Roses in Flames

Director Zheng's knuckles turned white as he gripped his phone, and a hint of barely concealed frustration flickered in his eyes.

"Director Shao, Luo Zilin's murder was an accident. No one expected the killer to be so rampant. Since you insist on having Xiao Lin come back to take over, I will arrange for Xiao Lin and Qin Feng to each lead a team to conduct simultaneous investigations."

Director Shao nodded. "Okay."

Director Zheng, with a grim expression, called Qin Feng into his office alone.

"This time, Director Shao bypassed me and went directly to the provincial department, which clearly shows that he doesn't trust you and is a slap in my face. Now I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself. If you want to gain a foothold here, you must find the murderer before Xiao Lin does, produce solid evidence, and let everyone see that the person I've chosen is no less capable than anyone else."

Qin Feng clenched his fists tightly and nodded emphatically, "Don't worry, I will solve the case as soon as possible and won't let you down."

Qin Feng knew that with Xiao Lin returning to lead the investigation, Cheng Lei and Song Che would definitely follow Xiao Lin.

Fortunately, he had a backup plan.

He bribed Cheng Lei these past two days, and Cheng Lei would inform him of any progress made on Xiao Lin's side.

He will definitely catch the murderer before Xiao Lin does.

……

Xiao Lin organized a meeting for his team members.

After glancing at the files for the two cases, he ordered in a deep voice, "Lei Zi, you lead a team to focus on the Zhao Jiashu case. First, focus on investigating anyone who came into contact with the dagger prop in the 24 hours before the incident. Second, retrieve the social media records and call logs of all members of the stage play to check Zhao Jiashu's interpersonal relationships, whether there were any conflicts, bullying, or hidden grudges. Third, verify the true source of the dagger, whether it leaked from the prop warehouse or was brought in from outside, check the purchase channels, circulation records, and fingerprint matching results on the dagger shelf other than Zhao Mingyuan's."

Cheng Lei nodded. "Understood."

Xiao Lin turned his gaze to Song Che, "Ah Che, you will lead a team to thoroughly investigate the Luo Zilin case. First, expand the scope of the surveillance footage around the alley, comparing frame by frame all people entering and leaving from one hour before the incident to half an hour after. Focus on finding suspicious figures who are quick and deliberately avoid the surveillance cameras. Second, interview Luo Zilin's classmates, teachers, and parents to find out his daily routine and social circle. Third, re-examine the evidence collected at the crime scene, and follow up on whether there are any biological traces such as hair or fibers left by the murderer. At the same time, investigate Luo Zilin's online accounts to see if there are any abnormal chat or transaction records."

While Xiao Lin was assigning tasks, Ye Yuntang received a phone call.

After finishing the call, she walked beside Xiao Lin and whispered a few words.

Xiao Lin glanced at Ye Yuntang, "I'll go with you."

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Okay."

Ye Yuntang and Xiao Lin arrived at the Ye family's old residence.

When Old Master Ye saw Ye Yuntang, his aged face showed displeasure. "What are you doing here? Your mother is a jinx; she killed my son and your eldest sister. Your whole family is cursed with bad luck. Do you want to bring bad luck to our Ye family?"

Ye Yuntang couldn't help but roll her eyes. "If it weren't for your precious grandson Ye Yuhang calling me and begging me to come over, do you think I would want to come? Also, you said my mother is a jinx, then what are you? Grandma passed away when she was still very young, wasn't she killed by you? Our family has already moved out, and we haven't spent a penny of your money, so stop taking advantage of your age. I'm not cursing you because I'm kind, but if you really anger me, don't blame me for turning my back on you."

Grandpa Ye was so angry that his face turned ashen. "You...you unfilial daughter, I'm going to complain about you at your workplace."

Xiao Lin stood in front of Ye Yuntang, his dark eyes sweeping sharply over the old man. "Sir, if you want to file a complaint, you don't have to wait until tomorrow. I'm in the same criminal investigation team as the forensic doctor Ye. I'm the captain, Xiao Lin."

He flashed his police ID, his tone devoid of any politeness, "You were the one who spoke ill of us first, insulting Forensic Doctor Ye and her family. You showed no respect for your elders."

Grandpa Ye jabbed his cane hard, his aged face flushed red. "I'm disciplining my own granddaughter, what right do you, an outsider, have to interfere?"

Xiao Lin's face was cold and stern, his righteousness awe-inspiring. "She is not only your granddaughter, but also a forensic doctor in the criminal investigation team. Your insults just now not only hurt family ties, but also insulted police officers. If this really comes to the unit, I, as the captain, will report your words and actions in their entirety, and let the discipline inspection and leadership judge whether forensic doctor Ye should be punished, or whether you should be accused of abusing your seniority and obstructing official duties."

Grandpa Ye was surprised that the man who came with Ye Yuntang would be so protective of her.

His face was ashen, and he was about to say something when Ye Yuhang tumbled and crawled down the stairs.

"elder sister--"

Previously, Ye Yuhang was extremely arrogant because he was favored by Old Master Ye, and he never took Ye Yuntang and Ye Mo seriously.

If it weren't for the campus case, Ye Yuntang would never want to step into the Ye family's old house again, much less see Ye Yuhang.

Ye Yuhang's hair was a mess, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face was as pale as paper. He ran to Ye Yuntang's side and hugged her leg tightly. "Sister, I'm so scared, help me..."

Ye Yuntang kicked Ye Yuhang away, saying, "Don't touch me, it's bad luck."

Upon seeing this, Old Master Ye instantly flew into a rage, slamming his cane into the ground. "Ye Yuntang, how dare you treat Yu Hang like this! Kneel down and apologize to him right now!"

Ye Yuntang glanced coldly at Old Master Ye, "If you weren't already in your seventies or eighties, I would also like to treat you like this."

Grandpa Ye nearly fainted from anger. "This is outrageous! How did Song Xuan raise you?"

Ye Yuhang turned around and glared at Grandpa Ye. "Grandpa, can you please stop arguing? I'm the one who called my sister over!"

Seeing how haggard and thin Ye Yuhang had become in just a few days, Grandpa Ye felt extremely distressed. "Yuhang, Grandpa is just worried about you."

"If you don't understand, then stop worrying." Ye Yuhang turned to Ye Yuntang, tears streaming down his face. "Sister, I'm so afraid I'll be next to die. You and Captain Xiao must send someone to protect me!"

Ye Yuntang grabbed Ye Yuhang by the back of his collar and dragged him into the tea room.

After Xiao Lin came in, she closed the tea room door.

Ye Yuntang glared sharply at Ye Yuhang. "Why do you think you'll be next? Who did the three of you offend at school?"

Ye Yuhang was trembling all over, tears streaming down his face. It was clear that the deaths of Zhao Jiashu and Luo Zilin had terrified him. He was shaking violently. "I... I really didn't offend anyone. Apart from Ye Mo, I just encouraged Zhao Jiashu and Luo Zilin to bully him... If the murderer wasn't Ye Mo, it must have been someone who couldn't stand Zhao Jiashu and Luo Zilin. I was on good terms with them, and I was afraid of retaliation against them. Now I don't even dare to leave the house."

Ye Yuntang gritted her teeth, then raised her foot and kicked Ye Yuhang hard. "You bullied Ye Mo, and you still dare to ask me for help?"

Ye Yuhang was kicked and didn't dare to argue back. He started crying loudly, "Sister, I was wrong. I will never bully Ye Mo again."

After giving Ye Yuhang a lesson, Ye Yuntang handed the interrogation opportunity over to Xiao Lin.

Soon, Xiao Lin grasped a crucial piece of information.