"Chief Li, the DNA test report of the finger is out." A police officer knocked on the door outside.
Shen Hao got up to open the door and took the report.
"You were right. The finger does belong to the victim Wang Lin. And..." Shen Hao suddenly paused while looking at the report, as if in disbelief.
"Whatever it is, just go on."
Shen Hao hesitated. After glancing at Zuo Mu hesitantly, he said, "According to the forensic analysis of the skin condition and nerve tissue, this finger was cut off while the victim Wang Lin was still conscious..."
The office fell into silence. It was so quiet that the sound of police officers typing on keyboards outside could be clearly heard.
They could even imagine Wang Lin's helplessness and vulnerability at that time, as well as her heart - rending pain when her finger was cut off. Suddenly thinking of the creepy words the criminal said, Zuo Mu felt a chill down his spine.
What on earth was his purpose?
Was it intimidation or something else?
"Tsk, it seems this case is really a tough one," Shen Hao said with a rare look of dejection. After all, this news was too heavy for them. They didn't know how to tell Wang Lin's parents.
The criminal was simply inhumane.
"He's provoking us," Chief Li quickly came to this conclusion. "Otherwise, with his meticulous modus operandi, there's no reason for him to leave a finger for us. This act now seems more like he's showing off his trophy to us."
It had to be said that this was the first time Zuo Mu had felt panic after staying by Tang Tang's side for so many years.
Facing an unknown enemy and danger, he was almost helpless. There was no trace of the criminal's actions, no purpose and no reason. The criminal seemed to be indulging in his own interest and destroying beautiful things one by one.
Tang Tang, this woman was the key to the whole case.
"Wei Zhou, how much more information can you find about Tang Tang and Shen Tian?" Zuo Mu sat in the office, pinching the bridge of his nose. He rarely showed such a tired look.
"Bro, I've tried every possible way. The information about Tang Tang seems to be specially encrypted, and the firewall used is something I've never even seen before. I've been trying to break through it for days, but still haven't succeeded. And you know how firewalls work. Once I attack, the person controlling it will know. I might even tip off the enemy and make them more cautious."
Zuo Mu frowned even deeper. At present, the information he had about Tang Tang was only what Shen Hao had told him about her past. However, Tang Tang and Tang Tang... did look somewhat alike.
"As for Shen Tian, this guy is even more mysterious. There's no information about him on the Internet at all, not even his age, job, family or friends."
Zuo Mu's sixth sense told him that there must be some connection between Tang Tang and Shen Tian. Otherwise, there was no reason for Tang Tang to be involved.
Moreover, Tang Tang... Tang Tang. The names did sound too similar.
If it was just a coincidence, how could their somewhat similar looks be explained?
"Hey, bro, why are you investigating so much? I think you'd better just stay in your hospital and not provoke so many people," Wei Zhou said earnestly over the voice call. After his brief encounter with the firewall set up by that person, he knew that this person must be extraordinary.
Zuo Mu didn't answer. He just stared at a photo of a woman on the computer screen. She had almost the same eyebrows and eyes as Tang Tang, except that the woman looked more capable, while Tang Tang was more lively.
"However, Zuo Mu... I remember you weren't the kind of person who liked to meddle in other people's business before. You're so nervous this time... Is it because of the girl you've been hiding away?" Wei Zhou's tone sounded a bit teasing.
"Wei Zhou, I'm warning you not to talk nonsense."
"Look at you. You didn't even deny it. Zuo Mu, you're just being hypocritical! Come on, you're not young anymore. When are you going to bring your girl over for us to meet?"
Zuo Mu was already upset because of Tang Tang's matter. Now, he was even more annoyed by Wei Zhou's joke.
"Wei Zhou, Tang Tang is my sister, the sister I've watched grow up," Zuo Mu said to himself.
Wei Zhou simply put his feet on the computer desk and replied indifferently, "You know, she's not your biological sister. Besides, you're such a handsome and charming guy, Zuo Mu. Maybe that girl has a crush on you."
This phone call ended with Zuo Mu hanging up mercilessly. Wei Zhou was angry when he heard the beeping sound in his earphone. But suddenly, thinking of Zuo Mu's character, he couldn't help laughing.
This guy... must be shy.
Tang Tang had been waiting at the school gate for quite a while, but Zuo Mu still hadn't showed up.
"What... he's even late," Tang Tang kicked the small stones on the ground and murmured discontentedly.
Suddenly, the sunlight in front of her was blocked by a shadow. Tang Tang looked up and saw the good - looking man she had met before.
"Hello, Tang Tang," Shen Tian stood with his back to the sun and smiled gently at Tang Tang. "What a coincidence. I meet you again."
For some reason, although Tang Tang thought he was good - looking, compared with Zuo Mu, the word "effeminate" might be more suitable for him. Moreover... the way he looked at her always made her feel uncomfortable.
Remembering Zuo Mu's warning to stay away from him, Tang Tang lowered her head again and stepped on the stones for fun.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're very beautiful?"
Tang Tang looked up in surprise, only to find a look of something like yearning in Shen Tian's eyes. It wasn't gentle at all. It was more like the possessive look of a poisonous snake when it found its prey.
This realization made Tang Tang feel very uncomfortable. The love she understood was based on respecting the other person, not for one's own selfish desires.
Moreover, Tang Tang didn't want to answer such a boring question.
"How have you been at school recently?" Shen Tian didn't seem to mind Tang Tang's silence and asked on his own.
Tang Tang was a bit impatient. She thought this man was really talkative and all he asked were just some irrelevant polite questions.
"Uncle Shen, although I don't know why you know me, as far as I can remember, we don't seem to have any relationship at all. Please don't bother my life anymore."
There was impatience between Tang Tang's eyebrows, but her tone was extremely firm. The sun was shining brightly and there were a few big drops of sweat on the girl's forehead. Shen Tian was a bit dazed. Just as he was about to reach out to wipe the sweat off, he felt his wrist being grabbed.
"Sorry, Tang Tang. There was a bit of traffic jam. I'm late," Zuo Mu then let go of Shen Tian's wrist. He wiped the sweat off Tang Tang's forehead with his sleeve and protected her behind him.
Shen Tian came to his senses. He wasn't angry at all and still showed his signature smile. "Mr. Zuo, what a coincidence."