Chapter 70: Nearly Lost My Mind 

In the early morning, Xiao Yu opened his eyes. After a sleepless night, he felt somewhat miserable.

Who wouldn’t be affected after encountering such a case and watching those five videos? One would need a heart of steel to sleep peacefully after that.

Mu Qingwu was practically confined to the bed while her aunt was in visit. It was common for women to feel lethargic and uncomfortable during this time, preferring not to move much.

“Stay with me a little longer,” Mu Qingwu said and clung to her brother, preventing him from getting out of bed.

Was she… acting coquettish?

Xiao Yu was astonished. Could his sister really act so spoiled? 

Of course, that’s hardly surprising; most girls do, but one wouldn’t know it with someone unfamiliar or less intimate. It also showed that Mu Qingwu was feeling particularly weak.

Under normal circumstances, would you expect a domineering queen to act spoiled for you? Fat chance.

The young couple skipped breakfast and stayed in bed until seven o’clock.

Eventually, Mu Qingwu let Xiao Yu go to work. 

He spent the morning at the Criminal Investigation Brigade. Xiao Yu’s mental state was not great, not because he had gone without sleep the night before, but because the case occupied his mind. His brain was constantly running, leaving him feeling somewhat absent-minded.

“It’s noon.”

A hand slapped Xiao Yu’s shoulder, jolting him out of his daze. It was Guo Qiang. Li Xin and Liu Hongqiao were also present. As all three were members of his team, they were naturally close. Calling out for lunch was a given.

Xiao Yu hadn’t eaten breakfast, and he needed to eat something for lunch to keep up his strength. Even while eating, his brain continued to analyze the case, pondering every possibility.

Ultimately, his mind was still a mess.

After lunch, Xiao Yu was summoned to the captain’s office.

“Your position as a section officer was reported yesterday, it should be approved in a few days,” Zhao Changshan said as he handed a pair of epaulets to Xiao Yu.

First Class Police Inspector.

Xiao Yu’s expression changed significantly.

As Wang Dong had mentioned, he was promoted three levels in a row. A First Class Merit combined with a Second Class Merit.

No red tape could hinder Xiao Yu’s promotion.

“You’ve only been fully on our team for just over a month, right?” Zhao Changshan said, somewhat amazed. “Not even a rocket ascends as fast as you have.”

It was not sarcasm but genuine sincerity. There was also a hint of envy, which left him feeling a bit sour.

“Thanks to the brigade’s support,” Xiao Yu said with a bit of flattery.

‘He saw me as a subordinate, yet I considered using him as a lightning rod. How despicable!’

“Stop joking,” Zhao Changshan replied with a complex expression. “It won’t be long before I might be working under you. At that time, it’ll be you who needs to look after this old man.”

Given Xiao Yu’s rapid rate of promotions and commendations, it wouldn’t be long. A few years, or perhaps even sooner, before he truly might end up supervising Zhao Changshan.

After exchanging a few words, Xiao Yu returned to the main office and sat at his desk. Glancing at the epaulettes in his hand, he felt no thrill of excitement.

Promotions were meaningless to him. His sole purpose in being a policeman was to solve cases. What mattered in life was peace of mind.

Speaking of solving cases…

The national security case inevitably sprang to mind. He was too wrapped up in this case, and it was affecting his mental state. 

Xiao Yu took a deep breath. He needed to crack this case, otherwise, he couldn’t rest easy.

If the case remained unsolved, it might be a problem with the ranking.

“If ordinary thinking doesn’t work, then let’s consider unconventional methods.”

Simulating the psychology of a criminal, Xiao Yu’s mind shifted into an exceptional operational mode.

“What if I were the criminal?”

“Using normal methods, how would I ensure others self-harm or commit suicide without leaving any clues or evidence?”

“Impossible. I can’t achieve that with conventional crime methods. So, what other methods are available?”

“Hypnosis? Although feasible, the hypnotized subject could naturally snap out of it if they encounter any stimulus, pain, or actions that go against their psychological tendencies. So, that’s a no.”

“Drugs? Drugs that could numb the entire nervous system usually impair motor functions or, in severe cases, cause unconsciousness. Again, not suitable.”

“Hypnosis combined with drugs? It could be theoretically possible, but the feasibility is low. The issues start with hypnosis, which can’t be accomplished quickly. Next, the drugs. Do such drugs even exist in the world? Even assuming they do and could be combined with hypnosis. No, it’s not possible.”

“According to the National Security Bureau’s investigation into the case, there were too few interactions between the deceased and those listed as suspects, none of whom seemed capable of committing the crime. Additionally, the crimes occurred across five cities, leaving minimal to no clues.”

“First point of doubt. Is it possible to commit a crime without any contact with the victim? No.”

“Second point of doubt. How could the victim have ingested some kind of drug without any contact with others? Impossible.”

“Do I have accomplices? A pair or a group involved in the crime? And what about their motive? Everyone has a motive before they act, right? I can’t make sense of it. Could it really be something supernatural?”

Xiao Yu’s pupils contracted as his heart sank, but he quickly regained his composure, his thinking once again becoming strict and clear.

“No, that’s merely a hypothesis, almost certainly not the case. Let’s reason this again. The two most evident clues, control and self-harm. Controlling someone isn’t that simple and definitely can’t be achieved quickly.”

“The second point is self-mutilation. Sometimes, physical ability can reflect mental state. To make someone self-mutilate, even hypnosis cannot achieve this. It completely defies human psychology and is implausible. Unless…”

“Hallucinogenic? Controlled by drugs to induce hallucinations, where the deceased self-mutilated while in a hallucinatory state?”

“Here then comes the question: How can one control a person’s hallucinations to make them harm themselves?”

“I can’t make sense of this approach for now, so I’ll shift my perspective and try breaking through from a different angle. First, let’s dismiss the hallucination theory. Suppose this is a meticulously planned, malicious crime.”

“He would inevitably leave clues in the case. Any crime leaves direct or indirect traces at the scene…”

“The scene?”

Snap!

Xiao Yu slapped his forehead. 

“I’ve lost my mind. I haven’t even seen the deceased, nor have I visited the crime scene. Can this case really be solved with just five videos and a file? Am I being stupid?”

A wolf travels a thousand miles to eat meat, a dog travels a thousand miles to eat shit. No matter whether it’s a wolf or a dog, you have to go first. 

The old saying was absolutely spot on.

Xiao Yu pulled out his phone and dialed Wang Dong’s number. The call quickly connected, and Wang Dong’s voice came through, “Xiao Yu?”

“Yes, Brother Wang, is there a faster way to get to the scene of the case?” Xiao Yu asked.

“You want to go to the scene?” Wang Dong said without any delay, “Yes, there is.”

Indeed, there was. 

Two hours later, under the dumbfounded gazes of countless police officers, a massive armed helicopter appeared above the Criminal Investigation Brigade. It descended slowly and landed on the large road outside the brigade.

Not only were the police astounded. Drivers in their cars on the road and many onlookers were equally shocked. They stared at the helicopter, stunned.

Listening to his own name being called out over the loudspeaker on the helicopter, Xiao Yu’s lips twitched as he stepped forward. 

National Security really had a commanding presence.