Chapter Four, The Wings of Angels Four

However, it is strange that he passed the psychological evaluation time and again, and it appears... it leaves one very uncertain

At first, Jiang Hu felt that Shen Yexi was bound by an obsessive sense of justice within a very small circle. Every confrontation with evil was the harshest blow to human nature. Even after witnessing the death of his closest brother and comrade, everyone suspected that he had developed post-traumatic stress disorder.

Shen Yexi nodded: "Yining, please gather some information. Let's first call Sister Yang to wrap up and go back, change clothes, and then make the next arrangements—this smell is enough to knock someone over."

The dialogue between the seasoned melodrama actors was interrupted by another police car that had stopped. An Yining and Su Junzi got out from inside, and the forensic expert had already removed the body covered with a white cloth. Su Junzi glanced at the scene, which looked quite tragic, where four individuals, resembling mushrooms, were squatting on the ground surrounded by a pile of photographs: "What’s going on, what’s the situation?"

Jiang Hu said: "Anxiety will continue to increase until it leads to a breakdown, or until a way to alleviate this anxiety is found"

"Could it be that the combination of positional factors and height factors fulfills a certain fantasy of the murderer?" Shen Yexi furrowed his brows, carefully examining those photos, and asked Jiang Hu, "What kind of fantasy is it?"

Shen Yexi's gaze flickered: "I am afraid that he will not come out—Gentleman, take a few brothers to look for potential witnesses. Sister Yang, call back and have someone monitor this area. Yining, let’s discuss the statements from the victim's family."

Where is the photo? It is for the performance," Shen Yexi asked

Shen Yexi nodded: "Alright, the scope has narrowed significantly"

Sheng Yao's expression was quite tragic: "My lady, if it weren't for the foul smell in my arms, I would be more than willing to have you seek refuge here."

Jianghu Station stood by silently, appearing somewhat distracted

The forensic expert has already moved the body away. Shen Yexi took it over, his mind racing. After a pause, he asked Jiang Hu in a deep voice, "What do you think will happen to him?"

"What is it?" You said this person, is there anything that cannot be explained clearly at once? Shen Yexi was afraid he would say something as blunt as needing to go to the bathroom, so he added, "Is it related to the case?"

Yang Man immediately began to search: "The first missing child was named Lu Hui, aged ten. Before going missing, there was a performance that was broadcast on a local children's program. The performance aired at 8:30 PM, which was after most children's programs had already concluded, resulting in low viewership. The choir had not placed much importance on it... Could it be that the murderer happened to see that performance?" The performance aired at 8:30 PM, which was after most children's programs had already concluded, resulting in low viewership. The choir had not placed much importance on it... Could it be that the murderer happened to see that performance?"

"He might be a psychopath," Shen Yexi said, "The bodies of the four children have all been found, their heads and bodies separated. However, except for the last victim, Zhang Jing, the feet and heads of each victim are aligned in a straight line, and the distance between each of them is very close. The victims' ribs have been taken away... The murderer is likely collecting the ribs and fantasizing that they are wings"

I do not find the young master displeasing

He must be very familiar with the route to the choir, or..." An Yining frowned, "He is someone familiar to the children. Children around ten years old have a certain level of cognitive ability and generally would not be easily abducted like younger children. With so many people around, if he were to take a child, there would definitely be some unnatural circumstances that would attract the attention of passersby.

Oh, just now when we mentioned that this person has obsessive-compulsive disorder, if he truly panicked and fled after being startled, without placing the body in his usual manner, then this would be a source of stress for him. He would feel very anxious and restless, and it is quite possible that he is currently watching us from somewhere, hoping that once we leave, he can return to put the head of the body back in place, but...

"The lead singer was moved to a different position, yet the child standing here still went missing..." He read aloud, and the other three were taken aback, "What was it that first sparked his imagination?"

Jiang Hu shook his head and hesitated for a moment: "No, there is nothing. I just suddenly remembered something."

This person's emotions change rapidly, making them somewhat difficult to grasp

Sheng Yao immediately realized: "The child who went missing at the very beginning is the most crucial; after which performance did she disappear?"

Yang Man handed it to him, while Lu Hui stood among all the children, like the moon surrounded by stars. Even her attire was different from the other children—she wore a pure white dress, had a halo atop her head, and carried a pair of angel wings on her back

The peak hours for commuting have not yet passed, and traffic congestion on that stretch of road is a common occurrence. However, since the parents are at ease allowing their child to walk home alone, the distance must not be very long, and it is likely in a place visible to the parents. Moreover, during peak commuting hours, there are particularly many pedestrians. How did the perpetrator manage to take the child away without alarming anyone?

