At the Lanhe Cross-Border Trading Company.
He Lianshan, a man with a greasy face, a protruding beer belly, and an arrogant demeanor, was furiously berating his subordinates. Due to recent company mismanagement, they had lost several deals and contracts, leaving him with no time to pursue Han Mengyao and indulge in youthful pleasures. Every day, he had to face his aging wife at home, which did nothing to spark any interest in him. If not for the fact that most of the company's shares were still in his father-in-law's hands, he would have thrown the divorce papers in his wife's face long ago.
After scolding his employees, He Lianshan returned to his office, intending to video call Han Mengyao for some flirtatious banter.
However, six police officers in uniform entered the company. After showing their badges to the front desk, they pushed open the office door and walked in. He Lianshan, stunned, watched as the lead officer placed a summons on his desk, pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs, and cuffed his hands with a cold tone.
"He Lianshan, right?"
"We are from the Huaihai Criminal Investigation Team. You are currently a prime suspect in a murder case and need to come with us for questioning."
Just as He Lianshan was about to shout questions at the officers, he froze at the mention of a murder case, and hurriedly protested.
"No, no, officer. There must be some kind of mistake! How could I possibly be involved in a murder? I've been so busy with work these days…"
Before he could finish, the officer in charge pulled him up by the cuffs and said with an expressionless face.
"Han Mengyao, you know her, don't you? The mistress you've been keeping. Two days ago, she was found dead in the Huainan River. You are now a prime suspect in her death."
"Cooperate and come with us; save your explanations for the interrogation room!"
This news made He Lianshan's eyes widen in shock, disbelief etched across his face.
"Dead... Dead?"
"How is that possible? She was fine just two days ago…"
Realizing that he was at work and that his wife and father-in-law must not find out about his affair, He Lianshan abruptly stopped speaking. Without resisting, he allowed the officers to take him away, saving any questions or explanations for the interrogation room. He knew it was better to go quietly with the police than to create a scene at the office.
However, even though he reacted quickly, news of his arrest spread throughout the company. Rumors about his affair and the death of his mistress soon reached the ears of both his wife and father-in-law.
---
Meanwhile, at Haichao Internet Café in the northern district of Huaihai.
Dressed in plain clothes, Su Ming, Wang Hu, and Xu Changsheng entered the internet café through different entrances. With assistance from the staff, they quickly located He Yong, who was sitting in a corner.
Today, He Yong was wearing a cheap black leather jacket and faded long jeans, his greasy hair disheveled. Judging by the state of his hair and the two empty instant noodle containers by his computer, it was clear that He Yong had been in the café for a long time—likely since immediately after the crime.
This type of behavior was not uncommon. Many criminal suspects, after committing a crime, would experience overwhelming fear and paranoia, often resorting to alcohol or other distractions to numb themselves, or even going on the run nationwide.
He Yong, in this case, clearly belonged to the second category. Despite having a criminal record, he stayed hidden in the internet café, playing games and staying up all night to distract himself.
As He Yong tapped away at the keyboard, Su Ming and the other officers stealthily surrounded him, ready to act at any moment. Xu Changsheng, experienced and composed, made the first move by patting He Yong on the shoulder and shouting angrily.
"He Yong, why are you still here? Don't you know the boss is calling you to work? Do you not want your job anymore?"
Despite being sure of the suspect's identity, Xu Changsheng made a customary attempt to confirm it and avoid any mistakes.
He Yong, already on edge, jumped when his shoulder was tapped and turned to shout.
"Work? What work? Stop messing with me…"
Before he could finish, Xu Changsheng saw that He Yong didn't deny his name and immediately pushed his head down onto the desk.
"Bang!"
He Yong's head slammed into the table. Just as he tried to resist, Su Ming, Wang Hu, and the others had already rushed in and pinned him down, pulling his arms behind his back and snapping on the handcuffs.
Once the suspect was under control, Su Ming pulled out his badge and flashed it in front of He Yong's face.
"I'm a police officer. You are suspected of being involved in a murder case and need to come with us for questioning."
"Han Mengyao, you know her, don't you?"
As soon as those three words came out,...
He Yong's pupils visibly contracted as he responded in a hoarse and indifferent voice.
"I don't know her."
"I don't even know what you're talking about. You've got the wrong guy. I've been at Haichao Internet Café playing games for the past few days."
Su Ming raised an eyebrow in disdain, shaking his head as he searched He Yong's pockets.
"I find it strange, He Yong. Why would you claim not to know Han Mengyao, yet go out of your way to explain that you've been at the café for the past few days? Isn't that like revealing what you're trying to hide?"
"Well, I've found your car keys. No need to say anything more. Save it for the interrogation room at the police station."
Su Ming took the car keys from He Yong's pocket and turned to Xu Changsheng, who was holding He Yong's shoulder.
"Brother Sheng, I'm going to check out He Yong's car. There should be traces of the victim's DNA as evidence, along with the torn car seat cover scratched by the victim's nails."
Xu Changsheng nodded, covering He Yong's head with a jacket as he pulled him up.
"Alright, do that. Xiao Ming, I'm counting on you to compare the clues from the car. I'll take He Yong back to the station. We shouldn't stay here too long with so many people around; it might draw too much attention."
After speaking, Xu Changsheng led He Yong out of the café, accompanied by three or four other officers to prevent any escape attempts.
---
As for Su Ming, he didn't immediately head to the café's parking lot. Instead, he and Wang Hu first retrieved a copy of the past five days' surveillance footage from the front desk as a precaution for potential future needs.
Then, at the parking lot outside the café, Su Ming used the remote to locate He Yong's modest second-hand car. He inserted the key and opened the passenger door, his eyes immediately going to the upper right side of the headrest on the passenger seat.
The torn piece of leather had been found under the victim's right fingernail. When a person is strangled and instinctively resists, their arms naturally reach upward to scratch.
Therefore, the tear would logically be near the headrest.
Three seconds later, Su Ming spotted a fingernail-sized tear on the upper right part of the passenger headrest. His eyes glimmered with confidence as he declared.
"Now... we have enough evidence!!!"