Chapter 62: I’m Leaving Work Early Today
In that instant, Chen Yu’s entire world seemed to be stripped of sound.
The villa before him, the din at his ears, the woman at his side—all faded into a blurred backdrop. Only the overlapping figure in his mind remained, vivid as a brand, searing his nerves.
He was the murderer!
This thought was not speculation, nor suspicion, but a conclusion erupting from the depths of his soul.
A breath of stale air escaped him slowly, and the violent rise and fall of his chest settled. When Chen Yu lifted his head again, the last trace of pallor had vanished from his face, replaced by that familiar smirk—three parts amused, seven parts lazy.
“Hey, have you stared enough?”
Li Qing, who had finished her inspection at some point, sidled up to him again, her restless little hand hooking his arm, her breath warm against his ear.
“If you keep looking, that Lin girl over there is going to slice me to pieces with her gaze.”
Chen Yu cast her a sidelong glance and grumbled, “Then let her do it. Best if she peels off your skin—I’d like to see what mischief you’re hiding underneath.”
“You’re awful!” Li Qing pouted, pressing herself even closer.
Their blatant intimacy drew a thicker layer of frost across Lin Bing’s delicate face, not far away.
Meanwhile, Sanada Koichiro, who had just been “greeted” by Chen Yu, had regained his composure. Ignoring Chen Yu entirely, he strode to the bloodstained sofa, donned white gloves under the focus of countless cameras, and struck a pose of utmost professionalism.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please observe.”
“The crime scene has been meticulously cleaned. This reveals two things.”
“First, the killer possesses a strong awareness of counter-investigation, calmly erasing all possible traces—fingerprints, hair, footprints.”
“Second, the killer had ample time to commit the crime, indicating this is not the primary crime scene, or that the killer lingered here for a considerable period after the murder.”
He paused, savoring the attention, then continued confidently.
“Look at the bloodstains on the sofa—there are few splatter marks, mostly seepage.”
“This proves the victim lost the ability to resist before being cut open, perhaps was already dead.”
“The strangulation marks on the victim’s neck corroborate this.”
Sanada Koichiro’s analysis was logical and well-structured, instantly shifting the direction of the livestream.
“Damn, no wonder he’s ranked first—he’s got skills!”
“This analysis is professional; it matches the police’s preliminary autopsy.”
“He may look sleazy, but he’s got brains.”
“Where’s the ‘Zombie Brother’? Why isn’t he talking now? Wasn’t he cocky just a moment ago?”
“He probably has no clue, stunned by the pros!”
On-site, Su Qingzhu nodded as she listened to Sanada’s analysis, glanced at Yan Zheng, and whispered, “Master, his reasoning matches our forensic department’s initial judgment.”
Yan Zheng grunted, expressionless, eyes locked on the unruly young man in the corner.
He knew Chen Yu could not possibly be intimidated.
This kid rarely spoke, but when he did, it was earth-shattering.
Sanada Koichiro’s performance continued.
He rose, sweeping his gaze across the villa like a king surveying his domain.
“The victim is Zhang Fu’s only daughter—distinguished background, privileged family.”
“A woman like her would have a closed social circle and be highly cautious.”
“The only person she’d allow into the villa must be someone she knew and trusted deeply.”
“Therefore, I conclude: the murderer is someone close to the victim! Perhaps… her lover!”
His words caused a stir.
It was a bold conclusion.
“Makes sense! An acquaintance did it!”
“No wonder there are no signs of forced entry!”
“Quick, check who Zhang Luoluo’s secret boyfriend is!”
Online, countless “cloud detectives” excitedly began to dig into the victim’s social connections.
Sanada Koichiro was extremely satisfied with the stir he’d caused. He pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharp as a blade, directed straight at Chen Yu.
“Zombie Brother, what’s your opinion? Or are you only capable of using some crude rural etiquette from Xia Country to amuse the crowd?”
His words dripped with undisguised provocation and contempt.
All eyes turned to Chen Yu once more.
Even the always noisy Li Qing and Lin Bing fell silent, watching him anxiously.
Chen Yu yawned, looking half-awake.
He glanced at Li Qing, who was making faces at him.
Just now, as Sanada Koichiro rattled on, this woman had discreetly indicated the hidden corner beneath the staircase leading to the second floor, where a faint red light flickered.
Good work.
Chen Yu praised her inwardly, then spoke lazily.
His voice was not loud, yet it was like a stone dropped into a still lake, instantly silencing all other sounds.
“Finished?”
He looked at Sanada Koichiro and asked.
Sanada was stunned, nodded reflexively. “Finished.”
“Oh.”
Chen Yu nodded, then grinned.
“You talk… so damn much.”
