Chapter 43: Net Closing!

Police?

At this moment, Yu Dazhang’s mind flashed with countless images, various suspicions surging simultaneously to his heart.

His expression turned grim.

“Keep watching him. If he leaves Zhang Yan’s house, send one of you to follow him,” Yu Dazhang said quickly:

“I need to confirm something first—I’ll call back in five minutes.”

After hanging up, he immediately dialed Lu Zhongxin’s phone.

“Master, ask the branch leadership—has someone else been assigned to take over this case?”

“Unlikely,” Lu Zhongxin thought for a moment, then said firmly:

“Yesterday I met with Big Cat—he’s decided to let us keep investigating.”

“Besides, if someone else had taken over, they wouldn’t restart the investigation—they’d come to us for details or demand the case file.”

Yu Dazhang knew he was right, and his logic was sound—but now wasn’t the time for speculation; he had to be one hundred percent certain.

A cop arresting a cop… such a blunder could never happen to him.

“I need a definite answer,” Yu Dazhang said sharply:

“This is critical—reply within three minutes.”

Before Lu Zhongxin could speak again, Yu Dazhang hung up directly.

Then he swiftly scrolled through his phone’s contact list.

Last time, he’d exchanged contact information with the officer investigating Zhang Yan’s disappearance, just to facilitate later communication.

In truth, most connections are built gradually through work.

After the call connected, Yu Dazhang got straight to the point:

“Where are you?”

He clearly remembered this officer was a young man in his early twenties.

So there was a strong chance he’d gone to Zhang Yan’s house again.

The result…

“I’m at the station. What’s up?”

The officer was surprised Yu Dazhang was asking about his whereabouts.

And he’d asked directly, his tone unfriendly—almost like an accusation.

The officer even suspected Yu Dazhang was calling to challenge him to a fight.

“At the station…” Unconvinced, Yu Dazhang asked again:

“How could you be at the station?”

This time, he left the officer utterly stunned.

What kind of question is that!

Isn’t it normal for me to be at the station during work hours?

Do I have to patrol the streets instead?

Has the Criminal Investigation Team started meddling in the daily operations of the police station now?

Seeing the other side fall silent, Yu Dazhang quickly realized his words had been problematic and rushed to add:

“I mean—has anyone from your station gone to Zhang Yan’s house today?”

“Probably not,” the officer answered uncertainly:

“I handled the disappearance case myself. Even if someone else took over, they’d notify me. Besides, now the case is with you—we wouldn’t send anyone over to investigate.”

Yu Dazhang knew his analysis was correct and entirely logical.

Still, as always: the logic held, but he had to be one hundred percent certain.

“Could you check with your station—has any other officer gone to Zhang Yan’s house? Reply as soon as possible.”

Though his tone was polite, the officer still sensed an undeniable, forceful pressure.

It was all for work—he couldn’t refuse.

Though he felt a slight unease inside, since Yu Dazhang had reached out, he had to cooperate.

“Alright, I’ll get back to you in two minutes.”

This officer was also a straightforward, efficient man—he hung up immediately after promising.

No sooner had he hung up than Lu Zhongxin’s call came in.

“Confirmed—no one else is involved. I just asked the branch chief—he’s absolutely certain.”

“Understood. Keep your phone open.”

Lu Zhongxin paused, then heard dial tone on the other end.

He quickly realized—the last phrase, “Keep your phone open,” carried another meaning…

Today’s net is closing—stand ready for action!

Time was tight; Yu Dazhang couldn’t waste it on calls—he had to confirm this immediately.

He placed his phone on the desk, lightly tapping the surface while staring blankly at the screen.

Think again, think again—mustn’t miss anything…

Could it be police from another department?

For example, the Technical Section.

No… Yu Dazhang dismissed it outright. They had just finished the scene investigation; even if they re-inspected, the Technical Section would have notified the special task force.

That’s it—no omissions.

No other department’s officers would show up.

The screen lit up; before the ringtone sounded, Yu Dazhang snatched up the phone and answered.

“Checked—no one from the station went to Zhang Yan’s house,” the officer spoke rapidly.

“Certain?”

“Certain—definitely not.”

Yu Dazhang knew this officer’s work ethic well.

From the disappearance case alone, he was clearly meticulous and thorough.

“Thanks for your help,” Yu Dazhang said politely, then hung up.

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“You really gave me a surprise,” he muttered excitedly, pulling up his call log with his phone:

“Truly shocking—and thrilling!”

He found the surveillance team member’s number and dialed directly:

“Has he come out yet?”

“Not yet,” the team member replied:

“He’s been inside for six minutes now.”

Not out yet?

Then it’s confirmed—he knows Zhang Yan’s parents… Yu Dazhang thought, then said:

“Don’t hang up. Tell me the moment he comes out—I still need to confirm one last thing.”

Though the team member didn’t understand what Yu Dazhang was thinking, by now they fully trusted this newcomer.

“Understood.”

After answering, both sides fell silent.

Seconds ticked by; soon two minutes passed.

A confident smile slowly spread across Yu Dazhang’s face as he murmured softly to himself:

“Almost there—you won’t allow yourself to stay longer than ten minutes.”

Sure enough, half a minute after he spoke, the team member’s voice came through the receiver:

“He’s out!”

Yu Dazhang was about to speak when he suddenly remembered something.

The team member didn’t have his own sharp eyesight.

“Do you have binoculars?” He feared the answer might disappoint him.

“Got them,” the team member replied quickly.

Good—you’re professionals at surveillance… Yu Dazhang shouted:

“Use the binoculars—check his shoulder insignia!”

He gave the order and waited with full attention, time seeming to slow to a crawl.

One second… two seconds… three seconds…

Each second stretched endlessly; beads of sweat formed on his palms.

Finally, after six seconds, the team member’s astonished voice came through:

“Why doesn’t his shoulder insignia have the four-cornered police flower?”

I guessed right!

Yu Dazhang didn’t relax—he issued another command:

“Check his badge number—read it to me!”

Zhang Yan’s apartment is on the fourth floor; by now, he should reach the first floor soon.

If he stepped out of the unit gate and turned away, the team member across from him would lose sight of his front.

Fortunately, the timing was just right.

“X, 013274…” The team member finished reading and immediately realized:

“I get it—that’s the police uniform worn by academy trainees.”

Yu Dazhang ignored his remark and ordered at once:

“Flank him front and back—seize him!”

“Understood!” Two voices came back firm and clear from the other side.

It seemed they had waited too long; their tones carried unmistakable excitement and eagerness.

After hanging up, he dialed Lu Zhongxin again:

“Master, net up!”

(End of Chapter)