The bouncy little red shrimp kept paddling its tiny feelers in the water, resisting the downstream current.
“Human, how much shrimp food is this information worth?”
Su Zhisheng thought for a moment. “I’ll give you two large sacks of shrimp food.”
These sacks were the kind used in rural areas to hold rice—very large, enough to feed this group of shrimp for several generations.
However, the workload for this reward was enormous. Su Zhisheng had classes to attend and work at the police station—he couldn’t possibly manage it all on his own.
Fortunately, Xing Tianwei had already filed a report with his superiors and specially recruited staff to prepare animal feed for Su Zhisheng and help him feed the animals.
Of course, he would still personally feed animals like the big carp that lived near his dorm.
The little red shrimp were more than satisfied with the massive amount of food.
“Human, we can’t move those two big stones. Just follow us little shrimps.”
So Su Zhisheng got on the boat and followed behind his miniature shrimp soldiers.
It had to be said—it really did feel like the Dragon King traveling with shrimp soldiers clearing the way.
Except these red black-shell shrimp were only two to three centimeters long, giving off a distinct child-soldier vibe.
Su Zhisheng, now an employer of “child labor,” couldn’t help but laugh and pulled out his phone to record a video.
How amusing. He’d film this as a memento.
The officer behind him couldn’t help but remark, “I’ve been a cop for years, and I’ve had dogs lead me to solve cases plenty of times. But this is the first time I’ve been led by little shrimp…”
Soon, the group of tiny red shrimp stopped in front of two broken bricks.
For their miniature bodies, these were indeed giant rocks.
The forensics team took out evidence bags and placed the freshly recovered items inside.
“Barring any surprises, this brick should be the murder weapon.”
The body parts they had previously recovered from the school river were only a small portion, and none showed a fatal wound. But the killer, already carrying multiple bags, had still brought along these heavy broken bricks—clearly with the intention of destroying evidence.
Su Zhisheng came to the same conclusion.
He looked at the wet brick and couldn’t help but frown.
“There’s no visible blood on the surface. It’s probably been washed away by the current and eaten off by aquatic animals.”
After all, bricks weren’t something that needed to be hidden. And red blood wouldn’t stand out much on a red brick. The killer didn’t need to put it in a plastic bag—just tossing it into the river and letting the fish clean off the evidence would be best.
Suddenly, Su Zhisheng’s eyes narrowed.
“What is that powder in this crevice?”
“I don’t know. It could have come from the killer, or it could have been picked up in the river. We’ll take it back and analyze the composition. It might become the key clue that helps us identify the real killer.”
The forensics colleague grew excited. “Look! In that sweeping army, a tilapia is swimming back. It’s probably found a black plastic bag.”
“Consultant Su, please come help at the station more often. You’re the ultimate support! Without you, who knows how long this would have taken us.”
Xing Tianwei looked up and gave him a sideways glance.
“Zhisheng is still a college student. His studies come first.”
“Captain Xing, you really keep him close,” the forensics guy muttered, swallowing nervously.
His gaze shifted back to Su Zhisheng, his energy returning. “Consultant Su, once this case is over, our forensics team is having a celebratory dinner. You have to come…”
Su Zhisheng smiled. “Okay.”
Every time a criminal case came up, the officers had to work crazy overtime, draining both body and mind. Activities like afternoon tea and KTV dinners were ways to lift their spirits and replenish their energy.
But that was for later.
Right now, the tilapia was almost at the boat.
This time, the news the little animal brought wasn’t about bricks—it was about human remains…
Su Zhisheng opened his bag, took out a piece of pressed candy, and quickly ate it.
The sweet taste burst in his mouth, sending a wave of dopamine through his body.
His peripheral vision swept over Captain Xing Tianwei in his uniform beside him. Seeing the man’s resolute, composed face, Su Zhisheng’s unsettled emotions quickly steadied.
He looked at the tilapia, his voice trembling slightly but utterly determined. “Lead the way. We’ll follow in the boat.”
