Early the next morning, the trace evidence team reported back. There were no usable fingerprints on the black plastic bag at the scene, and the suspect’s fingerprints and blood type couldn’t be matched in the database. The case immediately fell into a tense deadlock. Meanwhile, field investigations had also yielded nothing useful. For a time, there were no viable leads at all.
In the conference room, Lin Chen listened to each team’s report from the previous day and nodded slightly. The absence of any valuable clues was within his expectations. Years of investigative experience had taught him that a criminal capable of committing such a heinous crime would possess strong psychological endurance and meticulous planning. Such a person could not be uncovered through conventional methods alone.
“Any updates from the missing persons comparison?” Lin Chen asked, turning to Xia Meng.
She paused her writing, shook her head, and said, “None so far. The victim is female, approximately between 20 and 30 years old. There are only a few missing persons cases that match this timeframe and profile, and we’ve already checked them all. No results.”
“Mm.” Lin Chen let out a quiet sigh and continued, “Then expand the scope of surveillance checks. Also conduct a comprehensive screening of all non-local women and female university students aged 20 to 30 across the entire city. Anyone who can’t be contacted should be compiled into a list.”
He lit a cigarette, looked around at the officers, and continued, “Visit all meat vendors in the agricultural markets. See if we can get any useful information. Focus especially on men around 170 centimeters tall with shoe sizes around 41. Also, investigate the background of that unfinished building on Muling Road. I want a detailed report.”
With that, the meeting ended. Everyone received their assignments and left immediately. Lin Chen turned to Xia Meng, who had stayed behind, and said, “Contact the municipal bureau office. We’re going to the Public Security Unit.”
Xia Meng nodded. Although she didn’t understand his intention, she was still new to investigative work and could only follow orders. However, she was the type who needed answers. After coordinating everything, she quickly found Lin Chen again.
“Captain, I don’t understand why we’re going to the Public Security Unit,” Xia Meng asked as soon as they got into the car.
Lin Chen smiled and said mysteriously, “Vice crackdown. You’ve just started participating in investigations. You should experience everything.”
The words made Xia Meng’s fair face flush with embarrassment. This leader really had no sense of occasion… there was a driver in the car, yet he casually mentioned vice crackdowns to a woman. For the rest of the ride, she kept a straight face, only forcing a faint smile once they arrived at the Public Security Unit.
The unit chief, Tan Ming, personally came out to greet Lin Chen. When everyone saw Xia Meng beside him, their eyes lit up. No one expected Lin Chen to have such a youthful and striking assistant. Xia Meng was not only beautiful, but in uniform, her figure carried a sharp and heroic charm. Many officers couldn’t help but feel envious of Lin Chen.
In fact, most officers recognized her immediately as the well-known police beauty of the Binhai Sub-Bureau, Xia Meng.
Inside Tan Ming’s office, Lin Chen explained his purpose. He hoped the Public Security Unit could launch a citywide operation under the pretext of vice enforcement, targeting unregulated massage and foot therapy establishments. Read the latest chapters at novelping(.)com.
Tan Ming was slightly taken aback. He knew Lin Chen was currently handling a major case, and before his arrival, the municipal bureau had already instructed full cooperation. However, initiating such a large-scale operation was not something a single unit could accomplish.
“Captain Lin, even if I carry out this operation, it would require more than one-third of the city’s police force. Besides, for an operation of this scale, I need to draft a plan and submit it to the municipal bureau for unified coordination,” Tan Ming said.
He was right… large operations required approval. However, Lin Chen knew that a major crackdown had already been conducted just a week ago, so he said, “This time, it doesn’t need to be that extensive. Just conduct inspections on massage and foot therapy shops with no more than three staff members in each jurisdiction. With the Criminal Investigation Corps, your Public Security Unit, and local police stations working together, it will be sufficient.”
By narrowing the scope, the task became much simpler. Tan Ming immediately understood and then asked, “What is the objective of the operation?”
This was also Xia Meng’s question. Lin Chen smiled and said, “I want to identify any recent transient workers in these establishments who may have gone missing or become unreachable. We need a detailed list for screening.”
