Unable to Defend Oneself

In Tang Changan's eyes, this was an opportunity to gain High-dimensional Min's trust. He desperately wanted to seize this chance, to take charge of the case, and to make High-dimensional Min recognize him.

"Director Hu, we know the area and the people here, so let our police station handle this case!" After a brief understanding of the case details, Tang Changan was convinced that the two individuals involved, Scarface and Middle-parted Hair, were just local troublemakers within their jurisdiction.

"Did you all hear what Director Gao said? He's clearly a bit unsure about us, so we must take this case with the utmost seriousness and thoroughly investigate it to give Director Gao an explanation, and to give the victim an explanation!" Hu Yuancheng said solemnly, expressing his clear stance on handling the case.

"Director Hu, why don't we hand it over to the Criminal Investigation Brigade? Look at that agitated crowd outside the police station. It's obvious they have some issues with the police station," Qian Fu said.

The image of Long Wen still lingered in Qian Fu's mind. He knew that Long Wen's appearance at the police station must have a deeper meaning, and his barbed remark completely enraged Tang Changan.

"What issues? Stop being so sarcastic. If you have something to say, say it directly!" Director Tang, like an angered lion, completely shed his usual stern and steady demeanor. He didn't even spare Qian Fu any face in front of Hu Yuancheng.

"Director Tang, I didn't mean it that way," Qian Fu replied.

"I didn't mean it that way either," Tang Changan said.

The two were playing word games, clashing in the police station's conference room, which made Hu Yuancheng feel uneasy. He thought that both were his subordinate departments, and he cared about them equally. However, to be cautious, he decided it would be better to hand the case over to Qian Fu.

"I think this case involves a death and is complex. Let the Criminal Investigation Brigade lead, and the police station will cooperate!"

This was exactly what Qian Fu wanted, and he was secretly delighted.

Just as Tang Changan was about to retort, Hu Yuancheng cut him off.

"That's settled. It's decided!" Hu Yuancheng's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Tang Changan had intended to quickly resolve the case and make a good impression on the new director. He never expected that with Hu Yuancheng's approval, Deputy Captain Qian would snatch the case away, creating an awkward atmosphere. In the end, it was Hu Yuancheng who made the final decision, establishing a plan where the Criminal Investigation Brigade would take the lead and the police station would assist. Hu Yuancheng, in a commanding tone, instructed Director Tang not to have any emotional reactions and to cooperate fully.

Deputy Director Hu's words were an order. Moreover, the Criminal Investigation Brigade was the main force in solving cases, so he had no reason to argue.

As soon as Deputy Director Hu left, Director Tang Changan angrily slammed the table and stomped his feet. He didn't understand the intentions of Deputy Director Hu and Qian Fu. Director Tang sat alone in the conference room, staring at a map of the West City jurisdiction on the wall, lost in deep thought... Afterward, Deputy Captain Qian took Tong Haojing away.

Three hours later, Hu Pan was apprehended by the West City police station.

At the Municipal Bureau Case Handling Center, Qian Fu intensified the interrogation. In the interrogation room, smoke swirled as Qian Fu lit one cigarette after another, making Tong Haojing cough uncontrollably.

Qian Fu carefully reviewed the police station's records. He noticed that apart from Tong Haojing denying stabbing Shorty, three statements indirectly pointed to Tong Haojing stabbing Shorty and forcing Scarface to jump into the river. The only piece of evidence in his favor was dismissed because Uncle Mumu was nearsighted. The most damaging evidence was the dying testimony of Shorty, who had been sent to the hospital, directly implicating Tong Haojing.

Unable to clear Tong Haojing's suspicion, Qian Fu said sternly, "Who do you think you are? If you commit a crime, you'll still go to jail..." Tong Haojing felt the extreme unfriendliness of this police officer.

"Officer, I haven't committed any crime... If you want to accuse me, you need to present evidence!" Tong Haojing replied with unyielding pride, forcing a chill down Qian Fu's spine.

"The person was stabbed to death, that's the evidence!" Qian Fu's words exploded over Tong Haojing's head like a time bomb, and he froze.

"Shorty is dead? How could that be..." Tong Haojing finally realized the seriousness of the situation. He was completely in the dark, and indeed, he couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River...

Tong Haojing was speechless. That night, he was locked up in the holding center, something he never expected. His mind went completely blank.

Late at night, in a dilapidated adobe house with a tiled roof at the yāokǒu of Baiyun Community on the riverbank levee in the West City district. Under the dim light, an old man lit three sticks of incense and a candle. This person was Liu Benzhong. His face was etched with wrinkles, his expression was blank, and there were no tears. He muttered to himself, "You useless thing. Even if I went to the Public Security Bureau, I wouldn't be able to speak up for you. It's better that you're dead than causing trouble for me outside and embarrassing me. Now it's quiet, alas, who made me your father? No matter how many mistakes you made, the deceased should be respected. I still need to seek justice!"

Liu Benzhong received the news of his son (Shorty)'s death from Ma Shaokang. He showed no grief or surprise. If it weren't for the family needing to sign for the cremation of the body, he wouldn't have had to go to the police station with Ma Shaokang's entourage to make a fuss.

It was already past midnight. Liu Benzhong sat alone by his son's memorial tablet, with a small dog squatting beside him. His mind drifted to his younger son, Qian Long, who hadn't been home for several years. He wondered where he was...

"Click!" With a sound, the small dog suddenly became uneasy and ran to the tightly shut main door, bracing its paws and wagging its tail, barking ferociously.

