028 Adjusting Course

After working non-stop for two days and one night, Han Bin was utterly exhausted. As soon as he returned home, he collapsed into bed and slept for twelve hours straight.

The next morning, after waking up, Han Bin went downstairs to his parents' home for breakfast. Knowing how hard he'd worked these past two days, Wang Huifang prepared a hearty meal for her son. Milk, omelet, crispy sausages, lettuce, and apple—an impeccably balanced combination.

"Bin, I heard that your team is in charge of that murder case in the city village?" Han Weidong asked.

"How did you know?" Han Bin replied.

"The citywide manhunt two days ago—our station sent out men," Han Weidong said.

"You sent people to search along the Hengding Line?" Han Bin asked.

Han Weidong nodded. "Why did the manhunt stop so abruptly? Did you find new clues?"

Han Bin opened his mouth to answer but hesitated. "Comrade Han Weidong, you’re an old officer, you’ve even worked as a detective before. Don’t forget the confidentiality agreement."

"You brat, still playing games with me," Han Weidong snorted, but he didn’t press further.

After breakfast, Han Bin left home and hurried to the entrance of the residential complex. Not long after, a red QQ car emerged from the nearby underground garage, honking twice.

Han Bin opened the door and got into the passenger seat. The man in the driver’s seat was his colleague, Li Hui.

"You really are something. After all that exhaustion yesterday, you still managed to move house," Han Bin remarked.

"No choice, my lease expired. Besides, now that I have a car, moving is no trouble," Li Hui replied.

"With a car this small, can you fit all your luggage in one trip?" Han Bin teased.

"I don’t like hearing that. Small car or not, it still has room for you," Li Hui retorted.

Han Bin adjusted his seat further back, stretched his legs, and said, "That's more like it."

"Tsk tsk, you know how to enjoy yourself," Li Hui said.

"Just drive. I’ll catch a nap," Han Bin replied.

...

Once at the police station, everyone started busying themselves with their respective tasks again.

Tian Li went to investigate the pyramid scheme members.

Li Hui checked into Sun Qifeng’s circle of friends.

Zhao Ming headed to the telecom company for mobile phone information.

Han Bin stayed behind at the station, sipping tea, waiting for Sun Qifeng’s parents to arrive and identify the body.

The three spent the entire morning out in the field, returning only at noon. When they saw Han Bin leisurely waiting in the office, they couldn’t help but envy him.

Still, envy aside, there was no resentment. Han Bin’s contributions to the second team were plain for all to see. Each team member had their own role—police work was all about division of labor.

Han Bin dealt with the technical side; the others, lacking his expertise, could only run errands.

After lunch, Zeng Ping walked into the office, carrying his briefcase.

"Captain Zeng, where have you been?"

"The higher-ups are paying close attention to this case. They called me over to inquire about the investigation," Zeng Ping said, setting down his bag and adopting a serious tone. "Comrades, the revolution is not yet won. We must keep working hard and strive to solve this case in one go."

"Captain Zeng, I’m sure under your wise guidance, we’ll crack this case," Han Bin said with a smile.

"You rascal, not only are you good at solving cases, but your flattery is first-rate," Zeng Ping laughed.

"All thanks to your excellent leadership," Han Bin bantered.

"Get out of here, don’t pin that on me," Zeng Ping scolded with a laugh.

"Ha ha..."

The team burst into laughter.

Police work was heavy and tiring, but a little joking now and then brightened the atmosphere.

"Alright, enough fooling around," Zeng Ping clapped his hands. "Let’s get back to business. Report on the progress of the investigation."

"Captain Zeng, I went to the telecom company today and printed out Sun Qifeng’s call and text records. He doesn’t make many calls—no frequent contacts," Zhao Ming reported.

"Then how did Sun Qifeng communicate with his accomplice?" Tian Li asked.

"Maybe through WeChat or a Penguin account," Li Hui speculated.

"I contacted the Penguin company already. Sun Qifeng’s account hasn’t been used in ages. His WeChat is tied to his phone number, and there are no suspicious contacts," Zhao Ming replied.

"Perhaps they communicated face-to-face?" Han Bin suggested.

"Even for in-person meetings, they’d need to set a time—unless they saw each other often," Zeng Ping mused, stroking his chin. "Li Hui, how’s the investigation into Sun Qifeng’s social circle?"

"Sun Qifeng is from out of town, working here as a laborer in a grain and oil market. I visited his workplace—the boss said he’s introverted and doesn’t socialize much," Li Hui answered.

"Any colleagues matching the suspect’s profile—around thirty-five years old, about 180 centimeters tall?" Zeng Ping asked.

This was based on Han Bin’s deduction from the suspect’s footprints.

"No."

"Tian Li, any findings on your side?" Zeng Ping asked.

"I cross-checked the list of pyramid scheme members arrested alongside Sun Qifeng and pulled their physical descriptions. One matches—a thirty-five-year-old man, 181 centimeters tall. But he’s currently working down south," Tian Li reported.

"Is it possible he snuck back, committed the crime, and then left again?" Li Hui asked.

"I checked with the local police; he doesn’t have an alibi for the time of the crime," Tian Li replied.

"Han Bin, how’s your contact with the victim’s parents?" Zeng Ping asked.

"They’re on their way here now—should arrive this afternoon," Han Bin replied.

"So the investigation still hasn’t made progress," Zeng Ping sighed.

"Captain Zeng, any news from the forensic lab?"

"They’ve extracted the suspect’s DNA and sent it to the database for comparison," Zeng Ping answered.

"How long until we get results?" Zhao Ming asked.

"It’s hard to say. If the suspect has no criminal record, there may be no match," Zeng Ping shook his head.

"Frustrating," Li Hui said.

"That’s why you must hurry with the investigation and try to confirm the suspect’s identity for targeted DNA comparison," Zeng Ping urged.

"Captain Zeng, I think we should reconsider our investigative approach," Han Bin proposed.

"How so?"

"Before Sun Qifeng joined forces with the killer, they must have communicated somehow, but we haven’t found their means of contact. I suggest we trace Sun Qifeng’s movements before the crime to determine how they connected," Han Bin said.

"Good idea, Han Bin. That’s a breakthrough," Zeng Ping said after a moment’s thought.

"I’ll rearrange the tasks. Tian Li, this afternoon, go to Huilongguan Residential Complex and check the surveillance footage for Sun Qifeng’s movements days before the crime."

"Li Hui, check the workplace surveillance and see who Sun Qifeng interacted with frequently before the crime."

"Zhao Ming, conduct field visits around the complex."

"Han Bin, coordinate with Sun Qifeng’s parents for body identification."

"Understood," everyone responded.

"Any other issues?" Zeng Ping asked.

"Captain Zeng, when Sun Qifeng’s parents arrive, I’d like to ask them a few questions," Han Bin proposed.

"The victim’s parents will likely be quite emotional. Be mindful of your approach," Zeng Ping cautioned.

"Yes, sir."