Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 28: Heroes, can't be slandered!

Inside the office, Director Zhang Chao warmly received Ning Cheng, his eyes shining with admiration and eagerness. The enthusiastic attitude almost made Ning Cheng feel like a prized possession. If you didn't know the director was nearly fifty, with a touch of gray at his temples and a wife and daughter at home, you might think Zhang Chao was smitten.

"Thank you for the compliment, Director. I'll do my best in the future," Ning Cheng responded modestly.

"Excellent, Xiao Ning. If you need anything, just ask. We'll do our best to accommodate you," Zhang Chao declared, his generosity reflecting his appreciation for Ning Cheng's talent.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Come in!"

Zhou Ziyan, the head of the criminal police detachment, entered, her expression urgent, a phone in her hand.

"Director, we have a trending news story!"

"What kind of news? Good or bad?" Zhang Chao asked.

"It's related to Ning Cheng," Zhou Ziyan replied, handing the phone to Zhang Chao. "The trending search is about the murder of Sun Huirong tonight. Someone is accusing Ning Cheng of being the murderer, claiming we're covering for him!"

Zhang Chao's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the phone. The trending search headline read: "Dereliction of Duty! Daughter's Tragic Death, Grieving Parents Cry Out, Police Cover Up the Murderer!"

A short video accompanied the headline. It captured the moment when Sun Huirong's parents accused Ning Cheng and the subsequent questioning, amplifying the suspicion. The video, clearly recorded secretly, had shaky, blacked-out sections. It was edited to highlight the accusation, omitting the later parts where Ning Cheng cleared his name.

The comments below the video were outrageous:

"Heartbreaking tragedy, the parents are devastated, but the police are covering up the suspect!"

"Lawlessness! There's definitely something shady going on here!"

"Murder deserves the death penalty!"

"The suspect is so handsome, with sharp features. He doesn't look like a murderer. Maybe there's more to the story!"

"Looks over brains, typical!"

The comments were overwhelmingly negative, drowning out any rational voices.

"What's going on?" Zhang Chao frowned, addressing Zhou Ziyan. "You're a seasoned criminal police officer, investigating cases. How could you let someone take pictures? That's interfering with the judicial process!"

"If you couldn't control the crowd, that's fine. But you brought a team of a dozen people to the crime scene. Why couldn't you stop them?"

"I bear the responsibility, Director. I'm willing to take the blame," Zhou Ziyan admitted, her cheeks flushed.

She hadn't anticipated someone secretly recording the scene. While she had sent someone to stop the initial wave of picture-taking, she couldn't have known someone was hiding their phone.

"If Comrade Ning Cheng's reputation is damaged, you'll face a demerit!" Zhang Chao declared sternly.

"Director, please calm down. The situation was chaotic, and Captain Zhou didn't expect anyone to be recording privately," Ning Cheng interjected, knowing that Zhou Ziyan wasn't solely responsible.

The blame ultimately lay with the person who took the private video. Ning Cheng recognized the anchor who posted the trending search as He Qiuman, the woman he had gone on a blind date with. He suspected she was seeking revenge.

While Zhang Chao and Zhou Ziyan discussed the situation, the female police officer from the Technology Section arrived, handing them a video file.

"As per Captain Zhou's instructions, we've extracted the video footage of Comrade Ning Cheng clearing his name," she explained. "Director, this video will restore the truth."

"Director, this video, along with Liu Xi's confession, will clarify the entire case," Zhou Ziyan added, taking the phone.

Zhang Chao, who had only heard about Ning Cheng's forensic analysis and case-solving through communication, was now watching the full video. He was stunned, rising from his chair and patting Ning Cheng's shoulder repeatedly.

"Good boy! You actually understand forensic autopsy. You're truly versatile!"

"Edit the video of Ning Cheng clearing his name and Liu Xi's confession. Send it to the city bureau and use the official account to clarify the situation immediately!"

"Yes!" Zhou Ziyan immediately followed Zhang Chao's instructions.

The city bureau, taking the matter seriously, quickly edited the content and released a video titled "Heroes, Not to Be Slandered!"

Despite taking action, Zhou Ziyan was still furious. He Qiuman's slanderous accusation against Ning Cheng wasn't just an attack on him, but on the entire police force.

"Ning Cheng, I apologize for allowing this to happen. I won't shirk responsibility. After this is resolved, I'll apologize to you," Zhou Ziyan said sincerely.

"But this is not just about your image, it's about the reputation of our Jiangcheng police force. You have the right to file a lawsuit against He Qiuman. Do you want to sue?"

"If we decide to sue, we can summon He Qiuman to the police station," she added.

Ning Cheng understood her intentions and smiled. "Of course, if we're going to sue, I'll need Captain Zhou to summon her to the station. And while she's there, you can check her room. I suspect she's hiding contraband."

"What contraband?" Zhou Ziyan questioned.