Chapter 21: The Case of the Headless Woman’s Corpse (9)

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Xiaoman was utterly shocked—her body and head didn’t belong to the same person? Good heavens! Another young woman had also died! How could the murderer be so cruel?

“Who is the headless female corpse?”

Ash-gray Pigeon: “I don’t know her name yet, but some animals saw her outside a bar.”

Xiaoman immediately rubbed her hands together. “Which bar entrance?”

Ash-gray Pigeon: “The one outside Changjing University.”

Xiaoman nodded. “Which animal saw her?”

Ash-gray Pigeon: “A rat living in the sewer.”

Xiaoman seemed to hear the rats’ faint “squeak, squeak.” She climbed onto a chair and looked down, spotting several rats in the grass outside the villa.

Without bothering to wash her face or brush her teeth, Xiaoman grabbed her sketchbook and ran downstairs.

Passing by Zhou Lin’s room, she saw the door was closed.

She thought to herself, Dad has been exhausted from investigating the case these past few days and hasn’t slept well. She decided to finish her drawing before seeking him out.

Zhou Lin was used to exercising early in the morning, and Jiang Qi had sent a message.

Jiang Qi: “Captain Zhou, I’ve verified here in Jiang Province. According to the local forensic examination, the body was indeed buried by the creek where Zhu Yan grew up. It seems Li Ping was telling the truth. Should I return to Changjing City today?”

Zhou Lin: “Once confirmed, come back immediately.”

He put down his phone, got out of bed, and went to the window, taking a few deep breaths to expand his chest.

When he saw the familiar figure on the lawn outside the villa, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Xiaoman was up so early?

He had planned to accompany her for breakfast before heading to the police station.

But there she was, holding her sketchbook, drawing a portrait. Several rats were “squeaking” nearby, and Ash-gray Pigeon cooed softly from time to time.

Zhou Lin didn’t want to disturb this harmonious and heartwarming scene, so he took a photo with his phone.

Such a young girl, so focused and earnest; her passionate spirit promised great things in the future.

Just then, Ash-gray Pigeon cooed, serving as the best lookout: “Xiaoman, your dad is awake and standing by the window!”

Xiaoman immediately turned to look and saw the tall, imposing figure by the window. She happily waved, “Dad!”

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On this cold winter morning, the bitter wind howled, but Zhou Lin’s heart was warm.

He waved back, “Good morning, Xiaoman!”

The old master and mistress had also gotten up and exchanged greetings with Zhou Lin in the hallway.

Zhou Zhenghong called after him, “Zhou Lin, since Xiaoman loves drawing so much, I’ve already contacted the Changjing City Calligraphy Association. After the New Year, I’ll send her to study painting there. They have renowned teachers, and Xiaoman’s talent will surely shine.”

“As long as Xiaoman wants it,” Zhou Lin responded. Of course, he would provide the best learning environment for her.

“By the way, she’ll start kindergarten after the New Year. Have you spoken to the principal? This needs to be settled before school begins,” the old lady reminded him.

“I know, Mom.” Zhou Lin nodded. “Dad, you two eat breakfast first. I’ll go check on Xiaoman outside.”

Zhou Zhenghong waved it off, “No rush for breakfast. Let’s see what Xiaoman is drawing.”

Zhou Lin didn’t want them to see, but it was too late to stop them.

The three adults walked to the lawn outside the villa. Xiaoman looked up and sweetly called, “Good morning, Grandpa! Good morning, Grandma! Good morning, Dad!”

The old lady affectionately touched Xiaoman’s hand. “Xiaoman, it’s so cold. Why are you drawing outside?”

“Grandma, after waking up, I suddenly got inspired to draw on the lawn,” Xiaoman said, showing them her work.

Though the lines were still naive, the sketch depicted a winter morning scene.

In the painting, there was blue sky and white clouds, bare branches, dewy grass sparkling with crystals, sparrows perched on utility poles, ants foraging, and curious little mice with gleaming eyes.

Grandpa exclaimed, “Xiaoman, remarkable! Painting captures the soul. You’ve drawn the very spirit of a winter morning! I must convince the president to take you as a disciple!”

“Thank you, Grandpa! I will work hard at drawing!” Ever since her father told her that being a police officer required drawing skills—not only portraits but also psychological sketches—Xiaoman had grown even more enthusiastic.

Though she was still young and didn’t fully understand psychological profiling, she knew mastering drawing was essential.

Zhou Lin noticed the rats hiding in the grass and the Ash-gray Pigeon flying a little farther away. He withdrew his gaze. “Mom, Dad, you go have breakfast first. I’ll stay with Xiaoman until she finishes her drawing, then come in.”

“All right, you two come in quickly after,” the old lady nodded.

After Zhou Zhenghong and the old lady entered the villa, Xiaoman patted her chest, relieved. “Good thing Grandpa and Grandma didn’t see me. Thanks for the heads-up, Ash-gray Pigeon.”

When she glanced toward the window where Zhou Lin stood, Ash-gray Pigeon said, “Xiaoman, your grandparents are awake and want to see your drawing.”

Xiaoman hurriedly sketched a winter morning landscape. Just as she finished, Grandpa and Grandma arrived.

Zhou Lin crouched beside her. “Xiaoman, call your friends out.”

Xiaoman smiled and waved at the rats and Ash-gray Pigeon, who all came forth.

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Ash-gray Pigeon cooed twice, and Xiaoman translated, “Ash-gray Pigeon says thank you, Dad, for saving the animals at the Carey Biological Center.”

“That’s what a police officer should do,” Zhou Lin nodded. “You’re helping us solve cases too.”

Ash-gray Pigeon cooed again, and Xiaoman laughed, “The bond between police and pigeons is deeper than the sea.”

She then flipped to the previous page in her sketchbook and showed Zhou Lin. “Dad, the rat saw her outside the bar near Changjing University. This is the sketch I drew based on the rat’s description.”

Zhou Lin looked closely. The woman in the portrait wore a camel-colored coat, slender figure, small oval face, seemingly innocent with big, watery eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry-like lips.

“The rat said she was a great beauty, like a celebrity!” Xiaoman sighed, “What a pity—the murderer actually separated the head from the body. How could anyone be so cruel...”

Zhou Lin took a photo with his phone and sent it to Lin Nan, asking her to compare the image in the system and identify the deceased.

“Xiaoman, please thank your animal friends for me!”

The rat flicked its long tail and squeaked twice. Xiaoman said, “The rats want to be police officers in the animal world too!”

Blade suddenly ran out from the villa, barking: “Woof! Who dares to steal my job!”

Several rats hurriedly hid in the grass, and Ash-gray Pigeon flapped its wings, startled, flying into the sky.

Xiaoman formed her hands like a microphone. “Don’t be afraid of Brother Blade. He looks fierce but is actually the kindest and warmest police dog!”

Zhou Lin lifted her up. “Let’s go have breakfast!”

“But Dad, Xiaoman hasn’t washed her face or brushed her teeth yet!” Xiaoman pouted.

Zhou Lin smiled. “Perfect, Dad hasn’t freshened up either.”

Under the morning sunlight, Blade looked disdainful: “Tch! Both father and daughter are so untidy!”

Xiaoman and Zhou Lin exchanged a smile.

As Zhou Lin carried Xiaoman back to their room, he received a call from Lin Nan.

“Captain Zhou, we’ve found the identity of the other female victim!”

“I’m coming right away!”