Chapter 10: Apply to Establish a Project Team

In the Jiang Hai City Criminal Investigation Brigade, the office that stayed lit all night smelled of smoke and cheap instant coffee, a combination that made one's head ache.

Zhao Wei's case was like a massive stone thrown into deep water, the resulting waves keeping every investigator awake through the night.

"A whole family sees a ghost..."

The young officer Xiao Zhang held the freshly compiled transcript, his expression uglier than if he'd swallowed a fly.

"Qin Team, how... how do we write the report? Zhao Wei's wife and daughter both insist they saw a ghost with a hole in its chest..."

He paused, then carefully added, "The forensic doctor also said Zhao Wei's cause of death matches Liu Guodong's exactly—both acute cardiac failure. The scene... likewise shows no trace of external force intrusion."

The entire office was oppressively tense.

Two consecutive bizarre deaths, each victim showing extreme terror before dying, convinced they were being hunted by a ghost, and ultimately succumbing to sudden cardiac arrest.

This already exceeds the scope of traditional criminal investigation.

"What kind of ghost is this!"

Qin Zhixia slammed a File onto the table, the crisp sound startling everyone.

Her beautiful Crimson Phoenix Eyes swept over everyone present, sharp in their gaze.

"Two educated adults—a chief of cardiac surgery and a corporate executive—could not have been 'scared to death' simultaneously! Someone must be using methods we don't yet know to commit the crime!"

Qin Zhixia's voice was soft yet resonant, forcibly pulling everyone back from superstitious speculation.

"Mind control? Or some hallucinogenic gas?"

"Whatever it is, it must be scientific, materialistic! Our mission is to uncover it!"

Xiao Zhang flinched, his neck tightening, and dared not speak again.

At that moment, the Detachment Chief's office door opened.

The graying veteran detective, Jiang Hai City Criminal Investigation Detachment Chief Zhou Weiguo, emerged with a solemn expression.

He stacked the two case files together and gave them a pat.

"Treat the two cases as a combined investigation."

"I've already consulted Director Qin; the case is serious, the impact severe, and higher-ups have approved forming a Project Team, code name still 'Jian Xie'! We must dig deep to the end!"

Zhou Weiguo's words set an unquestionable tone for this clouded case.

The Project Team's personnel were still en route, while Qin Zhixia's team had already begun a new round of investigation.

As the investigation deepened, a clear clue soon surfaced.

"Qin Team, we've found something!"

Xiao Zhang brandished a document, rushing excitedly to Qin Zhixia.

"Liu Guodong and Zhao Wei have a definite link! Half a month ago, the Second Hospital in Jiang Hai City performed a heart transplant; the donor was Zhou Xiaosheng, the lead surgeon was Liu Guodong, and the person handling all the 'donation' paperwork was Zhao Wei!"

In an instant, everyone's eyes in the office converged.

Zhou Xiaosheng.

The name was like a key unlocking all the doubts.

A youth from a poor family, a surgery riddled with questions, 'donated' to an unidentified recipient.

Lead surgeon Liu Guodong is dead.

The process handler Zhao Wei is also dead.

So, who will be the next target?

The answer is obvious.

"The ultimate beneficiary... the wealthy man who received Zhou Xiaosheng's heart, Zhao Wei's boss, Manager Li, Li Zhenhu!"

Qin Zhixia took the document, examined it carefully, tapping her fingertips lightly on the desk as her thoughts became crystal clear.

She could almost outline the whole incident: it was a premeditated chain of revenge!

Moreover, as the subordinates dug deeper, the forensic analysis of the signature on Zhou Xiaosheng's so‑called 'voluntary donation agreement' also emerged.

It was forged.

Holding the report, Qin Zhixia felt a heaviness settle over her heart.

She knew that behind the 'Jian Xie' case might lie a dirty transaction, and that could be the fuse for 'Jian Xie'.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, her gaze had returned to absolute calm.

Now, her duty is to catch that 'avenger' and prevent the next murder.

As for the black supply chain hidden beneath the surface, once the case is resolved, she will apply for a thorough investigation, ensuring all crimes are brought to justice by order!

"Re‑examine everyone with a motive!"

Qin Zhixia issued a new order.

