Qindao Police Substation – Interrogation Room
Han Bin was leading the interrogation, with Li Hui taking notes beside him.
Across from them sat Chen Kangning, his large body squeezed tightly into the interrogation chair.
"Name, gender, age, place of origin…"
"Chen Kangning, male, 29 years old…"
"Chen Kangning, do you know why we brought you in?" Han Bin asked.
"You suspect I'm involved in the Linfang Community burglary case."
"Where were you from 11 a.m. on August 11th to 5 a.m. on August 12th?"
"At home."
"Can anyone verify that?"
"I was at home. Why would I need someone to verify that?"
"So, during the time of the crime, you have no alibi?" Han Bin countered.
"Lots of people stay at home without alibis. Why are you targeting me?"
Han Bin changed tactics:
"You smashed the window at the crime scene on purpose, didn't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Chen shrugged.
"With your body type, there's no way you could climb to higher floors. You did it to mislead the investigation."
"I honestly don't get what you're trying to say, but now I'm curious—if you know I can't climb, why suspect me in the first place?"
"It was fake—obviously fake. You smashed the window, but there were no climbing or scuff marks around it or outside the building. It doesn't add up," Han Bin said.
Chen gave a wry smile, thinking to himself: Looks like I've run into someone sharp this time.
"Where did you hide the stolen goods?" Han Bin suddenly asked.
"I didn't steal anything."
"Pretty alert."
"Just telling the truth."
…
The interrogation went on for more than 40 minutes, but Chen Kangning kept denying any involvement. There was no progress.
Observation Room
Zheng Kaixuan and Zhao Ying were watching from next door.
"It's been almost an hour—still no breakthrough," Zhao Ying noted, checking her watch.
"Chen Kangning's not easy to deal with," said Zheng.
"Captain Zheng, want me to give it a try?" Zhao offered.
"Let's wait a bit longer."
…
A while later, a knock sounded at the door: knock knock.
Han Bin turned and saw Tian Li standing outside.
He got up and left the interrogation room.
Inside, Chen Kangning kept his eyes glued to the door.
"Any progress?" Tian Li asked.
Han Bin shook his head. "He's tight-lipped. Without direct evidence, getting a confession is nearly impossible."
"The tech team checked his phone and computer—no case-related clues," Tian Li said quietly.
"Any records of him buying tools online?"
"None."
"Got it." Han Bin looked thoughtful.
"Think you can get him to crack?"
"I'll try." Han Bin replied and returned to the room.
"Officer, can I leave now?" Chen Kangning shook his handcuffs.
"Forget it—you're going to prison," Han Bin said with a smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Chen's lips tensed slightly.
"We found the stolen goods—and your fingerprints are on them." Han Bin walked to the chair, staring intensely at him.
"What stolen goods? There's nothing in my house." Chen's brows furrowed tightly, eyes widened, mouth agape.
"Of course not—they're outside the complex. You moved them," Han Bin said coolly.
"Heh." Chen chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"That's it for now." Han Bin smiled and left the room.
"Binzi, why'd you stop?" Li Hui followed him out.
"The guy's stone-cold, but I managed to get what I needed," said Han Bin.
"Really? I didn't hear him give anything away."
"The loot is still inside the community," Han Bin said confidently.
"How do you know?"
"I bluffed. Said we'd found the loot and his fingerprints. He looked scared—his face showed panic. Then I bluffed again, saying the loot was found outside the complex. He looked smug, like he saw through the lie."
Han Bin paused, then continued:
"The fear meant he does have stolen goods. The smugness meant he knew I was lying—they aren't outside."
"Now that you mention it, that does make sense…" Li Hui scratched his chin, thinking back.
Han Bin smiled. Microexpression analysis isn't as simple as it sounds.
He had used three layers of probing:
First bluff — telling Chen he'd be going to jail. Chen tightened his lips — a sign of anxiety and stress.
Second bluff — said the loot and fingerprints had been found. Chen showed classic signs of fear: brows drawn in, wide eyes, open mouth.
Third bluff — said the loot had been moved out of the complex. Chen's lips curled in a smirk — a sign of contempt.
The shift from anxiety → fear → contempt told Han Bin everything:
Yes, there was stolen property — but it hadn't left the complex.
With that conclusion, the search became a lot more focused.
Han Bin shared his reasoning with Captain Zheng Kaixuan.
Though only half convinced, Zheng approved Han Bin's plan to lead Team 2 in a thorough search of Linfang Community. If needed, they could call on local officers for help.
Team 1 didn't join the search. Zhao Ying continued the interrogation — she still trusted her own methods more than Han Bin's deductions.
…
Han Bin, Li Hui, Tian Li, and Zhao Ming drove to Linfang Community.
"Brother Bin, are you sure the loot is still in the complex?" Zhao Ming asked.
"Absolutely."
"It's been over 30 hours since the crime. What if he did sneak it out already?" Tian Li wondered.
"I'm sure it's still here," Han Bin said firmly. If even he doubted himself, how could he convince others?
"The community's pretty big. Where do you think he'd hide it?" Li Hui asked.
"If it were you, where would you hide it?" Han Bin tossed the question back.
Zhao Ming thought for a bit.
"If it were me—I'd hide it on the roof. No one goes up there."
"The stairwell's a good choice too—no cameras, not many people," Tian Li said.
"I'd bury it in the landscaping. Dig a hole and cover it up," Li Hui added with a grin, as if imagining it.
"These are all good ideas. Let's each take our own guess and search separately," Han Bin smiled.
"Phew…" All three teammates sighed dramatically in response.
(End of Chapter)