C12 Minor Elements

Xiao Chennai continued his explanation, "Industrial mixers are typically found on construction sites or in factories. Elastic ropes, on the other hand, are far more common than mixers, though they're still not something you'd find in an average household; factories use them more frequently."

Ding Yu's eyes sparkled as he interjected, "I've reviewed Lian Peng's file. He works in a factory, so there's a good chance he's come into contact with these materials."

Sunn Limin nodded, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. "Given this information, we can't close the case just yet. I want you all to dig deeper. I'll handle the pressure from our superiors."

Despite his stoic demeanor, Xiao Chennai replied courteously, "Thank you, Director Sunn."

With a wry smile and a dismissive gesture, Sunn Limin said, "Alright, you can go now."

Once the room had emptied, Sunn Limin's expression fell, and he let out a soft sigh. Xiao Chennai was a responsible young man; perhaps he could shed light on past events.

"Captain Xiao, what's our next move? Should we bring Lian Peng back in for questioning? He seems highly suspicious. There's a saying, 'No filial sons at the bedside of a chronic illness,' and it seems fitting here," Ding Yu suggested.

The crime scene didn't suggest a break-in, making Lian Peng the prime suspect.

Hua Ning hesitated, "But it was Lian Peng who reported the crime."

If he was the murderer, why would he have the audacity to call the police? Plus, he seemed too composed to be guilty.

"How would he handle the body if he hadn't called the police?" Xiao Chennai countered. "Dismember it or stash it in a freezer?"

Either way, it would be too risky and likely to give him away.

If Lian Peng was indeed the killer, reporting the crime could be seen as a clever diversion.

If not for the soy sauce spill and the trace elements found in the lab report, they might have been misled into ruling it an accidental death.

"Even though Lian Peng might have access to industrial mixers and elastic ropes at the factory, it's highly unlikely that such a large item as a mixer would be found at the Lian family home. It's probable that Lian Peng took an elastic rope from the factory. There would be evidence of that. Let's divide into three teams. Cheng and Hua Ning, you two revisit Lian Peng. Keep it simple, just say we're gathering information, and look for a new angle to pursue."

After finishing his statement, he turned to Ding Yu. "Please organize all the case files and evidence in the office to see if we've overlooked anything. I'm heading back to the crime scene for another search."

With that, he grabbed the car keys and departed from the police station.

Hua Ning shrugged and glanced at Cheng Sheng. "Let's go find Lian Peng."

The next morning, Hua Ning arrived at the office looking stunning, causing Ding Yu to stare in awe.

Like a fairy... a fairy sister...

Cheng Sheng, with a deadpan expression, handed him a tissue. "You're drooling."

Embarrassed, Ding Yu accepted the tissue and averted his eyes.

Scanning the room, Hua Ning didn't spot Xiao Chennai and asked, "Where's the Leader? He's usually here early. Why isn't he around today?"

Ding Yu shook his head. "I got here pretty early myself and haven't seen him."

Hua Ning blinked in disbelief. "He didn't spend the whole night at that house, did he?"

As they spoke, Xiao Chennai walked in, still in yesterday's clothes, his hair tousled and dark circles under his eyes visible.

"You didn't actually stay at that house all night, did you?" Hua Ning asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.

Xiao Chennai nodded and went to his desk.

"Didn't sleep all night?" she probed further.

Was this guy an oddball, pushing himself to the limit just to solve a case?

"I caught a few hours of sleep on the couch."

"On the crime scene's couch?"

He nodded again, then inquired, "How did your meeting with Lian Peng go yesterday?"

Hua Ning felt a chill and shivered. This guy was definitely an oddball.

"No breakthroughs with Lian Peng. He's very cautious. Cheng and I talked to him for over an hour, but he wouldn't disclose anything unrelated to the case. He did receive a phone call that seemed to cheer him up. He tried to conceal it, but it was obvious to anyone."

"Keep investigating Lian Peng from that angle. And you, Ding Yu?" Xiao Chennai turned his attention to Ding Yu.

Ding Yu shook his head, a look of dejection on his face. "I haven't found anything significant. All the information checks out."

Xiao Chennai nodded, grabbed the toothbrush and facial cleanser from the table, and headed to the bathroom. He quickly returned, snatched up his car keys, and made for the door.

Hua Ning and Cheng Sheng exchanged a glance before asking, "Leader, where are you off to?"

Without breaking stride, Xiao Chennai replied, "The scene."

"Leader, we've been searching all night. We've covered every possible area. Don't go. Let's try a different angle," Hua Ning implored, concerned for him.

Ding Yu chimed in, "Exactly, Leader. This isn't the way to conduct an investigation. If you keep this up, you're going to wear yourself out."

Xiao Chennai dismissed their concerns with a wave of his hand, "You do your part, I've got mine under control."

Cheng Sheng let out a sigh, "Let it be. There's no use trying to convince him. We'll crack this case faster by focusing on our work. Hua Ning, let's move on."

At the crime scene, Xiao Chennai wielded a variety of professional equipment, meticulously scanning every nook and cranny of the house. Yet, he came up empty-handed once again.

Had he made a mistake? Was this incident truly unrelated to Lian Peng? Just a mere accident?

Lian Dongshen, while washing vegetables, had accidentally splashed water onto the floor and slipped. As he fell, he inadvertently knocked a kitchen knife off the counter, which then plunged into his body. The elderly man bled to death over the course of the night.

And then there was the soy sauce...

Xiao Chennai replayed the scenario time and again, trying to visualize how the soy sauce ended up spilled so far from the stove.

But each scenario felt forced. Under what circumstances would the old man have spilled the soy sauce in such a spot?

It made no sense, it was utterly inexplicable.

After a short while, he was back on the floor, searching for clues.

The next morning, the office was filled with lethargy. Hua Ning slumped in her chair, "We spent all of yesterday digging into Lian Peng, and aside from his myriad romantic troubles, we came up empty-handed."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Sheng offered some consolation, "Don't lose heart. Perhaps the key we're looking for is hidden among those romantic entanglements."

Hua Ning was about to respond when the office phone suddenly rang.

It was Xiao Chennai.

"I've found a clue. Everyone, come here now and bring your tools."

Xiao Chennai ended the call abruptly, unwilling to divulge any superfluous details.

Once the call was over, Ding Yu approached and inquired, "Was that the Leader? What did he say?"

"The Leader mentioned he's discovered a clue," Cheng Sheng replied. Ding Yu and he exchanged looks, both somewhat incredulous at the news.