Liu Benzhong realized the sound came from outside the door. He instinctively grabbed a wooden stick and hid behind the door, shouting loudly, "Who's there?"

"Open the door, Public Security Bureau!"

Liu Benzhong relaxed his guard. Could it be the Public Security Bureau coming to ask for information? He opened the door. Three masked men quickly entered the house, holding daggers to Liu Benzhong's throat and fiercely grabbing his neck, threatening, "Don't speak, or we'll kill you!"

Liu Benzhong was stunned by the fear and couldn't speak. His eyes just stared fearfully at the three masked men.

"Old man, your son's death is related to the Public Security Bureau. Here's 100,000 yuan as compensation. Don't make trouble, and don't tell anyone, or you'll be dead. You'll have nowhere to be buried!"

One man waved a stack of RMB in front of Liu Benzhong and said, "This whole pile of money is yours. Don't be ungrateful. Know what's good for you!"

Liu Benzhong stared with wide eyes, not daring to breathe, only nodding.

The three masked men released the old man Liu Benzhong, left a large sum of money, and fled.

The small dog continued to bark relentlessly, following them until their figures disappeared completely before squeezing back in through the gap in the door.

A long, wet bloodstain was left on the ground. Liu Benzhong stood frozen at the main door for more than ten minutes. It wasn't until the small dog wagged its tail and limped towards him, begging for attention, that he snapped back to reality and realized the dog was injured.

"They didn't even spare the dog, how cruel!" Liu Benzhong thought to himself. These guys were ruthless killers who acted swiftly. His body tensed, and he trembled all over, his face full of fear. How could he dare to offend these devils!

The night became quiet again. Under the dim light, the blue smoke from the burning incense filled the entire room. Liu Benzhong sat before his son's memorial tablet, the fear lingering. He didn't sleep all night.

He guessed in his heart that these people were not from the Public Security Bureau, but he chose to remain silent.

On the third day, Officer Lan and Lu Tong handed over the apprehended Middle-parted Hair (Hu Pan) to Qian Fu. Qian Fu took one look and saw a man with a strange, middle-parted hairstyle. Qian Fu didn't recognize Middle-parted Hair, but Middle-parted Hair recognized Qian Fu. This was the result of Long Wen often boasting to his subordinates about his special relationship with Qian Fu.

Middle-parted Hair was taken to the interrogation room at the Case Handling Center. The interrogating officers forced him to sit in the interrogation chair.

"Sit down, put your hands where they belong, what are you looking at!"

Middle-parted Hair was stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, he arrogantly and rudely shouted, "I know, your leaders won't treat me badly, what's the big deal!" Middle-parted Hair placed his hope in Qian Fu, thinking that out of consideration for Long Wen, they wouldn't do anything to him. The sound of arguing came from the interrogation room.

"What's going on! What's going on!" Qian Fu entered from outside and saw Middle-parted Hair acting impudent and looking disdainful. A surge of anger rose within him. He slammed the table hard, and the sound instantly stunned Middle-parted Hair. Seeing Qian Fu, he finally calmed down.

"Captain Qian!" Middle-parted Hair said with a fawning smile, as if they were old acquaintances.

"Enough nonsense, explain what happened yesterday!"

"Captain Qian, you still don't believe me? It was clearly High-height who pushed my brother into the ditch and injured Shorty. Instead of questioning the murderer, you're framing me!"

"Framing you? We're handling the case according to the law. Resisting arrest is a dead end!" Another police officer knocked on the table and yelled.

"Don't be so fierce, Long..." Middle-parted Hair wanted to explain his relationship with Long Wen, but just then, a mysterious text message arrived on Qian Fu's phone. Qian Fu left the interrogation room, opened the message, and his expression changed. He frowned, quickly deleted the incoming message, and re-entered the interrogation room without a word.

"What's your name?" Qian Fu asked.

"People usually call me thug. My real name is Hu Pan."

"You need to tell the truth!" Qian Fu's tone had clearly changed, no longer as cold and harsh as before.

"I've told you the truth, what more do you want me to say?"

Qian Fu asked several consecutive questions: "Who is that woman? Who injured Shorty? Where is Scarface?"

When Hu Pan heard the question about the woman, he wondered if Captain Qian was doing it intentionally or if he'd slipped up. It was obvious that the victim hadn't been found yet. For a seasoned detective, such a mistake shouldn't happen.

This was clearly a deliberate hint directed at him. Hu Pan immediately made up his mind: he would feign ignorance to all questions.

Qian Fu felt somewhat exhausted and shook his head helplessly. He told another officer that since there was no news of the victim, further questioning would yield no results. He hastily concluded the interrogation and then called Deputy Director Hu to report the progress, suggesting that after criminal detention, they should consider releasing Hu Pan on bail.

Before this phone call, Hu Yuancheng had received a call. Hu Yuancheng's expression changed subtly. He was in a dilemma when, by chance, Qian Fu called to report the interrogation results.

"Hu Pan denies the robbery. Scarface and the victimized woman haven't been found. Hu Pan claims Tong Haojing injured Shorty. I suggest criminal detention for both, followed by bail..."

"Is there no other way?" Hu Yuancheng asked, feigning a probe.

"The evidence is insufficient to determine the perpetrator or the nature of the crime, but the fact remains that someone is dead!" Qian Fu replied with certainty.

Hu Yuancheng couldn't have asked for more. He went with the flow and replied, "Follow the procedures." However, the victimized woman was still missing, and Scarface's whereabouts remained unknown.