Simulated Crime, This Criminal Doesn't Seem to Be Acting-Chapter 80

Ye Sangsang woke up and, as she had expected, found herself lying in a hospital bed.

The white ceiling, striped hospital sheets, and the lingering pain in her body had subsided considerably, likely due to medical intervention.

If a criminal is apprehended, there is a standard investigative process to follow.

The criminal must confess, admit their guilt, and detail their crimes.

It’s a beginning and an end, all governed by the law.

However, there are exceptional cases, like the first instance where the person couldn’t bear the trauma of murder and chose to take their own life.

Just two minutes after her awakening, Chen Shu entered with others in tow.

"You've been unconscious for three days," Chen Shu stated, his expression not one of rage but of weary determination.

After investigating all the facts, the revelations were even more harrowing than anticipated.

Police officers are human too; they don’t condemn without cause.

They understood that this matter was over, and any accusations or anger would be futile.

As a police officer, his duty was to capture the culprit.

He didn’t berate Zhong Jia or condemn her with righteous anger.

Because it was too late.

Ye Sangsang looked at him, imagining Zhong Jia’s reaction.

"I guess Chief Chen knows everything now. Sorry, I didn’t wait for you to save me."

Her tone wasn’t mocking; it was a simple expression of regret, asking him not to feel distressed for not being able to rescue her.

[Chen Shu is a great police officer. He is very responsible and doesn’t target Zhong Jia; he targets criminals. He is a dedicated police officer!]

[Zhong Jia is kind-hearted and would apologize to the police.]

[It’s so tragic. Recalling the previous conversation, if Zhong Jia’s parents had shown her any affection, would they only have suffered the loss of a child? PS: Despite losing their son and living in sorrow, they gained lives, hehe.]

The live broadcast had calmed down, the earlier anger now subsiding.

Zhong Jia had made peace with her life; there was no need for further commentary.

As onlookers, many viewers, despite knowing it was wrong, didn’t want to judge her actions.

This was a true story that happened in the past, and the outcome was inevitable. The case had already occurred, unchangeable and irreversible.

We can only hope that those who see it will take heed, reminding themselves not to try to seize what belongs to others or harm others, because victims won’t remain silent forever.

Chen Shu approached the bed, "You’ve known for a long time that you were terminally ill, right? Advanced pancreatic cancer. After the doctor’s examination, it was determined that you have at most half a month left to live."

Before planning Yan Jiaojiao’s murder, the doctor had estimated her survival to be two months.

[Checked Baidu, this disease has a horrifyingly high mortality rate.]

[Not only that, the quality of life after diagnosis is extremely low.]

[It’s said that smoking patients have a higher incidence rate. Did Zhong Jia develop it from secondhand smoke? This really changed her life. If she had been a college student with a good working environment, she wouldn’t have gotten cancer, right?]

"Let’s not talk about that. I’ll confess my crimes. Also, Qian Jiangde’s death was also my doing..."

Ye Sangsang avoided the topic directly, taking the initiative to discuss the case.

Chen Shu knew that mentioning her illness was pointless; it wouldn’t improve anyone’s mood.

With a rigid face and a solemn expression, he sat down to take her statement with his partner.

A patient in the late stages of cancer cannot be arrested and must be released for medical treatment.

Even if she is a murderer.

Ye Sangsang watched Chen Shu’s heavy expression as she detailed the murder process and the emotional shifts of those involved.

Yan Jiaojiao’s humiliation, Qian Jiangde’s threats, her parents and brother’s unrepentant behavior.

She didn’t try to justify her actions, only recounting Zhong Jia’s psychological transformation.

Her memory was sharp; her account was clear, leaving little to deduce.

But the more she spoke, the heavier the atmosphere became.

Chen Shu’s many questions dissipated as Ye Sangsang spoke, leaving only a sense of desolation.

In this scenario, everyone was a loser.

The beautiful life they had built on one person’s suffering also crumbled as that person faced imminent breakdown.

After finishing the statement, Chen Shu stood up.

Turning back, he sighed, "I hope you find some happiness in the time you have left."

"Thank you," Ye Sangsang replied.

As she watched him leave, Ye Sangsang was about to skip the timeline.

There would be no verdict, as Zhong Jia wouldn’t live long enough for it.

Confessing her crimes and admitting everything she had done was sufficient.

But before she could skip the timeline, she saw familiar faces.

It was Yan Jiaojiao’s mother, who was supporting Yan Jiaojiao’s father, who could barely stand, as they found her hospital room.

Likely hearing or seeing that she had been taken to the hospital.

Their gaze searched the room.

The ward wasn’t large, and it was easy to spot Ye Sangsang.

Upon seeing her, the couple rushed forward, their faces filled with indignation.

They still didn’t feel they had done anything wrong, believing that the admission letter was bought with money, thus belonged to their daughter.

It was a done deal, so why was their daughter killed?

What had they done wrong? They felt they hadn’t done anything wrong.

Thinking of the precious daughter they had pampered since childhood, their eyes reddened with tears.

Yan Jiaojiao’s mother supported her father as they tried to barge in.

If circumstances allowed, they might have attacked Ye Sangsang directly, even trying to strangle her.

But before they could step into the ward, they were stopped by the police stationed at the door.

Criminals hospitalized need police surveillance to prevent escapes or harm from victims’ families.

Because criminals are to be judged by the law, not by victims.

"Why can’t we go in? That’s the murderer who killed my daughter! I’ll kill her to avenge my daughter!"

"My daughter died so unjustly, and you police are protecting the criminal!"

"Zhong Jia, come out! Come out if you dare!"

The couple’s cries were loud, their tone filled with justified outrage, their eyes brimming with malice.

Yan Jiaojiao’s father had fertility issues; they had desperately wanted a child for years before finally having her.

A daughter they had cherished for over twenty years was murdered by the demon before them; how could they not hate?

The police firmly restrained them, annoyed by their accusations.

"Calm down! We’re not protecting the criminal; she’s released for medical treatment and can’t be detained!"

"We’re following legal procedures. If you keep causing trouble, we’ll take you to the station for obstructing official duties."

As the police detained them, they quickly tried to restore order as onlookers began to gather.

Yan Jiaojiao’s mother shouted again, "All I know is that you should have sent her to prison to be executed!"

"I’m being treated normally. Don’t slander the police!"

Ye Sangsang’s tone was provocatively defiant.

Onlookers whispered among themselves, curious about what was happening.

Ye Sangsang had sat up in bed, though her hands were cuffed, preventing her from leaving the bed perimeter.

Fortunately, she could see out from here, even spotting a couple of curious onlookers.

She looked at them and coldly laughed, "Let’s not talk about the rest. I do admire your shamelessness. You stole my admission letter and sent your daughter to college. And according to your earlier logic, since I was sold the admission letter, I should just accept it and let your daughter have my bright future?"

"Shouldn’t I retaliate? Shouldn’t I feel wronged?"

"Don’t get too absurd. You broke the law first, yet now you blame the police for protecting me? What backing could I possibly have for the police to protect me? I’m just sick; I can’t be held in custody."

"You got the money, so you should honor the agreement! Especially since you killed my daughter!"

Unable to argue about protection, Yan Jiaojiao’s father croaked, shouting loudly and justifying himself.

Ye Sangsang’s dark eyes coldly stared at him, "I didn’t get the money. This was an agreement you made with someone else. Transactions without involving the party means you knew I wouldn’t agree, right? When the party doesn’t consent, is it still a transaction? Still an agreement? Don’t be delusional."

"You killed my daughter. Right, I killed your daughter. I never said I wouldn’t accept the punishment! I’ve told the police all about my crime, confessed, and accepted the consequences!"

"When you do wrong, don’t you deserve to be punished? Right?"

Her black eyes stared at him intently, with palpable meaning.

The stern father was momentarily choked up, his face turning crimson with rage, and he took a step back, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Zhong Jia! You killed my daughter! I don't care, you're going to pay with your life!" Yan Jiaojiao's mother roared without restraint, her eyes practically turning into blades as she wished to enact a gruesome retribution on Ye Sangsang.

Ye Sangsang looked at her calmly, "Let's just say… you might have to take a trip to jail yourselves."

The police rebuked both sides, and Ye Sangsang remained silent.

The couple was about to speak when the police interrupted them, clearly informing them that Ye Sangsang was under medical parole, ensuring the public that there was no police favoritism toward criminals.

The onlookers' eyes fell on the couple.

They had come to understand that this couple had reaped what they had sown through their malicious actions. Forging identities to gain university admission—how could anyone accept such an injustice, especially when the future seemed so bright after graduation?

Money?

In the early 2000s, a university degree could open many doors, even leading to a career in government with relative ease.

