Chapter 8, Interrogation

Zhi Lu remained silent, took out her phone from her handbag, and threw it onto his desk, producing a crisp sound. Her movement was somewhat forceful, causing the small phone to roll and fall onto the carpet, making a sound much softer than the previous one

Yang Li's eyes flickered uncertainly as he gently asked, "Sister Zhi Lu, it has been two months, hasn't it? I heard that the optimal time frame for solving a criminal case is two months. If it cannot be solved within that time, the likelihood of resolution diminishes significantly... What if the police cannot catch the murderer of my mother?"

As she walked, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts, and her heart felt a pang of sorrow. Back then, he cared for her so much, but what about now? He forced her to resign, compelled her to struggle in finding a suitable job. And she felt utterly helpless.

In an instant, it felt utterly absurd. Engaging in conversation with someone who has thoroughly investigated themselves puts one at a complete disadvantage. She barely managed to suppress her anger, her tone stiff and devoid of any intention to turn back, "There is no need for you to worry; I have no interest in knowing."

Lu Jianzhong glanced at him and replied in a tone that was just the right mix of authority and coldness: "Do you still not realize what you have done? You are implicated in two murder cases and one attempted murder case."

Only upon raising his head did he realize that Lu Jianzhong had not taken her words to heart. He lowered his gaze to Zhou Yun's testimony, furrowing his brows in deep thought, and muttered to himself: "Strange"

Zhi Lu touched her forehead with a bitter smile, feeling something was amiss, "So Zhou Yun has been following me for three to four months, I really am quite dull"

Suddenly, it became clear that the more than one hour of waiting was deliberately arranged by Ye Zhong'e. He truly understood her, having specifically worn down her temper before agreeing to meet her. Truly remarkable, truly remarkable

On the other end of the phone, Secretary Liu seemed to have a premonition, responding succinctly and clearly: "Is the visitor named Zhong Zhilü? Have her wait downstairs for a moment." Then, she proceeded to relay several matters.

Yes. What happened? Is there a breakthrough in the case?

This person indeed possesses a certain degree of courage; being completely at a disadvantage is of no concern. He smiled and said nothing

After pondering over this lesson, Zhi Lu suddenly felt dizzy. She took several deep breaths and sharply spoke: "There is still a question I do not understand. Ye Zhongke, what else have you done behind my back? Making me wait downstairs for over an hour, sending someone to follow me, getting me dismissed from the newspaper, making it impossible for me to find a job... Have you ever respected my wishes even once? Am I just meant to be at your mercy? Playing with me like a toy, watching me struggle like a trapped beast, must be quite amusing to you?"

In the subway station, Zhi Lu quietly gazed at the tracks, suddenly feeling that life is like these two rails, limited yet infinitely extending. You know it has an end, but you cannot see it, nor can you find it; you can only see that small stretch of a few hundred meters on the platform, just like life, where the future is unpredictable

It is truly a great joy, immediately saying: "What one seeks is hard to obtain"

Zhi Lu's current feeling is just like this. Firstly, the results of the fingerprint analysis have just come out; on that stormy night two days ago, there were no fingerprints left by outsiders in the entire room. Secondly, the monitoring results indicate that there are no signs of the door lock being tampered with, which reveals even more information. These two facts are disheartening, suggesting the high level of cunning of the murderer. At this moment, she is sitting in a room at the Public Security Bureau, watching the video tape they obtained from the community security with Lu Jianzhong and another detective, Xiao Wang, who is in charge of this case, preparing to face the third blow. These two facts are disheartening, suggesting the high level of cunning of the murderer. At this moment, she is sitting in a room at the Public Security Bureau, watching the video tape they obtained from the community security with Lu Jianzhong and another detective, Xiao Wang, who is in charge of this case, preparing to face the third blow.

The resolution of the camera is very high, and the image displayed on the computer screen is quite clear. The camera's lens faces a long street, looking out from near to far, and from top to bottom. The closest figure is Zhilü. She is slightly bowing her head, carrying a bag, and hurrying towards the main entrance because it is about to rain, her expression faintly revealing a thread of anxiety. Zhilü stares at her own image on the screen, momentarily dazed. Seeing her face on the screen always feels unreal. She is slightly bowing her head, carrying a bag, and hurrying towards the main entrance because it is about to rain, her expression faintly revealing a thread of anxiety. Zhilü stares at her own image on the screen, momentarily dazed. Seeing her face on the screen always feels unreal

They sat across the table from each other, and with a slight shift of his gaze, Lu Jianzhong could see the helpless expression reflected in her eyes. There were many women sitting at this table, but only she, with a furrowed brow, could unsettle his mind.

