The murderer?

Teacher Sun is in his thirties, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, and is unassuming. He usually speaks at a steady pace, and his smile is simple and honest, giving off a lukewarm impression.

His principle in life has always been to work diligently. Unlike some people in society who talk a big game but never deliver, he focuses on tangible results.

When Jiang Yue arrived at school, Teacher Sun had just finished his meal.

Seeing his star student, Teacher Sun was clearly in a good mood.

"Before lunch, not long after you called me back, a department head surnamed Luo from a government agency came to the school to inquire about you. He looked at your academic records and spoke with me. I asked him what it was about, but he didn't say."

"You haven't gotten into trouble, have you?" Teacher Sun asked, but he was completely at ease with Jiang Yue.

This student was a top prospect that even the best universities were vying for. How could he possibly commit any wrongdoing?

"It's nothing. I met him this morning," Jiang Yue replied, not wanting to elaborate. He then asked, "Why the sudden temporary physical examination this afternoon?"

Graduating students were required to undergo a physical examination for the college entrance exams.

However, a last-minute physical examination was clearly not standard procedure. How could boarding students who had returned to their remote villages for the holidays possibly rush back in such a short time?

Teacher Sun sighed and led Jiang Yue into the inner room. "Jiang Yue, I saw the video in the group chat yesterday. I heard that the higher-ups in Great Zhang Country have been holding meetings for three consecutive days to discuss a major matter."

"What major matter?"

"I'm not entirely sure what it's about, but the highest directive is that all students must complete their physical examinations in batches within three days."

"So, we're the first batch?"

"Yes! This afternoon, only one-third of our class will be taking the physical. Tomorrow, the remaining two-thirds will complete theirs."

"Jiang Yue, this physical examination is rather sudden. I have a feeling it might be related to something significant. So, you must take it seriously and not be careless. Perhaps the government is organizing this surprise physical examination to identify promising talents? To cultivate special individuals?"

This was all Teacher Sun's speculation. As a scholarly teacher, he couldn't really figure out the specifics of the situation.

However, taking it seriously would never be wrong.

Since Teacher Sun had said so, regardless of whether Jiang Yue agreed, he had to maintain the proper attitude.

Upon arriving at the classroom, many students who were notified for the afternoon physical examination had already arrived.

Around 1:30 PM, Teacher Sun entered the classroom. Except for Du Yifeng, who had not yet arrived, all other students were present.

Han Jingjing was among them, but Jiang Yue's three roommates were not in this group.

To Jiang Yue's surprise, Li Yue was also there. He wondered how she had managed to get from her hometown to Star City.

The notification was for before 2 PM, and they couldn't start the briefing without everyone present. Teacher Sun walked out of the classroom with his hands behind his back, leisurely pacing and enjoying a cigarette in the corridor.

It wasn't until a few minutes before 2 PM that Du Yifeng finally arrived. Wearing a flashy pair of sunglasses and slinging a backpack with an unconventional pattern over one shoulder, he dashed into the classroom like a gust of wind.

Teacher Sun had long since developed immunity to Du Yifeng's behavior and mannerisms over the years and didn't want to waste a single punctuation mark on him.

"Everyone's here. I have a few words to say. For the afternoon physical examination, we will depart and act as a unified group. No one is allowed to be special or leave the team on their own. This is because the location for the physical examination has not yet been announced. When it's our turn, the bus will take us there."

A murmur went through the class.

It's just a physical examination. It's either at a hospital or a medical center. Where else could it be?

Why the need to be so secretive?

Young people at this age often had a rebellious streak. Hearing Teacher Sun speak so mysteriously, they started to make a fuss, expressing their protest against the arrangement.

Jiang Yue, of course, didn't join in the commotion. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, took it out, and looked.

"Han Jingjing: Top student brother, accompany me to a movie after the physical examination. Whoever refuses is a puppy!"

Jiang Yue was amused and speechless. He put his phone away, intending to reply later.

Before he could put his phone back in his pocket, he heard Han Jingjing clearing her throat repeatedly from the nearby desk.

Jiang Yue turned his head and saw Han Jingjing leaning on her desk, half her face buried in her arm, her nose wrinkled. She was making faces at him and secretly making a heart shape with her hand under the table.