Moreover, from the couple's argument, it seemed they hadn't even paid the victim, making their deal utterly dishonorable.

Their retaliation was deserved.

No one spoke, fearing trouble, but the looks of disdain were enough for the couple to understand they were being scorned.

The couple trembled with anger, feeling these people were utterly unreasonable.

At that moment, a team of police dispersed the crowd and entered.

"Yan Xing, you are suspected of attempted murder. We are now arresting you according to the law."

The police presented the arrest warrant.

On the other side, Yan Jiaojiao's mother was also faced with an arrest warrant. She had orchestrated everything, including the backroom dealings.

They both turned pale, not only losing their future and their daughter but also facing prison sentences.

They both looked at Ye Sangsang, their venomous hatred practically oozing from their eyes.

【Hey, what are you looking at? Time to rot in prison.】

【From the description, whether it's attempted murder or bribery, the sentence won't be light—probably starting at five years.】

【Though it seems a bit short, as long as they're locked up, I can't stand their arrogance. When they get out, they'll likely be infertile, their business will be ruined, and they'll probably end up destitute.】

Ye Sangsang watched and smiled at them.

"Enjoy your time in prison."

The couple's faces turned scarlet with rage.

Before they could even open their mouths, the police frowned and escorted them away.

Ye Sangsang then jumped forward in the timeline. After the case was officially filed and closed, she received the end-of-dungeon notification.

Zhong Jia's final moments were handled by Chen Shu.

Perhaps this would be one of the most memorable cases Chen Shu would ever handle in his career.

He investigated everything, gaining access to the information about that young girl with her braided hair, her slightly yellow skin from malnutrition, but her clear, bright eyes.

She had been so determined.

In fact, from junior high, her parents had already opposed her continuing her education, wanting to send her out to work and earn money.

She wasn't expected to succeed but proved everyone wrong.

She tenaciously finished junior high, secretly took the entrance exam for the key high school, and was successfully admitted with excellent grades.

She even secured a full scholarship, covering tuition, accommodation, and textbooks.

She convinced her parents that she wouldn't cost them any money, promising to repay them handsomely once she earned enough, allowing her to continue her studies.

She barely survived high school, relying on the charity of classmates, washing dishes, tutoring, and doing odd jobs. The lack of nutrition nearly derailed her studies.

It was only with the occasional nutritious meals from her teachers that she managed to keep pace with her class.

Even so, she never complained about her parents, spending her holidays helping with farm chores.

Later, she heard from her homeroom teacher that good universities offered government assistance and newly introduced student loans, which could get her through college if she were frugal.

She found her hope and goal.

But everything shattered when she discovered her university acceptance letter had been hidden by her parents.

Without the letter, locked at home, all her dreams and hopes evaporated.

On her wedding day, her mother revealed that they had burned the letter to crush her spirit.

They told her to accept her fate.

She was half-forced into marriage with Qian Jiangde.

All hope was lost, and she sank into a numb existence for years.

Eventually, she awakened, realizing she could break free from her parents.

When Qian Jiangde suggested moving to a big city to work, she took her household registration book and ID card and left.

She had found out she could retake the college entrance exam and restart her life.

But the reality of her record crushed her hopes once more, and she fainted.

She was taken to the hospital.

In her fragile state, she learned from her coworkers' gossip about a lavish banquet booked by "family." Her coworkers complained about the effort it would take, especially given the opulence planned for the 22nd floor.

Seeing the familiar name, a fire ignited within her, burning with an unquenchable rage.

She volunteered to switch floors, beginning her plan.

This was where it all began.

And where it would inevitably end.

Chen Shu and his colleagues, along with all the investigators, uncovered the backstory.

They struggled to accept the unfairness that had led to such tragedy, and the resilience of Zhong Jia that had gone unrewarded.

Preventing crime, they realized, was more important than just punishing it.

If identity theft hadn't been tolerated, no lives would have been lost.

Had the Yan family not offered a handsome reward, Zhong Jia's parents might not have gone through with their actions, and she might have convinced them to let her continue her education.

Even if they hadn't agreed, she wouldn't have been forcibly confined and married off.

Ye Sangsang understood all this, and Chen Shu picked up on some details she provided, supplemented by the game's backstory.

After the dust settled, Ye Sangsang clicked to complete the mission.

