Good and Evil Chapter Thirteen Criminal Investigation Team Two

Everyone has psychological issues of one kind or another. Some are able to handle and resolve their own mental struggles, but others fail to confront or process these problems correctly. Many criminals experience various psychological troubles before committing their crimes. Unable to deal with these issues properly, they stray down a path of wrongdoing. The largest group suffering from psychological problems, however, is often not the ordinary workers, but those in professions such as policing, medicine, or upper management. Especially for police officers—who must face all manner of criminals and handle all sorts of cases daily, with little rest and few outlets for release—insomnia, anxiety, and depression are common afflictions. Without proper coping mechanisms, these issues can lead to mistakes at work and great inconveniences in life.

After bringing the interrogation records to the Second Criminal Investigation Unit, Ning Yanran temporarily detained Liu Changhong, the owner of the barbecue restaurant. Although there was currently no evidence linking him directly to the murder case at his establishment, he was connected both to the victim and the suspect. According to Chen Zhiyan’s account, eight years prior, Liu had raped her. So much time had passed that finding evidence would be extremely difficult, but releasing him now was not an option.

As for Chen Zhiyan, her status as a criminal suspect was beyond doubt—she had already confessed to her crime and was now in custody. The main task for the Second Unit was to gather evidence.

It was already late, time to clock off for the day. Ning Yanran suggested taking everyone out for a meal, which immediately set off a round of cheers. Being treated to dinner was always a good thing: not only did it mean no overtime, but good food was guaranteed, and—most importantly—they didn’t have to pay. How could anyone not be delighted?

Yet, while the others rejoiced, Zhang Lei, usually the most enthusiastic whenever there was talk of a free meal, now looked utterly deflated, slumped in his chair with zero interest. Lü Xing and Zhao Hua, who hadn’t witnessed the events at the barbecue restaurant earlier, found his demeanor odd. Zhao Hua asked, “Lei, you’re usually the first to jump at a free meal—what’s wrong today? Heartbroken? Lost your wallet?”

Zhang Lei propped his face in his hands, looking utterly hopeless, and glanced at Zhao Hua without answering. Lü Xing, sitting nearby, interjected, “How could he be heartbroken? He doesn’t have a girlfriend. As for losing money…” Lü Xing shrugged. “He doesn’t smoke or drink, only brings ten yuan to work each day. Even if he lost it, he wouldn’t look like this.”

After Lü Xing’s analysis, Zhao Hua grew more curious and turned to Li Lei. In the Second Unit, Li Lei was closest to Zhang Lei, besides Xu Lang, who had been the team captain before leaving. Only Li Lei knew what was really going on with Zhang Lei.

Li Lei noticed Zhao Hua and Lü Xing looking at him, rubbed his nose, glanced at Zhang Lei, and asked, “Should I tell them?” Lü Xing and Zhao Hua, growing even more puzzled, waited for an answer.

Zhang Lei hurriedly waved his hands. “No, don’t say anything. I’ll never speak to you again if you do.” Li Lei just smiled, noncommittal. He’d heard this threat many times. Every single time, Zhang Lei would declare their friendship over, but before long, he’d forget all about it. They were used to it by now.

At that moment, Ning Yanran emerged from her office and saw everyone gathered around Zhang Lei. “Why are you all still here? Don’t you want dinner?” At her words, the group quickly dispersed. No matter how curious they were about Zhang Lei, food took precedence.

Ning Yanran noticed Zhang Lei still unmoved, his face in his hands. “Zhang Lei, aren’t you coming to eat?”

“No appetite,” he replied weakly.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I am.”

“Then why not eat?”

“I just can’t.”

“Really?” Ning Yanran studied him and soon realized the reason. Smiling, she reassured him, “Don’t worry, the roast pork rice you ate earlier was tested—it wasn’t made from human flesh.”

“Really?” Zhang Lei’s despondency vanished in an instant. He stood up abruptly, staring at Ning Yanran in disbelief.

She nodded. “Really. Now, pack up your things—let’s go eat.”

