Chapter 672: A Key Location 300 Kilometers Away!

Chen Xiao put down the notes made by Huang Zhao and his son.

Qin Fei’s office gradually quieted down as well.

Even the sky outside began to lighten slightly.

Qin Fei let out a long yawn, checked the time, and asked:

"Hungry? Why don’t we go have some breakfast first?"

Chen Xiao nodded, "We should be able to run into Leader Cao at the canteen now, right?"

"It’s possible, unless he’s too exhausted and already asleep."

Chen Xiao smiled, knowing that this possibility was unlikely to them both.

With that, the two headed towards the police team’s canteen together.

As expected, upon entering the canteen, the leader of the task force for the locked room skinning case, Cao Xiuyuan,

Qin Fei proactively reached out, greeted, "Brother Xiuyuan."

The latter looked up, his face broke into a wide smile:

"Done with your work? Come sit, let’s have breakfast together."

As he spoke, Cao Xiuyuan’s gaze quickly shifted to Chen Xiao.

Once they sat down, Cao Xiuyuan first asked, "This is, Chen Xiao?"

Chen Xiao was about to greet as well, but seeing the other speak first, he extended his hand:

"Hello Captain Cao, I’m Chen Xiao."

"Qin Fei has mentioned you, a handsome young guy in his twenties, so you’re easy to recognize."

Chen Xiao just smiled without initiating further conversation.

Seeing this, Qin Fei continued eating breakfast and asked, "Brother Xiuyuan, when are you heading back?"

"Originally planned to return after breakfast."

"So there’s a new plan?" Qin Fei chuckled.

From the brief exchange between the two, Chen Xiao could tell that Qin Fei might seem less prominent in the local detective team.

However, in the eyes of higher-up departments, he was well-acquainted.

From this observation, it was evident that Qin Fei indeed had unusual connections with the upper levels.

While Chen Xiao pondered, Cao Xiuyuan responded to Qin Fei:

"You didn’t know? Once a decision is made, it won’t change."

Qin Fei’s expression paused, "But Brother Xiuyuan, about the skinning case."

"Want to join?"

Cao Xiuyuan asked slightly knowingly while Qin Fei found himself rather speechless.

But upon looking at Chen Xiao, Qin Fei realized.

Cao Xiuyuan was actually waiting for them at the canteen!

Chen Xiao straightforwardly said, "Regarding Captain Cao’s investigation, Qin Fei and I are quite interested."

Cao Xiuyuan didn’t waste words, mentioning the briefcase on a chair beside him, saying:

"The case file is here, after reading, just sign the confidentiality documents if you don’t have any insights."

Cao Xiuyuan’s meaning was simple and direct.

It meant that during this breakfast, offer a clue.

No matter whether the police have this clue or not, as long as it’s significant, it becomes a gateway to join the task force.

Chen Xiao and Qin Fei exchanged a glance without speaking.

The case file lay between them, they reviewed it while having breakfast.

Chen Xiao knew that if Qin Fei wanted to join the task force, it shouldn’t be an issue.

After Xie Wensheng stepped down from the captain position, Qin Fei immediately took over.

Thus joining a task force to build his resume wouldn’t be difficult for Qin Fei either.

But perhaps Qin Fei didn’t want to be the subject of gossip, he hoped one day he could make everyone believe in his true abilities.

Chen Xiao put aside all distractions, earnestly reading the case file.

He needed Qin Fei’s help, so it was only right to assist Qin Fei as well.

No matter what method Cao Xiuyuan used, Chen Xiao accepted calmly.

Opening the case file, Chen Xiao saw more detailed personal information about Yuan Keyu.

Including each school Yuan Keyu graduated from and major events in his life were all recorded.

However, this wasn’t what Chen Xiao needed to focus on.

One breakfast’s time was entirely insufficient to study the victim’s social relations.

Therefore, at this time, a more effective method needed to be devised based on time constraints.

Chen Xiao glanced at the case briefly, then picked up the photos taken from the crime scene.

The scene was simple, just a room.

There was a desk in the room, and the victim Yuan Keyu was sitting at the desk.

However, he looked miserable.

The skin on his upper body was almost completely flayed.

Chen Xiao immediately took time to read the autopsy report.

When the police discovered the victim, he’d been dead for over fifteen hours.

However, his fatal injury wasn’t bleeding out from the skinning.

His true cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation due to a tightened neck.

In other words, he was strangled to death before being skinned.

This immediately highlighted a problem.

Why was Yuan Keyu skinned after being strangled?

Was the killer obsessed with such methods?

Or does this redundant murder method have some specific significance?

Chen Xiao closed the autopsy report, began using the Power of Capture to observe the victim’s wounds.

From the wounds, Chen Xiao could see that the killer was very brutal when flaying, leaving many muscle tear marks on the victim.

Brutal!

Chen Xiao mentally noted the first characteristic.

He then continued to observe the wounds.

But all were without any technique, indicating that behind this brutality possibly lied an emotional outburst.

And in murder cases, emotional outbursts typically imply deep conflict or even hatred between the parties.

Yet, Yuan Keyu had been abroad for years, only recently returning to the country.

Moreover, due to his special status, Yuan Keyu was warmly welcomed upon returning.

Thus, a new problem emerged.

Yuan Keyu’s first stop upon returning was Kyoto.

His ancestral home is in East Province’s Provincial City.

So after visiting his ancestors and relatives, why would he come alone to a town three hundred kilometers away from the Provincial City?

And he didn’t notify anyone, so when his death was discovered, the police initially didn’t know who he was!

Establishing this contradiction, Chen Xiao then reviewed some statements related to the case.

These statements were provided by Yuan Keyu’s family, friends, and employer.

Yuan Keyu returned because he was invited by the country to participate in scientific research.

Logically, someone of Yuan Keyu’s status should be carefully protected by the state.

His every move should be documented as well.

But he unexpectedly traveled alone to a town three hundred kilometers away without anyone knowing.

His bizarre behavior only indicated that this town is definitely tied deeply to a significant trajectory in his life.

Moreover, that relationship he couldn’t reveal to the outside world, yet couldn’t control his reason and emotions, risking everything to come quietly alone!