Zheng Kaixuan reported to the district bureau leadership and requested authorization for a citywide manhunt for Sun Qifeng.
Criminal Investigation Division 3, Team 2—the main investigators on the case—were also deployed in the operation.
Tian Li stayed behind at the Huilongguan community's homeowners' committee surveillance room. Although the suspect returning was unlikely, someone had to stay and keep watch just in case.
Han Bin and Li Hui went to the traffic surveillance center to assist Zhao Ming in reviewing road footage.
Zheng Kaixuan and Zeng Ping, along with local police officers, set up roadblocks on major roads for vehicle inspections.
Wanted posters were also issued at bus and train stations.
To avoid public panic, the entire operation was kept low-profile externally but intense internally, which also reduced the suspect's alertness and helped with the pursuit.
10 PM – Traffic Surveillance Center
Han Bin and Li Hui arrived at the monitoring center with some instant noodles and sausages.
Zhao Ming greeted them like family. "Finally! I was about to go blind staring at these screens."
"Take a break, eat something," Han Bin offered.
Zhao Ming tore open his noodles and poured in hot water. "It's like Sun Qifeng vanished. I've been scanning footage from the time of the crime until now, but there's been nothing. Where could he have gone?"
Han Bin was also exhausted from the long day. He hadn't had time to eat either, so he prepared his own noodles. "The last sighting of Sun Qifeng's van was on a side road near the victim's home. But he can't leave Qindao City just by sticking to side roads."
"So he's probably hiding out somewhere?" Li Hui guessed.
"Or maybe he switched vehicles or transportation," Han Bin added.
"If he ditched the van, this search is going to be even tougher," Zhao Ming sighed.
"I still think we should track the vehicle. If he didn't switch, we'll find him. If he did, we'll adjust our search strategy accordingly," Han Bin reasoned.
"We could suggest searching the area where the van was last seen—might be a clue there," Zhao Ming proposed.
Han Bin glanced at his watch. "It's already past 8 PM. It's dark now, and we're unfamiliar with the area. If he dumped the car somewhere in a field, we probably wouldn't find it."
"Good point. We'll report it tomorrow morning."
"If you were Sun Qifeng, which direction would you run?" Li Hui asked.
Han Bin thought for a moment and shook his head. "With the information we have, it's hard to say."
After finishing their noodles, the three of them dove back into tedious monitoring work…
One hour... two hours... three hours...
After staring at screens for so long, Han Bin was exhausted and kept yawning. Eventually, he laid his head down on the desk and dozed off.
He was suddenly awakened by shouting.
"Guys! Does this van look like Sun Qifeng's?" Li Hui called out.
Han Bin sat up, yawning, and glanced at the clock—it was already 2 AM.
"What did you find?"
Li Hui pointed at the screen. "This van—doesn't it match the suspect vehicle?"
Han Bin looked. The color and model were right, but the rear window ad was gone, and the license plate wasn't clearly visible.
"Check the footage from the next intersection—hopefully the plate is clearer."
Li Hui fast-forwarded to the next camera. The three of them stared at the screen. Soon enough, the van appeared again, and this time the license plate was clearly visible: Lu B.N6572.
"That's the one!" Zhao Ming slapped the table in excitement.
"No wonder we couldn't find it—he ripped off the ad on the back window," Li Hui muttered.
"When was this footage taken?" Han Bin asked.
"Around 1 AM," Zhao Ming replied.
"So it's been an hour already."
Zhao pointed at the screen. "The van was heading west on Qiming Road, near Kaiping Street. That's about a 40–50-minute drive from here."
"At this hour, traffic's light. We can get there in 30 minutes," Han Bin said.
"But the suspect's still moving—he won't wait for us," Li Hui warned.
"Let's report to Captain Zheng."
When Zheng Kaixuan received the update, he was thrilled and immediately issued new orders.
Zhao Ming stayed at the monitoring center to continue tracking the van.
Han Bin and Li Hui jumped into a car and headed out to intercept the suspect.
Zheng Kaixuan and Zeng Ping led another group to provide backup.
"Bin, Hui—swap with me! I want to help catch him too," Zhao Ming joked, rubbing his eyes. "I feel like they're about to pop out of my head."
"Orders are orders," Li Hui laughed. "Stay put and keep updating us. If we catch him, you'll get credit too."
Han Bin gave Zhao Ming a reassuring pat on the shoulder and headed out.
"Man…" Zhao slumped into a chair. "How much longer do I have to keep staring at these screens?"
Han Bin and Li Hui jumped in their car and raced toward the suspect's direction.
At this hour, the streets were nearly empty—barely a car in sight.
"Bin, it's been an hour already. Think we can still catch him?"
"As long as Zhao Ming can track his route and figure out where he's heading, we can notify local police to set up roadblocks. We'll get him."
After a while, Zhao Ming called. "Bin, the suspect's van just entered Hengding Line."
"That's the mountain area," Li Hui said. "Lots of trees and forests. If he dives into the woods, he'll be tough to find."
Han Bin and Li Hui pressed on.
Just as they entered Hengding Line, Zhao Ming called again.
"Bin, the van passed the Hengding–Dazhang Village intersection. After that, no further sightings on surveillance. He's likely hiding nearby."
"What time did the van last appear on camera?"
"2:30 AM."
"It's 3:00 AM now."
Li Hui frowned. "That means he's been off-camera for half an hour—likely parked or abandoned the vehicle."
"Keep an eye out for any parked cars."
Han Bin checked his tactical flashlight—essential for night operations.
He loaded his Type 64 pistol with seven bullets. This was a murder case, and the suspect was dangerous—he needed to be prepared for combat.
They drove for another 30 minutes.
"Bin, we're coming up on the Hengding–Dazhang intersection. Keep your eyes open," Li Hui said, slowing down.
"If the van vanished after passing this spot, and Hengding is a main road with regular cameras, he either turned off onto a side road or abandoned the vehicle," Han Bin deduced.
A few minutes later, Li Hui pointed ahead. "Look—on the left side of the road. There's a parked van."
Han Bin looked—it matched the suspect's vehicle. He unfastened his seatbelt and loaded his pistol.
"Stop the car."
(End of Chapter)