He nodded vigorously and quickly gathered his belongings, his spirits restored.

Ning Yanran watched, unable to suppress a bitter smile. Glancing around, she noticed forensic doctor Ye Xuefei was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Xuefei? Why hasn’t she come out?”

Li Lei stepped over. “She’s probably still in the morgue. Want me to get her?”

Ning Yanran considered it, then shook her head. “No, I’ll go myself.”

Li Lei didn’t mind.

The S City Police Forensic Department was located in the basement, as if all such facilities were destined to be built underground—though no one quite knew why. As Ning Yanran descended, she felt a chill sweep over her, perhaps only in her imagination.

She rarely visited the morgue, not due to any discord with Ye Xuefei—far from it—but for her own personal reasons. At first, colleagues found it odd, speculating behind closed doors that perhaps the two beautiful women simply didn’t get along. But no one was bold enough to ask outright. Over time, everyone grew accustomed.

After traversing a corridor, she reached the forensic room. Rounding the corner, she saw someone standing outside. It was none other than Xu Lang, who should have been waiting elsewhere.

Ning Yanran wondered why Xu Lang was here. Was he investigating a body? But if so, why linger at the door instead of going in?

Perplexed, she approached him. “Why are you here instead of waiting outside?”

Xu Lang glanced at the morgue, answering casually, “Just wandering around. I ended up here without realizing it.” He then turned and left, giving Ning Yanran no chance to probe further.

She looked from the morgue to Xu Lang’s retreating figure, baffled. Suddenly, she recalled the complicated look Ye Xuefei had given Xu Lang back at the barbecue shop. There had been something deeply complex in her gaze. As team captain, Ning Yanran couldn’t really ask about personal matters—she didn’t want to seem unprofessional or gossipy.

Knocking on the morgue door, she heard Ye Xuefei’s voice from within: “Come in.”

Pushing the door open, a bone-chilling cold enveloped her. Even in the sweltering summer, she shivered involuntarily. Stepping inside, she called, “It’s time to go—let’s eat.”

Ye Xuefei, gloved and masked in her white coat, was bent over a magnifying glass, examining bones retrieved from the refrigerated cabinet. Upon hearing Ning Yanran, she straightened, glanced at her, then at the open door—her elegant brows knitting together.

Ning Yanran immediately understood, apologized, and closed the door.

Once the door was shut, Ye Xuefei spoke: “You all go ahead. I haven’t finished here.”

“It’s late—finish tomorrow,” Ning Yanran urged.

Ye Xuefei was about to refuse when Ning Yanran added, “Xu Lang’s coming too.”

At that, Ye Xuefei hesitated, then put down her tools, returned the remains to cold storage, disposed of her gloves and mask, and went to wash her hands.

Ning Yanran, who had avoided looking at the dissected bones, felt much better now that they were out of sight. “I just saw Xu Lang outside the morgue. Any idea what he was doing here?”

Ye Xuefei’s hand-washing paused for a moment before she replied, “Back when he was with the police, the morgue was the place he visited most.”

“Why?” Ning Yanran asked.

“You’d have to ask him. I’m not sure.”

Though Ye Xuefei hadn’t given a direct answer, Ning Yanran had caught the flash of guilt and determination in her eyes, increasing her curiosity.

Ning Yanran had been transferred to S City’s police force half a month after Xu Lang resigned, immediately taking over as captain. She knew little of his circumstances. Lu Ye hadn’t told her much, only that she was to take over from Xu Lang. Asking colleagues, she’d learned only that Xu Lang had been suspended for assaulting a suspect, then resigned. No one would say more.

She resolved to find a chance to ask Xu Lang herself why he left the force.

Ning Yanran and Ye Xuefei left the basement together, where the others waited for them. They set out as a group to a restaurant not far from the police station—a familiar spot where Zhang Lei and the others often ate. If they couldn’t make it out, the owner would deliver food to the station, so the staff knew them well.

When the group entered, the owner was busy in the kitchen while his wife, looking much younger than her forty-some years, was at the register. Seeing them, she smiled warmly and came out to greet them. “Officers, welcome! What will you have today?”

