Chapter 1086 - 555: Valuing Both IQ and EQ! (2)

Chen Guan skillfully prepared the tea set while responding with a smile: "Old Jiang might not have a chance to taste this, but this tea is specially brewed to entertain high-level, high-caliber comrades."

"Like Director Hou and Mr. Jiang, experienced and distinguished pioneers in criminal investigation, they must be well-treated!"

Qin Feng took the tea canister and deftly distributed tea to everyone’s cups.

During the process, he turned to Jiang An, who was sitting quietly beside him, and spoke with appreciation and admiration in his tone: "Speaking of high levels, Mr. Jiang is definitely a highlight today."

"Not only is his professional ability solid, but his calm and resourceful demeanor when facing the media, he truly has high emotional intelligence."

"In comparison, this old investigator has to admit feeling inadequate, there is still much to learn!"

Chen Guan also nodded with a smile, and at this moment, Director Hou’s gaze also fell on Jiang An, his tone soft and affirming: "That’s right, Comrade Jiang An’s answers at the press conference were indeed ingenious, both realistic and a full reflection of professional quality."

"The breakthrough in this case is due to the significant effort put in by Guangling New City, and the results are evident. His representation was appropriate, showcasing the overall image of our team."

Being consecutively praised by several leaders, Jiang An put down his notebook and humbly waved his hand: "Mr. Chen, Director Hou, you all overpraise me."

"The smooth progression of this case is thanks to the solid foundation laid by Guangling New City. Many detailed tasks were done very thoroughly, providing crucial support for our subsequent investigations."

"If our task force accomplished anything, it was standing on your shoulders to do so."

Director Hou nodded in agreement: "Jiang An is right, a solid preliminary groundwork is often key to determining whether a case can be solved."

"Without meticulous and standardized on-site examination and systemic comprehensive interview data, no matter how much manpower and resources are invested later, it might all be in vain, possibly even leading to a misdirection."

Hearing this, Chen Guan’s expression gradually became serious, and he sighed lightly, his tone turning solemn: "Indeed."

"But with this case, our New City branch, despite investing a lot, did hit a bottleneck earlier, with not much significant results."

"If it weren’t for Director Hou and your team’s guidance and provision of new investigation methods and technical support, this case might have very well sunk forever, or even veered off in the wrong direction. Your arrival was not just a support, but a precious opportunity of apprenticeship and mentorship."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Qin turned his gaze to Mr. Chen, speaking solemnly: "Mr. Chen, that unresolved case in our hands has been hanging for fifteen years."

"Over the years, the clues have been sporadic; each time we thought hope was in sight, it slipped away again. Until now, we still haven’t grasped even a thread."

Mr. Chen, upon hearing this, his expression became even more solemn.

He slowly picked up the teacup from the table, gently blew away the floating tea leaves on the water, and let out a deep sigh: "Yes, this case presses on my heart like a boulder."

"For over a decade, we’ve organized multiple task forces to tackle it, even sought assistance from provincial experts, yet couldn’t find a breakthrough. The longer it drags on, the guiltier I feel towards the victims..."

Just then, Director Hou, sitting nearby, raised his head and asked: "Which case are you all talking about?"

Mr. Qin continued: "The dismemberment case that occurred fifteen years ago at Dongyang Mountain."

"The head of the victim was never found, only the torso and limbs, which were scattered in different locations."

"At the time, the search area was greatly expanded, even police dogs were deployed, yet the identity of the deceased couldn’t be confirmed."

Director Hou nodded slightly, his expression turning serious: "I have an impression of that case."

"Previously, when the provincial department summarized unsolved homicide cases across the province, it was listed as a key case, a typical cold case."

He paused briefly, also letting out a soft sigh: "It’s indeed a tough nut to crack."

These words suddenly made Jiang An, who had been quietly listening, look up, a focused expression in his eyes.

He turned to Director Hou and asked: "Director Hou, this case has been unsolved for fifteen years?"

