Chapter 259

"Jiang forensic, I'm very familiar with the cases in Changyang City," Officer Tang Jia said softly, tilting her body slightly.

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded. "Who gets assigned which case shouldn't ultimately be up to me."

"You're certainly the one with the most decision-making power—I can offer you advice," Tang Jia said, her voice soft and soothing.

Jiang Yuan distinctly smelled the scent of tea, just like when he occasionally rented out apartments and some young women, seeing his youth, would speak to him in that sweet, high-pitched tone, initiating conversation.

Of course, the topic would always eventually turn to lowering rent, reducing the deposit, or offering discounts on renovation time. And over time, that high-pitched tone would grow increasingly tiresome.

Still, among all those high-pitched voices, Tang Jia was undeniably good-looking.

Jiang Yuan simply said: "It depends on the specific case."

Drawing on her experience dealing with young men, Tang Jia smiled easily.

Yu Wenshu didn't finalize the next case during the meeting. After all, this was a summary meeting for Case 13, and there was still plenty of work to wrap up—first and foremost, they needed to review the new PPTs prepared by the young members of the elite team.

The young officers deserved another chance to present themselves.

On another front, Jiang Yuan's speed and capability in solving cases were genuinely surprising. The next case couldn't be taken lightly—he needed to be fully utilized.

Lastly, and most importantly, Yu Wenshu still needed to have a proper talk with Huang Qiang.

Although Yu Wenshu was a brigade commander and Huang Qiang was merely a squad captain, neither reported to the other, and no one could issue orders in matters of personnel.

The meeting ended quickly.

The leaders arrived like a tide and vanished just as swiftly.

Yu Wenshu merely shook Jiang Yuan's hand again, instructed Wang Baoming to take care of "Comrade Yuanlai's living and working arrangements," then left.

Meanwhile, the young officers who had been frantically typing PPTs and scribbling on whiteboards stared expectantly at Jiang Yuan.

The Case 13 Special Task Force's signboard was barely hanging on, but no one could just pack up and leave.

Whether to take on a new case, which case to choose, and how to handle it—anyone with eyes could see the decision rested with leadership, but the most influential person would undoubtedly be Jiang Yuan.

And before Jiang Yuan, the system unusually appeared, updating its progress.

Task: Conqueror

Task content: Solve cases, conquer the Changyang City Criminal Investigation Brigade. Solve cases relentlessly.

Task progress: 1/

Should the task reward be claimed?

Jiang Yuan dismissed the final question—he hadn't received a task in days, and now that he had one, he valued it.

He resolved to make full use of this task.

For Jiang Yuan now, ordinary skills offered little help. After solving so many cases, he had come to deeply understand that the most useful skills were those capable of breaking through barriers—the skills that pierced through cases to uncover clues.

In simple terms, a high-level skill was far more effective than several low-level ones.

Judging from this new task, higher progress would likely yield a more satisfying reward.

"Jiang forensic, let me take you to the guesthouse to rest," Wang Chuan said, having arrived with the leaders but not left with them.

He walked up to Jiang Yuan with a beaming smile, as if he'd just accomplished a great feat.

And he truly had—making others watch with less joy.

For young officers like Wang Chuan, first- and second-class merit awards were legendary; all they really needed was a third-class merit or a commendation to stand out among their peers.

Honestly, under similar guidance, finding the bloodstained clothing and the murder weapon might earn another officer just a commendation.

But Wang Chuan was part of the Case 13 Special Task Force, one of the two left behind. Two years without a case meant nothing—but now that the case was solved, those two years of hard work counted as extra merit.

A third-class merit would be perfectly appropriate.

Combined with Wang Chuan's high education, he had now officially entered the fast lane.

Jiang Yuan and the others followed Wang Chuan out of the meeting room.

At that moment, the other elite team officers felt uneasy. One young officer in plain clothes couldn't hold back and asked: "Jiang forensic, which case do you plan to take on next?"

After this PPT revision, he decided to draft his next one in advance—no more scrambling to fill gaps after the killer was caught, like in Case 13.

Before Jiang Yuan could answer, another voice spoke up.

"Jiang forensic, set a direction—we'll find you suitable cases. Higher efficiency. For example, do you prefer cases where bloodstain analysis applies, or footprint identification? Any other requirements? Like recent cases? Or ones with detailed investigation records?"

Indeed, some people didn't just make good PPTs—they knew exactly where to aim.

Jiang Yuan paused his steps. After reiterating his request to Wang Baoming the day before, he added: "Recent cases are better. I still prefer cases that are relatively easy to solve—try to avoid overly complex ones."