Under the same sky, some people were busy recovering a dead body, helping solve a case so the victim could rest in peace.
Others, however, sat comfortably in a glass flower garden, arranging fresh flowers while discussing with the PR department how to exploit this very incident for their own benefit.
Su Mingjie’s handsome face showed a hint of feigned regret.
“Second Brother is an upright person. Surely he can’t be the killer in this case. But this time, you’re going to use Xiao Tao’s case to shift the public’s focus, and Second Brother will inevitably be affected. Sigh…”
What do you mean “you’re going to use”? You’re the one who hinted that I should use this tactic!
Even as head of the PR department, he was still just an employee. Who liked volunteering for extra work?
Nevertheless, he couldn’t refuse the suggestion.
After all, now that Su Mingjie’s identity as a fake young master had been exposed, the online criticism was relentless. Faced with a PR disaster that offered no room for argument, the best approach was undoubtedly to find another topic to divert public attention.
He couldn’t think of any news hotspots himself. The fake young master had conveniently handed him a path, so he had no choice but to take it.
“Young Master, don’t worry. The public only knows that the Su family has a real…”
The PR head, realizing his slip of the tongue, quickly corrected himself. “Netizens don’t even know the former ‘adopted son’s’ name. No matter how much they speculate about the case online, it won’t affect his real life.”
Having worked in the entertainment industry for so long, the PR head naturally knew what Su Mingjie was really like.
He swallowed his conscience and began flattering Su Mingjie.
“The boss has decided to set aside past grievances and acknowledge Su Zhisheng as his son again. We’re all family. It’s only right that Young Master Zhisheng helps you with a small favor. When he comes back and lands a good marriage through your connections, he’ll come bearing gifts to thank you.”
Su Mingjie gave a slight nod. “True. When Second Brother returns, I will make sure to compensate him well.”
His words were soft and gentle, but his hand unconsciously left a nail mark on the leaf of a Juliet rose.
Ah, his flower!
The apricot-pink gradient roses were blooming in the glass greenhouse, emitting waves of fragrance. Above the flowers, the gardener had carefully sprinkled tiny water droplets after simulating rainfall—breathtakingly beautiful!
The Royal Juliet Rose is a rare artificially cultivated variety. Only about fifty clusters exist in the world, and one sold at auction for a million pounds.
Given the Su family’s wealth, they wouldn’t be so extravagant.
This was a flower his fiancé had bought specially for him, delivered just last month.
His gardener had frantically studied under the seller’s gardener to learn how to care for it, finally managing to keep this delicate beauty alive.
In truth, his fiancé had always been very generous with Su Mingjie. He had received watches and bags even rarer and more expensive than this flower. But Su Mingjie had a particular fondness for fresh blooms, which was why he treasured this one so much.
Seeing that the PR head had left, Su Mingjie, alone in the flower garden, finally let his displeasure show.
“Su Zhisheng is truly my nemesis! I merely mentioned him today, and my precious flower got hurt.”
He’d have the gardener remove that leaf later, so he wouldn’t have to see it and feel irritated.
In truth, when Su Zhisheng first returned to the Su family, he had been quite well-behaved and had no intention of competing for affection.
But the moment Su Mingjie saw him, he couldn’t stop the intrusive thought that he himself was a fake!
Like a fishbone stuck in his throat!
Unable to sleep at night!
So Su Mingjie had done everything he could to drive Su Zhisheng out of the Su family, even using self-harmful methods like triggering his own allergies.
In the end, Su Mingjie got what he wanted and successfully kicked Su Zhisheng out. But he hadn’t expected Su Zhisheng to be so bold as to expose his true identity online, making him the target of ridicule and condemnation from the whole world.
“This time, letting Su Zhisheng bear the brunt of public opinion is just collecting a little interest.”
As Su Mingjie thought this, a pleased smile curved his lips.
What a pity about Xiao Tao, dying so young.
Thinking of this devoted employee who was still serving him even after death, he picked up his phone and called the housekeeper.
