Chapter 167: Time to Pierce the Veil

An hour later, the cyber police and Peng Siyue arrived. The cyber officer connected his laptop to the computer Cheng Yan had used. It took only ten minutes to track the IP address to an internet café on Jinmao Road.

Chen Shi waved his hand, “Let’s go, right now!”

The team quickly reached Jinmao Road, finding it to be a bustling fresh market area. Amidst the stalls, they located the internet café the suspect had used. Chen Shi sent Xu Xiaodong to check the surveillance footage while he scouted the surroundings. The market was crowded and noisy, and aside from the café, there were no other surveillance cameras around.

Chen Shi tried to connect to the café’s Wi-Fi, saying, “The Wi-Fi signal here is strong enough to access from outside the café, avoiding the cameras, but you need the password.”

Lin Dongxue suggested, “Maybe the person has been to the café before and knows the password. Should I go in and check?”

Chen Shi shook his head, “Too many people here, it’s a hassle to check.” He looked down at the ground, suddenly removing his shoe and smelling the sole, then did the same with Peng Siyue’s shoe, who protested, “What the heck are you doing?”

Chen Shi grinned, “Fishy smell! Anyone who’s been through here will have fishy-smelling shoes. Let’s gather everyone from the film company immediately.”

“Give me back my shoe!” Peng Siyue demanded, frowning.

Lin Dongxue asked, “But what if the person isn’t from the company?”

Chen Shi, spinning the shoe in his hand, replied, “That’s okay. We’ll eliminate a large group at once. The external actors are only a few… Let’s go!”

“Chen, you jerk!” Peng Siyue hopped on one foot, trying to keep up.

By noon, all the employees from Zhendong Film Company had arrived. Chen Shi bought a bag of disposable slippers from a convenience store and had everyone switch shoes at the entrance, where Peng Siyue performed a simple inspection.

The plan seemed foolproof, but Lin Dongxue raised a concern, “What if the person switched shoes?”

Chen Shi was stumped momentarily but conceded, “You’re right. This person wouldn’t give in so easily… Where’s Xu Xiaodong?”

Lin Dongxue looked around, “Did you leave him at the market internet café?”

Facepalming, Chen Shi realized he had indeed forgotten about Xu Xiaodong. He said, “I’ll go downstairs and keep watch. I’ll let you know when someone arrives.”

Chen Shi settled in a nearby restaurant with a clear view of the company’s entrance. As employees trickled in, Peng Siyue confirmed none of their shoes had the fishy smell.

At 11:00 AM, Zuo Xuan finally arrived. After entering the company, Chen Shi notified the team, “Another one just went in, probably the last.”

Five minutes later, Lin Dongxue replied, “He didn’t come in.”

“And he hasn’t left. Search the place!” Chen Shi ordered.

Rushing inside, Chen Shi saw there was no other exit. However, below a first-floor window, a partial shoe print was visible, indicating the suspect had escaped into the alley behind the company.

Chen Shi ran outside, messaging, “He escaped into the alley!”

In the alley, Chen Shi chose to head east towards the denser crowd. There, he spotted Zuo Xuan in a clothing store. Approaching him, Chen Shi greeted, “What are you up to?”

“Just about to head to the company,” Zuo Xuan replied calmly. “What’s going on?”

“There’s something we need to discuss,” Chen Shi’s gaze dropped to Zuo Xuan’s feet. “Why the sudden need to buy shoes?”

“Since when do police monitor shopping habits?” Zuo Xuan retorted.

Chen Shi sent his location to the team. They soon arrived, and Zuo Xuan began to show signs of unease, “Check whatever you need. I have things to do.”

“Sorry, but you’ll have to come with us,” Chen Shi said, grabbing Zuo Xuan’s right hand. Expecting a reaction, he was surprised when there was none.

Peng Siyue protested, “Chen, calm down. Don’t act rashly.”

“It’s his leg!” Chen Shi realized. “Your leg was bitten by a dog, so you bought anti-inflammatory and painkillers. Show us your leg!”

Zuo Xuan’s demeanor turned defensive, “Why should I? If you want to arrest me, show some evidence!”

Seeing the suspect before him but unable to arrest him was frustrating for Chen Shi. “Search the store! The shoes he wore must be here.”

The team searched but couldn’t find the discarded shoes. Noticing Zuo Xuan’s smug expression, Chen Shi had a sudden realization. “He hid them in a customer’s bag. Spread out and check the customers leaving the store!”

Zuo Xuan’s fleeting panic confirmed Chen Shi’s suspicion. The team eagerly approached every customer with a bag from the store, until Lin Dongxue intercepted one at the bus stop, finding a pair of old shoes in his bag.

“Got it!” Lin Dongxue announced excitedly.

“Meet back at the store!”

Everyone reconvened, and Lin Dongxue handed Chen Shi the shoes. He sniffed the sole, smirking, “Heavy fish smell. It’s him.”

Zuo Xuan continued to deny, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. How can you prove these are mine? Even if they are, so what?”

“We’ll explain at the station. Mr. Zuo, you’re coming with us.”

Simultaneously, Chen Shi had Cheng Yan brought to the station. They were kept apart as Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue sat across from Zuo Xuan.

Chen Shi said, “You’re quite skilled at hiding things.”

Zuo Xuan glared silently.

“Where were you and what were you doing on the night of February 2nd?”

“I’ve told you, I was at home playing games.”

Chen Shi showed a photo on his phone, “Is this motorcycle yours?”

“No.”

“Okay, take some time to gather your thoughts. We’re going to talk to Cheng Yan.”

As Chen Shi stood, he noticed Zuo Xuan’s anxiety. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something but held back.

Outside, Peng Siyue arrived, “The bag with the dog’s body had three types of blood: dog blood, the victim’s blood, and an unknown sample. DNA confirms the unknown sample is Zuo Xuan’s.”

Relieved, Chen Shi said, “We’re so close to the truth. Let’s break this case wide open.”