Regardless of whether it was a misunderstanding or slander, it was related to the most heinous serial murder case recently, so no clue could be overlooked. Therefore, Long Qi quickly obtained the property monitoring data from the apartment and led everyone to the monitoring room to watch it.
There wasn't enough room for many people, and only five people managed to get inside. They crowded around the screen, and the video started playing quickly.
In the surveillance footage, Zhang Da was pacing at the entrance of the residential area, seemingly waiting for something. Then, as if he had discovered something, he quickly hid in a blind spot of the surveillance camera.
Long Qi pointed at the screen and said, "This is the friend Zhang Da you mentioned, right, Ms. Ji He?"
Long Qi's tone was somewhat strange, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Jiang Shihe, who was a head taller than everyone else and could stand leisurely with his arms crossed at the back while having a clear view of the screen, unceremoniously stepped in to speak for them: "I'm sorry, Ms. Ji He, I didn't mean to offend your friend, but he—"
"To be honest, they don't seem like they're doing anything legitimate."
Seeing his shifty-eyed look, Ji He was unusually silent for a moment, almost unable to maintain her facade.
After cursing Zhang Da under her breath for being a complete idiot who was more trouble than he was worth, Ji He explained, "He's never been in a relationship before, and he's had a crush on someone for so long, so it's normal for him to be a little hesitant and timid."
Ruan Qing'an, standing to the side: ...It's really tough on the female lead.
With Jiang Shihe acting as his mouth double, Long Qi's strange expression finally eased a bit. He had been a criminal investigation team leader for so many years and had seen countless criminals—and coincidentally, Zhang Da had great potential.
If Zhang Da hadn't disappeared again, and his fate was unknown, Long Qi felt he would have taken him back to investigate.
Immediately afterwards, the surveillance footage continued to appear on the screen.
This time, the scene was in the elevator. Ruan Qingan had just stepped in when, before the elevator doors closed, a figure followed him in. It was Zhang Da, fully armed with a mask and hood.
Those watching the surveillance footage: ...
For a moment, Ji He's silence was deafening.
But before she could explain and try to salvage her image, the elevator doors closed. The surveillance footage suddenly flickered and blurred for a moment, like snowflakes, and the elevator remained motionless.
The elevator doors opened inexplicably the next moment, and Zhang Da, who had just walked in, staggered out.
In his haste, Zhang Da crashed straight into the wall, but dared not stop. He scrambled and rolled as if he would crawl out, as if there were ghosts in the elevator.
Ji He immediately said, "Yes, it was from here that Zhang Da went missing, and there were only the two of them in the elevator."
Is something strange happening inside the elevator?
Jiang Shihe stared intently at the surveillance footage, his thoughts flashing like lightning—back at the apartment, Ruan Qing'an had mentioned the unusual events that had occurred when she returned home.
Hearing Ji He's confident tone, Jiang Shihe turned around and looked at Ruan Qing'an standing in front of him without making a sound. The girl's face was a little pale, as if she was frightened, but in the eyes of others, it was as if she had been exposed.
At this moment, Ji He also looked over: "How could you scare a man to this extent? Aren't you going to explain?"
"...What if he isn't?"
Ruan Qing'an stammered, speaking cautiously, but as soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realize what she had said, and pitifully said to Ji He, "I really didn't mean anything by it, but is it possible that I don't know why he's so timid?"
Ji He: ...This makes it hard for me to reply.
A brief silence fell over the room. Jiang Shihe sighed softly, reached out and pulled Ruan Qing'an back to him. His tall figure almost blocked her view, subtly conveying a sense of protection.
"Miss Ruan, please be quiet."
"I haven't finished watching the surveillance video yet, Ms. Ji He. Please calm down and don't put me in a difficult position."
Recalling the almost irresistible force with which the man stopped her, Ji He's lips twitched involuntarily. She was already among the top players in the global horror rankings, yet she couldn't even defeat a dungeon NPC, living like a boss.
She paused for a moment, then took a step back: "Okay."
The surveillance footage was down to its last segment, and the five of them watched it together. It was around midnight when Zhang Da reappeared in the hallway, right in front of Ruan Qing'an's apartment.
Immediately afterward, the door was pushed open, and Zhang Da walked straight in. Then—he disappeared.
Silence fell over the monitoring room.
Ji He then said, "Do I need to say anything? The surveillance footage shows that Zhang Da went in and never came out again. Am I wrong to suspect that she is the murderer? Wasn't the previous person who died also her suitor? Can the coincidences be this extreme?"
"I didn't mean anything by it, Detective Jiang, Captain Long. This concerns my friend. I just want to catch the murderer. Isn't that right?"
Jiang Shihe's eyes flickered slightly, but before he could speak, Long Qi beside him said, "Whether it is related to the serial murder case or whether she is a suspect is just speculation for now, but the bureau will take this missing person case seriously at this critical juncture."
"Ms. Ruan Qingan, it seems you cannot clear your name in the short term. Please stay at the police station for now. We will investigate the case based on the clues we have. Please cooperate."
The soft, sweet-voiced girl, like a little bunny, nodded cautiously, her eyes red-rimmed: "I understand..."
Long Qi then looked at Jiang Shihe: "Mr. Jiang, I'll leave the rest of the investigation to you. I'll let you know if there's any news."
Jiang Shihe did not answer, but simply nodded.
But just as someone was about to take Ruan Qing'an away, Jiang Shihe finally made a move. He stepped forward, took out a gold-plated fountain pen from his bag, and placed it in Ruan Qing'an's bag.
"Take it, miss, it might make you feel safer."
"Mr. Jiang...do you believe me?"
Ruan Qing'an paused, then looked up at him.
But Jiang Shihe's eyes revealed nothing. He sighed softly, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, "I believe you."
After Ruan Qing'an left the monitoring room, everyone else's gaze couldn't help but fall on Jiang Shihe, especially Ji He, whose eyes flashed with a dark light.
She guessed right; she had to involve Ruan Qing'an.
If nothing unexpected happens, only Jiang Shihe can solve that serial murder case. Rather than letting him take his time, it's better to let him focus all his energy on the case, solve it as soon as possible, and then die.
After Jiang Shihe politely said goodbye to Long Qi, he left. Only then did the powerful oppressive feeling disappear, and Ji He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: "As long as the case can be solved..."
"...Yes, it will."
Suddenly, Long Qi said, "The iron tree has blossomed, so naturally we must protect the flower. He will do his best in this case, and as for the case of your friend's disappearance, we will also do our best."
Ji He quickly said, "Thank you, Captain Long."
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