AD | Chapter 25

A team of police officers burst through the door. Everyone in the private room was startled. A figure near the entrance suddenly sprang up, trying to rush out, but was swiftly pinned against the wall by the lead officer with a dull thud.

“Nobody move! Behave yourselves!” Tao Yu raised his gun and shouted sternly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. “We received a report that people here are suspected of prostitution and drug use! Take out your ID cards!”

After a moment of panic, everyone in the private room was forced to squat against the wall.

Wang Ze slowly raised his hands, but his gaze bypassed the police officers’ shoulders and landed directly on Lu Qingfeng, who was being held down on the ground. There was not a trace of panic on his face, only a layer of confusion that appeared just right: “Officer, what are you saying? How is that possible? We are law-abiding citizens. We haven’t touched any of those things you mentioned. Isn’t there a mistake?”

Tao Yu followed his gaze and looked in his direction. He exchanged a single glance with Lu Qingfeng and knew immediately—

It was over.

His snacks for the second half of the year were gone.

“Don’t move around!” Tao Yu looked back at Wang Ze. “A mistake? We came precisely because we received a report from the public.”

Wang Ze put on an ingratiating smile: “Officer, you must have made a mistake!”

– “Take them all away! Back to the Municipal Bureau!”

The police handcuffed them all and led them out. When it was Lu Qingfeng’s turn, Tao Yu’s teeth even ached. He closed his eyes in despair in his heart.

It was over. This time, his snacks for the entire year were gone. He would definitely be skinned alive…

“Hey! Wait!”

Tao Yu suddenly called out to the officer beside him. The other man turned back, questioning look in his eyes: “What’s wrong?”

Tao Yu gritted his teeth: “Nothing. Take this suspect back too.”

He looked at Lu Qingfeng’s retreating back, and despair rose in his heart once again.

It was over. I won’t be able to eat anything until this case is closed… Sigh, what hope is there left in life…

By the time Lu Qingfeng returned to the office at the Municipal Bureau, it was nearly evening. He sat on the sofa, rubbing his sore body, and looked at Tao Yu, saying, “Your raid was timed a bit too perfectly. I almost provoked him just now.”

Tao Yu froze: “Captain Lu, do you mean I saved you?” He slapped his thigh vigorously. “Good heavens! That report letter came at such a coincidental time!”

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng’s expression changed drastically: “What? A report letter? Reporting prostitution or drug trafficking?”

“We were originally going to investigate the deceased’s social connections. But just a few minutes after you left, our bureau’s public email inbox received a report letter stating that there was prostitution and group drug use at Yongsu KTV. The address was written clearly.”

He frowned slightly: “An anonymous email?”

Tao Yu nodded. But Lu Qingfeng’s expression grew increasingly grave. The more he listened, the more he felt that something was off about today’s events. His trip to the KTV had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. He hadn’t told anyone about it. Even that informant was someone he had contacted temporarily. Lu Qingfeng really couldn’t figure out where the leak had occurred.

As the two were talking, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Lu Qingfeng looked up and saw Lin Shuyao leaning against the doorway, watching him: “Captain Lu, weren’t you investigating a case? How did you end up investigating inside a KTV?”

Although he had beautiful peach-blossom eyes, at this moment, they made Lu Qingfeng’s back run cold.

“Let me explain…” But before he could finish, Lin Shuyao interrupted him: “Why explain to me? Go explain to Director Zhang.” He tilted his head. “He’s looking for you.”

Lu Qingfeng felt somewhat awkward. He had wanted to explain further to Lin Shuyao, but seeing his demeanor, Lu Qingfeng finally swallowed his explanation and steeled himself to walk toward Director Zhang’s office.

As expected, as soon as he walked in, he heard Director Zhang’s angry shouting from inside the office: “Lu Qingfeng! Have your wings grown hard? No organization, no discipline!”

“Uh, Director Zhang, please calm down. Let me explain…” Lu Qingfeng said.

“Explain?” Director Zhang slammed the table, causing the teacups to clatter loudly. “What is there to explain? Weren’t you investigating a male corpse found in a wardrobe? What happened? Did the male corpse engage in prostitution or take drugs? Is that Yongsu KTV some place ordinary people can barge into recklessly?!”

He became more agitated as he spoke, his fingers knocking heavily on the desktop: “Do you know what kind of people are in there? Who in the bureau did you tell? Acting like a hero, bravely charging into a den of thieves? Do you think you’re particularly heroic?! If you stirred up some trouble there, the next corpse would be you!” As soon as he said this, he felt it was bad luck and spat several times.

Seeing him so angry, Lu Qingfeng actually smiled: “Director Zhang, what untouchable big shots are actually in that KTV? I was about to uncover their behind-the-scenes chain! But just at that moment, Tao Yu received an anonymous email. It was like a bucket of cold water poured down; we couldn’t grasp any clues anymore!” He spread his hands and leaned closer to Director Zhang. “Don’t you think this is all too coincidental? The technical department still hasn’t cracked the terminal that sent this anonymous email. Is this some hacker master from an American blockbuster?”

