At this moment, inside the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau's director office.

Mr. Ma looked out the window and picked up the phone again to dial the number of his old classmate.

As soon as the call was connected, a slightly fatigued yet still cheerful voice of the old classmate came through the receiver.

"Mr. Ma, I've almost finished packing my luggage here, and I'm planning to book the earliest flight to Jiangcheng tomorrow."

"Speaking of which, ever since we parted ways at the criminal investigation summit ten years ago, we old classmates haven't had the chance to gather."

The tone of the old classmate on the other end of the line was filled with unconcealed excitement.

But Mr. Ma's hand on the receiver tightened slightly.

He took a deep breath and said hesitantly, "Old classmate, you are always welcome to come to Jiangcheng."

"It's just... the case we asked you to assist with this time, we've just solved it."

"What?"

A rustling sound came from the other end, as if the old classmate had suddenly sat up straight.

"It's been less than two hours, right?"

"The case was solved this quickly? Mr. Ma, you must be joking with me?"

The old classmate's voice was full of disbelief.

Mr. Ma hurriedly explained, "Old classmate, I'm really sorry."

"We just made a major breakthrough through interrogation, not only obtaining the main suspect's full confession but also apprehending the accomplice."

"However, it's been a while since we last met, if you're willing to come to Jiangcheng, you're always welcome, and we can catch up."

There was a brief silence on the other end, and the old classmate's voice became noticeably calmer.

"Since the case has been resolved, it's indeed not quite suitable for me to go over now."

"How about this, we'll arrange another meeting when we all take our annual leave?"

"Then we can find a place to have a good gathering, drink and chat together, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ma responded accordingly, "Sounds good, sounds good."

"Speaking of which, the old classmates from the surrounding cities are all in leadership positions now, some have retired, while others are still contributing at their posts."

"How about I organize a reunion this year, gather everyone, and find a place nearby for a small get-together."

"We could also have the old classmates share some experiences with us; the current cases are becoming more complex, and much harder to investigate than before."

"Haha, that's a great suggestion!"

The old classmate's voice turned lively again, "We can exchange experiences with each other and continue to contribute to maintaining the security of Dragon Country."

After hanging up the phone, Mr. Ma leaned back in his chair with a hint of guilt in his heart.

After all, he had solemnly invited his old classmate to assist with the investigation.

Now suddenly changing plans, it felt somewhat inconsiderate.

But on second thought, the journey from the provincial city to Jiangcheng is quite a distance, not to mention the fatigue from travel; it would be even more inappropriate to have the person come for nothing.

Moreover, his team's ability to solve the case in such a short time also proved the capability of the Jiangcheng police.

If he had to call for outside help at every turn, wouldn't that show poor leadership on his part?

While pondering this, a light knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in." Mr. Ma adjusted his emotions and said.

The office director of the city bureau pushed open the door and quickly walked to the desk.

"Mr. Ma, a few family members just came to inquire about the progress of the case investigation."

"Which case?"

Mr. Ma raised his head and asked.

"The family members of the deceased in the fishpond drowning case."

Mr. Ma's previously furrowed brow immediately relaxed: "This case has been solved."

"Take them to the meeting room first, and I'll have the comrades from the criminal investigation team brief them on the case."

"However..."

The office director said with some difficulty, "Both Mr. Li and Mr. Zhang from the criminal investigation team are out handling cases and haven't returned yet, so..."

Mr. Ma pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, I have been following this case closely and am familiar with the situation, so I will brief the families myself."

"Okay, I'll arrange for them to wait in the criminal investigation meeting room."

The office director nodded and left the office after speaking.

Ten minutes later, dressed in a deep blue uniform, Mr. Ma hurried to the third-floor meeting room.

He pushed open the heavy wooden door and saw that six or seven family members were already seated inside the room, looking solemn.

Upon seeing Mr. Ma enter, they all stood up in unison, their eyes filled with urgency and unease.

Mr. Ma gestured for them to sit down. "Please, everyone, have a seat."

"Mr. Li and Mr. Zhang from the criminal investigation team are out on an important mission, so I will be the one briefing you on the latest developments in this case today."

His voice was steady and firm, yet it made the family members across from him even more tense.

The mother of the deceased was tightly clutching the hem of her coat, the father instinctively adjusted his reading glasses, and the young wife's eyes had already reddened.

The room was so quiet that the hum of the air conditioner could be heard.

Mr. Ma took a deep breath and spoke in a grave tone, "First, I must apologize to you all on behalf of the public security bureau."

"At the time, we did not accurately determine the nature of the death in the first instance, which was a failure in our work."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across each tense face.

"But after three years of relentless effort by the special task force, we have today finally identified the real culprit, and..."

He deliberately slowed his speech, "This perpetrator is someone you know."

"Someone we know?"

The father of the deceased straightened up abruptly, his eyes behind the glasses growing wide, "Who is it?"

"Li Chuang."

Mr. Ma said the name with deliberate precision.

For an instant, it was as if the pause button had been pressed in the meeting room.

The parents and wife of the deceased remained frozen like statues, their faces written with disbelief.