SFTD -Chapter 415 White Spots Reappeared (Part 56)

Downstairs of the residential building, Zhou Hai held up his phone.

Chu Menghan had just sent over the addresses, photos, and contact information of the three teachers. The photos, however, were old ID pictures from many years ago, blurry and difficult to make out clearly.

By sheer coincidence, all three teachers lived in this area. After all, it was very close to the Agricultural University—walking out from the north exit led directly to the school’s side gate.

Wang Xuchao leaned over to look at Zhou Hai’s phone, then frowned at one of the addresses.

“We’ve already been to Zhu Xiaocheng’s place. It’s in the second building.”

Zhou Hai narrowed his eyes and looked at the photos of Pang Yuchang and Mu Weiyang. With the image quality being so poor, the two men looked extremely similar—it was almost impossible to distinguish them.

But Pang Yuchang’s home was in the eastern unit of this very building.

Zhou Hai lowered his phone and exchanged a glance with Wang Xuchao. The two nodded simultaneously.

Now they had to start with the most suspicious target.

Wang Xuchao waved at his men.

The officers immediately gathered around. After working together for years, they already understood each other without needing many words. Everyone stared at Wang Xuchao expectantly.

“Boss, did you find something?”

Pointing toward the eastern unit, Wang Xuchao said:

“There are three highly suspicious suspects. One of them lives in this unit. We’re heading there now. Keep your movements quiet. If they don’t open the door, we force entry.”

One officer looked embarrassed.

“Boss, if nobody answers and we break in directly, won’t we get complaints afterward?”

Wang Xuchao glared at him fiercely.

“If there’s a complaint, tell them to report my name. Didn’t Forensic Doctor Zhou say this guy is extremely dangerous? If he detonates a bomb in this neighborhood, how many people will die? You calculate for me—which is worth the risk?”

The officer immediately shrank his neck and lowered his presence.

Whenever their captain got serious, he meant business.

The group instinctively checked their weapons again. They already knew what kind of criminal they were dealing with, so there could absolutely be no mistakes in their equipment.

Wang Xuchao looked over the group, satisfied with their reaction.

“I already requested authorization from Director Liu. If the suspect threatens our lives or the hostage’s life, you may shoot to kill on the spot! But if the suspect notices us or we engage in direct conflict, then for the hostage’s safety, we’ll temporarily avoid confrontation. We evacuate the people first, then take action. The SWAT snipers are already on their way and standing by. Understood?”

Though Wang Xuchao’s voice wasn’t loud, it carried a reassuring authority.

Everyone nodded firmly and headed upstairs.

Before entering the stairwell, Zhou Hai glanced up at the four-story building.

There were eight households in the eastern unit. Five still had lights on, while the remaining three were completely dark.

Pang Yuchang’s apartment—402—was entirely dark.

The apartment directly opposite, 401, was also dark.

The third dark apartment was on the first floor, though faint traces of light seemed to leak from inside.

Zhou Hai forwarded the other suspect’s address to Huang Zhongsheng and marked who they were searching for. Then he switched his phone to silent mode.

Just as he was about to put it away, the screen lit up with a message.

Liu Yong: Do a basic investigation first. If you confirm the person is Yang Duxiu, don’t act recklessly. I’m sending reinforcements immediately.

Zhou Hai: Understood.

Only then did he pocket the phone and step into the stairwell.

Everyone moved as quietly as possible and headed straight for Room 402 on the fourth floor.

Zhou Hai was slightly slower than the others. By the time he reached the upper landing, the others had already started knocking.

After seven or eight knocks, there was still no response from inside.

One officer pressed his ear against the door but heard nothing.

Zhou Hai walked over and used the moonlight to inspect Room 402. It was an old-style metal security door made from several iron pipes welded together. Smacking it would create an echo loud enough to travel far.

Was nobody really inside?

Even Zhou Hai couldn’t tell.

But just as he turned toward Wang Xuchao, he vaguely noticed something reflective stuck to the door of Apartment 401.

Standing on tiptoe, Zhou Hai quickly walked over and crouched beside the door.

Only at close range could he see clearly.

The faintly reflective object was actually a piece of chewing gum stuck to the door.

Wang Xuchao had noticed Zhou Hai’s actions long ago, but when he realized it was only chewing gum, he felt speechless.

Still, seeing Zhou Hai studying it so carefully made him suspicious.

Could there actually be some kind of message hidden in that gum?

Using a cotton swab from his pocket, Zhou Hai poked at the gum.

It was still soft and hadn’t hardened at all. When touched, it even stretched slightly.

At that moment, Zhou Hai caught the scent of blueberry flavoring.

Then his gaze shifted downward.

Instantly, he spotted a pale blue bundle on the floor and hurriedly picked it up.

Unfolding it, he realized it was a disposable face mask.

The fact that it had been crumpled into such a tight ball showed how long someone had clenched it in their hand.

A dull ache struck Zhou Hai’s chest.

Before, he had only suspected.

Now, he was certain.

This belonged to Xu Biao.

His eyes narrowed immediately.

He gestured for the others to keep knocking on Room 402’s door while pulling out his phone and rapidly typing a message before handing it to Wang Xuchao.

Xu Biao’s favorite gum is blueberry flavored.
The gum was stuck here less than an hour ago—it’s still soft.
Yang Duxiu and Xu Biao must be inside this room.
Evacuate the residents downstairs. Quickly!

Wang Xuchao froze slightly at the deduction, but he nodded almost immediately.

After all, Zhou Hai understood Xu Biao far better than anyone else. And Zhou Hai’s judgment and instincts were unmatched.

At a moment like this, trusting him was the best choice.

Wang Xuchao immediately waved at the others.

“You two go check the third floor. You two check the second floor. Hurry up—Director Liu said the search must be completed before ten o’clock. Looks like nobody’s on the fourth floor.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but while speaking he pointed toward Zhou Hai’s phone.

The officers instantly understood.

They cooperated smoothly, nodding and quietly acknowledging the order.

Zhou Hai gave Apartment 401 one last look, then knocked on its door seven or eight times.

Wang Xuchao cooperated by shouting twice:

“Anyone home in 401? Police census inspection!”

Receiving no response, the group headed downstairs.

Everyone moved quickly.

The residents on the third floor had already heard the earlier noises, so the doors opened almost immediately after knocking.

After brief questioning, the officers hurried everyone downstairs.

Some residents were still wearing pajamas and slippers.

Soon the second and first floors were cleared as well.

All the residents gathered together on the first floor, covering both their own mouths and their children’s mouths to keep quiet.

The group left the eastern unit without stopping and headed directly into the western unit.

As soon as they entered, Wang Xuchao lowered his voice and instructed four officers:

“You two keep going. Start knocking on every door from top to bottom. Knock louder this time. The soundproofing in this building is terrible—everything can be heard clearly. You two gather everyone into the apartment on the west side of the first floor and keep them calm.”

The officers instantly understood Wang Xuchao’s intention.

They were being used as cover.