Silent Witness - Chapter 4

Roommate’s ex? The revelation struck Li Hewei like a bolt from the blue, shattering her composure. She mentally highlighted the key phrase: Roommate’s ex? No typo?

What’s with the questions, sis? You may have amnesia, but don’t let your thinking become outdated.

Just curious.

Exactly! If I ever get mistreated in a relationship, you’re the only one I can confide in.

There seemed to be an unspoken meaning behind her words. Li Hewei probed cautiously: You’re like her?

**Cat nodding emoji I told you back in sophomore year, remember?

The answer was straightforward, without hesitation or concealment.

Li Hewei froze, her index finger hovering mid-air above the screen. She replayed the world’s established settings she’d learned since transmigrating into the novel: the significant female supporting character’s lesbian orientation, the protagonist’s all-female work environment, her husband’s disappearance, and the still-unresolved mystery of why the protagonist hadn’t muted notifications for Tao Ling’s messages.

Ignoring the superfluous husband and the final mystery, the world crafted by the author truly resembled her ideal world.

Ugh, how did we get so off-topic?

Li Hewei snapped back to attention and typed: Do you think Team Leader Qiu is holding a grudge against her ex and taking it out on you?

Exactly.

Childish. She’s probably not that petty. After half a month of living together, Li Hewei had gradually come to see Tao Ling as her own younger sister, speaking to her without excessive formality or politeness.

“You’re siding with outsiders!”

“I’m supporting what’s right, not who’s family.”

“Angry cat emoji.”

“Can you grab my delivery? I’m working late.”

The investigation vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of the main building. Li Hewei stepped out, her long legs carrying her swiftly as she typed a message while walking.

“Hmph.”

Li Hewei tucked her phone into her pocket and followed the team into the elevator.

In the fifth-floor restroom, she removed her vest and began washing and disinfecting her hands. Technician Xiao Zhao poked his head in from the doorway. “Sister Wei, your lunchbox is in the microwave.” It was nearly 7:00 PM, approaching the end of the cafeteria’s dinner hours (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM). The technicians and laboratory forensic pathologists had already packed her meal in advance.

“Thanks, Xiao Zhao.”

After quickly finishing her meal in fifteen minutes and organizing her work, Li Hewei followed Xiao Zhao into the autopsy room.

Tao Ling, standing at the autopsy table, visibly paused when Li Hewei entered, though her expression was obscured by her mask.

“Autopsy Report No. 19, 2015, Puchen City Public Security Bureau. Deceased: male. Autopsy conducted by Forensic Pathologist Tao Ling, recorded by Technician Zhao Xiaoting. Recording initiated.” Regaining her composure, Tao Ling first shaved the deceased’s head. During the initial examination, she had noticed an unevenness on the back of the skull, but outdoor conditions had prevented her from shaving the head at the scene.

After shaving the head, Li Hewei stared at the blunt force trauma on the back of the deceased’s skull. Her brow furrowed instantly, and she asked in a low voice, “Didn’t you notice this during the initial examination?” Surface examinations of corpses are typically conducted at the crime scene. Forensic pathologists part the victim’s hair to inspect the scalp. If any injuries or abnormalities are detected, the hair is shaved to fully expose the scalp, and the findings are immediately reported to the investigators.

Tao Ling relaxed her slightly pursed lips. “It’s recorded in the surface examination report.”

Li Hewei’s anger flared, her tone turning sharp. “Do you understand the consequences of a forensic pathologist remaining silent during a criminal investigation?” Her gaze carried a chilling, intimidating intensity. “At best, it delays the investigation’s progress. At worst, your failure to speak up could lead the investigation down the wrong path, wasting police resources.”

Tao Ling’s hands froze mid-examination, her throat tightening. She couldn’t utter a word.

“Didn’t your supervising instructor emphasize this repeatedly during your internship at the Public Security Bureau?” Li Hewei pressed, unwilling to let this fundamental principle slide. But as the words left her mouth, she remembered Tao Ling had interned at a private forensic pathology institution. If she had never participated in autopsies commissioned by judicial authorities, or if her supervisor had treated her merely as a laborer, it was understandable that she might lack experience and overlook crucial details.

Li Hewei recalled her own clumsy beginnings, and her anger began to dissipate. Young people new to the workplace lacked experience and shouldn’t be held to such high standards. As she pondered how to defuse the situation, Tao Ling spoke softly, “I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Her voice was slightly hoarse, tinged with both resentment and a stubborn acceptance of Li Hewei’s reprimand.

“Continue,” Li Hewei said, her anger completely extinguished.

Tao Ling measured meticulously with a soft ruler, her movements precise. “A blunt-force injury, likely from a hammer-like object, was found on the back of the deceased’s head. The wound is circular, approximately 6 cm in diameter.”

“However, pre-autopsy X-rays showed only minor skull damage, insufficient to cause death.”

