Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 71

“I guess it’s Knife Number One,” Lu Cheng said casually.

Xiao Zheng stared at him. “You’re just guessing, right?”

Xiao Hu didn’t believe him either. “Explain your reasoning.”

They’d given Lu Cheng the knives hoping to tease him a little.

Who does he think he is, some super-dog detective? Could he really tell which knife was the murder weapon?

Old Liu had already examined them—the DNA was heavily degraded and had to be sent to the city lab for testing.

Qin Mian picked up Knife Number One and studied it for a moment, then looked at Lu Cheng.

“What did you see?”

“The handle of Knife Number One has almost no grease residue,” Lu Cheng explained.

He continued, “Judging from the wear on both knives, they’ve both been used for a long time. There should be grease left on the handles, especially wooden handles—grease isn’t something you can just wipe off easily.”

“Look at Knife Number Two.”

Everyone glanced over. The wooden handle of Knife Number Two indeed had grease, even reflecting light from some angles.

Knife Number One, however, though darkened from prolonged use, showed no shine.

“I suspect Knife Number One has been repeatedly washed with disinfectant. The killer probably thought it would remove all traces of blood so the knife wouldn’t be detected.”

Su Qingwu frowned slightly. “A reasonable guess, but without evidence, it still needs DNA testing at the city lab.”

Lu Cheng added, “I also inspected it under a magnifying glass. There are tiny, almost invisible textile fibers stuck in the nick on the blade.”

Xiao Zheng quickly said, “Old Liu saw those too. Not just one type—Knife Number Two has fibers as well. They came from the cloth used to wipe the knives. When you buy pork at a market, the butcher always wipes the knife with a cloth before cutting.”

Lu Cheng nodded. “Exactly. Multiple fiber types indicate the butcher used more than one cloth.”

“But Knife Number One has a white fiber that Knife Number Two doesn’t.”

Qin Mian raised an eyebrow. “That’s all?”

Lu Cheng nodded. “It’s only a hypothesis. Exact proof still needs verification by the forensic team. But comparing that white fiber with the victim’s clothing should give a definitive answer.”

Xiao Hu’s eyes lit up. “I’ll have Old Liu run the comparison right away!”

He grabbed the two knives and rushed off to the forensics department.

Su Qingwu studied Lu Cheng’s profile. From two observations, his thought process was clear, logical, and precise. While he couldn’t produce direct evidence himself, his reasoning pointed in the right direction.

It reminded her of yesterday’s homicide case. He had made bold suspicions and, through careful analysis, identified the culprit.

This kind of deductive ability…

Su Qingwu’s heart skipped a beat. It was a little like her master, Ji Bochuan.

Seven or eight minutes later, Xiao Hu came back, panting and grinning.

“Old Liu did the comparison. ‘Super Catcher’ was right! The tiny white fiber in the knife nick matches the victim’s clothing material.”

“Incredible! No need to send it to the city lab now!”

Lu Cheng’s expression remained calm. He had expected the result all along.

Qin Mian glanced at him, silently impressed. The kid’s observation skills and intellect were truly remarkable.

Next, Xiao Zheng would collect the report from Old Liu and use the evidence to make the arrest. The case was nearly closed.

Originally, Xiao Zheng, Xiao Hu, and the others just wanted to tease Lu Cheng. But he had taken it seriously… and actually identified the murder weapon. Two days’ work saved.

Yet Lu Cheng felt slightly unhappy—he hadn’t received a system reward.

The next moment, Qin Mian asked Su Qingwu to send Lu Cheng home, and he couldn’t help but grin.

Sitting in the air-conditioned car, with a faint, pleasant fragrance nearby, the fatigue of a long day melted away.

“Want to practice shooting tonight?” Lu Cheng asked.

Having just gained the [Precision Shooting] skill, he was eager to test it.

“I won’t. I have to work overtime,” Su Qingwu said coolly.

“Alright…” Lu Cheng was slightly disappointed. He knew the Criminal Investigation team sometimes got swamped with work.

“You can go alone. I’ll send you my supervisor’s number.”

Lu Cheng shook his head. Going alone would ruin his chance to show off.

“Without you guiding me, I’d just be wasting bullets.”

Su Qingwu said nothing, but the corners of her mouth curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Back at Shuangqiao Station, Lu Cheng had just stepped into the office when warm applause broke out.

The whole busload of thieves had been brought back, and Lu Cheng’s contribution was undeniable.

Everyone admired his skill—no one doubted him anymore.

Chen Weimin sipped tea with a grin that practically lifted his eyebrows sky-high.

Before leaving, Lu Cheng received his system reward:

[Unravel Clues Lv1]: Enhances the host’s ability to analyze cases, able to extract leads even from tiny clues. Skill strength increases with level.

[Disguise & Camouflage Lv1]: Grants the host advanced disguise skills, able to alter appearance through makeup or prosthetics to avoid recognition by criminals. Skill strength increases with level.

Two new skills at once—Lu Cheng couldn’t hide his excitement.

[Powerful Trauma Ointment (30g)]: A system-issued herbal remedy that heals wounds three times faster than normal and helps repair scars.

Lu Cheng’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t expected a system reward like this.

The ointment remained in the system. Whenever he needed it, a thought would instantly place it in his pocket.

These were his three rewards—no attribute points this time.

After work, it was straight to Shipu Seafood.

Chen Weimin and Lü Zhengbo indulged, and the former happily pocketed the bill.

Lu Cheng packed up leftover lobster, crab meat, and other dishes to take home.

Lü Zhengbo asked, “Lu Cheng, you didn’t eat this much with grilled fish before. Why take leftovers for a midnight snack?”

Chen Weimin patted Lü Zhengbo on the back. “Can’t you see? He peeled the lobster so carefully—it’s for Miss Su, obviously!”

Lü Zhengbo finally understood. “He’s not bad… actually thoughtful.”

Both chiefs had called a driver; Lu Cheng didn’t have to take them home.

He took a taxi back to the bureau. The third floor of Criminal Investigation still had lights on.

The duty officers greeted him warmly. Lu Cheng had become a household name in the unit.

He set down a box of pan-fried buns from the plastic bag and went upstairs.

Five people were working overtime, including Su Qingwu, Xiao Zheng, and Xiao Hu.

They were reviewing surveillance footage for a child abduction case, all leaning over their screens.

“Team Leader Su, anyone hungry? I’ll order delivery. What do you want?”

Xiao Zheng rubbed his empty stomach—just as Lu Cheng walked in carrying food.

“Super Catcher!”

Xiao Hu exclaimed with delight. “Is that the midnight snack?”

Su Qingwu looked up, surprised to see Lu Cheng smiling as he appeared unexpectedly.