“Pfft—”
Li Qing was the first to burst out laughing.
Lin Bing’s lips curled.
Su Qingzhu furrowed her brows, helplessly wondering what Chen Yu was up to this time.
Sanada Koichiro’s face turned the color of pig liver, and he shouted angrily, “You! What do you mean? Is my reasoning incorrect?”
“No, it’s all correct.” Chen Yu spread his hands, feigning innocence. “Everything you said makes sense, full marks for logic—textbook-level nonsense.”
“Nonsense?” Sanada Koichiro trembled with rage.
“Isn’t it nonsense?”
Chen Yu’s smile vanished, his gaze suddenly sharp.
“You spent ten minutes analyzing what the police could deduce in ten minutes.”
‘Acquaintance crime,’ ‘strangled before killed’—Captain Yan, did we write all that in our briefing?”
He turned to Yan Zheng.
Yan Zheng’s mouth twitched and he replied in a steady voice, “All written.”
“Did you hear that?” Chen Yu looked back at Sanada Koichiro, his voice rising sharply. “The stuff we already knew, you spouted for the whole nation like you’d discovered a new continent—tell me, isn’t that nonsense?”
“You… you’re twisting words!” Sanada Koichiro sputtered. “Even if the police know, the audience doesn’t! I’m explaining it for them!”
“Explain your damn confusion!”
Chen Yu snapped, stunning everyone.
He stepped forward, towering over the much shorter Sanada Koichiro, his innate intimidation forcing the latter to step back.
“Why are we here? To solve the case! To catch the murderer! Not to give you a personal deduction show so you can cash in and bask in fame!”
“You analyzed for ages—who is the killer? Name? Where are they? Can you answer that?!”
Chen Yu fired three questions in succession, his voice booming.
Sanada Koichiro was speechless, his face dark and mottled.
“If you can’t say, shut the hell up!”
“And you think some lover is the murderer?”
“You must be an idiot.”
“At the time of the crime, Zhang Luoluo’s husband, Zheng Liangchen, was asleep in the bedroom!”
“Did Zhang Luoluo have the guts to bring a lover home? Play S&M? And after their fun, accidentally kill him?”
“Does that sound reasonable to you?”
“Damn!”
Chen Yu tore into Sanada Koichiro, leaving him dumbfounded.
Afterward, Chen Yu ignored him, turned, and walked straight to Yan Zheng.
The hostility on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a lazy demeanor, even winking at Yan Zheng.
“Captain Yan, my work here is done.”
Yan Zheng was taken aback. “Done?”
Everyone else was stunned as well.
What did you do to call it done? Since you arrived, you’ve only flirted with women, argued with people, and lounged on the sofa—is that what you call working?
“Yeah.” Chen Yu nodded matter-of-factly. “I already know who the killer is.”
Boom!
A stone thrown into the calm sea—waves exploded!
If Chen Yu’s tirade had shocked people, this statement was a bombshell.
“Impossible!” Sanada Koichiro shrieked first. “You haven’t looked at anything—how could you possibly know who the killer is? You’re lying!”
Su Qingzhu was equally incredulous. “Chen Yu, don’t mess around! This isn’t a joke!”
Only Yan Zheng stared hard at Chen Yu.
Those seemingly careless eyes now held a confidence and certainty he had never seen.
Yan Zheng’s heart skipped.
“Let’s go, Captain Yan.” Chen Yu patted his shoulder and smiled. “The rest isn’t for livestreams.”
He stretched lazily.
“Looks like I’ll clock off early today.”
He winked at Li Qing and Lin Bing, then strode out of the villa.
“Stop!” Su Qingzhu instinctively tried to block him.
“Let’s go!” Yan Zheng spoke with unusual conviction.
He took a deep look at the scene, glanced at the dumbstruck Sanada Koichiro, then, without hesitation, turned and followed Chen Yu.
The two walked away, their shadows stretched long in the morning sun.
One sauntered, carefree and unrestrained.
One strode steadily, resolute and unwavering.
Under the gaze of millions of viewers, with the contestants, police, and production crew all bewildered, they left the eye of the storm without looking back.
Su Qingzhu and Li Qing hurried after them.
Inside the villa, silence reigned.
Outside, and online, a frenzy had already erupted.
“Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! They just left?! Just like that?!”
“What does ‘Zombie Brother’ know?! I’m dying here!”
“‘Textbook-level nonsense’—killer move! Sanada Koichiro’s about to explode!”
“So cool! That was perfect! This is the real ace!”
“Do you think he really knows who the killer is?”
“He must! Didn’t you see Captain Yan walk out with him? That’s the head of the city’s crime squad—he definitely believes him!”
“I have a feeling the skies over River City are about to change!”