Insights Chapter 63: An Nan

Chapter 63: An Nan

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

This case occurred in the village of Fangxi in Penang, which is the most remote and impoverished village in the Penang sub-district. The village is located on a small island in the middle of a lake next to Penang, with a small area that is easily flooded during heavy rains, and the land is very barren. There are over five hundred people in the entire village, making it a nationally renowned impoverished village.

The incident happened ten years ago, even counting grievances, it goes back even further. Because the case was so outrageous, it caused a sensation at the time. Back then, the internet wasn’t as developed, so there wasn’t as much information available.

The story began thirty years ago when a widow with a mute daughter from a neighboring village married a widowed man in the village. The man also had a son, and the four of them lived together. Not long after, the widow died, and the mute girl began living with her stepfather and brother. As the mute girl grew to sixteen, she was beautiful and very lively. Some people came to propose marriage, but her stepfather stopped them.

Later, the mute girl’s belly gradually grew larger. Rumors began circulating in the village, some saying the child was the stepfather’s, others saying it was the brother’s, but people couldn’t come to a conclusion. Some gossipy women even asked the mute girl, but she just shook her head, either unwilling to say or not knowing herself.

The man didn’t mind and found someone in the village to assist with childbirth, allowing the mute girl to give birth to the child. When it was discovered that the child was a boy, he was raised in the household. After a few years, the man remarried. His elder son also married a wife and brought her into the household.

The family grew to six members. The mute girl, along with her own child, slept in the most remote room and was ordered around by this family, doing all the dirty and tiring work. During the day, she had to go to the fields to farm, wash clothes for the whole family in the dead of winter, and cook and wash dishes. She was often scolded by the man’s wife as a vixen.

After the man remarried, he started sending the mute girl out to do odd jobs. Initially, it was just a few scattered individuals, but later it expanded to any man in the village who would pay to spend the night with the mute girl. This went on for over a decade until the mute girl couldn’t bear the humiliation anymore and hung herself one night.

The police came to the village, not surprised by such a situation, and quickly concluded it was suicide, hastily issuing a death certificate. The man didn’t want to spend money on cremation, so he found a random spot outside the village and buried the mute girl. On the seventh day after the mute girl’s death, it rained heavily that night.

The child left behind by the mute girl woke up in the middle of the night, took a machete, and killed everyone in the family who was sleeping, regardless of gender. Not only that, but that night the child also climbed over the wall and killed the loneliest old bachelor in the village. Five lives were taken in one night, which would be considered a major case anywhere, let alone when the culprit was a child under fourteen.

The local police station didn’t dare handle the case and reported it directly to the City Bureau. The detective team’s major crimes unit came to the village to investigate and found everyone in the village on edge. They kept their doors tightly shut, afraid to be alone, fearing retaliation from the boy.

When the police inquired, everyone remained silent. Eventually, the police found out the reason. Because almost every man in the village had visited that household and been with the mute girl. All the women in the village knew about it too.

The police found a note written by the mute girl for help, “Save my mom, save me, help me call the police.”

The child hadn’t been educated, so the writing was crooked and sloppy, learned by sneaking into the village school. Whenever an outsider came to the village, the child would pass the note, but until the mute girl’s death, no one had ever gone to the police. Everyone in the village tacitly kept this sinful secret.

When the major crimes unit went to arrest people, they found the boy at the mute girl’s grave. They dug up the mute girl’s corpse and found it covered in bruises. With the boy’s confession, they finally knew the whole truth. When the mute girl was nearly beaten to death and feverish, she was hoisted up by this family together on a rope.

The child saw the entire process of his mother being killed. And the reason the mute girl was beaten was because the old bachelor took a liking to the grown-up boy and offered a high price. The man agreed, but at the critical moment, the mute girl rushed in and stopped the transaction. The man felt that the mute girl was blocking their new source of income.

