Chapter 228: Stockholm Syndrome

Hearing those words, the dazed woman’s pupils slightly dilated.

Liu Hong gripped her chin and scrutinized her face. Despite her once stunning beauty, time had not spared her. Another crow’s foot had appeared at the corner of her eye.

“That’s right, he looks a lot like you. That little monk is your son,” Liu Hong said in a low voice.

“He…”

Before she could speak, Liu Hong slapped her face, yelling, “How many times have I told you, no talking in this house!”

The woman looked at him fearfully. Liu Hong extended his hand, which she took as a sign of forgiveness. She began to lick his calloused palm with all her devotion.

Liu Hong continued in a whisper, “Li Biao’s move was too risky, but there was no choice. That kid betrayed me, colluding with the police! After all the hush money I spent, he turned out to be a backstabber. I should have silenced him from the start! The police are still watching me closely. This place isn’t safe anymore. Go to the safe house and don’t leave without my orders.”

The woman nodded frantically.

Liu Hong petted her hair and ears, “Your son must have seen my face back then. If it comes to it, would you kill him yourself?”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding firmly.

“Good girl! Everyone has betrayed me, except you. Once things settle down, I’ll reward you properly. Now, get out of here!”

Reluctantly, she continued to lick his hand. Liu Hong pushed her away, “Get out! Don’t let anyone see you.”

The woman packed her things. Liu Hong loudly played with his dog, occasionally glancing out the window.

Wrapped in a scarf and wearing sunglasses, the woman left with a bag. Downstairs, she cautiously looked around before leaving the complex.

As she exited, a pair of muddy monk’s shoes followed her silently.

“Where’s the young master?” Lin Dongxue asked the officer who had been with the monk.

“He left. Should we detain him?”

“No need, let him go.”

The task force officers were gathered in the meeting room, many of them smoking, filling the room with a thick haze. Everyone was waiting for news from Captain Peng.

Finally, Peng Sijue returned, looking exhausted. The team rushed to question him. “One at a time, I can’t answer all at once!” he said.

Lin Dongxue asked, “Did you find any DNA?”

“No.”

“Anything else?”

“Footprints, hair, some fibers. We’re testing them now.”

Chen Shi came over, “Let me see the hair.”

Peng Sijue handed him an evidence bag containing a long strand of hair.

“Test this first,” Chen Shi said.

“Already planned.”

They anxiously waited for results. Naturally shed hair wouldn’t yield DNA, but it could reveal chromosomes and gender.

Three hours later, Peng Sijue returned with a report, “It’s a woman’s hair, around thirty-seven years old. Her health is poor, suggesting long-term lack of sunlight and severe vitamin D deficiency.”

Chen Shi, deep in thought, beckoned Lin Dongxue aside, “Chen Guang’s mother went missing at twenty-four. If she’s alive, she’d be thirty-seven now.”

“Isn’t that a bit far-fetched?”

“Not at all. Among the missing, only Yin Wen matches this age.”

“You think she’s alive?”

“I’ve suspected it. The young monk’s memory seemed off. Investigating further, I found that his mother might not have been abused or killed by Liu Hong. It’s likely simpler: Liu Hong and Yin Wen had an affair. Chen Guang found out and threatened Liu Hong, who then killed him to silence him.”

“The young monk said he saw Liu Hong hitting his mother.”

“More likely, he saw them having an affair.”

“If Yin Wen is alive, she could be a key witness to convict Liu Hong!”

“I worry…”

“About what?”

“Peng Sijue said the hair’s owner has lived in darkness for years. I fear Yin Wen has been imprisoned. What happens to someone locked up for thirteen years?”

“Go insane?”

“The mind adapts to its environment. When change is impossible, it accepts and adapts. Like a pumpkin growing within an iron frame, becoming as hard as wood. A person in captivity might forsake dignity to please their captor for survival, possibly even loving them.”

“Stockholm Syndrome?”

“Yes! If Yin Wen went insane, Liu Hong wouldn’t keep her around. Her survival implies utility. She might no longer be the Yin Wen we seek. Even if we find her, she might not accuse Liu Hong.”

Lin Dongxue shivered, “Is there really no hope?”

Chen Shi added, “Finding Yin Wen isn’t pointless. Her existence is evidence.”

“You’re right. We need to expand our investigation. I’ll apply for a search warrant.”

Lin Dongxue approached Lin Qiupu, who flatly refused, “No, the chief won’t sign off on it.”

“Li Biao’s disappearance is a great lead. If we miss this chance, Liu Hong might walk free.”

Lin Qiupu sighed, “The disappearance isn’t filed yet. Searching his home is against protocol.”

“We had no choice!”

“That’s no excuse for breaking rules. Write a report about this incident.”

Lin Dongxue saluted reluctantly, “Understood.”

As she turned to leave, Lin Qiupu called out, “Wait, I can try to get a warrant for the disappearance case, given the special circumstances. But you must promise no rash actions before then.”

“Thanks, brother!”

After a busy day, staying at the bureau was pointless. Chen Shi drove Lin Dongxue home.

They discussed the case on the way. Near her apartment, Chen Shi suggested, “Let’s find the young master and question him again.”

“Do you think he’ll be willing to reopen old wounds?”

“Maybe seeing his father’s killer has changed his perspective.”

At the hostel, the manager said the monk hadn’t returned. Calls to his phone went unanswered. Lin Dongxue guessed, “Maybe he’s out eating and his phone died?”

“I just gave him a lot of food. Where would he go to eat?”

“Maybe he wanted a change.”

“When did you last see him?”

“At the bureau, holding Liu Hong by the collar… What about you?”

“Same. I have a bad feeling. Could he be doing something rash?”