Gene Fusion System: Crime Hunter-Chapter 573 - 282: The Well-Received No.1 Suspect! _2
Didn’t expect to run into you here, this makes things easier.
Finally, after waiting for the class to end, it was already near dinner time, Luo Fei directly approached for a face-to-face talk.
"Hello, officer, how can I assist you?"
"Professor Xue, there has been a murder on campus. Although the incident didn’t happen today, it was only discovered today."
"The deceased is your student, an umbrella girl, Duan Ying. We would like to get some information from you."
"What? Duan Ying!"
Upon hearing this name, Xue Zhiwen’s eyes suddenly filled with shock, as if he had heard something unexpected and unacceptable, his tone and actions were quite exaggerated.
A man already at the professor level being so flustered was indeed quite contrasting.
Luo Fei sized him up.
"Professor Xue, Professor Xue? Are you okay?"
"Uh, I’m okay, sorry, officer, I just lost my composure there. I didn’t expect something to happen to her."
Speaking those words, a genuine sadness appeared on Xue Zhiwen’s face. Luo Fei, skilled in observing microexpressions, could not detect any flaw in his expression.
After calming himself down, Xue Zhiwen suddenly extended his hand.
"Officer, may I have your name?"
"My surname is Luo."
"Officer Luo, let’s head to the canteen. I can offer assistance with this matter. She was an exceptionally brilliant student to me. I need to know the truth, so I will fully cooperate with the investigation."
"Alright."
Luo Fei nodded, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Didn’t expect this young professor to be so quick-witted and have such a righteous attitude on this matter that it left him with no reason to doubt him.
Although they seemed to have a good relationship, Xue Zhiwen had no apparent reason or motive to commit the crime...
No, I just made an assumption without enough grounds.
One must not be misled in this kind of situation. If I cleared him of suspicion just like that, I’d disgrace my badge as a detective.
Wait! Luo Fei looked up at him.
A black aura above his head! Truly, a black aura!
For a brief moment, Luo Fei felt a bit disoriented, as he was so focused on the case that he overlooked this detail, though it’s not too late upon noticing it now.
Although Xue Zhiwen’s aura wasn’t dense, it wasn’t due to reach a critical point either.
Generally, a true perpetrator or mastermind would have a menacingly bloody dark mist emanating from them. Xue Zhiwen was involved but didn’t meet that criterion...
Looks like he could only be temporarily classified as one of the suspects.
In the canteen, the two sat in a corner as Luo Fei observed him closely.
Now, exposed under the Eye of Sin, Luo Fei became more vigilant against him.
He should absolutely not take the other’s words at face value!
"Ah, Duan Ying was indeed a good girl, a top student with great relationships with her classmates, and no issues with the teachers. At least, from my perspective, her personality and abilities were outstanding."
"I can’t believe this happened, alas, who did this?"
Watching his indignant demeanor, Luo Fei inwardly sneered.
Clearly involved, yet here he is, pretending in front of me.
Nevertheless, his performance was quite convincing. Any other person might have been easily deceived! Stellar acting!
"Professor Xue, I’d like to know, besides academic exchanges, did you have any other communication with Duan Ying recently?"
"There’s nothing else, really."
Xue Zhiwen feigned a thoughtful look.
"However, Duan Ying didn’t typically like talking to her advisor about personal matters, so she came to me for help with some of life’s little problems. Her roommates and classmates were quite aware of this."
This revelation silenced Luo Fei.
Though the words from his mouth were leading lies, they aligned perfectly with all the existing clues and intel.
What on earth existed between this man and Duan Ying?
However, Luo Fei exercised restraint. The situation wasn’t clear yet, so he decided not to confront him openly and temporarily spared him.
"Understood, that concludes today’s investigation."
"Professor Xue, thank you for your help. We will strive to find the truth quickly and bring closure to Duan Ying and yourself."
"Thank you, Officer Luo."
Xue Zhiwen shook hands once more, showing great concern for the matter.
Luo Fei desired not to linger longer, so he wrapped things up nonchalantly.
"No need to thank me, Professor Xue. It’s rare to find someone so invested in the case. As long as we work together, I’m confident we’ll have results soon."
"Indeed, because I care for her..."
At this, visible sorrow appeared in Xue Zhiwen’s eyes, his expression apt but he cut off his words timely.
"What is your relationship to her, Professor Xue? I didn’t quite catch that."
"Ah, Officer Luo, it’s nothing, I was just saying I care for her like an older brother, so this news really unsettles me."
Luo Fei smiled lightly and then took his leave, unexpectedly uncovering some hidden emotions in that final sentence.
Back at the station, Zhang Wei and the others were already gathered.
However, all three of them appeared tense and anxious, as if waiting for something significant.
Seeing Luo Fei return, they quickly gathered around; they had been waiting eagerly for the team’s lead!
"What has happened? What’s the status of your investigation?"
"That’s exactly what we need to discuss, lead. It’s really strange!"
Zhang Wei was full of helplessness, indicating they had thoroughly shared and discussed the afternoon’s findings.
Waiting for his return seemed evident of a lack of substantial advancement, so they felt troubled.
"So, what have you found?"
The three exchanged glances and synchronized their narrative.
"Lead, the issue stems from Duan Ying herself. She almost had no entanglements or conflicts around her, friendly with others, sociable, and very cheerful. We can’t even pin down likely suspects."
"Yes, during our review, we discussed her relationship with her mentor, someone she had a good bond with: her graduation advisor, Professor Xue Zhiwen. Despite their close interactions, their reputation is impeccable."
"Indeed, given not a huge difference in age, Professor Xue often helped Duan Ying like an older brother; there’s no conflict between them."
Listening to their account, Luo Fei suddenly chuckled.
Having handled numerous eccentric and enigmatic cases, he realized that the most implausible happenings are often the deepest buried secrets.
"Have you all noticed an odd detail?"
"Everyone mentions Duan Ying’s good rapport with Professor Xue, their amicable interaction seems devoid of suspicion, but that is the biggest red flag."
"A universally acknowledged relationship offers Professor Xue an advantage in dismissing suspicion. The notion that being on good terms exempts one from skepticism is flawed, even for student-mentor connections."
As Zhang Wei and others were about to object, something struck them.
Indeed, they had been too presumptuous!
The situation was far more intricate than their assumptions.
Closer relationships are often prime suspects for doubt, no matter how flawless a person’s reputation is from others’ perspectives; true malice resides deep within.
Now it seemed, Xue Zhiwen could be the most contentious suspect.
Luo Fei picked up the materials collected on the table.
One set was verbal records from Duan Ying’s siblings and roommates, and the other comments from her classmates.
It was documented clearly, though Duan Ying had no social issues, she never had a boyfriend, leaving her university romance history blank.
Without finding her phone at the crime scene, her current single status became a crucial lead!
Luo Fei smiled slightly.
"Everyone, tomorrow, accompany me to Jiangzhou University of Technology once more, I think I know the breakthrough point!"