The boy, who was surnamed Ding and named Ding Yueran, was also found beaten when he was arrested, with injuries from the man’s beatings and scratches from the women in the house. He seemed like a very obedient boy, but if he hadn’t been born into such a family, his life might have been different. But since birth, he carried the original sin of humanity. He was born into the dirtiest, most selfish, and ugliest side of humanity.

Being under fourteen, he wasn’t held criminally responsible. Considering various factors, Ding Yueran was placed under juvenile custody, and there was a sample of his blood left in the records. 

When Gu Yanchen finished reading, his gaze fell on the name of the detective responsible for the file box: Li Zhongnan. He knew Li Zhongnan. He was the former head of the major crimes unit when Lin Xianglan was still alive. This might have been a case Li Zhongnan handled when he first took over the major crimes unit.

The An Nan they previously faced was Ding Yueran, who killed several people ten years ago.

“Due to the complexity of this case and Ding Yueran’s age, he wasn’t sentenced to a heavy punishment,” Director Ding said. “I had someone investigate, and shortly after coming out of juvenile custody five years ago, Ding Yueran disappeared. I suspect that since then, he entered the cleaning company.”

Gu Yanchen said, “Director Ding, do you really believe what he said? Someone who knows the core situation of a cleaning company must have undergone brainwashing and training. Why would he directly tell us all this? Isn’t that suspicious? And moreover, if he’s been in the company for five years, he couldn’t possibly still be a good person. He must have been involved in many cases. And also…” Gu Yanchen paused for a moment before asking, “Is he really just an accessory?”

“The reason he surrendered is indeed strange,” Director Ding said with a sigh. “But now I doubt that what he told us is true. At least partially… the details of the cremation case match what he said, and there are indeed issues with case 514.”

Gu Yanchen asked, “So how do we proceed now? Do we investigate past cases?”

Director Ding sighed. “Today, Deputy Director Dong and a few other leaders convened a meeting to discuss re-examining old cases from the past few years… But as soon as we mentioned it, the old folks in the bureau objected vehemently. Some said they were too busy to spare manpower, and some said it wouldn’t be conducive to the follow-up work.” Director Ding pressed his temples with his fingers. “The more anxious they are, the more guilty they appear. Some are afraid of being implicated, some fear offending people by dredging up the past. In short, everyone has their own thoughts, and there are ulterior motives everywhere.”

After all, the City Bureau is only responsible for major cases. With millions of people in the city, many cases are still under the jurisdiction of the local bureaus. The lack of cooperation from the local bureaus makes it difficult for Director Ding to proceed.

“And it’s not over yet. In the afternoon, a leader called me, implying that no public security department can have a zero-error rate. Former Director Wang had many historical legacy issues, but we must look forward. The key is to ensure long-term stability in Penang. Reopening old cases must be done carefully. In the afternoon, Xing Yun approached me again, saying he hoped the follow-up of the ash trading case could be handed over to the brigade. He said they have sufficient manpower and can investigate thoroughly to root out all related transactions in Penang.” At this point, Director Ding sighed. “Old Xing is capable and enthusiastic. I don’t think he necessarily has bad intentions. Your Criminal Investigation Division is short on manpower, and the case is already clear. It might be more appropriate to hand over the follow-up to the brigade. However, his timing for bringing this up might have been influenced by someone with ulterior motives.”

“This is too complicated.”

They faced heavy resistance even before making a big move. From top to bottom, everyone has their own agenda. Gu Yanchen fell silent. Although Director Ding is a high-ranking official in the City Bureau, implementing his plans is still difficult. During Lin’s tenure, the case management was strict, so there couldn’t have been a large number of problematic cases. Now, considering the active period of these people was in the past five years.

The time gap is too short now. Although Director Wang has stepped down, many people in the City Bureau were once his subordinates. Several leaders of the bureaus were also promoted by him. This atmosphere can’t be changed overnight.

