TFS Chapter 21

Zhang Shun returned to the office slightly fatigued and made himself a cup of hot tea to refresh himself. Chen Can knocked on the door, “Boss, the check results for the wig are out.”

“Sit, tell me about it.” Zhang Shun returned to his desk with the teacup. He had a vague premonition that Chen Xin indeed wanted to murder Yan Haoyu, but on that day, there was another unseen third person who wanted to kill Yan Haoyu.

What role does Chen Yi play in this case after all? Is she as clean as she appears to be? His thoughts began to get a little chaotic.

“This wig was an item that their props team already had; it wasn’t something they acquired for this production. There are many incomplete mixtures of sweat on it, so it’s difficult to lock down specific DNA data.” Chen Can first delivered the news that there were no clues, then changed his tone, “But the assistant director was quite careful and gave me a list of martial arts actors. Currently, we’ve locked down three actor teachers we can’t contact. Here’s their information. If you don’t see any problems, we’ll need to send a letter of assistance to the Public Security Bureaus in the hometowns of these three people.” As Chen Can spoke, he handed the folder in his hand to Zhang Shun.

Zhang Shun quickly browsed the information of the three people. Among them, two had not had stable jobs after the age of 25. Although they engaged in martial arts, they only possessed skills. The other person was one of the closed-door disciples of a domestic intangible cultural heritage boxing style. In addition to taking on roles, he also taught some students martial arts.

“I’ll issue the letter of assistance now, focusing on finding those two people without stable jobs,” Zhang Shun said, quickly operating on the computer.

“Boss, you don’t look too good?” Chen Can nodded and asked with concern.

“It’s nothing. Chen Xin has basically confessed. It seems the Yan family has offended quite a few people. But this is considered a feint. I didn’t expect her to think of going along with the 619 case’s murderer.” Zhang Shun rubbed his brow and looked at Chen Can.

“So it really is a love triangle murder? The TV series is like that too, one man and two women. In the end, the survivor is the female lead, and she becomes the key person who breaks the situation.” Chen Can recalled the plot of the TV series.

Zhang Shun narrowed his eyes when he heard this, “Breaks the situation? How so?”

“Originally, she was that second-generation official’s lover. Later, under a series of blows, she defected and became an informant,” Chen Can replied.

“What happened after that?”

“Later, the first season ended. I guess in the second season, this woman will play a dual role, helping the police and going undercover alongside the villains.” Chen Can revealed a meaningful expression. “Boss, I think this show is quite good. Why don’t you take some time to watch it too?”

Zhang Shun was lost in thought. He once again pondered about Chen Yi. For some reason, she still aroused Zhang Shun’s attention. Perhaps it was her calm and collected attitude that differed from other men, which made Zhang Shun curious about her position.

*

Zhang Shun walked into the observation room. He looked at Chen Xin’s dark and inexplicable expression and said to Chen Can, “If Chen Xin didn’t kill anyone in the crew, her target was only Yan Haoyu, then this line has undoubtedly been cut off again.”

“But she could also be crazy and retaliate against Yan Dongcheng? Or could Yan Dongcheng have done something to Chen Xin?”

“But even if that’s the case, what connection does it have with the others in the crew? Guan Linger, Chu Wenli, those students, it’s impossible that they would harm her. This reason is a bit far-fetched.” Zhang Shun realized that they might have been looking in the wrong direction for the investigation. He originally wanted to investigate along the lines of Yan Haoyu, who was most likely to have an accident, but judging from the current investigation results, there was indeed a threat around Yan Haoyu, but that threat would not disregard all lives. You can also look at it from another angle: the murderer is meticulous enough. Even if Yan Haoyu’s absence that night was unexpected, he still used perfect means to commit the crime, hiding his tracks.

“Boss, in the 619 case, more than half of the people were students. I think the problem is more likely to be in the school. If it’s in the crew, then we’ve already investigated this line from the same period. Even if someone wants commercial revenge, they don’t need to make such a big fuss; it’s not enough to be worth so many lives.” Chen Can said his thoughts and looked at Zhang Shun again.

“We still have to investigate the school line. Last time, that department head of their performing arts department, Chen Fang, gave you the feeling of being overly vigilant. Many things that seem natural are actually a kind of self-defense psychology at play. However, if we’re saying that Chen Xin’s line is only deliberate revenge, her sister Chen Yi is indeed also very concerning. It always feels like we’ve overlooked something, but I haven’t thought of it yet.” Zhang Shun pondered, and when he looked at Chen Xin through the glass window, he seemed to be looking at Chen Yi as well.

