Chapter 414 - 414 381 Garage Inspection

Words : 2073 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

414: Chapter 381: Garage Inspection 414: Chapter 381: Garage Inspection The newly renovated garage was bright and clean. This side faced Jiang Village People’s own garage, not only with higher ceilings but also with each parking space quite large. The type of cars the Jiang Village People liked, or rather the lessons they had learned, were all physically displayed in this garage. “Besides Uncle Qi, did anyone else enter the garage?” Jiang Yuan donned a head covering and shoe covers, then while putting on gloves and a mask, he asked. Though the case was minor, when it really came down to it, not a single step could be neglected. Jiang Fuzhen thought for a moment, and said, “Only your San Shu and a few from the village committee, and your great-uncle came over to take a look. Your San Ye probably also came by with his grandson for a walk. A few younger relatives came over to help carry the wine and such, plus there were several passersby...” Jiang Yuan, at a loss for words, said, “Write a list for Mu Zhiyang...” “Let the surveillance room personnel write it for you,” Jiang Fuzhen said impatiently, having been bossed around by his son. “They can see everyone coming in and going out. Have them tell you. I need to rush back to stir the pot. Today I braised a large goose, and I also threw some beef ribs in there, as well as some tofu and fatty intestine. I’m going to fry up another pot of hotpot seasoning, add more cow butter, the young people can dip vegetables in it...” Ordinary eyewitnesses couldn’t just leave as they pleased. But with Jiang Fuzhen saying this, what could Jiang Yuan say? He could only reply respectfully, “Dad, take your time, no need to rush.” “Got it.” Jiang Fuzhen waved his hand and took the opportunity to introduce a few new seniors, “The one wearing the mask is Jiang Yuan, who’s here today to work on Lao Qi’s case.” “Lao Qi is dead too?” The new senior couldn’t quite grasp the situation. “No, he’s fine. It’s just that Lao Qi lost a few cases of wine, so I asked Jiang Yuan and his team to come over and help us search...” “Lao Qi must have lost his mind. There’s half a row of people here, how could a few cases of wine be enough to send them off?” The old man complained but still approached with interest to join the commotion. Most were just there to watch the excitement. It was almost festival time and in the marrow of China’s bones, a rust-like urge suddenly emerged, making people uneasy and unwilling to move. Villagers who heard that many police had come to the parking lot continued to come downstairs to watch the fuss. Xiang Geng from the surveillance room ran over quickly to report the situation to Jiang Yuan. Xiang Geng still looked thin and frail, his fingers and teeth seemed even yellower, bearing the countenance of a man whose needs for nicotine were thoroughly satisfied, a post-modern appearance of a man touched by the poppy’s curse. Listening to him report the names of people who had entered and exited the garage once more, Jiang Yuan gave up entirely and simply said, “Just give a copy of the list to Mu Zhiyang later, and note the times of entry and exits too.” “Alright.” Xiang Geng, accustomed to working in the surveillance room and receiving guidance from Jiang Yuan, had also grown used to being ordered around by him. “Did you bring the surveillance footage?” Jiang Yuan asked about the copied version. “I brought it.” Xiang Geng hurriedly set up his laptop, showed the theft process, and said, “I started compiling it when your Qi Shu came looking. I worked backwards, and it seems the thief stole over three consecutive days.” “Stole for three days in a row?” “Yeah. One case on the first day, two cases on the second day, two cases on the third day. Qi Shu only discovered it yesterday, and he didn’t come in this morning either...” Xiang Geng shrugged. The one who was robbed was quite easy-going, and the thief seemed quite nonchalant as well. Jiang Yuan, watching the theft process captured by the surveillance on the laptop, shone a flashlight on the spots where the perpetrator might have left fingerprints and DNA, and then began collecting evidence while asking, “Regarding the renovation workers, someone should recognize them, right?” “Some do, they call him Old Lei. His real name might be Wang Lei, but I’m not entirely sure,” Xiang Geng said helplessly. “This guy was picked up by the foreman from the renovation market, and they didn’t ask for his ID or anything.” In a small county like Ningtai County, the renovation or construction industry still maintained a significant proportion of temporary workers. Those willing to work, or workers without jobs for the day, would gather at certain customary spots, hold up a sign, or simply hang around waiting. Foremen in need of laborers, or individuals seeking renovation services, would just go and call out for respondents or discuss prices, come to an agreement, and start work immediately. This arrangement naturally didn’t require a contract, nor an ID card. The foreman or the homeowner might just ask for a surname and then start working with someone dubbed “Master So-and-So.” Among the workers themselves, they might know each other, or they might not, and whether they were familiar with or knew more specific details about one another was uncertain. Jiang Yuan nodded in understanding and said, “I’ll start with the fingerprints and then see.” If this had been a homicide case, Jiang Yuan certainly would have sent someone to the renovation market and nearby small hotels to investigate. Nowadays, people need to use their ID cards for many things, even to get a bus card. Besides, some more formal companies doing renovations might require an ID card as well. In summary, a thorough investigation could either confirm Old Lei’s true identity, or reveal him as a fugitive or a person with a criminal record. However, it was clear that Jiang Yuan was not about to mobilize a