Mr. Chen seemed to be taken back to the scene of that year, his voice gradually deepening: "At that time, I had just started working, still a junior officer following my mentor to crime scenes."

"That day, we received the report and rushed to Dongyang Mountain, only to find the torso discarded in the weeds, limbs scattered in different directions..."

"We expanded the search overnight, mobilized a large number of police forces, but never found the head."

"So many years have passed, my mentor, until his retirement and even on his deathbed, never forgot this case."

"To him, not solving this case was a lifelong regret."

At this point, the whole office fell into a momentary silence.

Everyone present was a detective, and they all understood that for a police officer, solving a case is not only a duty but also a belief.

It is this belief that supports countless detectives to keep moving forward in the mist, never giving up on the pursuit of truth, even if the clues are faint and the times are distant.

After a moment, Director Hou looked at Jiang An, speaking sincerely: "Mr. Jiang, if there are no urgent tasks over in Jiangcheng, I suggest you stay a few more days."

"We could go over this case’s material together, maybe we could spark a new idea."

This statement made Mr. Chen and Mr. Qin look at each other almost simultaneously, a flash of light in their eyes, and they both asked in unison: "Really? Director Hou, that’s great!"

Director Hou smiled slightly and looked at Jiang An: "Of course, it’s just my suggestion. Ultimately, it depends on Mr. Jiang’s schedule."

Instantly, everyone directed their attention to Jiang An.

Jiang An scanned the room, composed his expression, and answered softly: "Director Hou, you are the leader of the task force, we will follow your command."

"I have no urgent matters at hand and will fully cooperate with this review work."

With a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth, Director Hou slowly spoke: "Good, since no one has objections, let’s put this case back on the agenda."

"From tomorrow onward, let’s refocus our energy on reviewing it once more. Not to hide from you all, I have also largely understood this case before; it is indeed quite complex."

"A fifteen-year-old case, no surveillance records, no eyewitnesses, even the victim’s identity is unclear—such difficulty is imaginable."

He paused slightly, turning his gaze to Chen Guan and Qin Feng, speaking cautiously: "But on the other hand, we’re mostly attempting this time."

"Whether we can find a breakthrough or how far we can move forward, no one can say for sure right now. So, to both of you,"

He nodded slightly, his tone warm yet carrying a clear reminder, "don’t hold too high expectations for now, let’s take it step by step."

"Naturally!" Chen Guan quickly responded, "Director Hou, we’re already very grateful that Mr. Jiang is willing to take the time to guide us."

"Mr. Qin, with the two experts and task force members supporting our Guangling New City case, we must arrange tonight well, we can’t afford to slack."

Qin Feng immediately understood, responding with a smile: "Rest assured, Mr. Chen, everything is already arranged."

"I’ve booked a local old brand restaurant, serving authentic Guangling home-cooked dishes, a quiet environment, and exquisite food."

"That’s good, that’s good!"

Chen Guan’s grin widened, his voice loud, "It’s rare for us all to gather here tonight, we must relax, and drink till we drop!"

Qin Feng checked his watch, nodding: "The time is about right, just perfect if we head over now."

Moments later, the group gradually got up, tidied their attire and belongings briefly, then walked out of the office successively, and drove to the destination.

Thirty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a restaurant by Guangling River.

From the outside, the restaurant seemed unremarkable, white walls, black tiles, with two old-style lanterns hanging, appearing humble if not somewhat understated.

But upon entering, the scene was entirely different: the hall was spacious and bright, the decor exquisite without being ostentatious, the lighting gentle.

As soon as they walked in, a host in a cheongsam greeted them with a smile, leading the way and greeting them.

Under the guidance of Chen Guan and Qin Feng, the group walked up the stairs, finally stopping outside a private room named "666."

Once inside, Chen Guan immediately stepped aside and raised his hand, smiling at Director Hou and Mr. Jiang: "Come, two experts, please take the seat of honor!"

....