When the toxicology results for the ice box came back, it was already 7 PM.
Mu Mian glanced at the report, then closed it. The results were as she had expected.
Mu Mian returned to her office and saw that Fang Rui was also working late. She handed the report to Fang Rui, saying, "Fang Rui, I know how the killer administered the poison."
"This killer is quite clever, using such a discreet method to poison the victim."
"Using ice cubes to deliver poison is a common technique in detective novels. It's simple and doesn't leave many traces," Mu Mian continued. "I just ran a toxicology test on that ice box and detected traces of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine. The killer used this box to make poisoned ice cubes."
"So the killer likely prepared the poisoned ice cubes in advance and kept them in the freezer," Fang Rui analyzed. "On the day of the incident, Lin Qianjie happened to use one of those poisoned ice cubes, which led to his death by poisoning. But how did the killer ensure Lin Qianjie would definitely use that particular ice cube?"
Fang Rui soon got the answer from Chen Dongdong.
"Mr. Lin liked to add ice cubes to his drinks, but this particular liquor is meant to be enjoyed for its kick, so the rest of us don't like adding ice," Chen Dongdong explained. "Mr. Lin was image-conscious, but he couldn't hold his liquor well, so he could only reduce the alcohol content this way. We all knew about this, but no one dared to call him out on it."
"Did he add ice cubes to his drink on the night of the incident?"
"Of course he did! Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to drink more than a few glasses of that strong liquor."
Fang Rui was speechless. Lin Qianjie really was a man who cared too much about his image.
Although they had cracked the killer's poisoning method, this actually made the case more complex.
Firstly, Lin Qianjie's yacht was docked at the marina, so it wouldn't be difficult to sneak aboard, and Lin Qianjie himself had brought many friends on board before. Secondly, there were too many people who harbored hatred towards Lin Qianjie to investigate them all.
Jiang Yun and the Lin family kept pressuring them about the progress of the investigation. They even hired thugs to beat Chen Dongdong half to death, trying to extract information about the poisoner from him.
Fang Rui had no choice but to assign people to protect Chen Dongdong in the hospital to prevent any further incidents.
As Mu Mian passed by Director Wang's office, she overheard Jiang Yun complaining inside about their slow progress and demanding a change in the investigating team.
Director Wang, troubled by her persistence, had to ask Captain Li, who was previously in charge of this case, to assist with the investigation again.
Mu Mian thought Jiang Yun was terrifying, just like the wicked stepmother in fairy tales.
"Mu Mian."
Mu Mian was about to return to her office when Jiang Yun called out to her. "Mu Mian, I'm your mother. You have my photo, you should still remember me, right?"
Jiang Yun's face wore an expectant expression.
"I don't know you!" Mu Mian said calmly. "My mother is already dead. But she was very good to me, and she will always live in my memories."
Mu Mian was referring to her adoptive mother, a very gentle woman.
"Is it Shen Xiyin who's not letting you acknowledge me?" Jiang Yun grabbed Mu Mian's arm, her tone becoming urgent. "Shen Xiyin isn't as good as you think. Their family's motives for adopting you weren't pure either. They didn't adopt you because they liked you, but to claim your father's inheritance. Mu Mian, come back to your mother."
Mu Mian's eyes widened. She didn't understand why Jiang Yun would say such things.
Her adoptive parents had spent a great deal of money and effort to treat her autism. If they were only after her father's inheritance, they could have simply abandoned her at an orphanage and left her to fend for herself.
Fang Rui, who had been summoned to the director's office, happened to witness this scene. He pulled Mu Mian behind him and addressed Jiang Yun, "Ms. Jiang, if you're dissatisfied with our investigation efficiency, you can file a complaint directly. Please don't manhandle our staff!"
"Fang Rui, she's my daughter. I was just catching up with her."
"But Mu Mian doesn't want to catch up with you!"
Mu Mian nodded, "Fang Rui, I don't know her. I want to go back to work."
"Alright, you can go!"
