Chapter 241: Chapter 241

Zhang Hui just finished the first round of interrogation.

"This guy didn’t say anything."

"How did he explain the bloodstains in the cold storage?"

"He said he accidentally injured his leg while moving fruit, causing him to bleed."

"He even went to the hospital to get two stitches."

"I saw the wound, and it indeed looks like an accidental injury. Song has already gone to the hospital where he got the stitches to investigate the medical records."

His social relationships show no abnormalities, and there’s a reasonable explanation for the bloodstains in the cold storage.

Could it be that Zhao Wenjun really has no problems?

North River Road, Exhibition Home.

"Hello, Ms. Su. I’m Zhang Xiao from the Haizhou City Criminal Investigation Team. I have some matters I’d like to discuss with you."

Zhang Xiao and another colleague prepared to approach Zhao Wenjun’s wife, Su Xiaojuan.

Zhang Xiao could tell that Su Xiaojuan was surprised to receive his call.

"Yes... is there something wrong?"

"No need to be nervous. We just want to understand some situations. I’m currently at the entrance of Exhibition Home. Are you around?"

"Ah, I am... no, no, no, I’m not at home. I’m currently on Lingshui Road looking for a tutor for my daughter."

"In that case... how long until you return?"

"I’m almost done here. Driving back will take a little over twenty minutes."

"Alright, we’ll wait for you at the entrance of the community."

Half an hour later, at Zhao Wenjun’s home.

Exhibition Home is a high-end residential area developed five years ago, featuring high-rises, houses, and villas.

Zhao Wenjun’s home is a three-story townhouse.

In the living room, Su Xiaojuan poured water for Zhang Xiao and his colleague.

Having just been introduced, Su Xiaojuan seemed much more at ease.

It’s her first time meeting the police, especially for an interview. This level of composure is already commendable.

"Ms. Su, we’d like to know more about your husband."

Su Xiaojuan tensed up again. "Did something happen to him?"

"He’s on a business trip to Tianzhou City, isn’t he? What happened?"

"Ms. Su, you misunderstand. There’s nothing wrong with Zhao Wenjun. We’re just gathering information about him."

Even after hearing there was no problem, Su Xiaojuan didn’t seem convinced.

"Officer, tell me the truth. I can handle it. Is something wrong with Old Zhao...?"

Zhang Xiao watched as Su Xiaojuan began to cry, feeling a bit helpless.

He’s seen many times before.

Inquiring with a suspect’s family is an essential part of investigating a case and understanding the suspect’s background.

There are typically three reactions.

The first is like Su Xiaojuan’s, where the spouse immediately thinks the worst, such as a fatal accident.

The second is indifferent, insisting on knowing nothing, often seen with families of repeat offenders.

The third is immediate outrage as if they want the police to arrest and execute the person on the spot.

"Ms. Sun, there’s truly nothing wrong with Zhao Wenjun. He’s with our Criminal Investigation Team now. We’ve come to verify some details related to the Bailan River corpse case."

"Old Zhao isn’t dead?"

Zhang Xiao sighed. "He’s really not dead."

Su Xiaojuan let out a deep breath and patted her chest. "Thank heavens... By the way, officer, what was it you said about the Bailan River?"

"It’s about the decomposed corpse case at Bailan River last week."

"Have you found the culprit?"

Su Xiaojuan had read about the case on her phone.

Of course, these were general reports stating the police found a body by Bailan River and were currently solving the case.

There were no further details, and pictures of the scene wouldn’t have been publicly released.

Unless the scene is extremely horrifying or causes significant public concern, it’s unlikely to be widely discussed.

But official communication channels have strict restrictions regarding the release of such details.

Zhang Xiao didn’t respond directly; he got straight to the point: "Ms. Su, during our investigation, we discovered large bloodstains in the cold storage your husband rented by Bailan River."

"He mentioned getting injured by a shelf while moving fruit. Do you know about this?"

Su Xiaojuan nodded. "I think it was last month. We went to the hospital together."

"Do you remember the specific date?"

Su Xiaojuan thought for a moment, then checked her phone. "It was the second last month."

Today is April 14th; the body was discovered on April 6th.

The second of last month is...

Thirty-six days before the body was found!

During the case analysis meeting, Zhang Xiao reviewed Lu Chuan’s forensic report on the corpse’s parasites.

The report estimated the genuine death time might be thirty-six days ago, with twenty-five days of low-temperature storage.

Zhang Wenjun’s injury time...

"Remembering such detail a month later, Ms. Su, you have a good memory."

"Not really. I just remember Old Zhao injuring his foot. I don’t recall the exact date."

"It was mainly because my daughter’s tutor resigned that same day. I’ve been through four tutors this month, but my daughter says none compare to the first..."

Zhang Xiao’s mind started to race.

"Oh, you mentioned you were on Lingshui Road, looking for a tutor?"

"Yes, good tutors are hard to find these days, and they’re expensive."

Talking about the tutoring situation seemed to relax Su Xiaojuan significantly, and she opened up: "Our daughter is starting middle school this year. Without tutoring, it’s hard to keep up."

Zhang Xiao nodded in agreement. "Our child is in sixth grade, starting middle school next year too."

"Really? Which school?"

"Oh, that’s a good school. Houses in that district must be over thirty-thousand per square meter?"

"It’s a property from my father’s workplace. We live there."

"I’m telling you, good schools have bright students, and you need tutoring. Our kid’s..."

The colleague with Zhang Xiao stood up. "Ms. Su, your villa is quite spacious. Mind if we look around?"

He was unconcerned with their unrelated chat about education, using it as an excuse to walk around the living room.

"Sure, take a look. This house’s renovation cost us a lot of money, and it kept me busy."

"Officer Zhang, I suggest you look for teachers from the second middle school. The experimental middle school used to be good, but not as much now."

"But, I’m telling you, some recent graduates can be surprisingly good. Our old tutor was a fresh graduate aiming for a teaching position but hasn’t secured it yet..."