“Li Jindao?”

When Chen Xiao mentioned this name, it wasn’t just Geng Youfeng who was taken aback.

Even Lin Xi was somewhat stunned.

She hadn’t expected Chen Xiao to ask Geng Youfeng about someone like Li Jindao.

But what surprised her even more was that after some reflection, Geng Youfeng kept mumbling:

“Huh, this name… why does it sound so familiar?”

Seeing Geng Youfeng’s reaction, Chen Xiao didn’t interrupt.

He waited, waited for Geng Youfeng to remember on her own.

The wait wasn’t long before Geng Youfeng recalled.

“I remember you mentioning Li Jindao, seems he was involved in smuggling just like Zhu Mao and the others. However, Li Jindao seemed to have connections, so he was always careful and stayed out of trouble.”

“It’s him. Can you remember anything else besides that?”

Chen Xiao wasn’t surprised by Geng Youfeng remembering Li Jindao, because Li Jindao had also mentioned that he was aware of Lian Da’s group.

Considering Geng Youfeng had followed Zhu Mao since she was sixteen, it’s not surprising she’d know about Li Jindao too.

Geng Youfeng continued to reminisce, speaking as she thought: “If I remember correctly, Zhu Mao and the other two seemed quite afraid of Li Jindao. They said that people in their line of work couldn’t afford to offend Li Jindao.”

“Otherwise, Li Jindao would push you to death!”

Upon hearing the phrase “push to death,” Chen Xiao’s brows suddenly furrowed:

“What do you mean by ‘push to death’?”

Geng Youfeng shook her head: “I’m not entirely sure, just heard of it. Also, back then, people with money liked to engage in lending, and if they couldn’t collect, you know how things operated in that business.”

The term “collecting” surfaced in Chen Xiao’s mind, causing him to pause in thought.

“After Zhu Mao passed away, was there any large debt left behind?”

Geng Youfeng shook her head again: “There was debt, but not a large amount, and no one came to ask for it. I just repaid the debts Zhu Mao mentioned to me while he was alive, one by one.”

Although Geng Youfeng spoke nonchalantly,

Chen Xiao indeed felt from the family members of the victims in the Yang Lake Phantom Case what it meant to each be different.

After Lian Da’s death, Zhang Shurong took the family savings and remarried Peng Yuanqing. Although she had her pursuits and chose not to care for Lian Da’s parents at the time, she even left her own daughter unattended.

Yet, after Zhu Mao’s death, Geng Youfeng acted entirely differently.

He helped his husband pay off the debts he accrued while alive, supported the elderly, and raised the children with his frail body.

Chen Xiao believed that when her children settled down, she would surely be the proudest person.

But indeed, Geng Youfeng lived a tough life.

By this point, Chen Xiao knew it was unlikely to obtain any more valuable information from the families of the deceased.

But one thing was certain: the deaths of Lian Da, Zhu Mao, and Chang Guan did not involve money.

If money wasn’t involved, then what could push someone to death?

Lian Yuhong was driven to death by Gu Rong because she had an uncertain child in her womb, and feared being exposed.

However, the true reason Gu Rong could drive Lian Yuhong to death was because Lian Yuhong had a sense of shame.

If Lian Yuhong were like her mother, Gu Rong wouldn’t be able to push her unless she used force.

So the deaths of the three were not related to shame or money.

Without money, and no guilt towards family out of shame, what could compel them to willingly die?

Especially, what exactly happened that night that led them into the water?

Was it really just drunkenness?

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but say: “Sister Geng, do you know where they were drinking on the night they fell into the water?”

“Officer Xie also asked me this question. After returning from the water, Zhu Mao was always preoccupied. Seeing his ghostly look, I scolded him a bit, and he seemed to mutter ‘the blind one, the blind one’ repeatedly!”

The term “the blind one” was something Chen Xiao hadn’t come across in the case files!

This made Chen Xiao wonder if Xie Yan had asked this question during a casual chat or in an official capacity at the police station.

If it was a casual chat, it could be understood. But if it was an official record at the police station, the term “the blind one” would absolutely be present.

“Where did Officer Xie ask you this?”

“At my house, just casually asked during our chat, much like you.”

Chen Xiao, realizing this, smiled and said: “Do you know what ‘the blind one’ refers to? The Blind’s Barbecue Stall? The Blind’s Diner? Or The Blind’s Congee Shop?”

“I’ve never heard of it. The places he usually frequented had nothing to do with ‘the blind one.’ I don’t understand.”

Seeing that Geng Youfeng was indeed unsure, Chen Xiao didn’t pursue further.

Checking the time, Chen Xiao said: “Sister Geng, it’s getting late, we won’t disturb you any longer.”

“You’re not disturbing at all. I know many have given up on what happened back then. Even among us family members, nine out of ten have given up. But for me, seeing someone from the police come again to inquire about this matter fills me with excitement.”

“I don’t care about others, but I truly wish for Zhu Mao to rest in peace!”

Chen Xiao gently nodded but said nothing more.

As he led Lin Xi out, he asked: “Are you tired?”

“You’re underestimating me, aren’t you? This is just a small amount of work, and besides, you’re doing all of it.”

“Alright then, let me take you to the nursing home to see if we can find any of Officer Xie’s belongings.”

Lin Xi nodded, but also said: “Actually, as far as we’ve gotten with this case, I feel like we’re blind men feeling an elephant. Just when you think you’re getting closer to something, you discover you’re wrong when you dig deeper.”

“Right, feels like anything is possible, but in the end, nothing is possible.” Chen Xiao frowned.

Lin Xi’s eyes were filled with a solemn expression: “I think the current situation makes both Lian Da and the others, as well as Officer Xie, very important, and there must be a string that ties the four of them together.”

“That’s true, but what could tie a detective investigating a case and three smugglers together? Captain Qin’s side has long been investigating, but Officer Xie was not involved in any smuggling cases.”

“What was Officer Xie primarily investigating?” Lin Xi asked.

Chen Xiao promptly replied: “His expertise was in homicide investigations, his records don’t show him being very distinguished in other crimes.”

“If that’s the case, why not conduct reverse reasoning based on Officer Xie’s expertise?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao froze: “Conduct reverse reasoning based on Xie Yan’s ability? Xie Yan’s expertise was in homicide investigations, if we reasoned backward, does it mean…?”

At this point, Lin Xi’s eyes suddenly widened, and she exclaimed: “Oh my god, could there be another case behind the Yang Lake Phantom?”

Chen Xiao didn’t respond, because he had already started the car and headed towards the Criminal Investigation Team!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep