CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

At this moment, inside the criminal investigation team’s interrogation room.

Li Jian and Wan Junjie were locking wits with Lei Ming.

Wan Junjie asked, "Who else knew about your relationship with Zhang Lu Yao?"

Lei Ming shook his head, replying, "We were only together for a short time and it wasn’t public, so no one else knew."

Wan Junjie asked irritably, "Was your relationship undercover?"

"I suggest you be honest."

"Confess and you will be treated leniently; resist and you will face harsh consequences!"

"Officer, I’m really innocent. I don’t know what to confess."

Faced with such a stubborn person, Wan Junjie was filled with anger.

He looked up at the camera in the corner.

Instantly, he felt the urge to turn off the camera.

However, after some thought, he dismissed the idea.

With no progress in the interrogation, Captain Li Jian was also very frustrated.

He turned and patted Wan Junjie on the shoulder, saying, "Wan, you continue the interrogation. I’m going out for some air."

He pushed open the door and went into the hallway, lighting a cigarette.

After taking a couple of puffs, he took out his phone and dialed Vice Captain Chen He’s number.

"Mr. Li!"

"How’s it going on your side?"

Chen He sighed and said, "There’s a suspicious person, Wang Chuang, who was Zhang Qian’s high school classmate."

"Unfortunately, he’s been off the grid for the past 7 years, as if he vanished without a trace."

Hearing this, Li Jian asked, "Did he go missing?"

Chen He replied, "We can’t be sure yet. It just feels odd."

"I suspect there are three possibilities: he might be missing, he might have changed his identity, or he might have been living in the countryside, not having left for 7 years."

Then he added, "Mr. Li, we’re on our way to visit Wang Chuang’s hometown for investigation. We’ll update you as soon as we have news."

"Alright! Thank you for your hard work!"

After hanging up, Captain Li Jian scrolled through the call records and found Jiang An’s number.

He intended to call and ask how things were going over there.

Just as he was about to dial, his phone suddenly made a "beep" warning sound.

A message instantly appeared on the screen: "Low battery, the phone will shut down in 30 seconds."

Captain Li Jian frowned and shook his head helplessly.

He muttered to himself, "Of all times to shut down, it had to be now!"

Li Jian took a few more puffs of his cigarette before heading back into the interrogation room.

At this moment.

Inside the office of the CEO of Yanfei Shoe Factory.

The middle-aged woman asked in surprise, "Which workshop are you from?"

"If there’s an issue, report it to your workshop manager first."

Jiang An stepped forward and said gravely, "Ms. Qin, hello! We are police officers from the criminal investigation team."

As he spoke, Zhang Yean placed her right hand on her waist and pulled out a police badge with her left hand.

A trace of displeasure flashed across Qin Yan’s face.

She said, "We already received the notice about wastewater treatment penalties from the day before yesterday and are making corrections."

Then she questioned, puzzled, "Isn’t this the responsibility of the Bureau of Environmental Protection?"

"Why?"

"Are you criminal investigators here?"

Just then, Jiang An stated emphatically, "We are here for you!"

For a moment, Qin Yan was stunned, then she chuckled and said, "This is strange!"

"As a private entrepreneur, every year I provide over 1000 jobs to Jiangcheng."

"And now, I’ve caught the attention of the criminal investigators?"

"Why are you here for me?"

Jiang An said gravely, "The criminal investigators are here for a murder case!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "murder case".

Instantly, Qin Yan and the middle-aged man beside her froze.

With a "plop" sound.

A pen from the file dropped to the ground.

The middle-aged man standing by the desk bent over naturally.

In a flash, Zhang Yean quickly drew her gun and cocked it.

"Don’t move!"

"Stand up straight!"

The middle-aged man remained bent over, with his hands and head hidden by the desk.

Zhang Yean warned again, "Stand up straight!"

Qin Yan gently patted the man’s back.

"The pen can wait to be picked up later!"

Subsequently, the middle-aged man stood up straight, opened his palms, and said, "Is this alright?"

At that moment, a young man hurriedly entered the office with a stack of lists.

"Yong, the shoes are fully loaded onto the truck. Please verify the quantity; the driver is waiting to depart."

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed Zhang Yean’s gun.

Immediately, the young man froze, and the lists in his hand scattered on the ground.

Qin Yan softly said, "Officer, please put down your gun. We’re in an office with people coming and going."

"If you need to investigate anything, I’ll fully cooperate with you."

Jiang An glanced at Zhang Yean.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her arm holding the gun trembled uncontrollably.

Jiang An took a step to the left and gently pressed down Zhang Yean’s arm.

"Senior sister! It’s safe! Please lower the gun first."

Zhang Yean looked at Jiang An, her eyes filled with fear.

Jiang An nodded, saying, "Don’t worry! It’s very safe!"

After two minutes, Zhang Yean slowly lowered the gun.

Seeing Zhang Yean lower the gun, Qin Yan turned and said, "Please go verify the shipping list. The police are looking for me, not you!"

Then she added, "Every time the driver is late for delivery, our partners are very dissatisfied. This time you must personally escort it to ensure it arrives safely and on time."

The middle-aged man looked furious, veins bulging on his hands, his gaze fixed on Jiang An and Zhang Yean.

After a moment of hesitation, he nodded.

Then he walked two steps, bent over to pick up the shipping lists, and left the CEO’s office.

Qin Yan asked, "Officers, what do you want to know?"

Jiang An said gravely, "Please come with us. We’ll talk elsewhere."

Qin Yan’s face darkened, and she said angrily, "I haven’t committed a crime. What right do you have to take me away?"

Jiang An replied, "We suspect you’re involved in an old murder case. Is that reason enough?"

"Officer, I can cooperate with you, but you shouldn’t wrong an innocent person."

Jiang An said gravely, "Mr. Qin, you’re a smart person!"

"Eight years ago, you should have foreseen this day!"

Qin Yan looked at Jiang An and said, "I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

Jiang An checked his wristwatch, saying, "It’s almost the end of work hours. Coming with us now will have the least impact on your image."

"Of course, if you’re innocent, we’ll get you back promptly."

After thinking for a moment, Qin Yan said, "Alright!"

"I’ll go with you now."

Qin Yan walked around the desk and approached.

Zhang Yean took out handcuffs and put them on her wrists.

"What does this mean?"

Zhang Yean said seriously, "That’s exactly what it means!"

Jiang An said, "Don’t worry, I’ll grab the sun-protective jacket on the chair and cover the handcuffs."

Then he walked over.

As he passed by the side of the desk, he opened a drawer and glanced inside.

Instantly, two sharp knives were exposed to view.