Chapter 51 - 050: Do you have any tricks?

Words : 1191 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 51 - 050: Do you have any tricks? Apart from that, the large bed was also an absolute mess, drenched with spilled water from a cup in addition to the bloodstains. Clothes and stuffed toys were scattered across the floor, the bedside lamp toppled and askew—a dismal chaos engulfed the entire room. If the assumption is correct, this was likely the initial crime scene. The killer presumably broke into the victim's apartment, assaulted her, and subsequently murdered her. Yu Zhi cast a sweeping glance around the room before checking out the study, bathroom, balcony, and kitchen. As she was about to leave, something flickered across her mind, making her abruptly turn back. Yu Zhi crouched in the kitchen corner and reached out toward a rectangular paper box, but hesitated the moment her fingers grazed it. "What's wrong?" Shi Wei grasped her wrist, his brows knitting with subtle unease. Yu Zhi's fingertips trembled slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the box. "I think I've seen this before." A chill surged through Shi Wei, creeping across his entire body and stirring an internal storm. Suppressing the array of chaotic thoughts, he gently placed an arm around her shoulders and asked softly, "Where have you seen it? Are you sure it's this one?" "Not sure. I need to examine what's inside to know for sure." "Don't touch it yet." Shi Wei pulled her up and turned to Jin Yunzhi, who stood frozen nearby. "Go call Xu Linchuan over." "Oh, oh, alright." Jin Yunzhi bolted out of the room, returning with Xu Linchuan in less than a minute. Shi Wei briefly explained the situation, then gestured toward the box, signaling for Xu Linchuan to open it. Among those present, only he was wearing gloves. If the content didn't match Yu Zhi's suspicions, tampering with the scene would be problematic. Xu Linchuan was visibly tense, holding his breath as he cautiously opened a small slit in the box lid, peeking inside to ensure there was nothing alarming before fully unveiling its contents. "There's nothing inside." Xu Linchuan lifted the box up to give them a clear look. Before anyone could sigh in relief, Yu Zhi spoke again. "Wasn't there bloodstains?" "Where?" Xu Linchuan hurriedly inspected it again, and sure enough, found a patch of blood on the inner top layer. Perhaps the angle he had viewed it from earlier was shadowed, causing him to overlook the detail. Shi Wei gripped Yu Zhi's hand tightly, his voice trembling. "Is this the one?" Yu Zhi nodded. "It should be." She remembered seeing a box eerily similar to this at the neighbor's place. Even the position of the bloodstain matched the spot she had accidentally glimpsed. "Where did you see it?" Xu Linchuan's expression grew much more solemn. If the neighbor had deliberately shown it to her, she might very well be the killer's next target. "I saw it yesterday when I went to grab takeout from the neighbor, and then..." Yu Zhi recounted everything that had happened in detail, leaving no aspect out. She added at the end, "The friend who delivered the box to him might also be involved." Xu Linchuan mulled over her words, rubbing the box in his hands. "I'll take this to the forensics team to extract fingerprints, then head downstairs to investigate further." Yu Zhi nodded in agreement. As Xu Linchuan went to liaise with the investigative team, the group left the apartment and waited for him at the elevator. Throughout the entire wait, Shi Wei held onto Yu Zhi's hand without letting go, even tightening his grip noticeably when they reached the ninth floor. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Yu Zhi struggled against his grasp. Leaning closer to him, she whispered, "Ease up." Shi Wei snapped out of his distracted thoughts. Seeing her reddened wrist, he gently massaged it. "Sorry, I'll be more careful next time." Yu Zhi's ears flushed red, but she couldn't find it in herself to argue with him any further. She turned her head away, attempting to shift her focus elsewhere. They stopped in the hallway. Xu Linchuan glanced at the room door to his right and said, "I'll go in and investigate. The rest of you stay out here." If the person inside was indeed the killer, seeing Yu Zhi with him could provoke an act of retaliation; if not, her presence might strain the neighborly relationships in the building. In either scenario, Yu Zhi's safety could be compromised, so it was best to avoid that risk. Shi Wei nodded and reminded him, "Be careful. Report back every ten minutes." "Don't worry," Jin Yunzhi waved dismissively. "If they're the killer, they wouldn't dare act at this moment." "You better be right. If you lose an arm or leg, expect a lifetime of mockery from us!" Jin Yunzhi glared at him before strolling off in another direction. Xu Linchuan chuckled at his retreating figure. "No way I'm giving you all that chance." He urged them once again to hurry inside. The moment they stepped back in with the door closing behind them, a decisive knock echoed from the neighbor's apartment. ** This was Shi Wei's first time visiting Yu Zhi's place. He sat casually on the sofa, letting his gaze wander across the furniture and decorations around him. Noticing the punching bag positioned near the window, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "That's all I have." Yu Zhi emerged from the fridge with two bottles of mineral water, placing them on the coffee table before them. "Thanks." Jin Yunzhi twisted open the bottle and took a sip, then asked with a hint of curiosity, "What's the monthly rent here?" "Rent?" Yu Zhi raised an eyebrow and sat on the sofa opposite him. "I live here alone; I've never rented it out." "No, I mean..." Mid-sentence, Jin Yunzhi suddenly caught on, his face lighting up in surprise. "Wait, are you saying you bought this place?" Yu Zhi nodded casually. "Is there a problem?" Jin Yunzhi swallowed hard. "Houses in this area aren't exactly affordable, right?" "Mm, when I purchased it, it cost around three million." "Three mil...?" "Plus renovation, about four million total." Jin Yunzhi: "..." His gaze wandered up and down as he studied Yu Zhi—not out of skepticism, but simply disbelief. She looked so young, her attire unassuming, it had completely caught him off guard. After gradually coming to terms with it, Jin Yunzhi's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Do you have any tips for making money?" He could earn four million only after playing two or three tournaments. The question momentarily stumped Yu Zhi. She lowered her gaze, searching for an answer she could use, when a deep, resonant voice cut in: "She trades stocks." Shi Wei, fearing she might concoct a flimsy excuse, decided to simply provide an explanation himself. "That's incredible." Jin Yunzhi, without any question, was impressed further and looked at Yu Zhi with unabashed admiration.

Chapter 51 - 050: Do you have any tricks?

Comments (0)