Striving for Science C92 pt1

There's a popular saying online: until the end of the year, no one knows what the most shocking and bizarre news of the year will be.

The news of a university professor kidnapping and holding students captive, using their flesh to make sausages, spread like wildfire across all major online media platforms in just one night. Rumors flew rampant online, and some self-media outlets, desperate for traffic and devoid of ethics, even twisted the case into a story of two female students pursuing a male teacher, who, driven to desperation, was forced to harm the two girls.

This narrative naturally drew criticism from countless clear-headed netizens. The internet was a chaotic mess of arguments, and as a result, countless people were glued to this case, putting immense pressure on Captain He, who was in charge of the investigation.

Not only did he face pressure from the case itself, but he also had to constantly deal with media harassment.

Outside the police station, several reporters would often be camped out, stopping every police officer who entered or left to ask a few questions. Some reporters, feeling the story lacked enough punch, even started questioning passersby about their opinions on the case.

This case, in a short period of time, became a hot topic on all major online media platforms during the New Year's Day holiday, generating a huge buzz.

Initially, everyone focused on the suspect and the victims, but it was unclear which media outlet first discovered that the origin of this heinous crime was a bloodbath triggered by an object thrown from a high altitude, adding another layer of drama to this already hot news story.

Of course, no one believed this claim at first.

It wasn't until several witnesses who had been at the scene came forward to confirm the truth of the matter that the public was completely blown away.

What would have happened to the two female students if a vehicle hadn't happened to be passing by and been hit? Would they have been brutally cut up by the beastly teacher, their flesh used to make sausages, and finally die in despair and agony?

What a terrifying way to die!

And the teacher would continue to play the role of a gentle educator, perhaps even targeting another innocent young person, until his evil deeds were discovered?

By then, how many more people would have been tortured to death by him?

They say that killing is the ultimate sin, but this beast is clearly engaging in torture and murder, having lost all basic humanity. What kind of normal person would do something so cruel?

***

"Captain He, the forensic team has finished their analysis. They found human muscle tissue mixed in with the pork sausage. After preliminary comparison, it matches the DNA samples of the two victims." 

A colleague walked in, seeing that Captain He hadn't slept all night, the bitter tea he had been holding in his hand already cold. He replaced it with a fresh cup. "Captain He, you should go get some rest. The colleagues are currently organizing the suspect's confession. The rest of the work will have to wait until the victims wake up and their mental state stabilizes. Your health is important."

"It's fine, I'll just splash some cold water on my face to wake myself up." Captain He went to the washroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, trying to make himself look more alert. When he came out, he saw a female colleague looking pale. "What happened?"

"Some media outlets are really lacking in ethics. They actually published photos of the victims." The female colleague said, "I've already contacted the local cyber police to deal with this as soon as possible, to avoid causing secondary harm to the victims."

In just one night, their department's office phone was almost overwhelmed by calls from the media. Captain He was so annoyed by them that he told the female colleague to handle it properly and then prepared to leave.

"Captain He, there are several reporters waiting outside. You might have some trouble going out now."

"It's fine." Captain He, with his years of experience, got into his car and turned on the siren.

Although these reporters wanted to interview for the news, they dared not stop a car with a siren blaring, fearing that it would interfere with the police investigation. If they delayed a life-saving operation, not only would their conscience be troubled, but they would also be breaking the law.

After driving out of sight of the reporters, Captain He turned off the siren. The young police officer who came out with him: "..."

When it comes to handling emergencies, the old-timers still have the most experience.

After parking his car at the hotel, Captain He called Shen Chang'an and asked to meet him.

Upon receiving Captain He's call, Shen Chang'an's first thought was that Dao Nian was right. He said the police would come looking for him today, and they really did.

Without hesitation, he called the front desk and asked them to let the police officers in.

This hotel is the best in the entire provincial capital city. A night in a suite costs as much as many people's monthly salary.

Stepping into the gleaming elevator, Captain He suddenly remembered that yesterday, Shen Chang'an and his friend were sitting on chipped wooden stools, eating things sent by the old lady downstairs, not a single trace of a wealthy person's refinement about them.

The elevator went straight to the desired floor. Stepping out, Captain He looked at the various art paintings hanging in the corridor. He hadn't walked a few steps when he saw Shen Chang'an standing in the corridor waiting for him.

"Police officers, this way." Shen Chang'an gestured for them to enter the room. There was a separate living room inside. Shen Chang'an motioned for them to sit down. "Please have a seat."

"Sorry, Mr. Shen, for disturbing you so early in the morning." Captain He sat down opposite Shen Chang'an. He smiled apologetically at Shen Chang'an. "I don't know if Mr. Shen has been following the news online, but this case has caused a huge social stir after it broke out, so I hope I can get Mr. Shen's help."

"You want to know how I discovered there was someone in the closet?" Shen Chang'an guessed what Captain He wanted to ask and didn't intend to make things difficult for them. "Actually, I noticed something was wrong when I was observing the building from the car earlier."

"The flowerpot that fell wasn't small. If it was a mischievous child who did it, they wouldn't have the strength to throw it that far. Even if they had that much strength, with such a commotion downstairs, the adults in his house wouldn't be able to remain indifferent."

Shen Chang'an followed the police upstairs later for this very reason. He wanted to figure out if there was something hidden behind this incident.

"That teacher was too calm. Most ordinary people, even if they haven't broken the law, would be eager to explain that they have nothing to do with it when the police come knocking. But he seemed more interested in us understanding why he was making sausages at home." Shen Chang'an paused. "Of course, there are also people who can remain calm and rational when facing the police. That man might be one of them."