【Congratulations, player Ye Sangsang, for perfectly completing the "Life" case dungeon! Dungeon rating: SSS.】

【Congratulations, player Ye Sangsang, for earning the SSS-grade mission reward: 1 Body Attribute Point, freely assignable to your base attributes.】

【Congratulations, player, for earning your first ranking reward: 1 Time Freeze Card (usable once).】

After glancing at the continuously scrolling comments in the livestream, Ye Sangsang exited the game dungeon.

Compared to other missions, this one felt less intense for Ye_Sangsang, though the difficulty was about the same.

She felt she had made progress.

She could anticipate every hesitation of Zhong Jia.

Immersive gaming, after all, was like this.

After bidding farewell to the livestream audience, she opened her eyes.

The room was bathed in abundant sunlight, the small hospital window replaced with a massive floor-to-ceiling one, revealing the best view of the city, leaving her in awe and at ease.

She checked the time; it was nine in the morning.

She had anticipated that she was late, but not by an hour.

Feeling alright, she didn't have the sense of loss she used to.

She struggled to sit up and was promptly assisted into a wheelchair by someone entering the room.

"Miss, breakfast is ready. You can freshen up and then enjoy your meal, along with your prescribed medication for the day."

The girl's voice was sweet, her actions and the strength with which she supported Ye Sangsang contradictory.

"Did Lin tell you to serve as a housekeeper or a bodyguard?"

"Both. I'm a standout graduate of butler services and can tailor my work precisely to the employer's needs."

Ye Sangsang remained silent, maneuvering the wheelchair into the bathroom to wash up.

She could almost stand on her own now, so she didn't require much assistance.

Returning, the table was laden with a rich breakfast.

Ye Sangsang ate in silence, accepting briefings from the young housekeeper about real-time news and the state of the "Criminal Files" game livestream.

Ye Sangsang ruled the game as one of the top livestreamers, drawing envious attention.

Such success naturally attracted idle comments, harmless to Ye Sangsang, who remained unfazed, not even getting mildly angry regardless, because it didn't trigger any.

Attacks aren't a concern if they lack malicious intent, such as spreading falsehoods or deliberately twisting words. Every other kind she treats with indifference.

After finishing her meal, the remaining activities were taking medicine and strolling in the community garden.

Noon was for a nap, and the afternoon was for rehabilitation.

She had no desire to shop; if there was anything she wanted to buy, she could just have it delivered to her home.

She had a very good mother who ensured her wealth was enough to last her multiple lifetimes.

Furthermore, there was a professional family wealth management office that even looked for ways to increase her fortune.

Ye Sangsang had a relatively pleasant day.

A stable life also brought her a stable mental state.

As night fell, after admiring the beautiful, magnificent river scenery and watching the boats sail away into the distance, she decided to go out and explore tomorrow.

Perhaps visit a cruise ship and gaze at the azure ocean.

Having made her decision, Ye Sangsang informed her butler and then prepared for bed, changing into her sleepwear and lying down to sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the barrage of comments started increasing at a visible speed.

Many people had been waiting early in the livestream room and greeted Ye Sangsang immediately.

Ye Sangsang had no intention of chatting; she opened the app to select a dungeon.

It was only then that she noticed the in-game alpha version seemed to have been updated.

There was an additional black and red frame with the words "Match Mode" written inside.

"Is this to match players and enter together?" Ye Sangsang clicked on the explanation for Match Mode, wondering what it specifically entailed.

Ye Sangsang's guess was correct; this mode indeed paired two players in a dungeon.

However, for the stability of the alpha testing phase, a dungeon could only pair a maximum of two players.

Moreover, a double-blind option was available.

This meant that the players would not share information and would not know each other's identities, increasing the game's playability.

【Wow, they've already started alpha testing this?】

【Supposedly, once they test with ten or more people, they can prepare for the public beta! The game will officially open to the public.】

【Can't wait! Seriously, I want to play. This game is so different from traditional ones; it feels like a second life.】

Seeing Match Mode, the livestream room became even more lively.

After carefully reading all the details, Ye Sangsang clicked on Match Mode.

After a swirl of red rose petals, Ye Sangsang's vision went dark, and the game began.

Hmm? Match Mode skipped the dungeon selection.

It must be random for now; otherwise, it might be challenging to find a match with few players.

Having thought through the reason, Ye Sangsang opened her eyes.

Before her was a sea of snow white. The stark white lighting illuminated the empty room, and the atmosphere was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Ye Sangsang stood up, and the chair scratched the floor with a harsh noise.

