C16 Science Class

Upon observing the individuals from Unit 9, it was clear that each possessed their own merits. It would be quite an accomplishment if they could truly unravel the mystery at hand...

"Firstly, the murder weapon in the Lian Dongsheng case was a kitchen knife. When we recreated the crime scene, we noticed that the knife had been placed with the blade facing upwards. Typically, for safety reasons, no one would store a knife in that manner. Even though Lian Dongsheng suffered from dementia, his ingrained habits wouldn't have changed," Xiao Chennai explained, pausing briefly before presenting a previous lab report to Wang Shengdong. "At the crime scene, we discovered a puddle of soy sauce mixed with the blood. After several reenactments and analyzing the lab report, we concluded that the soy sauce wasn't spilled accidentally; it was deliberately dripped onto the floor in small amounts over time. Additionally, we detected trace amounts of the element HIP2 in the blood, which was also present in the soil at the scene."

Xiao Chennai then fell silent.

"The two anomalies you've pointed out don't suffice as evidence of murder. Regarding the knife's placement, you've admitted that it's unusual. But what if Lian Dongsheng was the exception? As for the soy sauce and trace element HIP2, it's quite normal to find soy sauce in a kitchen. And it wouldn't be odd for Lian Peng to bring an elastic rope home from work," Wang Shengdong countered, after which a heavy silence enveloped the room.

Hua Ning bit her lip, her heart heavy with discomfort. Was it possible that this case would conclude as a suicide?

Just then, the office door swung open, and Cheng Sheng, who hadn't been in the meeting, entered, accompanied by a stunning woman. She was dressed in a light blue bodycon dress paired with matching high heels, radiating beauty and charm.

Upon seeing the woman, Hua Ning tensed up. She straightened her posture and instinctively pursed her lips. She would not tolerate another woman outshining her in her own domain.

The woman was not only beautiful but also conducted herself with grace. With a slight bow, she greeted everyone before introducing herself, "Hello everyone, my name is Chen Chen, and I am a university chemistry professor."

Cheng Sheng and Xiao Chennai exchanged a glance before making their way to Ding Yu's side and taking a seat.

Ding Yu's eyes lit up at the sight of the beautiful woman. He leaned in and whispered to Cheng Sheng, "Cheng, who is she?"

Cheng Sheng, maintaining his composure, whispered back, "Not now, don't talk."

Feeling sheepish, Ding Yu clammed up and turned his attention back to the beautiful chemistry teacher.

She gracefully approached the end of the conference table, offering a slight smile. "Today, I've been invited to discuss the microelement HIP2 with you all. This substance is quite common in the field of chemistry, yet it possesses some intriguing properties."

Wang Shengdong glanced over at Xiao Chennai, noting that he wasn't looking back at him but was instead intently focused on the chemistry teacher.

He let out a wry smile and shook his head, fully aware that Xiao Chennai had arranged this lesson specifically for him.

He couldn't help but admire Xiao Chennai's boldness; the man was both brave and strategic.

"The carriers for this substance include large industrial equipment, but one of the most common is the elastic rope. While it may seem ordinary, the elastic rope is actually a crucial piece of production equipment."

Unable to contain his curiosity, Ding Yu blurted out, "Production equipment?"

With a confident smile, Chen Chen responded, "Yes, the elastic rope is a piece of production equipment," as if she were truly in the midst of teaching a class.

Ding Yu was instantly captivated by her intelligence, poise, good looks, and figure...

She was the epitome of every man's dream woman, making Hua Ning seem quite ordinary by comparison.

"There's a type of elastic rope that's only 0.002 millimeters thick and transparent. Despite its thinness, it's incredibly durable; you can't tear it even if you tried. But once exposed to the air, it will gradually dissolve after just two hours."

Chen Chen's voice was soothing, transforming what could have been a dry lesson into something everyone listened to with rapt attention.

Even Hua Ning, who had initially seen her as a potential adversary, was now attentively absorbing every word of her lecture.

"In industrial applications, elastic ropes are often used for timing control. For instance, in a factory, they might be used on machines that calculate the time needed to manufacture parts. Simply affix the elastic rope, and after two hours, once it dissolves, the parts are usually ready. It's a remarkably efficient and labor-saving tool, which is why elastic ropes are so popular in factories."

Upon hearing this, Hua Ning's eyes sparkled with sudden insight, as though an idea had struck her.

Before she could speak, Xiao Chennai, who was next to her, inquired, "May I ask what kind of reaction would occur if this elastic rope came into contact with soy sauce?"

Xiao Chennai had voiced the very question Hua Ning was about to ask.

She regarded Xiao Chennai with approval. True to his role as the Leader, he was on the same wavelength as her.

Chen Chen nodded, "Indeed, a peculiar reaction occurs when the elastic rope meets soy sauce. The trace element hip2 contains iron, which reacts with soy sauce to create a new substance. This new substance acts like the adhesives we're familiar with, like 101 or 502, firmly bonding it in place."

"Firmly bonding it in place?" Wang Shengdong echoed thoughtfully.

Silence ensued for a moment, yet Chen Chen remained composed, standing with ease.

Realizing the questions had ceased, Xiao Chennai rose to his feet, "Ms. Chen, sorry to trouble you with this visit."

Chen Chen smiled, understanding his implication, "No trouble at all. If there are no further questions, I'll head back now. I have other students awaiting my class."

While speaking, she gave Xiao Chennai a playful wink. Regrettably, Xiao Chennai offered no reaction. "Ding Yu, would you escort Ms. Chen out?"

Ding Yu was more than willing to take on the task. He promptly stood and approached Chen Chen, "Ms. Chen, after you. I'll walk you out."

With a soft word of thanks, Chen Chen followed Ding Yu out of the room.

Once they had departed, the meeting room lapsed back into silence.

This time, it was Wang Shengdong who first broke the quiet.

"Chennai, I get your point. We won't close the case just yet. You can continue the investigation," he said, shifting from the formal title of Leader Xiao to the more personal Chennai.

As Wang Shengdong's niece, Hua Ning understood that this was a sign of her uncle's approval of Xiao Chennai's work. She discreetly tugged at Xiao Chennai's sleeve under the table.

Wang Shengdong certainly noticed the subtle interaction and smiled, turning his gaze to Hua Ning and Cheng Sheng.