Lin Chengfeng quickly gathered the team to assign tasks.
Li Xiaoran and Wu Gang were responsible for obtaining membership records from various gyms in the city, focusing on screening the gyms the victim had frequented.
Meanwhile, Zhao Zongfei led a team to investigate surveillance footage around Luoyu River, attempting to trace the white vehicle the victim had taken that night.
12:30 PM.
Through Li Xiaoran’s investigation, Lin Chengfeng discreetly visited two gyms the victim had frequently attended with Ye Xuan, but they still came up empty-handed.
Neither gym had anyone matching the suspect’s description.
The two finally arrived at a gym called PK Fitness Club.
Looking at the establishment, Lin Chengfeng said gloomily, “This is the last gym the victim frequented. I hope we find something this time.”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly and said slowly, “Officer Lin, don’t rush the investigation. You must always maintain a calm mindset.”
Lin Chengfeng rolled his eyes and replied, “Easier said than done.”
The two entered the gym, their eyes scanning the interior in unison.
The gym was spacious, but there weren’t many people inside—only about three or four individuals.
Everyone was sweating profusely, lifting weights or running on treadmills, and the equipment was brand new, all high-end brands.
At that moment, the front desk staff noticed Lin Chengfeng and Ye Xuan and hurried over.
“Welcome to PK Fitness Club. Are you two here to work out?”
Just as Lin Chengfeng was about to show his badge, Ye Xuan stopped him.
Lin Chengfeng looked at Ye Xuan in confusion, only to see him smiling at the staff and saying, “Yes, we’re here to work out.”
Upon hearing this, the front desk staff immediately began explaining, “Are you two planning to work out long-term? This is a private gym with a membership system. If you’re considering long-term fitness, I recommend you sign up for a membership card. Right now, there’s a promotion: signing up for a membership card includes an extra year of gym access plus nine free classes, along with access to a dedicated locker room. The membership card also comes with various benefits and discounts.”
Ye Xuan’s eyes lit up, and he inquired, “That sounds pretty good. How much is the membership card?”
The front desk staff promptly replied, “The original price is 6,888, but now it’s only 3,888. This is the lowest price in nearly two years!”
Hearing the price, Ye Xuan’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He then turned his gaze to Lin Chengfeng, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Lin Chengfeng frowned and pulled Ye Xuan aside.
“What are you trying to do?”
Ye Xuan grinned and said, “Officer Lin, there’s a discount! It’s almost half off. This opportunity can’t be missed!”
Lin Chengfeng gave him a strange look and said, “Have you forgotten why we’re here? And 3,888! My monthly salary is only 8,000!”
Ye Xuan coughed lightly and said slowly, “Officer Lin, this is a private gym with a membership system. It’s quieter, and this price is actually quite reasonable. Besides, you can get reimbursed by the department.”
Lin Chengfeng responded sternly, “Ye Xuan, I have reason to suspect that this behavior of yours is an abuse of power for personal gain!”
“Don’t be so serious, Officer Lin. There are clues here.”
Lin Chengfeng looked utterly unconvinced, staring silently at Ye Xuan.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan raised his hand and held up three fingers, saying, “Really, I swear. If there are no clues, I’ll pay for the membership card myself!”
“Really?”
“Really!”
Seeing Ye Xuan’s sincere expression, Lin Chengfeng finally began to believe him a little.
Lin Chengfeng gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, but just this once!”
Only then did Ye Xuan smile with satisfaction.
Lin Chengfeng walked to the front desk, picked up his phone, and said, “Sign us up for two.”
The receptionist’s eyes immediately lit up.
Seeing their earlier demeanor, she had thought this deal was going to fall through, but now…!
After Lin Chengfeng scanned the payment, the receptionist promptly said, “Please show me your IDs.”
The two immediately took out their IDs from their pockets and handed them over.
After a flurry of typing, the receptionist smoothly processed their memberships.
Returning their IDs, she asked, “Would you like me to arrange a trainer for you now?”
Ye Xuan waved his hand and said, “Not for now. I wanted to ask, do you have a trainer named Lu Xiao here?”
The receptionist nodded and replied, “Yes, but Coach Lu only trains female clients, not male ones.”
Ye Xuan nodded and responded, “Alright, I see. We’ll just take a look around first.”
“Sure, let me know if you need anything!”
As Ye Xuan and Lin Chengfeng entered the gym, Lin Chengfeng immediately pulled Ye Xuan aside and asked, “Where’s the clue you mentioned?”
Ye Xuan smiled, then pointed to the trainer display board on the wall and said, “Look there!”
Lin Chengfeng turned to look. The board displayed eight photos in total—five men and three women.
But his gaze was instantly drawn to a photo in the bottom right corner.
It was a muscular man named Lu Xiao.
He wore a black tank top that accentuated the clear lines of his shoulders and neck.
His hair was cut extremely short, standing upright, with prominent brow bones and a wide, bright smile that made him look clean-cut and sunny.
What was even more shocking was the series of black lines on his neck, like a giant serpent coiled around it—a tattoo!
Lin Chengfeng said gravely, “It says his height is 1.72 meters. It must be him!”
Then, frowning, he looked at Ye Xuan in confusion and asked, “If you already knew, why did we sign up? Couldn’t we just find him and arrest him directly?”
Ye Xuan scratched his head, looking somewhat guilty. “Uh… well, I suddenly realized my place isn’t far from here. I figured I could come work out whenever I’m free!”
Lin Chengfeng gritted his teeth and said, “Then why drag me into it? You could’ve signed up alone!”
“I don’t want to come alone. You can come with me from now on—saves me the cost of a trainer.”
Lin Chengfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to slap Ye Xuan, and asked, “So what now? Do we go find him directly?”
Ye Xuan shook his head and replied, “This guy is smart, and his counter-surveillance skills are probably strong too. Acting rashly would only alert him.”
Then, curiously, Ye Xuan asked, “Officer Lin, can you handle him alone?”
Hearing this, Lin Chengfeng’s lips curled into a confident smile. “No one has ever lasted three rounds against me.”
Ye Xuan gasped in awe and silently gave a thumbs-up.
No wonder everyone at the police station looked at Lin Chengfeng as if he were a ghost.
They must have been beaten into fear.
Thinking this, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but take a small step to the side.
“Since Officer Lin is so confident, let’s withdraw the nearby officers or have them stay in their vehicles for now. They shouldn’t move around the area, just in case.”
Lin Chengfeng asked in confusion, “How are you so sure he’ll show up here?”
Ye Xuan said with exasperation, “Officer Lin, did you leave your eyes at home?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chengfeng immediately scowled and raised his hand as if to hit Ye Xuan.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan quickly took a big step back, gave an awkward smile, and then explained, “The bulletin board says he won’t start teaching at the gym until 2 p.m. Also, there’s an attendance log for every instructor who comes to teach. This guy was here yesterday, so unless something unexpected happens, he’ll be here today too.”