Upon thinking of this, Lu Jian felt a heaviness in his heart, truly a hero's spirit diminished by the longings of love. Just as he was about to speak, the phone in the room suddenly rang. He was closest to the phone, so he picked it up, and the more he listened, the graver his expression became, causing the two people beside him to feel an uneasy tension. A minute later, he hung up the phone and said: "Two hours ago, a report was received that a man was found dead in his home in the Xinyuan community, and the circumstances of his death are very similar to those of Xu Huishu. Xiao Wang, find the forensic expert to go to the scene."

Sister Lu? I don't know when, but Yang Li has already returned, standing at the door, looking at her nervously, "What are you doing with the knife?"

That night, Zhi Lu received a call from Lu Jianzhong, who briefly introduced the situation in a few words: "The deceased is named Zhuang Hua, the head of the finance department at Wanbo Company. We can now be almost certain that these two homicides are related. Judging from the wounds, the same person killed both Zhuang Hua and Xu Huishu. We are currently investigating the specific reasons."

When Zhi Lu saw Li Fan, he was walking towards the parking lot with a beautiful woman who had a standard model figure, their actions so intimate that they drew the attention of passersby. Zhi Lu knew that Li Fan liked to smile, but his current expression and body language indicated that a smile could not fully convey his feelings; it could only be described as extreme joy, with his face, including his hair, shining brightly.

Zhi Lu felt somewhat emotional: "When I was young, my father took me back to our hometown, which is located in a mountainous area. Moreover, during my university years, I traveled extensively, which also helped me gain experience."

"Yes, you are absolutely right, all of you are right." Zhi Lu habitually tightened her handbag, clutching the strap as if it were a lifeline. Having just had a fierce argument with Ye Zhong'e that left her mentally exhausted, she found it hard to stand firm upon hearing these words. With a defiant smile, she held her ground, nodding repeatedly, "Everyone must repeat this to me once, keep repeating it, it’s all my fault, I am listening, thank you for your guidance. Please relay to Ye Zhong'e that we have no relationship whatsoever now, is that clear?" After saying this, she did not bother to look at his expression and walked straight past him.

It seemed that neither of them had the intention to engage in much conversation, merely exchanging a few polite greetings. Zhilu thought to herself that there was nothing much to say, and was about to leave when Li Fan suddenly called out to her, his smile spreading to every movement as he said slowly, "Please convey my regards to Brother Ye."

She pondered for a moment and said, "I understand now, thank you, Officer Lu"

Strangers, unfamiliar and unacquainted, approached from the opposite direction, with the unknown lurking behind them and the demons hidden within their hearts stirring restlessly. She reminded herself to remain calm, to observe each passerby carefully, striving to scrutinize them closely; although her mind was in turmoil, she forced herself to restrain her emotions, tightening her grip on her handbag—inside it lay her final weapon

The car from the bureau was parked at the entrance, and Lu Jianzhong stood by the car door, slightly lowering his gaze as he fixedly looked at her. "Zhi Lu, please be careful," he said. Normally, he would address her as "Miss Zhong" or call her by her name directly, but for some reason, at that moment, he successfully omitted the character "Zhong". He felt his concern for her, slowly suppressing the pain in his heart, and continued, "You are currently in danger with Yang Li. The personnel at the Public Security Bureau are limited, and we cannot determine how closely you are related to this case. We cannot follow you around twenty-four hours a day. I suggest you return to your ex-husband; he has the ability to protect you."

Zhi Lu placed the knife on the cutting board, while the other hand rested on Yang Li's shoulder, "Just like I did back then, you enjoy reading. Once you finish your college entrance examination, we can go out and have some fun."

To see or not to see? The initial momentum has faded, leaving only endless fatigue. She entered the elevator

What does this sentence mean? Zhi Lu does not understand and has no intention of trying to comprehend it. She offered a polite smile, concluding this brief encounter, and took the subway home

The traffic on the way back was severely congested, and the passengers, unable to wait any longer, began to get off and walk. Soon, there were only a few people left on the bus. Zhi Lu always carried a book with her, so she took it out and started reading. After flipping through a few pages, she looked up and saw Yang Li, who was hurrying along with her very old backpack, weaving through the jammed vehicles. She reached the opposite street, heading towards the nearby bus stop. There was no traffic congestion in the direction of the opposite street, and the traffic was smooth.

He said that two years ago, and during the long span of two years, she had not thought of those words again. Yet at this moment, they suddenly came back to her mind, and she felt as if the words had stunned her ears. Asking herself, could she solve this case? Her own life was still under threat because of it; who was that person stalking her?

