Street Hustler and His Policewoman Wife

Chapter 344: You Don’t Mind, Do You?

Upon hearing this question,

Qiu Huasheng also began to doubt himself.

Before this, according to the records held by the welfare institution, Qiu Tingfang indeed had the surname Qiu.

Moreover, his surname was also Qiu.

With these factors, how could Qiu Huasheng doubt that the surname was incorrect?

But now, what Chen Xiao said made sense.

There are many words that sound like "qiu."

The same goes for surnames.

Even if you consider the first tone "qiu," there can be Qiu, Qiu, or Qiu.

Qiu Huasheng fell silent, not knowing how to respond to Chen Xiao’s words.

However, Chen Xiao was not in a hurry and asked:

"During your local history documentation and interviews, are there other surnames in the area?"

"Yes, there are both Qiu and Qiu."

"Then it’s clear, it’s very possible that there was a mistake when Qiu Tingfang was adopted by the welfare institution! Otherwise, if she remembers herself as a person from Sanshui Town, there’s no reason there isn’t a single person with the surname Qiu in Sanshui Town."

"Shall we go and check with the welfare institution now?" Qiu Huasheng asked instinctively.

Chen Xiao shook his head: "No rush, since we’re here, let’s see your wife first."

As he spoke, Chen Xiao moved closer to the ice coffin.

Mu Rong was only a year older than Qiu Huasheng.

And her affluent life made her appear significantly younger than a typical fifty-year-old woman.

Furthermore, she hadn’t suffered much from illness and pain. The person... was still rounded, not emaciated to a skeletal state.

So when Qiu Huasheng said she looked like she was sleeping among a bouquet of flowers, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

"President Qiu, you don’t mind if I open the ice coffin, do you?" Chen Xiao asked.

Qiu Huasheng hesitated a bit but nodded: "From our brief interactions, I sense that you’re indeed different from those detectives. At least, they haven’t found the problem so far, and you’ve already pointed one out, even if it’s just about a surname."

"Open it, I’m willing to cooperate with you."

Qiu Huasheng’s consent allowed Chen Xiao to open the ice coffin directly.

But after opening it, Chen Xiao added:

"Mrs. Qiu hasn’t undergone an autopsy yet, right? During my career investigating cases, I’ve learned a lot about autopsy. President Qiu, I hope you won’t mind if I examine your wife?"

Qiu Huasheng’s face changed suddenly.

"What do you mean? You intend to touch her!"

"President Qiu, please don’t get agitated. I’m neither performing an autopsy nor deliberately touching her; I intend to conduct a surface examination," Chen Xiao patiently explained, then his expression turned serious:

"Moreover, President Qiu, I don’t mean to suspect you. But in such a homicide, anyone’s sudden death might pose a problem. And behind that problem, any person obstructing the autopsy would raise suspicion from any detective."

Qiu Huasheng snorted coldly: "Suspect all you want. I know how Mu Rong passed. Do as you please, but she’s already suffered enough. I can’t imagine how brutal it is when you dissect her body!"

"Surely, you’re not afraid of our suspicion, but you’re wasting our time! Qiu Tingfang is dead, and your wife’s illness was induced by her death. The killer behind this is now grinning maliciously, not expecting one death to cause another."

"Yet, as their only relative, you’re hoping for us to waste time!"

Chen Xiao’s sharp words left Qiu Huasheng speechless.

But Chen Xiao continued:

"I understand the local officials hold President Qiu in high regard, but respect is one thing. When the law is violated, I advise President Qiu not to blindly obstruct. Furthermore, in the eyes of any detective, the deceased is merely the deceased, without gender distinctions."

"If President Qiu really can’t bear it, then just leave. Mrs. Qiu’s death requires an autopsy! Otherwise, take her and Miss Qiu’s bodies back to your country; there will be no services for you here."

"After all, no one can say for sure whether the massacre originated from Hai City or if you brought the massacre to Hai City!"

Chen Xiao believed he’d shown ample courtesy. Prolonging this any further would only be Qiu Huasheng’s fault.

The latter stood there, glaring at Chen Xiao with wide eyes.

But Chen Xiao simply told him that if he wanted the truth uncovered, he should cooperate well.

If he didn’t, it didn’t matter who the murderer was; he should take them back and investigate on his own — no one here had time to waste.

Chen Xiao waited for two minutes. When he saw that Qiu Huasheng was still unwilling to relent, he turned to leave.

Realizing he was serious, Qiu Huasheng finally said, "Could I ask Captain Pan to assist in undressing my wife?"

"Of course, I’ll step aside. But let me make it clear upfront: whether or not there’s a problem with Mrs. Qiu’s death, an autopsy at this point is necessary."

Chen Xiao didn’t want to leave Qiu Huasheng with too much room for maneuver.

Qiu Huasheng could only nod helplessly at this point.

Then, Chen Xiao called Pan Huiping to ask her to come upstairs.

When Pan Huiping arrived, she looked at Chen Xiao with mixed curiosity and suspicion.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t the time for conversation. Chen Xiao reminded Pan Huiping: "Captain Pan, let’s conduct a surface examination on Mrs. Qiu first. But I’ll need you to handle her clothes."

Pan Huiping understood and hesitated, asking, "Do you know forensic science?"

"I’m somewhat knowledgeable. You can inform the forensic expert to come. Before they arrive, I can proceed with my own methods."

"Alright."

Pan Huiping responded decisively, made the call, and as Chen Xiao turned his back, she assisted in removing Mu Rong’s clothes.

In reality, Chen Xiao’s words were not meant to comfort Qiu Huasheng.

But for every seasoned detective and forensic expert,

standing in front of the deceased, their hearts were filled only with caution and profound respect.

Gender didn’t matter.

Of course, Chen Xiao understood Qiu Huasheng’s feelings.

For the family of the deceased, having their loved one’s body dissected is undoubtedly a cruel ordeal.

Soon, Pan Huiping had removed all the deceased’s clothing and covered everything with white towels.

By this time, Qiu Huasheng had fully conceded, using a choked voice to caress Mu Rong’s face:

"I’m sorry, but I’m sure you’d want to find Tingfang’s killer as quickly as possible."

After saying this, Qiu Huasheng turned and left the room.

Once he left, Chen Xiao stepped forward.

With a calm expression, he put on gloves and began carefully examining the surface of the deceased.

Standing beside him, Pan Huiping asked, "How did you convince him?"

"I didn’t use any tricks. Captain Pan was too restricted by constraints, afraid to offend Qiu Huasheng. I just said one thing: no autopsy means no investigation. Let him take her back to investigate. If he wanted to find the truth, he should follow our procedures."

Pan Huiping widened her eyes slightly, opened her mouth to say something, and ultimately could only smile bitterly and shake her head.

Chen Xiao did not engage further with her and continued his work silently.

When the forensic expert from the sub-bureau arrived, Chen Xiao stepped aside and reviewed his autopsy observations in his mind.