Li Hewei nodded in agreement, signaling her to begin the standard systemic dissection.

Tao Ling made an incision along the midline of the mandible, carefully cutting through skin and tissue to gradually open the three cavities and collect pathological samples.

“The respiratory tract is filled with drowning fluid, containing bloody foam, mud, and sand.”

“Both lungs are distended, showing rib impressions on their surfaces. Pale pink bl00d spots are scattered between the lobes, and the lungs are heavier than normal, exhibiting signs of pulmonary edema.”

“The digestive tract contains a small amount of drowning fluid and sediment.”

Li Hewei guided her analysis. “Your hypothesis?”

“The killer likely knew the victim. They struck him from behind with a hammer, causing him to fall into the water and drown.”

Li Hewei listened intently, focusing on the details. “Hmm, as Team Leader Qiu mentioned, summer brings heavy rains and strong river currents. Whether the body was dumped after death or the victim drowned, we’d expect to find drowning fluid in both the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, right?”

“If the victim was thrown into the water after death, no water would enter the lungs.”

Li Hewei shook her head. “You didn’t perform a localized dissection of the heart. What if the victim had a heart attack, which could lead to secondary pulmonary edema?”

“Drug overdoses can also cause pulmonary edema. So why are you so certain the victim drowned?”

Tao Ling recalled the autopsy process, pondering for a moment. A faint light flickered in her clear, autumn-like eyes as she looked up at Li Hewei. “There was a small amount of drowning fluid in the small intestine.” When a corpse is submerged in water with high pressure, fluid can enter the stomach and rectum, but not the small intestine. Only in cases of drowning would fluid be found in the small intestine.

“Mm, Xiaoting, remember to note that down,” Li Hewei said, removing her autopsy gown and mask as she headed for the door. A soft voice called after her, “Sister Wei.”

“Yes?”

Tao Ling spoke earnestly, “Thank you.”

Li Hewei paused briefly before continuing out the door, a faint, unconscious smile flickering across her lips.

She moved to her office and had barely settled into her chair when He Ying burst through the door, his face alight with excitement. “Xiao Li, I’ve been looking for you! We’ve made a major breakthrough!”

“What is it?”

“The victim was wearing seamless boxer briefs. The brand was worn beyond recognition, but I consulted a textile expert who analyzed the material and confirmed they’re from Fama Sha’s Modal series.”

Fama Sha was a mid-to-high-end second- or third-tier brand. Before transmigrating into this world, Li Hewei had bought their retro sneakers for around 1,000 yuan. As for their underwear, she opened Taobao to search, but He Ying quickly interjected, “Don’t bother searching—they’re two to three hundred yuan a pair!”

A female officer by the water cooler chimed in, “That means the victim came from a well-off family. I only wear fifteen-yuan pairs!”

He Ying nodded. “Once Xiao Tao determines the victim’s age range, the Major Crimes Unit should be able to quickly identify him.”

“Alright, Sister He, you all go back and rest. I’ll notify the group if there are any updates.” After learning that the victim had been struck on the back of the head with a blunt object, Li Hewei immediately informed Qiu Wan and proactively inquired about the Major Crimes Unit’s progress. They explained that there were too many access points to the river upstream, requiring a systematic investigation that would take time.

“But…” He Ying hesitated. “The media is all over this, and Director Liu is pressuring us. We can’t just leave our posts.” As Deputy Director Liu and Brigade Captain, He Ying had risen through the ranks and understood the relentless demands of criminal investigation work. She had always shouldered heavy burdens while prioritizing encouragement.

“It’s 9 PM. No one’s leaving early, and we’ve finished our tasks. What’s the problem?” Li Hewei insisted. “Sister He, Lei Lei’s going to summer camp tomorrow. You should go home and spend the night with her.”

“Xiao Meng, isn’t your Maternal Grandma in the hospital?”

“For an appendectomy. It’s nothing serious.”

“The elderly can’t handle stress. Even minor surgeries need attention. Go now.”

Appealing to their emotions and reasoning with them, Li Hewei successfully persuaded them to return.

Outside the window, there was no wind or rain. Across the street, the snack street blazed with lights and bustled with activity. Separated by double-paned glass, the only sound inside was the faint hum of the air conditioner, which only emphasized the quiet solitude. Li Hewei propped her chin on one hand and idly scrolled through her phone, starting a round of Happy Match.

She had many hobbies: skiing, fitness, swimming, surfing, off-road driving. It was precisely because she feared losing her free time that she chose to join a research institute after graduation instead of the Puchen City Public Security Bureau. Ironically, being transmigrated into a novel forced her to work even harder. But her rebellious nature made her dislike routine, so she often arrived at work just on time and occasionally seized opportunities to sneak in some leisure during busy periods.

Amazing!

Unbelievable!

Li Hewei swiped at the screen, completely absorbed in the game, when Tao Ling entered to find her. Hearing no response, Tao Ling approached slowly.