Chen Xiao spoke, and Lin Xi’s gaze immediately became alert.

But the moment she looked, Lin Xi was startled.

"How did I not notice!"

Chen Xiao squinted his eyes, "Right, I didn’t notice at first either. But now that I looked closely, he does share about eighty percent resemblance with Qiao Zhiyuan’s profile."

"Do you think we should let Yuanyuan identify him?"

"What if Yuanyuan says it’s him again?"

Lin Xi opened her mouth to speak, but the next second her words were forcibly stopped.

Indeed.

If Yuanyuan says it’s Madman Zhang again, then what should be done?

Should we claim Madman Zhang is the culprit again?

That can’t be!

Qiao Zhiyuan still has the ability to argue for himself, knowing self-harm can prove innocence.

A completely clueless Madman Zhang, how could he defend himself?

It’s possible that even when they were about to execute him, he’d applaud and laugh.

Besides, Madman Zhang, who’s been insane for years, where would he have the ability to kill?

Especially considering the composure and rationality the killer displayed when committing murder, that’s something no madman could achieve.

However, as Lin Xi thought about it, she lowered her voice and said, "Husband, if he really is that person, wouldn’t it mean he’s been pretending all these years?"

Chen Xiao’s gaze narrowed, and he whispered back, "People say I’m bold in thinking and guessing. I see you’re not much different."

"I can’t compare to you, but I dared think this way because of your influence."

Chen Xiao didn’t continue the mutual compliments with Lin Xi but instead spoke seriously, "We can’t rule out that possibility. And if such a possibility exists, then I can only say the depth of a person’s heart is indeed terrifying."

"Yeah, pretending to be mad for a moment is easy, pretending for a few months is possible, but he’s been mad for many years!"

While they were talking, Chen Xiao walked straight up to Madman Zhang and smiled, saying:

"This backpack is so pretty."

Upon hearing this, Madman Zhang grinned, "Tongtong’s favorite backpack, I bought it... a lot of money!"

Chen Xiao gave a thumbs up, asking, "Can I take a look?"

Madman Zhang happily took off the backpack.

However, a primary school backpack isn’t easy to take off from an adult.

Just as Chen Xiao was about to help, Madman Zhang suddenly appeared tense:

"What are you trying to do? This is Tongtong’s!"

"Her homework is in there!"

"Can’t snatch it, the teacher needs to check, nobody’s allowed to snatch!"

A madman is a madman.

Unpredictable mood swings.

Laughing with someone one moment, yet capable of wielding a hammer in the next.

Madman Zhang’s shrill voice suddenly made everyone rush over.

Xiong Nan’s mother pointed at Madman Zhang, endlessly scolding, afraid of offending the prison guards.

Xiong Nan’s father seemed a bit flustered.

In their minds, offending the leaders never ends well.

Nonetheless, Chen Xiao quickly explained, "Uncle, Aunt, don’t worry, he’s just mentally unstable." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Who knows why they brought him home, dirty and abnormal. He’s a pitiful man, but with so many pitiful men in the world, can we help them all?"

Xiong Nan’s mother sighed.

Xiong Nan bowed his head and pulled Madman Zhang aside.

Madman Zhang seemed obedient, wearing the expression of someone who has made a mistake, yet instinctively holding onto the backpack straps.

After lecturing Madman Zhang, Xiong Nan apologetically approached Chen Xiao.

"Officer Chen, I’m really sorry. I didn’t expect him to suddenly act this way. But the backpack is his most important thing. He may skip showers, but he’ll wash that backpack until it’s spotless."

Chen Xiao shook his head with a smile, "It’s okay."

"Then let’s sit down for dinner, my mom has already cooked!"

"Alright."

With those words, Chen Xiao sat down with Lin Xi.

Throughout the meal, Xiong Nan’s parents warmly entertained them, while Madman Zhang ate alone on a small stool with a bowl.

After dinner, it was naturally inappropriate for Chen Xiao and Lin Xi to stay longer.

As they were about to take their leave, Madman Zhang placed the dishes in the kitchen.

Then he knelt and bowed to Xiong Nan’s family.

Chen Xiao and Lin Xi were shocked, but Xiong Nan’s family was accustomed to it.

"That’s just how he is. Whoever feeds him, he bows after eating. Can’t persuade him otherwise." Xiong Nan said with a bitter laugh.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, saying, "Maybe his mind is all muddled, but gratitude is clear to him. The kindness of a meal, for people like him, might well be worth a bow."

Xiong Nan smiled shyly. Chen Xiao continued, "Thank you for the hospitality, we’re leaving now."

"Alright, I’ll see you off."

"No need, stay home with your parents."

Chen Xiao declined Xiong Nan’s offer and left downstairs with Lin Xi’s special task force.

Once downstairs, Chen Xiao didn’t leave with Lin Xi.

He was independent from the task force, unsuitable to be with them.

Before parting, Chen Xiao asked, "Are you going to keep investigating tonight?"

"Probably, since we’re already home. You should go home and check in, otherwise, there’d just be four old folks in the house."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you and go home to spend time with them."

Chen Xiao nodded, and Lin Xi waved as she left with the task force.

Once they were gone, Chen Xiao drove back to the father-in-law’s.

When Chen Xiao arrived, only Lin Shanhu was sitting in the living room.

Chen Xiao curiously asked, "Dad, where’s my dad and mom?"

"Your dad couldn’t drink anymore and went to rest first. Your mom and the others went to the village for a stroll."

Chen Xiao nodded, then went to pour Lin Shanhu a cup of tea, followed by a laugh:

"Dad, your drinking skills are so much better now. Even my father isn’t a match for you anymore."

"Your father is just in a good mood, wanting to use this chance to drink more with me, so he’s been really liberated these past two days."

"We’re family, it’s only right to let loose."

Lin Shanhu looked at Chen Xiao meaningfully, "That’s because of you. Without you as a bond between our families, we wouldn’t be this happy."

Chen Xiao grinned, and Lin Shanhu handed him a cigarette from the pack:

"I know you don’t smoke, but share one. Drinking with your father is fine, but smoking alone makes it taste bitter."

"Alright."

Chen Xiao accepted the cigarette, lit Lin Shanhu’s first, then his own.

The father-in-law and son-in-law blew smoke rings almost simultaneously, with Lin Shanhu seriously stating:

"You came back because of that crazy girl Yaoyao, right?"

Chen Xiao was a bit embarrassed but nodded honestly, "Kind of."

"I knew it!" Lin Shanhu said sourly, then with seriousness, he said in a deep voice:

"Don’t listen to the crazy girl. You’re someone doing great things now. You need to have a broad mind and vision; your thoughts should be for the future! Family matters are a joke to me."

"But if these things need you to handle them, not only do I become a joke, but you too would become one! Someone doing great things shouldn’t waste time and energy on small things like this."

As he spoke, Lin Shanhu extinguished the cigarette butt, patting Chen Xiao’s shoulder:

"I’ve learned about your deeds. As a son-in-law, I’m very satisfied... I might even say I’m proud!"

"That pride doesn’t come from how much money you’ve made, but from the fact that when the police in Yangguan see me, they say, ’Oh, you’re Officer Chen Xiao’s father-in-law!’"