Chapter 18: The Case of the Headless Female Corpse (6)

From soldier to police officer, Zhou Lin had endured countless bloodbaths and hailstorms of bullets without a trace of fear. Yet, when he took on the role of a father and raised a daughter, his heart no longer felt as strong.

No wonder those veteran detectives, fierce and fearless when they were lone wolves, grew cautious once they had families and children to protect.

Blade “Woof Woof” explained, “Manzi, Li Shun didn’t understand what I was saying. He thought you were lost and called Zhou Lin. I figured since Zhou Lin was coming, it’d be a good chance to dig up some leads!”

So that was it! Little Manzi saw her father holding her tightly, a silent but unmistakable expression of worry.

Even if Manzi were to die in the cemetery, her biological father, Tang Zheng, would be indifferent.

When Manzi lost contact in the forest park, Zhou Lin dropped his work and rushed over at lightning speed.

This was the best father in the world!

“Dad, I’m sorry for making you worry!”

“As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters.”

The man, usually strict with his team, showed rare tenderness now that he faced his daughter.

Manzi took his hand and led him beneath a pine tree. “Dad, Brother Blade and Mouse said a woman’s head is buried here.”

Zhou Lin called his team and the forensic department, who all arrived promptly.

The police line was set up, and the excavation began in an orderly fashion.

Zhou Lin surveyed the terrain—this place was rarely visited except by animals.

If Manzi hadn’t encountered the squirrels, that head might never have seen the light of day.

When they unearthed the head from two meters below, it was already a skull.

Forensic expert Xie Zhou conducted a preliminary examination. “Captain Zhou, the victim is female, deceased for no less than a year. Could this be the headless corpse we found behind the Kerry Biotech Center? We’ll need further tests.”

“Good. Keep me informed,” Zhou Lin nodded.

Manzi watched nearby. Though small, she was unafraid.

Zhou Lin shook his head in helplessness; when he tried to send her away, she refused to leave.

Perhaps this little girl was born for this line of work.

A squirrel leapt from branch to branch, chirping: “Manzi, thanks for the pinecones! I shared them with my friends! Has anyone seen what the severed head looks like?”

Manzi immediately took out her sketchbook. “Great! Describe it quickly; I’ll draw it.”

With the likeness, she believed her father would find it much easier to trace the victim.

A larger squirrel swung from a pine branch like a swing. “When the killer threw the head into the pit, it flipped several times. It was a beautiful face, with long brown hair in big waves. The eyes were wide open, with a teardrop mole at the corner. Narrow forehead, small nose tip, lips painted bright red...”

Manzi drew swiftly. “Mouse, does it look like this?”

The big squirrel clapped its paws. “Exactly! Manzi, your drawing is great!”

Manzi showed the sketch to Zhou Lin. “Dad, Mouse helped me.”

Zhou Lin took a photo with his phone. “Manzi, thank your animal friends for me.”

A chorus of squirrels chirped excitedly:

“You’re welcome! We squirrels contribute too!”

“It’s our duty to assist the police!”

“Manzi, your dad is so mighty and handsome!”

Manzi looked up at Zhou Lin. She had the most handsome and loving father.

“By the way, squirrels, did you see what the person who buried the body looked like?”

The squirrels shook their heads; the dumper was dressed in black and masked. After hearing their description, Manzi told Zhou Lin, “Dad, the squirrels’ description matches the suspect who dumped the body behind Kerry Biotech Center, but none saw his face.”

“Good. I’ll investigate,” Zhou Lin said firmly.

At that moment, an elderly woman, hearing of the homicide, followed the crowd inside.

She held Manzi close. “Manzi, were you scared? Grandma’s here to hug you!”

Seeing her grandmother’s pale face, Manzi reassured, “Grandma, I’m not scared. Don’t worry.”

Of course, she couldn’t tell her grandmother that it was she and the animals who found the severed head.

The old lady glared fiercely at Zhou Lin. “You deal with corpses every day, but now you’re letting your daughter get involved? Aren’t you afraid she’ll have nightmares?”

Zhou Lin rubbed his nose, unable to reveal the truth, silently enduring her anger.

Several teammates, including Lin Nan and Gu Ye, stifled their laughter. Even fearless Captain Zhou had his off day.

The little girl tugged at her grandmother’s hand. “Grandma, Manzi fears nothing. Bringing justice to those wrongfully killed and punishing their abusers—that’s what a young police officer should do.”

The grandmother sighed helplessly, “It’s true what they say: blood is thicker than water. Father and daughter fighting side by side, like tiger-slaying brothers.”

“Manzi, you should go home with Grandma now,” Zhou Lin said.

“We’re leaving!” the old lady said, pulling Manzi away.

Manzi turned back, her voice sweet and childish. “Bye, Dad! Bye, Aunt Lin! Bye, Uncle Gu!”

They waved back. Lin Nan sighed enviously, “Having a daughter is wonderful.”

Gu Ye looked at her. “Then hurry up and have one!”

Lin Nan nodded. “Nowadays, it’s trendy to have kids without marriage. I’m all for it.”

“Then men are just tools,” Gu Ye muttered.

Zhou Lin strode away. “There’s little more to find here. Let’s return to the station.”

Gu Ye drove, while Zhou Lin sent Jiang Qi a photo of Manzi’s sketch of the head on his phone.

He immediately followed with a message: “Use this sketch for a facial recognition match in our system. Identify her.”

Jiang Qi replied, “Captain Zhou, received.”

Passing by a phone store, Zhou Lin asked to stop.

He walked in and bought a children’s watch and a SIM card, registered it on his phone, and labeled the contact as ‘Daughter.’

He planned to give it to Manzi tonight so she could always reach him.

Back at the station, Lin Nan opened her phone. “The tech department restored the skull’s appearance. Captain Zhou, look—it matches Manzi’s drawing almost perfectly.”

Gu Ye praised, “This kid’s a genius in this field! So young and so talented!”

Zhou Lin, born into a wealthy family but toughened by military and police work, never flaunted his background. Now, he couldn’t help but emit a rare, proud huff. “Of course my daughter’s amazing!”

“Captain Zhou is a total daughter’s boy!” Lin Nan teased.

“I’d be the same if I had a daughter like Manzi,” Gu Ye said happily.

Lin Nan looked at them, knowing Manzi was one of a kind, and many men wished to be fathers. Sadly, Tang Zheng was not one of them—abusing and even abandoning Manzi.

Truly unworthy of being a father.

Jiang Qi arrived with news, “Captain Zhou, I’ve found something in the computer system...”