It was a little after 6 oclock in the evening when Lu Junchi brought Su Hui back ho. There had been significant progress in the case today, but both of them were feeling uneasy.
They had a quiet dinner, and after Lu Junchi finished cleaning up the dishes and chopsticks, he said to Su Hui, Director Tan and I need a file. I might have to work late at the headquarters.
Su Hui, holding a cat in his arms, responded with a murmured Sure, go ahead. Theres nothing much here tonight.
Since Su Hui started living together with Lu Junchi, it was rare for him to go out for overti work in the evening. However, even when he stayed at ho, he would often work late into the night.
Taking advantage of the night, Lu Junchi walked out. Instead of driving, he walked directly out of the residential complex.
Fifteen minutes later, in a private room of a teahouse not far from the residential complex.
Lu Junchi and Xing Yunhai sat face to face. They ordered a pot of tea, and after the owner served them the tea, he left and closed the door behind him.
The privacy in this place was excellent. It was impossible to hear their conversation from the outside.
The small teahouse was soon filled with the fragrant aroma of tea leaves. Lu Junchi got straight to the point, Xing Ge, when I was reviewing so docunts earlier, I seed to have stumbled upon sothing unintentionally. He looked up at him and asked, Are you Prophet?
Xing Yunhai lowered his head and sipped his tea without denying it.
Lu Junchi explained, I know its a sudden question and might seem presumptuous I didnt an to reveal your identity, it was sothing I accidentally discovered, and I wont tell anyone else.
Xing Yunhai was transferred to the Fifth Division as a captain after the Behavioral Analysis Unit disbanded two years ago. He was very different from the other detective captains, and the difficult criminal cases in the bureau were often assigned to his team. Director Tan clearly had more trust in him.
Lu Junchi had several reports written by Xing Yunhai, and the format and wording were consistent with the docunts left behind by Prophet.
Even in their daily work as detectives, upon careful recollection, there were so indications that Xing Yunhai was likely Prophet.
To unravel what happened two years ago and find out if Su Hui was truly the Poet, Xing Yunhai, as soone who had experienced those events and the most likely person with knowledge, was crucial.
Over the past two years, the two had developed a good personal relationship and had worked together on several cases.
Knowing what kind of person Xing Yunhai was, Lu Junchi thought it through and invited him out.
Xing Yunhai lowered his head, picked up the tea in front of him, and directly admitted his identity. That was a protective asure from two years ago. Although I was in the Behavioral Analysis Unit at that ti, I was the most idle one. Now that you know, I believe you didnt intentionally investigate , and I trust that you wont disclose this to anyone. However, I will only admit it here. You can ask anything, and Ill tell you what I know. But once we leave this place, I hope you can forget everything we discussed tonight.
The teahouse was extrely quiet, and Lu Junchi lowered his head, contemplating where to start.
Recently, after I received the bombing case, you looked into the Fine Sand Case archives, Xing Yunhai took a sip of tea and pointed out, Are you investigating the poet? Do you suspect that he is soone you know?
Xing Yunhai took the initiative to bring up the matter, leaving Lu Junchi montarily stunned, unsure of how to proceed with the conversation.
Xing Yunhai was slightly older and more composed than him.
Until now, Lu Junchi finally understood the aning behind the code na Prophet.
He hadnt spoken yet, but Xing Yunhai seed to know what he wanted to ask.
Xing Yunhai said, Guessing my identity is one thing, but wanting to know the poets identity is another. The identities of everyone in the Behavioral Analysis Group were kept confidential, so Im also unaware of who the poet truly is. Besides, after confirming that identity, do you think your attitude and your current situation will change?
Upon hearing this, Lu Junchi hesitated. Although Xing Yunhai didnt give him a direct answer, it felt like he was hinting at sothing.
It seed that Lu Junchi was only investigating for one answer regarding that incident.
He realized that what he cared about wasnt just that one identity, one code na.
