Chapter 12 The Corpse Room 12  

As Zhang Hao grumbled his way downstairs, Ye Zhu and the others remained by the window, observing the scene below.  

“Is that person across the street taking photos?” Peng Yishan exclaimed in surprise. He had been standing behind the curtains but now lifted them slightly for a clearer view.  

Everyone followed his gaze. Though their line of sight was partially obscured by the tree canopies lining the road, it wasn’t a major hindrance. Sure enough, two figures lurked behind the greenery on the opposite side of the street. Their cautious body language suggested they were trying to avoid detection.  

“Hmm, pretty professional equipment,” Luo Qi mused, stroking his chin. “Boss, didn’t the Fenghe City Public Security Bureau bring us in precisely because this case got leaked to the media? The public pressure was too much, so they wanted to solve it within a deadline to salvage their image. Looks like the drama isn’t over yet—this time, the pressure won’t just be on Fenghe’s bureau. If today’s incident with Mei Xia’s family protesting at the police station gets reported, our investigation team will be dragged into the mess too.”  

“Honestly, the whole thing feels off,” Peng Yishan analyzed. “Didn’t their Special Task Force claim the news about the serial disappearances was sealed? Even the families of the missing victims had no idea what was really going on. So how did the media catch wind of it?”  

His words made Ye Zhu pause. It was strange, but she offered an explanation: “Team Leader Zhang mentioned that for all previous missing persons cases, the police issued public notices through broadcasts and other channels. Maybe this media outlet just seized the opportunity.”  

“Seized the opportunity?” Yan Yu suddenly spoke up, his tone laced with sarcasm. “By the time the report came out, Mei Xia had only just been reported missing, hadn’t she? Did your Special Task Force even have time to issue a public Notice of Assistance in Investigation?”  

“…Probably only an internal notice was circulated,” Ye Zhu admitted.  

“Internal leak?” Peng Yishan raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t uncommon—especially for cases like disappearances, where officers involved might not be as guarded. It wasn’t about doubting the professionalism of the Special Task Force, but these notices had been distributed across all levels of the local police. Some lower-ranking personnel might’ve mentioned it casually, and word could’ve spread from there.  

While he spoke, Yan Yu pulled out his phone and scrolled through something before handing it to Ye Zhu. She took it and saw the viral article about the serial disappearances.  

“Even if it was a grassroots leak, some of these details would’ve been beyond their access, right?” Yan Yu arched a brow. “The article goes into the most detail about the fourth victim, Mei Xia. What did her family say during their last statement?”  

Ye Zhu scratched her head. “They claimed they contacted the media themselves after filing the police report. They thought public scrutiny would pressure the authorities to work faster.”

At this, Yan Yu let out a faint snort through his nose and turned his head away to continue observing the scene below. Zhang Hao and Deputy Director Li were earnestly trying to reason with Mei Xia’s family, while Zhao Hu seemed to have inadvertently noticed something suspicious across the street and immediately led his team charging over. Two individuals behind the bushes scrambled to grab their equipment and fled into a van parked several hundred meters away, making their escape.

Not long after the two unidentified individuals fled, Mei Xia’s parents and Zhang Hao’s group returned to the office building.

Yan Yu withdrew his gaze and issued orders: “Brother Peng, stay here and continue assisting Luo Qi in tracking the SUV from the video. See if you can uncover any new leads. As for you two”—he glanced at Ye Zhu and Jiang Bing—”come with me to meet Mei Xia’s family.”

Ye Zhu and Jiang Bing acknowledged the instruction, and the three of them left the conference room one after another, taking the elevator down to the first floor.

As expected, they found their targets in the reception room on the first floor. The four individuals who had been making a scene with gongs, drums, and banners were now inside, drinking mineral water provided by the police station. Meanwhile, Zhang Hao and Deputy Director Li stood in the hallway, whispering about something.

“Comrade Xiao Yan…” Deputy Director Li finished murmuring a few final words to Zhang Hao before stepping forward. His expression suggested he was already aware of the collaboration between the Special Investigation Unit and the Special Task Force. He seemed to want to say something at first, but in the end, he merely raised his hand and gave Yan Yu’s shoulder a firm squeeze before walking away without another word, leaving behind only a faint sigh hanging in the air.

Surprisingly, the deputy director hadn’t used the earlier incident to pressure the investigation team, nor had he resorted to emotional appeals. Instead, his demeanor was one of gratitude. To be honest, Jiang Bing, who had been silently observing, was somewhat taken aback. Over the years, their team had traveled across the country, encountering distrust and harsh words at critical moments, not to mention relentless pressure when cases hit dead ends. Yet here in Fenghe City—a small, unremarkable backwater—Deputy Director Li had proven unexpectedly admirable.

At this thought, Jiang Bing pursed his lips impassively. A part of him had been looking forward to witnessing Yan Yu’s legendary ability to shut people down with a single remark. After all, their daily work was often tense and monotonous, and watching their leader verbally dismantle opponents was a rare and entertaining diversion.

A faint crease appeared between Yan Yu’s brows. He glanced sideways at his shoulder, where the deputy director had gripped him, then nodded at Zhang Hao in the hallway before pushing open the reception room door and stepping inside.

The four people inside had been whispering among themselves but immediately fell silent when they heard the door handle turn. Their expressions were hostile as they scrutinized the newcomers. Only when they recognized Zhang Hao’s familiar face at the back did the man seated in the middle speak up: “Team Leader Zhang, are these your superiors?”

