From over half a month ago, Team A officers had felt that something was unusual between Madam and the young master. They’d speculated about all sorts of possibilities — until now, when Li Heng cut through everything and told them the truth.
All the mysteries and questions they’d held back — the ones they couldn’t ask — suddenly clicked into place, exploding in their minds.
Lin Jiacong drew in a sharp breath and nudged Shen Zhicheng with his elbow: “What do you mean — your and Madam’s Second Uncle?”
Shen Zhicheng withdrew his gaze and tilted his chin toward Li Heng: “My sister.”
In that instant, words failed to capture everyone’s shock.
Madam was the young master’s sister — which meant Li Heng was a rich heiress!
Everyone was completely stunned, the pieces falling into place. A flood of questions swirled in their minds, but they couldn’t pry — not here. They were police officers, bound by duty, standing at a crime scene — it wasn’t the place to probe into personal matters.
“Yes, Madam!” Old You was the first to snap out of it, his expression serious. “I’ll immediately report the recusal request to the higher-ups.”
Li Heng paused briefly, then turned to leave the study. She saw Shen Zhicheng still standing at the doorway, his gaze fixed on Shen Kai Yiu’s face.
On the way over, Li Heng had been in the passenger seat while Shen Zhicheng sat in the back — she hadn’t noticed his emotional state. In fact, the moment they drove into the Kowloon Tong hills and the car stopped outside this house, he’d already had a vague sense of what was coming.
As a child, Shen Zhicheng had moved many times — from the Mid-Levels to Kowloon Tong, back to Repulse Bay with his grandfather, and then back again. Before he was sent abroad, he had lived here with his uncle’s family and their children.
No one present knew this house better than him — every corner, every mark.
Li Heng gave him a gentle nudge, lowering her voice: “Let’s step out.”
The two walked to the living room and sat down on the sofa.
Li Heng had only met her Second Uncle, Shen Kai Yiu, once. At that family dinner at Repulse Bay, he’d been emotional from the alcohol, voicing all his grievances and resentment — only to end with a bitter laugh, saying he’d been out of line.
Just a week later, he was dead in his study.
Li Heng said softly: “I don’t know how to tell Grandfather.”
Neither sibling had any real affection for their uncle — his death was a shock, but nothing more.
For their grandfather, though — it was different. Shen Chongnian and Shen Kai Yiu’s relationship had been strained to the breaking point, but no matter how strained, he was still his son. Even knowing all the scheming his son had done, blood ties weren’t so easily severed.
“I don’t know how Grandfather will take this.”
From a corner, Auntie Lin’s voice drifted over in fragments.
As family members of the deceased, Li Heng and Shen Zhicheng couldn’t approach the scene or get involved in the questioning.
Li Heng stood up: “Let’s go look in the garden.”
The two siblings walked downstairs together.
As they passed Auntie Lin, the old maid noticed Shen Zhicheng, staring at him in recognition.
“Has the deceased, Shen Kai Yiu, shown any unusual behavior lately?” Fang Zhishan’s question snapped her out of her thoughts.
“These past few days, he’s been in a very low mood — gloomy, drinking alone until late at night.”
“He said there were too many servants around, that everywhere he turned there were people making noise, so he sent most of them away. Lately, it’s just been me taking care of the family’s daily needs.”
“How did you discover the body?”
“Last night at nine, I passed by the study and saw the light was still on. I knocked and asked if he wanted a late-night snack. He sounded very impatient, telling me not to disturb him.”
“After that, I went back to the servant’s quarters and slept. This morning, I knocked again — no response. I thought he just didn’t want to see anyone, so I went about my own work. But by afternoon… there was no food in the study. He has low blood sugar — he has to eat three meals on time. I felt something was wrong. I knocked repeatedly, but no one answered. So I found the spare key and opened the door.”
“Mr. Shen was slumped in his office chair, facing away from the door, motionless. I called out a few times from the doorway. I was about to leave, but the smell was strange — so I stepped closer.”
At that, Auntie Lin’s voice trembled: “His face… there was white foam at the corner of his mouth. I didn’t dare touch him or move anything on the desk — I called the police immediately.”
The officer quickly jotted down the notes.
“Was he alone in the house at the time? His wife and children weren’t around?”
“The young master moved out. Usually, it’s just the master, the madam, and the young miss here. The young miss has been busy with work lately and isn’t home often. The madam went back to her family’s place a few days ago.”
“What time did you go to bed last night?” Fang Zhishan continued.
“I slept early — I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.”
“So if someone entered the house after nine, you wouldn’t have noticed?”
Auntie Lin shook her head: “The servant’s quarters are completely separate from the main house. As long as the front doorbell doesn’t ring, I wouldn’t know who’s coming and going in the main house.”
