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"Was he killed the moment he was left alone?"

This statement jolted everyone back to reality.

Mu Xingwang was well aware that he had offended many individuals and always traveled with bodyguards to avoid being by himself. Coincidentally, after his fortune-telling session, when Mu Kuan discovered the truth about him not being his biological son, even the bodyguards withdrew their protection.

There were still people around when the fortune-telling took place, and police accompanied him throughout his time at the police station.

Yet, it was only during that solitary night that he was murdered?

Why didn't the killer strike earlier or later, but precisely when Mu Xingwang was alone that very night?

"So…" Gan Yizu found it hard to accept, "the murderer had planned this for a while and had been watching Mu Xingwang for more than a day?"

Day after day of surveillance, all for the purpose of taking the victim's life.

What kind of deep-seated grudge could this be?

Gan Yizu, having recently graduated and leading a relatively simple life, had mostly dealt with criminals who acted on impulse in the major crimes unit. It was rare for him to encounter a murderer with such long-term premeditation.

Luo Qizhong pondered for a moment before he said, "This reminds me of a tragic murder case from years ago. The killer had been stalking the family for years before slaughtering the women and children, then moving on to kill the remaining males in the household."

After finishing his tale, Luo Qizhong seemed to realize something and turned to Shi Boren, concern etched on his face. "Ren, are you alright?"

Chuckling, Shi Boren took a deep sip of his chrysanthemum tea and set the cup down. "What could be wrong with me?"

"Eh, make way!" Brother Fang, wearing gloves, carried a steaming soup pot over. Gan Yizu and Luo Qizhong shifted in their seats to create an opening.

"Are the officers discussing a case?" Brother Fang lit the alcohol at the bottom of the pot with a grin. "Uncle Zhong was talking about that massacre. Twenty years ago, there was a similar incident in Sha Tin. The couple who made famous rice noodles were killed, leaving only two poor kids behind."

"It's been so many years, and the killer still hasn't been caught. Who knows when they'll find him," Luo Qizhong remarked.

Gan Yizu was taken aback upon hearing that the killer was still at large. "They haven't caught the perpetrator after twenty years? Was the killer's modus operandi incredibly sophisticated?"

"That, I'm not sure," sighed Brother Fang. "Imagine those two little boys losing their parents overnight. I can't even fathom how they coped."

"What else could they do? If there were no surviving relatives, they would've been sent to an orphanage. The life in those places is often harsh," Gan Yizu explained, as Sister Fang brought over a bowl of ice cream.

Zhou Fengxu, being closer, promptly took the milky-white bowl and passed it to her.

On top of the creamy white double-skinned milk was a pale yellow ice cream scoop, adorned with a tiny silver spoon on the side.

Chu Yuening accepted it with a smile, "Thank you."

"Enjoy it without worrying about saving money for me," Zhou Fengxu observed the joy in the girl's eyes and couldn't help but smile, calling out to Brother Fang to serve more beef and lamb rolls.

Upon seeing an abundance of meat dishes before him, Shi Boren playfully picked up his chopsticks, "Why don't you trade those beef and lamb for karaoke vouchers at the singing lounge, Brother Xu? You seem to prefer singing more."

He initially thought that Zhou Fengxu would decline.

After all, he genuinely disliked noisy environments.

But Zhou Fengxu surprised him by responding, "Once I finish Mu Xingwang's case, it's no problem."

Shi Boren snapped his fingers, "Nace!"

Chu Yuening ate her ice cream in silence, intuitively sensing the peculiar atmosphere. She noticed that Shi Boren had lost interest and fallen silent.

She let out a soft sigh.

So...

It must be truly challenging to grow up relying on one's younger brother after losing both parents, wasn't it?

The bell signaling the end of class just rang.

Chu Yi left the classroom with her close friend, and the two of them found a spot to sit by the flower bed.

Chen Mixin massaged her aching arms and glanced sideways at the girl beside her.

The girl was dressed in a sailor-style school uniform, her lustrous hair pulled back into a high ponytail. A rosy flush of health adorned her cheeks, exuding both youthfulness and vitality. There was no trace of fatigue or weariness on her.

"A Yi, my arms are really sore from carrying those water bottles last night. Are yours painful too?"

Chu Yi rotated her arm, causing her ponytail to sway with the motion of her head. "No, not at all."

Observing her friend's periodic arm punches, she consoled, "Maybe I've just gotten used to it? After a few more moves, you won't feel the pain anymore."

"Really?" Chen Mixin's hope flickered, reigniting her spirit. "Then let's divide the tasks and work together tonight."

"Sure." Chu Yi took out 150 yuan from her pocket. "This is your share from last night."

The moment Chen Mixin saw the money, any notion of pain vanished, replaced by joy as she kissed the cash affectionately. "It's still A Yi who has the financial acumen. Otherwise, who would have thought of selling mineral water at an indoor sports arena?"

Seeing her friend's happiness, Chu Yi shared in the joy. "Alright, let's expand our business empire even further. Let's make it big and strong!"

"Big and strong?" A mocking voice echoed.

The leader of the group had burgundy-dyed hair, with her school uniform shirt collar carelessly open, revealing her collarbone. Her loose bow tie hung loosely around her neck.

Chewing gum, she glanced at the meager stack of cash in Chu Yi's hand and taunted, "The math class representative dreams of growing through mineral water sales? That's truly hilarious."

"Am I right, everyone?"

The girls trailing behind were all clad in branded shoes, with polished nails and earrings adorning their ears.

The elder sister had spoken, and they naturally followed suit with their mocking remarks.

"Isn't it just this? So the Math representative studied hard all along just to sell mineral water?"

"Why didn't you say so earlier? My dad is in the mineral water business. Do you want me to give you a discount on your supply?"

"What bad luck. Entering this school just to study alongside these northerners."

Chu Yi ignored them, preparing to enter the classroom. Chen Mixin, however, couldn't contain her irritation and addressed the leader of the group.

"Isn't Ye Chuxue going too far? A Yi hasn't done anything to offend you all. She's being troubled every other day."