The man appeared to be in his fifties, his complexion sallow and his tone far from friendly. Without waiting for Zhang Hao’s reply, he gave Ye Zhu and the others a once-over with a critical eye before finally settling his gaze on Yan Yu. “Are the leaders in your bureau really this young?”

As for why he immediately identified Yan Yu as the person in charge, Ye Zhu figured it was probably due to that perpetually unchanging poker face he wore around outsiders, which carried a unique air of authority. After all, many people nowadays held this ingrained stereotype: the sterner the face, the higher the position.

Zhang Hao glanced over and wisely kept silent, merely rubbing his hands together with a smile.

Yan Yu didn’t directly answer the question either. Casually pulling over a chair, he sat down opposite the four of them. He glanced at the man who had just spoken, then at the plainly dressed middle-aged woman beside him, before finally narrowing his eyes at the two men holding gongs on either side. “And you two are?”

“We’re Mei Xia’s uncles!” The slightly heavier one puffed out his chest and replied gruffly.

“Oh…” Yan Yu nodded slightly, crossing his legs leisurely with a faintly amused smile. “So you’re all Mei Xia’s relatives. I’m just curious—what brings you here in such a lively manner today?”

Mei Xia’s father, Mei Zhide, seemed to find this question ridiculous. He shook the banner he had been clutching, making it rustle loudly. “Don’t you at the police station already know why we’re here? My daughter’s been missing for three days! Three whole days! What have you done about it? Have you found her yet?!”

“Give us back our daughter! Give us back our daughter!”

The middle-aged woman—Mei Xia’s mother, Wang Yuling—let out a piercing shriek. The couple’s performance was seamless, one echoing the other.

“I’m afraid I don’t quite follow,” Yan Yu said, the corner of his lips quirking up lazily. “Was your daughter lost at the police station’s doorstep?”

The four of them froze momentarily. When the words finally registered, Mei Zhide shot to his feet, storming forward in two large strides until he was right in Yan Yu’s face. He jabbed a finger menacingly. “Is that how a cop should talk? My daughter’s missing, and we’re supposed to stand here listening to your sarcasm? I’m a taxpayer! A citizen of this country! You useless cops live off our taxes, and this is the kind of crap you spout? Have you no conscience?!”

“Mr. Mei!” Zhang Hao, sensing the situation escalating, quickly stepped between them. Though inwardly displeased, he forced down his anger and explained, “That’s not what he meant. The police are deeply concerned about your daughter’s disappearance, and everyone’s been working day and night to find her. But hanging a banner demanding ‘Give us back our daughter’ outside the police station isn’t appropriate. If we’re talking about guardianship, the police aren’t your daughter’s legal guardians.”

Mei Zhide’s face turned ashen, his chest heaving violently. Suddenly, he roared and shoved Zhang Hao hard in the shoulder. “Bullshit! Finding my daughter is your damn job! If you don’t give me answers today, I’ll smash my head right into your station’s gate—let’s see how high and mighty you act then!”

As he ranted, he kept pounding Zhang Hao’s shoulders, forcing him to stumble backward. The next moment, Zhang Hao felt his footing give way—his body tilted, and he was about to land flat on his backside.

At that moment, he suddenly felt pressure on his elbow as a large hand appeared from behind him, firmly supporting his body before he could fall.

“Ye Zhu, Jiang Bing?” Yan Yu called out coldly after confirming Zhang Hao had regained his balance.

Ye Zhu and Jiang Bing immediately stepped forward, working together to restrain the enraged Mei Zhide. Jiang Bing even pulled out handcuffs from his waist and, while Ye Zhu pinned the man against the table, cuffed his hands behind his back.

“Let… let me go…” The man continued to struggle, his face pressed so hard it distorted his speech.

“Oh my god, the police are killing someone!!! Killing someone!!!” Wang Yuling plopped onto the floor, slapping her thighs and wailing dramatically. Meanwhile, the two men who claimed to be Mei Xia’s uncles simultaneously pulled out their phones, attempting to film the scene.

After handing the restrained man over to Jiang Bing to take outside, Ye Zhu looked down coldly at the sobbing woman. As the woman’s cries gradually subsided, Ye Zhu pointed to the four corners of the ceiling. “We live in a society governed by law. Your husband assaulted a police officer first—that’s already wrong. If Team Leader Zhang decides to press charges, he’ll face at least seven days of administrative detention.”

“And you two!” She turned to the other two men. “Stop thinking you can threaten people by posting fake videos online. We have full surveillance footage too.”

The two men flushed red with embarrassment and, after a moment’s hesitation, quietly slipped their phones back into their pockets.

“The internet… reporters… reporters…” Wang Yuling had initially been frightened by Ye Zhu’s stern demeanor but now, regaining her wits, she remained seated on the floor and frantically searched for her phone. Unfortunately, whether due to her earlier theatrics or not, she couldn’t find it no matter how hard she patted around.

“Ms. Wang.” Yan Yu slowly rose from his chair and took two steps forward, his long legs stopping right in front of her.  

“Speaking of reporters, we actually have some questions about that news article from before. Why don’t you get up and sit properly so we can talk?”

Wang Yuling instinctively looked up at him, holding her breath without realizing it. For some reason, the longer she stared, the more she felt this young man seemed… sinister. After a tense silence lasting over ten seconds, she finally scrambled to her feet when she could no longer bear the suffocating atmosphere.

“What do you want to ask?” The woman’s eyes were filled with deep wariness as she asked nervously.

Yan Yu chuckled lightly, pulling over a chair and placing it behind her. His expression couldn’t have been more gentle as he gestured politely for her to sit.  

“……”  

Wang Yuling clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, torn between sitting down and staying on her feet.