"Manager, I've asked about everything I could think of. Please take a look."
Once they left the building and breathed the fresh air outside, most of that sickening smell finally faded.
Li Dahong handed the notebook to Ji Li and began reporting in a low voice.
"Tian Wenyong and his wife work in freight transport. They spend most of the year driving all over the country, and their work is very unstable.
"Tian Xiaolian used to be looked after by Tian Wenyong's younger sister, her aunt.
"But half a month ago, Tian Wenyong's sister's mother-in-law fell and was hospitalized, so Tian Xiaolian had been staying home alone ever since.
"Tian Xiaolian's body was discovered two days ago, but she would have died even earlier."
Ji Li flipped through the notebook as he listened, then said:
"So Tian Xiaolian was most likely murdered shortly after contacting Tian Wenyong."
Li Dahong nodded, listened to the recording again, and continued:
"The Tian family's background is simple. That's all there is, and none of it is particularly useful.
"As for Tian Xiaolian herself, Tian Wenyong said this first grader was a child he could be proud of.
"She was young, but gifted academically. At just seven, she took part in the city's elementary school math olympiad and won first place.
"There were even middle school students competing that time.
"You could say Tian Xiaolian came from a disadvantaged family, but she was a very gifted child."
Ji Li stopped outside No. 302, Chengxiang Port, took out his cigarette case, and flicked his lighter. He said quietly:
"A seven-year-old girl who never gave her family anything to worry about, with an exceptional talent for math olympiads.
"She was so well-behaved and clever, yet three days ago, she took nearly two thousand yuan in cash..."
Mei