Chapter Thirty-Eight: He Will Surely Return

"Are you mocking me?" Yu Dazhang said with irritation. "Why are you beating around the bush?"

"No, no," the man quickly denied. "It’s just... it’s really hard to put into words."

"According to one of Zhang Yan’s classmates, after the incident, a man came to the school gate and asked several students about it."

"The way he asked was very strange. He seemed to focus solely on whether Zhang Yan was truly in a relationship."

"Before asking each student, he would offer a small gift, and after getting an answer, he would give another—always stationery or things like that."

"We initially guessed it might have been Zhang Yan’s parents, secretly sent to investigate their daughter."

"But what’s strange is that the man wore a hat and a mask, as if he were terrified of someone seeing his face."

"If he had been sent by Zhang Yan’s family, there would be no need for that."

"So we, we just..."

Yu Dazhang understood. The reason they were finding it hard to explain was that they couldn't figure out the man's motive. Seeing the team member stammering, he raised a hand to interrupt.

"This is important. I’ve noted it down."

Yu Dazhang didn’t expect them to analyze it; as long as they could dig up the facts, that was enough.

He came to ask about Zhang Yan, and he wore a mask and a hat... This suggested a cautious person, someone deeply suspicious. He gave small gifts before and after asking... This was a habit, a practice of using small favors to gain others' trust. This meant he was someone who wasn't short on money; otherwise, he wouldn't have developed such a habit. He asked several classmates... This indicated he was highly curious and acted with great care. A single person's answer couldn't satisfy him; he needed the answers from several people to align before he would fully believe them.

"You don't need to go to the school anymore," Yu Dazhang said with a serious expression. "From now on, you have a new task."

A new task so soon? The two men were momentarily dazed. But seeing Yu Dazhang’s serious demeanor, they didn't dare ask questions, immediately straightening their postures and nodding. Without realizing it, they had begun to view this trainee officer as their true leader.

*Why does this suddenly feel so good?* Yu Dazhang felt a surge of satisfaction as he watched the two men standing at attention, waiting for his orders. *No wonder everyone is so desperate to climb the ladder; this feeling is just wonderful!*

Satisfying as it was, he couldn't neglect the business at hand.

"See that building across the street?" Yu Dazhang gestured with his eyes for them to look over, his words continuing without pause. "Find a spot in that building where you can see the security door of Zhang Yan’s home."

"If your view is obstructed, open the window in the hallway of Zhang Yan's floor."

"Then just keep watch there. If any stranger shows up at their place, you call me immediately."

The two men exchanged glances, instantly reading each other's thoughts. *Staking out, huh? We’re experts at that!*

If it came to using one's brain, they might be inferior to him, but when it came to stakeouts, this fat guy was far behind. The two men couldn't help but smile at each other, then lifted their heads. Their previous listlessness vanished instantly, replaced by expressions of confidence.

"Don't worry, leave it to us. Is there anything we need to pay special attention to?"

Now it was their turn to ask. They would show this fat guy what professionalism really looked like!

*Are they pumped up?* Yu Dazhang couldn't figure out why their entire demeanor changed as soon as they heard about a stakeout; this was clearly a grueling job.

"If you see a male around twenty years old, be sure to pay extra attention and notify me immediately."

The two men nodded, signaling they had remembered. Then, one of the team members couldn't help but ask, "Do you suspect the killer will return to Zhang Yan's home?"

"Yes," Yu Dazhang said with certainty. "When he discovers that things did not go according to his plan, he will definitely return to the crime scene."

"Even if he is cautious, his suspicion and fear will drive him to do so."

"He won't be at peace until he sees for himself that the scene has been compromised."

The two men thought about it, but still didn't understand where Yu Dazhang's confidence came from. The team member asked again, "Are you that sure?"

Yu Dazhang waved a hand, replying as if it were nothing. "This is criminal psychology. It is not something that shifts based on human will."

.

The next day, Hongkou Branch.

In the Bureau Chief’s office.

"Why hasn't that case involving the murdered schoolgirl been closed yet?"

Facing the Chief's questioning, Captain Li Jun looked troubled. "The case is still under investigation."

He was even more anxious than the Chief. He had asked the head of the special investigation team yesterday. The reply he received was: the case is complex, and we are investigating with full effort.

*Are you kidding me?* The suspect had already been brought in; what else could be complex? He had even specifically gone to request the case file, but... he couldn't get it! As a captain, Li Jun knew the rules, of course—the team leader was responsible for resource allocation, and the case file would certainly be with the deputy leader. But that meticulous criminal investigator, Old Lu, had actually flat-out refused him, the captain. The reason: during an ongoing investigation, personnel outside the special team have no authority to review the file.

That regulation did exist. But rules are rigid, while people are flexible. Li Jun never expected Old Lu to be this unyielding. *I am your leader's leader, and you tell me your rules are the rules?* Even if you could have shown a little bit of hesitation, at least give me a way to save face. Doesn't a captain deserve any respect?

"Still under investigation?" The Chief thought he had misheard Li Jun’s answer. "I remember the suspect was caught the very day the special team was formed."

"Yes, he was caught." Li Jun stammered, his brain racing. "But then, the situation of the case changed." He could only guess. Since it hadn't been closed after all these days, this was likely the only possibility.

"Explain in detail." Clearly, the Chief wasn't about to let it slide. He had only asked casually, but Li Jun's stammering had piqued his interest.

"It's very complicated," Li Jun replied vaguely. "It's not something I can explain in a sentence or two."

*Are you trying to build suspense with me?* The Chief almost slammed the table, his face sinking. "Then pick out the key points!"

Li Jun was startled by the sudden increase in the Chief's volume; he knew he couldn't bluff his way through this. But he couldn't say it. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth.

"Fine, I'll tell you the truth." Li Jun straightened his back and stiffened his neck. "I don't know the specifics either."

Since he couldn't bluff, he would just honestly admit it. *Don't ask. If you ask, the answer is I don't know. Do whatever you want! I'm laying my cards on the table! Let it all burn! I'm tired.*

The Chief was taken aback by his frankness, but soon returned to his normal state and laughed. "As a captain, you know nothing about a murder case that is currently being investigated?"

*And as a Bureau Chief, aren't you just as clueless?* Well, Li Jun only dared to think that to himself.

He then detailed what he did know, without specifically mentioning that Lu Zhongxin wouldn't hand over the file, only mentioning that the special team placed great importance on confidentiality. He believed the Chief would understand. The higher the rank, the more circular the conversation; although Li Jun disliked this way of talking in riddles, there was no choice. You have to adapt to the environment; the environment won't adapt to you.

Just as Li Jun had hoped, the Chief not only understood but immediately gave an order: "Go now, say it's my instruction, and have the deputy team leader bring the file to my office."