“Charge it to my account. Arrange Xiao Tao’s funeral.”
“Right. I’ll choose the funeral package myself. Not a single penny goes to her leech of parents…”
Don’t think he didn’t know—the police had already shifted their suspicion away from him and his father and brother to investigate the other servants. And yet, Xiao Tao’s shameless parents were in the police station lobby, grabbing at officers with their wild “hired murder” theories.
They clearly just thought that since the Su family was rich, they could squeeze more money out of them than from a servant.
Su Mingjie hung up and let out a cold snort.
“Trying to shake me down, are they?”
Once this blew over, he’d show those people what it meant to be rich and ruthless.
Su Mingjie wasn’t worried about Xiao Tao’s parents exposing his private schemes against Su Zhisheng.
Sure, they could release screenshots from their daughter’s chat logs to ruin his reputation. But just today, the police had dug up a smashed and burned phone from a suspicious patch of ground in the villa’s courtyard.
Even as a layman, he knew the data couldn’t be recovered.
Without evidence, Xiao Tao’s parents couldn’t touch him.
After the police uncovered the truth, they would only release information about the grudge between Xiao Tao and her killer—which wouldn’t implicate him, the good boss.
After all, he wasn’t the killer. What could the motive possibly have to do with him?
Aside from losing a good employee, this case wouldn’t cause him any real harm. On the contrary, it had given him a perfect opportunity to weather the storm of public criticism faster.
You could call it a blessing in disguise.
“Young Master, I’m here.” The gardener walked into the glass flower garden with his tools.
Su Mingjie acknowledged him with a grunt, his eyes darkening.
Even if he sent this taciturn man to training classes, he’d never develop Xiao Tao’s silver tongue.
Ah, well. He couldn’t ask for too much. The man’s gardening skills weren’t bad—at least he kept Su Mingjie’s beloved garden beautiful.
Soon, news of the wealthy family’s maid dismemberment case spread online.
#Maid Xiao Tao’s only living grudge: the Su family’s real young master
[What?! This is earth-shattering!]
[Is the Su family’s ancestral grave planted in a melon patch? What kind of crazy feng shui is this?]
[I used to think the Su family’s real young master was a good guy who dared to expose wealthy family secrets. But now… Could it be that he only exposed the luxury hotel incident as revenge after losing an internal power struggle? This maid dismemberment case is revealing his true nature.]
[The police are still investigating. Let’s not jump to conclusions and falsely accuse an innocent person.]
[This is terrifying! The first body parts were found in the river at our school…]
[The killer is so brutal. I don’t dare walk around school alone anymore.]
Without clear evidence pointing to the Su family’s real young master, not many people were attacking Su Zhisheng.
However, public attention had indeed shifted from the fake young master to this horrifying dismemberment case.
While ordinary netizens were panicking over the gossip, Su Zhisheng was back with his police colleagues in the upstream area of the river.
Thanks to the efforts of the fish and shrimp in the river, all the remains had been recovered.
But the police hadn’t found the primary crime scene inside the Su villa, nor the location where the killer dismembered the body.
Currently, the forensics team was working overtime analyzing the existing evidence.
Other officers weren’t willing to wait idly and continued searching for the crime scene.
The killer was among the Su family’s servants, and the Su family provided servant quarters. To dismember a body, the killer would either have to rent a place or do it in the forest by the river.
The small mountain upstream had been contracted by an investor to grow fruit trees. Later, the owner went bankrupt from losses and had to sell off the remaining lease. With no one else taking it over, the mountain had been abandoned until now.
Su Zhisheng’s assigned task was to investigate the forest near the river.
A place teeming with animals—this was where Su Zhisheng’s abilities could shine.
“I wonder what animals live on this mountain…”
Su Zhisheng hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a wild rabbit darted out of the bushes.
“Eep! So many humans!”
“I hope these people are like that last guy—here to secretly butcher someone, not to butcher bunny!”
Butchering people was fine. Butchering bunny was not!
This little rabbit’s wish was just that “simple.”