Chapter 707: A Psychological Showdown

"Stop, Ah Zu!"

This is a line.

A line from a cop-and-robber movie.

When Chen Xiao just remembered that movie, he mistakenly thought it would be years before its release.

But upon closer reflection, it turned out the movie with that line had been released two years ago.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but wonder if someone was triggered by that movie.

Cao Xiuyuan and Sun Zhou noticed Chen Xiao’s contemplative demeanor and curiously asked:

"What are you thinking about?"

"Our discussion just now reminded me of a movie, a cop-and-robber film." Chen Xiao didn’t find it difficult to talk about, so he recounted the movie’s basic plot to Cao and Sun.

After listening to Chen Xiao’s account, Cao Xiuyuan and Sun Zhou looked surprised.

"Although the case is different, it is somewhat similar to one of our speculations." Cao Xiuyuan exclaimed, with Sun Zhou echoing:

"You really have a wide range of interests. I remember seeing its promotion and wanted to see it in the cinema, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the time."

Chen Xiao chuckled, "The plot of the movie isn’t important; I’m more interested in who the characters would correspond to here."

"In terms of correspondence? The movie’s antagonist’s father has quite a high position." Sun Zhou muttered.

Cao Xiuyuan remarked, "The position isn’t important, it’s the fact that he’s the son of a police officer. As it turns out, doing what we do, we sometimes indeed overlook our children’s education."

"It’s not just education. Other than handing our salary to our wives, we barely contribute to family life. Even when we rest, most of the time we’d rather stay home than go anywhere. Our care for our wives and children is far too little."

"It’s worth reflecting on, but we still have to discuss if there really are corresponding characters." Cao Xiuyuan steered the topic back on track.

Chen Xiao picked up the thread, "Do you both remember a cop named Gao Zhun in Xiaozhuang South Town?"

"Gao Zhun? The deputy chief!"

Chen Xiao nodded, "This time I came over, I had a fellow, Dayou, by my side. I often bring him along in many cases because he can tell fortunes and predict outcomes."

"During an accidental encounter with Gao Zhun, Dayou noticed something odd about him. Later, I learned more about Gao Zhun. His son, I think, is around nineteen."

Hearing this, both of them showed a change in expression:

"You’re suspecting Gao Zhun’s son?"

"I didn’t say that, but I think it might be worth investigating. Either Xiaozhuang South Town Police Station or the Fengshan County Bureau officers from Xiaozhuang South Town could be investigated."

Chen Xiao shared his opinion.

Sun Zhou immediately nodded, "Indeed, an investigation can be conducted, especially looking into the timeline of the crime."

"That’s simple. We just need to arrange for someone to question them one by one." Cao Xiuyuan chimed in.

However, Sun Zhou quickly responded, "But what if there’s collusion?"

"Aren’t you the expert in interrogation? Can’t you handle it?" Cao Xiuyuan countered.

Sun Zhou chuckled, squinting his eyes, "If we ourselves go for interrogation, the result won’t necessarily be effective. Ordinary officers could lower the other party’s guard. Of course, to achieve better results, it’s best to use their tactics against them."

Chen Xiao’s eyes lit up, "That’s right, using their own tactics against them. We can record a video during the questioning. Later, when we review the video, it will be easier to spot any issues."

"Hmm. As for the officers from Xiaozhuang South Town, I suggest conducting the questioning directly at the Xiaozhuang South Town Police Station. That would be formal enough, otherwise, the change in location might affect their mindset." Sun Zhou offered another suggestion.

Chen Xiao nodded in agreement, "That’s a feasible approach."

"But won’t this alert them?"

"That’s exactly what we want—to alert them. Because no matter where the questioning takes place, they will be alerted. By alarming them, we get into their psyche. In... the video of Officer Dou’s murder, we can clearly sense the killer’s current mindset is full of pride."

"They made a move that caught us all off guard. So, while feeling triumphant, they assume their thinking is correct. Thus, I support the immediate questioning of those related to Xiaozhuang South Town or any county police officers connected to the town, not only for speed but also to engage in a psychological game with them."

"By alarming them, they will speculate why we chose Xiaozhuang South Town for the questioning instead of opting for other methods, like pretending to stumble upon their home for questioning."

"Quick on timing, precise in location, the newly proud one will surely experience conflict. On one hand, they’ll believe it’s not so easy to expose themselves; on the other, they’ll ponder where they went wrong." Chen Xiao analyzed while contemplating.

As he spoke to the end, Chen Xiao didn’t wait for Cao and Sun to respond and continued:

"Based on possible mental shifts, we can prepare preventive measures. First, the entire police station must undergo a search—even the corners for hidden cameras or bugs, including a new check on Captain Cao’s and Captain Sun’s phones."

"Second, whether we’re questioning Gao Zhun or Ye Changhuai’s families, it must be done with video evidence. Additionally, during questioning..." At this point, Chen Xiao looked at Sun Zhou, the most adept in interrogation.

The latter caught the hint, gave a thumbs-up, and continued, "During questioning, bring up similarities between them and the person in the video. If they’re not suspects, they’ll be completely clueless when hearing some features."

"Conversely, their expression will change somewhat. Unless they’re more adept at interrogation than I am, they won’t escape my notice with even minor variances."

Sun Zhou confidently affirmed.

Chen Xiao smiled without further comment.

Regarding the questioning suggestions, this was all he could present for now.

As the car’s interior gradually fell silent, a person involuntarily appeared in Chen Xiao’s mind again.

Wen.

Since Chen Xiao tasked Wen with investigating professionals in Xiaozhuang South Town who matched the deceased Yuan Keyu, Wen seemed to have vanished, never appearing again, and with no news.

Chen Xiao picked up his phone and found the number Wen had given him.

He instinctively dialed it, but the next second’s prompt left Chen Xiao frozen.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is no longer in service..."

No longer in service?

It was Chen Xiao’s first time calling Wen’s number, having previously exchanged contacts mutually.

Now that Wen’s number is out of service, could it mean he’s found someone already?!