember dissecting a corpse last time. I found intact watermelon seeds in the intestines. Also, if they reach the appendix, it could cause appendicitis. Eating too many could lead to intestinal obstruction.”

Gu Yanchen’s movements suddenly halted, “…”

The watermelon in his mouth suddenly lost its sweetness. He quietly took a napkin and spat out the watermelon seeds.