Chapter 223: A Flaw Uncovered

Chen Shi sipped his tea. “Mr. Li, are you serious?”

Li Biao suddenly burst into laughter. “What do you think?”

Lin Dongxue interjected, “We’re not here to joke around. We’re criminal investigators, and we’ve opened a case against Liu Hong. Everything will come to light sooner or later. If you know anything, it’s best to tell us now. It’ll be beneficial for both you and us!”

Chen Shi gave Lin Dongxue an approving glance. She had handled the situation well.

But Li Biao, unfazed, replied, “What could I possibly know? I’m not him.”

“The disappearances of these people—are they all just coincidences?”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Realizing Li Biao wasn’t going to cooperate, Chen Shi shifted gears. “Mr. Li, those walnuts are quite nice.”

“You have an eye for quality!” Li Biao perked up. “These are lion’s head walnuts. I’ve been playing with them for years.”

“I’ve heard that playing with walnuts can be quite beneficial. Is that true?”

“It’s all about the technique…”

Chen Shi chatted with Li Biao about walnuts for a long time. When they left, Li Biao even gave him a business card, suggesting they discuss it more in the future.

Leaving the teahouse, Lin Dongxue complained, “That stubborn mule wouldn’t say anything… And you, chatting about unrelated stuff for two hours.”

“I did it on purpose!” Chen Shi explained. “If Liu Hong finds out we talked to Li Biao for two hours, what do you think he’ll do? If there are no flaws, we’ll create one. A person who’s killed thirty people can’t feel completely at ease. I don’t believe it for a second!”

Lin Dongxue was taken aback. “You plan to use Li Biao as bait?”

“That’s the idea, but we don’t intend to let him die. Your brother gave you two officers, plus Xiaodong. They should all keep a close watch on Li Biao around the clock. Let’s draw the snake out of its hole.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiaodong looked disheartened. “Chen, will this really work?”

“Trust me, it will!” Though inwardly, Chen Shi knew it was partly a gamble.

As they reached their car, an elderly cleaning lady said, “Young man, you better keep an eye on your car. A man was just hanging around it.”

“A man? What did he look like?”

“Not tall, and he looked quite fierce.”

The three exchanged surprised glances. Chen Shi scanned the area and spotted a security camera at a nearby convenience store. They immediately went to check the footage.

Sure enough, a man in a leather jacket was seen taking pictures of Chen Shi’s car and peering inside. He even showed his face in one frame—it was Liu Hong.

Lin Dongxue was shocked. “He’s investigating us!?”

“He must’ve seen my car last night. This guy has a strong counter-surveillance instinct,” Chen Shi remarked.

“Isn’t this risky?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“It’s fine. There’s nothing in my car, and I’m not a policeman.”

The day ended without any progress, leaving everyone frustrated. If Liu Hong decided to lay low, they might have to watch him walk free.

The next day, Lin Dongxue decided to dig deeper into Liu Hong’s background, including his family. Chen Shi returned to Officer Liu’s place to comb through the files for more clues.

By evening, they were exhausted. Xu Xiaodong sent a message: “Liu Hong met Li Biao again today. They were at Li Biao’s place for three hours with the curtains drawn.”

Lin Dongxue suggested in the group chat, “Should we visit Li Biao again since Liu Hong is suspicious of him?”

Chen Shi replied, “No rush. Li Biao has my contact. If he wants to talk, he’ll reach out.”

Frustrated, Lin Dongxue complained, “When will we make progress?”

Unexpectedly, Peng Sijue replied, “No complaining in the group. It dampens morale. From now on, no complaints.”

Startled, Lin Dongxue quickly said, “Got it. I’ll be more careful.”

Chen Shi went to retrieve his car. As he started it, Liu Hong’s Mazda appeared, then reversed back. Liu Hong got out, knocked on Chen Shi’s window. Chen Shi rolled it down. “What do you want?”

“Who are you?” Liu Hong demanded.

“Why do you care?”

Liu Hong sneered. “I know all the locals. I checked your license plate. You’re just an ordinary guy. Why are you hanging around with the cops? And who was that monk?”

Chen Shi silently pulled out his consultant ID and flashed it. Liu Hong squinted, “Oh, a consultant. Impressive.”

“Are you worried about being investigated? Guilty conscience?”

Liu Hong pointed to himself with his thumb. “I’ve killed people. So what? Even if I said it to your face, what could you do?”

“Not much.”

Liu Hong clapped his hands mockingly. “So, back off! Don’t waste taxpayer money. No matter how much you investigate, I’m clean as a whistle.”

Chen Shi, infuriated, suddenly got out and stepped toward Liu Hong, forcing him to back up. “How much longer do you think you can be arrogant? Do you think we’ll tell you everything we find out? Remember, those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.”

“You think you can scare me?” Liu Hong shoved Chen Shi.

“Come on, hit me if you’re a man!” Chen Shi taunted.

Liu Hong glanced at the running dashcam in Chen Shi’s car, then forced a smile, straightening Chen Shi’s clothes. “Sorry about that. Got a bit carried away. Want to hit me back?”

Cleverly avoiding the trap, Liu Hong smirked, “I have things to do. Let’s have dinner sometime. Bring that pretty girlfriend of yours.”

Liu Hong parked his car and walked away with a large bag. Chen Shi noticed something in the bag that seemed unusual.

The bag had a Walmart logo.

Chen Shi immediately called Lin Dongxue, “Where are you?”

“At home. Why aren’t you back yet? Yueyue and I ordered takeout.”

“Do you have a photo of Liu Hong? I need to check something.”

“But I just ordered food…”

“Meet me at Xiuqiu Community. I’ll wait at the entrance.”

Chen Shi waited at the community gate. Half an hour later, Lin Dongxue arrived. Without a word, Chen Shi took her to a nearby Walmart, showing Liu Hong’s photo to each cashier.

“What did you see? Why are we here?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“I ran into Liu Hong. I saw something in his shopping bag that seemed unusual… I’m not sure.”

Finally, a cashier recognized him. Checking the register, they saw everything Liu Hong bought. Chen Shi’s finger stopped at one item—Lin Dongxue noticed it too: a pack of sanitary pads!