Volume One, Chapter 164: Ning’s Tragedy

The captain let out a cold snort and, with a protective stance, stepped in front to block Qin Yu’s line of sight. Pointing toward the main entrance, he issued a dismissal, "I don’t care what kind of master you are or how impressive your background might be, please leave the police station immediately! You are not welcome here!"

"Captain..."

Zhao Xiaodao wanted to put in a good word, but was silenced by a fierce glare from the captain. "If you want to speak up for her, you can get out too!"

His booming voice made the other female colleagues who had intended to speak shut their mouths as well.

Qin Yu’s brows knitted tightly together.

Mu Ling was so angry that he stomped his feet. Pointing at the back of the captain, who was striding away, he scolded, "Do you think our Xiao Yu is dying to stay in this dump? You're completely unreasonable! If I couldn't beat you all in a fight, I’d teach you a lesson on behalf of Xiao Yu!"

Qin Yu’s eyelid twitched violently. Actually, you could have skipped saying that last part.

Zhao Xiaodao wore an awkward expression and apologized profusely, "Master! Let me apologize to you on behalf of our captain! That’s just how he is—super protective of his own! He won't tolerate anyone speaking ill of us, not even half a word."

The female colleagues who had previously been rescued by Qin Yu chimed in as well, "Please don't take offense, Master. Our captain is actually a really good person. Aside from being a bit too stern most of the time, he has no other flaws."

Qin Yu generously returned an understanding smile. "It's fine."

In that instant, everyone was captivated by Qin Yu’s composure and magnanimity.

Although she looked young, her speech, demeanor, and the unique, worldly-wise aura she exuded forced everyone to look at her in a new light.

"Master, let us try to work on the captain's mindset. Once he's in a better mood, we'll invite you back."

Qin Yu raised a hand slightly in refusal. "No need."

Thinking that Qin Yu was angry, Zhao Xiaodao couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Our captain really is a good person! He just hasn't wrapped his head around it yet! Please don't hold it against him!"

Qin Yu shook her head. "There is no need for me anymore; your captain will handle this matter properly."

Just as Zhao Xiaodao wanted to explain further, Qin Yu interrupted him. "Alright, it's time for me to go back. I won't disturb you all any longer with your work."

With that, she gave a solemn bow.

Yi Yao and Zhao Xiaodao wanted to see her off, but she declined their offers.

As soon as they stepped out of the police station, Mu Ling was still fuming, crossing his arms over his chest. "Xiao Yu, why did you bow to them?"

Qin Yu looked at the red flag fluttering at the entrance of the police station and paid a solemn, respectful gaze to it. "Because they are worthy of it."

Because of synesthesia, those upright figures of people working tirelessly for the public in Qin Yu's eyes flashed through his mind.

Looking at the red flag in the wind, he could not help but feel a deep sense of reverence.

"My admiration for the police has just shattered, they are way too fierce! /crying/"

"The police on our side also yell at us, they're so fierce! Sob, sob."

"Our captain isn't usually like this. He's under a lot of pressure solving cases, and he's just protective of us."

"Please don't misunderstand our captain; he really is a good captain."

"My younger brother is a police officer. He wakes up earlier than a rooster and sleeps later than a dog. Sometimes when emergencies happen at night, he has to be on call. He's such a gentle person at home, but the moment he steps outside, he turns super fierce! Because he has a baby face, he has to look fierce or people won't respect him."

"Let's show them a bit more understanding and tolerance; all the safety and peace in our Imperial Capital are maintained by them working silently behind the scenes."

"There is no such thing as quiet years; it's just that someone is carrying the heavy burden forward for us."

"Thank you all for your understanding and tolerance. We will definitely solve this serial murder case as soon as possible and give the victims the truth!"

"We will post updates on our official website the moment we have any results. Everyone can follow our official page for first-hand information!"

"Hahahaha, is the official account coming here to drive traffic? Just for your great attitude, followed without hesitation!"

"Already followed!"

"Already followed! Hoping for a follow back!"

"Wait, bro upstairs, wouldn't you feel creeped out if the official police account followed you back?"

...

Qin Yu took her phone off the drone and hailed a taxi by the roadside.

She had been online for three hours today, but that mysterious man in black still hadn't sought her out.

Just as she was feeling puzzled, Mu Ling’s voice reminded her in her ear, "Xiao Yu, the netizens want to know the truth about Xiao Ning's death!"

Qin Yu looked at the screen, and sure enough, everyone was asking about it.

She pressed her lips together. "Individuals infected with soul-hooking bugs will develop a mark on the inner wrist, and this mark grows darker as the bug matures. However, I noticed that the mark on the inner wrist of Xiao Ning only reached a semi-dark shade. In other words, the soul-hooking bug only started growing wildly *after* Xiao Ning died."

The murderer thought their crime was airtight, but little did they know that after a person dies, skin metabolism ceases, and the mark of the soul-hooking bug stops deepening.

"That means this is a cold-blooded murder!"

"Oh god! This is so malicious!"

"But why? From Officer Yi's words, Xiao Ning should have been an outstanding girl, right? Why did she meet with such a fatal disaster?"

"Could it be that she had great professional competence, but a problematic personality?"

"No matter how problematic a young girl's personality is, it doesn't warrant getting killed, right?"

Qin Yu had originally told Yi Yao that Xiao Ning had a lingering soul precisely to flush the murderer out into the open.

Sure enough, it worked.

Looking at the bullet comments, Qin Yu calmly said, "The innocent are not guilty; possessing a treasure is the crime. She was simply too outstanding, and some people couldn't stand it."

Qin Yu could discern the past of that quiet girl from the corner: "The murderer was a newly recruited police officer who entered the force in the same batch as Xiao Ning. She placed first in the written exam, but her interview score was slightly inferior to Xiao Ning's, placing her second in the overall score."

"The bureau was thrilled to recruit two talents at once and constantly brought the two of them up as role models. However, gradually, Xiao Ning performed brilliantly during a mission, earning the police chief's high praise. Overnight, the two individuals who should have stood equally began to have a visible hierarchy."

"Murder out of jealousy?"

"Oh god! How foolish!"

"I've always felt there was a problem with the comparison culture in the Imperial Capital. Why must outstanding people be compared together? Everyone naturally has their own strengths and weaknesses!"

"Isn't a promising future completely ruined just like that?"

Qin Yu shook her head at the tragedy. "You're all wrong."

"The clue for that mission back then was actually discovered by the murderer, who inadvertently leaked it to Xiao Ning. The very next day, Xiao Ning took her place and stole the credit that belonged to her."

"Doesn't this feel just like when I spend all night working on a proposal, only to wake up the next day and find it's my rival's achievement!"

"The immersion is strong! I'm already getting angry! /smile/"

"But still, it doesn't warrant death! Murder crosses the line!"

Qin Yu didn't comment further, only saying, "Right or wrong, the law will judge."

She was only responsible for revealing the truth.