Jiang Yun glared at Fang Rui, displeased. "Mind your own business! I'm Mu Mian's mother. It's not your place as an outsider to interfere in our affairs!"
"Mu Mian was once a victim of a telecom fraud. The scammer claimed to be her mother, and she transferred all her money to them. She used to look forward to meeting her mother, but when she finally met you, you hurt her deeply."
Jiang Yun's eyes reddened. She deeply regretted saying those things to Mu Mian back then.
"Ms. Jiang, if you truly have even a shred of love for this daughter, please stop hurting her."
The director informed Fang Rui about increasing manpower for the investigation, with Captain Li assisting him. Fang Rui guessed that Jiang Yun must have been applying pressure again.
"Fang Rui, what rotten luck. This case has landed in my lap again."
Fang Rui shrugged helplessly, "We could actually use some help in investigating the victim's social connections. It's great that you can assist!"
Fang Rui obtained a list from Chen Dongdong of everyone who had been on the yacht in the past month, including cleaning staff. There were twenty-five people in total, and to their surprise, Lu Tian was one of them.
Zhang looked at Lu Tian's name and exclaimed, "My goodness, could the poisoner be Lu Tian? No one hates Lin Qianjie more than her right now, right?"
Lu Tian had been on the yacht on July 19th, the day before she was raped by Lin Qianjie.
"No way, it can't be Lu Tian. Lu Tian was raped by Lin Qianjie on July 20th. She hadn't even been raped at that point, so what motive would she have had to kill Lin Qianjie?" Chen Xue argued, "She couldn't have killed him for no reason, could she?"
Fang Rui suddenly realized that there were some questionable points about Lu Tian's rape case. For instance, even if Lin Qianjie had deliberately created an opportunity to meet Lu Tian, how could they have taken so many photos together if Lu Tian wasn't cooperating?
Moreover, Lin Qianjie and Lu Tian were chatting in the living room that night. Why would Lin Qianjie drag Lu Tian into the bedroom to rape her instead of doing it right there in the living room?
Fang Rui also recalled what Lu Tian's mother had said in court. If what she said was true, then...
As they were leaving work, Mu Mian and Chen Xue saw Lu Tian standing at the entrance of the City Police Bureau, seemingly waiting for someone. She greeted them warmly when she saw them: "Dr. Mu, Dr. Chen."
"Tiantian, are you back from your trip?" Chen Xue was happy to see Lu Tian. After spending time together, they had become quite close. "How was your trip abroad? I'd love to go too, but I can't afford it!"
"I brought gifts for you." Lu Tian handed Chen Xue a gift bag containing postcards and a souvenir made from a conch shell.
Chen Xue loved it.
Lu Tian then gave Mu Mian a gift box, "Dr. Shen said you especially enjoy unwrapping gifts, so I put your present in a box. I hope you like it."
Mu Mian opened the box to find a colorful wind chime made of seashells.
"It's beautiful. I love it," Mu Mian said, carefully closing the box and cradling it.
"Tiantian, come on, let's go eat. I'll treat you to hot pot," Chen Xue said, putting her arm around Lu Tian. She was glad to see Lu Tian moving past her trauma.
"Sure! I haven't had hot pot in ages."
The thought of hot pot made Mu Mian a bit glum. The last time she had bravely tried it, she had developed a fever and suffered from toothache for days. She didn't want to eat hot pot.
"Chen Xue, Lu Tian, I can't join you for hot pot. I need to go home. Goodbye!" Mu Mian's refusal was quite direct.
"Alright then, we'll go on our own." Chen Xue waved goodbye to Mu Mian and drove off with Lu Tian.
Mu Mian waited for a while and soon saw Fang Rui's car coming out. She got in, holding her gift box.
"Who gave you that gift?" Fang Rui asked.
"Lu Tian," Mu Mian replied. "She went on a beach vacation. She gave me a very pretty seashell wind chime. I really like it."
"When did you and Chen Xue become so close with her?"
Mu Mian looked a bit sad as she turned to Fang Rui, "If Lu Tian turns out to be the one who poisoned Lin Qianjie, can we not arrest her?"
