Breaking Through The Clouds

Chapter 7

Jian Ting, Captain of the Gongzhou Second Anti-Drug Division was confirmed to have sacrificed three years ago.

Autumn Rain Branded Goods: Second-hand bags, jewelry, and luxury goods recycling.

Yan Xie stepped down from the police car, slowly crossing his arms and surveying the sign in front of him.

Ma Xiang approached him, saying, "Brother Yan, the informant is over there. We just..."

Yan Xie waved his hand, immediately stopping Ma Xiang.

"Inform all investigation teams. There's no need to search the second-hand market anymore," he said slowly. "The target backpack has been found."

Several police officers sealed off the shop entrance, while the bewildered store owner excitedly recounted something to the detective. The forensic team placed evidence bags under the conspicuous black and yellow backpack, conducting initial fingerprint extraction for comparison.

On the sidewalk outside the shop, a police officer taking notes stood, while Jiang Ting sat on a bench, comfortably leaning against the backrest. He slightly tilted his head back, with his slender legs slightly apart. This posture was as relaxed as sitting on a leather sofa at home. Even when Yan Xie walked by, he showed no signs of getting up.

"My friend wanted to sell her unused bags, so I accompanied her to browse. Coincidentally, I saw that backpack on the counter, and since it seemed related to the case from a few days ago..."

"The store owner said you rummaged through the bag inside and out before calling the police. What's that about?"

"I just wanted to see what was inside the bag." Jiang Ting paused and said, "In the bottom corner of the front pocket of the backpack, there were a few small pieces of tin foil wedged in. They looked like the kind used for wrapping chocolates. You can have the technicians take a look."

The police had encountered too many civilians who offered unsolicited ideas during investigations, so they didn't take it seriously. They only responded with a few noncommittal sounds. Unexpectedly, someone suddenly tapped Yan Xie's shoulder and said, "Hey, Captain Yan!"

Yan Xie waved his hand and said, "Leave it to me."

The officer replied, "Okay," handed him the notebook, and went to help on the side.

However, when Yan Xie took the notebook, he showed no intention of reading it. He just stood in front of Jiang Ting with his arms crossed, silently staring at him.

Jiang Ting politely greeted him, "Hello, Officer Yan."

"The police haven't approved the reward money yet, so you're at a disadvantage for providing the lead so early."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Ting smiled. "I was just accompanying Yang Mei on errands and happened to see this bag. After all, I'm a witness, and providing leads to the police is a duty, isn't it?"

One stood, and the other sat, creating an atmosphere of calmness. However, there seemed to be something eerie and indescribable brewing in the air.

"You did it on purpose."

Jiang Ting asked, "Oh?"

"You want to know why I revisited the crime scene, why I wanted to see what I found on the road. There are two second-hand luxury goods recycling points closer to the Sleepless Palace KTV, but you found this one," Yan Xie narrowed his eyes, openly scrutinizing him. "You have an unusually high level of interest and involvement in this case. Why?"

"You're overthinking it, Officer," Jiang Ting replied with a smile. "This place offered a higher price, that's all."

A forensic investigator hurriedly approached, saying, "The results are out, Vice-Captain Yan! The preliminary fingerprint comparison on the backpack matched the deceased. We'll take the evidence back to the police headquarters for detailed analysis. Additionally, according to the store owner, a man came in around 8 a.m. and sold the bag at a low price. The man had Toyota car keys. We're contacting the traffic police to retrieve the surveillance footage and license plate records of this road section..."