massive search of hundreds of people just to find a few cases of wine for Qi Shu, even though he was somewhat accustomed to this mode of cracking cases. He didn’t even plan to send anyone to question the contractors. A two-officer team, looking for one person, averaging two hours per inquiry— to establish the identity of a suspect, who knows how many people would need to be questioned. Jiang Yuan was ready to solve the case using fingerprints, DNA, and video footage. The other officers stood nearby, seemingly unable to lend a hand. Surveying the scene was Jiang Yuan’s specialty; people like Wang Chuanxing could only disturb Jiang Yuan’s work by entering the garage now. As for Liu Jinghui, it was even more unnecessary to mention; with the suspect’s face being 14.5 inches big on a 15-inch screen, it was really too uncertain to have him involved. Therefore, the officers who came to help just wandered around the basement, looking as if they were on patrol, with their arms folded, hands behind their backs, or hands in their pockets. Essentially, they weren’t much different from the Jiang Village People at this moment. A few uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces on the scene, after growing tired of Jiang Yuan’s unchanging procedures, had also taken out their phones to take pictures and videos. Soon, everyone’s social media was blossoming with vibrancy: [Uncle Qi’s garage was burglarized, and the police have come to investigate.] [A thief has come to the village; I wonder if it’s linked to some other case.] [Ever since the garage was burglarized, Uncle Qi hasn’t shown up again; I hope everything is alright.] [The workers who renovated the garage committed the crime, and many police officers have arrived.] ... When Uncle Qi sprinted out from his home, the Jiang Village People’s social media had already begun spreading the news. “While I was just helping to cook some meat, what the heck are you all doing!” Uncle Qi came down to the garage, half crying and laughing, asking everyone not to talk nonsense while also passing out cigarettes to the officers. The garage quickly filled with swirling smoke. “Does Jiang Yuan smoke?” Uncle Qi walked over, but got stopped at the garage entrance. “I’ve quit,” Jiang Yuan stretched out his muscles and said, “I’m about to finish the investigation; don’t come into the garage for now, and don’t use it for the next few days. We’ll talk again in a few days.” “The liquor I stored here was meant for the New Year...forget it, I’ll just buy a few more boxes.” Uncle Qi felt a bit embarrassed and added, “Actually, there was no need to call you back; I could have just reported the theft myself. Your dad is too polite.” “It’s okay.” “Your dad was just saying how you’ve solved quite a few cases lately and are especially skilled. Once you solve this case, Uncle will give you a big red envelope.” “No need; it’s a case involving just over twenty thousand in value. Besides, my identity as a criminal detective is not really appropriate for accepting big red envelopes,” Jiang Yuan hastily declined, knowing the big red envelope mentioned by the Jiang Village People could likely be illegal. Uncle Qi chuckled without responding, then shouted, “How about taking a few boxes of liquor out of the garage, and we drink them tonight?” “My dad has already prepared some liquor,” Jiang Yuan replied. “How could I accept that...I’ll join you for a drink later; why not stop the work and go have a drink upstairs first!” Uncle Qi was extremely enthusiastic, chatting with Jiang Yuan just like in the days of farming together. The Jiang Village People had also gradually become wealthy, especially during the initial demolition when there wasn’t much cash. At that time, Ningtai County didn’t have the capability to buy out Jiang Village at the foot of Siningshan entirely in cash, so they opted for the village collective to take shares in the scenic area instead. With the development and promotion of Siningshan and the Taihe Scenic Area, they began to gain national recognition, and the assets of the Jiang Village People inflated significantly, especially with the staggering figures received from the annual ticket revenue share. And after that, the Jiang Village People started to differentiate. Those like the people from Jiang Fuzhen, who were fearful of being poor, would take their money to start businesses, buy land, build factories, and after going through three rounds of demolitions, they finally inflated to the degree of losing interest in entrepreneurship. People like Uncle Qi, who had no grand ambitions back in the day, ended up with an asset size that was the average among the Jiang Village People, neither high nor low, which instead smoothed out the emotions after sudden wealth. Jiang Yuan was also accustomed to this type of conversation; talking while working, he remained calm and harmonious. Buzz. Tang Jia’s phone rang. She answered it and listened for a bit, her expression growing gradually stranger. After ending the call, Tang Jia came forward and whispered, “Captain Jiang, the call was to notify you.” “What’s the matter?” Jiang Yuan’s expression immediately became serious; could another murder case have occurred? Tang Jia said, “It was the local police station that contacted the criminal police team, reporting a man named Wang Lei who claimed he stole five boxes of liquor but did nothing else illegal, certainly no murder or anything like dismembering a body. He has surrendered. I asked the other party to add me on WeChat and send me a photo.” While speaking, she went to check her WeChat and showed the newly opened chat to Jiang Yuan. On the 6-inch screen was a 5.5-inch close-up photo of the thief who had stolen the liquor from Uncle Qi’s garage. Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but lower his head, glancing at the dozen or so evidence bags he’d collected, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Chapter 414 - 414 381 Garage Inspection

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