Roses in Flames

The operating room lights went out, and the doctor came out, took off his mask, and said to Zou Xu's parents who had rushed over, "The patient suffered severe crush injuries to his genitals, his corpus cavernosum was completely ruptured, his urethra was severed, and his nerve tissue suffered irreversible necrosis... To put it simply, he has completely lost his reproductive function and will be unable to urinate normally in the future, requiring him to wear a urinary catheter for the rest of his life."

"What?!" Upon hearing this devastating news, Zou's mother nearly fainted.

If that's the case, what's the difference between them and eunuchs?

"Incompetent doctor, didn't you treat him properly? Our Zou family is willing to pay any price, no matter the cost, as long as my son can be cured!"

The doctor's expression changed. "We've done everything we could; it's not about the money!"

Mr. Zou supported his devastated wife, his eyes red-rimmed as he glared at Song Che, pointing a finger at Song Che's nose, and roared furiously, "Are you police officers just sitting around doing nothing? Why didn't you find our Zou Xu sooner, letting him suffer such terrible harm? His life has been ruined by you incompetent cops! Can you afford to compensate him? Huh?!"

Song Che's face turned pale and then purple from the insults. "Mr. Zou, your son is also a suspect now. You should cooperate with our investigation, not insult the police here!"

"Insults?" Zou's mother broke free from Zou's father's support and lunged at Song Che, her nails almost scratching his face. "You Yecheng police are utterly useless! Zhao Jiashu and Luo Zilin are dead and you can't catch the murderer, and you even let the murderer take my son away! You still have the nerve to talk about investigating? My son's life is ruined, and I'll make sure all of you lose your lives!"

"Exactly!" Mr. Zou gasped for breath, his anger flaring. "You dare to treat my son as a suspect? What law did he break? Do you have any evidence? Without evidence, it's slander! I think none of you can work in this line of work anymore!"

Zou Xu's parents were both incredibly fierce, pointing their fingers at Song Che and cursing him. Song Che was so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed.

Zou's father glared at Song Che, wishing he could tear him to pieces. "You bunch of useless trash! Every single policeman who participated in this operation and failed to protect my son, I'll make sure you all pack your bags and get out of here!"

After saying that, Mr. Zou took out his phone and made a call.

The moment the call connected, Mr. Zou's tone immediately became obsequious and respectful. "Sir, you have to do me justice! My son, Zou Xu, had his genitals crushed by a serial killer in Yecheng. His life is ruined. The Yecheng police have been incompetent. You must quickly contact Yecheng and have them suspend and investigate all those involved in the operation. They must give me an explanation!"

Zou's mother chimed in, "That's right! The police in Yecheng are far too arrogant. If we don't teach them a lesson today, who knows how much more arrogant they'll become!"

Song Che was burning with anger. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched into fists, and his knuckles turned white.

He knew that the Zou family had some influence and connections in the neighboring city, but he didn't expect them to extend their reach to their side, which made him somewhat worried.

After all, grassroots police officers are often in a passive position when facing pressure from powerful figures.

The leader on the other end of the phone said something, and Zou's father's expression suddenly changed. He took the phone and walked to a corner, lowering his voice in disbelief, "What? The leaders in Beijing have given orders, authorizing the Yecheng police to investigate the deaths of three people at No. 3 Middle School back then? How is that possible?"

When Zou's mother walked to Zou's father's side and heard his words, the arrogant expression on her face was gradually replaced by unease.

"How come the Yecheng police have such a powerful background? Even you can't control them?"

The voice on the other end of the phone seemed to grow increasingly stern, and Mr. Zou's head drooped lower and lower, his face turning from astonishment to ashen, and finally even deathly pale.

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the other party. In the end, he could only reply, "Yes, I understand. Don't worry."

After hanging up the phone, Mr. Zou felt as if all his strength had been drained by a giant syringe; the phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a thud.

He staggered back a few steps, and his mother quickly stepped forward to support him. "Honey, what did the boss say?"

Mr. Zou said in a hoarse voice, "He said that an investigation team would be sent from Beijing, and that we should cooperate with the Yecheng police investigation. He also said that no one except the Yecheng police should interfere in this case, and that we should behave ourselves, cooperate with the investigation, and not do anything reckless..."

Zou's mother's heart nearly leaped into her throat.

The background of the Yecheng police is really that powerful?

At the same time, Xiao Lin, having finished his phone call, quickly walked over.

Seeing Song Che's tense body and the anger in his eyes, he frowned and asked, "A-Che, what's wrong?"

Song Che looked at Xiao Lin, whose features were taut and who exuded righteousness, and told him how Zou Xu's parents had pointed at him and insulted him, threatening to kick them out of the house.

"Zou Xu's father made a phone call to some high-ranking leader, who said that we should be suspended from our duties and investigated."

Xiao Lin raised his large hand and patted Song Che's shoulder. The force wasn't strong, but it carried a reassuring power. "Finding the truth and severely punishing the criminals is our duty. The Zou family doesn't have the right to make us pack our bags and get out."

Seeing Xiao Lin's fearless gaze, Song Che immediately felt emboldened. He straightened his back and said, "Don't worry, boss, I'll keep a close eye on the hospital and won't let the Zou family take Zou Xu away!"

Xiao Lin nodded.

Back at the police station, Ye Yuntang came to him with the forensic report. "I found Zou Xu's fingerprints on the letter. Not only that, I also found Zou Xu's fingerprints on the table where Lingxi wrote the letter."

Xiao Lin took the report and glanced at it. He nodded and said in a deep voice, "To completely solidify the charges, we need to find the evidence that Zhao Jiashu hid."

Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang drove to the Zhao family's house.

As soon as they arrived at the door, they saw Zhao Mingyuan throw a suitcase out, followed by Yu Meifeng being pushed out by him.

Yu Meifeng's face turned ashen. She put her hands on her hips and roared, "Zhao Mingyuan, it's only because your Zhao family burned incense that I was able to marry you. How dare you drive me away? You heartless bastard, no woman will want to follow you in the future."

Zhao Mingyuan hated Yu Meifeng to the core. "I truly regret being with you before. From now on, let's cut all ties and never bother each other again!"

"Zhao Mingyuan, give me back Jiashu..."

Yu Meifeng tried to lunge at Zhao Mingyuan, but he forcefully pushed her away. "If you hadn't corrupted Zhao Jiashu, he wouldn't have ended up like this. Yu Meifeng, you should reflect on your actions!"

As Zhao Mingyuan was about to close the door, he looked up and saw Xiao Lin and Ye Yuntang not far away.

He was able to be cleared of suspicion and released thanks to Xiao Lin.

"Captain Xiao, Forensic Doctor Ye, you've arrived! Please come in!"