Chen Can nodded, “Then do we continue the interrogation?”

“Chen Xin can’t hold on much longer. She’ll always confess.”

*

Zhang Shun didn’t go into the interrogation room again. He deliberately left Chen Xin alone. She’s an easily anxious and irritable person. Looking at her restless and uneasy appearance, Zhang Shun knew that she couldn’t hold on much longer.

Two hours passed quickly. Shen Qing came with the verification information and communication records regarding Chen Yi’s alibi, “Boss, it can be confirmed that Chen Yi’s previous statement is true, but no one can testify to the time after she returned home. However, following the traffic cameras along the way to track her vehicle’s trajectory, it did indeed return to the residential area where she lived. Do we still need to go to the residential area to check the surveillance footage again?”

Zhang Shun took the detailed list of statements and communication records and shook his head, “No need. We won’t find anything out of it.” He browsed Chen Yi’s communication records line by line. A phone number caught Zhang Shun’s attention. It was actually Fang Jun.

“Is there anything wrong?” Shen Qing asked.

He was silent for a moment, “It’s nothing.”

In the interrogation room, Chen Xin’s composure from a few hours ago had ceased to exist. The intense fluorescent lights and cold, hard interrogation chair were extremely uncomfortable. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion.

“Do you want to interrogate her again?”

Zhang Shun waved his hand, “Let her sit a while longer. It’s not enough yet.”

As he spoke, he took out his phone and dialed Fang Jun’s number. Fang Jun had just finished a meeting and was sorting out the materials at hand. Recently, the province organized comprehensive quality training for leading cadres. The meetings were rotating in every region, and as the secretary, he also had to assist Secretary Zhang Shirong in going to various cities in Jiangyuan Province to conduct on-site investigations and research, visiting the grassroots level, and implementing key development projects. He left early and returned late every day, neglecting the care of his family, but due to the particularity of his work, the family was accustomed to this situation.

Fang Jun’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that the caller ID was Zhang Shun’s name. Zhang Shun had never taken the initiative to contact him. Thinking of this, he answered the phone, “Why do you have time to call me today?”

“I have time today? Want to grab some late-night snacks tonight?”

Fang Jun was even more puzzled, “Even if I’m busy, I’m not as busy as your unit. Sure, where should we go?”

“Go to your house. It’s been a while since we got together.” Zhang Shun’s voice came from the earpiece.

Fang Jun readily agreed. After hanging up the phone, he thought that Zhang Shun might have something to say. He was never the kind of person to show up uninvited. With this in mind, he responded, “Leader, what’s the arrangement?”

…

When Zhang Shun walked into the interrogation room again, Chen Xin’s composure from a few hours ago was no longer there. But Zhang Shun still kept a straight face, maintained his silence, and had no intention of asking anything.

A pale, bitter smile appeared on Chen Xin’s lips, “I can tell you what you want. But I have one condition.”

“The public security authorities will not negotiate with you. You better think clearly about your identity,” Shen Qing scolded sternly.

Zhang Shun patted Shen Qing’s shoulder, signaling her to calm down.

“Tell me your condition.”

“You have to see Chen Yi.” Chen Xin looked directly into Zhang Shun’s eyes and said.

“Reason?” Zhang Shun asked.

A trace of ferocity appeared in her eyes, “You have evidence that she’s not clean either.”

Zhang Shun and Shen Qing exchanged glances. Shen Qing frowned slightly. After she learned about the complex relationship between the Chen Xin and Chen Yi sisters, her impression of Chen Xin plummeted. Zhang Shun fell into deep thought.

“I can agree to you, but the premise is that I must first confess my crimes, and there can be no lies.” Zhang Shun said in the end.

Chen Xin took a deep breath, as if she was talking about something ordinary, her tone cold and indifferent, “I poisoned Yan Haoyu.”

“What was the opportunity? Didn’t you two already join hands? It can be considered as fulfilling his wish.” Zhang Shun didn’t want to let go of any changes in her expression.

Chen Xin trembled slightly. She suddenly raised her voice, her face twisted somewhat by the sharp voice, “He said that the person he was with that night wasn’t him, but his father, Yan Dongcheng! He simply pushed it all away, saying that from beginning to end, the only person he loved was Chen Yi.”

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