Chapter 24: Right Before Everyone

Qian Cheng carefully thought over Yu Dazhang’s words.

It should have appeared, but didn’t?

What the hell… Qian Cheng scratched his head.

So itchy, feels like my brain’s about to grow.

Back at the Criminal Investigation Branch.

Yu Dazhang and Qian Cheng returned to the room beside the interrogation chamber.

The same team members, nearly unchanged since they left.

That means… they’re still interrogating.

“Why’s it taking so long?” Yu Dazhang asked.

He estimated the trip to the crime scene had taken at least two hours.

Adding the prior interrogation time, the session had now lasted over three hours.

Under normal circumstances, an interrogation shouldn’t exceed twelve hours.

This prevents excessive fatigue or undue pressure on the suspect, which could compromise the truthfulness and voluntariness of their statements.

Compared to that, three hours isn’t long and hasn’t exceeded the limit.

But for a first interrogation, it’s already beyond the normal duration.

The first interrogation typically aims to gather basic information about the suspect and assess their psychological state.

Put simply, to see whether the suspect is willing to confess voluntarily or intends to resist.

Then compile the information and hold a meeting to devise an interrogation strategy.

So the first interrogation usually lasts about an hour and a half; even if extended, it rarely exceeds two hours.

Interrogations come one after another.

Not like ordinary people imagine—where one session clears the whole case.

If that were true, few suspects could endure it; they’d just collapse from exhaustion, making trials unnecessary.

So the current situation is definitely abnormal.

“Because the suspect broke down.”

One team member at the computer explained:

“Shortly after you left, Kong Lingjie suddenly lost control, saying he couldn’t take it anymore, he didn’t want to be like this.”

“With a breakthrough in sight, of course we kept going.”

Yu Dazhang frowned upon hearing this.

Kong Lingjie’s actions likely mean he doesn’t want the interrogation to end.

He’s stalling, holding back the interrogators.

The longer the interrogation, the greater the psychological pressure on the suspect.

Conversely, the same applies to the interrogators.

As time passes, the interrogators develop a habitual mindset, believing everything is under their control.

In this state, people are most prone to mistakes!

Yu Dazhang watched a while longer, confirming his suspicion.

Kong Lingjie is slowly digging a pit—right in front of the entire task force—for Lu Zhongxin.

Every time Lu Zhongxin asks a key question, he acts resistant, yet always reveals some substantive detail.

For example:

“You say you don’t know Zhang Yan, so why target her specifically?”

“I, I I I, did I say I targeted her? Oh, maybe I did—she looks like my classmate back in school, no, I never met her, what Zhang Yan? I don’t know her, you’re misleading me.”

It seems resistant, but he’s subtly luring Lu Zhongxin into a trap.

Making Lu Zhongxin believe that with a little more effort, he can force the suspect to confess everything.

Yu Dazhang watched Kong Lingjie on the monitor, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Pretending to resist while secretly inviting!

This is clearly a “green tea” tactic to hook a fool—and he’s using it here.

In Yu Dazhang’s eyes, both men on the monitor were just bullshitting.

Like…

Lu Zhongxin: “Why did Qu Yuan jump into the river?”

Kong Lingjie: “I don’t know him well, not familiar.” Lu Zhongxin: “Did you push him?!”

Kong Lingjie’s eyes darted away, face panicked:

“T-this? Already traced back to me? No, I didn’t do it!”

Isn’t this clearer now?

Right, Kong Lingjie is fishing for Lu Zhongxin.

Even if you asked him: “Did you burn down the Old Summer Palace?”

He’d instantly look guilty and give you substantive details.

Continuing the interrogation is pointless… Yu Dazhang now understood how Lu Zhongxin had been trapped in his past life.

A simple, honest appearance, meticulously planned strategy, plus convincing performance during questioning.

Crucially, he followed Lu Zhongxin’s line of thought.

You want me to confess?

Please… c-o-l-l-e-c-t… 6… 9… b-o-o-k-s… !

Fine, I’ll cooperate, fully cooperate.

I’ll take full responsibility for the crimes—but let’s make this performance convincing.

What kind of acting is most authentic, most believable?

Undoubtedly, it’s playing oneself.

Only someone who’s been beaten down by society, accustomed to being submissive in life, can portray guilt, fear, and cowardice so realistically.

The mastermind behind this had considered human nature down to the last detail.

Master, you didn’t deserve to lose in your past life… Yu Dazhang concluded silently.

He picked up the microphone beside the computer and spoke quickly:

“Master, ask him how he abducted Zhang Yan to the rental apartment—go into as much detail as possible.”

Inside the interrogation room, Lu Zhongxin heard Yu Dazhang’s words through his earpiece, paused, then looked up at the surveillance camera.

After just one second, he gave a slight nod.

This was also a method of collaboration within the task force.

Observers outside could promptly alert the interrogator if they spotted an issue.

More professionally: fill the gaps, plug the leaks.

Lu Zhongxin then changed tack:

“Was Zhang Yan willing to go home with you?”

At this question, Kong Lingjie froze.

No longer answering every query as before—he hesitated, seemed to evade, his face flushed red.

Ha, hit a knowledge blind spot… Yu Dazhang guessed the mastermind never taught him how to answer this.

Probably didn’t expect that even after the suspect broke down, police could still ask such a logical question.

“Master, stop,” Yu Dazhang picked up the mic again:

“Let the suspect rest—we should hold a meeting now.”

The other team members turned to stare at Yu Dazhang.

Which side are you on?

Let the suspect rest? How could you say that?

Yet they also noticed: this chubby little intern seemed to have some real ideas.

More startlingly, Lu Zhongxin inside the room actually stopped.

As the suspect was led out, the team members all stared, baffled.

Who’s really whose master here?

Why does Deputy Group Leader Lu Zhongxin always obey this new guy?

Amid the group’s stunned stares, Lu Zhongxin walked in.

“Dazhang, did you notice something?”

Look—he’s asking the fat guy again!

Everyone in the room turned their gaze back to Yu Dazhang.

“I’ve found some new leads,” Yu Dazhang nodded:

“Let’s go to the meeting room—it’s not something I can explain in a few words.”

(End of Chapter)