National Medical Examiner

A lush pot of pothos sat by the window, its leaves plump and vibrant.

Two aged desks pushed together stood before the plant, piled with books and a bulky desktop computer bearing a faded "Haier Brothers" sticker on its back. A half-bald broom and a cracked dustpan occupied the corner.

Morning sunlight streamed in, making the pothos glow greener. Jiang Yuan entered the office, pulled out a chair, booted the computer, then poured water for himself and sprinkled some into the plant. He brushed dust off the desk just as the screen flickered to life.

Clearing his throat, he opened a novel page—Chapter 430. Time to continue.

As the newest forensic examiner in Ningtai County, Jiang Yuan cut a tall, clean-cut figure.

And he was... slightly bored.

He'd imagined himself as a white-coated hero dashing to crime scenes. Reality?

Two weeks in, he'd read a dozen novels and assisted on three cases—yet seen zero corpses. His near-retired mentor arrived exactly on time daily, never questioning Jiang Yuan's activities. Without bodies, after all, forensics was just glorified grunt work.

***

The door slammed open.

A man scanned the room, squinting at the bookish figure by the computer. "Old Wu's not here?"

"Captain Liu. My mentor's en route." Jiang Yuan glanced up.

The Second Squad leader pulled out his phone, already dialing. "Come with me. We've got a body."

Jiang Yuan rose, adrenaline and dread coiling in his gut. This was it—his career's true beginning.

Right on cue, translucent text materialized before him:

[Host detected approaching first cadaver]

[New Mission: Perform comprehensive autopsy. Assist case resolution.]

Maintaining composure, Jiang Yuan followed the captain out.

The system had appeared when he'd returned home after medical school, passing civil exams. Fifteen corpse-free days later, it finally activated. He'd nearly considered manufacturing a body himself—if not for being law-abiding.

***

Ningtai First High's east gate. A fifty-meter alley.

Officers had strung police tape around a forensics tent, blocking public view. Proper procedure.

"Xiao Jiang, handle preliminary work. Your mentor's fifteen minutes out." Captain Liu eyed the rookie warily.

Jiang Yuan nodded, setting his investigation kit and white cloth aside. He breathed deeply, steeling himself before approaching the tent.

Inside lay an obese man in red dragonfly loafers, his checkered shirt missing buttons to reveal a pale, protruding belly. No visible wounds—a mysterious death indeed.

Stepping closer, Jiang Yuan noticed the twisted neck first—then the bloody hole. Finally, the face.

"Seventeenth Uncle?!" The cry escaped before he could stop it.