Gu Yanchen asked, “So, Director Ding, what should I do now?”

Director Ding said, “You can hand over to Old Xing for now. I want to see which level this matter reaches.”

Gu Yanchen asked, “Okay, about the cleaning company…”

Director Ding shook his head. “We have to investigate. But merely catching the henchmen won’t solve the problem. These people are more professional and discreet now. They are like knives in the hands of the wealthy. Only by finding the mastermind behind the scenes, the boss behind the scenes, can we capture them all. Otherwise, even if it’s not the cleaning company, they’ll come up with other names.”

Director Ding paused for a moment before saying, “I want to loosen this thread a bit. I don’t want to push too hard or show that we suddenly got a lot of information, which would make them suspicious. There’s a saying, ‘slow and steady wins the race.'”

Gu Yanchen nodded. He also agreed to temporarily take a detour and gather more information.

“We need to find the right opportunity. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Some things need to be carefully considered over the long term, and only by laying a long line can we catch big fish. I’m currently restructuring gradually in the City Bureau. Young and capable people are coming in, and people from the provincial hall will also enter gradually. We need to bide our time, and there will be a comprehensive settlement eventually.”

What can’t those people do when they’re anxious? Lin’s death is there as a reminder.

Director Ding continued, “Captain Gu, pay attention to relevant information there. If there are any developments or clues in the future, report to me separately.”

At nine o’clock in the evening, Shen Junci was awakened by a series of doorbells, struggling to get up in his pajamas. He listened to the interrogation this morning and took a leave of absence from Gu Yanchen’s suggestion to go home. He originally intended to wash up and lie down immediately but suddenly remembered that Gu Yanchen wasn’t home to walk the dog. He went downstairs and took a walk around the courtyard with Wuliang, more like Wuliang accompanying him. After coming back, he slept for the whole day.

Shen Junci looked through the peephole and saw a delivery guy outside, holding a few bags. He knocked on the door a few times and called out, “Hello! Delivery!”

Shen Junci was somewhat wary and talked to him through the door, “I didn’t order delivery.”

“Huh? Isn’t this Mr. Gu’s order?” The delivery guy seemed confused.

Just then, the elevator opened, and Gu Yanchen walked out. “It’s my order.”

The delivery guy checked the delivery order.

“It’s the address across the hall. You got the wrong place,” Gu Yanchen said.

“Sorry,” the delivery guy said hurriedly.

After seeing off the delivery guy, Gu Yanchen knocked on Shen Junci’s door again. “You’re awake just in time. Come over and eat something. It’s too late today, no time to cook.”

Shen Junci then opened the door and went to the neighboring apartment. Seeing someone come back, the dog scratched the balcony door.

Shen Junci said, “I walked Wuliang for you when I came back.”

Gu Yanchen shouted to the balcony, “We’ll let you out after we finish eating.”

Wuliang understood and lay on the balcony, looking at the two people with plaintive eyes as they ate. Gu Yanchen checked the food to ensure it was intact and sealed. As he took out the delivery, he looked at Shen Junci. “You didn’t sleep until this late, did you? Is your fever better?”

Shen Junci said, “Much better.”

The delivery included both meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as soup. Shen Junci asked Gu Yanchen, “How’s the case going? Have you found the person who hired the killer?”

Gu Yanchen said, “Yes, we found him. The employer’s name is Yao Lin. We traced his bank account and found that he transferred money to an overseas account. And it wasn’t just one transfer, but two. Later, I interrogated Yao Lin, and under pressure, he confessed.”

“Two transfers? Could the first one be…” Shen Junci had a bad feeling.

Gu Yanchen said, “The first transfer was before Miao Yihuo’s death. They were involved in Miao Yihuo’s murder case. After the girl died, they originally planned to buy ashes from her parents. But they didn’t expect that Zuo Junming secretly obtained the ashes and sold them ahead of them. At that time, the delivery hadn’t been made yet, and they were planning to offer more money to buy them back, but Zuo Junming sold them twice before them.”

