Chapter 576: Chapter 576: A Twist in the Journey

When he said this, the expression on Qin Hui’s face subtly changed.

Evidently, Qin Hui was somewhat displeased with Lu Chuan’s blatant questioning.

The case from back then remained unsolved, with Xi Mengyao being the only survivor. Perhaps out of sympathy or guilt for not solving the case, Qin Hui had been relatively attentive to Xi Mengyao.

Though they didn’t meet often over these three years, they occasionally kept in touch.

Moreover, Lu Chuan’s blunt questioning could be considered a different form of hurt to Xi Mengyao, couldn’t it?

Yet, Qin Hui didn’t say anything. Although Lu Chuan’s questioning was overly blunt, it wasn’t inappropriate and still adhered to the inquiry procedure.

Xi Mengyao’s expression didn’t change much.

She sipped her coffee, seemingly finding it somewhat bitter, causing her to purse her lips: "I don’t recall much, just that it hurt a lot at the time..."

"It felt like a ghost was pressing on me, so heavy, just a vague dark shadow. Then it seemed to realize I was awake and knocked me out."

Xi Mengyao turned her head, lifted her long hair, and showed Lu Chuan one side of her scalp.

"The doctor said if the assailant hit harder, I might have had more than just a mild concussion."

Lu Chuan looked closely and saw the scar left on Xi Mengyao’s scalp after suturing.

"There were eight stitches at the time."

Xi Mengyao rearranged her hair, covering the scar, and with a smile, gestured the number eight to Lu Chuan.

"Teacher Xi... doesn’t seem to care much... about the injury from back then?"

Huh? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

That question...

Qin Hui suddenly looked at Lu Chuan.

That question... was a bit too much!

Xi Mengyao is the survivor of the incident, the victim of the case from that year. Lu Chuan questioning her about the actual circumstances of the case naturally wasn’t unreasonable.

Yet, even inquiries must follow certain rules. Lu Chuan questioning the details of the case was fine, but asking a victim about their feelings from back then crossed the line.

Wang Ruiqing also frowned at Lu Chuan.

He had interacted with Lu Chuan several times before.

Whether it was the last time Lu came to Qinzhou for a case, or during the fingerprint battle organized by the provincial department, he held Lu Chuan in high regard.

This was someone talented, capable, and very humble and polite.

However, now, Lu Chuan’s question to Xi Mengyao was evidently over the line.

This wasn’t just an inquiry but seemed to insinuate suspicion of Xi Mengyao being connected to the case. Otherwise, why provoke her emotions?

It’s important to know that Xi Mengyao is a victim.

She is not a suspect.

Xi Mengyao was evidently surprised by Lu Chuan’s question too.

She seemed unable to understand why Lu Chuan would ask such a question.

She instinctively turned to Qin Hui, as if seeking help or questioning why Lu Chuan approached her in this manner.

However, despite Qin Hui’s furrowed brows, he didn’t say anything.

Regardless of Lu Chuan’s status.

The main reason was Lu Chuan had indeed helped solve cases in Qinzhou City.

This favor was significant.

Qin Hui cared for Xi Mengyao, but there were no other relations between them.

Although Lu Chuan’s question was somewhat excessive, Qin Hui wasn’t about to fall out with him over it.

Nevertheless, dissatisfaction.... There’s certainly some.

Without getting a valid response from Qin Hui, Xi Mengyao knew he wasn’t willing to say anything.

She also realized that she had to answer Lu Chuan’s question.

However, what she chose to answer, well, was up to her.

She was the victim, not a suspect.

Xi Mengyao picked up her coffee, her smile slowly fading: "Officer Lu... May I choose not to answer your question?"

Not answer?

Lu Chuan shook his head, even changing the way he addressed her.

"Ms. Xi Mengyao, this question is central to our inquiry this time. I hope you’ll answer honestly."

Lu Chuan fixed his gaze on Xi Mengyao’s eyes, seemingly trying to see through her: "You... don’t seem to care much... about the injury from back then?"

Xi Mengyao’s face stiffened.

Her breathing became slightly rapid.

The innocent smile was long gone from her face, and her complexion turned slightly pale.

Bam!

Xi Mengyao slammed her coffee cup onto the table.

Then stood up quickly.

"Officer Lu! I’m very unhappy with your question. I believe you are insulting my character and trampling on my dignity."

"I was a victim, not a suspect from that year. With your line of questioning... I reserve the right to hold you accountable!"

After speaking, without waiting for Lu Chuan’s response, Xi Mengyao turned to Qin Hui and Wang Ruiqing: "Captain Qin, Teacher Wang, I have to go."

"Hey! Teacher Xi..."

Wang Ruiqing initially wanted to stop her, but she quickly stepped out of the café.

Faced with such an awkward situation, Qin Hui was indeed somewhat dissatisfied.

Wang Ruiqing felt the same.

"Officer Lu, you did go a bit too far just now."

Lu Chuan watched as Xi Mengyao quickly left through the window, indifferently touching his nose.

"Did I?"

Can’t handle just this much?

Xi Mengyao...

Heh.

While Lu Chuan was meeting with Xi Mengyao.

Tianzhou City.

Wang Song, during his investigation, discovered a major clue.

"Rewind it!"

At this moment, Wang Song was leading a team in front of a computer at a supermarket, retrieving surveillance footage from the day of the crime.

This supermarket was about 500 meters from the entrance of the victim’s neighborhood.

The camera in the corner of this supermarket could capture the situation at the neighborhood entrance through the window, though not clearly, it was still visible.

The suspect would definitely have to stalk the victim beforehand to know where they lived to commit the crime.

Hence, during the period from the hotpot conflict to the incident, the perpetrator would have scouted the neighborhood near the victim.

Since they scouted the area, there’s a possibility of leaving evidence.

Indeed, hard work paid off for those who cared.

At this supermarket, 500 meters from the neighborhood, Wang Song discovered some clues.

The computer displayed a relatively clear face.

Obese, seemingly weighing over a hundred kilograms.

Suspect number three!

Wang Song intuitively confirmed, this was suspect number three.

Moreover, before appearing at the neighborhood entrance, this person had bought cigarettes at this supermarket.

By accessing the surveillance again, Wang Song quickly found a frontal photo.

"Finally found you!"

After more than two days, with the major crimes unit working tirelessly, they finally obtained surveillance data of one of the three suspects.

The Tianzhou City extermination case had made a major breakthrough at last.

Yet, despite having only one photo, it didn’t mean they caught the person; even with just one photo, it might not suffice to identify the suspect’s identity.

However, the discovery of this clue gave much hope to the major crimes unit.

Especially for the Tianzhou City Criminal Investigation Team, after half a month with no leads, within less than two days of the arrival of the major crimes unit, one suspect was already identified.

This was beneficial for the case investigation and greatly encouraged team morale.

The case wasn’t unsolvable; it just required more clues.