Qiu Jingwen stared at Sun Kai for a few seconds before asking:

"I heard that you and Wang Youpeng were at the murder scene yesterday. You were the first to discover the victim, and it was you and Wang Youpeng who returned to the factory to report the crime?"

Sun Kai smiled when the director asked about the murder case.

He knew that this approachable and kind director wouldn't deduct his salary or funds.

So, he readily replied:

"Reporting to the director, Wang Youpeng and I went hunting in the woods of Orange Valley. I saw a rabbit in front of me, looking at me with a terrified expression, and then---."

Before Sun Kai could continue speaking, Qiu Jingwen immediately stopped him.

"Don't just say 'then', tell me exactly where the incident occurred."

"Director Qiu, you know about the woods in Orange Gully, and you also know about the stream deep in the woods, right?"

"Of course I know that."

"To be precise, it's in the middle of that stream. Oh, and there's a huge rock by the stream, about five meters high. Many people say that the rock looks like a man."

Sun Kai wanted to say that it looked like a man's genitals, but he swallowed the words back.

He didn't dare say it out loud, afraid that Qiu Jingwen would criticize him, saying that he was a slick soldier with impure thoughts and distorted values.

Qiu Jingwen was familiar with Orange Gully and the stream there; he had even gone to the stream with factory workers to catch fish and shrimp.

Of course, that was many years ago. At that time, he hadn't become the director yet, let alone the deputy director.

"How many meters away was the deceased from that boulder?"

"About five meters away."

"Where is it located on the boulder?"

"It should be to the east of that boulder."

"It's not 'should'; think back, which side was it?"

"I'm sure, it's to the east."

"Have the police questioned you and Wang Youpeng?"

"Well, we first reported the case to Liang, the head of the security department at our factory. Later, in an office in the infirmary, the police investigation team asked me and Wang Youpeng about the specific details."

Qiu Jingwen nodded at Sun Kai, seemingly deep in thought.

“Sun Kai, you’re a veteran, so your revolutionary spirit and discipline should be stronger than that of ordinary employees. From now on, during working hours, abide by the factory and workshop rules and regulations. This is a one-time exception. Go back to your post.”

Sun Kai quickly agreed, then turned and left.

After leaving the fitter's workshop, Qiu Jingwen went to the milling workshop.

He then sought out Wang Youpeng separately to inquire about the specific details of the murder scene before riding his bicycle to visit other work sections.

After touring all the workstations in the workshop, Qiu Jingwen rode his bicycle back to his office.

He lit a Pegasus cigarette and took a few deep drags.

As he sat down in the chair, he picked up the red microphone from the desk.

He thought for a moment, took out a phone book from the drawer, flipped to a page, and dialed a number.