The whiteboard in the conference room was covered with a social network diagram related to Zhou Xiaosheng, but all it showed were distant, honest rural relatives, lacking any high‑tech, high‑IQ capability to commit such a crime.

"Could it be... that we were wrong?" Xiao Zhang scratched his head, "The killer doesn't even know Zhou Xiaosheng; he's just an antisocial lunatic randomly picking targets to get a thrill?"

"No."

Qin Zhixia categorically denied.

"The killer's targeting is too precise, zeroing in on Liu Guodong and Zhao Wei. This is definitely not random."

The conference room fell into contemplation again.

At that moment, Xiao Zhang, who had been buried at his computer researching, suddenly looked up.

He hesitated briefly, then spoke.

"Qin Team... I conducted a wide‑range sweep, followed the trail, and found a clue."

Xiao Zhang's voice sounded a bit hoarse.

"Speak," Qin Zhixia said, looking at him.

Xiao Zhang nodded, "Chu Che... that's the doctor we previously questioned at the Second Hospital in Jiang Hai City. His mother also suffered from heart disease back then, waiting for a heart donor at the Second Hospital for a long time. Eventually... after finally getting a match, she was snatched away the day before surgery by a more powerful patient."

His mother, because of this, couldn't hold on and died.

After that, Chu Che spent a considerable period fighting the hospital's hidden dealings, until he gave up.

Because of this, his relations with the hospital's leadership are still not good… there are even signs of being sidelined.

Before the incident, among the cardiac surgery attending physicians, only he, who assisted that operation, had contact with Liu Guodong and Zhao Wei.

Boom.

Those words stirred a massive wave in Qin Zhixia's mind.

She instantly put herself into Chu Che's feelings.

Watching her mother about to be saved, hope was ruthlessly crushed at the last moment by the powerful.

That helpless, watch‑as‑a‑relative‑dies despair and anger, while also being an accomplice.

The futility of a fruitless struggle and the resentment of being excluded.

And the despair of having to take part in that "sinful" surgery.

—Motivation, found.

Recently, only he, Director Liu, and Zhao Wei have had contact… which also constitutes a considerable degree of suspicion.

She then recalled Chu Che's somewhat leading statements when facing police questioning.

The doubt in his heart, already dispelled, was continually amplified.

Not only that.

How could someone who has endured so much pain and despair be so gentle, so calm, so at peace, and continue staying where he was?

Many doubts, like countless rivers converging into the sea, all point toward Chu Che's bottomless abyss.

If the murderer really is him, he is using his own method to conduct a self‑righteous "trial"!

"On‑site personnel, split into two teams immediately!"

Qin Zhixia sprang to her feet, her voice decisive.

"Team One, immediately keep an eye on Manager Li, Li Zhenghu! Conduct 24‑hour surveillance and protection; he is likely the killer's next target!"

"Team Two!"

Her gaze swept over Xiao and Zhang.

"Keep a close watch on Chu Che! Thoroughly investigate his recent movements and monitor him closely."

"Logistics staff, continue to examine the victim's relational network. By elimination, see if you can filter out higher‑priority suspects besides Chu Che."

The night deepened.

Qin Zhixia dragged her weary body back to her studio apartment and flopped heavily onto the sofa.

The high‑intensity work left her body and mind exhausted; she just wanted to clear her mind and get a good sleep.

Buzz.

The phone vibrated once.

She picked it up and saw a WeChat message from her aunt.

【Message】 "Xiaxia, don't overwork; girls need to take care of their health. The young guy I mentioned last time, I forwarded his WeChat to you; you two youngsters can chat yourselves?"

Qin Zhixia rubbed her temples with a slight headache.

She's almost thirty this year, her family is pressing, and her aunt is even more worried about her marriage prospects.

But after a few blind dates, the suitors either thought her detective job too domineering, or felt like being interrogated when staying with her, making them uncomfortable.

After a while, she grew tired of the hassle.

With work this busy, when does she have time for romance?

She hasn't even gone on a date with a man or had basic physical contact.

She was about to type, using the catch‑all excuse "I'm busy with recent cases" to decline.

Her aunt's next message had already arrived.

It was a business‑card push, with a portrait of a sunny, handsome man.

Qin Zhixia opened the card, and when she saw the name on it, the finger poised to type a refusal froze on the screen.

【Card】 Chu Che