“Enough!” Director Zhang pressed his throbbing temples, his voice filled with suppressed exhaustion and anger. “Lu Qingfeng, just hearing you speak gives me a headache! What behind-the-scenes chain, what American blockbusters, what hacker masters? Can you stop this hero complex of yours! You are a police officer! Do you solve cases based on fantasies?!”

“I’m fantasizing? Can you really not see the subtle connections between these clues?” Lu Qingfeng’s chest heaved violently, anger creeping into his tone.

Director Zhang slammed his palm on the table, the loud noise interrupting Lu Qingfeng’s words: “Connections supported by evidence are called connections. Those without evidence support are called fantasies! You haven’t been a police officer for just one day! You are a detachment leader!”

Lu Qingfeng: “Evidence! In the Taining Mountain case, three consecutive victims all had a puzzle piece in their mouths. I believe you’ve already read the report! Currently, Shen Chen has admitted to murdering these three women. But Shen Chen has already been arrested. Yet this male corpse in the wardrobe also has a puzzle piece in his mouth!”

“The Taining Mountain case caused such a huge uproar! You know very well how terrible the social impact was! Criminals might be imitating the behavior. They might think it’s cool, or they might just want to confuse our police perspective. You cannot rule out these possibilities!” He slammed his hand fiercely on the table and shouted angrily.

Lu Qingfeng blurted out unconsciously: “Then why were the puzzle pieces left by Lin Wan missing? And exactly four pieces were missing!”

Director Zhang’s expression suddenly stiffened. His pupils contracted sharply, and his breathing paused for an instant: “Wh-what?”

After speaking, Lu Qingfeng realized his loss of composure. His tone gradually calmed down: “Sorry, Director Zhang. I… I got too excited… I’ll go check on the progress of the case first.”

After saying this, Lu Qingfeng turned and left his office.

Only after he left did the memories hidden in Director Zhang’s heart attack him frame by frame.

Director Zhang was originally named Zhang Yinian. At that time, he was a teacher at A University.

He finished writing on the blackboard, put down the chalk, turned around, and scanned the entire classroom with his gaze.

“So, who can answer what a criminal would do in such a situation…”

Before he could finish, Lin Wan suddenly stood up. Her book hit the edge of the desk with a dull thud. All eyes focused on her.

“Teacher Zhang,” her face was pale. “I… I don’t feel well. Can I take leave?”

Zhang Yinian looked at her, his expression helpless. He sighed: “Go ahead. Borrow notes from your classmates later.”

“Thank you, Teacher Zhang.”

After speaking, she almost immediately picked up her book, pushed the door open quickly, and left the classroom.

But after class, when he was preparing to go to the cafeteria for lunch, he passed the playground and saw her from afar holding her phone, speaking emotionally to the person on the other end, her knuckles white from gripping tightly.

“Lin Wan?”

Zhang Yinian’s voice came from behind. Lin Wan turned around abruptly, hanging up the phone in a panic.

“Didn’t you ask for leave to go home?” Zhang Yinian took two steps closer, his gaze falling on the phone she hadn’t yet put away. “Calling family?”

Lin Wan nodded frantically. She lowered her head, her expression obscure: “Uh, yes, it’s my younger brother.”

“It’s Shuyao.” Zhang Yinian smiled. “You siblings look more and more alike as you grow.”

“Yes, right. He’s already nearby. I’m going home now, Teacher Zhang.” After speaking, Lin Wan prepared to leave.

“Wait.” Zhang Yinian called out to her, his tone gentle and concerned. “You’ve missed quite a few classes recently. Other teachers have mentioned it too. I’m having dinner with your father next week. If there’s anything happening at home, you might as well tell me first?”

Her steps suddenly stopped. Panic seeped into her voice: “No, nothing, Teacher Zhang… About the missed classes, please don’t tell my father.”

Zhang Yinian looked at her awkward manner and couldn’t help but smile: “You’re just relying on the fact that all the teachers like you.” His voice was gentle but carried a hint of seriousness. “You can’t miss classes like this in the future.”

Lin Wan lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes: “Understood, Teacher Zhang. I… I will definitely pay attention.”

“Alright, go rest at home for a day.” After speaking, he waved at Lin Wan.

“Thank you, Teacher Zhang. I’m leaving now.” She responded softly, her steps still somewhat hurried as she turned away.

Later, he heard that Lin Wan was dating someone at school, and he sincerely blessed her. He still remembered the happy glow in Lin Wan’s eyes. If the rumors were true that Cao Jun inherited a large fortune and then abandoned Lin Wan, was Lin Wan’s abnormal behavior before graduation due to Cao Jun, or due to the “teacher” in the mission she was executing?

Zhang Yinian was an expert in criminal psychology, but he could never imagine under what mindset Lin Wan fell in love with the head of a terrifying gang during her mission. He had received much guidance from Lin Wan’s father and could be said to have watched Lin Wan grow up.

If it were said that Lin Wan had become a corrupt police officer, he would be the last to believe it. But Lin Wan was dead, leaving no one to testify. And the folder contained intimate, tacit anonymous emails that nailed Lin Wan to the pillar of shame.

Everything seemed illogical, yet seemingly flawless.