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Chapter 9

He Chuan Zhou could see humility, pleading, confusion, and possibly a mix of other complex emotions in her eyes, emotions that might simply be reflections of her own judgments based on experience.

When He Xu died, He Chuan Zhou was in a similar state of extreme instability. However, at that time, He Chuan Zhou was a bit colder and more indifferent than the person in front of her now. She was thoroughly soaked in immense disappointment, wandering aimlessly at the crossroads of life, unable to muster any enthusiasm.

This state persisted throughout her long adolescence until she graduated from high school, finished college, and joined the criminal police team.

In her second year with the team, He Chuan Zhou happened to run into an elder on the street.

This person was the officer in charge of He Xu's case and later helped He Chuan Zhou handle He Xu's funeral. He had since been transferred to the city bureau for administrative work.

When he saw He Chuan Zhou, he was still very concerned and chatted with her warmly on the street.

Throughout the investigation, He Chuan Zhou never showed him much friendliness, not because she disliked him, but because there was an indelible sense of distance. So, when they met again, she only nodded politely to greet him.

He didn't mind her coldness at all. Measuring her height, he said she had grown up and then smiled with relief, "I heard from people at the city bureau that the South District Branch has an impressive new recruit, someone with keen intuition and sharp observation skills, even more astute than some experienced detectives. That must be you, right? I always said you were smart, perfect for being a police officer!"

He Chuan Zhou replied, "It's probably not that I'm smart, but that I understand human nature better."

He exaggeratedly leaned back, rubbing his chin with his right hand, and joked, "The last person who said that to me always felt like a villain."

He Chuan Zhou paused for a moment and answered him, "Because human nature is fickle."

Perhaps her serious demeanor made him stop joking, leaving only a faint smile.

He said, "I hope that whenever human nature wavers, there will be someone right to meet it. Don't go down the wrong path."

This sentence had a style very much like He Xu's, and He Chuan Zhou remembered it to this day.

There's no denying that He Xu's influence on her was profound and long-lasting.

Even though He Chuan Zhou couldn't empathize with the woman in front of her, she could understand what she was thinking.

People often describe their hardships in understated ways—because that's how life is. Words like "tired" and "used to it" are enough to extinguish most boiling emotions.

However, the human heart is an inextinguishable fire, burning hotly even when pressed low by the wind.

So, a simple question from He Chuan Zhou, "What about you?" made her defenses crumble instantly.

Perhaps, on many nights, she had questioned herself thousands of times, like carving with a knife on her heart, weighing the pendulum between death and conscience—which side was heavier?

This is a question she could never figure out. She just wanted to live, so why couldn't she be a good person?

Therefore, He Chuan Zhou neither threatened nor warned her. After she calmed down, she honestly told her that no matter who the woman was, the police could find out by checking surveillance or conducting large-scale interviews—it was only a matter of time. Everyone worked hard and hoped she could cooperate voluntarily.

For the murderer, it might even be a kind of relief. Not everyone can bear the pressure of killing someone.

The cleaner's psychological defenses were very weak, and she was not firm in every decision she made. He Chuan Zhou's rational and determined attitude could easily influence her, guiding her wavering will towards her.

"Don't be afraid," He Chuan Zhou told her. "It will pass."

·

Before dark, Brother Huang came back with a dark face.

He took off his jacket, holding it in his hand. The clothes underneath were half wet, and there were water droplets all over his hair tips. Xu Yu beside him looked even worse. Her clothes weren't wet, but she had clearly been doused with water, her originally thick long hair now clumped together.

Xu Yu shivered and reached out for help before even entering the door. A colleague saw and quickly fetched two dry towels from the break room for them.

Shao Zhixin jogged over and asked in surprise, "What happened? Did you get robbed?"

Brother Huang clicked his tongue, "Don't mention it. We ran into two thieves just as we were leaving Guangyuan Community."

Shao Zhixin angrily criticized, "That's an attack on the police! How outrageous!"

The colleague next to him chimed in, "Exactly!"

