By the window sat a pot of lush pothos, its leaves broad and vibrant.

In front of the pothos were two old desks pushed together. The surface was cluttered with books and an old-fashioned desktop computer, its back adorned with a sticker of the Haier Brothers.

In the corner of the desk lay a half-bald broom and a dustpan with a crack running down its middle.

The morning sunlight streamed in brightly, making the pothos look even more verdant.

Jiang Yuan arrived at the office, pulled out his chair, and sat down. He turned on the computer, and while waiting for it to boot up, he poured himself a glass of water, giving some to the pothos as well.

He dusted off the desk with a couple of quick pats, and by the time he finished tidying, the computer was ready.

Clearing his throat out of habit, he opened a webpage where he'd left off on a novel. Chapter 430 yesterday—today, he could keep going.

Jiang Yuan was Ningtai County's newest forensic pathologist.

Tall and well-built, with a clean-cut appearance.

And a bit too idle.

In his mind, a forensic pathologist wore a white coat, diving headfirst into high-profile cases, rushing to wherever the action was.

In reality...

It had been half a month since Jiang Yuan reported for duty. He had plowed through a dozen novels and assisted on three or four cases but hadn't yet laid eyes on a single corpse.

He resumed his reading, noting that the forensic office was occupied by just him and his mentor, who was nearing retirement. The old man often strolled in right on time, barely sparing a glance at what Jiang Yuan was up to. Without corpses, a forensic pathologist was basically just a glorified assistant.

…

"Bang!" The door slammed open.

The newcomer scanned the office, his eyes landing on Jiang Yuan, who sat neatly behind the desk. "Where's Old Wu?"

"Captain Liu. My mentor's probably still on his way," Jiang Yuan responded, glancing up briefly.

Captain Liu was the head of the second squad in the county's criminal investigation unit. He quickly surveyed the small office before pulling out his phone. While dialing, he barked, "You're coming with me. We've got a body!"

Jiang Yuan stood up, equal parts thrilled and unnerved.

Finally, his career was about to begin.

And right at that moment, a screen popped up before his eyes:

"A body has been detected. Task unlocked: Perform a thorough autopsy and assist in solving the case."

Jiang Yuan feigned calmness as he followed Captain Liu out the door.

Yes, he had a forensic system. Ever since graduating from medical school and passing the civil service exam to return to his hometown of Ningtai County, the system had been with him.

However, after half a month on the job with no activity, the system had insisted on waiting for a body. The delay had been maddening.

Had Jiang Yuan not been a law-abiding citizen, he might've been tempted to make one himself.

The scene was fifty meters from the east gate of Ningtai County No. 1 High School, at the mouth of a narrow alley.

The officers who arrived earlier had already set up a cordon and pitched a tent over the area, blocking the scene from public view. Everything looked properly professional.

"Xiao Jiang, start with some preliminary work. Your mentor should be here in fifteen minutes," Captain Liu instructed, still a bit wary of Jiang Yuan, and gave him a reminder.

Jiang Yuan nodded, placing his investigation kit and a white cloth in the corner. He took a couple of steadying breaths before turning his gaze toward the tent.

Inside lay a man—obese, with a thick belly. He was wearing a pair of Red Dragonfly shoes, and a few buttons on his plaid shirt had popped off, exposing his pale stomach.

There wasn't a single visible wound on him. And yet, here he was, dead. Truly a mysterious case.

As Jiang Yuan stepped closer, he noticed something at last. The man's neck was twisted at an odd angle, revealing a gory, mangled hole. And then, he saw the face—one that was unsettlingly familiar.

Jiang Yuan couldn't help but cry out in shock, "Uncle Seventeen?!"