The next day, a group from the Criminal Investigation Team rushed to the hospital again to visit Zhang Yi’ang and report the latest investigation progress.

The physical evidence team brought a new lead. Yesterday they had searched and found an encrypted USB drive at Lu Yibo’s home. After a computer expert decrypted it, they found dozens of audio files inside. Most of the voices were Lang Bowen’s. They speculated that Lu Yibo had monitored Lang Bowen.

Zhang Yi’ang had someone transfer the audio files to his email. Looking, there were over twenty files total. He randomly picked a few to play. The content was mostly Lang Bowen’s daily conversations about business or life, nothing special. He clicked on the next one and was just about to play it when Wang Ruijun’s quick eyes and hands pressed the pause button, saying: “Director, they’re all trivial talk, no need to listen.” He quickly put away the laptop computer.

Zhang Yi’ang said strangely: “Why are you putting it away so urgently?”

“Ah, we’ve already listened to all these, and they’re not related to the case.” The others also chimed in agreement. Even Li Qian had an unnatural expression as she agreed.

Zhang Yi’ang became even more curious. He reached out his hand and said seriously: “Hand over the computer.”

“This…”

“Hand it over!”

Wang Ruijun hesitated but had no choice but to pass the computer back over.

Zhang Yi’ang opened that audio segment. After playing for a while, two people’s voices came through.

“Brother Rong is too cautious. It’s just the province sending someone down. As long as Uncle Dong is here, what do we have to fear!”

“Botu, you’re wrong about this. Brother Rong told me privately that if we really get in trouble, Uncle Dong won’t protect us, including Brother Rong himself. This time someone came from the Provincial Department under Gao Dong—the direction is very obvious.”

“Really nothing to worry about. I asked my friend—this Zhang Yi’ang who came is just a kiss-ass. All these years he’s never solved a case. He only got to the province by following Gao Dong. Hey, someone who doesn’t understand solving cases is managing the Criminal Investigation Team—it’s really laughable!”

…

Zhang Yi’ang raised his head with an ashen face and found everyone had scattered to the side, each chatting among themselves. Some were even calling relatives and friends, as if no one had heard the conversation on the computer.

“The person saying this is Lang Botu, right?” Zhang Yi’ang asked coldly.

“Ah, Director, what are you saying?” Everyone finally came back to their senses and gathered around him again.

“You’ve all listened to these audio files, right?”

“No, we only listened to the first few, found they had no value, so we were too lazy to listen to the rest.” Wang Ruijun said with a smile. Everyone also said that listening to these useless recordings was a waste of time—they didn’t have that kind of leisure.

“Wasn’t the person who just said that Lang Botu?” He asked again.

“Uh…”

“Then let me play it again for you to hear.”

“No need, no need. That person… that person is Lang Botu.”

“Where is Lang Botu now?” Zhang Yi’ang glared at Wang Ruijun.

Wang Ruijun had to explain. On the day Zhou Rong lost the USB drive, Lang Bowen left San Jiang Kou under the pretext of a business trip. After Zhou Rong was arrested, Lang Bowen completely lost contact. Currently they didn’t know where he was hiding. Now Aotu Group was single-handedly managed by his younger brother Lang Botu. He claimed not to know his brother’s whereabouts and was unwilling to cooperate in luring him out. They had originally wanted to control Lang Botu, but there was no evidence showing he was related to Zhou Rong’s criminal gang. Zhou Rong’s subordinates also said Lang Botu and Zhou Rong’s relationship was ordinary. Zhou Rong’s affairs were all participated in by his brother. He at most knew about it. The police investigated and only found that Lang Botu had served one year in prison years ago. After that, he never had any record of illegal criminal activity, so there was no reason to summon him.

Zhang Yi’ang frowned slightly: “Lang Botu served one year in prison?”

“That was a long time ago. In 2006 he was sentenced to one year imprisonment for massive tax evasion and fraudulent export tax rebates. He was released in 2007.”

“2006, 2007… could it be…” Zhang Yi’ang’s gaze turned toward the air, falling into thought.

“Is there a problem?” The three looked at him puzzled.

“Nothing,” Zhang Yi’ang shook his head. “What progress on the Lu Yibo case?”

Li Qian said with difficulty: “There’s a problem with the evidence chain in this case.”

“What’s going on?”

“Forensic Doctor Chen and Section Chief Xu reviewed all the existing information from both the Ye Jian and Lu Yibo murder cases. Both of them believe no directional criminal evidence was found at either crime scene. In this situation, even if we identify the killer, if the killer has already disposed of the murder weapon, as long as he doesn’t admit to killing, even if we all know he did it, we can’t convict him.”

Conviction required an evidence chain—the so-called witness testimony, physical evidence, and confession. Among the three, physical evidence was most important. This case had no witnesses. If no physical evidence was found at the scene, and if the murder weapon was also disposed of, that meant there was no physical evidence either. When the time came, even if they found the killer, if he clenched his teeth and didn’t confess, or confessed then recanted claiming police coerced the confession, they still couldn’t convict him.

Zhang Yi’ang thought about it and said frankly: “Don’t worry about conviction for now. Our current most important task is to lock down the suspect’s identity! Didn’t I tell you to conduct visits and check surveillance?”

Song Xing explained: “The visit work yielded no results. Both incidents happened at night. The crime scenes were remote with no one passing by. Lu Yibo’s body was discovered late this time, making it difficult to determine exactly what time it happened that night. Moreover, several key surveillance points are some distance from the crime scene. We’re not sure which road the criminal vehicle would take. There are too many SUVs matching Forensic Doctor Chen’s description—there’s no way to eliminate them.”

Zhang Yi’ang sighed, grabbed two crutches and stood up, saying: “Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Back to the unit. I believe the evidence exists and has already been found by us. We just haven’t realized it’s evidence yet.”

Li Qian asked with concern: “Your body?”

“I’m fine. They’re all superficial injuries.”

He was about to take a step when Song Xing, wanting to make up for his mistakes, hurried over to help: “Director, let me support you. Be careful.”

“Ouch!” Zhang Yi’ang cried out loudly. “Don’t touch where Huo Zheng bit!”

Song Xing again! Sigh, everyone shook their heads. This person was completely beyond saving.

Zhang Yi’ang, leaning on crutches, came to the unit’s evidence room. Various valuable and valueless items from both murder cases were categorized and placed here. He looked around and finally picked up items found at both Ye Jian’s home and Lu Yibo’s office—two group photos.

The first was from 2002, the second from 2007. In the first photo, Zhou Rong, Ye Jian, Lang Bowen, and Lu Yibo together surrounded Lang Botu. The location was the Lang family’s original auto parts factory. In the second photo, the protagonist became Lang Bowen. Among the surrounding people was an additional Luo Ziyue. The location changed to Aotu Group’s real estate development. Both had elegant Chinese characters written on them indicating the year and month.

Zhang Yi’ang beckoned to Li Qian, pointing at the Chinese characters written outside the photo: “Go compare Lang Botu’s handwriting to see if this line was written by him.”

Before long, Li Qian returned to the evidence room. She had brought Lang Botu’s interrogation transcript from a few days ago. On it was a written statement he had made about Lang Bowen. Comparing them, Lang Botu’s handwriting was elegant, like a girl’s handwriting. This line on the photo was indeed written by him.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Yi’ang’s mouth: “This way it becomes increasingly clear.”

“You… you suspect the killer is Lang Botu?”

Zhang Yi’ang didn’t answer. He only had Li Qian call over several leaders from the Criminal Investigation Team and assigned four tasks. First, investigate the causes and effects of Lang Botu serving time in 2006. Second, pull up Aotu Group’s equity structure. Third, list all SUVs under Lang Botu and Aotu Group’s names and verify whether these vehicles appeared in nearby surveillance on the night of Lu Yibo’s death. Fourth, check all of Lang Botu’s whereabouts these past few days. Note: don’t mention the Lu Yibo murder case to him.

“Director, why specifically investigate Lang Botu?” Everyone found it incomprehensible.

Zhang Yi’ang asked back: “What do you think?”

