Zhao Simeng was working on developing a neutralizing agent to counteract the effects of Huangsi Pills. She collaborated with Chief Forensic Expert Huang for the first time, and I urged them to expedite the process. Since the news announcement, a large crowd of citizens had gathered outside the police station.
After counting the numbers, I found that there were 255 individuals present, meaning 15 were still unaccounted for.
I instructed the technical team to investigate the shipping addresses used by Jile Pharmacy and to identify the individual who registered the store. The workload was enormous, but we had to do our best to complete it.
Once Zhao Simeng and her team developed the neutralizing agent, they began administering it to the people gathered outside the station. Given the urgency, all the forensic personnel were mobilized to assist.
Watching people gradually recover brought me some relief. Soon, the technical team delivered more good news—they had identified the person who registered Jile Pharmacy. It turned out to be none other than… Li Mengman!
My God, how could it be her?
I immediately set out with Xiao Yuande and Gao Qiang in a police car and headed to Li Mengman's residence. Upon arrival, I rang the doorbell. I had expected her to run, but instead, she calmly opened the door and asked, "Officers, why are you here again?"
Of course, I didn't reveal that we were there to arrest her. I simply said, "We've made new discoveries in your husband's case. May we come in?"
"Really?" Li Mengman appeared excited as she opened the door, but my Insightful Gaze revealed that her reaction was feigned.
She was clearly nervous, knowing that we wouldn't have returned without solid evidence.
After sitting down, Li Mengman poured us tea and asked, "Officer He, what did you find?"
I probed, "Have you been running an online store recently?"
"An online store? No, I haven't. Since my husband passed away, I've been considering finding a job outside," she replied as if nothing had happened.
"Really? But we've traced a Taobao store, Jile Pharmacy, registered under your name." I presented the evidence that Xie Deguang had prepared and handed it to her.
Faced with this, Li Mengman couldn't deny it. "You've found out?" she asked.
"If we hadn't, would we be here? What do you think?" I replied.
"Yes, I developed the pills, but my husband's death was an accident. I never intended for him to die!" she admitted.
I pressed further, "It's just us here. Tell us everything and consider it a confession."
"It's all my fault," she sobbed. "I accidentally mixed up two types of pills, which led to his death. When I realized the mistake, I wanted to find him and make him vomit the pills, but it was too late. By the time I heard the news, he was already dead. I panicked and went straight home."
"So, you pretended nothing had happened and waited for us to arrive?" I asked, finishing her story.
"Yes. Evil deeds reap evil consequences. I've brought this upon myself," she lamented.
"At least you understand. Since you've confessed, I'll take you in now." I cuffed her hands and escorted her out.
Back at the station, Li Mengman confessed to everything. After her arrest, all individuals who had taken Huangsi Pills were identified and treated with the antidote developed by Zhao Simeng and Chief Huang. They gradually recovered.
The morning after the case was resolved, I received a call from my university mentor, Professor Huo.
"Hesheng, I'm back. Can you pick me up at the train station?"
Still groggy from waking up, I didn't realize it was him at first. But upon hearing his voice, I felt a surge of energy.
"Professor Huo, is that you?"
"Yes, don't tell me you've forgotten me after all these years!" Professor Huo's deep, magnetic voice immediately confirmed his identity.
"Of course not! I often reminisce about the lessons you taught us back in university."
"Haha, save the flattery. Just come to the station!"
I quickly dressed and rushed to Fuming City Train Station. In no time, I arrived and spotted Professor Huo near the entrance, looking around as if searching for someone.
I approached him and said, "Professor Huo! It's me!"
"Hesheng!" he exclaimed, warmly embracing me.
"It's been so long!" we both said at the same time. I asked him why he had come to Fuming City.
"Can't I visit just because I want to? I missed you, Hesheng."
"Oh, come on, be honest!" My Insightful Gaze revealed he was lying.
Chuckling, he said, "I should've known you'd catch on. Probably only I know about your special ability."
"That's not true. More people know about it now."
"Really? Anyway, I'm here to assist with a case at the station."
"Ah, is there a case big enough to need your expertise?"
"You could say that. It's the case you've been investigating recently."
"You mean…"
Excitedly, we chatted as we left the station. Professor Huo had been my most supportive mentor during my time at the police academy in Fuming City. I vividly recalled one of his lectures:
In a massive classroom filled with thousands of aspiring officers, Professor Huo stood on stage wearing his gold-rimmed glasses, delivering the day's lesson.
"What is your ideal image of a criminal investigator?" he asked.
"Someone like those on TV, willing to sacrifice their life for justice and the safety of citizens!" one student replied.
"Someone who is upright and fearless, protecting the people as a public security officer!" another added.
Many shared their thoughts, and Professor Huo raised his hand, saying, "You're all correct, but there are things you haven't considered."
"Do you know how the perfect crime is committed?" he asked, displaying a slide of bizarre cases from around the world—cases where criminals evaded justice.
I particularly remembered one case he described: a serial killer who left a coin on the body of each elderly victim after committing the crime.