Chapter 213

Before confirming the identity of the remaining bodily fluids in Lou Zhen’s body, Gu Changzheng decided to hold off on taking action against Zhang Qizhi. After concluding the interrogation of Zhang Qizhi, Luo Fei warned him not to leave Zizhen City in the near future, as the police might need his cooperation at any time.

Gu Changzheng had not adopted an overly forceful stance because the current evidence still could not confirm that Zhang Qizhi was his target.

He was waiting for the DNA test results. As for Zhang Qizhi’s DNA sample, Luo Fei had skillfully obtained it earlier—by collecting a cigarette butt Zhang Qizhi had smoked while recounting his relationship with Huang Li.

Although Gu Changzheng suspected Zhang Qizhi was the man involved with Lou Zhen, he preferred to first compare the DNA against the database to avoid letting subjective judgment influence the final investigation.

After returning to the police station, Luo Fei immediately handed the cigarette butt to Forensic Officer Zheng. At that moment, Liu Han rushed over, looking panicked, and exclaimed upon seeing Gu Changzheng: “Captain Gu, we’ve got a new lead!”

In the Technical Division, several investigators sat exhausted in front of multiple computers—they were Liu Han’s team members assigned to review surveillance footage. After meticulous screening, they discovered a person linked to Lou Zhen—Xiao Hai, the child Lou Zhen had been caring for, the son of Lou Hongyi and Yan Kefei.

Gu Changzheng frowned: “Why is this child also at Tianyang Hotel?” He carefully checked the timestamps of Xiao Hai’s entries and exits, finding his stay duration perfectly overlapped with Lou Zhen’s.

More precisely, Xiao Hai entered the hotel before Lou Zhen and left after her.

What was the child’s purpose in going to the hotel?

Judging from how hurriedly he left in the footage, could he have discovered some crucial clue?

“Where is this child now?” Gu Changzheng asked.

“I’ve sent someone to the supermarket Lou Zhen runs. We should hear back soon,” Liu Han replied.

Gu Changzheng nodded slightly. The people connected to Lou Zhen’s fall seemed to be gradually emerging, yet Huang Li and Zhang Qizhi’s accounts contradicted each other completely—who was telling the truth, and who was lying? And why had the child appeared at the hotel where Lou Zhen fell?

These questions lingered in everyone’s minds, awaiting further answers.

At that moment, the investigator sent to find Xiao Hai reported back: the child was currently at the supermarket; according to inquiries, Lou Zhen had often been absent lately, and Xiao Hai had been managing the supermarket’s basic operations.

Liu Han looked at Gu Changzheng: “Captain Gu, should we bring the child in?”

Gu Changzheng didn’t hesitate: “No! I’ll go myself. Keep it low-key. Liu Han, who’s there? Tell them to wait for me. Luo Fei, cross-check the dinner list from last night for Zhang Qizhi, and keep investigating his movements via surveillance from last night!”

After giving his orders, Gu Changzheng drove toward the small supermarket behind Junhe Hospital.

At this hour in the morning, the streets were quiet, and the supermarket was even emptier. The investigator who had arrived earlier had been waiting outside. Seeing Gu Changzheng’s car approach, he walked to the roadside. As Gu Changzheng parked and stepped out, the investigator called out: “Captain Gu! The kid’s still inside. Should we go straight in?”

He was seeking Gu Changzheng’s opinion: whether to question the child directly or first approach him as a customer. Gu Changzheng said: “Ask directly, but be careful with your tone—the child looks young.”

The investigator nodded slightly, understanding. The two then walked into the modest-sized supermarket. To Gu Changzheng, this place was not unfamiliar—he had visited once before and had briefly met the child named Xiao Hai.

Though that encounter had been fleeting, the child’s striking resemblance to Lou Hongyi had deeply imprinted itself in Gu Changzheng’s memory. Now, he wondered silently: would this child still recognize him?

Yet as soon as they stepped into the supermarket, Xiao Hai’s bright eyes immediately locked onto Gu Changzheng.

Before either of them could speak, Xiao Hai coldly asked: “Are you that cop?”

Hearing this, Gu Changzheng froze. He never expected the boy’s memory to be so sharp. He hesitated slightly, then gave a quiet nod.

Immediately, Gu Changzheng scanned the surroundings and asked: “Are you alone here?” Xiao Hai nodded expressionlessly and replied: “I’m used to it. What do you want?”

At this point, Gu Changzheng carefully studied Xiao Hai. He noticed the child’s features bore an uncanny resemblance to Lou Hongyi, especially those large, glistening eyes—nearly identical. Moreover, in the child’s demeanor, Gu Changzheng caught a faint echo of Yan Kefei.

Even more astonishing was the inexplicable charm radiating from Xiao Hai’s every gesture—as if a unique aura clung to him. This sensation made Gu Changzheng silently wonder: “How strange! Why does this child have such a feminine air?”

Seeing Gu Changzheng silent, Xiao Hai’s face flickered with impatience. He sneered: “You’re not here to buy stuff, are you?”

The investigator snapped: “How dare you talk like that? We’re here to ask you some questions!”

Xiao Hai smirked: “Ask me what? I’m just a kid. What could I possibly know?”

The investigator grew irritated and was about to retort, but Gu Changzheng smiled and gently raised a hand to stop him. He looked at Xiao Hai’s handsome little face and said: “Hello, Xiao Hai. I’m Gu Changzheng from Jiangdong Public Security Bureau. This is my colleague Jiang Fan. We’re here to ask you about your grandmother.”

It was common knowledge in the neighborhood that Lou Zhen was Xiao Hai’s grandmother. Although Lou Zhen had later changed her appearance drastically (having previously presented as an elderly woman), people had grown accustomed to it after learning the truth.

Seeing the older policeman speak politely, Xiao Hai pointed to a stool beside the counter: “Sit. What do you want to know? I don’t know much about adult matters.”

Gu Changzheng smiled. This kid was cautious. He glanced around again and asked: “How’s the supermarket business? Do you run it mostly, or is it your grandmother?”

Xiao Hai seemed surprised by such trivial questions. He glanced at Gu Changzheng skeptically: “Are you really asking me this boring stuff?”

Now it was Gu Changzheng’s turn to be stunned. He hadn’t expected the child to be so sharp-tongued. But he didn’t get angry—he still smiled and said: “Then what would you like us to ask you?”

As his words faded, Xiao Hai’s eyes flickered—and he uttered a sentence that shocked both Gu Changzheng and Jiang Fan!