Chapter 25: Burn, Chūnibyō Soul!

Arriving at the conference room, everyone took their seats, then looked at Yu Dazhang standing before the conference table.

Now they no longer cared whether Yu Dazhang was a probationary officer.

What they were more curious about was what new lead this fat man could possibly reveal.

Could it be that he discovered something at the crime scene just now?

They had all read the on-site investigation report; so many experienced veteran detectives had found nothing wrong, yet you went to the scene once and discovered a new lead.

Are you kidding?

Are we and our colleagues from the technical section just eating dry rice for nothing?

Before entering the conference room, they had already decided: if the fat man spouted useless nonsense to fool them, they would give him a good scolding.

Young people know not the height of the sky nor the depth of the earth; he must be made to know exactly what he ought to do.

"Speak."

Lu Zhongxin spoke first:

"Keep it as brief as possible; stick to what's useful."

Yu Dazhang thought for a moment, quickly sorted out his train of thought in his mind, then slowly said:

"The autopsy report shows that the deceased, Zhang Yan, struggled violently before death."

"But I found no traces of struggle at the crime scene just now."

"The bed was neat; not even a single wrinkle could be seen."

"I once thought it might be that Kong Lingjie, after killing Zhang Yan, changed to a new bedsheet and then tidied the room again."

"But this possibility is truly too low."

"If Kong Lingjie truly possessed such psychological fortitude, he would not have run to a small inn to hide."

Having said this, Yu Dazhang paused, observing the reactions of everyone in the room.

Much as he had expected, everyone, including Lu Zhongxin, had been drawn into his line of reasoning.

Especially Qian Cheng; the look in his eyes toward Yu Dazhang had changed.

It had shifted from initial contempt to present reverence, no longer as casual as before.

He finally understood what that phrase "should have appeared, but did not" meant.

Indeed, after violent struggle, traces must remain at the scene, yet these traces happened not to appear.

"And what does this explain?" another member asked.

You really aren't willing to use your brains at all... Yu Dazhang muttered to himself.

"It's not over yet; listen to me present another lead first."

Yu Dazhang's words nearly burned the CPUs of everyone present.

He discovered other leads?!

He had only gone out just now; putting aside travel time, he couldn't have stayed at the crime scene for long.

How did he manage it?

Is he in league with the suspect?

Everyone in the room had different thoughts, but their expectations were the same: they all wanted to hear what new lead this fat man could reveal.

Yu Dazhang was very satisfied with everyone's expressions.

Only then is there a sense of accomplishment.

Under everyone's gaze, Yu Dazhang looked at Qian Cheng:

"This lead was discovered by Brother Qian and me together."

Does this involve me too? Qian Cheng was left completely baffled by Yu Dazhang's words.

Right, that black spot!

He was just about to stand up when Yu Dazhang spoke first:

"The extraction of footprints at the scene was done by Brother Qian and his team from the technical section."

"Ah, right, right, right." Qian Cheng finally realized; Yu Dazhang was not talking about that black spot.

Just how many leads has this fat man discovered!

However, since Yu Dazhang had mentioned it, he could only continue speaking:

"According to the previous on-site investigation, all footprints within the crime scene were left by one person; it is preliminarily suspected to be the suspect Kong Lingjie's."

"The exact comparison results will be out tomorrow; additionally, a footprint at the entrance has already been confirmed to belong to the landlord."

After Qian Cheng finished speaking, he turned his attention back to Yu Dazhang.

He could only state the results of the investigation; he did not know what Yu Dazhang's purpose was in mentioning this.

"Now everyone understands, right?" Yu Dazhang looked confidently at everyone.

What on earth is this?

Everyone looked at each other, seeing the same confusion on each other's faces.

What does the technical section's footprint extraction have to do with you? You didn't discover it. Why bring this up?

Besides, what can this prove?

What do you mean "now everyone understands"?

"Kidnapping!" Seeing their expressions, Yu Dazhang shouted in frustration.

Even Lu Zhongxin could not hold back this time.

"Just say it; why are you dragging out the suspense?"

Seeing his master speak, Yu Dazhang could only explain reluctantly:

"Zhang Yan's body had only one external injury... the strangulation mark on her neck."

"Since we've determined she was strangled to death in the rental apartment, then she hadn't been harmed before entering the rental apartment."

"In other words, the victim was conscious and had full mobility before death."

"Then may I ask everyone—why are there no footprints of Zhang Yan inside the rental apartment?"

"Did she float in?!"

Please... c-ollect.... 6... 9.... b-ook....!

After these words, the conference room fell into silence.

Everyone wore a thoughtful expression.

"It's possible the killer carried her in on his back. Carried her in his arms is also possible."

Lu Zhongxin was, after all, a step quicker to react than the others.

"Master…" Yu Dazhang made a face as if his tooth ached:

"Why would the killer do that?"

"Since the kidnapping was already done and Zhang Yan had submitted, why insist on carrying her?"

"If it were us, how could we possibly let a kidnapped person out of our sight?"

"Especially when the other party was moving freely."

Lu Zhongxin's old face reddened, but he still pressed on:

"Then what about carrying her in his arms?"

"Even more impossible!" Yu Dazhang nearly flipped the table.

He realized his master was indeed a bit too eager for quick results—asking such a brainless question out loud.

"These days young people dating don't even do the princess carry anymore, let alone a kidnapping—can you imagine that picture?"

At his words, everyone shook their heads.

At the same time, they cast doubtful glances at Lu Zhongxin.

"Just give us the conclusion." Lu Zhongxin felt uncomfortable under their stares.

It wasn't that Yu Dazhang was deliberately playing coy—he had to lay out the situation and let everyone present put themselves in it.

Otherwise, going straight to the conclusion wouldn't be convincing.

Seeing his purpose achieved, he casually pulled a chair over from the side, then propped one foot up on it.

"Officer Yu—body may have gotten chubby, but the brain is first-class, any tough case can be cracked."

Yu Dazhang pointed at everyone:

"The scheming frog has always been touching your belly!"

What nonsense is this…Lu Zhongxin was so angry he slapped the table:

"Yu Dazhang!! Get serious!! Put your foot down!!"

Lu Zhongxin's attention just now had been entirely on this disciple, thinking he was about to hear the answer.

And this was what he got.

This disciple was fine in every way except his personality was too erratic.

Yu Dazhang was also rather vexed.

Don't any of you watch Detective Conan?

A case-solving statement without an opening line has no soul~

Because he'd found a new lead, he felt much lighter in his heart, which indirectly awakened his chuunibyou soul.

Being publicly scolded by his master, Yu Dazhang didn't dare keep playing around.

"No signs of struggle, no victim footprints at the scene—why is that?"

He put his foot down but kept his earlier posture, and Yu Dazhang raised one finger:

"There is only one truth…"

"The rental apartment is not the first crime scene!"

(End of chapter)