"Professor Jiang, this is the archive room. Basically, the files of those who died of natural causes or various accidents in North City are all here." Xiao Jin from the archive room had long heard of Jiang Cong. She stammered as she spoke.
Jiang Cong nodded politely and then entered the archive room.
Jiang Cong first turned on the computer and searched for the death information about Wei Fuping. Soon, the result appeared on the computer screen.
"Died of an overdose of sleeping pills due to depression." Jiang Cong chewed on the small words in the column of the cause of death word by word.
The light in the archive room was a bit dim. The light from the screen shone on Jiang Cong's cold and clear face, adding a bit more solemnity.
Then Jiang Cong found the relevant detailed statement among the displayed file bags. There was a death certificate issued by the hospital in the file bag.
It really seemed like a natural death.
"Debt?" While browsing the records of the three years before Wei Fuping's death, Jiang Cong found that Wei Fuping once owed a large amount of gambling debts and was unable to repay them.
At that time, the police also believed that Wei Fuping chose to commit suicide because he was forced too hard by the debt collectors to end it all.
Jiang Cong finished reading all the files. Except for the suspicious point about Wei Fuping's depression, there was no other clue.
Wei Fuping was a people's teacher, which was a well - paid and stable job in many people's eyes. Moreover, Wei Fuping once won the award of the provincial advanced teacher.
So what made Wei Fuping start gambling?
And how did Wei Fuping later repay the huge debt with compound interest?
Jiang Cong felt that there were many doubts about Wei Fuping's death. Maybe he could go to Qingyang Middle School and get some useful information by asking the colleagues who worked with Wei Fuping at that time.
When Chief Wang received the key that Jiang Cong returned to him, he was a bit surprised. "Professor Jiang, have you finished the investigation so soon?"
Jiang Cong gave a soft "hmm" and brushed over the matter. "It's just an unimportant record. Thank you, Chief Wang."
Chief Wang chuckled. "There's no need to thank me. Professor Jiang, you're an outstanding young man with a bright future. It's our police station's good fortune to have you!"
Jiang Cong clearly felt Chief Wang's deep trust in him. After making up an excuse casually, Jiang Cong left the chief's office.
If something really happened, could he still live up to Chief Wang's trust?
Jiang Cong didn't know. He relied on his professional instinct to dig out the truth.
Qingyang Middle School was the best high school in North City. The students here were either well - connected or top students who got in with their real talents.
The superior teaching resources and teaching staff were the reasons why Qingyang Middle School could outshine others. Although three or four years had passed, some teachers had retired because of their age, while some still remained on the teaching post.
Jiang Cong didn't have much trouble finding an old teacher named Miao Beiqi who had the best relationship with Wei Fuping at that time.
"Who are you?" Miao Beiqi was thin, with a layer of faint chalk dust on his shoulders. Holding a book, he looked at Jiang Cong standing in front of him and asked puzzledly.
Jiang Cong took out his ID and handed it to Miao Beiqi.
"Jiang Cong? What do you want from me?" Miao Beiqi sized up Jiang Cong in front of him and inexplicably felt a good impression of him.
After saying that, Miao Beiqi guessed that Jiang Cong must have something to ask him. There were too many people at the classroom door, which was obviously not a suitable place to talk.
So Miao Beiqi took Jiang Cong to an independent office.
"Have a seat." Miao Beiqi poured a cup of tea for Jiang Cong. Maybe because he had stood for too long during class, his back was sore. He kept making fists and gently hammering his back to relieve his fatigue.
"Do you know Wei Fuping?" Jiang Cong sat right opposite Miao Beiqi and asked straightforwardly.
Miao Beiqi half - closed his eyes, as if recalling the past with Wei Fuping. After a long while, he replied, "Yes, I can say without exaggeration that we were as close as brothers back then!"
The corner of Jiang Cong's mouth twitched slightly. He knew he had found the right person.
Wei Fuping was alone, never married, his parents died early, and he didn't have any close relatives.
So at this time, friends were even more precious. There were things that couldn't be told to outsiders, but could be more easily shared with friends.
"Then please tell me about Wei Fuping's past, how he started gambling, and how he was expelled from school." Jiang Cong took a sip of the tea to moisten his throat and looked directly into Miao Beiqi's somewhat cloudy eyes due to old age.
"Sigh." Miao Beiqi sighed. Seeing that Jiang Cong could accurately point out the time period, he knew that Jiang Cong came prepared. After pondering for a moment, Miao Beiqi began to tell about those years.
At that time, Miao Beiqi had just returned to North City after his teaching support. He wasn't smart and had no talent. He had to work very hard to squeeze into the teaching staff of Qingyang Middle School.
On the day of the interview, the most impressive person to Miao Beiqi was Wei Fuping, who was still high - spirited at that time.
Different from his timidity, Wei Fuping talked eloquently. Facing the examiners' difficulties, he was also very calm. Without a doubt, Wei Fuping was hired on the spot.
Miao Beiqi watched from the side, extremely envious. Soon, it was his turn.
With Wei Fuping setting such a high standard, when Miao Beiqi took the stage, he seemed much dimmer. He stammered through his trial class.
The examiners whispered to each other, and their expressions were almost unanimously disapproving. Just when Miao Beiqi was in despair, Wei Fuping stood up and fought for the last chance for him.
"Dear examiners, this applicant just failed to perform at his best because he was too nervous. I think you can give him another chance. After all, the combination of excellent teachers and an excellent team is the most perfect." Wei Fuping wasn't afraid that his words would arouse the examiners' dissatisfaction.
He was just making a bold gamble on fate.
The examiners were deeply impressed by Wei Fuping's performance just now. Thinking that they would work with Wei Fuping in the future, they gave Wei Fuping a favor.
Miao Beiqi was overjoyed and burst into tears. His eyes were red, and he nodded gratefully at Wei Fuping.
When Miao Beiqi took the stage again, he tried hard to calm down. Receiving the encouraging look from Wei Fuping, he was even more confident and started his lecture passionately.
Naturally, this time his performance was a success. Both Miao Beiqi and Wei Fuping were short - listed and stood out from the crowd of competitors.
Because of what happened in the examination room with Wei Fuping during the interview that day, Miao Beiqi subconsciously wanted to get closer to Wei Fuping.
At that time, Wei Fuping was really excellent. The annual advanced worker award always went to him.