Captain Lu was aloof again today.

Chapter 62 Appreciation
Sensing his cold anger, Bai Rushuang's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly explained, "No, no, we have conducted trace checks on both Zhang Ming's own car and his father's car, and we have not found any suspicious points."

“If someone really did commit murder and dispose of the body, they certainly wouldn’t leave any traces for the police to examine afterward. We can’t let Zhang Ming off the hook for now,” Wei Qingsong said calmly.

Bai Rushuang took a deep breath and nodded with a forced smile.

She thought for a moment, but still couldn't help asking, "Miss Wei, there's something I don't quite understand. Yu Fangfang's death happened so long ago, can we really find any clues from her?"

"Of course, Officer Bai, please take a look at the death reports of the four victims. Have you noticed anything unusual about Yu Fangfang?"

Bai Rushuang pursed her lips and thought for a long time before shaking her head with a slightly flushed face: "No."

She wasn't as perceptive as Wei Qingsong, who could spot something amiss at a glance.

Wei Qingsong didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "Apart from the deceased Yu Fangfang, there were no obvious signs of struggle on the other three victims. Moreover, Ma Xiaolu had a blow to the back of her head, and Jiang Keying was killed by a blunt object. This means that the murderer attacked the victims from behind."

"But look here, we found clothing fibers in Yu Fangfang's fingernails, and there are obvious signs of struggle, which means that she confronted the murderer directly."

"Do you remember what I said? The first case of a serial killer is mostly caused by accidents and impulses. Yu Fangfang's autopsy report can prove this point."

"Moreover, due to the heavy rain, the traces at the body disposal site have been washed away, and the clues we can find on the deceased are minimal. Furthermore, the four deceased have different professions and are not connected to each other. Therefore, the latter three deceased were obviously randomly selected by the murderer based on some specific factor. As for whether the deceased are related to Yu Fangfang, we need to conduct further investigation to find out."

"Of course, I am only suggesting that we focus on the first victim, which does not mean that we should ignore the other three victims."

Her voice was gentle and peaceful, like a clear spring, making people feel comfortable and at ease, yet carrying an undeniable coolness and firmness.

Bai Rushuang was filled with complex emotions and a multitude of thoughts. She was filled with questions and shock, yet, paradoxically, she also had a faint expectation for Wei Qingsong's next performance.

She knew that her ridiculous feelings were destined to be unfulfilled, because Lu Jingming's heart would only belong to Wei Qingsong.

Logically, she should have harbored resentment towards Wei Qingsong, but Wei Qingsong was so outstanding that she couldn't muster even a trace of resentment towards her, and even felt a strange admiration for her.

She believes that women should live like Wei Qingsong, not be parasitic on anyone, not lose themselves for love, and shine brightly in their own field.

You have love, and you also have freedom.

What surprised Bai Rushuang even more was that Wei Qingsong did not treat her coldly because of her past pursuit of Lu Jingming, and always maintained a peaceful attitude.

Bai Rushuang felt incredulous, yet also thought that if it were Wei Qingsong, all of this would seem so natural, because she was someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Lu Jingming, and of course she was different from others.

There was no sword fight as she had imagined, only respect and equality. Bai Rushuang thought that she had learned a lot from Wei Qingsong today, not just about criminal psychology and the theories of serial killers, but about some more meaningful and indescribable things.

She was completely convinced of her defeat to Wei Qingsong.

Perhaps she should learn to let go and stop wasting time on people who don't care about her. In her life, she is the only one, the protagonist with flesh and blood, so why should she be someone else's supporting character?

Bai Rushuang's eyes stung slightly. She suddenly looked at Wei Qingsong earnestly and said softly, "Thank you."

This caught Wei Qingsong off guard. After a long pause, he said awkwardly, "Ah, you're welcome. Since the Municipal Bureau sent us here, this is what we should do."

"No..." Bai Rushuang wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin. After a moment of silence, she smiled and sighed, "Never mind, anyway, thank you."

Wei Qingsong gave Bai Rushuang a deep look, but did not continue to ask questions. However, she seemed to understand what Bai Rushuang meant. She turned her head and leaned back against the car, relaxing her body and mind, with a faint smile on her lips.

As the car sped along, Chen Jin and another police officer listened quietly, unable to get a word in edgewise, while Xiao Song rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

Lu Jingming closed his eyes slightly and listened to the howling wind outside the car window.

When we arrived at the Quyang County branch, it was almost 9 p.m., but the branch was still brightly lit.

Compared to the Tangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Quyang Branch's buildings appear rather old. The stone lions at the entrance are probably quite old, complementing the rickety tin signboard, and look rather pitiful under the dim lighting.

Entering through the main gate, this feeling becomes even more pronounced. The yellowed walls are peeling and mottled, and the corners of the corridor are covered in dust, indicating that it is rarely maintained.

Bai Rushuang led the way without changing her expression. As soon as she entered the office, a strong smell of smoke hit her, and the air was filled with choking smoke.

In the office, several pale-faced criminal police officers sat crookedly, their faces full of worry.

Lu Jingming frowned and covered his mouth and nose.

He has never liked the smell of smoke.

Bai Rushuang knew this too, and immediately raised her eyebrows, put her hands on her hips and scolded, "How many times have I told you not to smoke in the office? Why don't you listen?"

A young detective sitting by the window quickly opened the window to let in some fresh air and said awkwardly, "Xiao Bai, why are you back so soon? We thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow."

Bai Rushuang sighed helplessly, pouting.

A middle-aged detective with a stubble beard, who looked to be in his thirties, sighed and said, "There's nothing we can do, Xiao Bai. You have to understand us. We can't solve this case, and the chief keeps pressuring us. It's so frustrating."

Wei Qingsong stood beside Lu Jingming, her gaze subtly sweeping over him.

The police force at the branch office was indeed limited. Besides the two detectives who were talking, behind the mountain of folders, there was a disheveled young man with a listless expression and messy hair, who looked listless and weak.

In the corner, a young man wearing thick-rimmed glasses was typing away on a keyboard, his gaze never once falling in their direction, seemingly completely indifferent to the person who had just entered.

Outside the door, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.

A middle-aged man in his forties pushed open the door and came in. He was wearing a uniform, was thin, but had bright, piercing eyes.

Wei Qingsong immediately understood; this must be Director Zheng from the Quyang branch.

Director Zheng looked at Wei Qingsong and his group, his eyes brightening even more: "You must be the comrades sent by the Municipal Bureau?"

He stared at Lu Jingming for a moment, then clapped his hands: "Ah, you're Captain Lu, right? I remember you. I was very impressed with you at the city bureau's commendation meeting last time. Great! With such an excellent comrade like you here to guide us, I believe this case will be solved very soon!"

Bai Rushuang quickly acted as a middleman, introducing the suspects to the officers.

When Wei Qingsong was introduced, the young man in the corner suddenly looked up, pushed up his glasses, and glanced at Wei Qingsong: "Criminal psychology expert? That sounds pretty impressive. This is the first time an expert has come to our small town. Expert, could you show us your skills?"

(End of this chapter)