Song Xing chuckled: “Director, rest assured. Investigating Lang Botu is on us. I dare guarantee I can definitely catch something on him. From now on, I’ll make sure he can’t mix it up in San Jiang Kou. As long as he dares gamble or visit prostitutes, I’ll definitely get him in here and deal with him properly. He actually dared to say such things about the Director—”

Wang Ruijun quickly coughed repeatedly. Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads and fled the room, leaving only Song Xing to steel himself, turn around, and walk out on legs filled with lead.

With Director Zhang personally setting the investigation specifically targeting Lang Botu, each group acted extremely quickly. Just half a day had passed and results from several investigations were already out.

First was Lang Botu’s imprisonment experience back then. Li Qian pulled various materials and questioned people in the know, including Zhou Rong who they had detained. She restored Lang Botu’s entire experience.

Aotu Group was founded by Lang Bowen’s parents in the nineties. At that time it wasn’t a group yet—it was called San Jiang Kou Aotu Manufacturing Co., Ltd. In 2000, Lang Bowen’s father died of illness. The next year his mother withdrew from the company, handing over the entire Aotu auto parts factory business to her younger son Lang Botu. This was the origin of the first photo. Lang Botu became the head of the family business. His older brother Lang Bowen and several of his good friends gathered together to celebrate for him, taking a commemorative photo. At that time, Ye Jian had already joined the police force, Lu Yibo worked at another unit, and Lang Bowen followed Zhou Rong to do business in other places. Speaking of it, Lang Botu was the richest among these few people at that time.

After Lang Botu took over the auto parts factory, China joined the WTO. The auto parts factory’s profits were extremely hot. Zhou Rong even joked that if he and Lang Bowen’s business failed, they would return to San Jiang Kou to work for Lang Botu together. After Lang Botu made some money, he started neglecting his proper work. Reportedly he engaged in eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling—everything. Usually he didn’t manage things. The factory lost major clients due to quality accidents one after another. He himself also went to Macau to gamble and quickly lost all the money he had previously made. Later Lang Botu was also reported by the factory’s internal employees, saying he defrauded the country of export tax rebates totaling tens of millions. So he was arrested and sentenced, also subject to huge fines. At that time it was Ye Jian who personally arrested him. He had no money to pay the fine and was forced to sell the factory.

At this time, Zhou Rong and Lang Bowen’s business was getting bigger and bigger. After learning the news, the two together bought the factory. Later Zhou Rong injected capital into the factory, turning it into Aotu Group, fully entrusted to Lang Bowen to manage.

After Lang Botu was released from prison, he resolved to reform and wanted to return to work at Aotu. But Zhou Rong disagreed. Zhou Rong had always found him disagreeable. Even now, although Lang Botu called him “Brother Rong,” he just didn’t like dealing with Lang Botu.

Fortunately, Lang Bowen, considering brotherhood, guaranteed that Lang Botu wouldn’t be like before, and let him return to the company to help him work, continuing until now.

This was the entire process before and after Lang Botu went to prison.

Zhang Yi’ang asked: “What changes has Aotu’s equity structure undergone over the years?”

“Aotu originally belonged to Lang Botu. After being forced to sell the factory, Lang Bowen and Zhou Rong took over together. Later after many changes, Aotu’s equity is now very complex. Zhou Rong claims Lang Bowen is the major shareholder, he’s the second shareholder, and there are other companies and individuals holding shares. Lang Botu also holds one percent of shares.”

“Lang Botu only has one percent of shares?”

“Right. Originally he had no shares. Probably Lang Bowen gave them to his brother.”

Zhang Yi’ang nodded. As expected, it was very close to his speculation. He asked Wang Ruijun and Song Xing again: “How’s the surveillance check going?”

Wang Ruijun said with admiration on his face: “Director, just as you predicted, we found all the SUVs registered under Lang Botu and Aotu Group’s names. We verified surveillance in a targeted manner. Finally we discovered that at ten o’clock on the night of Lu Yibo’s case, a nearby surveillance camera captured Lang Botu’s SUV passing by. Although the image isn’t clear, we can still determine the driver was Lang Botu.”