Xu Yu, with a distressed face, added, "A passerby was washing his car and got so caught up in watching that he accidentally sprayed us with water."

Everyone fell silent.

Their identity as public servants meant they couldn't stand up for their leader.

Brother Huang roughly wiped his hair, amused by everyone's expressions. He asked, "How's it going here? Any progress?"

Shao Zhixin recapped the situation with Tao Xianyong's phone. Brother Huang immediately said, "Impossible. A big boss like Tao Xianyong wouldn't have simple social relations. He must have a second phone. Ask people in his company what number he usually uses."

"We already asked. They usually use another phone account for work communication, and that account is registered under Tao Xianyong's wife's ID," Shao Zhixin said as he ran back to his desk, dug through some clutter, found a file with a blue label, and handed it to Brother Huang, "The application file is ready, but we haven't had a chance to get it signed yet."

He then recounted He Chuan Zhou's suggestion about deducing Tao Xianyong's time of death based on his food delivery orders. The body was discovered too late for the forensic team to give an accurate judgment.

Brother Huang paused his hair-drying, looked at Shao Zhixin with surprise and delight, and praised, "Not bad, Zhixin. You're getting it."

Shao Zhixin couldn't hide his smile, enjoying the praise while being humble, "No, no, it's mainly because of Captain He. By the way, Captain He said she couldn't reach you."

Brother Huang checked his phone and nodded, "Got it. I'll call her back."

Xu Yu, with a towel around her neck, shuffled over and called out softly, "Zhixin."

Shao Zhixin got goosebumps, "…Yes?"

Xu Yu said, "I'm practically like your half-sister, right? Am I usually good to you?"

Shao Zhixin nodded seriously, "Of course."

Xu Yu lowered her voice and mysteriously suggested, "Next time Captain He gives you a hint, share it with me. I want to experience that spoiler feeling too."

Shao Zhixin, both amused and exasperated, said, "Sis, you'd better go home and change clothes first."

·

Early the next morning, He Chuan Zhou drove the cleaner to the branch office for a character sketch.

Xu Yu came out to escort her to the drawing room. When Brother Huang saw He Chuan Zhou, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Didn't you say you didn't care anymore?"

He Chuan Zhou replied, " I am curious."

Brother Huang asked, "Curious about what?"

He Chuan Zhou looked down, adjusting her sleeves, and answered somewhat absentmindedly, "Curious about the truth."

Setting aside professional ties, from a purely personal perspective, He Chuan Zhou didn't really care who killed Tao Xianyong or why.

She didn't want to get close to this person or this case. First, because it was troublesome, and second, because she doubted whether she could remain completely impartial in devising an investigation plan.

She didn't like the feeling of hesitation and walking a fine line.

Brother Huang didn't press further. He patted her shoulder and changed the topic, "Based on the cleaner's testimony, Guangyuan Community is where Tao Xianyong had relation with young woman. And that woman might not have been willing initially."

He Chuan Zhou thought for a moment, weighing his words, and said, "At least at the beginning, it should have been voluntary. Later, he might have complied under threats and benefits."

He Chuan Zhou closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

Recently, she had only had very fragmented sleep, and never more than five hours a day. When she wasn't thinking, she always felt a sluggish drowsiness in her mind.

He Chuan Zhou explained, "According to the cleaner, Tao Xian Yong might have given the other party something like a soft drug similar to 'obedient water.' After taking it, it can cause amnesia and aphrodisiac effects. It's colorless and tasteless, making it hard to detect when mixed in drinks. Combined with alcohol, the victim might not even realize they've been drugged. The main component of this drug is easily metabolized by the human body, so it's hard to detect. I guess the security guard probably provided the stuff, which is why he specifically searched the room before the police arrived and was evasive when giving his statement, trying to avoid letting the police find similar items. Oh, and the security guard also told her that this stuff could be bought directly online. Maybe he blurted out the truth in a panic."

"I'll provide the clues to the anti-narcotics squad to see if they can trace their supply channels," Brother Huang said gravely, pressing the side of his aching head and cursing, "These bastards, I really want to get them."

