Chapter 17: Arrival Among the Stars

In the meeting room of the Criminal Investigation Brigade, Zhao Changshan issued an order that left everyone agape.

He revoked Deputy Captain Gou Qinghua’s position as head of the special case team, demoting him to a mere member.

Instead, trainee officer Xiao Yu was appointed as the leader of the warehouse murder investigation team.

While the announcement was shocking, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Xiao Yu had just joined the Criminal Investigation Brigade the previous day, yet by that evening, he had already located the murder weapon used in the crime.

Everyone had witnessed Xiao Yu’s investigative prowess, his methods were clear for all to see.

The young detective had an exceptional knack for solving crimes, his brain was terrifyingly agile.

Given the tight deadline and immense pressure from superiors, the time for considering seniority was over. It was a moment where capability reigned supreme.

There was no room for questioning or dissent, unity and collaboration were paramount to solve this case.

Yet, for these seasoned detectives, taking orders from a rookie, not even a fully-fledged officer, was an odd pill to swallow.

Doubts lingered. Could Xiao Yu truly lead?

Then, something astonishing happened.

Originally, the special task force consisted of seven members, including one deputy captain and six seasoned criminal investigators.

Xiao Yu, however, not only assigned tasks with clarity but also displayed remarkable leadership qualities. For the first time, all seven veterans, including a deputy captain, were efficiently delegated responsibilities by Xiao Yu.

Time was of the essence for the Criminal Investigation Team and even more so for Xiao Yu.

Less than a day and a half remained until the system task’s deadline.

The issue was no longer about whether the system would provide skills or retract his abilities.

Rather, it was the murderer, provoking him.

Standing on the rooftop of the crime scene, Xiao Yu stood tall and firm, like a javelin. He gazed up at the grey, snowflake-strewn sky, his eyes gleaming with a razor-sharp intensity.

Who gave you the courage?

***

Checking if someone had other social media accounts or mobile numbers registered under their name was a simple task.

Half an hour would be enough.

This world parallel to Xiao Yu’s previous life, also required real-name registrations for account setups.

A veteran investigator found the answer. The victim had no other accounts or phone numbers.

“Hmph, that’s it?” Xiao Yu sneered.

Quickly thereafter, two more seasoned detectives approached Xiao Yu.

They scrutinized the social media accounts and mobile phone numbers registered to the victim’s dormitory coworkers.

All were checked, but no extra accounts were found.

A hint of a smile curled at Xiao Yu’s lips.

The investigation was far from over.

By four in the afternoon, Deputy Captain Gou Qinghua and two veteran detectives arrived before Xiao Yu, their faces alight with excitement, “We’ve got something.”

“Really?” Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on the deputy captain.

“The victim’s mother has two mobile numbers and two WeChat accounts to her name,” the deputy captain explained. “One WeChat is mainly for family and friends, but the other has only two contacts and is odd. Despite the victim’s mother being a long-time resident of H city, these contacts are registered in Penang*. One of them frequently transfers money to her. It seems like… it could be the victim’s covert account.”

“Who’s registered to it?” Xiao Yu’s smile deepened.

“A woman.”

Gou Qinghua wore a perplexed look. “Zuo Hongyu, 34, a local, unemployed, married. She’s the… wife of the boss at the victim’s factory!”

“Huh?” Xiao Yu paused, momentarily taken aback.

Then, his face broke into a knowing smile, an expression of realization dawning as if to say, ‘So that’s how it is.’ and ‘Now I understand’.

So the victim was involved with his own boss’s wife? No wonder his other phone couldn’t be traced.

Was it her who provided him with the account and phone number?

It seems likely that the murderer took away the victim’s second phone, right?

Indeed, with his intelligence, you’re far from just an ordinary person. Even at the least, you could have been a small business owner.

So, when did you find out that your wife was having an affair with one of your employees?

It must have been quite some time ago, right?

You’ve always pretended to be unaware, secretly plotting this murder, haven’t you?

You calculated everything, but the victim was your only oversight.

That explains why the security guard didn’t expose you.

And how you still had the freedom to come and go from the employee dormitory.

Being threatened by your own boss, and undermined by those above you, the victim had to follow you, right?

Once you’ve made up your mind, committing murder becomes simple.

But there’s no way you could have transported the body to the warehouse by yourself. 

Who else did you coerce into helping you?

The pieces all fit together perfectly, matching every anomaly.

With the right direction, it’s feasible to trace the leads and find your accomplice. 

This case can be closed!

“Request search and arrest warrants, and proceed with the arrest,” commanded Xiao Yu. “If he runs, file for a nationwide manhunt!”

Who were they arresting? 

The factory owner.

“Yes,” the team members responded and departed.

As they left, their gazes toward Xiao Yu changed. Respect and acknowledgment shone in their eyes. 

From this day forward, no one would underestimate Xiao Yu as just a trainee officer.

Some are born to shine brilliantly, destined to reach the stars.