Only after leaving did I remember that I should call Lu Jianzhong to inquire about the situation, but my phone had already been left in Ye Zhong'e's office, and I had not saved any numbers in it. I couldn't go back to retrieve it, and for a moment, I was somewhat dazed. I had given my previous phone to Yang Li, so I needed to buy a new one. With this thought in mind, I turned my steps and went to a mobile phone supermarket

Ye Zhong'e stood up abruptly, staring at her, his handsome face twisted with anger, the veins on his hands pressed against the table clearly visible. "You are my wife, and you actually say that your life and death have nothing to do with me? Zhong Zhi Lu, how come I never realized before that you are so selfish?"

During lunch, Zhi Lu insisted on treating. Because of her, Lu Jianzhong and Xiao Wang were unable to rest properly, which made her feel very guilty. She had previously worked on some news related to public security, and the three of them had common topics to discuss, leading to a harmonious atmosphere. It was so harmonious that she momentarily forgot their identities and the purpose of this trip, thinking they were just good friends.

The man smiled slightly, leaned against the tree, took out a cigarette, lit it, and after taking a puff, said: "Miss Zhong, you really should not be angry with Mr. Ye. He has never wronged you. My following you is merely out of concern for your safety. I had advised him before that if you experienced a few setbacks, you would surely learn to be more restrained, not so aggressive at work, and not so reckless. However, he did not listen." I had advised him before that if you experienced a few setbacks, you would surely learn to be more restrained, not so aggressive at work, and not so reckless. However, he did not listen.

Her tone was somewhat stiff, but the young lady's politeness was impeccable as she slowly inquired, "May I ask whom you are looking for?"

Lu Jianzhong asked him if he had discovered anyone who was detrimental to her, and who was it that almost killed her that night

She looked up at the man who was much taller than her and said, "I see. I see now, it was Ye Zhong'e who had you follow me."

After a few steps, a voice floated from behind: "There is one more thing, the greatest enemy is often right beside you, you should pay more attention to that girl named Yang Li."

Listening to the voice, Lu Jianzhong seemed to smile for a moment, "Do you want to catch the person who is following you?"

At this moment, Ye Zhong'e finally turned around, glanced at her, and then his gaze returned to the phone, devoid of expression

Yang Li's eyes flashed with a glimmer, avoiding her gaze, and he spoke: "Sister Zhi Lu, you have it wrong. Without you, I truly wouldn't know what to do. Until now, I haven't sincerely thanked you. I owe you so much, really, I'm sorry."

His expression was gloomy, his gaze sharp as a knife, and his brows gradually furrowed. He spoke slowly: "Zhi Lu, let us have an open and honest conversation. We have known each other for over five years, and have been married for two years and ten months, and you have come to such a conclusion? It turns out that I do not respect you, which is truly unheard of. Ask yourself, when have you ever regarded me as your husband? If you want to be a journalist, I will support you; if you do not want children, I will also choose not to have them. It turns out that I do not respect you, which is truly unheard of. Ask yourself, when have you ever regarded me as your husband? If you want to be a journalist, I will support you; if you do not want children, I will also choose not to have them. What more do you want me to do?"

Although it is the May Day holiday, this place is not deserted, as people come and go from time to time. Zhi Lu's expression was not good as she walked towards the elevator, trying to recall which floor Ye Zhong'e's office was located on, but she just couldn't remember.

They moved swiftly towards the door, and until they left the police station, no one spoke a word

One must not jump to conclusions; at present, we know nothing.

She found Lu Jianzhong at the Public Security Bureau, and he informed her that the person following her was a private detective in the city named Zhou Yun, who was quite reputable in that industry

When he received the call from private detective Zhou Yun, Ye Zhong'e already knew she would come, and her purpose was clear: to argue. He deliberately made her wait downstairs for a while, giving her time to calm her anger. Ye Zhong'e closed his eyes for a moment and began to think once again. No matter what storms he faced, he could always find a way to resolve them successfully, but when it came to her, when it came to the so-called feelings of love and kinship, he was immediately at a loss.

In her heart, Zhi Lu felt a gigantic cactus growing, its sharp thorns piercing deeply into her heart, causing pain even with the slightest movement. Yet, she disregarded it and suddenly raised her voice: "This phone, I have used it for a full two years. I never knew you started monitoring me so early. During this time, do you know I have been paranoid, thinking I was ill? Do you know I have been so frightened that I have become neurotic? Ye Zhong'e, on what grounds do you do this?"

Lu Jianzhong sighed on the other end of the phone and said, "What good does it do to just say you understand, to merely acknowledge that you are aware of the situation? Do you have a solution?"

He replied that he was unclear and did not know about this matter. However, it can be said with certainty that there are indeed some individuals who wish her harm, but he knows nothing about who they are.