In Yao Lin and his wife’s phones, there were already photos of Miao Yihuo, and they even found someone to introduce them and had dinner with Miao Yihuo. At the dinner table, they praised Miao Yihuo for being smart and beautiful, said they had a connection, and even expressed interest in investing in her studio. Miao Yihuo thought she had received recognition from influential people, but little did she know, she had been targeted by this family since then, falling into a trap.

On the surface, it seemed like Miao Yihuo died of asthma, but upon closer inspection, there were issues. She had an asthma attack for unknown reasons, and the asthma medication she carried inexplicably failed, making it impossible to rush her to the hospital. There might have been foul play involved. This case was extremely covert. Even Miao Yihuo’s parents, despite their suspicions, couldn’t file a case with the normal death autopsy report.

Gu Yanchen, combined with An Nan’s testimony from earlier, concluded that this was probably another elaborate scheme planned by the mastermind. He put a lot of effort into interrogating Yao Lin and finally obtained a confession from the employer himself admitting to hiring the killer. After spending so much and resorting to murder, the Yao family’s plan ended in failure. They were enraged and thus devised the scheme to frame Zhang Kabei and Zhang Beiyi for Zuo Junming’s murder.

Now that the case was solved, Gu Yanchen informed Miao’s parents of the truth and returned their daughter’s ashes to them. Poor innocent people are often deceived by those with malicious intent.

After listening to all this, Shen Junci felt a mix of emotions. He spoke up, “This is utterly despicable.” Doctor Shen composed himself and then asked, “What about An Nan?”

“An Nan hasn’t said a word since our conversation with him. Director Ding took him to the detention center. Also, I’ve transferred the follow-up investigation of the ash trading case. That’s what kept me busy until now,” Gu Yanchen said, feeling like he was reporting his work to his own leader.

Shen Junci asked, “Transferred to whom?”

“Xing Yun, Captain Xing,” Gu Yanchen replied.

Shen Junci pondered for a moment. “Will they investigate the past cases?”

Gu Yanchen said, “They will, but not now.” He briefly explained what Director Ding told him today, including An Nan’s identity and the obstruction Director Ding faced in investigating old cases.

Shen Junci listened with his chin resting on his hand. He had anticipated this situation long ago. It’s not an overnight task to openly investigate these matters and take down the cleaning company. Moreover, Director Ding’s level might not be sufficient for this task.

“I feel uneasy about this An Nan,” Shen Junci said with a worried expression that quickly disappeared. “Forget it, he’s already been transferred to the detention center. They have leaders there and specialized guards. I won’t worry about it.”

“He’s an important prisoner, kept in isolation, and additional staff have been assigned,” Gu Yanchen said.

Shen Junci nodded lightly.

Gu Yanchen continued, “Although the case has been handed over, I feel like there are still some things we haven’t figured out, like the video segment when Zhang Kabei received the phone call.”

There were too many anomalies in this case. A couple of coincidences could be overlooked, but when coincidences piled up, it made him feel like someone was controlling the entire situation behind the scenes.

“Some people are obviously against the cleaning company, intentionally leaking a lot of information to the police. But who could do such things under their noses and calculate everything so meticulously?” Shen Junci said.

Gu Yanchen paused for a moment. “Also, there were some discussions online later, guiding people to suspect Zhang Kabei. I asked Bai Meng to investigate, but before Bai Meng could find anything, those accounts were either hacked or suspended.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Could it be the platform doing a self-examination?” Shen Junci asked.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yanchen pursed his lips and looked at Shen Junci without saying a word. There were too many peculiarities in this case. One or two could be coincidences, but when too many coincidences occurred, it made him feel like someone was controlling the entire situation behind the scenes.

Shen Junci said, “Captain Gu, the case has been transferred out. You should take a break.”

