Han Bin spoke into his earpiece, "Captain Zheng, we can't just keep following like this. It's not sustainable."
"You have a better idea?" Zheng Kaixuan replied.
"I suggest asking Officer Sun to pull the surveillance footage from around the plaza. If that old lady really collects trash regularly, she should appear in that area often."
"Hmm, not a bad idea." Zheng Kaixuan nodded and instructed Zeng Ping, "Old Zeng, contact Officer Sun and have him check the area's surveillance footage to verify the old woman's identity."
"Got it."
The five officers continued tailing the elderly woman. She didn't seem to notice anything unusual, and they didn't see anyone else tailing her either.
Forty minutes later...
Ring ring ring…
Zeng Ping's phone rang. It was Sun Hao calling.
"Old Zeng, I've checked the surveillance near the plaza. That old woman shows up almost every night collecting trash. Nothing suspicious."
"Got it. Thanks for your hard work."
"Just doing my job." Sun Hao hung up.
"What did he say?" Zheng Kaixuan asked.
"Sun Hao reviewed the footage. The old lady regularly picks up trash in that area. She doesn't seem like a suspect."
"Captain Zheng, the old lady just turned onto a side path. Probably close to her home now," came Li Hui's voice through the earpiece.
"If she brings the money home, it'll get complicated," Zeng Ping suggested. "We should move in now."
Zheng Kaixuan hesitated for a moment. "Alright—let's move."
Not far ahead…
Han Bin sped up on his e-bike and overtook the old woman. He stopped a few meters in front of her, blocking her path.
"Hey! The road's wide—why are you stopping right in front of me?" the old lady barked.
Li Hui and Tian Li caught up and flanked her on both sides.
"Who are you people?" she asked, clearly nervous, pulling her small cart behind her.
"Ma'am, don't be afraid. We're police officers," Li Hui said, showing his badge.
"Police? What's this about?" She was skeptical. It was dark, and even in daylight, she wouldn't have known what a badge looked like.
"Did you go to the plaza to pick up trash tonight on your own, or did someone tell you to go?" Li Hui asked.
"Does someone have to teach you how to pick trash? If you want to learn, just follow me a few days and you'll get it," she snapped.
Li Hui was speechless. I'm a police officer—why would I want to learn trash-picking?
"Ma'am, we're investigating an extortion case. That 50,000 yuan you picked up—it's ransom money," Tian Li explained.
"What? Fifty thousand? I have no idea what you're talking about!" she quickly denied.
"If you didn't take the money, why were you walking so fast?" Li Hui pressed.
"I'm exercising—what's wrong with that?" she argued.
"We need you to come with us to the station to help with the investigation," Tian Li said, now getting official.
"What for? I'm not going!" she shouted, as if trying to draw public attention.
"Ma'am, I understand you might be innocent. But that money is ransom. No matter who picked it up, they need to give a statement at the station."
After some coaxing and a little pressure, Li Hui and Tian Li finally got the old woman to cooperate. They took her back to the station.
Qindao Police Substation
Li Hui and Tian Li handled the questioning of the old woman.
Zheng Kaixuan made some tea, his face stern.
"You two, come here. Let's have a quick meeting," he called to Zeng Ping and Han Bin.
They sat beside him.
"Did Sun Hao pull out?"
"Yes. He left two officers behind to watch the area from the car," Zeng Ping said.
"What about Anyang Apartments?"
"Zhao Ming called. Nothing unusual there. I told him to keep watching."
Zheng Kaixuan took a sip of tea, clearing his throat. "Why hasn't the blackmailer shown up? What's his game here? I'm getting confused."
"Maybe he spotted us, so he didn't show?" Han Bin guessed.
"That's unlikely. We were extra cautious today."
"I didn't see any suspicious people either," Han Bin added after thinking.
"Tomorrow, we'll recheck all the surveillance near the plaza—from 6 PM to midnight. Look for anyone suspicious," Zheng Kaixuan ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Just then, Li Hui and Tian Li returned.
"Did you recover the money?" Zheng asked.
"All here." Li Hui placed a black plastic bag on the table.
"This old lady's not exactly a model citizen," Zeng Ping joked.
Zheng Kaixuan checked the money. "Do you think she's a suspect?"
"We recorded her statement. Her name is Li Yuanfang, a local who often collects trash near the plaza. She has no connection to the victim. She's most likely innocent," Li Hui reported.
"Captain, the poor old lady's been dragged around all night. Maybe give her a hundred yuan for a ride home?" Tian Li suggested kindly.
"I'll pay it myself," said Zheng Kaixuan.
"If she's cleared, then we're back to square one," Zeng Ping sighed.
"Captain Zheng, I'd like to interrogate Yu Hefeng again. Maybe he has more clues."
"Could be a new lead," Zheng nodded, then turned to Li Hui and Tian Li.
"What about the area around Anyang Apartments—find anything?"
"We pulled the surveillance, but nothing suspicious so far," Li Hui replied.
"Keep checking tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"Captain Zheng, I'd like to see the extortion photos," Han Bin said.
"I've seen them—they're pretty private. Might not be appropriate for a guy like you. If you have questions, ask me," Tian Li said.
"Come on, now's not the time to worry about that. Let Han Bin look," Zheng waved his hand. They were running out of leads—new clues were critical.
It's like a patient with a serious illness—you need the right doctor, no matter who it is.
If the suspect posted those photos online, it would cause massive harm to the victim.
"Alright, it's late. That's it for tonight. Go home and get some rest."
Zheng Kaixuan handed over 100 yuan. "Give this to the old lady so she can take a taxi home."
"Yes, sir."
The Next Morning
Han Bin showed up at the office with dark circles under his eyes.
He'd gotten home after 2 a.m., and by the time he cleaned up, it was nearly 3. Barely slept before he had to get up for work.
Li Hui and Han Bin were both running late. They didn't even have breakfast before coming in.
Everyone was there except Zhao Ming.
Tian Li walked over and placed two breakfasts on their desks. "Eat up—Captain Zeng bought them for you."
"Captain Zeng, you're amazing. How'd you know we didn't eat?" Li Hui said, stuffing a steamed bun into his mouth.
"I've been where you are," Zeng Ping replied, lighting a cigarette. "Eat it while it's hot."
After breakfast, everyone got back to work.
Per Zheng Kaixuan's orders, they split up to investigate different angles.
Han Bin's task was relatively light—he stayed in the office to analyze the blackmail photos.
The photos clearly showed the victim's identity. If leaked online, the consequences would be devastating.
Han Bin examined each image carefully and compared them to the video footage stored on the computer.
After a detailed review, he actually discovered a new clue—
A critical piece of evidence that could convict the suspect.
(End of Chapter)