In just a moment, the memories of the past were stirred up again. When he proposed divorce, he had the same expression. Zhi Lu steadied herself and coldly said: "It’s really difficult to see you even once. This phone was given to me by you; it has been two years, hasn’t it? I dare not keep it, nor can I afford to, so I came specifically to return it to you. By the way, what’s the deal with the tracking chip inside?"

Zhi Lu paused, took a deep breath, and nodded

It is something she is all too familiar with. She stared at that phone number for a long time, and finally smiled, a small smile that made her eyes feel sore and numb. No one's life can be a still pond; it will encompass many setbacks and pains, as well as unbelievable truths and betrayals.

"To serve the people," Lu Jianzhong said with a smile, his features relaxing. "It's actually quite simple. My father is a police officer, so I enrolled in the Police University. After graduating, I was assigned back to Jiangzhou and joined the Criminal Investigation Team."

At the entrance of the police station, she encountered the man who had been following her, who appeared alone and at ease, seemingly without any suspicion. She stood there expressionless, staring at the approaching individual

Ye Zhong'e felt an unprecedented fatigue, no longer looking at her, he pointed to the door and said, "I have had enough. You go out."

Lu Jianzhong glanced at her, reached out to cover the characters, quickly folded the paper, stood up and said: "I will go report to the director."

Most of the colleagues brought their family members. Deng Muhua and He Qingning were dressed in matching sports outfits, chatting and laughing, exuding a sense of sweetness. In the end, when it came time for the group competition to climb the mountain, the three of them were assigned to the same group.

Still holding the phone in a daze, Xiao Wang handed over another phone and said: "This person's phone has only one number dialed, does this number look familiar to you?"

Zhi Lu sat alone in the elevator as it descended. She did not wish to speak these words, yet those hurtful and self-harming phrases uncontrollably escaped her lips. The memories of wounds were painful, damaged, and inescapable. As she contemplated this, her gaze became vacant, and after a long while, tears streamed down her face.

These words were spoken by psychologist Zhu Shi when advising Zhi Lu. The implication was that she should deliberately avoid such situations, but she found it very difficult to achieve, at least she could not overcome this challenge. In the taxi, she tightly gripped her phone, repeatedly thinking about what Ye Zhong'e was doing in places where she could not see him

Zhi Lu smiled at her reassuringly, "Just taking a look." This was not a good topic for conversation, so she quickly shifted the subject, "May Day is approaching, how many days off do you have?" Yang Li appeared lost in thought, unsure of what was on her mind, and after a moment of hesitation, she replied, "Three days off."

In the Book of Rites, it is stated that the enmity of one's parents should not be avenged, and even if one is in mourning, one should still live as if in mourning. One should not share the world with those who have such enmity, nor can they coexist. When encountering such individuals in the marketplace, one should not retaliate with weapons, nor engage in conflict.

Standing in front of the brown revolving door of the magnificent building, Zhi Lu paused for a moment. It was her first time here, and upon entering, she couldn't help but feel a slight shock. The first floor of the building was a reception hall, astonishingly spacious and tall. Looking around, the black marble floor, pure white walls, and several green columns scattered throughout the hall created a simple yet bright atmosphere, making anyone inside feel comfortable and wishing to stay here without ever having to go out.

It seems to be the case

A few pieces of paper fell out of the envelope. Zhi Lu did not see the contents on them. After finishing scanning a few pages, both Lu Jianzhong and Xiao Wang's expressions changed. The two exchanged a surprised glance, and curiosity got the better of Zhi Lu, who couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"

Teacher Yu is Zhi Lu's undergraduate thesis advisor and also the mentor of Deng Mu Hua. Zhi Lu did not expect that this former teacher still remembered her, and for a moment she was at a loss for words, but her heart stirred, and she said: "Teacher Yu, you still hold a doctor's degree, right?"

"Not anymore, now." Zhi Lu said softly

Zhi Lu's gaze became fixed, and after a moment of hesitation, she asked: "A serial murder case?"

Zhi Lu let out a sigh, remaining silent. In truth, she already had the answer in her heart

For some individuals, excitement or happiness is a simple matter. With the company of such a beauty, no man in the world could possibly remain indifferent, not even Li Fan, who has lingered among the flowers for many years

The young lady at the front desk, with a sweet smile, called out to her: "Miss, please wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Deng Muhua laughed, took a few sips of water, wiped the corners of his mouth, and said: "Zhilü, I truly believe you should consider going back to study. Speaking of which, I recently ran into Teacher Yu, and she mentioned you, saying that you went to study journalism. What a pity, she also said that there's no need to pursue a master's degree in journalism. It's simply a waste of talent."

