"Alright, let's get down to business." Lin Su interrupted Wang Shen and Xu Xiaolin's emotional exchange at the right time. "According to Song Mu's recollection, Han Mo's condition improved a year before her death. However, in the period leading up to her death, her condition suddenly deteriorated again. Moreover, Han Mo refused to tell Song Mu the reason for her emotional changes."

“That should be easy to explain.” Xu Xiaolin put down her coffee cup. “What can make a woman’s emotions fluctuate so much is nothing more than you stinky men.”

"Writer Xu, you can't be so mean. Don't generalize because of one person." To lighten the tense atmosphere, Lin Su joked. "However, Writer Xu's conclusion is the same as Song Mu's. Based on the clues you just mentioned, whether this man is Han Mo's assistant Xiao Lin or someone else is the question we need to figure out." Lin Su finally picked up his coffee, took a sip, and then frowned slightly. "So, considering Han Mo's psychological state in the final stage, the possibility of her suicide cannot be ruled out."

Wang Shen slammed his pen down on the notebook, then closed it and looked at Xu Xiaolin and Lin Su. "Now let me summarize our direction for the next stage. There are two main suspects: one is 'Scarface' Zheng Wu; the other is Han Mo's former assistant, Xiao Lin. Therefore, we need to contact these two people and see if there's anything suspicious about them."

“Okay. Officer Wang, just assign the tasks directly,” Lin Su said after nodding.

“Our police have identified Zheng Wu a long time ago. He is currently unemployed, and there is a certain degree of danger in contacting him. Therefore, I will handle the investigation of Zheng Wu myself, and you will be responsible for finding Xiao Lin.”

“That won’t do.” Xu Xiaolin placed the pen in front of her, shaking it repeatedly, rejecting Wang Shen’s suggestion. “Xiao Lin should also be a cultured person. I think the great writer Lin can handle someone like that by himself. I want to go with you to find Zheng Wu.”

“No, it’s dangerous.” Wang Shen shook his head, also rejecting Xu Xiaolin’s suggestion.

“Officer Wang, Lin Su went to investigate Xiao Lin and made a judgment and analysis. And I just happened to accompany you to investigate Zheng Wu, so I can also make a judgment and analysis. That way, you can make the most of our advantages by bringing us here. Besides…” Xu Xiaolin chuckled, put down her pen, and picked up her coffee cup again. “Officer Wang, don’t you have the confidence to protect my safety as an unemployed person?” After saying that, Xu Xiaolin took a sip of coffee.

"Your words are truly remarkable." Wang Shen shook his head, smiled, and finally acquiesced to Xu Xiaolin's suggestion.

Two days later, Xu Xiaolin received a call from Wang Shen. It was already dark when Xu Xiaolin went out. It had started raining again. Xu Xiaolin sighed, grabbed an umbrella from her car, and got out. Wang Shen was already waiting not far away, waving at Xu Xiaolin as he walked towards her. After exchanging greetings, Xu Xiaolin followed Wang Shen through a winding alley.

This alley is located in the heart of the city, yet it feels somewhat out of place amidst the surrounding modern skyscrapers. In layman's terms, it's what's known as an urban village. But Xu Xiaolin doesn't dislike these urban villages; she believes they are a microcosm of a city's historical development and changes. She can't imagine a day when all the urban villages completely disappear from the city. Then, a brand-new city would be like a Sichuan opera actor who has changed his face—whether the city's soul could still be preserved is uncertain.

But now, this alley isn't as quiet and desolate as I imagined; instead, it's quite lively. This alley is a well-known bar district in the city. During the day, it doesn't feel particularly special, but at night, the entire alley suddenly comes alive with lights. Music and drumbeats echo from one end of the alley to the other.

"This is the place. Our police have discovered that Zheng Wu frequently hangs out here."

Xu Xiaolin looked up and saw that the signboard only had one word: "None".