565: Death 565: Death “Captain Mu Enli, in your thirty years of sailing with the Baiyu Cruise, what is the most memorable thing for you?” the director asked.
The old captain in front of the camera looked out at the horizon.
Mu Enli’s white beard was tough, unmoved by the sea breeze.
But his graying hair was soft; it got messy with just a gust of wind.
The old captain didn’t answer, as if lost in thought.
But this time, the director didn’t mind at all—this kind of nostalgic silence from an elder was priceless footage…
No matter how long the old captain sat there in thought, he wouldn’t care.
At most, he’d cut down the length in post-production.
But the longer the old captain stayed silent, the stronger the emotion would brew.
“Don’t miss a single shot!” the director whispered to the cameraman.
…
Morning, nine o’clock.
The sunlight wasn’t hot yet.
But plenty of tourists had already e to the deck to play and take photos.
Not far away, Ren Ziling shaded her eyes with her hand and said, “Looks like they’re shooting a documentary or something over there?
I think I recognize that director.”
“Sister Ren, is he a friend?
Want to go say hi?”
Ren Ziling shook her head.
“Just did an interview with him once, basically strangers, not interested…
Besides, that old geezer is actually a pervert.
Sigh…
Enough about that nonsense.
Lizi, I feel like I’m a totally useless person now…”
Lizi patted Miss Ren’s head fortingly, though she felt the real useless person here was probably Officer Ma instead…
Her gaze drifted to a certain pitiful figure.
Officer Ma had already e back to his senses.
He was currently clutching his lower back with one hand and holding on to the steel wall of the cabin with the other, moving forward one trembling step at a time, almost crawling, legs shaking.
He actually managed to wake up—truly, only a police soul could keep him going…
Lizi stuck her tongue out sneakily.
The group was now at an outdoor restaurant on the deck.
You Ye walked over from the buffet area carrying a glass of pale red drink, and quietly said to Luo Qiu, “Master, I’ve found a few good cocktails that can replenish energy.
Let Officer Ma drink some.”
Boss Luo never doubted his maid’s craft.
When Officer Ma finally sat down with great effort, Luo Qiu handed him the drink, “I heard a little alcohol in the morning can wake you up, give this a try.”
“Sure.” Officer Ma still felt weak…
Why was he so wild last night?
Just then, Ren Ziling showed up with another plate of oysters.
Officer Ma’s expression changed instantly, and he started dry-heaving, pleading as he dodged around, “No more, no more!
Really, I can’t eat anymore!”
“Oh e on, Old Ma!
Look at how gorgeous your wife is today, tsk tsk!”
Mrs.
Ma blushed under the teasing…
really, it’s tough on her.
But honey, why are you pinching me…
Officer Ma looked at his wife, pitiful as could be.
Ren Ziling found it amusing and giggled softly.
And so, it seemed this day began with laughter…
more or less.
A terrified, piercing scream suddenly rang out!
Next, there were even more horrified screams!
…
…
“Move, move!
What’s happening!
I’m Officer Ma Houte from the city police department!
Out of the way!”
Officer Ma forced his way through the crowd, finding a group of tourists already circling the scene.
In front, a woman had collapsed onto the deck in shock, her hand trembling as she pointed ahead of her.
And ahead of the woman, a man lay fallen on the ground, dressed in a casual suit jacket!
“I’m a police officer, what happened?!” Officer Ma quickly crouched beside the woman and flashed his ID.
The woman stammered, “O-officer!
I-I don’t know.
I just said I wanted to go back to my room to get something, but as soon as I got to the stairs, I saw this man e out!
He had a fruit knife stuck in his chest, all covered in blood…
Then he crawled up here and collapsed!”
Officer Ma nodded, frowning as he walked to the man’s side, pushing at him, then checking his breath and pulse, and immediately his face darkened.
“Old Ma, what’s up with this guy?”
Officer Ma looked up, face grave.
“He’s dead.”
At this moment, the ship’s crew arrived, and from the other side of the crowd, Mu Enli’s documentary team also showed up.
…
The tourists were temporarily cleared from the area…
though plenty of them were secretly filming from a distance with their phones.