Zhi Lu has always had no particular demands for a mobile phone; being able to make calls and send messages is sufficient. She quickly purchased a compact phone, priced just over 1,000, which is quite affordable

Deng Muhua sighed, "It was so much better when I was studying; now there isn't even a holiday, and whenever I want to travel somewhere, I'm dragged here to climb mountains."

That night, they took the bus back to the city, feeling utterly exhausted as if they had turned to cotton, collapsing onto the sofa without the desire to move at all

"You are almost retired. How come you want to pursue a doctoral degree and return to school to study?"

Upon closer inspection, there were indeed two or three small figures, too far away for their faces to be clearly discerned. Judging by their movements, they seemed to be walking hurriedly. Xiao Wang was operating the computer nearby, capturing images for processing and magnification, which made them appear somewhat clearer now. It could be vaguely discerned that the person was dressed plainly, in a brown coat and black pants, and apart from being taller than the few pedestrians nearby, seemed to possess no other distinguishing features

Zhi Lu said coldly: "Is Ye Zhong'e here?"

Lu Jianzhong noticed at first glance that something seemed to have happened in the left pocket of his jacket, so he signaled Xiao Wang to take out the items from his pocket

"It is not that I feel completely numb," Zhi Lu could only smile bitterly, "As I walk down the street, I feel as though everyone is following me, and I find something off about everyone. At first, I thought it was just my illusion, but now I realize that I may not have been wrong after all. For a while now, I have been hearing noises in the house every night, and I also thought it was just an illusion, but it turns out it is not.

Little Wang, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but interject: "You can't even feel that someone is following you? This person must be connected to the one who tried to kill you last time." Lu Jianzhong smiled slightly, saying, "She is not a police officer; she doesn't have our level of sensitivity, so naturally, she cannot sense that someone is following her."

When returning home, Yang Li also came back, leaning on the coffee table to do her homework. While pouring water, Zhi Lu casually picked up two papers to take a look, pointing out the grammatical errors in the English paper and the mistakes in the Chinese paper, surprised at how many errors she had made. She then recalled the events of the afternoon, sighed deeply, and patted her head, saying, "I know you miss your mother very much and want to catch the culprit, but these things cannot be rushed. Everything can be discussed after the college entrance examination"

The man nodded to her and took the initiative to speak: "You can rest assured, I will no longer follow you in the future. However, Miss Zhong, I have a piece of advice for you"

The afternoon sunlight was bright and transparent. Zhi Lu bid farewell to Lu Jianzhong and walked towards the designated alley with an unintentional stride. During the day, with Lu Jianzhong by her side, she felt no fear at all, not even caring about it. Now, alone, the fear finally surfaced.

She stepped out onto the carpet, her footsteps silent. As she opened the door, a thought crossed her mind, and she paused briefly, saying: "Once Xiao Li finishes the college entrance examination, I will return the house to you as soon as possible"

Yang Li shook his head, "I am not going out, I will go to the library to read."

Indeed, it is not without reason. Ye Zhong'e may have the ability to protect her. When she was with him, she had never felt so besieged and exhausted as she does now. After returning from that late-night interview, their car got stuck in a tree, nearly falling off a cliff several dozen meters high, and it took a great effort to rescue them. During those days, Ye Zhong'e was attending a very important meeting in the north and rushed back overnight, both angry and heartbroken, saying: "Why do you get into trouble as soon as you leave me?"

Lu Jianzhong smiled at her and said, "Be more natural, just like you usually are. Don't panic, and don't be flustered."

Zhi Lu saw the tall man in the small room and after a moment asked, "Why are you following me?"

During the holiday period, the shopping mall is holding an event where purchasing a mobile phone comes with a gift of 200 yuan in phone credit. She wonders how long it will take to use up such a large amount of credit. In her previous career as a journalist, her phone was constantly ringing, but now she doesn't even know who she can call.

Ye Zhong'e felt utterly disheartened, a chilling anger mixed within. Words that he would never normally utter slipped out effortlessly at this moment: "On what grounds? If you don't let anyone follow you, you won't even know how you died!"

Zhi Lu expressed her gratitude: "Xiao Li, I don't know how I will get through life without you."

Yang Li persistently questioned: "If we can find it, what if we cannot catch it?"

The hall was spacious, seemingly echoing, as smooth as the polished floor here. Zhi Lu had to stop and ask, "What is the matter?"

What is strange

I believe it should be possible to find it, said Zhi Lu

I will pick you up tomorrow at 10 AM

Zhi Lu smiled silently, and after finishing her smile, she felt it was insufficient, so she smiled again

Ye Zhong'e's office was no different from what she had imagined. Zhi Lu had met Secretary Liu several times; after greeting her, she led her into the office and locked the door from the outside.

