Chapter 138: Jealousy

I grilled the cook with a few questions. Judging by his nervousness, this was probably his first time being questioned, and he kept insisting he had nothing to do with the murder.

According to the cook, Xiaoli was a girl obsessed with her looks. She constantly asked if her face looked chubby, if her legs were too thick, or if her hands looked good. She also paid close attention to beauty products.

Xiaoli came from a modest family and had been working her way through school here for two years. For a while, the cook noticed her face getting slimmer. Proudly, Xiaoli revealed her secret weapon—it turned out she had been buying botulinum toxin online.

Online botulinum essence cost only about 200 yuan a bottle, while a single injection at a cosmetic clinic could run into the thousands. Since Xiaoli was studying medicine, she gave herself the injections. This kind of cosmetic treatment was addictive—especially for girls who naturally cared about their looks. Xiaoli spent almost all her living expenses and wages on these injections, surviving mostly on steamed buns and instant noodles. The cook couldn't bear it and occasionally cooked for her to keep her nourished. He also warned her not to overdo it—just hearing the name made him uneasy. Xiaoli just laughed, saying he knew nothing.

While he spoke, I observed him carefully with my "Ghost Eye," confirming his story seemed genuine.

Sun Bingxin sighed softly, "Girls beautify themselves for the ones they love. If a girl goes crazy over makeup or cosmetic treatments, there's usually a special someone."

The cook quickly waved his hands. "It's definitely not me! Don't drag me into this!"

Most people steer clear of murder investigations, fearing any connection could spell trouble. I asked, "Did she have a boyfriend?"

"No," he answered.

...

"And what about someone she liked?" I pressed on.

The cook thought for a moment. "I think there was a crush, but I don't know who it was. Maybe you should ask around in her class."

I nodded and said, "Thanks for your help."

The cook looked uncomfortable. "Uh... can the dead body be taken away now? I still have to cook!"

I said, "You can clock out for now. This is a crime scene, so it will be sealed off for days. I'll notify the school authorities."

He brightened and changed out of his uniform. Since he was uninvolved, there was no need to waste police time on him.

We waited in the cafeteria. The food on the table was already cleared. Sun Bingxin ran to a window and bought some Jianbing guozi (Chinese savory crepes) for us to eat. Wang Dali had just seen the corpse and had no appetite.

Sirens blared outside as Huang Xiaotao led a group of officers in. I said, "Xiaotao, you're late. I've already done the autopsy."

"I was tied up on another case and got stuck in traffic at noon after you called," Huang Xiaotao replied, then glanced at Sun Bingxin. "Who's this girl?"

Sun Bingxin introduced herself, and Huang Xiaotao's eyes widened. "You're Director Sun's daughter?"

Sun Bingxin frowned. "What do you mean, 'Director Sun's daughter'? I'm not anyone's accessory. Song Yang calls you Xiaotao, you're Huang Xiaotao, right? My dad often talks about you and says you're efficient, like a whole team in one."

Knowing a superior praised you behind your back always feels good. Huang Xiaotao shyly said, "Your dad's flattering me."

I gave a brief rundown of the case and autopsy results. Huang Xiaotao smiled. "Not bad, you even saved us lab work. I always wanted you to become a cop, but now I think you're better off not being one."

"Why?" I asked.

"Otherwise, how many cops would lose their jobs?" Huang Xiaotao sighed.

I chuckled. Suddenly, Sun Bingxin asked, "Xiaotao, what's your relationship with Song Yang?"

Caught off guard, Huang Xiaotao shook her head. "N-No, we're just partners."

Sun Bingxin touched her chest. "Oh, then I'm relieved."

Huang Xiaotao's expression darkened. I asked Sun Bingxin, "What do you mean by 'then I'm relieved'?"

"N-Nothing," Sun Bingxin blushed and looked down.

Huang Xiaotao ordered the team to start evidence collection and sent officers to Xiaoli's dorm and class to investigate. She told me, "Things are weird lately—three poisoning cases in a row."

Turns out Huang Xiaotao was handling another poisoning case involving a white-collar female victim who died from cyanide poisoning. The victim had stomach problems and took daily medication. The killer swapped her pills with poison wrapped in triple capsules. The victim died suddenly three hours after taking the tainted medicine.

Captain Xing was handling another poisoning case. Counting the botulinum toxin murder we just encountered, that made three poisoning cases within one week.

I casually asked, "Was the white-collar victim pretty?"

Huang Xiaotao sighed. "Pretty—a long-haired cutie, just your type."

She glanced at Sun Bingxin. The reference went over her head, but she got excited. "Song Yang, so you like that type?"

I denied it quickly. "Don't listen to her nonsense."

I could tell Huang Xiaotao was jealous—something I'd have to clear up later.

Back to the cases, I said, "Three poisonings, all young and pretty women. It's likely the same perpetrator."

Huang Xiaotao nodded. "I couldn't find any enemies linked to my victim. This is definitely a serial killer. Nanjiang City thought things were calm, but trouble's brewing again. I'm applying for a special task force, and Song Yang, you're coming too."

Sun Bingxin eagerly volunteered, "Me too! Me too!"

Huang Xiaotao frowned. "Miss Sun, police work isn't a place for students."

Sun Bingxin pouted. "But Song Yang is a student too."

Huang Xiaotao said, "He's no ordinary student—he's our special consultant."

Sun Bingxin replied, "Then I'm not an ordinary student either. I specialize in toxicology and am great at detecting poisons. This case needs me."

Huang Xiaotao coughed. "Officer Xiao Wang, get this student out of here!"

A young cop came over. Sun Bingxin lifted her chin. "You better know who I am!"

The cop's eyes widened. "Isn't that Director Sun's daughter?"

Sun Bingxin smugly looked at Huang Xiaotao. "Still want to kick me out?"

"I'll personally escort you!" Huang Xiaotao grabbed Sun Bingxin's arm and dragged her out of the cafeteria.

Sun Bingxin called back, "Song Yang, what's your number?"

I sighed. Huang Xiaotao seemed truly mad this time.

At the door, she ordered the officers not to let Sun Bingxin back in. When she returned, she sneered, "So, little brother, been flirting around while I wasn't looking? Let's see how I'll handle you when we get back."

I awkwardly said, "Listen, we've known each other since childhood. We're like siblings."

Huang Xiaotao snorted, "Calling you 'Song Yang brother' so affectionately, huh?"

Wang Dali whispered, "Xiaotao's jealous."

Huang Xiaotao snapped, "Shut up, or you're next out."

Wang Dali quickly zipped his lips.

After evidence collection, we went to the police station together. On the way out of Medical University, I wondered if I should give Sun Bingxin my contact info. But Huang Xiaotao's jealousy was running high, so I let it go.

Huang Xiaotao ignored me the entire ride, making the atmosphere unbearably awkward.

Just as we arrived at the station, Sun Bingxin magically appeared from a police car, cheerfully shouting, "Ta-da, I'm back! Surprised?"

Huang Xiaotao glared. "Who brought her here?"

The person who stepped down from the car was Wang Yuanchao. Sun Bingxin grinned, "I got a ride from Uncle Wang. I've known him since I was a kid. What now? You got nothing on me."

Huang Xiaotao ground her teeth, "Fine, I'm going to tell Director Sun about this!"