Chapter Seven: The Murder Weapon

Lu Yuan had become extremely sensitive to the words “homicide” now.

As he read the news report, a wave of unease and restlessness surged within him.

Xiangshe Liwan, Dongcheng District.

A place utterly unfamiliar to him.

Lu Yuan knew he would never earn enough in his lifetime to buy a house there.

Seated quietly, he stared at the news for a long while. Though there were no images, the textual description stirred a strange sense of familiarity in him.

Rising, he put on his coat and stepped outside.

Dongcheng District was far from his psychological clinic; walking would take at least four or five hours, and even by taxi, nearly an hour.

An hour later, Lu Yuan arrived at Xiangshe Liwan in Dongcheng District.

This was a wealthy neighborhood.

The residents here were well-known figures in S City, often seen on television.

The homicide had occurred at villa number 14.

Usually, this place was quiet, the tranquility being a prime reason the rich chose to live here. But today, the streets teemed with people.

Most were reporters, packed in layers, camera shutters clicking incessantly, creating a scene impossible to penetrate.

A smaller number were curious onlookers, eager to glimpse the details of the crime.

Lu Yuan stood at the edge of the crowd. Thanks to his height, he peered through the gaps between reporters and caught sight of the gate to villa 14.

That familiar feeling returned.

The villa’s gate looked just as it had in his dream last night.

Yet, he wasn’t certain—because in his dream, it had been nighttime and raining when he opened the door.

His attention had been entirely on the woman in the dream; he hadn't observed the gate closely.

After a moment, a familiar figure emerged from the gate—it was Wen Ke.

Wen Ke looked exhausted, having stayed awake all night, but as captain of the criminal investigation team, she had to face the reporters.

Upon seeing the police officer, the journalists surged forward, desperate to secure a good spot.

“Captain Wen, we heard the victim’s death was quite brutal. Could you share some details?”

“Captain Wen, this is the first homicide in S City in nearly a decade. What are your thoughts on this case?”

“Captain Wen, do you think the villa’s owner is connected to the crime? Could you reveal any information about the owner?”

...

Though fatigued, Wen Ke remained patient, responding calmly, “The case is still under investigation. We cannot disclose further details at this time.”

“May we enter and take some photos?”

“No.”

“Does this homicide mean the security situation in S City is deteriorating?”

“No.”

The reporters had many questions, some even prepared with scripts.

Wen Ke grew irritated by the noise and gestured for a colleague to help handle the crowd.

At that moment, her gaze caught a figure at the edge of the crowd—it was Lu Yuan. Her eyes flickered briefly.

What was he doing here?

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan was preparing to leave.

He was neither a cop nor a journalist, so entry into the villa was impossible. Staying here was pointless.

Just as he began to walk away, someone tapped his shoulder.

Turning around, Lu Yuan saw Wen Ke and felt somewhat awkward.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Lu Yuan’s hand in his pocket clenched slightly, but he feigned calm. “I saw the news this morning and was curious.”

Just curiosity?

Wen Ke doubted it.

Xiangshe Liwan was quite a distance from the city center; it took at least an hour to get here from his clinic.

No ordinary person would make such a trip out of mere curiosity.

She didn’t press further and changed the subject, “Have you eaten breakfast? Let me treat you.”

Lu Yuan was about to refuse, but Wen Ke pulled him along, chatting about how he had slept the night before as they walked.

After a long stroll, they found a quiet breakfast shop.

Inside, few customers.

Wen Ke picked a window seat, called the owner, placed orders, then looked at Lu Yuan.

“You look terrible. Not feeling well?”

She poured him a cup of hot water.

Lu Yuan shook his head, paused, then spoke, “You look like you didn’t sleep all night. Is the case really tough?”

Wen Ke yawned, “It is complicated. After all, S City hasn’t had a homicide in many years.”

Lu Yuan didn’t know what to say.

He wanted to ask about the villa, but showing so much curiosity would raise Wen Ke’s suspicion.

Their breakfast passed in a heavy, oppressive silence.

After breakfast, Lu Yuan left alone. Wen Ke remained—this case was too complicated for her to leave anytime soon.

She watched his retreating figure, narrowing her eyes; her police instincts told her something was off about Lu Yuan.

However, background checks at the station revealed Lu Yuan had a clean record—just an ordinary person with no ties to Xiangshe Liwan.

Suddenly, a colleague hurried over to Wen Ke. “Captain Wen, we found the murder weapon.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Where?”

She had searched all night and assumed the killer had taken the weapon away.

“Under the floorboard in a hidden compartment beneath the bedroom bed.”

“That compartment was likely meant to house a small safe.”

Wen Ke strode toward the villa.

Her colleagues were used to her temperament. Besides, this was the first homicide in nearly ten years—naturally, it commanded her full attention.

Another colleague caught up, “Also, the forensics team found clear fingerprints on the weapon. They’re sending them for analysis.”

The killer hadn’t taken the weapon or wiped off the fingerprints.

Wen Ke’s gaze turned icy.

Was this a sign of contempt toward the police? Or a deliberate provocation?

Suddenly, she stopped and turned to her colleague. “Get me the detailed records of the owner of villa number 14.”

“And bring me Lu Yuan’s statement from the station yesterday.”

Lu Yuan?

Her colleague hesitated.

Why was Lu Yuan involved again?

But without questioning, he nodded and hurried away.

Wen Ke returned alone to the crime scene. Forensics were still collecting evidence, marking everything carefully.

A figure in white protective gear and a mask approached, holding a transparent plastic bag containing a blood-stained fruit knife.

“Captain Wen, this is the murder weapon.”

She donned gloves and took the knife.

The type and shape made it clear—a fruit knife fit the profile perfectly.

“Judging by the size of the weapon and the wound on the victim’s heart, the killer must have stabbed downward from above while the victim was completely defenseless.”

“The killer’s grip and technique were unskilled—likely an amateur—but wielded great strength. The blade pierced not only the heart but even reached the victim’s back.”

She stood cold and resolute, ready to pursue the truth behind this brutal crime.