She does not remember many phone numbers, just those of her home and her parents' home. After some thought, she made a call to inform her parents that she had changed her phone number, and as expected, she was criticized: "Why do you keep changing your phone number?"

Little Wang, who was standing nearby, also did not see anything wrong and said, "Captain Lu? Where is the problem?"

Lu Jianzhong glanced at her and was about to speak when Xiao Wang entered, holding an envelope in his hand. "Team Leader Lu, I just received a letter addressed to you," he said, handing over the envelope. "Look, this letter is quite peculiar; it has no sender's address, and the recipient's address is on a sticky note, printed out.

The wait lasted over an hour, and the sun was visibly setting. Zhilu, who was inherently impatient, grew increasingly frustrated during this time, but she refrained from expressing her annoyance, as the front desk attendant's sweet smile made her feel defeated. Initially, she was anxious, biting her lip and pacing back and forth, rehearsing her words in her mind countless times. Later, she became angry, feeling a pain in her chest, and crumpled the paper cup filled with water in her hand. Looking down, she wished that the cup were actually Ye Zhong'e. Eventually, she lost all patience and stood up to leave. Sensing the right moment, the front desk attendant approached her and said, "Miss Zhong, please go upstairs."

"What made you want to become a police officer?" she asked him while sipping the steaming orange juice

Yang Li served her tea and water, then went to the kitchen to cook noodles, topped with a perfectly fried egg. Zhi Lu did not expect that Yang Li not only could cook but also made the noodles so well. Initially not hungry, she ended up finishing the entire bowl of noodles.

Momentarily at a loss for words, the crime-solving rate of the public security organs is indeed not a very optimistic figure, which is why it is never disclosed to the public. Moreover, two months have passed, and Lu Jianzhong has not found any decisive clues. She could only respond evasively: "Xiao Li, if I were to be killed, I would not want anyone to seek revenge for me. Your mother must think the same way. If the case cannot be solved, do not carry the burden, and live your life well."

As expected, the man indeed followed her into the alley. Lu Jianzhong and Xiao Wang, who were hiding in a small house by the roadside, subdued him in three to five minutes and placed handcuffs on him

This office is quite spacious, equipped with a restroom and a tea room. Large panes of glass are installed on the south-facing side of the room, allowing the evening sun to slant in and illuminate the plain tapestry hanging on the back wall. Beneath the tapestry is a long ivory-white sofa adorned with light blue cushions; the floor glows with a golden light under the sunset, and the milky white sheer curtains separate the interior from the exterior, creating two distinct worlds. He stands by the window, typically dressed in a dark suit. The room is bright, and his silhouette blends with the light, appearing like a shadow.

When they met, it was noticed that Lu Jianzhong was not wearing a uniform; instead, he was dressed in a light blue casual outfit. Apart from his eyes not resembling those of a typical young man, he looked like a recent university graduate who had just entered society. They strolled through the city center, visiting shopping malls. Being with Lu Jianzhong in this manner felt quite novel to Zhi Lu, and she was also somewhat nervous. Moreover, two accidental physical contacts revealed to Zhi Lu that he had a gun tucked at his waist.

I do not know, but you do! Zhi Lu looked at him defiantly, and her words were equally unyielding, "What kind of person I am, what my character is, you are not unaware. I have had enough, I loathe your interference in my life. If my safety requires you to track and investigate me, then I would rather not have it! The path is chosen by me, whether I live or die has nothing to do with you!"

Under the bright light of the chandelier, Yang Li's expression was no longer the blend of maturity and sorrow that it used to be; she seemed to have aged many years in an instant, nearly appearing elderly. She said, "Sister Zhi Lu, live well. Tell me, how is that possible? Can you do it?"

Yang Li did not mention that she would go out today; at this time, she should be studying at home. Suddenly, I recalled that Lu Jianzhong once said that Xiao Li had concealed some matters.

Zhi Lu's heart was in turmoil. The location of Wanbo Company is precisely Mingmen Building; both the building and the person in charge of Wanbo Company are Li Fan. Xu Huishu's workplace is also in Mingmen Building, and numerous clues have finally converged at a single point

On April 30th, before the end of the workday, a notification was received that the publishing house organized an event to hike up Mingyun Mountain in the suburbs. The reason given was that this group of editors had been sitting in the office for too long and needed to stretch their muscles. Since it was a mandatory requirement, Zhi Lu had no choice but to go along.

Indeed, after being a police officer for a long time, one gradually realizes how malevolent some individuals can be, while others can be remarkably kind

The person frowned and said the first sentence: "On what grounds do you search me?"

