Things are always unpredictable.

Just a couple of hours ago, we were talking to him.

And now he’s gone.

Although Chen Xiao and Chen Yuan had conflicts.

Old Chen had also clashed with his cousin Chen Yuan.

But when he saw Chen Yuan, lifeless and covered in blood under the stone lion, Old Chen was stunned.

Life is fragile, fragile enough to change in an instant.

Chen Xiao lightly said something to Old Chen, then walked to the front with Lin Xi.

Seeing the crowd panic but not scatter, Chen Xiao called out:

“Uncles and folks, let’s step aside and make some space. I’ve notified the county’s criminal investigation team; everyone should either go home or not linger at the gate.”

If it was just Chen Yuan crushed to death by the stone lion.

That would be considered an accident, no need to notify the police.

However, when the stone lion fell, it cracked open and out dropped a human skull.

To be precise, it was a human skull.

A human skull was inside the stone lion, which wasn’t carved from granite or marble.

Instead, it was made by pouring cement into a mold!

If it had been carved directly from granite or marble, even if it fell, the sheer weight and sturdiness wouldn’t cause it to split in two like this.

The fact that the stone lion was made from a cement mold puzzled Chen Xiao at this moment.

Yet he didn’t think more for now; it was clear this had become a criminal case.

The folks listened to Chen Xiao and backed away, then Chen Xiao approached the despondent Chen Ding.

He realized the stone lion must have been lifted then placed onto a truck to be moved.

But the operator was careless, and the rope snapped, causing the stone lion to fall from a height, landing right on Chen Yuan.

Chen Xiao sighed internally, patting Chen Ding’s shoulder, saying: “Get up now, Uncle Yuan has passed away.”

Chen Ding, dazed like a machine, turned his head and looked at Chen Xiao, saying: “How did it come to this? How?”

This was something Chen Xiao couldn’t answer.

Xiaobo’s father, also Chen Xiao’s cousin, called over some men from the family to help Chen Ding stand.

Once Chen Ding and other family members of Chen Yuan were ushered away, Lin Xi approached Chen Xiao:

“The skull’s very old, at least over ten years. Although I haven’t studied forensic science systematically, from the skull’s shape, it should be male.”

As she spoke, Lin Xi kept looking at Chen Xiao.

When the information about it being male hit, they both glanced at each other.

Neither believed it would be such a coincidence!

“Store the skull safely for now, I’ll first organize people to extract Uncle Yuan.” Chen Xiao said, and Lin Xi nodded, awaiting the criminal investigators.

Soon, Chen Xiao, along with strong men from the village, lifted the half-broken stone lion off Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan looked even more horrific than when he was crushed.

The stone lion fell at an angle, with the edge of the base striking Chen Yuan’s waist first, then the lion’s head hit his skull.

Whether crushed waist or head, Chen Yuan stood no chance of surviving.

Chen Xiao got a bedsheet to cover Chen Yuan’s body, then went over to the fracture in the stone lion.

The fracture clearly showed hollow spaces with the skull stuck in the middle.

Without doubt, the skull was placed inside when the cement was poured.

Faced with such a scenario, the instinct was to find out who poured the stone lion.

Finding that person could potentially solve the skull’s mystery.

Chen Xiao continued inspecting, tapping around the stone lion to check for more bones inside.

But after a few taps, the county police arrived.

They too were shocked by the scene upon arrival.

Lin Xi immediately went to talk to them: “Hello everyone, I’m Lin Xi from the Dongzhou City Hongshan Police Division. This is the skull that fell from inside the stone lion.”

The criminal squad leader, Li Hui, who heard Lin Xi’s name immediately became earnest: “Hello Lin Xi-commrade, I’m Li Hui, the squad leader from the county criminal division. I’ve heard of your reputation but it’s my first time seeing you.”

Li Hui finished and asked, “Did your husband Chen Xiao return this time?”

Lin Xi sneakily hummed towards Chen Xiao, who chuckled bitterly and walked over: “Hello Captain Li, I’m Chen Xiao.”

The police behind Li Hui, hearing this, all directed their gazes towards Chen Xiao.

Each of them seemed determined to memorize Chen Xiao’s appearance.

Not wanting to waste time, Chen Xiao asked directly: “Captain Li, do you have an understanding of the general situation from when the alert was called?”

Li Hui nodded slightly: “It’s said the stone lion was placed over ten years ago?”

“Yes, I checked it just now; there shouldn’t be any other bones inside the stone lion, even if there were, they’d be small ones.”

Li Hui glanced at the stone lion: “I’ve brought the team; the lion’s heavy and seems that we need an on-site operation. Since Mr. Chen is from here, could you lend a hand?”

“No problem. I’ve been managing the scene; one deceased is actually my cousin, I’ll assist you.”

Li Hui rejoiced at hearing this and promptly called someone over: “Xiao Huang, follow Mr. Chen now.”

Chen Xiao nodded in acknowledgment to Officer Huang, who immediately said: “Mr. Chen, how about we go find the deceased’s relative for a talk?”

“He should have calmed down by now; let me take you inside.”

Chen Xiao led Officer Huang inside the house, while Lin Xi stayed to inspect the fractured stone lion alongside Li Hui.

Inside, Chen Ding had already calmed considerably.

Seeing Chen Xiao and the police enter, he promptly stood up: “Chen Xiao, I don’t know whose skull that is. I asked my mom and everyone in the family, and none of them remember it.”

“Don’t worry now, Officer Huang will ask you, just answer honestly.” Chen Xiao replied.

He was a bit concerned now; surely Chen Yuan wasn’t the only one aware of the stone lion?

If that’s the case, finding the clues would be tedious?

Officer Huang took over, asking: “Approximately which year was the stone lion placed?”

“It should be 1991.”

“Specific month?”

“Around the Dragon Boat Festival in ’91.” Chen Yuan replied.

Officer Huang nodded: “Where was it purchased? Who delivered it? Who produced it?”

“I was out of town then; everything about the stone lion was managed by my father, so I don’t know where he bought it or who delivered or produced it.”

Chen Xiao and Chen Ding are cousins.

But Chen Ding isn’t young, already over forty.

In Chen Xiao’s branch, there’s an elder cousin even older, close to eighty.

This situation is common in rural areas, with Chen Yuan over sixty and Chen Ding over forty.

If Chen Yuan’s youngest, Chen Xianzu, hadn’t died, he’d also be much older than Chen Xiao. Given that Chen Xianzu was about to enter college after graduating high school.

Chen Xiao is only twenty-three now, younger than Xiaobo.

After noting Chen Ding’s information, Officer Huang continued asking.

Chen Xiao didn’t speak a word and quietly stood by thinking.

But then, he saw Old Chen at the doorstep seemingly wanting to come in.

Understanding, Chen Xiao went to Old Chen’s side and asked: “Dad, what’s up?”

Old Chen clutched his chest: “Chen Xiao, I’m nervous; what if the skull belongs to Uncle Wan De?”

Chen Xiao chuckled lightly: “Dad, how could it be? You personally saw Uncle Wan De off, didn’t you?”

“That’s what I said, but don’t forget the dream he entrusted me. He said he felt miserable, so repressed. At first, I didn’t get it, but upon seeing the stone lion, I felt suddenly that being repressed had to be like that!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep