She disappeared (6)

"But she doesn't agree." Zhao Lei Ting seemed to be deliberately keeping the question in suspense.

"Alas!" Meng Siqi's smile froze there. She knew Zhao Leiting was joking, but she would not allow him to make such a joke. She raised her wine glass and confronted him, "Zhao Leiting, you did it on purpose. Are you out of words and deliberately bringing me up?"

"Sister Meng," Zhao Leiting raised his hands, "It's just a temporary solution, don't take it to heart."

"I don't mind it, but do you want to punish yourself with a drink?"

"Punish yourself with a cup of wine!" Tang Xiaochuan urged with a smile.

"Okay, it's all my fault. I'll drink it." Zhao Leiting drank another glass of wine in one breath.

Everyone was talking and laughing. Halfway through the meal, the alcohol started to take its toll on them. Feng Shaomin was calmer and advised, "That's all we can drink today. We still have to work tomorrow."

Han Changlin obviously drank a little too much today. He lay back in his chair and smiled: "Old Feng, tell me, why is our case so difficult?"

The helplessness in his smile was obvious. Meng Siqi had rarely heard Han Changlin say such dejected words. In her eyes, Han Changlin had always been a man who was confident and powerful.

Actually, it's not entirely true. She has been in the Second Team for so many years, and she knows that the crime solving rate has been declining year by year. Everyone also knows that Commander Han Lin issued a military warrant this year.

If the truth of Teng Fei's case cannot be found out, it will be a headache for him and the second team.

Han Changlin's sigh brought the atmosphere of today's dinner to a low point. Perhaps Han Changlin couldn't help but say this.

"Actually, we have tried our best." Feng Shaomin comforted.

No one said anything until Tang Xiaochuan half lowered his head and said, "Team Korea, is it possible that Teng Fei didn't kill Liu Yuwei at all?"

This sentence seems to have become an established truth, but no one is willing to mention it.

"I think what Xiao Tang said makes sense!" The voice was very loud and it was obvious that it was an outsider talking.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw four people walking towards them. They were all colleagues from the same team. The one who had just spoken was Police Officer Luo Xiaoguo.

The four of them stood by the table, and Luo Xiaoguo said with a smile, "Team Korea, what a coincidence, we met at dinner."

Han Changlin nodded, glanced at him, and smiled: "What a coincidence. Team Lu didn't come."

"Team Lu is in trouble. Let's do this. If you guys don't have enough to eat, we can share a table."

"We've finished eating and are about to go back." Tang Xiaochuan replied.

"Team Han," Luo Xiao said earnestly in Mandarin, "We can't lose heart. It's just a case, isn't it? We've searched the entire Grand Canyon and gained something. We must not get into a dead end..."

"Luo Xiaoguo, what do you mean by this?" Feng Shaomin said coldly.

"I didn't mean anything. It's just what it says."

"Then what do you mean?" Feng Shaomin turned his head and glared at him.

Luo Xiaoguo smiled awkwardly, "I really didn't mean anything." At that time, his colleague beside him also tried to smooth things over, "Old Luo, stop talking, the second team's case-solving rate has increased recently, which is worth learning from."

These words made Han Changlin feel a sting in his heart. He gripped the wine glass tightly and squeezed it hard.

"Right, right, right," Luo Xiaoguo said with a smile, "We are all here to solve the case. I should learn. I should learn. So, I will punish myself with a glass of wine..."

"Luo Xiaoguo, don't stand here if you have nothing to do!" Feng Shaomin pointed to the table next to him and said coldly, "Please!"

"Mr. Feng, you're not right. You're not willing to let Mr. Luo apologize..." Luo Xiaoguo's colleagues started to make a noise.

"Bang!" With a loud thunder, Han Changlin suddenly pounded the table. The plates on the table clinked and the whole table shook.

Meng Siqi was really frightened, and then he heard Han Changlin's tough voice: "What are you arguing about!"

At this point, Luo Xiaoguo and the others were speechless and walked away silently.

At this moment, the entire second team fell into silence and no one spoke.

After a long while, the waiter brought four bottles of beer and placed them on the table. "They said they're for you..."

Everyone knew who they were. Feng Shaomin drank a large glass of wine and said, "Captain Han, I was wrong today. You should punish me."

Han Changlin moved his head, as if nodding or shaking it, and smiled faintly after a while: "Old Feng, go back and have a good rest. We will work hard tomorrow!"

Meng Siqi didn't catch the bus but called a taxi. Although he didn't drink much, he still had a slight headache and felt a little dizzy when he walked home.

Ye Xiuhui, who had a face full of cucumber slices, saw her and looked unhappy: "You're drinking? Why would a girl like you drink?"

She felt really good. It was really good to be a little drunk. She leaned on the back of her chair and said with a smile, "I'm happy."

"You..." Ye Xiuhui didn't know what to say, and she didn't dare to speak loudly. After all, she was worried that the cucumber mask would fall off. She whispered, "The whole family smells like alcohol. It's so annoying. Hurry up and wash! Wash the clothes tonight! It smells so bad."

At night, Meng Siqi did not take a shower or wash clothes as Ye Xiuhui expected. Instead, she fell asleep on the bed without any precautions. When she woke up, it was already late at night. She got up, washed her body and changed her underwear, but she couldn't fall asleep all of a sudden.

She flipped through a criminal psychology book for a while, and slowly thought of one thing: Ye Xiuhui didn't dare to speak loudly when she was applying the facial mask. It was completely different from calling her forcefully as usual. Because of the mask, she had to show two faces.

And why can't Teng Fei have two faces?

She suddenly remembered something and quickly opened the book written by Teng Fei on the bedside table.

In the novel, Teng Fei describes the love between "him" and "Liu Yuwei". Both of them hiked in the mountains and forests before their marriage, and he brutally killed her by the campfire.

All of this is so similar to what happened in real life that it is understandable that some people suspect him of murder.

Although he is a writer, why would he take the risk to write a realistic story? Wouldn't that bring him more trouble? People always seek benefits and avoid harm. There is no need for Teng Fei to write a realistic story. Maybe the book is just his fantasy to confuse others.

Meng Siqi thought a lot, tossed and turned, and fell asleep at three o'clock in the morning.

*

The next day, Han Changlin was called to the office by Director Liu. Director Liu sat on a chair with a calm expression. He asked him to sit down and asked him, "I heard that Teng Fei's case has reached a stalemate?"

Although Han Changlin didn't want to admit it, none of the clues seemed to prove that Teng Fei had committed murder, and since the body hadn't been found, it was impossible to convict Teng Fei. However, he still said stubbornly, "The beneficiary of the insurance that Teng Fei bought for Liu Yuwei was his sister Teng Rong. Teng Rong was seriously ill and needed money urgently, so he couldn't escape the motive of murder."

"The motive for murder," Director Liu said slowly, "is not the same as murder."

The police need evidence to solve a case. Director Liu denied him outright. Han Changlin certainly understood that there was a crucial chain of evidence between the motive for murder and the murder. Even if the motive for murder was perfect, it would be impossible without the chain of evidence.

While he was thinking, Director Liu asked, "Do you know when fingerprint technology began to be widely used in Chinese criminal investigation?"

Of course, Han Changlin knew this, as he had learned it in the police academy a long time ago. He replied, "At the beginning of this century."

"Well, that means fingerprint technology was not widely used before. In any era, criminal investigation cannot be said to be perfect. With the advancement of technology, many technologies will be gradually applied. Similarly, criminals are also updating their criminal techniques. For example, they can erase the fingerprints on their hands."

Han Changlin suddenly understood why Director Liu asked him to come over. Director Liu wanted to tell him that if something is beyond his current abilities and skills, he should give it up because there are many more important tasks that need them to do.

On the contrary, the sunk costs will become higher and higher, and the government will not continue to invest resources. Instead, it is better to wait for future technological advances to find the answer.

Han Changlin is not a stubborn person. At least he feels that the gap between him and Lu He is still very obvious. He can take many things lightly, but if he is asked to give up on this case, he will feel unwilling.

"Director Liu, I'm actually thinking that if we spend some more time searching the waterfall, we might be able to find new evidence. There is no evidence in this world that disappears out of thin air."

"You've heard about the search at the waterfall. The rescue team is more professional than us, and they conducted the search on the day Liu Yuwei disappeared. It's been seven months, and even if there is evidence left, it may no longer exist. Changlin," Director Liu said earnestly, "I know you're unwilling, but you still have to learn to let it go. I have a new case for you!"

Han Changlin did not respond immediately. Director Liu knew him very well and knew his temper. He always listened to Director Liu, but this time he was a little hesitant.

Director Liu said solemnly: "In any era, justice will not be absent. No matter how cunning the murderer is, or how sophisticated the criminal methods are, I believe that the truth will eventually see the light of day. You must believe in the progress of justice!"

Han Changlin certainly believed that this was the sense of justice he had upheld since he joined the police force.

The reality is that there is no better solution, so he regretfully thought of a compromise, "Director Liu, give me another three days. If there is no result in this case, I will take the initiative to apply for the case to be closed."

Director Liu did not answer, but nodded, showing a calm smile that seemed to be relaxed and comforting to the other party.

*

Han Changlin suddenly called everyone together. His state was completely different from before. He said seriously: "Regarding the case of Teng Fei, no matter what, we must make a final attempt. In the closing statement, whether Teng Fei is the murderer or innocent, there must be a conclusion."

Everyone listened very carefully, but no one responded. Han Changlin said, "I've been thinking about this for the past few days. We've been investigating Teng Fei and neglected Liu Yuwei. It may be because it took too long, and everyone thought that we could only find evidence from the corpse. In fact, as long as we find some physical evidence from Liu Yuwei's life, it may be the key to solving the case."

Feng Shaomin nodded: "The Korean team is right. We did overlook this point."

"Captain Han," Tang Xiaochuan asked, "Teng Fei and Liu Yuwei's rental house had already been transferred to someone else. I'm afraid there may be very little evidence left now."