Zhi Lu was deeply impressed by these words, "Where there are devils, there must be angels. Although many people and things are vague and lack clear boundaries, they are always closer to goodness"

"Criminal police have it especially hard," Zhi Lu said, "They don't even have a complete holiday. What they see every day is the ugly side of society, where humans harm each other for personal gain"

"Yes, it is still better to attend university," Zhi Lu agreed, "Recently, I have been thinking about going back to school."

The sting brought to her by this sentence was even more shocking and disorienting than the previous remarks. Once, Ye Zhong'e had said something similar to her, but she did not take it to heart. He said: "Zhi Lu, do not be stubborn, do not be headstrong. Acknowledging a problem does not mean you can handle it; facing a dilemma does not mean you can resolve it. There are many things you cannot do, so why not let those who can solve the problem do so?"

After finishing speaking, Jiān Zhīlù lowered his head, his gaze falling to an invisible place. He continued, "From my observations of you, you are quite intelligent, and as a journalist, you have a clear understanding of the world and human nature. What determines success, apart from personal ability, also includes other objective factors. You cannot be unaware of this principle. However, when it comes to yourself, you refuse to believe in this principle, naively thinking that it is solely your own ability that matters. This is truly not good."

Although this area has been developed, it still retains a rare mountain wilderness scenery, vast and tranquil, pure and unadulterated. The trees on the mountain are lush, and occasionally, spring water cascades down from above. They walk while chatting softly. By noon, they had laboriously climbed to the halfway point of the mountain, where the number of trees is abundant, enveloped by a thin mist, the verdant greenery stands out prominently, and those walking among them feel distanced from the worldly hustle and bustle, resembling immortals.

If you have an idea that harms both yourself and the person you love the most, you are likely to continuously, repeatedly, and infinitely amplify this idea, which psychology refers to as scar memory

The receptionist put down the phone and smiled as she spoke to Zhi Lu: "Mr. Ye is currently in a meeting. May I ask if you have an appointment?"

Lu Jianzhong showed her the testimony record of Zhou Yun, which contained little substantial information. Ye Zhong'e had hired him three and a half months ago to ensure her safety. As for the reason, Zhou Yun stated that Ye Zhong'e did not inform him, and naturally, he would not inquire further; it was merely a matter of being paid to do a job.

Upon hearing this, Lu felt a cold sweat break out and, after carefully examining the screen once more, she was completely certain, "I do not recognize them at all."

Her thoughts sank. She entered the kitchen and silently stared at the knife rack. At the very least, she needed to protect herself. Soon, she took one out and found a long-unused sheath from the cabinet, which fit perfectly with the slender blade.

His words were deeply heartfelt, causing Zhi Lu to laugh out loud

The young lady was taken aback, carefully scrutinizing the woman before her who had directly addressed the chairman by name. She immediately suspected that this person must have an extraordinary identity and did not dare to offend her lightly. She asked for her name and noted it down, then picked up the phone and called the secretary's office to inquire.

The tape is playing fast forward, cars are driving in and out, and occasionally people are coming and going. It feels repetitive and tedious, and Zhi Lu thinks it is unnecessary to watch, but Lu Jianzhong insists on continuing to watch.

In the investigation, it was learned that Zhuang Hua is exceptionally capable and well-regarded, yet he is taciturn and speaks very little, making it impossible for anyone to discern anything from his expressions, much like a working machine. At this point, Lu Jianzhong remarked meaningfully: "The murder of a law-abiding person is the most perplexing and difficult case to investigate; it is either a cold case, as you cannot find a motive for the crime, or the truth is astonishing. Especially in the case of Zhuang Hua, who holds a position of identity and status as the financial director of Wanbo Company, overseeing the finances of an enterprise with assets in the tens of millions to billions, it is inextricably linked to 'money.'" Zhi Lu deeply agreed.

Zhi Lu was about to speak as she touched her hair when the phone rang; it was Lu Jianzhong calling. After a few casual exchanges, he quickly got to the point and asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"

The scenery is indeed beautiful, but the path is not easy to traverse. He Qingning and Deng Muhua are both not adept at walking mountain trails, supporting each other as they go, while Zhi Lu watches from the side with a quiet smile.

The facts prove that Zhi Lu was overly concerned. Yang Li did not go anywhere else; she got out of the car at the intersection of Jiahe Road and turned into a familiar and narrow alley. Zhi Lu watched her thin figure from the taxi, feeling a pang of sympathy. She merely wanted to go home and see that house where only she and her mother lived. She initially intended to get out and follow her back, but when she reached for the car door, she hesitated. Just a moment ago, she had been pointing at Ye Zhongke, accusing him of following her, but what was she doing now? Following Yang Li? Thus, her hand slowly dropped, and she told the driver, "Take me to the police station"

Zhi Lu pursed her lips and also got out of the car. She ran all the way, but still couldn't catch up with Yang Li, watching helplessly as she boarded the 291 bus. Just then, a taxi slowly passed by her side. She got into the car, pointed at the 291 bus ahead, and said: "Driver, please follow that bus."

