Chapter 40: Master of Reasoning
Soon, Xin Xiao received a reply that Yong Xiangdong could not confirm: the video screenshot at the exhibition, showing the woman wrapped tightly like an Arab woman, bore no resemblance to the half-length photo of Lu Chenzhou's girlfriend who had gained weight due to pregnancy many years ago.
Ji Feng had been prepared for this outcome—how could anyone tell if it was the same person based solely on a pair of exposed eyes? Unexpectedly, the photo Yong Xiangdong had seen years ago was a half-length portrait.
On his way back to the detachment, he received a call from Chief Zhao of the police station. After two days of non-stop investigations, no trace of the female gangster had been found. The police officer in charge and the local village committee, familiar with the village's permanent population, unanimously confirmed that she did not exist. Chief Zhao concluded that the female gangster had simply parked her vehicle in Haijiao Village and did not actually reside there. Therefore, the police station would begin a door-to-door investigation of the only nearby community, Qijiagou, tomorrow. However, this community, formed by the merger of multiple relocated villages, is large, densely populated, and complex. It is not only the largest community in Hailong Subdistrict but also a key area and a difficult point for public security management.
After parking the car, Ji Feng thanked Director Zhao as he walked toward his office. He understood Director Zhao's call was for support. He replied that he would immediately report to his superiors and dispatch additional officers to the police station.
"Captain Jiang," Ji Feng knocked on the door and walked into Jiang Bo's office, where he saw Jiang Bo staring intently at his computer screen. "Do you have time now? Can you convene a case analysis meeting?"
"No problem, is there any new situation?" Jiang Bo has always responded to Ji Feng's requests, except for his previous rash actions against the Lan family.
Ji Feng walked out of Jiang Bo's office and clapped his hands twice. "Everyone, put aside your work for now and go to the conference room for the case analysis meeting."
After everyone settled in, Ji Feng spoke first, explaining what Director Zhao had just said on the phone. Jiang Bo greatly appreciated Director Zhao's initiative in expanding the scope of the investigation to Qijiagou Community. He immediately stated that he would seek out the bureau leadership after the meeting to request the dispatch of a public security detachment to support the Nanqiaoli Police Station.
It was generally agreed that the female boss's unusual behavior of parking her car in Haijiao Village, even though she was not a resident of Haijiao Village, was intentional.
"She's playing tricks again." Xin Xiao said, "There's definitely something wrong with her."
"It seems that we have encountered an opponent with very strong anti-reconnaissance capabilities. I think it is not ruled out that the business card left in the car was also left by her on purpose as a 'prop' to interfere with our search for her." Ji Feng gave a "high evaluation" to the female boss's anti-reconnaissance ability.
"Captain Ji, I'm not trying to boost others' morale at the expense of my own. This female boss is indeed no ordinary opponent. Her analytical reasoning and psychological gaming abilities can even rival yours. It really feels like you've met a worthy opponent." Xin Xiao said very rationally.
"I think that although she is deliberately misleading us, there is indeed a possibility of plastic surgery, but the time and place are uncertain." Gu Xiaozheng analyzed calmly.
Ji Feng nodded in agreement with their statements, "I know Xin Xiao is comparing me to the female boss to save my face. Through these few encounters, she's always been ahead of me in every move, always able to anticipate my predictions. It's embarrassing to say the least."
Ji Feng looked around and continued, "Since she's so sharp, then since we found the business card under the floor mat, she should have been able to figure it out or discover it. Furthermore, she had already thoroughly cleaned the car beforehand, and she knew the police wouldn't give up even the smallest clue. So, I believe that business card was a cover."
Seeing everyone was listening intently, he continued, "Some may disagree with my inference, so please consider this: no matter how high-quality a beauty salon is, it can only change one's appearance, not one's figure. Given this woman's intelligence, she wouldn't have failed to realize this. She's also well aware that her figure stands out from the crowd, making plastic surgery highly recognizable. Given these two points, I speculate that regardless of whether this business card was intended to reveal it to us, the possibility of her having plastic surgery is unlikely. Therefore, we should decisively abandon the beauty salon as a clue and focus our attention on investigating the Qijiagou community."
"Before, I thought she would go to Korea for plastic surgery. After Captain Ji's analysis, I also think she will not have plastic surgery." Gu Xiaozheng said.
"Going to South Korea presents a potential risk for her," Ji Feng turned to Gu Xiaozheng. "If she undergoes excessive plastic surgery, she'll face scrutiny upon entry and exit, and inevitably come into contact with border control or customs authorities. This is exactly what she's trying to avoid."
"This community is just across the road from Haijiao Village and is the only community adjacent to it. It is very likely that the female boss is hiding in the Qijiagou community." Xin Xiao judged so.
"Parking the car in the neighboring village while living in the next community is so cunning," said Ji Chuan.
"Not only is the population here dense and complex, but it was also a gathering place for illegal immigrants in the early years. It is extremely difficult to investigate, and we need to rely more on the power of the local neighborhood committee." Jiang Bo expressed his opinion.
"Indeed," Gu Xiaozheng confirmed. "I have relatives living there. It's definitely a very large community. As far as I know, there are six or seven neighborhood committees."
