Zeng Ping raised his chin. "Han Bin, did you find anything on your end?"
Han Bin didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked toward Li Feifan. "The underwear on the balcony—who does it belong to?"
"Mine."
Han Bin smirked. "You wear women's underwear?"
"It's my girlfriend's," Li Feifan replied, his expression turning dark.
"There's not a single other female item in this entire apartment except that one piece of women's underwear. Who are you trying to fool?"
Tian Li took a photo and sent it to the victim for identification.
Moments later, she got a response.
"Captain Zeng, this underwear is the same style the victim wore on the day of the incident."
"That doesn't prove anything," Li Feifan shouted. "That style of underwear isn't unique. There are plenty like it."
Li Hui walked over, gloves on, took the underwear down, and sniffed it. "It hasn't been washed. Still has a strong scent."
"You got a thing for that?" Han Bin quipped with a double meaning.
"Take him in," Zeng Ping ordered with a wave. As long as the underwear had the victim's biological traces on it, the chain of evidence was complete.
...
Qindao City Police Department – Interrogation Room
Li Feifan sat nervously in the interrogation chair, eyes darting around.
Han Bin and Zeng Ping conducted the questioning. A camera recorded everything.
"Name, age, place of origin…"
"Li Feifan, 25, from Qindao City…"
"Where were you on the night of June 18th?"
"I had dinner, then went for a walk in the central park," Li Feifan said.
"Did you know the victim?"
"No."
"Did you go to the crime scene?"
"No."
"Then how do you explain your white genetic material found at the scene?" Han Bin asked.
Li Feifan confidently replied, "That's impossible. That material isn't mine."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I didn't do it."
"How do you explain the women's underwear found in your home?"
"I picked it up."
"Didn't you just say you hadn't been to the crime scene?"
Li Feifan hesitated for a moment. "I found it near the entrance to the park. Maybe the real suspect left it there."
"You're too confident, Li Feifan. We really did find your biological evidence at the scene. It proves you were there."
"You're bluffing. I wasn't there. There can't be any of my white genetic material at the scene."
"Biological evidence isn't limited to white genetic material," Han Bin replied.
"What do you mean?"
"We also found your pubic hair at the crime scene."
"I…" Li Feifan's face turned pale instantly.
"Our chain of evidence is very solid. Denying it won't help you." Han Bin stood and placed a few photos in front of Li Feifan.
"June 18th at 5 a.m., you went to the Yindu Foot Massage Parlor and collected some unlucky guy's white genetic material."
"At around 8 p.m., you went to the central park. We have you on video."
"After committing the crime, you tried to frame someone else by planting that collected genetic material on the victim. But it was dark, and you didn't realize you left your own hair at the scene."
Li Feifan stared at the photos, fists clenched tightly.
Han Bin's tone grew stern. "Li Feifan, honesty leads to leniency, resistance leads to severity. Only by confessing can you hope for a lighter sentence."
The interrogation lasted another two hours before Li Feifan finally broke and confessed to everything.
He also revealed where he had hidden the murder weapon and explained how he had picked up the genetic material from the foot massage parlor to frame Chen Jun.
Once the victim, Zheng Wen, was informed that the case had been solved and the suspect arrested, she personally went to the police station to thank Han Bin and the entire second unit.
...
Criminal Investigation Team 3, Second Unit Office
"Han Bin, you did great. Another tough case cracked," Zeng Ping patted Han Bin on the shoulder.
"It was a team effort."
"Don't be modest. As a reward, you get tomorrow off. Go home and rest."
"Really?" Han Bin asked.
"Have I ever gone back on my word?" Zeng Ping responded gruffly.
The other team members looked at Han Bin with envy.
Being a detective is a busy job. When there's a case, you're chasing leads. When the case is over, you're still swamped.
There's paperwork to file, stamps from the leadership, approvals from various departments—technical, legal—everyone's breathing down your neck.
You've got monthly reports to submit, returned case files to handle, arrest approvals to request, detention certificates to swap out…
And even pick up verdicts from the court…
With Han Bin off, the others had to pick up the slack.
But hey, he earned it. He's good at cracking cases.
...
That evening at home, Han Bin turned on the TV and cast a movie onto the big screen. On the table were some peanuts, pig ear slices, cucumber salad, and two bottles of beer.
He really enjoyed this rare downtime.
Since he didn't have to work the next day, he planned to relax with a few drinks and sleep in.
[Ding-dong. Congratulations, Officer 577533, for successfully solving the case,]
A notification rang in Han Bin's mind.
[Skill Proficiency +2, Merit Points +7.]
[You've earned the victim's gratitude. Bonus reward granted.]
"What bonus?" Han Bin wondered.
[Life Skill: Culinary Arts]
[Type: Shandong Cuisine (Lu Cuisine)]
[Level: Intermediate]
A wave of knowledge and experience about cooking flooded Han Bin's mind.
"Whoa, I've become a chef?" Han Bin was amazed.
Chef rankings have five levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Technician, and Senior Technician. A culinary school graduate usually holds an intermediate certificate.
Han Bin was thrilled to have intermediate chef skills. Now he could cook for his family or impress guests at home.
...
The Next Morning
Han Bin got up early and went shopping, planning to make a big lunch for his parents.
He'd always been busy with work and didn't get many chances to spend time with them. Today was a good opportunity—he'd rest, practice his new cooking skills, and show his appreciation.
Shandong cuisine, or Lu Cuisine, is one of the eight great culinary traditions of China, known for its history, technique, and skill.
There are many classic Lu dishes—Mu Shu Pork, Sweet and Sour Carp, Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion, Vinegar Cabbage. Han Bin chose these four for lunch.
With the groceries in hand, he went straight to his parents' house.
His mom, Wang Huifang, was surprised. "Son, what's with all the food?"
"I've got the day off. Thought I'd cook you a nice meal."
It was the weekend, so Han Weidong, his dad, was also home. Curious, he asked, "When did you learn to cook?"
"Back in college. I used to cook in my rental."
"For your ex-girlfriend, I bet," Han Weidong teased.
Han Bin frowned. "Dad, can we not bring that up?"
"Exactly. Our son's so handsome—he'll find someone even better," Wang Huifang gave her husband a glare.
"I'll go cook." Han Bin put on an apron.
"Need help?" his mom asked.
"Nope," Han Bin replied, walking into the kitchen.
"Well then, guess I'll just sit back and enjoy a ready-made meal," Wang Huifang said cheerfully.
Han Weidong, still skeptical of his son's culinary skills, exchanged a look with his wife. "You really not going to go in and check?"
(End of Chapter)