He Chuan Zhou said, "I'll go in and take a look."

There was a problem when drawing the character portrait.

The cleaner was not good at describing the other's appearance with words and didn't remember the details of the facial features very clearly. Questions like whether the eyes were big or small, or whether they were double or single eyelids, she couldn't be sure when asked individually.

And the sketch style of the portrait looked more like a Westerner's face to her, as if something was different, but also as if nothing was different. She couldn't tell the difference.

She could only guarantee that if she saw the other person's face again, she would recognize it.

The final confirmed features were only: the other person was taller than the cleaner, so at least 1.62 meters tall. Good figure, young, about in her 20s. Long black hair over the shoulders. Plainly dressed, no makeup, at least not heavy makeup. Wearing a pair of white sneakers.

That's all she saw at that time.

Brother Huang felt dizzy, with all his old ailments flaring up in moments of extreme joy and sorrow.

Yesterday, they had carefully examined the surveillance cameras in Guangyuan Community and confirmed with a map that there was a route that could completely avoid the community's surveillance and reach Tao Xian Yong's building.

Tao Xian Yong knew this, and that woman should also know, making it very unlikely that the community's surveillance would capture her, unless the scope was expanded to check the surrounding road surveillance for the woman's tracks.

It was difficult, with a huge workload. After all, they were not even sure at what time, by what means of transportation, and from which route the woman went to Guangyuan Community.

The cleaner sat there, feeling guilty and anxious, afraid that they wouldn't believe her, and hurriedly repeated, "I'm sorry, I really can't describe it clearly, I didn't mean to."

Brother Huang comforted her, "It's okay, it's still an important breakthrough. Whatever you can remember is helpful."

The sketch artist also said, "Don't worry, we'll adjust it again, and it might just come out. Relax, and try to recall slowly."

He Chuan Zhou was about to step out when Shao Zhixin rushed in, stopping slickly at the door, and reported in a low voice, "Captain He, Brother Huang, we found the restaurant where Tao Xian Yong ordered takeout. He really did order!"

·

The hotel's name was very standard, called XX International Hotel, about 3 kilometers from Guangyuan Community.

Brother Huang and He Chuan Zhou decided to go together, with Shao Zhixin carrying a notebook, saying he wanted to follow and learn.

When the three of them arrived at the restaurant, it was not yet mealtime, so it wasn't too busy. He Chuan Zhou called the manager to inquire, and as soon as the name was mentioned, the manager recognized Tao Xian Yong.

The hotel manager led them to a rest area in the corner of the lobby and told them, "Most of us who have worked here for a while know Mr. Tao. Our hotel normally doesn't deliver takeout, but since Mr. Tao is a regular and gives extra service fees, we agreed. Sometimes he doesn't want to come over to eat, so he calls us to deliver."

He Chuan Zhou asked, "What time did you deliver the meal that day?"

"Well..." The hotel manager hesitated, "I really can't remember. It was about a week ago. I just remember it was the 18th."

He Chuan Zhou asked, "How many meals did Tao Xian Yong order from you?"

The manager said, "This time it was just lunch."

"Was the delivery done by your hotel staff?"

"Yes, it was one of our waiters. I've already notified him to come over."

They hadn't been sitting on the sofa for long when a young man in uniform came over. He looked around and stood nervously next to the manager.

Brother Huang smiled at him and asked kindly, "Do you remember the time you delivered takeout to Tao Xian Yong that day?"

"Ah?" The young man looked up, thinking, "I...”

He was about to say he couldn't remember, but then he recalled something, changed his tone, and replied, "I left around 12 o'clock. I took out my phone to navigate at the entrance, and an app notification popped up. I had it set to remind me at noon."

Brother Huang nodded, "And then?"

The young man recalled, "I hadn't been to Guangyuan Community before, and the landscaping there is complicated. I almost got lost, and the security guard stopped me for a while. By the time I got to Mr. Tao's door, it must have been after 12:30. I don't have a more precise memory, but the margin of error shouldn't be more than half an hour."