In fact, he was more concerned about the present Su Hui, the person in front of him. He wondered if Su Hui would be safe and if the Fine Sand Case would have any impact on the current situation.
Lu Junchi made up his mind and raised his head, saying, Thank you, Xing Ge. I understand now. I wont dwell on the confusion regarding Poets identity anymore. He took a sip of tea and asked, Although I looked into the Fine Sand Case files, I still have limited information
Xing Yunhai narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, At that ti, there would be an explosion every ten days in Huadu, like a death sentence. Several profilers, including myself, received information about the case, and everyone had different opinions on it. The most opposing views ca from Moonlight and Poet. They had their own perspectives and had so disputes. During that ti, multiple explosions occurred, but the police were unable to make much progress. In the process of capturing Jie Qiu, there were injuries and even deaths among the officers. That was the Fine Sand Case.
Was the Fine Sand Case closed after Jie Qius death? Lu Junchi asked.
Xing Yunhai nodded, Although there were still so doubts, thats how the case was closed at that ti. And after Jie Qius death, there were no similar cases for a long ti.
Why did Moonlight leave the group back then?
Well, thats a bit complicated. Moonlight had so personal reasons. But I believe that at the ti, Poets report played a role in his departure. Xing Yunhai took another sip of tea and continued, Before Moonlight resigned, he left a ssage.
Frowning, Lu Junchi asked, What did he say?
Xing Yunhai stared into his eyes and said, Beware of Poet.
Lu Junchis brows furrowed even deeper, not understanding the aning behind those words.
What did Moonlight an by warning Xing Yunhai to be cautious of Poet? What did he need to be careful about?
Of course, as you might already know, there was so disagreent between Moonlight and the poet in terms of profiling. You can consider it as their office conflicts or personal grudges. Or you can take those four words as a reminder from Moonlight to .
Why was the Behavioral Analysis Unit disbanded back then?
Xing Yunhais tone softened as he placed his cup down. Moonlights resignation and the poets disappearance were the reasons for the disbandnt of the Behavioral Analysis Unit two years ago. An organization that lost its core would beco a target if it continued to exist.
Although Xing Yunhais words seed like a cryptic puzzle, Lu Junchi gained quite a few clues. He sincerely said, Thank you for being willing to tell all this.
Xing Yunhai sighed, In the midst of traps and diverging paths, perhaps this organization should never have existed from the beginning.
Hearing this, Lu Junchi recalled the words Su Hui had said when they first t. Perhaps that organization had already gone astray.
Alright, Ive told you everything I should tell you, Xing Yunhai said. So, what do you think now?
Lu Junchis eyelashes flickered, and he replied firmly, I believe in the poet.
Xing Yunhai chuckled upon hearing this. Do you really think you understand the poet? Ive been working with him in the sa departnt for years, and I wouldnt dare to say that.
Lu Junchi said, There are always things that require persistence and belief.
Xing Yunhai responded, Well, I hope youre right. Take so ti to think if theres anything else you want to ask .
After thinking for a mont, Lu Junchi asked, In your investigation of the car bomb case, do you think the perpetrator could be related to Fine Sand?
Many people speculated that this ti it was a copycat cri.
The smile on Xing Yunhais face gradually faded. He paused for a mont and nodded, I believe it is at least soone connected to Fine Sand.
During their recent investigations, they had been trying to find the persons figure from the car footage.
But the hiding spot was very discreet, and during peak hours with a large crowd, it was impossible to determine who placed the object in the car and when.
Bombs made by different individuals were like paintings drawn by different people. Even with deliberate imitation, there would be subtle differences.
Although this bomb was not detonated and there were so material changes, many details were completely consistent with the Fine Sand Case.
Especially the sand in the middle
Although Xing Yunhai was once a mber of the Behavioral Analysis Group, he was the least noticeable among the four. Unlike the other three, he was not young and had not studied extensively in criminal psychology. He ca from a different background, transferring from the local police stations criminal investigation team.
