There are more than twenty taxi companies in Qindao City.
After lunch, Han Bin and his partner took a photo of Yu Wei and visited every single taxi company in the city, asking the drivers if they had picked her up near Anyang Apartments in the past few days.
By the next morning, two companies responded.
One was Shunhe Taxi Company — two of their drivers claimed to have picked up a young woman matching Yu Wei's description near Anyang Apartments.
The other was Beitong Taxi Company — one driver said he had dropped off a similar-looking woman at Anyang Apartments.
Han Bin brought all three drivers to the Qindao District Police Department.
He interviewed them separately and found the two Shunhe drivers had picked up Yu Wei on the night of August 3rd, while the Beitong driver had dropped her off on the night of August 4th.
This confirmed that Yu Wei had indeed visited Anyang Apartments during the critical window of the case — an important link in the chain of evidence.
Around 2 PM, Zhao Ming and Tian Li returned from their investigation at the internet cafés.
With the whole team assembled, Zeng Ping held a case review meeting.
Leaning against a table with a cigarette in hand, Zeng Ping said, "The search and summons warrants have been approved. Now we just need your supporting evidence."
"We've got three taxi drivers confirming they picked up or dropped off Yu Wei near Anyang Apartments on August 3rd and 4th," said Li Hui.
"Can we be sure it was her?"
"Yes, the taxis had dashcams. We matched the footage — it's definitely her." Li Hui handed out printed screenshots.
"This is critical evidence," Zeng Ping nodded, trying to light his cigarette — but it wasn't even lit.
"Captain Zeng, we found something too," Zhao Ming jumped in, eager not to be outdone.
Zeng Ping smiled. "Go on, let's hear it."
"We checked internet cafés near Yu Wei's home. On August 4th, she visited one called Xuanfeng Net Café. Their surveillance shows her working on what looks like a blackmail letter," Zhao Ming explained.
"Can you read the letter on the footage?"
"No, unfortunately the text isn't clear," Zhao Ming said, a bit disappointed.
"But the USB drive and envelope she used match exactly with what was found at the crime scene."
"Excellent," Zeng Ping praised. "With these two key pieces of evidence, we can move in."
"Captain Zeng, should we arrest her at school or at her home?" Han Bin asked.
"Hang on, let me make a call," Zeng Ping said, walking to the corner of the office.
After a brief call, he came back quickly.
"I've got word. Yu Wei is currently at Latte Café on Victory East Road. We're going there now."
"How'd you know that?" Zhao Ming asked, surprised.
"Come on, someone like Captain Zeng is bound to have informants. Don't act so shocked," Li Hui shrugged.
"Informants? Do you have any?" Zhao Ming asked curiously.
"None of your business."
"Bin-ge, what about you?"
Han Bin just smiled silently.
"All right, enough chit-chat. Let's move," Zeng Ping said firmly.
The five officers split into two teams:
Zeng Ping, Han Bin, and Tian Li went to Latte Café to arrest Yu Wei.
Li Hui and Zhao Ming went with the tech team to search Yu Wei's home again — last time the search had focused on her father, Yu Hefeng. This time, it was focused on her.
Half an hour later.
The trio arrived at Latte Café.
Yu Wei was sitting by the window with a young man, chatting intimately.
Han Bin instantly recognized the man — the same one they'd seen earlier. Most likely, Yu Wei's boyfriend.
Though the three officers were in plainclothes, their demeanor gave them away.
As they approached, Yu Wei looked up sharply, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Yu Wei, you're suspected of involvement in a blackmail case. Please come with us to assist in the investigation," Han Bin said, showing the summons.
"What are you talking about? I'm just a college student. How could I possibly be involved in blackmail?" Her expression changed subtly.
"It's a gender-equal society now," Tian Li replied coldly. "Women can commit crimes just like men, understand?"
"You must be mistaken! I didn't do anything!" Yu Wei protested.
"Are you coming willingly, or do I have to use force?" Tian Li pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
"You've got the wrong person! I'm innocent!" Yu Wei snapped back.
"Yes, Weiwei is a kind person. You're definitely mistaken," her boyfriend added, confused but standing by her.
Han Bin turned to him. "What's your relationship with Yu Wei?"
"I'm her boyfriend."
"Perfect. We've got a few questions for you too. Come with us and give a statement," Han Bin said.
"This has nothing to do with me! I don't know anything!" The boyfriend quickly tried to distance himself.
"Enough. Let's go," Zeng Ping said, clearly impatient.
Back at the station, they took Yu Wei and her boyfriend in.
Yu Wei's fingerprints, DNA, and phone were handed over to the forensics team.
She was brought into the interrogation room.
Han Bin led the questioning. Tian Li took notes.
"Name, gender, age, place of origin…"
"Yu Wei. Gender? You figure it out. Age: eighteen. Hometown: Earth."
BANG! Tian Li slammed the table.
"Think this is funny? This isn't your house! Show some respect!"
"I've studied law, you know. Even suspects have rights. Why are you shouting?" Yu Wei rolled her eyes.
Han Bin smiled slightly. Few suspects were this bold.
"If you've studied law, then why break it by committing blackmail?" he asked.
"Got any proof, Uncle?" she said mockingly.
"Before we arrested you, we already had plenty of evidence. Stop hoping to bluff your way out. Cooperate — that's your best option," Han Bin said confidently.
"Hmph." Yu Wei snorted.
"You think I'm bluffing?"
"If you've got evidence, show it. If not, let me go. What's the point of this?" she challenged.
"Fine. You won't talk? Then I'll talk. Don't say I didn't give you a chance to reduce your sentence." Han Bin stood up and leaned over the interrogation table:
"On the night of August 3rd, you took a taxi to Anyang Apartments and delivered the first blackmail letter to the victim's home. The next day, after your father was arrested, you tried to clear his name by creating a second letter."
"On August 4th, you went to Xuanfeng Net Café and drafted a second blackmail letter. That evening, you took another taxi back to Anyang Apartments and delivered the second letter — hoping to shift suspicion away from your father."
Han Bin stared her down and asked, "Am I right?"
Yu Wei lost her composure. Her hands clenched nervously, her heart pounding.
Everything Han Bin said matched exactly how she had done it.
(End of Chapter)