Lin Chengfeng listened quietly as Yan Nan gave his account, then asked, “Before you stole the car, did you see anyone nearby?”
Yan Nan thought for a moment and nodded. “I saw two people, a man and a woman, on the road by Luoyu River. They had just gotten out of a white sedan at the time.”
“What did they look like?” Lin Chengfeng asked urgently.
“The man was dressed all in black and looked quite strong, but I didn’t get a clear look at his face. The woman was wearing a black miniskirt and black stockings, with brown hair and black high heels. She was very fair-skinned, with long legs, and quite beautiful.”
Lin Chengfeng and Zhao Zongfei exchanged glances.
It was indeed the victims!
In the observation room, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth upon hearing Yan Nan’s description.
“This kid, he didn’t pay attention to the man, but he observed the woman in great detail.”
“Did you see the license plate of the car?” Lin Chengfeng asked, looking at Yan Nan.
Yan Nan shook his head. “No, we were separated by a road at the time, so I didn’t pay much attention.”
Zhao Zongfei quickly added, “Think again about the man’s appearance. Were there any distinctive features?”
Yan Nan thought carefully, then nodded eagerly. “Yes! I saw that the man’s neck was dark, probably a tattoo, and he wasn’t very tall—about the same height as the woman.”
Zhao Zongfei picked up a pen and began taking notes, then continued, “What about after that? Do you know where the two of them went?”
Yan Nan shook his head again. “I don’t know. I thought the man looked like trouble, so I didn’t pay much attention. After glancing at them a couple of times, my friend and I drove away.”
Just then, an officer knocked on the door of the observation room and entered.
“Xiaoran, the child’s parents are here.”
Li Xiaoran nodded, then spoke into the communication device. “Captain Lin, Yan Nan’s parents are here.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chengfeng asked a few more questions before leading Yan Nan to the lobby.
Ye Xuan was already waiting in the lobby.
When Yan Nan saw Ye Xuan, his pupils contracted, and a wave of guilt washed over him. He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at him.
Yan Guobin stormed forward and slapped Yan Nan across the face.
“I’ve worked so hard to raise you all these years, and you go and steal a car? You’re a disgrace to me!”
Lin Chengfeng and the others immediately stepped in to pull Yan Guobin away.
“Family members, please don’t act impulsively. We understand that the child is young and doesn’t know any better.”
Yan Li hurriedly stepped in front of Yan Nan, shielding him protectively.
“Old Yan, what are you doing? How could you hit him?”
Yan Guobin glared at Yan Li and pointed angrily at Yan Nan. “I wish I could tear him apart! All his bad habits come from you spoiling him. Last time, he stole money from home to go out and fool around. This time, he dares to steal a car. What’s next—murder?”
Yan Li immediately retorted, “Yan Guobin, what nonsense are you talking about? He’s your son!”
Yan Guobin snorted coldly, then turned his gaze to Lin Chengfeng and the others. “Officers, what should we do about my son’s situation now?”
Lin Chengfeng pointed at Ye Xuan. “The car owner is over there. You can discuss it with him. Also, we’re currently working on a case, and we may need your son’s cooperation later on.”
Yan Guobin frowned upon hearing this, suppressing the anger in his heart as he asked, “Officer, what other heinous things has Yan Nan done?”
Lin Chengfeng immediately waved his hand and said, “Family members, don’t be nervous. This matter has nothing to do with your son. It’s just a routine investigation.”
Hearing this, Yan Guobin nodded in relief, then turned an apologetic gaze toward Ye Xuan.
“Young man, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not disciplining my child properly. How do you think we should resolve this?”
Ye Xuan smiled and shook his head, replying, “I understand teenagers.”
“My car has already been sold, and its parts have been dismantled. There’s no way to get it back now. Just give me the money from the sale.”
Yan Guobin nodded gratefully, then took two thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to Ye Xuan.
Immediately afterward, Yan Guobin turned and shouted at Yan Nan, “You little brat, come over here and apologize!”
Yan Nan was startled and quickly stepped forward, bowing to Ye Xuan. “I’m sorry!”
Ye Xuan patted Yan Nan and said with a smile, “You’re still young, and there are many things you don’t understand. We can all relate to that. If this had happened to someone else, they might not have forgiven you. When you go back, listen to your father more and don’t do things like this again.”
Yan Nan quickly nodded in response. “I understand, brother! I will definitely turn over a new leaf!”
Soon after, Zhao Zongfei took Yan Nan and his family to give their statements. Once the statements were completed, the three of them left the police station.
Criminal Investigation Team Leader’s Office.
Lin Chengfeng poured a cup of tea for Ye Xuan and then asked, “What do you think about the situation Yan Nan described?”
Ye Xuan took a sip of tea and slowly said, “The murderer likely took a taxi to the Luo Yu River, then walked with the victim to the crime scene.”
“According to the autopsy report, the victim’s height was 168 cm, but she was wearing high heels. Yan Nan described the murderer as being about the same height as the victim, so we can determine that the murderer is approximately 173 cm tall.”
“Moreover, after killing the victim, the murderer placed the head in the alley. This suggests… the murderer may have intentionally wanted someone to see it!”
Lin Chengfeng frowned and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Although the alley is remote, people often use it when nature calls. Almost everyone passing by would choose that alley to relieve themselves. Do you remember the position of the head? The victim’s face was directly facing the entrance of the alley. Although her expression carried a hint of terror, it wasn’t noticeable unless observed closely. In other words…”
“The murderer deliberately wanted people to see the victim’s expression of pleasure!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chengfeng’s heart trembled violently as he looked at Ye Xuan in disbelief.
“Is this a demon? Do such people really exist in this world?”
A faint smile curled at the corner of Ye Xuan’s mouth as he slowly said, “Such things aren’t strange. When a person’s soul becomes twisted and rots into a source of evil, their eyes are left with nothing but endless bloodshed and the artistic feast brought by the hunt.”
Lin Chengfeng composed himself and said gravely, “If such a person truly exists, then this case must be solved as soon as possible. Otherwise, who knows how many more innocent people will fall victim to his cruelty?”
Ye Xuan also nodded seriously and said, “Proceed with the investigation as soon as possible based on the clues provided by Yan Nan. Focus on individuals with tattoos on their necks, around 173 cm tall, with delicate features and who exercise regularly. It would be best to check out gyms frequently.”
“Why gyms?”
Ye Xuan responded, “The victim had a well-built physique, clearly someone who worked out. The killer possessed astonishing arm strength and a robust build, obviously also someone who exercises regularly. So, I suspect the victim and the killer likely met at a gym. Therefore, gyms are undoubtedly the best places to investigate.”
After hearing Ye Xuan’s explanation, Lin Chengfeng suddenly understood and immediately stood up, heading toward the hall.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan hurriedly added, “Remember to have everyone carry guns and wear plain clothes for the investigation!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chengfeng paused briefly before quickening his pace.
Ye Xuan picked up his teacup, drained it in one gulp, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
“Things are getting interesting.”