When Yu Yan talked to him, she ntioned that she valued his years of experience as a detective and his sharp intuition.
Now, it was his experience and intuition that told him the public bus bombing case was related to Fine Sand.
The next morning, at the Huadu Central Bureau.
As Chen Xueqians identity was revealed, more information about her started to surface.
Two years ago, after leaving Xin County, this woman had actually signed up for a matchmaking program.
Once Qu Ming and the others received this information, they specifically looked for those episodes of the matchmaking program and downloaded them.
The matchmaking program was a popular format a few years ago. The guests wore masks and engaged in Q&A sessions, only removing the masks and leaving the stage if they were interested in each other.
Chen Xueqian stood on the stage as the fourth female guest. She had a graceful figure, and even with the mask on, it was evident that she was a beautiful woman.
Initially, many male guests were very interested in her. However, as soon as she started talking, the lights began to go out one by one.
I believe that the most important thing in life is love. Many conflicts between couples fundantally stem from not loving each other enough.
We often hear about n engaging in pickup artist techniques with won, but I think won can also use pickup artist techniques on n.
When love no longer exists, we have the right to let go of each other. Its like throwing away long-unused garbage, and such liberation can bring a sense of joy.
Ive been with more than one man in bed, and you cant fit them all at a round table.
For a mont, the barrage was filled with comnts about being a scum woman, a hypocrite, a sea king, and a green tea.
Xia Mingxi couldnt help but say, Isnt this too despicable?
Zheng Bai comnted, I think its just seeking attention. These things were quite popular for a while. So n specifically like scum won.
Xia Mingxi asked, Since Chen Xueqian has appeared on the program, why do those n continue to like her one after another?
Qiao Ze analyzed, Well, at that ti, she was wearing a mask, and later she used an alias. Maybe the n couldnt recognize her? Besides, so n always have an abundance of confidence and believe that the scum won they encounter will be devoted to them. Its similar to how so won have a soft spot for playboys.
And have you noticed, when those n discover her true nature and have argunts or fights with other n over her, their first reaction is often not to leave her and break up, but to snatch her away from other n.
While they were talking, the lights flickered and went out. Chen Xueqian appeared on two episodes of the program, and she left each ti in disappointnt. However, Chen Xueqian didnt seem to be affected by it. On the contrary, she expressed that she would stick to her beliefs and find a man she liked outside of the venue.
Qu Ming also found a cut interview where Chen Xueqian made a striking statent, My idol is KIjima Kanae. I hope to beco a charming woman like her.
Qu Ming frowned. Using a female serial killer as an idol, no wonder this segnt was cut and not aired.
Chen Xueqian may not be seeking attention. I think she genuinely believes in that, Lu Junchi said. Her values or the parts that involve empathy are problematic
This woman appeared perfectly normal, but there was sothing different about her. It was like a bright red apple that had long been eaten hollow by worms.
Su Hui lowered his head and coughed softly.
Lu Junchi noticed and poured him a glass of water, handing it over. He realized that Su Hui seed unusually silent today.
Su Hui thanked him and took the glass.
He had been thinking about sothing familiar in Chen Xueqians appearance and considering whether he should share these thoughts with Lu Junchi. But there were still so things he couldnt figure out.
Even if he was well-versed in criminal psychology, he didnt have the ability to foresee two years ago that a murder would occur now.
He wasnt entirely sure if the person he knew was Chen Xueqian. Or perhaps, Chen Xueqian was just a woman he had coincidentally seen in the past, and now she was caught up in this case.
He would gradually sort out the connections and rember more clues, but it wasnt the right ti yet.
He was afraid that speaking out about these unconfird pieces of information to Lu Junchi might lead their investigation astray.
There was nothing better than hearing the truth directly from the person involved. He wanted to find Chen Xueqian with all his might.
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