The Case of Love

Chapter 1 Suicide?

The Beijing Public Security Bureau, with its dignified police badge and stately office building, inspires awe.

In the Criminal Investigation Brigade office, Captain Zhou Yifeng and criminal police officers Su Xiaohan, Li Zhisong, Ma Nan, and Zhu Xiaofeng were sitting around the conference table and having a heated discussion.

"Boss, Guo Zhigang is the director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery and has a bright future. Why would he commit suicide?"

"Yes, I thought so too. He had no reason to commit suicide!"

"He had no reason to commit suicide, but judging by the situation at the scene, he did commit suicide!"

The night before, Song Lin, the wife of Guo Zhigang, director of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Beijing Central Hospital, sought help from the police, saying that her husband had been out of contact for a day, his phone was turned off, and his colleagues at the hospital had not seen him that day. Guo Zhigang was in poor health, and Song Lin was worried that something had happened to him.

Early in the morning, a local, Mr. Liu, reported that he found a dead man at the foot of a mountain while taking a walk in the forest park. After they arrived at the scene, they confirmed that the deceased was the missing Guo Zhigang. The forensic doctor initially determined that Guo Zhigang died of an overdose of tranquilizers, but the results of the subsequent autopsy are pending.

Su Xiaohan had just started working and this was her first time at the scene. Fortunately, the deceased Guo Zhigang had a peaceful face, as if he was asleep, and did not cause her any discomfort. Although it seemed from the scene that Guo Zhigang committed suicide, they all suspected that there was something hidden, but there was no evidence yet.

"Boss, the results are out. Forensic Doctor Sun said that Guo Zhigang died of an overdose of Valium. There were no other fatal injuries on his body. It is basically certain that it was suicide." While several people were discussing, Xu Jungang came back from Forensic Doctor Sun's office and reported the autopsy results to Zhou Yifeng.

"Could it be that someone put Valium in what he drank?" Ma Nan looked at everyone.

With the autopsy results of forensic doctor Sun, Zhou Yifeng began to assign tasks. They were divided into two groups. He, Su Xiaohan and Zhu Xiaofeng went to the hospital to talk to Guo Zhigang's colleagues; Li Zhisong, Ma Nan and Xu Jungang went to Song Lin to find out the details of Guo Zhigang.

The cardiac surgery department where Guo Zhigang worked before his death was on the fifth floor. When they arrived at the office, there was only a young female doctor there.

"From the scene, the Forest Park is the first crime scene. Who would drug him there?" Li Zhisong said with certainty.

Ma Nan nodded, agreeing with his analysis.

"He became the director of cardiac surgery at such a young age and had a bright future. Why did he commit suicide? Was he depressed?" Su Xiaohan had doubts when she thought of the cases of suicide due to depression that she had encountered before.

An hour later, the car stopped in front of Beijing Central Hospital.

When the female doctor heard from them the news that Guo Zhigang had committed suicide, she was shocked at first and then began to cry.

"According to his wife Song Lin, he is mentally normal," Zhou Yifeng responded.

After leaving the office building, they split up. Zhu Xiaofeng drove the car for Zhou Yifeng's group, Zhou Yifeng sat in the passenger seat, and Su Xiaohan sat in the back seat conscientiously.

"Police comrade, Teacher Guo is usually very optimistic and doesn't look like someone who would commit suicide." The female doctor took out a tissue and said while wiping her tears.

"Has Dr. Guo ever had any disagreements or conflicts with anyone?" Zhu Xiaofeng asked.

The female doctor thought for a moment and said without hesitation, "As far as I know, no. Teacher Guo is an expert in cardiac surgery. He is very kind to us interns, other doctors, and patients. Look, there are banners on that wall that patients gave to Teacher Guo."

Following the direction she pointed, Zhou Yifeng walked over. Banners with words like "Excellent medical skills, noble medical ethics" showed Guo Zhigang's success as a doctor. Su Xiaohan followed Zhou Yifeng and also went to see the banners. She was thinking, judging from the current situation, an optimistic, friendly and successful doctor has no reason to commit suicide, so what is the truth behind this?
Su Xiaohan walked over to the female doctor and sat down, saying softly, "Doctor, think about it again. Has Dr. Guo shown any abnormalities recently? For example, emotionally or physically."

"Abnormal?" The female doctor fiddled with the pen in her hand while thinking. After a while, she slowly raised her head and said uncertainly, "If you must say abnormal, Teacher Guo's health seems to be worse than before. I have only been in cardiac surgery for a few months, and I heard from my colleagues that Teacher Guo was in very good health before."

"As far as you know, has Guo Zhigang taken any medicine?" Su Xiaohan asked.

The female doctor shook her head. "I really didn't notice that. By the way, police comrade, you can ask our Director Xu. He might know. He has an operation this morning and will be back soon after the operation."

"Okay, thank you, we'll wait a moment." Su Xiaohan thanked with a smile.

"Doctor, if you have something to do, just go ahead and do it! If you think of anything, you can tell us at any time." Zhou Yifeng smiled at the female doctor.

It was the first time Su Xiaohan saw him smile. Although the smile was faint, it was very warm.

While the three of them were waiting, Zhou Yifeng's cell phone rang. He looked down and saw that it was Ma Nan calling.

On the other end of the phone, Ma Nan's voice was somewhat excited: "Boss, there is progress! Guo Zhigang's wife showed us his latest physical examination report. According to her, Guo Zhigang was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome a year ago. The most recent examination showed that in addition to Cushing's syndrome, he also had avascular necrosis of the femoral head and cataracts in his left eye. In the past year, he has hardly performed surgery on any patients."

Before Ma Nan finished speaking, Zhou Yifeng already had an idea. The investigation into the cause of Guo Zhigang's suicide could start with his illness.

"Xiaohan, go check what Cushing's syndrome is?" After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yifeng instructed Su Xiaohan.

"Comrade police officer, I know and I can answer this!" said the female doctor not far away.

Zhou Yifeng smiled again and motioned for her to continue.

The female doctor responded quickly: "Cushing's syndrome is a clinical syndrome caused by long-term excessive secretion of glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex due to various reasons. It is also called endogenous Cushing's syndrome. The main manifestations are full moon face, sanguineous appearance, centripetal obesity, acne, purple lines, hypertension, secondary diabetes and osteoporosis..."

"What causes this disease?" Zhou Yifeng interrupted her and asked.

"Long-term use of high-dose glucocorticoids or long-term alcoholism can cause clinical manifestations similar to Cushing's syndrome," the female doctor replied.

"Will patients suffer a lot from this disease? Or in other words, what symptoms will patients have?" Zhou Yifeng continued to ask.

"Patients with Cushing's syndrome may experience mental abnormalities. For example, they may be irritable, restless, or even depressed. Some patients may also have sleep disorders. Once patients become depressed, they may also have thinking disorders on the basis of depression. For example, some patients may experience delusions or paranoia." The female doctor explained in detail.

When she mentioned "depression", Su Xiaohan thought of the suicide cases of patients with depression. If Guo Zhigang had Cushing's syndrome, he was very likely depressed, so it is not ruled out that his suicide was caused by depression.

While they were talking, footsteps were heard outside the door, and it sounded like several people were walking towards them together.

　This is my first suspenseful romance novel. I like it very much and hope you like it too!
　　(End of this chapter)