The phone rang suddenly. The already tense nerves instantly tightened, like a poorly tuned string on a musical instrument, unplayable and out of sorts. After hanging up the phone, Zhi Lu let out a long sigh of relief, revealing the first relaxed smile she had shown in several days

It is currently the May Day holiday, and the streets are bustling with people. Lu Jianzhong discussed the case of Zhuang Hua with Zhi Lu, stating: "The forensic expert has completely confirmed that it is the same perpetrator: the victim died in their own home, a single stab wound pierced the heart, and the body was dismembered by another person. No fingerprints were left at the scene, but there were two indistinct footprints. According to our investigation and evidence collection, it is known that Zhuang Hua and Xu Huishu are acquainted, but there are corresponding explanations. They frequent the same building every day, so it is understandable that they might recognize each other. As for the extent of their familiarity, no one knows."

He Qingning, however, disagreed with their views, smiling as he handed over the mineral water, saying: "Stop complaining, at least this is a trip funded by public money"

The man raised the corner of his mouth and said, "It has nothing to do with me. Besides, where is the evidence?"

Do you want to go somewhere for a trip? To relax your mind?

Xiao Wang stood up, nodded slightly, and went to find the forensic expert

Lu Jianzhong approached the television, pointed to the upper left corner with his finger without touching the screen, and said: "Enlarge this person, the one in the middle of the three."

The young lady suppressed her myriad questions, smiling as she invited her to sit on the sofa in the hall. After a moment, she brought over some water and said, "I will call you once Mr. Ye finishes the meeting." She turned around, her high heels clicking crisply against the floor.

Zhi Lu found it utterly absurd, "Are you saying that someone is following me?"

Ye Zhong'e sat down, placing his hands on the table, looking at her, "Zhi Lu, are you really here for me? I thought you would have figured it out by now."

Indeed, shortly after the start of the third tape, Lu Jianzhong instructed Xiao Wang to pause the playback, saying: "It is right here"

As he sat down to rest beside a rock, Deng Muhua remarked, "You are quite impressive; I never would have thought you could navigate such winding mountain paths so well"

Considering the doctoral examination, Zhi Lu has been pondering this issue for several days, unable to make a firm decision, feeling rather vague. At this moment, after being reminded by Deng Muhua, it is as if layers of bamboo shoots are being peeled away, and that thought emerges like fresh tender bamboo shoots exposed to the fragrant air, appearing exceptionally clear

She said, it is not now. Yes, this sentence reflects reality. No matter how beautifully one speaks, even if one loves her deeply, reality will always prevail over everything. He understands her character, and because of her character, her intelligence, her beauty, and her integrity, he fell in love with her without hesitation, and to this day, he has no regrets. However, a person's life can be prolonged when faced with difficulties, and in this long life, no one knows what will happen.

Lu Jianzhong said: "He is the person who followed you in the supermarket last time. I was not mistaken; he follows you every day. Do you have any impression of him?"

Zhi Lu was somewhat surprised, yet she handed over her phone. She watched as Lu Jianzhong skillfully opened the phone, removed the battery and the SIM card, and after a moment, put the battery and SIM card back in their original state. After a thorough examination, he returned the phone to her and said: "Your phone is equipped with a sophisticated tracking and positioning chip, which is rarely seen on the outside."

Sometimes, in life, there are often situations where things continue to deteriorate, to the point of becoming intense, to the extent that you think it cannot get any worse, yet another event will occur, leading to an even more uncontrollable state, causing matters to slide into an unknown abyss, leaving everyone astonished

She understood that they had matters they could not disclose to her, so Zhi Lu wisely chose not to linger any longer. With a heavy heart, her steps felt burdensome. Regarding these two cases, Lu Jianzhong had not concealed anything from her, which made his earlier actions seem deliberate; that seemingly casual gesture of blocking her view appeared to be an attempt to prevent her from seeing the contents of the letter

Zhi Lu frowned and said, "So, when will he finish the meeting? I want to see him."

While speaking, Xiao Wang had already taken out the items from his pocket: a square device with a liquid crystal display, thin and slightly larger than a matchbox, with a completely black screen; and a mobile phone that undoubtedly belonged to the realm of high technology. Zhi Lu did not recognize this device, and Lu Jianzhong frowned, saying to her: "Give me your mobile phone"