After all, in the Jiangcheng police force, they had long witnessed more awe-inspiring moments from Jiang An.

After a long period of contemplation, Zhou Yong solemnly nodded and sincerely praised, "Captain Jiang, your analysis is incisive, and I completely agree with your judgment."

The two young forensic assistants couldn't contain their excitement, eagerly expressing their admiration.

"This is a hundred times more brilliant than the traffic accident injury analysis taught by our professors!"

"Today has truly been an eye-opener and very enlightening!"

....

Jiang An nodded slightly and continued to analyze deeply, "Based on the earlier on-site trace analysis, I am now more convinced of a hypothesis: this is highly likely a case of a traffic accident, where the perpetrator disposed of the body at a far distance to evade responsibility."

Zhou Yong sighed with deep agreement, "Indeed."

"If these fracture pattern traits completely match the characteristics of a traffic accident, then this motive becomes quite reasonable."

"To be honest, this special three-point fracture pattern is also the first I've encountered in my many years of work."

"Not to mention this unique interpretative method, it's simply unheard of."

Amidst the heavy atmosphere, Wan jokingly interjected, "If the killer is a highly skilled forensic pathologist, could they pull off such a countermeasure?"

Zhou Yong couldn't help but laugh at this, "Haha, a forensic pathologist?"

"An ordinary forensic pathologist wouldn't have this ability, unless they are an industry-leading expert."

Meanwhile, Captain Wang Yang was leading the task force members in a rigorous data screening process.

According to the investigation plan determined at the task force meeting, they focused on reviewing all people in the village who had work experience outside, especially those linked to Qingzhou.

Additionally, local individuals with criminal records were also prioritized for investigation.

After more than two hours of intense and orderly work, the preliminary screening finally concluded.

Wang Yang carefully reviewed the highlighted list of key personnel: among the 15,000 migrant workers from the village, 70 people have direct links to Qingzhou.

Notably, out of these 70, 68 primarily work in ordinary jobs at construction sites and electronics factories, with only 2 involved in the fruit transportation business.

Wang Yang nodded thoughtfully as Officer Zhou handed over a list of special personnel under control.

"Mr. Wang, this is the list of individuals from the village with criminal records, totaling 95, mainly involving theft, robbery, intentional homicide, and intentional injury crimes."

After quickly browsing, Wang Yang immediately issued instructions, "Conduct an online investigation of these 95 people, focusing on their activities and real-life behavior over the past six months."

"Understood, I'll assign someone to implement it right away."

Wang Yang looked at the thick list of migrant workers in his hand, feeling a wave of pressure.

Although only 70 are directly related to Qingzhou, what if the culprit is hidden among those outside these 70?

This possibility made Wang Yang's temples throb intensely, his brows unconsciously furrowing, and the list in his hand seemed to grow heavier.

At this moment, Chen Biao was standing in the courtyard of the deceased's old home.

Inside the house, the deceased's mother—a gray-haired, haggard-faced old lady—walked out tremblingly holding a cardboard box.

The box contained all her daughter's belongings: a few neatly folded pieces of clothing, a faded cloth teddy bear, several professional books, and a slightly worn-out diary.

"Officer, these are all my daughter's possessions left behind..."

The old lady's voice was hoarse and low, as if every word exhausted all her strength.

Chen Biao took the box and gently opened the diary.

The yellowed pages were densely filled with elegant handwriting.

Reading carefully, he found that the girl had an almost obsessive love for travel.

The words revealed a yearning for freedom and a longing for faraway places.

Closing the diary, Chen Biao took a deep breath and stood up.

"Madam, please accept my condolences."

Chen Biao said softly, "Our preliminary investigation ends here; next, we will go to your daughter's school to understand the situation."

The old lady suddenly grabbed Chen Biao's hand tightly; her calloused palms were cold and trembling.

"Officer, please, you must bring justice for my daughter!"

Her tears finally burst forth, "I've never asked for anything in my life, just hoping she could be safe and sound... She was only twenty-eight! If I could, I would trade my old life to have her back..."

Chen Biao felt an aching sense of empathy, gently patting the old lady's shoulder, "Madam, you must take care of yourself."

"Your daughter in heaven surely wishes for your well-being."

"We promise to do everything possible to solve this case."

"Thank you... thank you all..."

The old lady wiped her tears with her sleeve, "My daughter has been sensible since she was young, never giving me trouble with her studies."

"She finally got into graduate school, was about to graduate, and who would have thought..."

"Please, believe in law and justice."

Chen Biao solemnly said, "Although it may arrive late, justice will never be absent."

"We will inform you immediately if there is any news."

On leaving, Chen Biao looked back.

The hunched figure of the old lady stood at the doorstep.

This scene deeply imprinted itself in his mind.

Chen Biao gazed at the swiftly receding scenery, filled with thoughts.

What exactly happened to this girl who loved travel?

Where was the last place she visited?

An hour later, they arrived at the university where Luo Xi had studied during her lifetime.

The campus was bustling, with small groups of students holding books and bustling about.

In the counselor's office, a middle-aged woman wearing glasses was organizing documents.

"Luo Qian was a particularly diligent student."

The counselor, Yang Yan, adjusted her glasses and recalled, "She took the exam for three consecutive years before getting into graduate school, so she cherished the opportunity to study especially well."

As she spoke, she pulled out a file from the drawer, "This is the application form she submitted the last time she requested leave."

"Look, the reason is written as 'going on a trip.'

Chen Biao took the form and noticed the application date was just three days before the girl's disappearance.

"Did she say where she planned to go?"

"Um..."

Yang Yan thought for a moment, "It seems she mentioned wanting to go to Purple Shirt Park."

"It's not far from here, but a rather remote spot."

"Did she go alone?"

"I suppose so."

"We checked the dorm records, no other students applied for leave that day."

"Her roommates also said they hadn't heard of her planning to go with anyone."

As they left the office, Chen Biao checked the time.

"Let's head to Purple Mountain Park."

He told his colleagues, "We'll go now."

One hour later, the police car stopped at the foot of Purple Mountain Park.

Getting out of the car, one could see this was a not fully developed mountainous area, with only simple signage at the entrance.

Soon, they saw a few young people with backpacks preparing to climb the mountain.

"Excuse me, young man."

Chen Biao called out to one of them, showing his police badge, "We are police officers and would like to inquire about the situation here."

The young people visibly tensed.

One boy wearing a baseball cap stammered, "W-we're just here to hike..."

"No need to be nervous, just routine inquiries."

Chen Biao reassured, "How long does it generally take to climb the mountain?"

"About an hour and a half if you're quick."

The boy relaxed a bit, "There are plenty of people during the day, mostly local young people."

"The view from the top is spectacular; many come here to relax."

"How do you get back and forth?"

"Usually by bus, sometimes by taxi."

"Regular taxis cost over a hundred, while unlicensed ones are half the price."

The boy added after speaking, "Although cars are scarce around here in the evening, we usually come during the day."

After the young people left, young officer Li couldn't resist asking, "Brother Biao, do you suspect something happened on the way?"

Chen Biao didn't respond immediately.

He looked around, observing the surroundings under the moonlight.

This was a secluded national highway, with sparse streetlights and even fewer surveillance cameras.

"It's a perfect place for crime."

Chen Biao said in a low voice, "Especially at night, it's deserted. If the victim took an unlicensed taxi..."

"But if she came on Friday during the day, there should have been a lot of tourists."

"That's precisely the problem."

Chen Biao frowned, "If she indeed came here, there should have been witnesses."

He looked at the shadow of the mountain, as a sense of ominous foreboding spread in his heart.

This girl who loved life, what did she encounter on her last journey?