"Han Jingjing, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? It won't affect the physical examination, will it?" Teacher Sun asked with concern.

"Reporting, Teacher Sun, I'm feeling great."

"That's good. Sit down and rest for a bit."

It seemed there wasn't much else to emphasize about the physical examination. Perhaps he was craving a cigarette, as Teacher Sun felt his pocket and prepared to go to the corridor for another one.

Before he could step down from the podium, several figures appeared from the corridor, stopping at their classroom door. They were all in uniform.

The one in the middle was none other than Officer Han.

Jiang Yue was surprised, thinking Officer Han was looking for him. Before he could speak, Officer Han stared sternly at Homeroom Teacher Sun Bin.

"Are you Sun Bin?"

Teacher Sun was bewildered. "Yes. What is this about?"

"Police!" Officer Han always handled things efficiently. He flashed his badge. "There's a murder case, and we need you to come in for some information."

Teacher Sun was completely confused. A murder case? And they needed him for information? What could he, a mere teacher, possibly know?

Before Teacher Sun could react, two police officers behind Officer Han stepped forward. One grabbed his arms from behind, twisting them behind his back. With a click, cold handcuffs were fastened onto him.

"What are you doing?" Teacher Sun, a law-abiding middle school teacher, had never experienced anything like this. He was stunned and struggled violently.

"I advise you to cooperate. 'Inviting' was just a polite way of putting it. Don't you know what you've done? Save some face for yourself in front of your students," Officer Han said coldly.

With a wave of his hand: "Take him away!"

Given Teacher Sun's frail scholar physique, one police officer would have been enough to handle him. Let alone several dealing with him, he was taken out of the classroom without any suspense.

The classroom erupted immediately.

In front of the students, their homeroom teacher was handcuffed and taken away by the police.

This was definitely a major event that Yangfan Middle School might not witness even once in its decades of existence.

Most of the students were stunned by the scene. Trembling, pale-faced, and completely at a loss.

The more mature ones, like Du Yifeng, though somewhat surprised, were unusually calm. He ran out to the corridor to watch, as if the incident involved someone completely unrelated to him.

Han Jingjing opened her mouth several times as if to stand up, but when her eyes met Officer Han's, she ultimately held back.

Jiang Yue, unaware of the inside story, felt anxious for Teacher Sun but didn't rush forward.

The police had their procedures when handling cases. At this point, even if Teacher Sun were as wronged as Dou E, he still had to go along with them procedurally.

As soon as the police left, a vice-director of the school surnamed Shao entered the classroom.

"Everyone, please be quiet. The police will clarify what the issue with Teacher Sun is. I will be temporarily taking over your class. The physical examination this afternoon is important, so please don't have any psychological burdens. Your future is your own; Teacher Sun's personal actions have nothing to do with you."

These words were a bit cold-blooded, but they were the honest truth.

Jiang Yue wasn't in the mood to listen to his rambling. He asked to use the restroom and slipped out of the classroom.

Finding a secluded spot, Jiang Yue couldn't help but take out his phone and call Officer Han.

"Little Jiang, I saw you in the classroom just now. I apologize for this matter; the country has its laws. This is too big; no amount of influence will help. "

"Officer Han, we have a life-and-death friendship. If my teacher truly broke the law, I wouldn't have the face to plead for him. Besides, this isn't something you or I can decide. May I ask what this is about?"

"You don't know about this? A girl from your New Moon Bay was raped and murdered in her home around ten this morning. After reviewing the on-site surveillance, our preliminary investigation suggests your teacher is highly suspicious! Various handprints, fingerprints, hair, bodily fluids, etc., have been expedited for testing. As soon as the DNA comparison is done, there will be a conclusion."

Logically speaking, this was all case nội bộ information and should not be leaked to unrelated personnel. But the person on the phone was Jiang Yue, so Officer Han had to make an exception.

Saying this was already a violation of discipline. Officer Han offered a few polite words, promised to inform Jiang Yue as soon as the comparison results were out, and hung up hastily.

That murder case in the residential area?

The murderer was the honest and simple Teacher Sun?

It sounded so absurd. Teacher Sun's hands would tremble even when killing a chicken; his wife often complained about it.

Him? A murderer? He couldn't establish any connection at all.