This answer surprised them. Tang Jia couldn't help smiling. "I thought you liked challenging high-difficulty cases."

"No, I just want to solve cases," Jiang Yuan said. As a forensic expert, he knew what victims endured. If he could solve a high-difficulty case, he'd gladly do it—but the core was solving the case.

Some people only deserved to have their names on a death sentence.

…

Changyang City Bureau Guesthouse.

Compared to public perception, modern unit guesthouses were largely commercialized—polite, even smiling in service, booking online, caring about reviews.

Still, there were always a few large rooms that weren't for sale.

This time, due to Yu Wenshu's instructions, Jiang Yuan was assigned a well-decorated, spacious suite.

Jiang Yuan collapsed into bed and slept.

Case 13 hadn't been especially draining for him—just a bit tiring from travel.

But the next case was uncertain. Beyond the case itself, interpersonal dynamics might grow complicated.

Jiang Yuan had no other preparation plan—he'd sleep first, then decide.

When he woke, it was already the next afternoon.

He pulled back the curtains; the sunlight outside was blindingly bright.

Jiang Yuan stretched out a long, full-body yawn.

By the calendar, it was still a workday. But no one bothered him—not even someone pretending to check if he'd eaten knocked on his door. He knew he'd earned a little extra respect.

Not much—not enough to become a "Conqueror" as the task suggested.

But gaining ordinary, human-level respect in this society was already very hard.

He opened his phone—dozens of red notification dots.

Topmost were messages from his father, Jiang Fujian, and from Huang Qiang.

His father's message was as concise as ever: asking if he'd eaten well, slept well, was tired, if work was going smoothly—and noting he'd sent living expenses.

Comrade Jiang Fujian was always wary of lavish living, so he was conservative and cautious with money. He wouldn't let his son buy a million-yuan sports car unless he'd use it daily—no letting it gather dust in the garage.

Even pocket money was handled this way. He worried Jiang Yuan might not have enough, but wouldn't give him too much, fearing he'd become extravagant. Even the rent from the house allocated to Jiang Yuan under the demolition compensation was invested solely in gold and real estate.

Jiang Yuan agreed with his father's parenting style. In university, he'd avoided lavish spending; at work, he did the same.

Of course, on official trips, he could relax slightly. So he ordered a 6, 00-yuan takeaway from a decent restaurant, planning to treat himself a little.

After that, he opened Huang Qiang's message—sure enough, it asked him to call when free.

Knowing the criminal investigation squad as he did, if it were urgent, they'd call directly.

Sending a message meant it wasn't urgent.

Jiang Yuan was free now, so he dialed Huang Qiang.

The call connected quickly. Huang Qiang laughed before speaking, cheerful as a toothless young crocodile.

After the usual pleasantries, Huang Qiang said: "Brigade Commander Yu talked with me at length and offered some good suggestions. For example, the Liu Jinghui disappearance case is applying for a second-class merit. Combined with Case 13, it's even more solid. Alternatively, Case 13 could be held back separately—if you solve a few more cases soon, we can apply for another second-class merit with Case 13 as the main one."

"Let's just lock down one first," Jiang Yuan thought. Solving a few more cases sounded possible, but it'd just become a carrot. Besides, earning merit first meant gaining skill points—that was concrete.

"Let me just nail one first," Jiang Yuan thought to himself. Solving a few more cases might be possible, but that would just turn into a carrot on a stick; it's far more practical to earn rewards and skill points first.

Like ministry criminal investigation experts who solve over a hundred cases a year, or even more with strategic input—many of these are cases local units couldn't crack. When solved, local authorities might award dozens of merits.

But you can't give one expert a hundred merit awards a year. So often, it's recorded—symbolically granting one or two first-class merits annually, accumulating second-class ones. In the end, what matters is whether they qualify for a Second-Class Hero or First-Class Hero title.

Huang Qiang also preferred getting rewards early. After two sentences, he added: "So stay in Changyang a while longer. See if there are any cases you can help with. Ningtai County hasn't had much lately—we're sorting through backlogged cases…"

Jiang Yuan chuckled. "Did Yu team leader give you a new car?"

"One car isn't enough," Huang Qiang laughed. "Our county's surveillance system needs updating anyway. The director wants Changyang City to help out. Alright, you do your best—now it's all up to you."

Jiang Yuan laughed and asked, "Did Team Yu send you another new car?"

"One car isn't enough," Huang Qiangmin laughed. "Our county's surveillance system was due for an upgrade anyway. The director suggested Longyang City lend a hand. Alright, do your best—everything rests on you now."