She frowned, not expecting the chair she had been sitting on to be of such poor quality.

The mission came earlier than usual.

As soon as Ye Sangsang stood up, the task bar appeared before her.

【Player, welcome to the game. Please follow the rules and begin the dungeon: Malice.】

【Your identity card has been drawn.】

【Investigator】

【Your mission in this dungeon is to uncover the true culprit.】

An Investigator's mission—Ye Sangsang smiled, feeling it was like Super Intelligence deliberately arranging it, allowing her to switch things up and avoid boredom.

But Ye Sangsang's thoughts quickly passed, and after observing her surroundings, finding nothing unusual yet, she began to review the information.

The current year was 2004, and she was in a city called Baicheng, not too big, not too small, with beautiful scenery.

Her identity was the same as in her previous Investigator's dungeon—not a police officer.

She was a forensic pathologist, 29 years old, female, named Fan Jingsi.

She was also the only female forensic pathologist in Baicheng.

In 2004, there weren’t many forensic pathologists, let alone female ones.

As for the case details, an Investigator's mission provided none, waiting for the case to unfold.

Another new profession—Ye Sangsang felt somewhat intrigued.

【Ooh, a forensic pathologist! How novel!】

【I have a bad feeling; I remember this dungeon… is a bit gruesome.】

【Hehe, good memory, I watched a streamer enter it last time, but they quit within half an hour.】

In Match Mode, Ye Sangsang opted for double-blind, and she was curious about the identity of the other person matched.

She didn't know what the livestream viewers were discussing; she wondered if the matched player was an Investigator, a victim, or a criminal.

Regardless of the identity, she found it interesting.

She hoped the other person had similar skills; otherwise, if the other made a mistake halfway through, she might have to restart the game.

Of course, if the other was also a forensic pathologist, she wasn’t opposed, as long as it didn’t happen too often.

Having familiarized herself with the basic forensic operations and the usage of the tools, Ye Sangsang's office landline rang.

She was already accustomed to the way these landlines were picked up and answered immediately.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

"Come to the family courtyard at Hongbian; there might be a murder."

The person on the other end spoke concisely.

Ye Sangsang replied she understood, and the other party hung up.

She set the phone down, grabbed her toolbox, and left the room, getting into a car and departing.

A car was already waiting outside the door.

Seeing no one else, she opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.

The driver was a female police officer who stepped on the gas as soon as Ye Sangsang fastened her seatbelt, and the car sped off.

The two of them didn't chat during the drive, as neither knew the situation on-site.

Besides, there might have been a murder, but "might" didn't mean certainty.

The car drove for about ten minutes, arriving at an old residential building.

The two got out, and a police officer was already standing downstairs.

It was 9 PM, and only Ye Sangsang was onsite as the forensic pathologist, as the forensic team rotated shifts, and tonight it was Fan Jingsi's turn.

She nodded to the police officer leading the way, and both entered the narrow staircase, spiraling upward.

This very old residential building only had five floors.

The stairs were dimly lit, and Ye Sangsang had to pull out a flashlight from her toolbox to faintly illuminate the path.

The incident was on the fifth floor, and all three were a bit winded by the time they reached the top.

The old, peeling red wooden door with a rusted iron gate was wide open, revealing the white incandescent light inside. The door's openness also allowed the strange, indescribable smell to waft out.

A smell reminiscent of decay.

"We took a preliminary look; there should be a body inside. Take a look," the police officer standing by the door addressed Ye Sangsang.

The other two didn't enter, while Ye Sangsang, as the forensic pathologist, put on protective clothing, hat, gloves, and shoe covers before calmly stepping inside.

Having prepared herself, Ye Sangsang entered.

【Ahhh, I'm scared!】

【Thanks, I’ll close my eyes first, let my intelligent butler take a look first, if it’s okay, I’ll check.】

【Guys, why didn't you mention that earlier? I just watched it directly.】

Upon entering, the terrifying scene she had anticipated didn't appear.

The room had an old-fashioned decor, with wooden furniture, a wooden floor, and the layout still felt somewhat cozy.

But the floor, ceiling, and sofa were stained black.

The strange smell of decay came from these black patches.

The entire room was buzzing with the sound of green-headed flies, and they were flying everywhere.

For a forensic pathologist, this situation meant finding the body herself. So Ye Sangsang picked up her toolbox and began searching the room to determine where the body might be.

