Chapter 173: Chapter 135: Acting Captain of Criminal Investigation Team 1

Feng Yonglin was caught between crying and laughing, is every captain complaining about being short-staffed?

“How many people do you want?”

Li Xiang held up three fingers, then thought better of it, realizing it was unrealistic, so he retracted one finger and said, “Two people.”

“I can only give you one. Every unit is short-staffed right now. I don’t even know where to find this one on the way.”

“Then transfer Sun Zhidong from Hongqiao Police Station. It doesn’t make much difference if he’s there or not.”

Seeing that Feng Yonglin was only willing to transfer one person, Li Xiang immediately thought of his good buddy Sun Zhidong. They had just been in touch recently. Sun had finally passed his exam to become a full officer, and he was now in his probationary period. Transferring him over would be perfect.

“Sun Zhidong? That guy who also got promoted from auxiliary police just like you?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Director Zhao.”

It might be difficult to allocate a formal officer, but since Li Xiang wanted a trainee officer, he got his wish!

At this moment, Sun Zhidong wasn’t aware that his easy days were numbered.

After Feng Yonglin left, Team One immediately used the intel he provided to investigate Qiu Chengguang.

Identity information, home address, workplace, family situation, phone number, and other details were all gathered promptly.

To confirm his movements, Mao Ji dialed Qiu Chengguang’s number.

Beep~

Beep~

There was only a busy tone on the phone, and no one answered.

“Li Xiang… I mean, Captain Li, no one is answering the phone. Could he already have been harmed?”

“It seems unlikely. The intel indicates he’s a foreign company’s technician, and now it’s working hours, so he’s likely at work. We should head to his workplace.”

Previously, Li Xiang had been a small player, so he just waited for Captain Cao to assign tasks and he and Mao Ji would execute them; the action plans were typically predetermined by Captain Cao.

Now that Captain Cao was out for training, Li Xiang was given the daunting task of leading, an experience that felt like being pushed onto the stage unexpectedly.

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Mao Ji habitually wanted to join Li Xiang in the field, but Su Jiayi stopped him: “Mao Ji, let me go with Li Xiang. You’re good with computers—go to cyber police and see if you can find any loopholes in the dark web.”

The dark web is not just one network but encompasses all gray industries online, collectively known as the dark web. It varies in size, and Su Jiayi was also curious to know who would be willing to pay Bitcoins to hire a hitman to kill an ordinary employee.

“Got it.”

Mao Ji was the team’s expert on computer technology, so it was logical for him to be given this task. Initially, Li Xiang didn’t even think of approaching the dark web angle, which showed that Su Jiayi was helpful in clarifying his thoughts at critical moments.

On the way to the parking lot, Li Xiang took out his phone, and the system sent a task:

[Task Name: Hitman Case]

[Task Description: Cyber police intercepted crucial intel from the dark web about an anonymous user hiring a hitman online. The case is significant and particularly vile. You’ve been entrusted with the leadership role as interim captain of Criminal Investigation Team One to solve this case.]

[Task Requirements: Protect the victim, uncover the truth of the case]

[Task Rewards: Experience +500, Diamonds +2500]

“Can you drive?”

In the parking lot, Su Jiayi asked.

“Yes, just got my license.”

“Then you drive.”

Su Jiayi tossed the car key to Li Xiang and then jumped into the passenger seat.

Li Xiang caught the key, got into the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, and set off: “Sister Su, honestly, you’re the most suitable person for this captain role.”

There were always people in the office, so Li Xiang couldn’t ask, even though he had been curious why he was chosen over someone more senior, like Su Jiayi, for the interim captain position.

He could tell that when Feng Yonglin heard Su Jiayi recommend him, he was quite surprised. It was apparent that he hadn’t considered him at all. It was only because of her recommendation that Feng made up his mind to give him a chance.

“I’m getting older, plus I wasn’t lying to Feng Da. My son is about to take his college entrance exam, and all my energy is focused on him. If I were ten years younger, I might try again, but now, I want to leave opportunities for younger people.”

Su Jiayi shook her head and looked out the window. Li Xiang could sense that this was only part of her reasoning. The true reason might be related to the incident four years ago, which she still hadn’t moved past.

“I’m afraid I will let you down and won’t be a competent captain.”

Li Xiang had only been using the system for about six months. Even though the system had guided him many times, his actual experience was still lacking.

“There’s no need to underestimate yourself. From the day you joined Criminal Investigation Team One, I’ve been researching your background. Don’t get me wrong, as the team instructor, I need to be thoroughly familiar with everyone’s situations.”

After a brief explanation, Su Jiayi continued, “During your time as an auxiliary officer, you captured suspects wanted across three provinces and cracked a serial murder case in Jinling. These major cases are rare even in a criminal investigation team. The first-class merit honor you received from the province is a testament to your capabilities.”

“That was all luck, really.” Li Xiang scratched his head a bit embarrassedly. Admittedly, those two instances were down to luck.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep