Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

Nian Xi wrinkled her eyebrows and said, “I think he died on campus and his body was moved to the riverside. No wonder his legs were a little curled. It was like the medical examiner said. The suspect put him in a suitcase and brought him off-campus. Identifying the suspect is going to be tough. Normally, vehicles go in and out of school all the time. The murder took place right before the winter vacation when a lot of students were leaving with their suitcases. How do we know which suitcase Duan Yang was in or how the suspect left?”

“I guess you guys need to spend more time at the university,” said Cheng Jing, “We need to locate the first crime scene. Didn’t forensics find carbon dust under his nails? That could mean that he put up a struggle.”

“Carbon dust is also found near printers,” said Nian Xi.

“Go to the university and check out the printers,” Cheng Jing patted her on the shoulder, then left.

That morning, Fang Qi and Nian Xi talked about the case and decided to pay another visit to the university in the afternoon.

“I wonder if Professor Jiang will be teaching a class today,” Fang Qi said laughing.

“Do you want to go?” Nian Xi raised her eyebrows and said, “You didn’t understand one word he said last time.”

“And you did?” Fang Qi rolled his eyes and said, “Ah, I wonder if he’ll buy you dinner.”

“Officer Fang, be serious. We’re just starting the investigation. The victim’s family is counting on us to solve this case,” said Nian Xi.

They planned to head to the university together after lunch, but before they were ready to leave, Nian Xi got a phone call from her family saying that her grandma wasn’t feeling well.

Nian Xi asked if she could leave early to visit her grandma in the hospital.

Fang Qi went to the university alone. The campus was large. He spent a long time looking for printers and asking around but still couldn’t locate the first crime scene.

However, he did run into Jiang Yuning.

Jiang Yuning looked around when he saw Fang Qi, then handed him a note—Where is she?

Fang Qi was flattered. It was the first time Jiang Yuning took the initiative to communicate with him.

“Nian Xi’s grandma isn’t feeling well. She’s in the hospital.” He said.

Jiang Yuning’s eyes showed a trace of concern.

“Which hospital?” He hurriedly wrote.

“Professor Jiang, you’re not going to visit her grandma, are you?” Fang Qi said, “I don’t think you should. You’re only Nian Xi’s friend. Her family might not understand if you showed up unexpectedly at the hospital.”

Hearing that, Jiang Yuning dropped his head frustratedly. Fang Qi was right.

Also, if he went to the hospital, what would her boyfriend think?

Fang Qi sighed, “if you really like her, you can just pursue her. Didn’t she give you her phone number and WeChat number? Message her, if you don’t like to talk.”

Jiang Yuning gave him a glance with a grievance, then wrote. How am I supposed to pursue her? She has a boyfriend. I can’t ruin their relationship.

“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Fang Qi was confused, “I work with her every day. I’ve never seen her go on a date. She’s still single.”

Jiang Yuning paused in shock. He popped his eyes, stared at Fang Qi as if he didn’t believe what he’d just heard. His hand even started trembling. He couldn’t write anymore, so he stuttered to ask, “But… didn’t she say she’s getting back together with her ex-boyfriend?”

“No,” Fang Qi shook his head and said, “They work in the same precinct. If she wanted to get back together with him, she’d have done that long ago. She always goes out of her way to avoid him. I heard she’s been single for more than a year now.”

“So… she lied to me,” Jiang Yuning murmured, “Why did she lie to me?”

“Beats me! Oh, Professor Jiang: Do you know how carbon dust is usually used in school?” Fang Qi asked.

“She doesn’t have a boyfriend?… she doesn’t have a boyfriend!,” Jiang Yuning couldn’t hear his own words but fell into his own world.

…