Officer Ma was now squatting beside the deceased.
Next to him was a man in his forties, dressed in a doctor’s coat—the Baiyu Cruise’s ship doctor.
The doctor shook his head.
“Really dead…
This knife probably went straight through the diaphragm in the chest.
I suspect it pierced the left atrium too.
But it looks like this guy gave himself some emergency treatment—probably trying to press the wound to stop excessive bleeding, really strong will to survive…
Too bad he couldn’t hold on much longer.”
After finishing, the doctor looked at Officer Ma.
“Officer Ma, that’s all I can determine.
You’ll need a proper forensic doctor for anything more detailed.”
Officer Ma nodded…
No way he believed the doctor was that limited.
But he figured the guy just didn’t want unnecessary trouble.
Probably only here because he got a special request.
Officer Ma took a pair of rubber gloves from the doctor and started searching the man’s body.
But Officer Ma didn’t find anything useful—such as a wallet, ID, or phone.
No jewelry either.
But he did find a business card on the man.
Officer Ma glanced at it and muttered, “Qian Guoliang?
Engineer?”
Officer Ma pondered a moment before standing up.
“Excuse me, who’s in charge of the Baiyu Cruise?”
“I am the captain of the Baiyu Cruise.” Mu Enli walked up to Officer Ma, glanced at the deceased Qian Guoliang, and his expression grew more serious.
“Officer Ma, is it?
How can I help you?”
“Captain.” Officer Ma said solemnly, “I need your help confirming this man’s identity.
The deceased’s name is Qian Guoliang, you should be able to find his information from the boarding list, right?
Also, can I get access to the ship’s surveillance footage?”
The old captain looked down at Qian Guoliang again, said nothing, and nodded lightly.
“Officer Ma, e to the control room with me.”
“Also, please seal off the area,” Officer Ma added.
“Have security check around, and make sure any traces of blood are preserved!
Be sure to wear gloves and the like, don’t disturb the scene as best as possible…
It’d take too long to return to port.
I’ve already called for backup, so Captain, please have someone get the helipad ready for when the helicopter arrives.”
“Qinghai.” The old captain called out.
Mu Qinghai hurried forward, “Understood, I’ll arrange it right away.”
Mu Qinghai looked extremely grim…
At this point the documentary shooting was the least of his worries.
A murder on board would be an enormous blow to the pany, not something the outside world would overlook easily.
Mu Qinghai quickly took a crewman and left the scene, carefully making his way down the stairs where the deceased Qian Guoliang had crawled up.
Mu Enli said, “Officer, please follow me.”
Officer Ma nodded, said nothing, and rushed after Mu Enli.
But after just a few steps, Officer Ma turned around, frowning, “What are you guys doing?”
“Going to the control room,” Ren Ziling said matter-of-factly.
“And what are you going to the control room for?” Officer Ma kept frowning.
Ren Ziling blinked.
“To look at the surveillance footage, of course.”
“Shoo, shoo, shoo!
I’m investigating here, not playing around!” Officer Ma waved his hand like chasing stray dogs, “Who knows what kind of person the killer is!
It’s dangerous here!
Get back to your rooms, quick!”
“Alright.” Ren Ziling nodded.
Officer Ma was about to say something else, but he froze…
Damn, this was the first time he’d seen this lady so obedient!
“You…
really aren’t going to pull any tricks?” Officer Ma asked suspiciously.
Ren Ziling shrugged.
“This ship’s only so big, what could I possibly get up to?
Go on, we’ll take your wife back to her room.
Old Ma, you got this!”
“Oh…
well, thanks, really.” Officer Ma nodded subconsciously.
This lady really had found some peace and quiet lately.
She’s matured!
…
“You got this!” Ren Ziling waved after Officer Ma’s back, loudly cheering him on.
As soon as Officer Ma disappeared into the ship, Subeditor Ren snorted with disdain.
“Naive!
Lizi, let’s…
eh, where’s my Luo Qiu and You Ye?”
Lizi blinked.
“Luo Qiu and You Ye went back with your sister-in-law while you were talking to Officer Ma just now.”
“…”
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