Hearing the senior's praise, Xiao Chen felt extremely delighted, but still modestly replied, "Where, where. I've just learned well from the seniors."
The senior was not happy. He tapped on the table with his finger, looking very serious. "Young man, if you have talent, you have it. Don't engage in all that false modesty."
Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Chen's forehead. Why was this person not following the usual pattern?
Lieutenant Li beside him laughed and comforted Xiao Chen, "Don't mind him. Old Li is just putting on an act to scare people."
The colleagues beside them couldn't hold back their laughter.
Old Li had just been blowing his beard and glaring his eyes, but now he couldn't help laughing either. With his shiny bald head, he looked even funnier.
Only then did Xiao Chen realize that he had been tricked. His eyes almost popped out. He never expected his colleagues to be like this.
Everyone had come here to discuss this case. The threads pulled out from Wang Lin's case were getting more and more.
Compared to Wang Lin herself, it was more like a loose end. As long as the police didn't give up, no one knew how many more chains of interests would be uncovered.
Everyone was very cautious.
Because of this incident, their bureau chief had even been rebuked by his superiors.
The valiant Captain Li suspected that there might be some protective umbrellas above this criminal gang, but without any evidence, it was just a thought in her mind. She didn't dare to tell anyone her thoughts.
This brief banter finally relieved the tension caused by everyone's all - night operation. For a moment, the office was filled with a happy atmosphere.
After relaxing, everyone's attention returned to the case itself.
Xiao Chen's discovery was undoubtedly a breakthrough.
Captain Li, as a woman, was able to lead so many criminal investigation elites under her. She must have her own methods.
She always solicited the opinions of everyone. So this time, she asked everyone's opinions again. "What do you all think of this strange man?"
Old Li, who was always a bit of a sly one, spoke up. "Captain, I have something to say."
Captain Li raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to continue.
Old Li cleared his throat, which had been smoking all night, and said in a proper manner, "First of all, this person must have some kind of connection with Wang Lin. That's for sure. Secondly, can we judge that Wang Lin's death must be related to this person just based on this? I don't think so. Let's just call this person a suspect for now."
Someone below raised a different opinion. "Hey, Old Li, your view is wrong. The last person Wang Lin saw before her death was him. In my opinion, even if he didn't do it, he can't get away from it."
Old Li glanced at this person and continued, "What's the use of us talking here now? I think it's necessary to find this person with all our might. Even if he didn't kill her, he can still provide clues."
"Innocent until proven guilty! Innocent until proven guilty!"
This was Old Li's view, but others didn't necessarily agree. There were various opinions, but the unanimous goal of everyone was to arrest this person first.
With Xiao Chen's excellent skills, he managed to find the key information from several screenshots that were in a complete mess.
It was obvious from the pictures that Wang Lin and the mysterious man got into a car together. When they got off at the destination, they entered a house. This address wasn't difficult to find.
After all, Xiao Chen had been tracking the surveillance along Wang Lin's route.
Xiao Chen typed the address into the computer.
This was an important piece of information. The entire criminal investigation team unanimously agreed to break through from this point.
Since it was Xiao Chen who found it, he naturally took the lead. Together with Old Li, the two formed a small - big partner team.
Other teammates also followed up on this or other cases with the clues they had on hand.
City X was too big, and there were too many tough cases.
This case had a great social impact because it happened on a campus, so a special task force was established to solve it.
Old Li and Xiao Chen drove to the place where Wang Lin last appeared.
This was an old - style residential area. The facilities were dilapidated. Because it was about to be demolished, no one took care of it. It was desolate, with wild grass growing vigorously.
The two followed the investigated address and came to the last building in this residential area. Just standing in front of it, they could smell the musty odor. There was no light in the corridor. From the outside, it looked pitch - black, like a deep well.
Most of the residents had basically moved out. Only a few scattered families still lived there.
Xiao Chen was sure he could see one or two mice scurrying between the buildings. Even the wall plaster was falling off.
His face turned green. He said with a long face, "Brother Li, are we really going up?"
Old Li wanted to laugh in his heart but couldn't help teasing this young man. "Of course. Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen, you don't understand the hardships of the common people. In City X, do you believe that there are large numbers of people who can't even afford a house with such conditions?"
"I believe it, I believe it." Xiao Chen said with a bitter face and didn't dare to say anything else. His family's conditions were indeed good. Otherwise, his parents wouldn't have let their child study such a hard and poorly - paid major.
Although Old Li was teasing Xiao Chen on the surface, he still wanted to protect this junior in his heart. He took a step forward and said coolly, "Follow me." Then he bravely stepped into the building.
Xiao Chen was trembling inside, but he still followed in.
It was really pitch - black inside. It looked like a dilapidated building on the verge of collapse. Xiao Chen took out his phone to shine a light for Old Li. From time to time, they could hear the sound of mice gnawing.
Xiao Chen's hair stood on end.
Fortunately, their destination was very close, just on the second floor.
Old Li knocked on the door, but there was no response.
Xiao Chen summoned up his courage and asked carefully, "Should I try?"
Old Li didn't say anything, just snorted, and still didn't forget to remind Xiao Chen, "First say you're here to repair the circuit. Don't reveal your real identity."
"What about saying we're from the property management?" Xiao Chen wondered.
"The building is in such a state. Who needs property management? If you lived here, would you hate the property management or like it?"
Xiao Chen was speechless. Indeed, if he lived here, when he heard about the property management, he would probably want to drive them out. How could he let them in?
He also knocked on the door, but much more gently than Old Li.
After a long time, there came a mumbled voice from inside. "Who is it?"
Old Li and Xiao Chen glanced at each other in the dark space. They didn't know how they could see the happy expressions on each other's faces.
"Oh, it's like this. We're here to repair the circuit. We just received a call saying there's a problem with this circuit, so we have to check each household one by one."
Old Li listened to Xiao Chen's nonsense speechlessly.
"Circuit? My family's circuit is fine," the woman's voice inside sounded very tired. "Can't we not check it?"
Xiao Chen was stunned. This person was really brave. The circuit had a problem, but she still didn't want to check it.
But then he thought that maybe she was very vigilant. He didn't give up and continued to shout, "Fine, fine. You can choose not to repair it. I've come all the way here. Don't come to me if there's a problem in the future."