Chapter 1016 - 521: The Chief Superintendent’s High Praise

9:00 AM the following day.

Director Hou and Jiang An arrived at the hotel’s first-floor lobby with their luggage and spotted a black business car parked outside.

Standing by the car were Director Lu and Zhang Biao, both of whom had evidently been waiting for some time.

As Director Hou and Jiang An stepped out of the lobby, Director Lu immediately beamed and walked over quickly, with Zhang Biao following closely.

While extending his hand to shake with Director Hou, Director Lu warmly said, "Director Hou, Mr. Jiang, your schedule has been so packed this trip, we haven’t had the chance to properly host you."

"Why not stay a couple more days? At the very least, let us fulfill our duties as hosts."

"We apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality and seek your understanding."

As he finished speaking, Director Lu slightly turned his body and gave Zhang Biao a look.

Zhang Biao immediately understood, turned to the driver Zhang waiting by the car, and called out, "Zhang, bring out the local gifts we prepared."

Then, turning to Director Hou and Jiang An, he added with a simple smile, "We are just a small place with nothing fancy to offer, just some locally-grown sweet potatoes. Do take some back to try, as a token of our sentiment."

Upon hearing this, Director Hou waved his hand promptly, looking serious: "This won’t do, Director Lu, we’re on official duty with clear disciplinary requirements; we cannot accept any gifts."

"We appreciate your kind gesture, but we really can’t take the items."

"Ah, Director Hou, you’re making this too formal,"

Director Lu responded with a smile, his tone light yet earnest, "If it’s official business, we definitely can’t breach the rules."

"But in these past few days, besides the official work connection, we’ve also had comradeship and friendship."

"Especially with Mr. Jiang," he turned to Jiang An, admiration in his gaze, "Your case-solving approach and experience have greatly benefited us."

"Next time, we must invite you over for a specific lecture to share your expertise and broaden our horizons."

"Then, we won’t talk about work, just friendship—so these little local products can be seen as a friend’s token, not against any rules?"

Hearing this, Jiang An smiled and said, "You’re too kind; absolutely no problem."

"Criminology has never been about solo efforts. Our techniques and experience are accumulated bit by bit on the frontline."

"What I know is very limited, and I hope to have more exchanges and learning opportunities with all of you."

"Then we can explore, exchange, and solve the case together."

Seeing their sincere attitudes, without the least bit of perfunctory intent, Director Hou and Zhang Biao exchanged a glance and decided not to decline further.

Director Hou nodded slightly, with a touch of apology, "That’s really... embarrassing, to trouble you so."

Afterwards, they placed their luggage and relevant materials in the vehicle trunk.

Originally, Director Lu planned to personally escort Director Hou and Jiang An to the highway entrance, but both politely declined.

They knew well how busy and tasked the grassroots units were, and didn’t want to waste more of their time.

The parties exchanged a few more polite words by the car and then shook hands to bid farewell.

The vehicle merged onto the highway and soon blended into the endless stream of cars.

Meanwhile, in the office area of the Provincial Public Security Department’s Criminal Investigation General Team, a letter of thanks from the East City Public Security Bureau had been urgently delivered through the internal system.

The letter was written in a formal document format: "We sincerely thank your unit for dispatching the criminal investigation expert group to our city to assist, support, and guide the investigation and handling of major unsolved homicide cases. With the expert group’s full guidance and strong support, the case has been successfully solved. This case is the first in our province involving a mentally ill suspect in a long-unsolved homicide, complex and extremely difficult to investigate. Hence, we hereby send this letter to express our sincere gratitude."

The head of the secretary department of the criminal investigation general team quickly scanned the content of the letter and immediately showed a look of excitement.

He quickly picked up the letter and walked briskly towards the Chief’s office, and upon knocking and entering, found Mr. Wang bent over his desk, focused on reviewing another document.

Upon hearing the commotion, Mr. Wang did not look up and asked casually, "What’s the matter?"

The department head stepped two steps forward, gently placed the thank you letter on the desk, his voice carrying uncontrollable excitement:

"Mr. Wang, the long-standing murder case involving a mental patient in Dongcheng City—has just been solved!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Wang’s head snapped up, his face instantly filled with astonishment.

He focused intensely, as if pinned to the spot by an invisible force—this year, a province-wide campaign for tackling unsolved homicide cases was in full swing, and he remembered this particular massacre very clearly.

Not only was the case cruel and the scene ghastly, but its long-unresolved status had also caused an extremely negative impact socially, and even caused prolonged shock within the provincial criminal investigation team, regarded as one of the most challenging peaks to conquer.

Now, they were informed of the case’s resolution, undoubtably cracking open a hard nut that had lain unsolved for years.

"Are you saying... Director Hou and his team solved it?"

Mr. Wang asked in a low voice, each word enunciated with still some disbelief.

"Yes." The head of the secretary department nodded solemnly.

At this point, Mr. Wang suddenly remembered that Director Hou, Jiang An, and others had been sent on assignment to support the investigation work for this case.

The department head continued to report: "I verified the situation in detail, and the breakthrough mainly came from Director Hou’s team, who adjusted the investigation direction and re-evaluated the case’s narrative."