Chapter Sixty-One: Is the Case Closed?

Du Peng: "Thank you."

His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, switching the main screen’s display. In no time, he found what he was looking for.

Du Peng: "There’s one in the underground parking lot. But there aren’t any cameras inside."

Wang Zixuan: "Is it possible that Wang Beibei left through the front entrance, then turned into the underground parking lot, got out of the car, and secretly returned to commit the crime?"

Du Peng: "Judging by the timing, it’s certainly possible. But it’s only a hypothesis."

Wang Zixuan took a deep breath: "So what do we do? Just let it go?"

Beside them, Hao Yingjun’s eyes were dazzled by the myriad screens. It was impressive that Du Peng could handle it all alone.

Du Peng: "Wait a moment."

He then took off his thick-lensed glasses. With his eyes closed, and then opened, his gaze grew deeper. Images from the screen replayed ceaselessly in his mind. Suddenly, Du Peng fast-forwarded to a particular shot and paused. On the screen, a hydrogen balloon was just rising. In the gap, the silhouette of a long-haired woman, her back to the camera, appeared.

Wang Zixuan: "It’s her, just as expected."

Du Peng: "I can’t make a judgment based solely on her clothes."

Wang Zixuan turned and strode out.

Wang Zixuan: "Hao Yingjun, come with me."

At that moment, Wang Beibei happened to be walking out and was stopped by Wang Zixuan.

Wang Zixuan: "Wang Zhaodi."

Wang Zixuan walked straight toward her, lifting his tablet and displaying the paused image from earlier right in front of her.

Wang Zixuan: "You have violated the Non-Human Public Order Management Code. Article Eleven, Section Twelve: illegal use of unnatural means. And Article Five, Section Four: endangering human society. Multiple offenses. Permanently barred from entering human cities."

Wang Beibei shook her head and cried loudly, "It wasn’t me. Really, it wasn’t me. I’d already left by then."

Wang Zixuan paid no heed to her protests, cuffed her, and started to drag her away. Hao Yingjun stepped in to block their path.

Hao Yingjun: "Sister, I have a modest suggestion. I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to say."

Wang Zixuan shot him a glare: "If it’s not mature, keep it to yourself."

Wang Zixuan dragged Wang Beibei past Hao Yingjun and locked her in the detention center. That evening, Hao Yingjun brought her a boxed meal. He opened the cell door, set the food inside, closed it again, and was about to leave when Wang Beibei called out to him.

Wang Beibei: "Mr. Hao."

Hao Yingjun turned back: "Yes?"

Wang Beibei paused: "Could I borrow your phone for a moment?"

Hao Yingjun glanced around furtively, then handed his phone to her.

Wang Beibei: "Thank you."

Hao Yingjun nodded, and Wang Beibei quickly dialed a number.

When the call connected, Wang Beibei spoke with a Sichuan accent, "Mama, what are you doing? The money I sent you last time, did you finish spending it? If it’s gone, you must tell me. Don’t be too frugal. I’m doing well here, so don’t worry about me. Yes, don’t worry. Oh, right, after a while, I might come back for a bit. No, nothing’s wrong. I just really miss you. Yes, I’ll come home for a visit. Don’t worry. Yes."

She hung up and handed the phone back. During this time, Hao Yingjun kept glancing around the doorway.

Wang Beibei: "Thank you."

Hao Yingjun took the phone back.

Hao Yingjun: "It’s no big deal."

Wang Beibei shook her head with a bitter smile.