SFTD -Chapter 149 Ghosts Beneath the Bridge (Part 4)

“Mm, got it. Everyone come in.”

“I just got a call from Liu Yong. I’ve thought about the possibility of this kind of outcome when you work in this line of work, but I didn’t expect that when the day actually came, I still wouldn’t be able to accept it…”

Zhou Hai and Wang Xuchao followed her into the room. The three of them sat down. Wang Xuchao pointed at Zhou Hai.

“Sister-in-law, this is Forensic Doctor Zhou. We came today mainly to understand Brother Zeng’s recent situation. People from the Yongning bureau will arrive later, so we wanted to talk with you before they get here.”

Cao Lin nodded.

“Alright. Don’t make things too difficult for yourselves. I trust you with this. Those people from Yongning… without him, sigh…”

Wang Xuchao leaned forward slightly.

“Sister-in-law, what cases has Brother Zeng been handling recently?”

Cao Lin pulled her coat tighter around herself and gave an awkward smile.

“I don’t know. I don’t even know when he came back to Dongnan City.”

Wang Xuchao froze slightly.

“You and Brother Zeng… have you two had some issues recently?”

Cao Lin shook her head.

“It’s hard to explain. When people reach middle age, all we really want is a peaceful family and children doing well in school. I’ve been busy taking care of the child, and he’s been working alone in Yongning. Since my son and I moved back to Dongnan City this past year, he used to come back for a couple of days every month in the first half of the year. But in the last six months, he rarely came back. The last time was during the National Day holiday, and even then he didn’t stay at home—he just came and left immediately. So I really don’t know what he’s been busy with.”

Wang Xuchao’s brows twitched.

“Sister-in-law, you should trust Brother Zeng. He’s just fully focused on work. And you know the nature of our job.”

Cao Lin gave a forced smile.

“As husband and wife, sometimes even he may not realize how much he has changed. But I know it’s definitely not just about work. Before, no matter how busy he was, he would still call our son to encourage him. But recently, he barely does that anymore.”

Zhou Hai stood up and walked to a photo wall in the living room.

He looked at the pictures—family photos of Zeng Zhiqiang, his wife, and their son. The family smiled brightly in every shot, and one could clearly feel the deep bond between them.

But why did Cao Lin feel that Zeng Zhiqiang had become strange recently?

They didn’t stay long. After going downstairs and getting into their car, just as they were about to leave, several police cars arrived behind them and blocked the exit completely.

Wang Xuchao and Zhou Hai immediately got out of the car.

People from the police cars quickly stepped out as well.

“Hello, we’re from Yong’an. This is our bureau chief, Xiao.”

Wang Xuchao quickly saluted and introduced himself and Zhou Hai, then glanced back toward the building.

“Brother Zeng’s wife isn’t in a very stable emotional state right now. How about you all come to our bureau and we talk there instead?”

Twenty minutes later, West District Criminal Investigation Brigade office.

Wang Xuchao poured water for everyone and sat down.

“Has Brother Zeng recently taken on any cases?”

A younger officer put down his cup.

“Zeng has been under suspension for investigation due to violent interrogation, so he currently doesn’t have any cases.”

Wang Xuchao froze. This actually matched Zhou Hai’s autopsy findings.

“Violent interrogation?”

“Yes. He had been investigating a case. At the former Yongning Sports Academy, a female basketball team member named Xu Miaochi from her freshman year died on campus after a gathering last June. But the autopsy concluded she died of sudden cardiac arrest. Zeng never accepted that conclusion and continued investigating secretly.

After the National Day holiday last year, the sports academy officially relocated to Dongnan and was renamed Dongnan Sports University.

Zeng discovered that Xu Miaochi had a secret admirer—a small-time delinquent named Zhang Xiaotian. He was a frequent visitor at the Yongning bureau, had been arrested several times for selling ecstasy pills, but because the quantities were small and there was insufficient evidence, he was never sentenced.

After New Year’s, Zeng detained him for questioning. During the arrest, Zhang Xiaotian flushed the pills down the toilet. Zeng got anxious and tried to recover them.

During the struggle, Zhang Xiaotian’s arm hit a water pipe and was fractured. After that, he reported Zeng for violent law enforcement. Although we all understood the situation, the provincial bureau felt the evidence during the arrest process was insufficient, so Zeng was suspended pending review.

A few days ago we heard Zeng went to find him again. That guy has been hanging around the border area between Dongnan and Yongning. After that, Zeng never returned to work, and we don’t know exactly what he did.”

Wang Xuchao looked at everyone present—leaders and officers alike—his gaze sharp as a blade, scanning each face.

After a long silence, he finally spoke again.

“We’re all in the same system, so I won’t say too much. Since he’s already gone… if you still consider Zeng Zhiqiang your colleague and comrade, then properly apply for his due compensation. After all, he was from your Yongning bureau. As for his family, you’d better not disturb them for now.”

Bureau Chief Xiao’s expression immediately darkened. He cleared his throat.

“We still need to visit the family. As for compensation, we cannot determine whether this was an accident or something else yet. After all, Zeng Zhiqiang was under suspension at the time, so we can’t directly issue compensation. I hope you understand. We Yongning comrades will definitely give a proper explanation.”

Wang Xuchao shot up, grabbed Xiao by the collar, and dragged him straight to the door.

“Are you f***ing kidding me?! We’re all in the same system, don’t talk to me like that. I’ll tell you this now—Zeng Zhiqiang’s case is handled by our West District Criminal Police Team. You are not allowed to contact the victim’s family. If you do, don’t blame me for turning hostile and reporting you for obstructing official duties!”

He shoved him out the door.

The Yongning officers were stunned. They hurried out and helped Xiao up.

Humiliated, Xiao glanced at Wang Xuchao’s badge number and pointed at him repeatedly.

“You’ve got guts. I’ll remember you.”

Wang Xuchao brushed the dust off his clothes and stood straight.

“No need to bother investigating. My name is Wang Xuchao. Zeng Zhiqiang’s disciple. Come at me directly if you’ve got something to say. Retaliation or pressure—I’m not afraid of any of it. And I’ll also tell you this: I will investigate this case to the end. If any of your Yongning people are involved, clean your damn mess properly. Otherwise, your good days are over. Get out.”

At that moment, Xu Biao swaggered in from outside. Hearing Wang Xuchao’s speech, he raised both arms and clapped loudly, even letting out a whistle.

Seeing this, the surrounding officers also began to applaud. The Yong’an officers exchanged looks and then turned to leave.

Zhou Hai patted Wang Xuchao’s shoulder.

“Things like this are normal. No need for them to make promises. We just need to prove Brother Zeng’s innocence. Now that Dongnan Sports University has moved to Dongnan City, Zeng still had his accident in your West District—you have every right to dig into this and find the truth. Yongning can’t dodge responsibility. Our Second Team fully supports you. No matter how much pressure there is, we’ll help you uncover the truth.”

“Now that’s more like it, Captain Wang!”

“Strong, loyal, that’s what I’m talking about! Even Hai Zi said he’ll help you—our whole Second Team will back you. Hurry up and assign tasks!”

Wang Xuchao pulled the two of them back into the office. He understood Zhou Hai was right—this wasn’t the time for arguments. Finding the truth was the top priority.

“Alright, let’s first set a direction for the investigation. But before that, I want to confirm one thing—Forensic Doctor Zhou, are you sure Brother Zeng did not die from an accident?”