"Speak up," Sheng Yao observed the subtle change in Shen Yexi's expression and quickly reminded in a low voice

Sheng Yaodun paused and said: "Just now, while I was waiting for you downstairs, Yang Man had already roughly scanned the surroundings. Apart from the densely packed, poorly soundproofed old buildings, there is a large courtyard on one side and dilapidated, long-abandoned houses waiting to be demolished. If he wants to kill these children, dismember them, and remove their ribs, he will definitely need a relatively private and very familiar space. I have already sent someone to the neighborhood committee and the local police station to investigate, and I estimate that it won't take long to produce a list. However, I fear that the length of this list will not be short."

Nod or say something! Shen Yexi felt that his temper was not too impatient, yet his right hand seemed to be powered by a battery, constantly wanting to reach out and give this slow-witted, dull fellow a slap.

Sheng Yao's expression went blank for a moment: "Doctor, in just this short time, you have already wasted my precious feelings for the second time."

Jiang Hu nodded slightly

The forensic expert began working before Su Junzi and An Yining arrived. Three foul-smelling men and one foul-smelling woman gathered together to investigate the issue. Yang Man had completely given up on her image, sitting carelessly on the ground, flipping through the photos picked out by Jiang Hu while listening to Sheng Yao's explanation

Shen Yexi took the photo and looked at it for a full two minutes before taking a deep breath and slowly saying: "Don't you think that from this perspective, if the little girl's angel wings were retracted into her body, they would perfectly align with her ribcage?"

There are countless individuals in the world with limitless potential, who initially resemble the wind, indifferent to their whereabouts. However, as worldly matters arise, they gradually become bound by numerous constraints, their actions slow down, and ultimately they find themselves confined to a corner. Over time, even those with a little insight can discern their thoughts.

He possesses an exceptionally strong ability to mobilize others. Jiang Hu stands beside him, and from the perspective of an observer, it is evident that Shen Yexi indeed has the confidence to disregard anyone. Whether it is Yang Man, Sheng Yao, or An Yining Su Junzi, each of them is an elite figure in their own right, yet they all willingly submit to his arrangements

At this moment, Jiang Hu's brows, which were faintly visible beneath Liu Hai, gently furrowed. However, Shen Yexi noticed even this and turned his head to ask him: "What’s wrong, Doctor Jiang? Is something amiss?"

An Yining asked: "Then why is the last child's head outside?"

Yang Man felt a chill as a gust of wind swept by, and she moved a little closer to Sheng Yao, lowering her voice: "Young Master Sheng, I am frightened."

Jiang Hu thought for a long time: "This ... ... "

I cannot say for certain either

A hint of relief appeared on his face due to the progress of the case, and he turned to Jiang Hu and said, "Where do you live, doctor? I will take you back."

An Yining briefly recounted the information she and Su Junzi had gathered. She found it strange, as the circumstances described by each victim's parents were quite similar: traffic jams, short distances, waiting for the child to walk over by themselves, negligence, and the child being abducted

Sheng Yao further added: "Moreover, I believe that the place where that person lives should not be far from here, or rather, the place where he used to live is not far from here. He is very familiar with this area. In a state of panic, the murderer discarded the child's picture book outside. He might be easily frightened, so the location where he disposed of the body should be a place he is very familiar with, one that can provide him with a sense of security"

Is it because he is pursuing the higher needs as described by Maslow? This will involve too much thinking and philosophical questions, even issues related to humanism. Thus, Jiang Hu tilted his head and smiled: "Sorry to trouble you, Team Leader Shen."

Even during the time when Shen Yexi was hospitalized, the team almost exhibited a state akin to a headless dragon. It is no wonder that Mo Cong placed such great importance on him

Shen Yexi glanced at him and then asked Sheng Yao, "What is the situation of the residential houses in this area?"

One is merely afraid of polluting the beautiful hair of the lady

"Take a look at this place," Sheng Yao said. "Yang Man and I just took a look around, and there is a high possibility of potential witnesses. The underground sewer system is intricate and complex. I believe it is very likely that when the murderer disposed of the body, they were startled by someone, hurriedly jumped into the sewer, accidentally left their head above, and then, fearing being caught, panicked and escaped through another exit.

Three people were eagerly waiting for him

He seems to be collecting wings, Shen Yexi said

A moment of silence

I do not understand, after listening she said, "Look at these children, standing in rows, all of similar ages, many of them have similar heights, why did the murderer choose this particular spot?"

An Yining and Su Junzi looked at the photos that Shen Yexi had handed over

Suddenly, Shen Yexi recalled a remark that Jiang Hu had made to him in the car.

Sheng Yao is indeed a professional in information security who has transitioned to criminal investigation. No matter how carefree he may appear on the surface, the meticulousness within him is deeply ingrained.