Only then did Gu Yanchen refrain from discussing the case further.

After finishing their meal, Shen Junci said, “I’m done eating. I’ll head back now.”

Gu Yanchen uttered an acknowledgement and tried to get up, but he accidentally touched his waist wound. He quickly put his hand over it, hissing in pain.

Seeing this, Shen Junci glanced at the bag of medicine Gu Yanchen brought back last night. Out of kindness, he said, “Captain Gu, when are you going to the hospital to change your bandage again?”

“I’m disinfecting it once a day and will have it checked again in five days. I can manage it myself at home for these few days,” Gu Yanchen said.

Shen Junci suggested, “It’s inconvenient for you to change the bandage yourself. Let me help you with it before I leave…”

Gu Yanchen didn’t refuse. He sat on the sofa, and generously lifted his shirt, revealing his eight-pack abs. The wound was on his waist, shallow from the grazing of the bullet, and was only stitched with four stitches.

Shen Junci’s gaze shifted upwards, noticing some scars on Gu Yanchen’s chest and abdomen. “Old injuries from before?”

Gu Yanchen replied, “Being on the front line, the captain always has to lead the way.”

Shen Junci inspected the wound on his waist. “Luckily, there are no signs of infection, and it hasn’t swollen much.” He gently pressed on it with his slender fingers. “Does it hurt?”

Gu Yanchen said, “Not really, it’s just a bit itchy.” He could feel Shen Junci’s hand, slightly cool to the touch.

Shen Junci said, “Then, I’ll remove it.”

Gu Yanchen had the kind of body that looked slim in clothes but muscular without them, with visible abdominal muscles and a slender waistline. Shen Junci’s movements were gentle as he unwrapped the bandage from Gu Yanchen’s waist. The wound has scabbed over, with a faint hint of blood, making it look painful.

At this moment, Shen Junci felt like he should say something to distract Gu Yanchen’s attention. Shen Junci asked, “Captain Gu, do you believe in the concept of karma, that good and evil deeds will be repaid?”

Gu Yanchen replied, “I believe, but at the same time, I don’t.”

“Why do you say that?” Shen Junci inquired.

Gu Yanchen explained, “I’ve seen too many good people die, and I’ve seen many bad people thrive. So, in that aspect, I don’t believe.”

Especially when the city’s security isn’t good, morality declines, and societal norms are no longer respected. Good people die unjustly, while the wicked flourish. Among the people he knew were Lin Xianglan, Lin Luo, who were all good people, but obviously didn’t receive good outcomes. And what about Miao Yihuo in this case? What wrong had she done? At a time like this, talking about karma seemed naive and childish.

Gu Yanchen continued, “But as a police officer, we can punish every evildoer and do our best to save every good person. Each time we bring justice to the world, it’s a form of karma we create. In that aspect, I believe.”

He wasn’t someone who left things to fate; he believed in taking action.

Shen Junci listened quietly, nodding lightly. “I agree with your perspective.”

As police officers, they were the last line of defense for justice. If even they didn’t believe in karma, what would ordinary people believe in? In Shen Junci’s understanding, the concept of karma wasn’t just about fate; it conveyed a belief in the triumph of good over evil. Every time an injustice was righted, every time the truth was uncovered, every time justice was served, it reiterated this belief. It could bring hope and strength to the helpless.

After changing the bandage, Shen Junci advised, “Be careful not to get the wound wet these next few days. If you have trouble managing it, come over to my place.”

The bandage was wrapped around his waist, and under the living room lights, Gu Yanchen’s waistline was firm and perfectly contoured. Shen Junci held one end of the bandage while his other hand wrapped around, forming a knot. His movements were gentle, and the posture seemed somewhat ambiguous. Close as they were, Shen Junci could feel his body temperature rising. His heart was beating faster and faster in his chest. They were so close, Shen Junci didn’t dare to look into Gu Yanchen’s eyes.

