Decayed Vulgarian chapter 47

What’s the Rush?

Having lazed around at home for almost half a month, returning to work at the Yuhai Sub-Bureau on Monday felt a bit strange for Shen Xun.

What made him particularly unsure was the moment Xiao Ruan caught sight of him. He lunged forward, wanting to embrace him, but Shen Xun swiftly sidestepped him, skillfully avoiding his grasp. “Mmm, I’m back,” he calmly replied.

Old Zhang, watching this, clicked his tongue in amusement and randomly added, “These days, Xiao Ruan has been assisting Lao Wang.”

Lao Wang, the most experienced forensic doctor at the bureau, taught differently from Shen Xun, favoring a tough mentorship style that didn’t shy away from criticism. Old Zhang’s manner suggested a certain amusement in relaying this.

Picking up his police uniform, Shen Xun walked toward the changing room, saying, “Wang-ge is exceptionally professional; Xiao Ruan will learn more under his guidance than he would with me.”

Old Zhang chuckled at this remark.

Having changed, Shen Xun settled at his desk and noticed a pot of plant with long, broad leaves on the tabletop. “Whose is this? Why is it on my seat?”

Old Zhang laughingly replied, “It’s a gift for you, to congratulate you on your recovery and return to your police duty. It wishes you a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future. It’s both a wish for your future and a recognition of your bravery,”

Shen Xun interrupted him, “In plain language?”

Old Zhang: “Peace lily, a gift from Xiao Ruan.”

Shen Xun, puzzled, questioned, “Xiao Ruan gave this?”

Old Zhang smirked, “He’s shy, so I’m conveying his good intentions on his behalf.”

Glancing back, Shen Xun saw Xiao Ruan, head down, clearly uncomfortable, “Um… it’s from me. I hope you like it.”

Shen Xun nodded with a smile, “I do, Thank you.”

Xiao Ruan peeked at Shen Shuo but quickly averted his gaze, flustered, “No need to thank me!”

Shen Xun: ?

Sensing something off about Xiao Ruan today, he observed his face, which made him feel even stranger. This is just a flower gift, why is he blushing?

Though he felt curious, Shen Xun didn’t dwell on it. Having taken over ten days of leave, he had accumulated a lot of pending work that needed urgent attention.

Not long after he started on his computer, a call from his superior came in. Old Zhang immediately answered and, after hanging up, his face turned grave.

Old Zhang pocketed the documents, sighing, “Your luck isn’t great. You’re back, and there’s already a homicide.”

Shen Xun, checking the investigation tools, inquired, “It’s confirmed to be a criminal case?”

“Liu’s team says the body’s in the fridge,” Old Zhang said, passing Shen Xun two disposable syringes. “Can’t be that they committed suicide by climbing into the fridge themselves.”

Xiao Ruan was stunned at the mention of the fridge. “In… in the fridge? Can it fit a person?”

Meanwhile, Shen Xun finished checking and lifted the investigation kit, patting Xiao Ruan’s shoulder. “Xiao Ruan, get ready, we’re heading out.”

The phone showed the location sent by Captain Liu. Old Zhang murmured, “No. 134, Qinghe Road, Emerald Garden, Block A304… Why does this place feel so familiar?”

Three seconds later.

Old Zhang: “Damn! Xiao Shen, isn’t that where you live?!”

Shen Xun didn’t expect that this scene would be next door to his own place.

Arriving at the scene, the door had already been broken open by the police. Upon entering, a horribly rotten stench from the corpse assaulted them, overpowering and unmasked by the thin layer of the face mask. Shen Xun struggled to adapt while completely engrossing himself in examining the body.

After finishing the on-site inspection, they had to go to the Judicial Appraisal Center for an autopsy. During a brief break, he managed to send a message to Meng Yuan Cen, indicating that he might be late coming home that night.

It was more of a hint for Meng Yuan Cen not to come to see him tonight, to stay back at Hua University’s dormitory for his scientific research. However, Meng Yuan Cen completely misunderstood —

[After you finish the autopsy, give me a call, no matter what time it is, I’ll come to pick you up.]

Shen Xun stared at the text, his heart slightly moved. His eyelashes trembled, and his fingertips gently tapped out a word.