Meng Siqi thought for a moment and said, "Teng Fei said he loved Liu Yuwei so much, maybe he has some evidence in his hands?"

Zhao Leiting said: "But, what Teng Fei can show us are what he thinks can be kept. If Liu Yuwei had written a diary, do you think Teng Fei would have stayed?"

Han Changlin nodded: "You are right, the physical evidence is indeed very slim now, but as long as there is a glimmer of hope, we can't give up. So, let's go to Teng Fei's house to check it out."

"Okay, Korean team."

Several people drove to Teng Fei's house. Coincidentally, Teng Fei had just returned from outside. He was holding a small bag in his hand. Judging from its shape, it should be a lunch box or something. He was probably bringing food back for his sister.

After explaining the purpose of the visit, Teng Fei was very cooperative. As he went upstairs, he said, "Captain Han, Yu Wei and I rented a house at the time, and we bought all the daily necessities together. Later, I sold or threw them away, and there are not many left."

"Yeah." Han Changlin nodded.

After entering the house, Teng Fei wanted to make tea, but everyone turned it down. Han Changlin said, "We can just take a look around."

"Can."

While Teng Fei was retrieving the remains, Han Changlin and his men were wandering around the house, not even leaving out the calendars hanging on the wall. After all, there was no search warrant, so they didn't rummage around.

The house was not big, so Meng Siqi walked around the bedroom. Teng Fei was looking for relics in the drawer, but a small photo frame on the wall caught her attention.

It was a wedding photo. Actually, the two were going to get married. In the photo, Liu Yuwei looked full of happiness.

Next to the wedding photo, there is a small photo hanging. It is a solo photo of Liu Yuwei, facing the sun, with a beautiful halo shining on her delicate cheeks. She is very beautiful. This photo makes people intoxicated, but also regrettable.

Teng Fei put the relics in a box. He picked it up and happened to see Meng Siqi. Meng Siqi smiled and said, "Well, can I see the photos?"

"Of course. Take a look." Teng Fei looked very easy-going and walked out of the bedroom carrying the box.

Meng Siqi took down the small photo, examined it carefully, and turned it to the back. There was a line of words written in ballpoint pen on the back. The words were a little blurry, and the words were very simple, "Live towards the sun!"

There was nothing else to do, so Meng Siqi quietly hung himself back to his original place.

After leaving the bedroom, in the tea room in the living room, Han Changlin and the others were already checking the remains in the box. Meng Siqi also went forward to take a look. There were no special items in it, only cosmetic bottles, mirrors, combs and other daily necessities. It seemed that Teng Fei wanted to keep them as souvenirs.

"Anything else? A diary or something?" Director Han Lin slowly stood up and asked.

Teng Fei replied: "Yu Wei never writes a diary. If the Korean team is worried, they can go to my bedroom and take another look."

"Okay." Han Changlin took off his gloves and nodded, saying, "That's it for today. I won't bother you anymore."

Although everything was verified, it still felt a bit vague. However, when going downstairs, Han Changlin's steps became lighter. Meng Siqi felt that he should be relieved that Teng Fei might not be the murderer.

Fiction and reality are two different things.

Teng Fei's behavior this time was very different from the past. He sent everyone downstairs and told them to come to him anytime if they had any questions. It seemed that he was confident and all suspicions about him were cleared today.

In October, the sunshine at noon was still very strong. When a few people went out, the sunshine was pouring in warmly.

Everyone turned their heads to avoid blurring their vision, and Teng Fei quickly stretched out a hand to cover half of his face.

At this moment, Meng Siqi suddenly felt dizzy. It was a familiar feeling, which came so suddenly that she trembled all over.

A picture suddenly flashed through her mind.

In the picture, she saw with her own eyes that in the bright red morning sun, a thin red rope was tightly around Liu Yuwei's neck, as if it was going to cut her neck off.

Liu Yuwei's face was filled with tears of pain...

Meng Siqi had never thought that he would see such a scene in this place.

Clearly, she had felt something from the dead before, and she had thought it was some kind of influence from the dead's magnetic field. But at this moment and in this place, there could be no magnetic field from the dead. So was it Teng Fei's memory of a certain moment? Was it seized by her?

If that's the case, then Teng Fei is really the murderer!

The aftershock of that picture was so strong that Meng Siqi felt a little sore in the corners of her eyes. She found that something crystal clear was spinning in her eye sockets.

"Siqi, what's wrong with you?" While walking, Zhao Leiting noticed her abnormality.

Meng Siqi quickly wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand and said with a smile, "Nothing, just a little sad."

Walking out of Liu Yuwei's belongings, it was inevitable that he would feel sad, so Zhao Lei Ting did not ask any more questions.

On the way back, Meng Siqi was silent. She only heard Han Changlin say, "Go back and close the case!"

The memory lingered in her mind. Where on earth was that place? Such a beautiful sunrise.

What a beautiful sunrise!

Liu Yuwei said that she wanted to live facing the sun, but she died in that longed-for sunshine.