Zhang Yi’ang’s eyes narrowed: “He indeed appeared around Lu Yibo’s crime scene!”

Next, Song Xing described the whereabouts investigation work he was responsible for: “After I got the surveillance results, I went to Aotu company to find Lang Botu. I asked him what he was driving around for at ten o’clock that night—”

“Wait,” Zhang Yi’ang frowned. “Those were your exact words asking him?”

“Right.”

“What did I say? What did I tell you!” Zhang Yi’ang couldn’t help but roar. “I said check Lang Botu’s whereabouts these past few days, but don’t mention the murder case to him!”

“I didn’t mention the murder case.”

“You asked about that specific night—what’s the difference from mentioning the murder case!”

“I—” Song Xing turned his bitter face toward Li Qian and Wang Ruijun. At this moment, how much he needed a hug. The two looked at him, shook their heads, and sighed.

“If Lang Botu realizes we’re suspecting him and runs away directly, Song Xing, you’ll bear complete responsibility!”

“I—” Song Xing was greatly anxious in his heart. He turned and ran. “I’ll go find him immediately!”

“Come back!” Zhang Yi’ang called him back. “It doesn’t matter now anyway. Tell me about his whereabouts these past few days.”

“Lang Botu said he couldn’t remember something from so many days ago. He checked his schedule. He went to Beijing on a business trip the afternoon after Lu Yibo died, stayed several days, and only returned to San Jiang Kou the day before yesterday.”

Zhang Yi’ang pondered for a few seconds and said: “According to Forensic Doctor Chen, the murder weapon was an SUV fitted with a blade guard. Hmm… go impound Lang Botu’s vehicle first and have the forensic doctor examine the inside and outside of the vehicle in detail to see if there’s any biological information remaining from the victim.”

Song Xing said proudly: “Director, I already impounded it. Forensic Doctor Chen is examining it now. Rest assured, I knew we couldn’t let Lang Botu know we’re investigating the murder case. I deliberately said surveillance captured this vehicle in a serious hit-and-run accident. Lang Botu said impossible. I said maybe another vehicle was using false plates. The car needed to be impounded for investigation to confirm. So I towed it away.”

“Your excuse really is…” Zhang Yi’ang sighed. He had already lost confidence in him. “You first give him ‘no silver three hundred taels here,’ then follow with ‘Wang Er next door didn’t steal.’ Do you think he’s an idiot? Sigh… quickly call the forensic doctor and ask how the vehicle examination is going.”

Song Xing took out his phone and called Forensic Doctor Chen. Soon came a disappointing result—the vehicle had been washed. Nothing could be found.

Zhang Yi’ang’s expression changed. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his crutch and forcefully jabbed it on the ground: “Immediately arrest Lang Botu!”

“Arrest him?” The three were startled by such a direct decision. Encouraged by the other two’s eyes, Li Qian quietly inquired: “We… what grounds do we have to arrest Lang Botu?”

“Lang Botu is one hundred percent the real killer in the serial murder case!” Zhang Yi’ang told them decisively.

“This…” All three hesitated to speak.

Zhang Yi’ang shook his head: “You don’t believe it?”

“Uh… I also think Lang Botu is the killer! But… we have no evidence.” Wang Ruijun said. The other two also agreed there was no evidence.

“Now we control the suspect first based on suspicious points. Evidence can be found slowly.”

The three looked at each other and carefully asked together: “Lang Botu… what suspicious points does he have?”

“A suspicious person passed through a suspicious location at a suspicious time, then afterward suspiciously washed his car. Four suspicions added together—isn’t that suspicious enough!”

The three chewed over this sentence. It sounded very reasonable, but they always felt something was missing.

Zhang Yi’ang instructed Song Xing: “Later, first send plainclothes to stake out near Lang Botu’s company, then call him. Just tell him straightforwardly: you’re suspected in the Lu Yibo murder case, come immediately to the Public Security Bureau to cooperate with the investigation. The plainclothes will observe outside. Once they discover Lang Botu attempting to flee, arrest him on the spot!”

“What if he doesn’t run?”

“Then bring him back directly for interrogation!”