Jiang Bo concluded, "First, Captain Ji, there's no need to underestimate yourself. The female boss is in the dark, and we're in the light, so they have an inherent advantage. Second, I agree with Captain Ji's decision to abandon the beauty salon clue and I approve of his reasoning. This also demonstrates Comrade Ji Feng's strong reasoning ability. Third, from now on, all field police officers of the detachment will be stationed in Qijiagou Community to assist the local police station in the investigation. In addition, checkpoints will be set up at all entrances and exits of the community, requiring that no household be missed and no one entering or leaving be missed. Female residents of the same age as the female boss will be screened especially closely. Entrance and exit of the community must be strictly registered, and identification documents must be presented when necessary. Otherwise, no matter how many people we send out, if there are leaks everywhere, wouldn't our efforts be in vain?"
Jiang Bo's summary was very accurate, and the measures he proposed were extremely rigorous and pragmatic. Everyone agreed with this plan in their hearts.
"Captain Jiang, I have a suggestion," Ji Chuan said. "We're going to conduct door-to-door investigations. To avoid causing resentment among the residents, it's best to have a reasonable reason."
"Chuan'er, when did you become so attentive? Your reminders are very on point." Jiang Bo said with a hearty smile.
"I think we should use the temporary resident registration as an excuse," Jiang Bo said. "After all, we're looking for someone, so any other excuse would be far-fetched. Besides, this community really needs a thorough investigation of its temporary residents, which has something to do with the police station, public security detachment, and household registration involved. The same reason applies to entrance and exit registration."
After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
Finally, Jiang Bo spoke as if to mobilize the troops: "Comrades, what you all said just now is very good. Based on what everyone has said, this female leader is very likely living in Qijiagou Community. Next up is a tough battle, and this is the critical moment to test everyone. Of course, there is also an advantage—the target person is tall and thin, making him relatively easy to identify. Thank you all for your hard work, and we adjourn the meeting."
Including the four officers from the Public Security Detachment that Jiang Bo secured from the bureau leadership, a total of over twenty officers participated in the investigation and registration of checkpoints in Qijiagou Community. This seemingly large number of officers, deployed in such a large community, surprisingly failed to make a single impact.
In two days, Qingming Festival would be here. Jifeng remembered Yong Xiangdong's words about visiting Lu Chenzhou's grave every year at this time. "This kind of friendship between classmates is truly precious." Suppressing his inner throbbing, he called Yong Xiangdong. He also had a fondness for this loyal classmate. Yong Xiangdong, without hesitation, lived up to Jifeng's fondness: if he saw any signs of Chenzhou's girlfriend during the grave visit, he would let him know immediately.
Following Ji Feng's advice of "slow work, fine work," the investigation in Qijiagou Community proceeded smoothly and orderly, prioritizing quality over speed. He firmly believed that as long as the "pockets" were tight, even the most cunning prey would eventually become the hunter's "meal."
In a rare moment of leisure, Jifeng sat alone in the police car, watching the officers conducting door-to-door checks. Dean Lu's wise advice, "Slow and steady wins the race," resurfaced in his mind. Even he found it incredible, "This is no longer the 'unruly' Jifeng of yesteryear"—he couldn't help but marvel at how a mere ten months could transform someone.
From there, his thoughts drifted back to Hua Ailing. Suddenly, he realized that he hadn't been in touch since the Spring Festival. This seemed unusual, and undoubtedly, this wasn't Hua Ailing's style.
He quickly pulled out his phone to check her updates. A circle of friends post from a month and a half ago popped up before his eyes: "The Buddha said: Only with a very deep fate can we walk the same road again and again, go to the same place again and again, and meet the same person again and again."
Looking at this circle of friends, Ji Feng pondered for a long time. He put down his phone, put his hands on his head and leaned on the steering wheel.
Suddenly, a wave of bitterness washed over him, as if those words had touched the softest corner of his heart. His past with Hua Ailing replayed in his mind like a movie: those unbridled laughter, unrestrained banter, and tacit cooperation. Now, only an indescribable feeling remained. At this moment, even he, as detached as a saintly monk, couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "What is love in this world?"
He slowly picked up his phone again and clicked on the comment under the circle of friends: "True strength is allowing everything to happen, letting the tree become a tree and the flower become a flower."
He pushed open the car door and stepped out, the chill of spring hitting him like a gust of wind. He crouched down unconsciously, his brow furrowed. He couldn't tell if this pain was a long-awaited relief, or a reflection of his inner truth...
The community's investigation was already well into its third day, and the daily progress summary showed that less than a third of the cases had been investigated. Qingming Festival had passed, and Yong Xiangdong's call hadn't arrived.
Due to staff shortages, only one person could be assigned to each of the six community entrances and exits. Six auxiliary police officers were urgently seconded from the Municipal Bureau to at least ensure that the guards had time to eat and use the restroom.
As for the female boss, Xin Xiao visited six neighborhood committees alone, and except for one person who had a vague impression of having seen her before, all the others claimed not to have seen her. It's no wonder, the community is really huge, and the personnel changes every day.
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