Surprisingly, there was no body in the room.

In such cases, one would typically check the kitchen or bathroom.

If the body was dismembered, the kitchen would be a suitable location. As for the bathroom, if the dismembered parts were small, the murderer might flush them down the toilet to destroy the evidence.

Ye Sangsang had once seen a high-profile murder case where the husband dismembered his wife this way.

The police, following internet suggestions, checked water usage and found it unusual. They dug up the septic tank of the apartment building and finally located the wife's remains.

Ye Sangsang first went to the kitchen, which was unexpectedly clean.

The room was messy like a regular person’s home, without signs of a struggle.

Ye Sangsang looked at the refrigerator.

She opened it and checked the contents.

There was both frozen and refrigerated food.

She pulled out the freezer compartment, a small one, and examined the meat inside.

Judging from the exterior, it was ordinary pork and some cured meat.

She put everything back, closed the door, and considered where the body could be.

The bathroom in this residential building was next to the kitchen, arranged side by side. She entered the bathroom.

The bathroom was simple, with a squat toilet, a red wooden mirror cabinet, and being used as a shower, the cabinet was already moldy around the edges.

The only other item was an old-fashioned white half-automatic twin-tub washing machine.

Something unknown had stained the top, a mixture of black and reddish hues, emanating a strong, foul stench.

The police officer who had slipped on shoe covers upon entering seemed to sense something, catching a whiff of the odor, and bolted down the hallway at a sprint.

The old residential building's poor sound insulation meant that within seconds, the sound of vomiting echoed loudly.

With no one else around, Ye Sangsang heard the noise and couldn't help but smile, a smile tinged with a hint of excitement.

[Thank goodness my phone hasn't evolved yet; it still can't let me smell anything.]

[Sangsang, you're something else. I'm literally tearing up. Everyone else is throwing up, and you're laughing.]

[It feels like this type of forensic investigator role card really requires a lot of courage.]

The livestream room, which had been brimming with fear just two minutes earlier while Ye Sangsang explored the room, had started to calm down, with viewers even playfully teasing the situation.

Ye Sangsang placed the box on the washbasin and, with gloved hands, picked up a mask, wearing it before slowly reaching out to open the washing machine.

The older dual-barrel washing machine had separate sections for washing and spinning. Ye Sangsang opened the washing compartment, as it was significantly larger.

If she were to dismember a body, she would likely use the larger barrel for storage.

The moment she opened it, thick mosaics appeared on the livestream.

In front of Ye Sangsang, the barrel was filled to the brim with decaying fragments, emitting a sickly stench.

Footsteps echoed behind her. Ye Sangsang calmly turned her head to see an investigator who had gathered his courage to enter.

The investigator, taller than Fan Jingsi by half a head, could clearly see the barrel filled with severed limbs and gore.

His entrance was slow and determined, but his exit was hasty and chaotic.

Overcome with panic, he ran out like a whirlwind.

And then, another round of vomiting ensued.

Ye Sangsang suspected that he was on the verge of vomiting his stomach lining.

However, even she was somewhat stunned by what she saw.

The dismembered body was incredibly fragmented.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍cuts were extremely fine, mostly around five to six centimeters in size, mixed with organs, and the rotting, black-red mess made one's scalp tingle just from sight and smell.

As a forensic examiner, one couldn't wear a mask while examining a body, as they needed to smell it.

After adjusting to the scene for a while, Ye Sangsang removed her mask.

Then she started to retrieve the body pieces, taking them all out.

Forensic examiners needed to piece the body parts together on-site to determine the victim's condition and whether the body was complete at the scene.

If parts of the body had been discarded elsewhere, they would need to search for those missing pieces.

The investigator entered for the third time, his complexion pallid.

The dim lighting in the bathroom cast a shadow across his face, making his exhaustion evident.

Ye Sangsang glanced up and asked, "Are you alright?"

Vomiting in such situations was normal, even for a police officer engaged in criminal investigations. Encountering such a gruesome scene would render any mental preparation useless.

"You're piecing the body together now?" he asked.

Ye Sangsang nodded. "Yes, to see if the body is complete."

Ye Sangsang picked up two half-length femurs and began placing them in their estimated positions on the white cloth that had been laid out.

In cases like these, forensic examiners did the hardest work.

So engaging in this task didn't come as a surprise to Ye Sangsang.

