The dark figure rushed forward, startling Rosie.
However, Rosie was no ordinary young girl. After a brief moment of panic, she lunged forward and kicked out, directly at the dark figure.
*Pfft—*
The dark figure was kicked flying, landing on the ground and groaning in pain, clutching his chest.
Only then did everyone notice that it was a disheveled, dirt-covered middle-aged man.
He looked like a homeless person, covered in grime, and a foul odor emanated from him even from a distance.
Chen Xiao glanced at Rosie, "Little girl, you've got a heavy hand!"
Rosie's pretty face flushed. She realized she had used a bit too much force. However, she had been very tense, and the homeless man had charged at her inexplicably, causing her to be overly startled, so she hadn't controlled her strength well.
Village Chief Chen immediately cursed upon seeing the homeless man, "Li Yaba, are you looking for death! You dare harass the investigation team, don't you want to live!"
"Abba, abba abba, abba abba abba..."
The homeless man was mute, but he was clearly not born deaf and mute. It was something that had happened to him later.
Because Chen Xiao noticed that when he opened his mouth to speak, only half of his tongue remained.
"Get lost now! If you keep causing trouble, I'll kick you out of the village!"
Village Chief Chen stepped forward and kicked and shoved Li Yaba away.
Upon returning, Village Chief Chen smiled sheepishly and explained, "My apologies, everyone, for startling you. Li Yaba here isn't quite right."
As he spoke, Village Chief Chen pointed to his head, indicating that Li Yaba was a mentally unstable madman.
Rosie and Song Zijian didn't take it too seriously. After all, such mentally unwell homeless people were not uncommon, especially in rural areas. Almost every village had one.
Only Chen Xiao asked, "Village Chief Chen, do you know who Mr. Li is and how he became mute?"
Village Chief Chen's expression changed slightly, then he grinned, "How would I know? He came to our village three years ago. He usually lives in the dilapidated temple at the village entrance. People here give him food and drink, and that's how he survives. We people of Babaguan Village are kind-hearted. If it were another village, who would care for someone like him!"
As he spoke, Village Chief Chen spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the ground, making Rosie feel nauseous.
Song Zijian saw this and said, "Village Chief Chen, if there's nothing else, you can go back. We'll call you if anything comes up!"
"Alright, then. Team Leader Song, you all carry on. I'll be going back."
Village Chief Chen was not someone who lacked perception. Knowing that Song Zijian was signaling him to leave, he didn't linger.
After Village Chief Chen left, Rosie visibly relaxed.
She whispered, "I don't know why, but I feel like this Village Chief Chen is a bit strange."
Song Zijian smiled slightly, "Xixi, I've told you before, you have a germ phobia, you shouldn't be in this line of work!"
Rosie pouted, "It's not because of germ phobia, Team Leader Song, don't talk nonsense!"
With that, the three of them walked into the Chen family's courtyard.
As the evening breeze blew, Rosie hugged her arms. She felt a chilling sensation all around.
Chen Xiao walked around the courtyard and then went into the Chen family's house, but found nothing.
He checked all the Chen family's food and water sources, but still found no clues.
According to Song Zijian, all thirteen members of the Chen family had died in their sleep, in their beds.
"Chen Xiao, do you think this matter is a bit strange too?"
Song Zijian took out a cigarette and offered it to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao shook his head, indicating he didn't smoke, and then asked, "Team Leader Song, how did these thirteen members of the Chen family, who all lived together, make a living?"
After all, many young and middle-aged people in rural areas now work in the city and only return to the village during busy farming seasons.
It wasn't the New Year or any festival, nor was it a busy farming period, yet all thirteen members of the Chen family were at home, indicating they made a living in the village.
Song Zijian said, "The Chen family rented a lot of land and set up vegetable greenhouses, covering hundreds of acres. Don't underestimate them; although they are farmers, they earn quite a bit."
Chen Xiao had also noticed this. There were three cars parked in the courtyard, which was enough to show that the Chen family was well-off.
"Never mind, Chen Xiao. Since you haven't found anything, let's go back."
Song Zijian waved his hand and said.
But Chen Xiao shook his head, "Brother Song, I think that Li Yaba has a problem. Not only him, but that Village Chief Chen also has a problem."
Song Zijian laughed heartily, "Chen Xiao, you are a doctor, you are an expert in treating people, but in investigating cases, I am the expert. Although Village Chief Chen looks shifty, he should have nothing to do with this case, because the thirteen deceased members of the Chen family were his relatives within five degrees of kinship, and Village Chief Chen has no motive for murder."
"As for that Li Yaba, he's just a madman. You can find eight out of ten such people in ten villages, it's not surprising..."
Song Zijian's words clearly conveyed one meaning: I appreciate your good intentions, but you are an outsider, so your suggestions are unnecessary.
However, Chen Xiao insisted, "Team Leader Song, you just need to investigate Li Yaba. If he really came to the village from outside three years ago, as Village Chief Chen said, then I'll take back my words."
"Alright, then I'll investigate."
Seeing Chen Xiao's persistence, Team Leader Song did not refuse.
Moreover, investigating Li Yaba's background was not difficult. A phone call to the local government authorities would reveal everything.
Although he was only a team leader in the Xie Po Division, his rank was high. Even the local prefect would treat him with courtesy.
Song Zijian made a phone call, and the other end told him to wait a moment.
In less than ten minutes, the information about Li Yaba was transmitted over.
Upon seeing the information, Song Zijian's expression changed drastically. He looked at Chen Xiao in disbelief, "Chen Xiao, you are simply amazing! That Li Yaba indeed has a problem!"
It turned out that Li Yaba was not from outside, nor had he suddenly arrived in the village three years ago.
His name was Li Jianming, and he was a native of Babaguan Village.
Furthermore, he had not always been a madman or mute. Just three years ago, he had a happy family, a beautiful and virtuous wife, and a smart and clever daughter.
But it was three years ago that misfortune befell Li Jianming one after another.
First, his daughter died young from illness, and then his wife contracted a strange illness and passed away within a month.
Li Jianming also fell seriously ill due to the immense shock, and after he recovered, he became mute and a madman...