Insights Chapter 9: What Are You Seeking?

Chapter 9: What Are You Seeking?

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

In the Penang City Bureau, Qi Yi’an quickly submitted the medical examiner report related to the remains because there was still follow-up work to be done. He handed over the case to Song Qiancheng before turning his attention to the aftermath of the investigation.

After toxicological testing, it was quickly confirmed that the deceased was not poisoned. Subsequently, based on the time of death and skeletal features, they identified an elderly woman who had gone missing during last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations. The elderly woman suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and had disappeared without a trace. The family had posted numerous missing person notices around their home, and to this day, they hadn’t given up hope of finding her. Little did they know that, shortly after her disappearance, she had wandered into the mountains.

During that winter, the temperature dropped suddenly, and the elderly woman, freezing, took shelter in a wind-protected area in the mountains. Due to a sudden heavy snowfall, she froze to death in the mountains. Later, wild animals devoured her remains, making it impossible for anyone to discover her.

When the police contacted the family to inform them of the discovery of the remains, the elderly spouse broke down in tears, “There’s a platform there, with a great view of the city. When we were young, we promised to go up the mountain together to watch the fireworks. But later, with busy work, raising children, and parents falling ill, there were always various things to attend to, and we never fulfilled our initial promise…”

Understanding the entire story, Qi Yi’an couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow. Later, this incident somehow became publicized. Social media followed suit, and many people were moved. What was once an ordinary case became a typical example of the City Bureau’s speedy resolution. 

Upon hearing the details, Gu Yanchen rushed to the medical examiner’s office. He went straight to Director Lu and straightforwardly asked, “Director Lu, I heard that Doctor Shen helped solve a case involving remains recently.”

Lu Cun hadn’t expected Gu Yanchen to know about it and what he wanted to ask. He casually said, “Yes, my medical examiner was temporarily overwhelmed, so I asked little Shen for help.”

Gu Yanchen remained calm and continued, “Helping out is fine, but the City Bureau also has its regulations. Although Shen Junci is a medical examiner, his position belongs to our Special Criminal Division. This kind of work arrangement doesn’t follow the proper procedures.”

In theory, Director Lu should have informed him, but Lu Cun clearly bypassed that step.

Lu Cun explained, “I was in a hurry at the time and didn’t think it through.”

Gu Yanchen then asked, “The autopsy report was probably written by Qi Yi’an, right? Why are only Liu Shurong, Song Qiancheng, and your signatures on it, without their names?”

Forensic investigator Lu kept his head down, pretending not to hear. Lu Cun explained, “Well, at that time, Doctor Shen helped put the remains together, Qi Yi’an wrote part of the report, and the subsequent analysis and submission of samples were done by Liu and little Song. I just signed and submitted it. I probably forgot about the names.”

Gu Yanchen calmly said, “I knew it was Director Lu being too busy and forgetting. That’s why I came to remind you.”

Lu Cun replied, “I’ll fill in the procedure later. The reward for this case is not insignificant.”

In the large office, Gu Yanchen had a talk with Director Lu and Liu Shurong. Qi Yi’an, sitting in the adjacent small office, overheard some of the conversation but dared not interfere.

While sipping tea, Shen Junci looked up at the tense Qi Yi’an and asked, “Did you tell Captain Gu?”

Qi Yi’an shook his head hurriedly, “No, it was Song Qiancheng and the Criminal Investigation Department bragging about it.”

When it came to the end and couldn’t match up, Shen Junci was thrown under the bus. As soon as the words fell, the adjacent office fell silent. Qi Yi’an breathed a sigh of relief, but within a few seconds, the door to this office was pushed open by Gu Yanchen.

Gu Yanchen entered and asked them, “Director Lu asked you to do something, why didn’t you inform me?”

Qi Yi’an felt overwhelmed by his presence and didn’t dare to answer.

Shen Junci said, “It’s just a small matter; there’s no need to report. We were idle anyway.”

Sensing that something was off, Qi Yi’an quickly took the blame, repeatedly saying, “Captain Gu, we’ll be more careful in the future.”

Gu Yanchen said, “Don’t think this is a police station where everyone is selfless. Helping for free has become a habit. In the end, others might think you’re easy to bully, and they’ll dump all sorts of lousy jobs on you. When it comes to rewards, you might get left out. Be mindful of that.”

Penang City Bureau was vast, different from the close-knit atmosphere of a small town. It was more like an ordinary corporate workplace, with jealousy, troublemakers, slackers, and those seeking recognition. Police officers and medical examiners were just professionals; people always had personal motives, but the degree varied. These motives often had little to do with whether someone was a good police officer or medical examiner.

Qi Yi’an hastily said, “I understand Captain Gu’s point. We won’t suffer losses; we won’t be naive.”

Gu Yanchen softened his tone and said, “You should also consider your career planning. When it’s time to fight, try to fight for it. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, let me know, and I’ll coordinate for you. These cases are linked to your salary adjustments and ratings in the end.”

Shen Junci blew on his tea and said, “Thank you, Captain Gu, but I don’t care about those things.”

Gu Yanchen looked at him.

Shen Junci stood up and said, “Captain Gu, could you come over for a moment? I want to show you something.”

Leading Gu Yanchen, Shen Junci went to the basement of the medical examiner building. The temperature here was noticeably colder than upstairs. A broken light in the corridor hadn’t been fixed yet, causing insufficient illumination and a somewhat eerie atmosphere. They continued to the end of the corridor to the claiming room. This department within the City Bureau was rarely noticed, and it was where family members came to claim the remains after their identities were confirmed.

Earlier, the person in charge here had informed Shen Junci that the family would come around two o’clock to claim the remains. It was now a little after two, and they were likely in the process of completing the paperwork. The claiming room had a long gray table, resembling the River Styx, separating the world of the living from the dwelling place of skeletal remains. Shen Junci stood at the doorway, arms crossed, watching.

Gu Yanchen followed his gaze into the room, where a few figures were present. Gu Yanchen recognized them as the family of the elderly person featured in the news. The children received a box from the staff, their expressions solemn and focused.

Inside the box lay a set of remains, all the bones neatly arranged in a relatively small square box. The elderly husband pressed his face against the box, his eyes slightly cloudy, long devoid of tears. He spoke in a hoarse voice, “My love, I can finally take you home. It’s my fault for not taking care of you. Our family will never be separated again.”

The daughter cried and said, “Mom, it won’t be cold at home anymore.”

This was the parting of life and death in the human world, a mix of sorrow and joy, separation and reunion.

Witnessing this scene, Gu Yanchen remained silent for a moment. He was, after all, a person with a heart and emotions. Beyond life and death, in the face of the truth, the struggles, achievements, and honors suddenly seemed somewhat redundant.

In a low voice, Shen Junci said, “I did this not for anything else, just for them. It doesn’t matter if they know it was me or not. Ranks, salaries, I really don’t care about those things.”

The claiming room had a white light on, casting a glow that illuminated half of Shen Junci’s face. Only half, as the other half of his figure remained hidden in the dimly lit corridor. Shen Junci continued, “My approachability is not for others but for minimizing trouble for myself. So, Captain Gu, you don’t need to worry about me. No one can take the truly important things away from me.”

Gu Yanchen looked at Shen Junci. The person before him was handsome and refined, but from his expression, Gu Yanchen sensed something else. When he first met Shen Junci, he felt the man was somewhat cold. Over time, he discovered that those eyes of his contained no room for worldly distractions. Gu Yanchen suddenly understood. The usual Shen Junci was just a beautiful facade. Only when facing the dead, facing life, did that seriousness and dedication become the real him.

Gu Yanchen recalled a quote from Yamamoto Wataru, “Kind and courteous on the surface, it’s not for the sake of others, but to guard one’s own armor.”

At that moment, he felt like he was getting closer to Shen Junci. Gu Yanchen became more curious. What was it that Shen Junci, indifferent to fame and wealth, truly cared about?

The two continued down the corridor, breaking the silence. Shen Junci said, “Captain Gu, you are actually well-intentioned. Worried that we might be bullied, so you came to help us find a solution?” He paused and added, “You’re not someone who seeks credit for yourself.”

Gu Yanchen took out a cigarette, revealing the true purpose of his visit, “If this matter is ignored, others might leave the impression that the Special Criminal Division is easy to bully. It would be difficult to act within the City Bureau in the future.”

So while Shen Junci could be indifferent, Gu Yanchen insisted on fighting.

Shen Junci nodded, saying, “Understood.”

After a brief exchange, they both understood each other’s methods and intentions. They chatted as they walked out of the medical examiner building, and from there, they could see the field behind. People were practicing shooting in the outdoor shooting range, and the faint sound of gunfire could be heard in the distance.

Suddenly, Shen Junci asked, “Captain Gu, can you tell how many points someone scored in shooting just by the sound of the gunfire?”

This was a piece of gossip he had heard; some said that Gu Yanchen could predict shooting scores accurately.

“I’m not that miraculous, but I can generally tell. The sound of hitting the center and hitting the periphery is different,” Gu Yanchen said. “Do you know about sniping?”

“A little,” Shen Junci replied truthfully.

Looking at the distant target positions, Gu Yanchen explained, “Proficient snipers have an expectation in their minds when firing a bullet, knowing where the bullet will hit.”

Shen Junci asked, “In actual combat, does sniping require a long wait?”

“Sometimes, but the wait is worth it. All the waiting is for that moment when a bullet hits the target,” Gu Yanchen said.

Shen Junci’s steps paused, and he suddenly remembered something Gu Yanchen had said to him many years ago, ‘I promise you, no matter how much time it takes, no matter how much effort is required, I will find the truth.’

~~~

The central records at the Medical Examiner Center had all been modified and submitted. Director Ding got wind of this matter. Surprisingly, he didn’t expect the medical examiner transferred from the provincial bureau to possess such good skills. The elderly man specifically came over to hold a meeting with the medical examiners of the Criminal Division at the Medical Examiner Center. He even specially invited Shen Junci and Qi Yi’an to attend. The meeting began by summarizing recent medical examiner work.

Later, Director Ding said, “The Special Criminal Division has just been established, and the workload for autopsies isn’t substantial yet. Old Lu, hasn’t your Criminal Division been keeping a vacant position for a senior consultant medical examiner? I suggest appointing Doctor Shen to that role. In the future, if your division encounters challenging autopsies, you can consult with him.”

This was Director Ding’s ingenious solution, giving Shen Junci a salary raise and a promotion as compensation for previous matters. It also aimed to break down the barriers between departments. After finishing, Director Ding asked Shen Junci, “Do you agree or not?”

Shen Junci inquired, “Does Captain Gu know about this arrangement?”

Director Ding nodded, “I’ve discussed it with him, and he said it depends on your personal opinion.” 

Since it involved a promotion and salary increase, Gu Yanchen had no reason to object.

Only then did Shen Junci say, “The Special Criminal Division’s workload is currently light, and I can help out.”

In no time, Shen Junci became a popular figure at the Medical Examiner Center, especially among colleagues like Song Qiancheng, who frequently sought him out for various issues, addressing him as Doctor Shen.