008 Locked On

The following morning.

Han Bin arrived early at the precinct, handing over the video backup to the technical team for analysis.

When he returned to the office, he found Zeng Ping having breakfast at his desk—a spread of fried dough sticks, tea eggs, tofu pudding, and pickled vegetables, a rather hearty meal.

“Captain Zeng.”

“Han Bin, want some breakfast?” Zeng Ping offered politely.

“I’ve already eaten,” Han Bin replied.

“So, how did things go yesterday with your investigation with Li Hui?” Zeng Ping asked.

“I was just about to report to you,” Han Bin said, pulling out a screenshot from the surveillance footage. “Chen Jun was at the Silver Capital Foot Massage Parlor on the night of June 17th.”

“That doesn’t serve as an alibi. The crime occurred on the night of June 18th,” Zeng Ping pointed out.

“There’s another photo—this one’s from the early hours of June 18th,” Han Bin continued.

Zeng Ping glanced at it, and realization dawned immediately. “You suspect that someone picked up Chen Jun’s genetic material and deliberately left it at the crime scene.”

“This person wearing gloves left by the back gate of Central Park at nine o’clock on the night of June 18th. Here’s a screenshot from the footage,” Han Bin added, placing another photo on the desk.

Zeng Ping lined up the three photos, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “It really is the same person. Interesting.”

“I believe the person wearing gloves is highly suspicious,” Han Bin said.

“This only points to suspicion. To make a case, we need direct evidence,” Zeng Ping replied.

“Captain, two pubic hairs were found at the crime scene. I suggest we conduct DNA testing on them,” Han Bin proposed.

“Those hairs might not belong to the suspect; they could be the victim’s. And sometimes, hair doesn’t yield usable biological material,” Zeng Ping cautioned.

“Hair is fine and hard to spot at night. Even if it falls, the suspect probably wouldn’t notice. In some ways, it’s even more reliable than DNA from other sources,” Han Bin argued.

“Alright, I’ll request it,” Zeng Ping agreed.

“You’re wise as always, Captain,” Han Bin said with a grin.

“Save the flattery,” Zeng Ping retorted, half amused. “I’m assigning you and Li Hui a task: identify the suspect with the gloves and obtain his biological sample.”

“Yes, sir.”

...

The technical team enhanced the suspect’s video to high definition, extracting a clear frontal shot, then ran it through the database. After several hours of comparison, they finally identified the suspect.

Name: Li Feifan
Ethnicity: Han
Age: 25
Height: 174 cm
Occupation: Car Salesman
Marital Status: Single
Address: Rongxin Community, 4-2003, Huagang Road, Qindao City

“Should we just summon him for questioning and get his biological sample under the pretense of routine inquiry?” Li Hui suggested.

“If we bring him to the station, he might be alerted,” Han Bin said.

“So, what do you suggest?”

“We’ll tail him and find a way to collect his biological material,” Han Bin said.

Li Hui smirked. “Didn’t know you had a thing for this.”

...

Li Feifan lived not far from the car dealership—just three bus stops away.

To avoid blowing their cover, they split up: Han Bin would follow for the first half, Li Hui for the second.

Han Bin began tailing Li Feifan near the Rongxin Community. Li Feifan was sharply dressed, his hair slicked back with such confidence that the scent of hair gel lingered even from a meter away.

At the bus stop, Li Feifan bought a pancake and a cup of soy milk.

Han Bin pretended to look at his phone, only glancing up occasionally to avoid drawing attention.

When the bus arrived, both men boarded, one after the other.

On board, Li Feifan’s gaze drifted frequently toward young women in fashionable clothes.

After three stops, Li Feifan got off, but Han Bin stayed on for another stop to avoid suspicion.

From there, Li Hui took over the tail.

Their target: the soy milk cup and straw in Li Feifan’s hand.

After getting off, Han Bin doubled back toward the dealership and met up with Li Hui.

From a distance, Han Bin spotted Li Hui smoking beside a trash bin. “How did it go?” he asked.

Li Hui grinned, holding up a plastic bag containing a cup and straw.

“Nicely done,” Han Bin said with a smile.

The two returned to the precinct and handed the cup and straw to the technical team for analysis.

With a specific target, the comparison would be much faster.

...

The following morning.

Zeng Ping returned to the office with the lab report in hand.

He clapped his hands together. “Everyone, put your work aside for a moment. Meeting time.”

“Captain Zeng, is the DNA comparison result out?” Han Bin asked.

“It’s out.”

“One of the pubic hairs yielded DNA material. After comparison, it matches Li Feifan’s DNA,” Zeng Ping announced.

“So, Li Feifan is highly suspect. He was in Central Park during the time of the crime,” Tian Li remarked.

“More importantly, he may have obtained Chen Jun’s semen, intending to frame Chen Jun and clear himself,” Han Bin said.

“Han Bin, you’ve done it again,” Zeng Ping said with a smile.

“Thanks to your support, Captain,” Han Bin replied.

“This case has dragged on too long. We must resolve it quickly, or the suspect may dispose of the evidence,” Zeng Ping urged.

“Captain, let’s request a search warrant.”

“Tian Li, go apply for both a search and arrest warrant. The rest of you, come with me to set up the operation,” Zeng Ping commanded.

“Yes, sir.”

...

Rongxin Community, Li Feifan’s home.

Li Feifan was off today, sleeping in until nine and still reluctant to leave his bed. He munched on a few biscuits and lay back, scrolling on his phone.

By noon, he decided to order takeout for lunch.

Knock, knock, knock—a sudden rapping at the door.

“Who is it?” he called.

“It’s your neighbor from downstairs. There’s a leak from your bathroom—our ceiling’s all damp,” a man’s voice replied.

“That can’t be. There’s no water in my bathroom,” Li Feifan protested.

“If you don’t believe me, come downstairs and see for yourself.”

Creak—the door opened, but before Li Feifan could say a word, several men rushed in. The leader said, “Police.”

“What are you doing in my home?” Li Feifan demanded.

“We suspect you’re involved in a rape case. Here’s the search warrant,” Han Bin stated.

“There must be some mistake,” Li Feifan said.

“We’re here to get to the bottom of this and clear your name. We hope you’ll cooperate,” Han Bin replied.

Zeng Ping gestured. “Search. Be thorough.”

“I haven’t done anything. How could I be involved in such a case?” Li Feifan insisted.

“Where were you on the night of June 18th?” Zeng Ping asked.

“It’s been so long—I can’t remember,” Li Feifan said.

“Let me jog your memory: you went to Central Park,” Zeng Ping said.

“Oh, now I remember. I did hear about a rape case in Central Park around that time,” Li Feifan said, as if recalling something. “But a lot of people go to Central Park. That doesn’t mean I’m connected to the case.”

“We found your DNA at the scene,” Zeng Ping said.

“That’s impossible!” Li Feifan exclaimed in shock.

“Don’t be too confident,” Zeng Ping said with a slight smile, saying no more.

From the current state of the case, it was clear Li Feifan had some counter-surveillance awareness. To convict him, they needed hard evidence.

A moment later, Tian Li returned. “No tools of the crime found in the master bedroom.”

Zhao Ming shook his head. “Nothing in the bathroom either.”

Li Hui added, “Kitchen’s clear too.”

Hearing this, Li Feifan smiled. “Told you—I have nothing to do with this case. I’m innocent.”

“You’re saying that a bit too soon,” Han Bin replied.