She glanced at Xu Lang, clearly recognizing him. Xu Lang, however, said nothing—Ning Yanran was hosting tonight and would make the decisions.

“Do you have any private rooms?” Ning Yanran asked. “We have a big group.”

The owner’s wife looked Ning Yanran over—another attractive police officer—then smiled even brighter, “Of course, right this way.” She led them upstairs.

In the private room, she handed the menu to Ning Yanran, who quickly passed it to Zhang Lei. “It’s my first time here—you decide.”

Having learned that his lunch had not, in fact, been human flesh, Zhang Lei’s appetite returned full force. He eagerly took the menu, “Really, I can order?”

Ning Yanran nodded. Since joining the team, this was her first meal out with everyone—she hardly cared about the expense. How much could they really eat?

With her permission, Zhang Lei closed the menu and handed it back. “The usual, please.”

The owner’s wife nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

As they waited for food, conversation naturally turned to Chen Zhiyan’s case. Through the discussion, Lü Xing and Zhao Hua finally understood why Zhang Lei had been so down earlier—he’d eaten the infamous roast pork rice that day.

Zhao Hua teased, “Well, Lei, how was the roast pork? Any toes, fingers, or hair in there?”

Zhang Lei glared at him. “Shut up, Hua! Keep it up and we’re through.”

At his familiar threat, everyone burst out laughing. Even Ye Xuefei, usually so reserved, allowed herself a rare smile.

Whether by intent or chance, Ye Xuefei sat to Xu Lang’s left, Ning Yanran to his right, the two of them bracketing him. Xu Lang seemed unfazed, but both women felt a bit awkward—Ning Yanran because she, as the host, was supposed to take the main seat, yet Xu Lang seemed to command the center; Ye Xuefei because, after all that had happened, sitting beside Xu Lang was complicated.

Li Lei, usually quiet and focused at work, always sat beside Ye Xuefei at gatherings, his gaze frequently drifting her way. Everyone knew he liked her, but Ye Xuefei had never shown any special attention, leaving Li Lei merely a little disappointed.

Lü Xing, a computer whiz and introverted homebody, wore thick black glasses and blushed easily when speaking to women. Yet he was no ordinary guy; back in police academy, he’d hacked into the provincial police chief’s computer, earning instant notoriety and a direct assignment to S City’s Second Unit upon graduation.

Zhao Hua, an investigator, was outgoing and friendly—much like Zhang Lei—but unlike Zhang Lei, was meticulous in both work and life, never making mistakes on the job.

Zhang Lei, in contrast, was boisterous and gregarious, making friends with everyone. His catchphrases were “Let’s be friends” and “Keep it up and we’re through.” He was the team’s comic relief, and though he often threatened to cut ties, he never truly fell out with anyone.

Ye Xuefei, the youngest of three forensic doctors at S City Police Headquarters, was the only female among them—a perennial “ice queen” with a beauty that attracted many admirers. However, few dared confess their feelings. Once, a young officer fetching a report found her napping on the autopsy table, which quickly became the stuff of legend. Even so, she did have a few suitors. One wealthy young man, undeterred by her profession, pursued her relentlessly, delivering ninety-nine roses daily and waiting at the station every evening. Finally, she agreed to dinner, but when she cut into a rare steak with a scalpel instead of the provided silverware—blood still seeping from the meat—the young man was so horrified he never returned. After that, even fewer dared to pursue her.

Hope flickered anew when Xu Lang arrived.

Ye Xuefei and Xu Lang had attended the same university, though she’d joined S City’s force two years before him. They hadn’t met until he was assigned to the same department, and after a few cases together, they discovered their shared alma mater and became friends. Their relationship, however, never progressed beyond friendship, remaining unchanged even after Xu Lang’s departure.

When Xu Lang joined the police headquarters, Wu Yong, captain of the First Unit, had also pursued Ye Xuefei. After being rebuffed, they only interacted professionally, with no contact outside of work.