After splitting up to investigate, Li Hui patted Han Bin on the shoulder.
"Binzi, I've made a decision."
"What decision?"
"I'm going to rent an apartment in Huayuan Community."
"Nice, now I can hitch a ride with you to work," Han Bin joked.
"Let's be clear, even if we're close, we'll split gas money. Carpool means half the cost."
"Cheapskate," Han Bin scoffed.
"Can't compare to you. I'm still saving to buy a house," Li Hui shrugged.
"So that's why you want to be my neighbor? Just to save on fuel?"
"Not exactly." Li Hui scratched his head, then his eyes lit up. "I also figured I could occasionally drop by your place for a free meal and receive some of Director Han's wise teachings."
"Well, you're in for a lot of lectures." Han Bin chuckled.
Han Weidong, Han Bin's father, used to be a detective himself. He solved several cases and got promoted to police station chief because of his merits. He often said that if he had stayed in the station, he might still be a regular officer.
Han Weidong was proud of his detective days, and every time he drank, he'd talk about his past. Han Bin had heard the stories so many times, he practically had them memorized.
The two walked out of the courtyard. Outside the police tape, a crowd had gathered — some were neighbors, others just passersby curious about the scene.
Li Hui scanned the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Officer Li Hui from the Criminal Police. I'd like to ask a few questions."
"Officer, is it true that Xing Jianbin is dead?" a short, chubby man asked.
"Yes," Li Hui replied. "Did you know him?"
"We were neighbors. I live just next door," the man pointed.
Li Hui nodded and continued, "Did anyone see anything suspicious — a person or a vehicle — near Xing Jianbin's house between 8 p.m. and midnight last night?"
"Nope."
"I don't go out at night."
"I didn't notice anything."
…
The crowd responded one after another.
Han Bin kept observing everyone closely. After Li Hui asked the question, the chubby man's eyes widened slightly, and his eyebrows lifted — classic signs of surprise.
He wasn't surprised to hear that Xing Jianbin was dead — but he was surprised when asked about suspicious people or vehicles. That struck Han Bin as odd.
"Mister, what's your name?"
"Me?" the chubby man seemed caught off guard. "I'm Xing Ziqiang."
"What was your relationship with Xing Jianbin?" Han Bin studied him.
"Pretty good," Xing Ziqiang said, instinctively touching his nose.
Touching the nose is a common sign of lying.
First surprised, now possibly lying — Han Bin definitely felt something was off about this guy.
"Xing Ziqiang, come inside. I've got some questions for you," Han Bin ordered firmly.
"What do you want with me, officer?" Xing Ziqiang stepped back.
"Inside," Han Bin said sternly.
After a moment's hesitation, Xing Ziqiang followed Han Bin into the courtyard of Xing Jianbin's house.
Li Hui followed them. "Binzi, what's up?"
"This guy's suspicious," Han Bin said.
"Officer, you can't wrongly accuse an innocent man. I don't even dare kill a chicken, let alone a person," Xing Ziqiang protested.
"Where were you between 8 p.m. and midnight last night?" Han Bin pressed.
"I went out to drink with friends after 7 p.m. They can vouch for me."
"What time did you come back?"
"I… I…"
"Speak!"
"About eleven. Around eleven o'clock."
Li Hui smirked. "So, no alibi for the time of the murder, huh?"
"Li Hui, go ask Li Yu about the usual relationship between Xing Ziqiang and Xing Jianbin."
"No, no, I admit it. I lied," Xing Ziqiang raised his hands.
"Why did you lie?" Han Bin demanded.
"I didn't get along with Xing Jianbin. He was into pyramid schemes and once tricked me out of tens of thousands of yuan. I hated his guts," he said through clenched teeth.
"Then why lie about being on good terms?"
"I was afraid," Xing Ziqiang sighed, glancing between the officers. "Afraid you'd suspect me."
"Then why were you so surprised earlier when we asked about suspicious vehicles?" Han Bin asked.
"I… saw a car near his house when I came back last night. That's why I looked surprised."
"If you saw something, why didn't you say so?" Li Hui asked angrily.
"I didn't want to get involved. Xing Jianbin deserved what he got. I didn't want to help."
"It's people like you who let killers walk free. If they can kill him, they could kill you next," Li Hui said, jabbing a finger at his face.
"I get it, I really do. I'll cooperate from now on," Xing Ziqiang said miserably.
Han Bin took out his notebook. "What was the license plate?"
"I was drunk and only glanced at it. I didn't catch the plate."
"What kind of car was it?"
"Seemed like a van."
"Are you sure?"
Xing Ziqiang thought for a moment. "Yeah, I'm sure. A silver-gray van."
"Any other distinguishing features?"
"I think the back window had some kind of advertisement."
"What did it say?"
"I really can't remember."
"You'll come to the station to make a formal statement," Li Hui ordered.
"Yes, of course," Xing Ziqiang nodded hastily.
…
"Captain Zheng, Captain Zeng — we've found a new lead," Han Bin reported.
"What is it?" Zheng Kaixuan asked.
"A neighbor, Xing Ziqiang, said he saw a silver-gray van with an advertisement on the rear window near the crime scene around 11 p.m. last night."
"That's important. When Zhao Ming brings back the local surveillance footage, we can search specifically for that vehicle and maybe track down the suspect," said Zheng Kaixuan.
…
Back at the station.
Zhao Ming, Han Bin, and Li Hui went straight to the surveillance room to begin tracking the suspect vehicle.
Zhao Ming was in charge of checking security cameras from local shops and residents.
Han Bin and Li Hui were checking footage from nearby intersections provided by traffic control.
People often imagine being a detective as thrilling and dangerous. In reality, most of their work is tough and monotonous.
Reviewing surveillance footage is a prime example of the tedium. Han Bin had to watch carefully, not missing a single car or detail. The lighting was poor, and the footage was blurry — any distraction could cost them the case.
"I found something!" Zhao Ming called out.
Han Bin walked over. "You spotted the suspicious vehicle?"
"Check this out, Bin-ge. Could this be the one our witness saw?" Zhao Ming pointed to the screen.
Han Bin looked. Though the footage was dark, they could make out a silver-gray van. As it drove on, the rear window briefly showed something that looked like text.
"Where did the vehicle go?" Han Bin asked.
"It turned onto a side road away from the crime scene. Looks like it was avoiding cameras," Zhao Ming said.
Han Bin noted the timestamp — 11:30 p.m.
"That matches the timeline exactly!" he said.
(End of Chapter)