Chapter 470: Stalling for Time

Chapter 470: Stalling for Time (3 updates)

The person they met for the first time.

How could someone be called ‘heartless and treacherous’?

And it was a woman who said that to a man?

Because of that remark, Xiao Yu gave his neighbor a scrutinizing glance.

A woman in her mid-twenties, attractive with a perfectly proportioned figure.

Shifting his focus, Xiao Yu began analyzing the connection between suspect Gong Hongyun and the victim’s wife, Qian Yue’e…

Yes, it was all about their relationship.

A woman calling a man heartless and treacherous—just think about that.

It clearly suggests that something must have happened between Gong Hongyun and Qian Yue’e.

Back at the crime scene—the place where victim Hu Xinran was killed.

The victim died from four heavy blunt blows to the back of the head, along with two knife stabs.

Just as Xiao Yu had deduced earlier.

The murderer killed simply for the sake of killing!

Recall suspect Gong Hongyun’s initial statement.

He pretended not to notice as he walked into the restroom, claiming his lover was hiding inside.

Then came Gong Hongyun’s second statement.

He claimed that after killing Hu Xinran, his lover and Qian Yue’e returned?

For now, let’s set aside the accuracy of these statements.

He now treats both accounts as if they’re… true!

Gong Hongyun was clearly lying; both accounts are false.

So why does Xiao Yu take them at face value?

Because even lies can provide clues to the truth.

Forensic psychology tells us that

when people lie, they unintentionally mix in fragments of truth.

Even the most fabricated lie contains a sliver of truth.

The more deceptive a lie, the more likely it holds genuine details.

The most cunning lies are nine parts truth and one part falsehood.

The cheapest lies are nine parts false and one part true.

Finding nothing notable in the hall, Xiao Yu headed to the restroom.

Using his Falcon’s Eye, he scanned every corner.

The room was spotless, clearly cleaned before the incident.

Crouching down, he found a few strands of hair by the drain.

Some were long, and others short.

Isn’t it normal to find a few hairs in a restroom?

Not quite; sometimes hair can reveal significant clues.

For instance, the hair texture of a young person differs from that of a middle-aged individual.

Also, hair can be used for DNA analysis.

There’s one more key point.

Investigations showed that both Hu Xinran and Qian Yue’e had short hair.

Yet now, with gloved fingers, Xiao Yu picked up a strand of long hair.

Where did that long hair come from?

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes.

He sealed the hair in an evidence bag and handed it to Guo Qiang.

Then, Xiao Yu left the restroom and entered the bedroom…

The bedroom was spotless, with neatly arranged bedding.

Yet he lifted the bedding.

Was he planning to disturb the scene?

No.

Although the surface of the bedding had been cleaned, it had still been in contact with the body.

Especially where the head met the pillow—traces of hair and dandruff are often left behind.

If the bedding can be cleaned, what about the crevices between the mattress and the bed frame?

How many people clean those gaps regularly?

With utmost care, Xiao Yu lifted the mattress hidden under the bedding.

He discovered more hair and traces of dandruff and other residues.

This time, he found three types of hair.

Male short hair, a woman’s medium-short hair, and a woman’s long hair.

He collected the three samples, using specialized forensic tools to even gather the dandruff.

“Take it for testing!”

Handing the evidence to Guo Qiang, Xiao Yu ordered, “Focus on the long hair; determine its age and run a DNA test.”

As mentioned earlier, hair texture changes with age.

And as for the DNA… it might reveal a possibility.

Other than the male and female homeowners, who is this other woman?

How did she gain access to this place?

Did she even take a shower in the restroom?

Could she sleep in the master bedroom?

……

Detention Center, Interrogation Room.

“What is your relationship with Qian Yue’e?”

Xiao Yu coldly fixed his gaze on suspect Gong Hongyun.

“We have no connection,”

Gong Hongyun shook his head in denial.

“Is that so?”

Xiao Yu sneered, “No connection? Then why did Qian Yue’e call you heartless and treacherous?”

“……”

At those words, Gong Hongyun’s expression flickered, but he quickly regained his calm.

Huh?

Even though he couldn’t see Gong Hongyun’s eyes, Xiao Yu detected something off in his expression.

Moments ago, Gong Hongyun had been visibly shocked and panicked.

…… ‘Flowers, please…’ ……

Such shock was far from normal.

It wasn’t the panic of being caught red-handed.

Rather, it was a contrived display of shock!

What does that indicate?

It suggests that Gong Hongyun had likely anticipated—or at least suspected—something.

That his affair with Qian Yue’e had been discovered!

If he foresaw it, why fake shock and panic?

It seemed as though he was deliberately leading the police in that direction.

Was he trying to make them focus on his liaison with Qian Yue’e?

Something was off… Xiao Yu’s expression grew even more suspicious.

Why would Gong Hongyun act this way?

How did he know the police could uncover doubts about his relationship with Qian Yue’e?

………..

And how did the police catch on to that?

Could it be the victim’s female neighbor?

Had Gong Hongyun calculated that the neighbor would report what happened that day?

For a moment, a chill ran down Xiao Yu’s spine.

He stared at Gong Hongyun with a startled expression.

What kind of intellect is this?

Could he really have planned this far in advance?

Could it be that both his statements mentioning the neighbor were calculated to mislead the police?

Was it his imagination or a glaring oversight… Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on Gong Hongyun, his pupils contracting in suspicion.

He quickly composed himself, his mind racing through logical deductions.

No way—no ordinary person could plan this far in advance.

Unless there had been a pre-written script!

Was Gong Hongyun now merely following a predetermined script?

If so, what would the next act be?

Had the police begun investigating the relationship between Gong Hongyun and Qian Yue’e?

Would extraneous details mislead their focus?

What was the purpose behind this ploy?

Why provoke the police into an investigation?

Wait… investigation?

Investigations require a huge expenditure of manpower and… time?

Time?

Suddenly, a bizarre thought struck Xiao Yu.

He coldly glared at Gong Hongyun, “Are you stalling for time?”

In an instant.

Gong Hongyun’s expression immediately changed, betraying a hint of panic.

Xiao Yu stared coldly at his reaction.

It wasn’t feigned!