Fang Zhishan noted the key details and pressed on: “When did the deceased start becoming gloomy and drinking alone?”
“Last week — after the family dinner. The master and madam went to Repulse Bay for a meal, and when they came back, he was a different person. I don’t know the details — we don’t ask questions.”
Finally, the police instructed Auntie Lin to call back all the other servants for questioning.
She nodded quickly and hurried off to make the calls.
…
Inside the study, the preliminary investigation proceeded in an orderly manner.
Since Li Heng couldn’t take over the case, the most senior officer, Old You, was temporarily in charge. The officers carried out their duties — securing the scene, collecting evidence, and documenting everything.
“No signs of a struggle. The desk is neat, and there are no signs of forced entry on the doors or windows.”
“This glass on the desk…” Gao Zijie leaned in close, “—it’s milk. Probably what the deceased drank before he died.”
“Take it back for testing,” Old You said.
Several officers worked nonstop, crouching to take photos and bagging items found at the scene.
Lin Jiacong remarked: “We’re so unlucky — last time we were busy, at least they assigned us a new officer. Now we’re not only short-staffed, but Madam can’t even work on the case.”
“I heard Old You already contacted Sir Pan — he should coordinate for more manpower soon,” Gao Zijie said, patting him. “So now do you believe in my detective instincts? I said there was something between Madam and the young master — and I was right.”
Lin Jiacong scratched his head in frustration: “Since you’re so good at detecting, hurry up and figure out who the killer is.”
“If I could do that, would I still just be a PC?” Gao Zijie shrugged.
Old You shot them a look: “Still got time to chat? Get back to work.”
“Slow and steady wins the race!” Lin Jiacong sighed.
Meanwhile, Li Heng and Shen Zhicheng stood in the garden outside the house, complying with the recusal rules.
They stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the closed study window on the second floor.
Even as officers — even though the recusal policy prevented them from participating — their instinct to observe couldn’t be switched off.
Li Heng’s gaze swept across the exterior wall as she analyzed: “The study windows are sealed — locked from the inside. There’s no way in from there.”
“The door was also locked from the inside,” Shen Zhicheng added. “If we rule out the window, the only way in or out is through the main entrance.”
The two walked toward the front door to survey the surroundings.
Just then, a car pulled up — Forensic Examiner Chen and his assistant arrived.
Carrying his toolkit, he walked into the garden and spotted Li Heng — a flicker of surprise in his eyes. In any previous case, Inspector Li was always at the front. Today, she was standing on the sidelines.
He didn’t ask questions, just gave a slight nod and walked quickly inside.
“Sorry for the delay.” Once in the study, Forensic Examiner Chen put on his protective gloves and took the tweezers and flashlight from his assistant.
“The victim’s clothes are neat, with no visible external injuries. Based on the signs — mouth, nose, conjunctiva — the preliminary assessment is poisoning.”
“The poisoning is evident, but the specific toxin will need to be confirmed through toxicology tests.”
“Rigor mortis is complete. Based on body temperature, the estimated time of death is between 2 and 3 AM.”
The investigation in the study continued.
Downstairs, Li Heng and Shen Zhicheng stepped back inside and walked into the living room.
Shen Zhicheng turned and asked: “Should we tell Grandfather now?”
Li Heng paused: “Let’s tell Aunt first.”
They weren’t children who panicked at bad news — they’d both been independent from a young age. But now that they had their aunt, in a moment like this, instinct made them want to turn to her first.
The phone buzzed for a long time. Li Heng was lost in thought and didn’t notice.
Shen Zhicheng nudged her: “Your phone.”
Li Heng answered — it was Pan Liqin.
Aside from Xu Le’er, Pan Liqin was the only one in the station who knew about her real relationship with Shen Zhicheng. The force had a mandatory reporting system — she’d submitted her address change to HR. Shen Zhicheng lived in the same building, on the same floor. And with the DNA report handled by Xu Le’er, Sir Pan had long known.
He just hadn’t asked about his subordinates’ private affairs.
On the call, Pan Liqin showed no surprise — his tone was all business.
He outlined the scene arrangements and repeatedly reminded Li Heng to strictly follow the recusal policy.
“I trust your professionalism, but I have to say it,” Sir Pan said.
“I understand.”
After finishing the official matters, there was a brief pause on the other end.
“The case falls under the recusal policy, so field officers will need to be reassigned to take over,” Pan Liqin paused. “Do you have someone in mind to lead the investigation?”
…
When the case first broke, Old You had been responsible for the scene arrangements and had immediately sent word to contact the deceased’s immediate family.
Now, a black sedan pulled up outside the house, braking sharply. Two figures hurried out — the sharp click of high heels against the pavement cutting through the air.
“Mom — slow down. Don’t rush.”
“Your father’s in this situation — how can I not rush?”
“I’m worried about your health.”
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