SFTD -Chapter 155 Ghosts Beneath the Bridge (Part 10)

Lu Zhongping frowned and nodded. “Ask.”

“How old is he?”

“About my age, maybe forty-two or forty-three this year.”

Wang Xuchao froze for a moment and added, “Wasn’t Xu Miaochi only eighteen?”

“Yes.”

“He’s married?”

Zhou Hai’s question was very direct, making Lu Zhongping a bit embarrassed, but he still nodded.

“Yes, married.”

“After the academic affairs office found out, they gave him a strict reprimand and education, but it seems he was determined to be with Xu Miaochi. He’s been insisting on getting a divorce.”

“Did Xu Miaochi ever talk to you about their relationship?”

Lu Zhongping shook his head. “Not talk about it—we saw it ourselves. It was at the teaching building of Yong’an Sports Academy. I was going back to the office with the assistant coach, and we happened to run into them coming out of a room next door. Xu Miaochi’s clothes weren’t even properly on. There’s nothing else to explain.”

“Is Jin Zhicheng at the school today?”

Lu Zhongping thought for a moment. “Today is Little New Year, right? At noon all the teachers have a gathering, then they distribute year-end gifts. He should be there at this time.”

Wang Xuchao didn’t hesitate. “Do you know where his office is?”

“Second floor of the administrative building, Room 233 on the far east side.”

“Thanks. My colleagues will come to collect fingerprints and throat swabs for screening. Please help gather all the team members and cooperate. Also, I want all group photos of your team from last year—every single match.”

Coach Lu nodded. The two thanked him and left the basketball hall.

Zhou Hai took out his phone and called Fengzi. The call connected on the second ring.

“You can come in now. Chief Wang and I just came out of the basketball hall. I counted everyone—besides one coach, there are fourteen people. Collect fingerprints and throat swabs from all of them. When taking fingerprints, check whether there are any signs of fungal infection on their hands. If there are, collect additional samples.”

“Got it. We’re on our way.”

After hanging up, Zhou Hai and Wang Xuchao arrived at the administrative building. Before even going upstairs, they heard lively noise from inside. Many people were moving large and small gift boxes to the first floor. It looked like the so-called “gathering” was just a welfare distribution for teachers.

Their arrival immediately drew attention. A young teacher holding a gift box stopped.

“Who are you two looking for?”

Wang Xuchao showed his police ID. “We’re looking for Teacher Jin Zhicheng.”

The hall instantly fell silent. Everyone turned toward the stairwell. A handsome middle-aged man put down a large box he was carrying, dusted off his clothes, and nodded toward them.

“I am Jin Zhicheng. What’s the matter?”

Wang Xuchao stepped aside. “We need you to come back with us to assist in an investigation related to a case from last year at your school.”

Jin Zhicheng nodded. “Alright.”

He walked directly toward Wang Xuchao. The other teachers exchanged glances but said nothing. It seemed many of them were already aware of Jin Zhicheng’s teacher–student relationship scandal.

They didn’t stay long and took Jin Zhicheng back to the West District Criminal Police Team.

All the collected samples, including Jin Zhicheng’s, were sent directly to the forensic center. Zhou Hai and Xu Biao stood outside the interrogation room, listening to Wang Xuchao’s questioning.

At the same time, Zhou Hai called Sister Zeng.

“Sister Zeng, I just sent over more than ten samples again. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Mm, got it. Anything else just say it straight. Don’t waste time going around in circles.”

Zhou Hai was momentarily stuck, then awkwardly said, “Cough… I wanted to ask if Zeng Zhiqiang’s blood toxicology comparison results are out yet?”

This time Sister Zeng let out a long sigh.

“Ha… don’t rush it. The blood extracted from the scene needs to be tested substance by substance to rule out interference. It takes time. I’ve already told you before—I’m more anxious than you are. If we can’t find the toxin, I might as well quit my job.”

“You should also get some rest. We’ll go slow with the screening.”

Xu Biao patted Zhou Hai’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Sister Zeng has it tough too. It’s Little New Year and she’s still rushing tests for our team.”

Zhou Hai pressed his lips together. “I know I’ve been a bit impatient. Wang Xuchao and Chief Liu’s pressure is getting to me.”

Xu Biao bumped his shoulder. “Hey, that’s not like you. Don’t burden yourself. And don’t think about Zeng Zhiqiang being a cop. All those press conferences and announcements have nothing to do with you, alright? You know what the correct way to use leadership is? They’re there to take the pressure so we can work without burden. That’s called taking the hits. Chief Liu is perfect for that job.”

“How about that? Pretty high-level awareness, right?”

Xu Biao’s words almost made Zhou Hai laugh—because Chief Liu had somehow already walked in quietly and was standing right behind him.

Zhou Hai lightly kicked Xu Biao.

“Why are you kicking me? This is a new outfit my mom bought for me for the New Year—such a waste!”

Xu Biao bent down to check his shoes, and only then noticed a pair of black leather shoes behind him. He instantly straightened up.

“Uh… I think I’ll head back to the center and help Sister Zeng.”

Just as he turned, a large hand grabbed the back of his collar.

“So I’m just your official pressure absorber now, huh?”

Xu Biao didn’t try to run. After all, he was a human punching bag—only weight, no advantage. He reached out and straightened the wrinkles on Chief Liu’s uniform.

“Well… I’m not good at flattery face-to-face, but I meant every word. At a time like this, someone who steps up instead of avoiding responsibility is really admirable.”

“You’re just being slick,” Chief Liu said, “but you did say one thing right. I’ll take the pressure. Zhou Hai, don’t stress—just follow your own pace.”

Xu Biao nodded seriously. “Mm, Chief Liu is right. No pressure. Too much pressure causes hair loss.”

Zhou Hai shook his head. Xu Biao really was too much—only Chief Liu could keep him in check.

A sudden crackle of electrical interference echoed through the room. The sound from the adjacent room grew louder than before. All three turned toward the interrogation room.

It turned out Wang Xuchao had bumped the table while walking, causing the interference. He slammed the table hard, making the photo of Zeng Zhiqiang on it shake violently.

“Today is Little New Year. If you want to go home and celebrate properly—and still keep your head up in this school—then cooperate with me. Tell me, do you recognize this person?”

Jin Zhicheng shifted slightly and nodded.

“Speak. Answer with words. Don’t just nod at me.”

“Yes, I recognize him. He’s the police officer investigating Xu Miaochi’s murder case. I think his surname is Zeng. They called him ‘Zeng Da,’ but I don’t know his full name.”

Wang Xuchao leaned over the table, staring unblinkingly into Jin Zhicheng’s eyes, not wanting to miss any expression.

“Did he ever come to you?”

“Yes.”

“And did he know about your romantic relationship with Xu Miaochi?”