Chapter 22: Case Brief

Jiangcheng City Investigation Division is situated in a relatively secluded corner on the outskirts of the city.

At this moment, the entrance to the division is crowded with people.

A multitude of variety show fans have gathered here, eagerly awaiting. Of course, they are classified as miscellaneous outsiders and are absolutely not permitted to enter.

Inside the conference room.

A striking figure captured everyone's attention.

Su Qingzhu had arrived.

She wore a deep blue uniform, its tailored cut unable to fully conceal her proud and alluring curves. Her fair cheeks and impossibly exquisite features radiated a breathtaking brilliance. The instant her form appeared in the live broadcast, the streaming room erupted, with comments surging like a tidal wave.

“My goddess Su has finally descended!”

“I skipped work today just to witness this moment with goddess Su!”

“My dear! Even after a few days apart, you remain as enchanting and captivating as ever!”

This beautiful policewoman, Su Qingzhu, was Captain Yan Zheng’s most capable subordinate.

In previous episodes of “Revisiting Old Cases,” she had occasionally appeared briefly in the public eye. Yet, even that fleeting glimpse was enough for her to swiftly win over countless viewers, thanks to her extraordinary beauty and aloof aura, attracting an endless wave of fans.

She had already become a dazzling highlight of the program, a major contributor to its ratings.

Despite being a woman, Su Qingzhu was the champion of the city’s Sanda martial arts tournament for four consecutive years—a genuine, formidable practitioner. Moreover, her expertise in criminal investigation, forensic analysis, and trace evidence was also considered top-tier in the city.

At this moment, Su Qingzhu stood elegantly at the front of the conference room. She extended her slender finger, pointing to the slide before her, and began the case briefing with a clear, fluent tone.

Seated at the conference table were Fol, Pipe, Bubble Girl, and Liu Hong, all ranked beneath her.

Everyone listened with intense focus and concentration.

The three detective contestants nodded occasionally, seeming to grasp new insights.

Liu Hong, however, grew visibly paler as she listened, her complexion becoming almost frighteningly white.

The live broadcast was currently using a split-screen to show this scene.

On the other side of the screen, the camera displayed only the rapidly changing cityscape outside Chen Yu’s special operations vehicle, offering no substantive content directly related to the case.

Thus, the vast majority of viewers’ attention was concentrated on the case briefing inside the Investigation Division’s conference room.

“According to a year and a half of meticulous investigation by our division, we currently have the following main clues,” Su Qingzhu continued, pointing to various case photos on the slide.

“The victim, Luo Xiangdong, was found dead eleven years ago, trapped inside a deserted house on the outskirts of the city.”

“Forensic examination determined the cause of death as ‘starvation.’”

“And since there is currently no direct evidence indicating homicide, the case is temporarily classified as: accident!”

“Accident?”

On the other side, Chen Yu, who was driving the special operations vehicle, was momentarily stunned upon hearing these words from Captain Yan in the back seat.

So it wasn’t just him who considered this possibility. Yan and his team had already initially judged the case to be an accident?

“Of course, many people may be inclined to believe that a massive conspiracy lurks behind this case,” Yan Zheng’s steady voice sounded again, “but we are the Investigation Division. We only trust the evidence that is tangible and before our eyes.”

The streaming room exploded with reactions.

“No way, right? This episode is too dull! All this fuss—missing tycoon, mysterious locked room—and you’re telling me it’s just an accident?”

“I bet those three detectives will spot some suspicious points. Let’s keep watching!”

“Hmph, if you ask me, the one who’ll notice the real clues is definitely my boy Chen Yu!”

Chen Yu’s “Resurrection Squad” fans became active once more, flooding the comment section with messages of support for their idol.

“As usual, I’ll begin with a brief introduction of the relationships involved in this case,” Su Qingzhu said professionally, clicking to the next slide as she continued her explanation.

“Luo Xiangdong’s interpersonal network is relatively straightforward.”

“First, his wife—Ms. Liu Hong.”

Su Qingzhu’s gaze swept, almost imperceptibly, over the pale-faced Liu Hong.

“Based on our investigation, Luo Xiangdong and Liu Hong had a harmonious relationship, supported by both witness testimony and material evidence. Therefore, at present, Ms. Liu Hong does not have a motive for the crime.”

“Next, Luo Xiangdong’s brother-in-law—Liu Gang.”

“In Luo Xiangdong’s lifetime, the two were close colleagues and friends, later becoming relatives through marriage. Thus, Liu Gang also lacks a motive.”

“Then, there are the two business partners from the early days of Luo Xiangdong’s venture.”

“The first is Dong Zhan.”

“He was Luo Xiangdong’s earliest business partner. At the time, Luo Xiangdong’s research was complete, but he had no channels or connections for promotion.”

“Dong Zhan, a seasoned entrepreneur with an extensive network and sufficient capital, provided the initial funding. With this background, Xiangdong Group was founded.”

“It can be said that Dong Zhan was Luo Xiangdong’s benefactor in his career.”

“Moreover, according to our findings, Dong Zhan currently holds fifty percent of Xiangdong Group’s shares because Luo Xiangdong, grateful for his support, voluntarily allocated them to him.”

“Luo Xiangdong himself only held forty percent of the shares.”

“Dong Zhan was deeply appreciative of this, and he suggested naming the group after Luo Xiangdong, hence ‘Xiangdong Group.’”

“From all this, Dong Zhan’s motive for the crime is insufficient.”

Su Qingzhu paused briefly, turned to another slide, and continued:

“Luo Xiangdong’s second partner—Zhang Fu.”

“He was once a civil servant, holding a leadership position, but later resigned to enter business, and now serves as president of Jiangcheng Group.”

“In the early days of Luo Xiangdong and Dong Zhan’s venture, they needed to navigate approval processes through multiple levels of authorities and networks.”

“Lacking connections, Dong Zhan reached out to Zhang Fu, who was then a familiar acquaintance, asking for guidance and introductions.”

“Zhang Fu agreed, and showed great appreciation for Luo Xiangdong’s research.”

“That same year, Jiangcheng City suffered a historic drought, facing a severe grain shortage.”

“Luo Xiangdong’s development of ‘super seeds’ was, at the time, a major scientific project capable of saving the nation.”

“Zhang Fu recognized this, and spared no effort in helping Luo Xiangdong and Dong Zhan establish Xiangdong Group, ultimately acquiring a ten percent stake.”

“But today, Jiangcheng Group, under Zhang Fu’s leadership, has grown into one of the most powerful leading enterprises in the country.”

“In comparison, the ten percent stake in Xiangdong Group is now negligible to him, barely worth his attention.”

“Therefore, Zhang Fu’s motive for the crime is equally insufficient and he can be essentially ruled out as a suspect.”

Su Qingzhu’s analysis was methodical and incisive, succinctly outlining the core relationships connected to Luo Xiangdong in those years.

Everyone below nodded repeatedly, clearly convinced by her professionalism.

The streaming room was abuzz with praise and admiration for the brilliant performance of the beautiful policewoman, with waves of likes and cheers rising one after another.

Countless viewers declared that this skilled and stunning policewoman was simply irresistible.

Fol, Pipe, and Bubble Girl, the three detective contestants, were plunged into deep contemplation after hearing Su Qingzhu’s briefing.