Chapter 278: The Killer or the One Who Ate with His Mouth

The live stream opened as usual the next morning, but Chen Fan was nowhere to be seen—everyone knew he had stayed up all night working on the case and was now resting.

Old Liu pulled open the blackboard and said, "Without Chen Fan, you're lost?"

A few newcomers said nothing.

"No problem, we'll just record as usual. We've set up the scene for you—follow me."

The scene was a simple room where a murder had taken place.

Blood, ropes, scattered clothing—everything here could be evidence.

But the director noticed the number of viewers in the live stream was dropping rapidly.

The director sighed helplessly and said, "Is this… not right?"

The operations staff replied, "According to our original script, we start each morning with a case delivered by the police, then launch today's variety show, letting these trainees showcase their talents and earn points, and finally promote it—right? But now, Chen Fan alone represents the whole drift."

"Strange—no one's criticizing Chen Fan?"

The operations staff said, "No, we haven't seen any. Actually, this is the most frustrating part—everyone's silent. Director, have you been confused by bot accounts? Who watches live streams and randomly floods the chat? That's all our doing. This live stream? I haven't faked a single number—it's all real data."

The director was speechless. "Precisely because it's real data that it's so baffling."

A new guest arrived—a woman and a man—who walked in, and everyone's eyes lit up.

The man entering was a folk singer named Lei Zi.

The woman brushed her hair aside and said, "Hello everyone."

Teacher He stood up and said, "Sister Yuanyuan, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was bored stiff, so I thought I'd come over. I've been out of the industry for ages—just here to ride the hype."

Song Zuer sighed helplessly. "Damn."

Teacher He said, "Zuer, you're worrying again."

"I couldn't compete with Zhang Xinyu before, and now Sister Yuanyuan shows up—I feel my romantic path is just too long. Wait, there's also my dad."

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Sister Yuanyuan pulled out some food and said, "I've seen you all vomiting nonstop lately—here's some warm porridge to soothe your stomachs. Drink up, drink up, warm yourselves."

Then she sat beside Song Zuer and said, "Relax, little beauty—I won't have any story with Chen Fan. I'm way too old for that."

"Ah, everyone always tells me that—017, they all say it—and then they all betray me. We promised to compete together, but then they quietly signed up themselves."

Sister Yuanyuan said, "Don't worry—I won't. I'm still not interested in kids. Really."

At that moment, Lei Zi said, "I was just dragged here to fill a slot, and I'll sing a few songs. The director wants me to liven things up—this place is always so dull, nobody can take it anymore."

Teacher He said, "Just you, then?"

"Of course not—I'm just a guest today. Tomorrow someone else will come. Two people got delayed."

Meanwhile, Old Song was eating a hand-pulled pancake, carrying a bag of items, and walked into the forensic lab, handing them to Old Liu.

"It's a sunny day—still a case?"

"No, just evidence analysis. The person we arrested last night needs physical evidence collected. That woman? She's sloppy—has no idea how to cover up her crime."

Old Liu said, "Don't say 'crime' yet—how it's judged isn't certain."

"I just can't handle this. When my wife was alive, she never acted like this. Of course, she never took the next step—that's something we can prove."

Old Liu began comparing fingerprints on the clothing. "Hmm, absurd. There are so many fingerprints. This man's actions were… unexpected."

Old Song leaned over. "What do you mean?"

"Look for yourself—the locations of the fingerprints. Do you think, between a man and a woman in a flirtatious moment, fingerprints would be left in these spots?"

Old Song looked and swore, "Damn it—this guy's targeting these spots—he's planning rape."

"What else did you think?"

"Still, it's true that a gentleman doesn't stand under a crumbling wall. I can't say for sure—I won't judge. But hey, is Chen Fan siding with this woman?"

"You're overthinking. Chen Fan only considers things from the perspectives of both man and woman. We're the third perspective—forensics must never take sides."

"You guys are amazing—seeing things from a third-party view. We have to strain our brains thinking from every angle."

Qu Yiling said, "Excuse me, Officer Song—do you really consider the victim's perspective?"

"Yes, we do consider it—it helps us locate the crime scene. But it's also easy to be influenced. In our circle, few people can do it. You've seen those American TV shows like Red Dragon—those exaggerated, almost supernatural versions? If that were real, I'd bet that person would crack within three cases."

"Didn't get it?"

The four newcomers shook their heads.

Old Song said, "It's like actors getting into and out of character. Getting into character is easy—but getting out? Hard. Like wearing a mask every day to protect yourself. Over time, you just get exhausted."