He Chuan Zhou asked calmly, "When Tao Xian Yong opened the door, did you see what was happening inside?"

The young man said, "No. Mr. Tao didn't open the door for me; he just told me to leave the food at the door."

He Chuan Zhou and Brother Huang exchanged glances, each feeling a bit suspicious.

He Chuan Zhou beckoned him closer, "Could you please describe the situation in detail?"

The young man raised his hand, gesturing as he spoke, "I got to the door, knocked, and someone inside asked, 'Who is it?' I said, 'Mr. Tao, I'm from the hotel with your delivery.' He told me to leave it at the door, so I left."

Brother Huang asked in surprise, "Was it a man's voice?"

The young man was also surprised, "Yes! Mr. Tao is definitely a man."

He Chuan Zhou asked, "Did he come out to get the food while you were waiting for the elevator?"

The young man turned to her, "No."

He Chuan Zhou frowned slightly, "Are you sure it was Tao Xian Yong speaking to you?"

The young man hesitated and then shook his head, "I didn't clearly hear his voice. I don't have a strong impression of Mr. Tao's voice. But now that you ask... it did sound more like a young person's voice. Ah, forget it, I'm not sure."

The manager scolded, "If you're not sure, why are you saying anything?"

The young man wanted to speak but held back, looking frustrated as he closed his mouth.

He Chuan Zhou stood up, "No worries, it's important information. Thank you both for your cooperation today."

The three left the hotel in a hurry. Once in the car and on the main road, Brother Huang said, "If there were no surprises, Tao Xian Yong was already dead when the delivery arrived."

He Chuan Zhou, arms crossed, leaned against the car door, her gaze on the rapidly receding scenery outside, and responded thoughtfully, "Hmm."

Brother Huang tapped his fingers quickly on the steering wheel, maintaining a calm tone as he analyzed, "So, Tao Xian Yong was actually killed shortly after Zhou Tuo Xing left, between 11:30 and 12:30. The killer was cleaning the scene at that time, which is why there was no sign of the takeout in the house."

Shao Zhixin nodded repeatedly in the back seat. When no one in the car spoke, he grabbed the back of the front seat with one hand, poking his head through the gap in the middle, and asked, "So where did the takeout go?"

If Brother Huang weren't driving, he would have turned around to look at him more. This kid's ability to focus on the key points really made him feel like having a heart attack.

He responded loudly, making Shao Zhixin feel as if he were being yelled at with his ear twisted: "It might have been taken away by the floor cleaner, or the killer could have taken it. After cleaning up the scene and wiping away all the footprints, and even handling the corpse to blur the police's judgment of the time of death, would he still carry the untouched takeout back in?!"

Shao Zhixin: "..."

He mumbled a defense, "I just thought every detail is important. There might be some secret I haven't figured out behind it."

Brother Huang, steering the wheel, glanced back quickly while turning and said, "Put your head out a bit more."

Shao Zhixin didn't dare move. His intuition was still sharp; he shrank back and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

Brother Huang, half annoyed and half amused, said, "Captain He, come on, help me hit him. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable."

Shao Zhixin cried out in grievance, "Brother Huang!"

He Chuan Zhou didn't join in their banter. She changed her posture, resting her right hand on the car window, supporting her chin, and said to herself, "So, we still have these two questions. One, why did they kill Tao Xian Yong? Two, how did they get the key to the apartment in Guangyuan Community? Didn't they say only the cleaner, Tao Xian Yong, and the woman who might have had a close relationship with Tao Xian Yong had it?"

Brother Huang pursed his lips, thinking about the question without immediately responding.

Shao Zhixin, risking being hit, followed up on He Chuan Zhou's words, "Hire...a hitman?"

It's not entirely impossible, but there were logical inconsistencies.

Brother Huang took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "If the crime time can be pinpointed to within an hour, then even if we have to go through all the surveillance footage of the streets near Guangyuan Community, we can catch this person."

Though the words sounded bold, Shao Zhixin's eyes momentarily looked empty.

... Help. Please, no?