Chapter 670: Locked Room, Skinning!

Regarding friendship.

Chen Xiao never felt that speaking up would put him at a disadvantage.

Between friends, Chen Xiao didn’t believe in superiority or inferiority either.

However, it seemed he had come across a bargain.

Initially, he went to find Qin Fei to actively seek his help.

Unexpectedly, through a twist of fate, Qin Fei spoke first.

"You talk, I’m listening."

This time, Chen Xiao didn’t say any flattering words, just simply agreed to Qin Fei’s request with a few words.

"Before you came to investigate the case of Zhu Nianying’s disappearance, the city bureau received orders from higher-ups to dispatch elite detectives to participate in an investigation."

"The deceased in the case was a very special individual, what I know and can tell you is that he was a top talent in a certain research field in our country!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao’s face turned serious.

"Such a major case, and still no leads after so long?"

"Yes, the case is significant, but the leader of the taskforce is no ordinary detective. Also, the case is rather sealed off from the outside, so I don’t have the clearance to know if there are any leads."

"So, at this point in the case, no one really knows the progress?" Chen Xiao frowned.

However, as soon as he asked, he realized:

"The city bureau probably intended to recommend you to the taskforce, but for some reason, you didn’t make it in. So, you mean to say you want me to take your place?"

As he spoke, Chen Xiao felt something was off.

Just speaking objectively.

Qin Fei asked for his help, willingly offering a cost for assistance.

Qin Fei must stand to gain from this first.

So it shouldn’t be about replacing, but assisting.

Qin Fei earnestly explained: "I wasn’t the top detective selected for that case, and many officers from various precincts sent there ended up returning in embarrassment."

"So I’ve been waiting for you, once you’re done with your matters, and if possible, I hope you can assist me!"

Chen Xiao didn’t hesitate for a moment: "No problem, I’ll go with you!"

Chen Xiao needed Qin Fei’s help.

Moreover, from Qin Fei’s words, he could tell it wasn’t just any simple case; it was a highly confidential one.

Otherwise, Chen Xiao wouldn’t have heard nothing at all.

For such high-confidentiality cases, without someone to bring him in, as a private detective, Chen Xiao clearly didn’t have the clearance.

No matter how renowned he was, without the necessary authorization, he might not even be able to access the tiniest fragment of information.

So, collaborating with the police was Chen Xiao’s only easy access to such cases.

"I’m glad you agreed, I’m more relieved you can solve this case quickly. Originally, the helper the city bureau got me was Jin Peng, but I changed my mind once you came, and the transcript you’re looking at now is the reason we called him."

Qin Fei pointed again to the transcript.

By this time, Chen Xiao understood a bit, while opening the transcript and asking: "You know Jin Peng well, and are aware he has a habit of hoarding cases. But I assume the reason you did a transcript on him, is it because Jin Peng and the deceased had some connection or were they acquaintances?"

Qin Fei snapped his fingers: "Yes, according to the investigation, Jin Peng definitely knew the deceased. Moreover, while abroad, their relationship was decent."

Hearing this, Chen Xiao didn’t say much, just quietly read the transcript.

The transcript didn’t contain much about the case of Zhu Nianying. Most inquiries were about a man named Yuan Keyu.

It seemed that Yuan Keyu was the top scientist in a certain research field Qin Fei mentioned.

However, to Chen Xiao’s surprise, this top scholar turned out to be only forty years old.

This age is extremely young for a scholar.

Being young means he could have contributed to his field for many more years.

But nobody expected his life would end at such a young age.

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret.

He had no fondness for Jin Peng.

His dislike wasn’t just because Jin Peng, being a detective, hoarded and hid cases for personal gain.

Also because Jin Peng was a foreigner.

But Yuan Keyu wasn’t someone like Jin Peng.

From Jin Peng’s transcript, it was clear the reason they knew each other was because they were both yellow-skinned and spoke the same language.

During his time abroad seeking knowledge, Yuan Keyu formed some friendships with Jin Peng.

Jin Peng was extremely shocked and regretful upon hearing about Yuan Keyu’s demise.

He revealed that the reason he befriended Yuan Keyu, who was like a bookworm, was because he heard foreign friends speak of Yuan Keyu’s prowess.

Stating that if Yuan Keyu wanted, he could have achieved extremely esteemed status in any country.

But Yuan Keyu refused them all.

About a month before Jin Peng returned to the country, Yuan Keyu had already returned.

But who would have thought, shortly after his return, Yuan Keyu was killed.

From Jin Peng’s account, Chen Xiao instinctively thought of a potential reason for Yuan Keyu’s murder.

However, Jin Peng felt this possibility was low.

The reason being if it were that cause, Yuan Keyu might not have been able to return successfully.

And certainly not get killed after being back for more than a month.

Chen Xiao found Jin Peng’s reasoning somewhat logical.

Though he disliked Jin Peng, his words seemed to be well-thought-out when spoken.

Unfortunately, Jin Peng’s transcript also lacked substantial content.

It didn’t take Chen Xiao long to finish reading it, and then he asked Qin Fei:

"Did someone from above come down?"

Qin Fei paused, then nodded: "Yes, just today, the taskforce people checked out the relationship between Jin Peng and Professor Yuan, so I accompanied Leader Cao of the taskforce to conduct this interrogation."

"So it means, it was at his behest you brought this transcript for me to see?"

"Of course, otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to convey such information freely; it would be a huge responsibility!"

Qin Fei chuckled, and Chen Xiao understood: "Since you let me see the transcript, it means Leader Cao agreed to the two of us joining?"

Qin Fei shook his head: "Not exactly; having me accompany the interrogation implies the confidentiality agreement is tacit. And letting you see it also means tacitly signing the confidentiality agreement. As for us joining the taskforce, it’s conditional."

"Find a lead?"

"Yes, it could be a major lead the taskforce currently has or a significant undiscovered lead."

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but squint his eyes: "This truly is a good way to test. Only with a lead in hand does one have the right to learn more."

"Hearing you say that, does it mean you agree?"

"Of course, but even if we don’t inquire about the leads, surely we can look at the case files?"

"After meeting Leader Cao, we’ll naturally be able to see them." Qin Fei said, then smiled: "Time is of the essence, how about we go see Leader Cao now?"

"No rush, first tell me what kind of case this really is, and what’s the major difficulty in it. The more prepared we are, the more confident we’ll be!"

Qin Fei nodded, seriously saying:

"According to Leader Cao, it’s a locked-room skinning case!"

Chen Xiao’s gaze instantly froze.

Locked room!

Skinning!

Just those two features were enough to send a shock through Chen Xiao’s heart.