[Okay]

As it turned out, he ended up busy until nearly two in the morning.

Despite verbally agreeing with Meng Yuan Cen, it was easy, yet when it came to action, it felt extremely difficult. Shen Xun looked at Meng Yuan Cen’s number on the screen and struggled for a long time. Finally, he couldn’t press the call button.

At two in the morning, Meng Yuan Cen had classes the next morning. Just to pick him up, especially for an autopsy, would undoubtedly be very exhausting.

Shen Xun then opened WeChat. En route to the forensic center, he gave a heads-up to a long-term acquaintance – the taxi driver Yang Bin. He asked if Yang Bin would accept the task of picking him up and Yang Bin readily agreed.

Now, when he called, Yang Bin answered immediately. “I’ve just got some final things to do. You can drive over here in the meantime.”

Given their long partnership, communication was easy, and the call lasted only thirty-six seconds.

Old Zhang yawned while stretching lazily, “All the wipes are checked, and I’m not on duty today. I’m going back home to sleep!”

Shen Xun casually remarked, “If you’re not on duty today, then who’s on duty today?”

Old Zhang and Shen Xun glanced at each other, both saying, “Xiao Ruan.”

Shen Xun was stunned for a few seconds, then smiled with narrowed eyes, “No way.”

“Yes,” Old Zhang said mysteriously, “I suspect Xiao Ruan might be the protagonist of a novel. We’re living in a world controlled by the author, otherwise, why does a case happen every time Xiao Ruan is on duty?”

Shen Xun couldn’t help but chuckle, “Stop reading so much fantasy fiction.”

The autopsy was a physically demanding task, causing backache and soreness. Tired to the bone, all Shen Xun wanted was a quick shower and sleep. Shen Xun felt lazy to spray himself with alcohol, feeling it was troublesome. After all, the taxi driver Yang had gotten used to the scent from him.

Moving forward under the dim street lights towards his old spot where Yang Bin would usually wait for him, he saw a few lights among the many cars, but one of them was still lit —

But the color seemed a bit off; had Yang Bin replaced his car?

Approaching the car, Shen Xun could vaguely make out the driver’s profile through the deep gray window glass.

He stopped three steps away from the car’s door, feeling something was off. The person inside looked somewhat like… Meng Yuan Cen?

Shen Xun stood still for a second, then turned around as if fleeing, his feet carrying him away. Behind him, there was the sudden sound of a car door being opened.

Then came the click of the door closing. Meng Yuan Cen got out of the car, an inexplicable meaning in his eyes, maintaining an inscrutable expression.

“Shen Xun.”

Meng Yuan Cen’s low and pressurizing voice reached the slender figure, “I’m here to pick you up. Why are you running?”

Shen Xun could only halt his steps. He turned slowly and met Meng Yuan Cen’s gaze.

At that moment, he felt like a mischievous child caught red-handed by a parent for doing something wrong.

The atmosphere became eerily quiet.

Under the vast night, in the midst of silence, Meng Yuan Cen’s gaze rested on Shen Xun. The latter, so thin and fragile, seemed as if the night wind could easily wrap him and carry him away into the night.

His cheek submerged in the wind, the cutting coldness; he saw Shen Xun, along with the shadows of the trees, shiver slightly in the cold. Seeing this, the hint of annoyance in Meng Yuan Cen’s heart was extinguished. His initially built-up anger seemed to deflate like a balloon, dissipated instantly, and all he wanted was to wrap the person in his arms and take him home.

So, Meng Yuan Cen started striding towards Shen Xun.

But Shen Xun didn’t stand there waiting for him. Instead, he took a few steps back.

Meng Yuan Cen: ?

He incredulously took a few more steps forward.

Shen Xun kept stepping back.

Both of them maintained a constant relative distance, as if there was a mutual magnetic repulsion between them… What was this absurdity?

Meng Yuan Cen couldn’t bear it anymore and frowned, calling out, “Shen Xun, stop!”

Shen Xun obediently stopped, “Well… then you stay in place and don’t move. Don’t get closer to me.”

Meng Yuan Cen: ?

Shen Xun: “I need to go back and spray some alcohol on myself.”