Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 74: Think clearly, who is not letting go?

"Team Zhou, I believe we can arrest Chen Yang," Ning Cheng said, calling Zhou Ziyan after leaving Chen Yang's house. "And we should get a search warrant immediately."

"Are you certain?" Zhou Ziyan asked. "Have you found conclusive evidence?"

"I didn't find Chen Yang's scalpel, but I did find the shoes that match the footprints at Li Rongfang's crime scene," Ning Cheng replied, sending her a picture of the Nike sneakers. "The sole pattern and size are a perfect match."

"I'll contact Nanlian Township Police Station immediately," Zhou Ziyan said, her voice filled with excitement. "This arrest seems certain."

"Team Zhou, how's your investigation into Li Rongfang's social connections?" Ning Cheng asked, wanting to understand Chen Yang's motive. He sensed a link between the murders of Wang Shuzhen and Li Rongfang, but couldn't pinpoint it yet.

"We investigated Li Rongfang's background and network," Zhou Ziyan explained. "As a pharmaceutical company employee, her social circle is small, with no direct connection to Chen Yang."

"But there's an indirect link," Zhou Ziyan continued. "Li Rongfang's boss is Chen Yang's business partner. Chen Yang isn't the company's boss, but he's a major shareholder."

"It's a weak connection, like with Wang Shuzhen," Zhou Ziyan elaborated. "There's no direct contact between Chen Yang and Wang Shuzhen, but their children, Chen Jiankang and Zhao Xiaoli, are friends. That's why investigating Wang Shuzhen's network yielded nothing."

"Chen Yang is cunning," Ning Cheng observed. "He targets people indirectly connected to him, avoiding suspicion."

"Exactly," Zhou Ziyan agreed. "He avoids those close to him. But I don't understand why he targeted Wang Shuzhen and Li Rongfang. There's no obvious conflict."

"Killing doesn't always require conflict," Ning Cheng countered. "A single negative interaction, a hurtful remark, a perceived slight—these can be motives."

"I have some theories about Wang Shuzhen. What about Li Rongfang?"

"According to her family and colleagues, she was generally well-liked, with only minor flaws—occasional tardiness and missed performance goals," Zhou Ziyan reported.

"Tardiness and missed performance goals?" Ning Cheng frowned. He recalled Chen Yang's disgust at Wang Shuzhen's profession. Then, a chilling realization struck him: the seven deadly sins. Lust (Wang Shuzhen's profession) and sloth (Li Rongfang's work habits). Could Chen Yang, a surgeon with a possible cleanliness obsession and disregard for life, be targeting individuals representing these sins? Chen Jiankang had described Chen Yang as meticulous and strict, someone who wouldn't tolerate flaws.

"Team Zhou, did you learn anything about Chen Yang's personality during your investigation?" Ning Cheng asked.

"We avoided direct contact with Chen Yang, but we spoke indirectly with his business partner," Zhou Ziyan responded. "He described Chen Yang as obsessive-compulsive, insisting on a specific arrangement of his office. Even a slight disruption would infuriate him."

"That confirms it," Ning Cheng said. "Chen Yang's obsessive-compulsive disorder and irritability suggest a volatile nature, a suppressed rage that could erupt violently."

"Let's proceed with the arrest," Zhou Ziyan concluded.

Meanwhile, back at the Chen family villa...

"Jiankang, where are your sneakers?" Chen Yang demanded, his face grim.

Chen Jiankang, startled, explained about Ning Cheng and Zhao Xiaoli's visit.

"He went to the bathroom for a long time?" Chen Yang's eyes narrowed, rushing to his study. The safe was untouched. But he panicked. Zhao Xiaoli was Wang Shuzhen's daughter. Why would she visit, accompanied by a seemingly inquisitive cousin? Was this cousin a police officer?

Chen Yang frantically opened the safe, retrieving the scalpel. He needed to dispose of it. But a terrifying thought consumed him: kill Ning Cheng. He had never killed a police officer before. He'd kill anyone who annoyed him.

A twisted smile spread across his face. He sprinted out, intent on pursuing Ning Cheng. Spotting Ning Cheng and Zhao Xiaoli leaving the house, he decided to kill them both.

"Let's arrest Chen Yang," Ning Cheng stated after hanging up with Zhou Ziyan.

Zhao Xiaoli, still shaken, apologized for her earlier misunderstanding.

"It's alright," Ning Cheng reassured her.

"Was Chen Yang my mother's killer?" Zhao Xiaoli asked, her voice trembling. "She never wronged him. Why?"

Ning Cheng remained silent, unable to reveal the harsh truth about her mother's profession.

Suddenly, a chilling laugh echoed in the night. Chen Yang emerged from the shadows, his face contorted.

"You were investigating me, weren't you? You won't live through tonight," Chen Yang hissed.

Ning Cheng simply smiled. "Who won't live through the night? We'll see," he replied.