National Medical Examiner

The corpse didn't answer Jiang Yuan, but that didn't hinder his judgment.

Uncle Seventeen was a distant cousin of his father. They rarely met except during holidays, but his unmistakable physique left Jiang Yuan certain he hadn't mistaken the identity. For a moment, Jiang Yuan's emotions churned.

He suddenly recalled his father's words urging him to return home for the civil service exam: "Our hometown is filled with relatives and acquaintances. Everything's easier here. It's far better than struggling in the big city."

Turns out, his father was right. Even as a forensic doctor, he couldn't escape encountering the corpse of a familiar face.

...

Soon after, veteran forensic examiner Wu Jun arrived at the scene.

Clad in a white lab coat with a slight paunch, he resembled a retired office bureaucrat. Squinting at the surroundings, he glanced up at Jiang Yuan and smiled. "Xiao Jiang beat me here. Fetch the investigation kit?"

"Already brought it." Eagerly, Jiang Yuan lugged over a hefty black case from the forensic van, its weight signaling professional-grade contents.

Opening it revealed orderly tools clipped to the lid: forceps, tweezers, bone saws, chisels, mallets, shears. The lower compartment lay chaotic—cotton balls, gauze, syringes, measuring tapes, a stainless steel lunchbox, towels...

"Grab extra masks. One for each person." Wu secured his own mask before watching Jiang Yuan distribute them to officers. Then came a test-like question: "Know why masking up comes first?"

"Protection. And preventing contamination," Jiang Yuan recited.

"Textbook answers." Wu layered a third glove over his already double-gloved hand. "The real reason? To hide expressions."

Jiang Yuan blinked.

"Cops, forensic docs—we see corpses daily. But some folks, especially rookies..." Wu tapped his masked face. "Lose control mid-conversation. A single smirk caught on camera? Disaster. That's why my kit's always stuffed with masks. Everyone masks up before speaking."

Jiang Yuan nodded in realization.

Wu finally crouched to examine the scene. Mimicking him, Jiang Yuan added two more gloves before murmuring, "Sir... I know this victim."

"Oh?" Wu paused his position analysis.

"My seventeenth uncle." Jiang Yuan exhaled.

Two beats of silence. "Certain?"

"Double chin, large belly, prominent nose with that mole... It's him." Jiang Yuan gestured conservatively.

"Condolences. Tell me about him." Wu lowered his gaze. "Thermometer."

Jiang Yuan averted his gaze, retrieving a thermometer from the forensic kit for Wu Jun. "My seventeenth uncle should be fifty this year," he continued. "Youngest son of my second grandfather. Born in the Year of the Pig. His family moved to the County No.1 High School staff housing years ago. Runs a small restaurant nearby. Owns a car. Heavy smoker. Has some debt disputes..."

Wu Jun listened while conducting examinations, directing Jiang Yuan to record findings. He then requested puncture needles and syringes, drawing blood and urine samples for preservation.

Soon after, the Criminal Police Brigade Commander arrived, followed in quick succession by the county bureau's deputy director overseeing criminal investigations and the bureau chief himself.

"Any preliminary findings from forensics?" The chief's inquiry drew the attention of his entourage - the deputy director, Criminal Brigade Commander Huang Qiangmin, and several mid-level commanders including Captain Liu.

Homicide cases commanded unparalleled priority in criminal investigations, particularly fresh ones. The administrative resources allocated dwarfed ordinary cases by orders of magnitude.

While murder rates had declined in recent years, police prioritization had inversely intensified.

Wu Jun rose unhurriedly, adjusting his posture. "Primary cause of death appears to be craniocerebral trauma from a bladed weapon inserted through the posterior cervical region. No other wounds detected thus far. Full autopsy required for confirmation."

The bureau chief nodded grimly, surveying the scene.

"Evidence of corpse relocation," Wu Jun continued. "Minimal ground bloodstains suggest this is a secondary disposal site..."

"Likely impulsive killing followed by body dumping," Commander Huang interjected as Wu Jun concluded.

The chief's slow nod encompassed forensic technicians photographing and collecting trace evidence. "Victim identification progress?"

"Male, fifty years old. Year of the Pig." Wu Jun maintained his professional monotone.

All eyes refocused on the medical examiner.

Wu Jun met their gazes calmly. "Resided in No.1 High staff housing. Operated a small restaurant. Vehicle owner. Heavy smoker. Outstanding debt conflicts."

Captain Liu straightened from examining the wound, astonishment etching his features. "Lao Wu! Since when did you turn psychic? A regular Sherlock Holmes! The restaurant from grease stains? Smoking habit from nicotine? But debt disputes - how?"

The medical examiner merely smiled, savoring the moment.