"How is that possible? Did the killer move the body? We were away from the lakeside for a while. We had already called the police, but Song Hexu was too scared to stay by the lake, so he ran to a nearby police station. We went to report it ourselves. Later, when the police arrived at the lakeside, they told us they found no body. We were all puzzled at the time, even doubting if we had seen wrong. But seeing the call records on the phone, we had indeed arranged to meet Xiao Li earlier! And that fat woman too."
As Han Xinghuo spoke, I watched his eyes the entire time. He Qing had once told me that a person's eyes are different when they are lying versus when they have seen something terrifying. I could tell that Han Xinghuo wasn't lying; he had genuinely seen the scene that appeared in the video.
I asked a few more questions, but Han Xinghuo's answers were all as I expected, so I didn't press further. Then I found Liu Yuning. She had also finished questioning Song Hexu. I asked her how it was going, and she whispered a few words to me, the general meaning of which was the same: she believed Song Hexu had truly seen those scenes.
I had originally thought Yuning might have a different opinion. It seemed our opinions were becoming more and more aligned.
However, we couldn't jump to conclusions just yet. When Li Zhiliang arrived, I had him arrange for both of them to undergo psychological counseling. Song Hexu was a bit resistant at first, asking why we were finding a psychologist and if we suspected them of having mental issues. I said seriously, "Don't worry, this is just to investigate the case; it's not directly related to you."
Song Hexu and Han Xinghuo left with Li Zhiliang. For now, apart from analyzing the evidence collected at the scene, we had no other crucial tasks. But since we were back in Fuming City, I definitely had to meet with Director Huang. The Crime Punishment Squad members had also arrived.
We were at the Four Seasons Hotel in Fuming City. I hadn't been here in years. We booked a private room and started to eat. But after only a few bites, Director Huang said, "Regarding this case, after your investigation, He Sheng, what do you think is the most likely scenario?"
"It's hard to say yet. My feeling is that what the witnesses said is true, but what about the bodies? If three people really died, how did the killer transport the bodies? There were no traces of the killer leaving the scene. This is very odd. After all, bodies can't just disappear into thin air, right?"
As I spoke, He Xin said, "Could it be that Han Xinghuo and Song Hexu are the killers? We know there have been cases where the报案人 (reporter/witness) was actually the suspect."
"Actually, I've thought of that. Given their height and weight, if they cooperated, it's entirely possible. But based on their micro-expressions, it doesn't seem likely."
"It's your micro-expressions again. They've been inaccurate before. We can't solve every case based on this. This time, it's finally your judgment that's mistaken." Liu Yuning surprisingly argued with me. Perhaps she had considered it for a long time and felt my idea was not feasible. She wanted to start anew and investigate in her own way.
Director Huang, hearing our discussion, quickly advised, "Yuning, aren't you married now? It's normal for couples to disagree sometimes. This way, you can investigate from multiple angles, and you won't all fall into the same trap."
"Yes, Director Huang," Liu Yuning and I replied, just as we did when we worked in Fuming City before.
Director Huang seemed a bit embarrassed. "Haha, He Sheng, Yuning, you don't need to talk to me like that anymore. If people outside knew, they'd think I was being an old man trying to assert authority."
"It doesn't matter what people outside say. No matter what position or rank you hold, you are always the Director Huang in our hearts!"
You are always the Director Huang in our hearts!
This sentence immediately made him beam with joy. He let out a hearty laugh, just like in the past. "Good! How many young people today are like you, able to remain true to their original aspirations, without class distinctions? Excellent! Seeing our great criminal investigation cause develop brilliantly, with you all here, even when I retire, I can rest assured, knowing I can hand it over to you. I truly hope you'll return to Fuming City then..."
We certainly understood Director Huang's thoughts. After all, this was our hometown, and the Siheyuan was also here. I said, "When that day comes, we will definitely return to our hometown and continue to develop the criminal investigation事业 (cause/undertaking)."
"En, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. Eat more. This case, we must solve it. We can't let your 100% case-solving rate have a crack."
"Hehe, don't worry, I understand this better than you. Director Huang, have some snake wine to replenish your body!"
"I'll skip that for now. This case is too tricky lately; no one dares to be careless."
We talked and ate together. This dinner was truly interesting. Everyone was reminiscing about their days in Fuming City. After the meal, everyone naturally had to go their separate ways. However, this time, instead of going to a hotel, we went directly to my Siheyuan.
I had plenty of auxiliary rooms. Since my grandfather no longer lived here, there was even more space available.
Late at night, Liu Yuning looked at me playfully and said, "We haven't done that in so long, can you hold it in?"
"What do you want?" I deliberately looked at her with a feigned innocent expression.
Unexpectedly, she directly took off her stockings and put them around my neck. "Stop pretending. I just finished, and I'm feeling uncomfortable!"
"Then I'll let you experience the pleasures of the human world!"
"Bad boy, go easy!" Liu Yuning said tenderly, rubbing my nose with her calloused fingertips. Then we immediately entered "tumultuous times," the process omitted for 500 characters...
The next day, Li Zhiliang called me. "Officer He, I conducted hypnosis on the two individuals. I found them to be normal in all aspects. It's estimated they don't have mental problems, so what they saw should be real, unless they are both lying together."
"Is that so? If they were both lying, it would be truly unimaginable."
"I'm not sure of the specifics. According to my guess, the reason they would lie together is probably to cover for someone."
A casual remark from Li Zhiliang suddenly struck my mind like lightning. Covering for someone? Who were they covering for? The identities of the wealthy woman and her husband at the scene were confirmed, along with that male college student. Could the killer be that male college student who jumped into the lake, Xiao Li? Perhaps he wasn't dead after all?