Chapter 482: Marriage Isn’t Just Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, or Division

Chapter 482 – Marriage Isn’t Just Arithmetic (Update 5)

“I don’t know how I managed to get out of that hell,” he muttered.

“I blacked out at that moment.”

When I came to, I saw a man and some police officers…

Shi Yanwan’s face—grotesque and repulsive—wore an expression that was impossible to read. With her half-exposed teeth, she mumbled, “I won!”

Gazing at her face, Xiao Yu felt an endless chill rising up within him.

The gory shock, the brutal slaughter, the mutual consumption… all in the struggle to survive!

A certain phrase echoed in his mind.

When hell descends, only an idiot would return with mercy, for they lack the capacity to commit evil…

As he left the ward, Xiao Yu glanced at Wang Dong, whose complexion looked rather pale.

Anyone else hearing Shi Yanwan’s account would likely have a similar look of dismay.

“This is a bit troublesome,” he remarked.

Xiao Yu sighed in frustration, “Shi Yanwan’s psyche has suffered profound trauma. If left untreated, she might never recover—she could be ruined for life.”

Wang Dong: ???

Aren’t we supposed to be discussing the case right now?

“Don’t be so cold-blooded,” Xiao Yu teased.

Xiao Yu laughed, “At least show some concern for the victims, won’t you?”

“Stop messing around,” Wang Dong retorted.

Wang Dong shook his head, “The task of National Security is to eliminate any threat to our nation and society. Sacrifices are inevitable. Expressing sympathy for the victims is not my responsibility!”

That doesn’t necessarily make him cold-blooded.

It’s all for the sake of defending the nation and eliminating security risks.

Sometimes he’d even be willing to sacrifice himself!

This was exactly why I once preferred working with the Criminal Police rather than joining National Security… Xiao Yu sighed.

“Other than the victims’ testimonies, we have nearly no leads.”

Xiao Yu pondered, “If we want to crack this, we have to find clues on the victims themselves.”

Victims?

Aside from Shi Yanwan, there were nine other victims!

“It really is a hassle,” he admitted.

Wang Dong frowned, “Even if we dig up their information, what then?”

Tracking down the identities of the nine additional victims is not hard.

Team Two’s special ops are already pulling records on missing persons from ten provinces and cities.

Missing in the same timeframe—the moment we match their records with Shi Yanwan’s identification of them, their identities will be confirmed.

“We’re talking about tracing clues,” Xiao Yu clarified.

He explained, “For example, look for any coincidental details, similar locations, or other commonalities.”

“Alright, I’ll have the team start digging immediately,” Wang Dong responded without hesitation.

Then, as their senior departed, Xiao Yu fell into deep thought.

Criminals don’t just appear out of nowhere—it’s just that I can’t seem to recall… Xiao Yu rubbed his chin, mulling over the possibilities.

First of all:

Are all of Shi Yanwan’s statements entirely truthful?

Xiao Yu sneered.

Even though her ‘microexpressions’ no longer applied to her.

Yet through her eyes and body language,

he detected something off.

While recounting certain events,

Xiao Yu sensed the stench of a lie.

Of course, for now, those details weren’t critical.

Once we open up the investigation, any discrepancies in Shi Yanwan’s account will gradually be unveiled…

As dawn broke with a fish-belly white glow along the eastern horizon, the land was slowly illuminated.

After a sleepless night of hard work, Xiao Yu and Wang Dong grabbed a bite from a breakfast stall.

By now, his sister should be up, warming some milk for Baby, right?

The three-month-old little one was eating more and more each day.

Unable to resist, Xiao Yu took out his phone and sent a message to Mu Qingwu.

A WeChat chat window appeared.

Xiao Yu: Sis, are you up?

Mu Qingwu: Yeah.

Xiao Yu: Where’s the affection? Typing one word at a time?

Mu Qingwu: Don’t be naughty, I’m watching something.

Xiao Yu: What are you watching?

Mu Qingwu: Mother’s Day is coming up. Remember you said we needed to get Mom a gift.

She sent over several pictures of handbags…

Mu Qingwu: What do you think of these women’s bags? I reckon Mom would look great carrying one, plus they’re 40% off.

Xiao Yu: They do look good, but the price… Last time, Mom warned us not to spend over 2000 yuan on her gifts. This one’s 3000—it’s over budget.

Mu Qingwu: Didn’t you learn your math? I said they’re 40% off. A 3000 bag at 40% off comes to 1800, well under 2000. Mom won’t have a thing to say.

Xiao Yu: Sis, whose math did we mess up?

Mu Qingwu: Huh?

Xiao Yu: I mentioned it’s for ‘Mom’. 1800 multiplied by 2 equals?

Mu Qingwu: ……

Xiao Yu: And don’t forget my mother-in-law.

Mu Qingwu: Got it!

After ending the chat, Xiao Yu put his phone down.

Marriage isn’t just about arithmetic.

Sometimes it’s about the intricacies of human relations.

Growing together, supporting each other…

that’s the truest form of love.

The future holds promise, and that’s something to celebrate!

…

In M City, at a certain hotel,

Xiao Yu had just laid down, ready for a short rest.

“I found something odd,” Wang Dong said as he entered, handing Xiao Yu a tablet.

On it were nine personal profiles along with investigation reports.

These nine individuals were exactly the victims Shi Yanwan had mentioned!

What was strange about them?

Including Shi Yanwan, all ten had once attended the same university!

Although they were of different ages and in different classes.

460 – Coincidence? Xiao Yu scoffed.

How could such a coincidence be possible!

“Have you investigated the relationships among these ten?” Xiao Yu asked as he looked over the files.

“We’re National Security, not wizards,” Wang Dong replied with an exasperated glance at his little brother, “Considering the short time span, pulling up this much data is impressive. But even if we’ve nailed them down… with ten victims dead, our leads seem to have dried up.”

“No.”

Xiao Yu shook his head, “Just because they’re dead doesn’t mean the clues vanish. As long as we can establish a link between them, we can slowly follow the trail. Don’t you get it?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know…” Wang Dong muttered, curling his lip.

In his mind he thought, If I had known, I would’ve nailed it already. Who cares at this point!

“You call the shots,” Xiao Yu conceded.

Wang Dong got up and left to continue his investigation.

As for casework, leave it to our little brother.

He just needs to quietly play the tool.

Watching his senior’s retreating back, Xiao Yu shook his head with a smile and lay back down.

He’s here to help, so what’s wrong with taking a nap?

This nap lasted until noon.

But upon waking, Xiao Yu felt something was off.

Why hadn’t the system given any alert yet?

Something just wasn’t right!

…

PS: Mother’s Day is coming—dear readers, don’t forget to get a little something for your mom…