Chapter 13: Suspicion Confirmed! A Second Report!

“This surveillance footage…”

Before Shen Ting even viewed the content uploaded by the Saw, he was already surprised just by the timestamp.

Because the times matched perfectly!

This footage was from the same moment three days ago when Qin Feng discovered Song Xiaoqian speaking on the phone, complaining about Ye Guofeng.

The crucial point was that the surveillance Qin Feng found was from the main entrance of Huihuang Woodworks, while the Saw’s footage was from the road beside the gate!

The two cameras were very close to each other.

This meant that at that moment, both Song Xiaoqian and Zhou Gexin were outside the Huihuang Woodworks gate.

However, due to the different angles of the two cameras, neither appeared in the other’s frame.

But if you combined the footage, when Song Xiaoqian was complaining about Ye Guofeng on the phone, Zhou Gexin could definitely hear her words!

Yet, possibly due to a head injury that required stitches and his wearing a shabby baseball cap, his expression in the footage was unclear.

Still, the online community roughly understood the situation!

Forensic expert Qin Ming said, “I recall that Qin Feng used lip-reading to determine that Song Xiaoqian had said:

‘Incompetent!’

‘No ambition!’

‘So spineless!’

‘Able-bodied but just wants to lie down and beg others for money, like a freeloader, truly pathetic,’ among other things.

That was only part of it; Song Xiaoqian might have said even harsher words to provoke Ye Guofeng into action.

The speaker may have spoken without intent, and the listener without intent as well.

But Zhou Gexin, as an eavesdropper, might have harbored ill intentions.

These harsh words applied to him just as well.

‘Pathetic, spineless, freeloader’—weren’t those descriptions fitting him?

He might have believed that Song Xiaoqian was pretending to be on the phone but was actually mocking him!

This could have been his motive for the crime.”

Guan Hongfeng added, “If that’s the case, it explains why the killer deliberately targeted Song Xiaoqian’s mouth.

Because those words that broke his defense were spoken through the mouth.

Also, photos of him without a hat show his hair was messy. He likely suffers from trichotillomania as well!”

kikO chimed in, “Hehe, the voice I thought might be the murderer’s can be explained too.

This Zhou Gexin has latched onto the Song family, thinking since they’re so wealthy, it’s his right to be supported by them.

Plus, after brain surgery, he’s penniless.

That’s why when he killed, he shouted ‘Money! Give me money! Give me what’s mine!’ in anger.

When he found Song Xiaoqian’s pockets empty, he tore them and took her valuable jewelry.”

Saw added, “Moreover, Zhou Gexin grew up and mingled in Chaoyang.

He even worked at Huihuang Woodworks!

He must be very familiar with the area’s surveillance and Song Xiaoqian’s night running habits.

He’s been imprisoned multiple times, likely learned many tricks to evade cameras.

That’s why he left no trace in the crime footage.”

Listening to everyone’s analysis, Shen Ting had a clear understanding.

“It’s time to report this!

But since there’s no DNA evidence or direct footage of the crime, we can’t outright say Zhou Gexin is the killer.”

Recalling Zhou Gexin’s background, Shen Ting quickly composed his words and dialed 110 to report the case.

This time, he deliberately didn’t hide his phone number.

“Hello, this is the 110 emergency center. How may I assist you?”

“Hello, my surname is Shen, and I’m a concerned citizen.

I want to report the murderer—the one wanted in the case where the female owner of Huihuang Woodworks was killed!”

“Alright, do you have any clues for us?”

The calmness of the operator surprised Shen Ting.

Such an important report should have elicited excitement, shouldn’t it?

He didn’t know that since the reward for clues was announced, over a hundred people had called in claiming to have information.

But after careful screening, they found either misunderstandings or deliberate mischief.

Out of hundreds of tips, not a single one was useful!

The operator had become numb to it all.

“Uh, well, the night before last, I was walking my dog outside the residential area on Huiyang Road.

My dog, Xiao Hei, was urinating… Oh, Xiao Hei is my dog and my son’s name too.

While he was urinating in the flowerbed, I noticed something odd.

There was a man inside, and my dog happened to pee on him.

Being a good person, I quickly helped him up.

He was an old man, probably drunk, unable to communicate properly.

He cursed and pushed me away, staggering off.

Worried for his safety, I followed him.

Then I overheard him muttering to himself—

‘Damned Huihuang Woodworks, such a big company and can’t even cough up some money, hic!

I’ve been diligent, working as your security!

And this is how you treat me? Hic!’”

“Sir, uh… there’s no need to imitate the hiccup, right?”

The operator was now a little bewildered and disappointed.

She couldn’t understand exactly what the caller was trying to say.

Another attention seeker?

“Alright, alright, no hiccup imitation.

Anyway, I heard him say—

‘Money, I want money!

Hmph, that little bitch, it’s one thing not to give me money, but she even dared to insult me?

Just you wait, you like night running? I, Zhou Gexin, will make you regret it!

If you don’t give me money, can’t I just rob it?’

At the time, I didn’t take his words seriously, thinking he was babbling nonsense.

I helped him across the road and left.

But just now, seeing the reward notice, I feel that old man is very suspicious!

Could he really have gone and killed someone?”

The operator grew serious.

Because she caught information unknown to the public—

The victim was killed while night running!

All her valuables were missing!

When the police issued the reward for useful tips, they provided some case details, such as Huihuang Woodworks.

But key information remained undisclosed.

“Could it be that this tip is true?”

However, stumbling upon the killer while walking a dog and overhearing the killer’s plan seemed far-fetched.

Besides, the man only mentioned robbery and making someone ‘look bad,’ not murder.

Though suspicious, the operator keenly sensed the value in this tip.

After asking for some details, Shen Ting provided a bank account number before ending the call.

The operator immediately reported the information.

Meanwhile, in a conference room at Chaoyang Police Station,

The case discussion had been going on for nearly two hours.

Yet, there was almost no progress!

Zheng Yuanqiao, seated at the head of the table, furrowed his brows so tightly it seemed he could clamp down a thick stack of files…