She had studied human anatomy and had even personally participated in a dismemberment case before.

Although this case was more fragmented, her ability to identify the pieces was sufficient.

If other players weren't skilled in this, they could rely on the system for assistance or skip certain timelines.

Ye Sangsang, however, felt this work wasn't anything special and believed there were many clues on the body, so she didn't choose to skip it.

"It seems to be the body of a young girl," the investigator standing nearby, struggling with his discomfort, spoke up.

Other investigators followed, covering their noses with masks as they listened.

However, as soon as they finished speaking, they rushed out, threw up, and then returned, pale-faced.

Ye Sangsang crouched on the ground, piecing the body together bit by bit. After a while, she looked up at the returning investigators and replied, "Based on the shape and size of the bones, the victim is a girl, approximately eight years old."

"What kind of person would do this to a little girl? How incredibly cruel..."

The female police officer who had fetched Ye Sangsang earlier furrowed her brows, her eyes filled with indignation.

Ye Sangsang pondered for a moment. "Judging from the hacking marks and the force required, it was likely an adult male."

As she spoke, she placed two rib bones side by side in the position of the chest.

This hacking technique made Ye Sangsang imagine the face of the adult male as he dismembered the body, contorted with rage and twisted expression.

[This full-screen mosaic is giving me the heebie-jeebies.]

[Sangsang, you're a bit too hardcore.]

Just like real forensic examiners, you're so skilled that it's scary.

This process of piecing together took over half an hour.

Those in the room finally breathed a sigh of relief.

No one vomited anymore, as their stomachs were empty, leaving only dry heaves.

"The head is missing," Ye Sangsang stated.

The others nodded and began participating in the search.

Ye Sangsang searched too, checking every nook and cranny.

After a thorough search, they found no trace of the missing head.

This confirmed that the head had been discarded elsewhere.

There was no choice but to first assess the scene. The investigators searched the surrounding area, while Ye Sangsang and the supporting forensic examiners took the body back to the station.

The work of the forensic examiners didn't end there. They still needed to confirm the condition of the body, check for signs of poisoning or abuse, determine the cause and process of death.

In the case of a young girl, they would also check for signs of sexual assault.

They hoped the investigators could find the head as quickly as possible, as it might be crucial for determining the cause of death and confirming the identity.

After the body was properly handled, Ye Sangsang removed her outer clothing.

With the heat of the day, wearing a police uniform and an outer jacket, completely covering every inch of her, was nothing short of torture.

The female police officer, an intern with a baby face but a vibrant personality, had been unable to initiate conversation due to their initial unfamiliarity.

However, after some simple exchanges at the scene, the female officer began to chat more actively.

Naturally, the topic of conversation was the case.

Ye Sangsang, listening to her muttering, inquired, "Who reported this case?"

"It was the neighborhood committee. Someone from the building complained about a pervasive stench. The neighborhood committee went door-to-door to investigate and found the source of the smell coming from apartment 502. A neighbor mentioned it was the scent of a decaying body, so the committee, fearing a possible murder, reported it to the police."

"When we arrived, we weren't entirely sure, so we called you forensic examiners in."

The female officer spoke, her eyes filled with admiration for Ye Sangsang.

The calm and composed way she handled placing the body was something she envied and knew she could never master.

Ye Sangsang contemplated for a moment. "Have you checked the identity of the people in this household?"

"Yes, we're looking into it. They said it's a family of three—a couple and their daughter—living there. They rarely leave the house, so it wasn't until things had smelled foul for days that anyone noticed anything was amiss."

The female officer had delved into this information thoroughly, questioning the neighborhood committee and the bystanders, the neighborhood uncles and aunts.

Ye Sangsang nodded and looked toward the middle-aged man beside her.

He was Fan Jingsi's mentor, with extensive experience.

With a tone of seeking advice, she asked, "Master, do you think the killer is a repeat offender?"

From Ye Sangsang's perspective, the killer's dismemberment technique, though appearing crude, seemed to follow a certain pattern.

However, she hadn't quite figured out what that pattern was.

"Let's head back. Ruminating over these details won't help," the middle-aged forensic examiner with a square face sighed.

Ye Sangsang nodded, abandoning her questioning, deciding to analyze the situation based on the autopsy results to determine if the killer was a repeat offender.

After all, any current speculation was just speculation, built on shaky ground.

The game instance of "Criminal Archives" didn't require haste; there was more to uncover ahead.