"Then why are you so sure he had someone hidden in his closet?"

"I can't be sure." Shen Chang'an blinked innocently. "I just wanted to bluff him, but I didn't expect him to react so strongly."

Yesterday, when Shen Chang'an offered to help the suspect catch mice, the suspect's reaction was indeed very suspicious.

"Sometimes, if you can be the rude and annoying person in other people's eyes, you can save one or two people. It's not a bad thing, actually." Shen Chang'an smiled at Captain He. He saw his father's shadow in Captain He.

After retiring from the army, his father became a policeman. Sometimes, in order to help victims get justice, he couldn't get a good night's sleep for days.

If it hadn't been for that special operation that called his father back, maybe he would have been close to retirement now.

"I want to thank you on behalf of the two victims." Captain He said solemnly to Shen Chang'an. "If it hadn't been for you and your friend, the two victims would have missed the best chance of rescue."

"This is mainly my friend's credit. After all, the car that was hit was my friend's, and the hospital where the victims were rescued was also my friend's…"

A knock on the door sounded. Shen Chang'an got up to open the door. The waiter pushing the food cart walked in. "Respected guests, your breakfast has arrived."

Thank you." Shen Chang'an gestured for Captain He and the others to sit down at the dining table. "You two rushed over in a hurry, you haven't had breakfast yet, right? Come and have some with us."

Captain He saw that Shen Chang'an had ordered breakfast for three. He repeatedly refused, but finally, hearing Shen Chang'an say that it would be wasted if they didn't eat, he sat down at the dining table with some embarrassment.

"You law enforcement officers work hard. You eat irregularly, three meals a day. Being able to have a timely breakfast here today will also put your families at ease." 

Shen Chang'an saw that the two police officers were a little uncomfortable. "Don't think too much about it. My dad is also a policeman, so every time I see you running around for the victims, I think of my dad."

"Your father is in the same line of work as me?" Captain He had developed the habit of eating quickly over the years. Within a minute, he had already finished half a bowl of porridge. "That's just how it is in our line of work. But being able to bring one more bad guy to justice gives us some peace of mind."

"My dad said the same thing." Shen Chang'an smiled. In his memory, his father always ate very quickly. His mother had told him many times that he should change his ways, but he always said that men should eat like tigers.

"Is your father retired now?"

"He is." Shen Chang'an nodded. "He retired many years ago."

Captain He was just about to say that given Shen Chang'an's age, his father couldn't have retired many years ago, when he suddenly thought of something and took off his hat. "Your father must be an extraordinary person."

Shen Chang'an smiled, "I think so too."

Looking at Shen Chang'an again, Captain He thought this young man was perfect in every way. He not only had a sense of justice but was also very considerate, and he cooperated well with the police in their work.

After breakfast, he and his colleagues made a routine record: "Regarding the compensation for your vehicle, we will give you a satisfactory explanation after we investigate."

"We have found the perpetrator and do not intend to pursue compensation from her." Shen Chang'an smiled. "The car was smashed, but it saved two lives, so it's a pretty good deal."

"The car belongs to your friend, will he have any objections?" Captain He remembered Shen Chang'an saying that the car wasn't his, but his friend's.

"My friend knows about this, and this is his opinion." How could he tell Captain He that the person who smashed the car was a ghost who wanted to save people?

"So that's how it is. Thank you for your support and understanding of our work. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, please seek help from our police." 

Captain He stood up and shook hands with Shen Chang'an. "Mr. Shen, thank you. I wish you and your friend a pleasant holiday."

"You're welcome, it's my duty." Shen Chang'an got up and saw Captain He and his colleagues off to the elevator. When he turned back to his room, he saw Dao Nian's door open.

Thinking about Cai Ran telling him that his feelings for Dao Nian were a love that moved heaven and earth, he felt embarrassed to face Dao Nian.

"Chang'an." Liu Mao poked his head out of Dao Nian's room and beckoned him, "Come, there are the freshest strawberries and cherries, do you want some?"

"Yes." Embarrassment can wait until after he finishes the strawberries.

Entering Dao Nian's room, Shen Cha was also there. Seeing him come in, he got up very consciously and gave up the seat closest to Dao Nian: "Chang'an, what did the police ask you?"

"Just some routine questions." Shen Chang'an sat beside Dao Nian, thought for a moment, then shyly moved a little to the side.

After suspecting that he might have improper intentions towards Dao Nian, Shen Chang'an felt that being too close to Dao Nian was inappropriate.

Dao Nian, who had been paying all his attention to Shen Chang'an, noticed this movement, his eyelids drooping slightly. He pushed the fresh cherries towards Shen Chang'an, got up and sat down on the sofa next to him.

Dao Nian: Maybe Chang'an has sensed his feelings and is avoiding him.

Chang'an: Could it be that his feelings have been noticed by Dao Nian, so he doesn't want to be too close to him?

He took a cherry and put it in his mouth. Shen Chang'an didn't know how long he chewed it for, until he bit into the cherry pit, hitting his tongue, and blood immediately flowed.

"Hiss." Shen Chang'an covered his mouth and spat out the bloody pit.

"Ouch, what happened? Even if you like to eat this, don't be so hasty." Shen Cha saw Shen Chang'an biting his tongue and wanted to tease him, but remembering Dao Nian was here, he quickly went to the fridge to get some water.

He had just opened the fridge door when a hand, faster than his, grabbed a bottle of water. Turning his head, he saw it was the gentleman who had been sitting on the sofa with a blank expression.