At that moment, Xia Meng suddenly understood. Lin Chen was using this method to quickly identify the victim. Although it was like searching for a needle in a haystack, it was a necessary step.
Lin Chen’s confidence that the victim came from such environments stemmed from years of experience. In similar cases, most victims were either missing women or those working in certain underground industries.
“Is this related to your case?” Tan Ming asked.
Both nodded, and Xia Meng spoke first, “Our captain suspects the victim may have been working in these industries. Due to the high mobility, people often don’t notice when someone disappears.”
Seeing how quickly she caught on, Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction and said, “Not bad, Xia Meng. You understood my intention quickly. If we only conduct casual visits, they might not tell the truth. But under pressure, they’ll reveal useful information.”
“Understood. We’ll fully cooperate,” Tan Ming said. He had long heard of Lin Chen’s reputation as a top investigator in the city, and with the municipal bureau’s directive, he had no choice but to support him completely.
After discussing the details, they set the operation time for 21:00 that night. Lin Chen had Xia Meng stay behind to assist. As the captain’s assistant, she could mobilize resources across the unit, and she was also familiar with personnel at the municipal bureau, making coordination easier.
At the parking lot of Nanfeng City International Airport, Bai Mengyan stood out effortlessly. She wore a simple blue jacket paired with a matching skirt, her long, fair legs visible. Her elegance and beauty instantly drew admiring glances from passing men.
She looked around expectantly. Soon, a white Audi arrived as promised. A sweet smile appeared on her delicate face.
The car came to a stop. Lin Chen stepped out and said apologetically, “Sorry, I had some work this morning and got delayed. Have you been waiting long?” Get faster updates on g.com.
Bai Mengyan set down her suitcase, brushed aside a strand of hair, and smiled gently, “No, I just arrived as well.”
Lin Chen took her luggage and placed it in the trunk, then courteously opened the passenger door for her. Bai Mengyan happily thanked him.
As the car drove along the airport expressway, Bai Mengyan, sitting in the passenger seat, puffed her cheeks slightly and said, “Captain Lin Chen, are you free tonight? I want to treat you to dinner… to thank you for bringing my dad the keys.”
In truth, they had only known each other for a few days. Lin Chen didn’t understand where this girl’s enthusiasm came from. Besides, that night he had been drunk, and she had taken him in. Delivering the keys to her father was simply returning the favor… they were even now.
“Miss Bai, I’m not refusing… I’ve just been transferred to the Provincial Public Security Department, and there’s a major case these days. I really don’t have time,” Lin Chen said sincerely. Bai Mengyan understood that for police officers, especially criminal investigators, overtime was normal.
“Then you must have time at noon, right? No need to wait for another day… let’s just find a hotpot place later. I’ll treat you to a simple meal. I don’t like owing people favors,” Bai Mengyan said, her tone carrying both dissatisfaction and a hint of insistence.
“Miss Bai, you took me in that night. Helping your father with the keys was just a small favor. We’re even,” Lin Chen replied helplessly. His mind was filled with heartbreak and work. He truly had no interest in going out to eat, nor the emotional space for it.
If not for returning the car today, he wouldn’t have come to pick her up at all.
“That won’t do. One thing is one thing. You owe me a meal for staying over, and treating you is my choice. If you don’t eat, I’ll just consider it done anyway. Also, can you stop calling me Miss Bai? It sounds strange.”
“Then what should I call you?” Lin Chen asked.
“Call me Xiaoyan. From now on, I’ll call you Uncle Lin.”
The word “uncle” slipped out so naturally that Lin Chen nearly felt socially humiliated. He was only ten years older than her, yet she called him uncle… it was unbearable.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Bai Mengyan’s expression turned slightly displeased. She looked at him again and said, “So, are we going or not? I’m about to make a reservation.”
This wasn’t a request… it was practically an order. Lin Chen had no choice but to nod and say, “Alright, thank you, Xiaoyan.”
“That’s more like it, Uncle Lin,” Bai Mengyan said, her face lighting up with a charming smile.