Gu Yanchen leaned close to his ear and asked, “Doctor Shen, are you hiding something from me?”

The room fell silent for a moment. Gu Yanchen’s voice was magnetic, not as stern as when he interrogated suspects, but rather indifferent, as if he could see through everything.

Shen Junci’s hand paused, pretending not to understand. “What?”

Gu Yanchen said, “Sometimes I feel like you’re not much of a medical examiner.”

Shen Junci asked, “Then what do you think I am?”

Gu Yanchen looked at him for a moment, squinting his eyes playfully. “What I mean is, I suspect you’re not a medical examiner at all but actually a doctor, which is why you’re so skilled.”

He deliberately spoke close to Shen Junci’s ear, but Shen Junci still kept his head down, though his ears started turning red.

“Being a medical examiner and a doctor are related,” Doctor Shen said, his slender fingers skillfully tying a large butterfly knot on Gu Yanchen’s waist.

Gu Yanchen gently closed his shirt.

Doctor Shen stood up. “I’ll head back.”

After Shen Junci left, Gu Yanchen didn’t immediately take the dog for a walk. He reached out and opened the drawer, “‘Beware of Internet-based new forms of employment-related crimes’ — Li Zhongnan.”

After learning the truth about the cleaning company, Gu Yanchen thought of this article. Upon rereading it, he found that many points could be related to the current situation. Within the police force, there were indeed some foresighted individuals, but often, their words went unheard. Gu Yanchen knew that within the bureau, some had been investigating Lin’s death, and Li Zhongnan was one of them.

He remembered the consequences of this article, how Director Wang had angrily accused Li Zhongnan of fearmongering, pandering to the public, saying the content was absurd and fictitious, which would give the superiors a bad impression and affect the City Bureau’s performance. After he was transferred to logistics, Gu Yanchen had seen Li Zhongnan twice. Later, he left the police force.

Intermittently, Gu Yanchen had heard about Li Zhongnan’s experiences—resignation, disappearance, vanished without a trace. Some even said he had been corrupted, consorting with criminals.

Someone had mentioned him at a meeting once, and Director Wang’s face had darkened as he said, “I don’t want to hear that name again.”

So, for those years, Li Zhongnan had become a taboo subject within the City Bureau. A once prestigious captain who repeatedly solved remarkable cases had ended up being only a half-hero.

Gu Yanchen tapped his fingers. It was quite a coincidence that Li Zhongnan’s name also contains the character ‘南’ (nán).” Gu Yanchen was flipping through the documents when suddenly a call came in. It was from Bai Meng, and her voice sounded urgent.

“Hello, Captain Gu. Just received news that Ding Yueran suddenly foamed at the mouth in the detention center tonight. They called 120 to arrange for him to be taken to the hospital, but he escaped…”

Gu Yanchen asked, “What about the guards on duty?”

Bai Meng replied, “Several guards were knocked unconscious. When they woke up, they found their handcuffs hanging at the bedside.” She paused before adding, “I hope nothing else happens.”

“It shouldn’t. Issue a wanted notice and try to apprehend him. Since he didn’t harm the guards, it indicates he still has some conscience. Even if he escaped, he’ll likely keep a low profile for a while.” After hanging up, Gu Yanchen suddenly realized that the successor highly valued by the boss couldn’t possibly make such a glaring mistake…

Perhaps what they perceived as flaws were actually parts of a meticulously planned scheme. Someone like Ding Yueran, unless he willingly stayed there, a regular detention center wouldn’t be able to hold him.

Next door, Shen Junci was talking on the backup phone with someone.

“The current progress is relatively smooth. I’ve received some detailed information here, and I’ll summarize and send it over shortly.”

“I suspect if he’s going to make a move, it’ll be in a couple of days.”

Just as he said that, his phone beeped, and Shen Junci checked the messages in the group chat. There was a tone of inevitability in his voice.

“As expected, he slipped away.”