Chapter 22: The News Strikes, the Test Results Are In!

Zhou Xuexi was naturally pleased.

If Qin Chuan’s claims were true, it would do more than just clear his own name. Following the clues regarding Dong Zhijun’s death might lead to uncovering something significant. With such a positive development, making a few jokes at the expense of the Criminal Investigation Brigade was harmless.

"Rest assured, Bureau Chief Zhou. I will personally go to the Municipal Bureau this time to ensure everything goes perfectly!"

Standing to the side, Sun Tao, who had been sweating profusely and desperately trying to figure out how to stop the drug testing on the body, suddenly felt relieved upon hearing that Zhou had instructed Song Hui to collect the samples and that Song had volunteered to go to the Municipal Bureau himself.

Right, if Song Hui is going, what is there for me to worry about?

"Bureau Chief Zhou!"

Just as Song Hui finished speaking and was about to leave, Qin Chuan suddenly spoke up.

"Captain Song just accompanied me to examine the body and must be exhausted. Why not... let Deputy Bureau Chief Lin make the trip to the Municipal Bureau instead?"

Huh?

Everyone present was taken aback. Song Hui’s expression was one of sheer astonishment, though he quickly regained his composure.

"Comrade Qin Chuan is overthinking it. What is there to be tired of after a trip to the morgue? Besides, submitting samples for testing is the duty of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. I will go personally so I can ask the Municipal Bureau to expedite the process and get the results sooner."

By saying this, Song Hui was emphasizing that the forensic submission was strictly a criminal investigation matter. Although Lin Hu was in charge of criminal investigations, he was merely overseeing, not directly participating. On the other side, Zhou Xuexi and Lin Hu naturally understood what Qin Chuan was implying. Clearly, Qin Chuan did not trust Song Hui.

In truth, this was understandable. The officers responsible for guarding Dong Zhijun at the hospital were all from the Criminal Investigation Brigade, yet it was precisely during their watch that Dong Zhijun died. If there had been a cover-up, the Criminal Investigation Brigade certainly couldn't shirk their responsibility. However, this was clearly not the time for internal conflict.

"Qin Chuan, Captain Song is more familiar with the Municipal Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division, and he is highly experienced. There will be no issues."

Seeing Zhou Xuexi siding with him, Song Hui nodded quickly. "Rest assured, Bureau Chief Zhou! I will complete the mission!"

Qin Chuan’s brow furrowed. He considered whether to confront them right then and there. Song Hui was compromised, but that was only something visible through his "Eyes of Sin." The Eyes of Sin provided the outcome of crimes, not the evidence. Therefore, a confrontation now would just be a pointless argument. Without evidence, how could a lowly precinct officer topple the captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade just by talking? Furthermore, would the other party really dare to defy public opinion and tamper with the samples?

"Alright, Xiao Qin, you’ve just been discharged. Go back and get some rest. We will notify you as soon as there is news."

And so, the interrogation of Qin Chuan came to an end. As Sun Tao left, he looked at Qin Chuan intently. While his mouth spoke of Qin Chuan being a promising young man, his eyes burned with deep-seated malice, as if he wished to tear Qin Chuan to pieces. Qin Chuan didn't care; he couldn't even be bothered to say a word to him.

After bidding farewell to Zhou Xuexi and the others, Qin Chuan headed straight to the County Public Security Bureau’s guesthouse, where Wang Xuebing was waiting for him.

"You're okay?" Wang Xuebing was stunned. He had assumed Qin Chuan was in grave danger and that his own career as a precinct chief was likely over. Yet here was Qin Chuan telling him he was fine?

"Chief Wang, I’m truly fine. Bureau Chief Zhou has already arranged for other investigations to be conducted." Qin Chuan suggested, "Shall we head back to the precinct this afternoon?"

Although Zhulin County was a place Qin Chuan had longed to be transferred to in his previous life—a goal he never achieved—he found he preferred Changning Town now. It might be remote, but the people there were genuine.

Upon returning to Changning Town, Qin Chuan went straight to his rented apartment. Since he had just been discharged from the hospital, he didn't need to rush back to work. Lying on his bed, he checked his phone and found several unread QQ messages.

"Chuanzi, Yueyue and I are returning to Xing'an City next week. Aren't you excited?"

The avatar blinking on the screen was named "Early Summer Maiden." A vision of an elfin girl flashed through Qin Chuan’s mind. Shen Chuxya—a girl who could only be described as a masterpiece of nature—was the goddess of Song Chuan’s high school dreams. As for the "Yueyue" she mentioned, her full name was Lin Yueting, a beauty even more stunning than Shen Chuxya.

In high school, the three of them were inseparable. Qin Chuan never understood why two such breathtaking beauties chose to be friends with him. Was it because he was particularly handsome back then? Regardless, after graduation, the two beauties went to study in Shangjing, while he went to the police academy.

In his previous life, Qin Chuan had also received this invitation. However, at the time, he had just been assigned to the Changning Town Precinct and was at the lowest point of his life, so he didn't attend the gathering.

Things were different now. The reborn Qin Chuan was no longer the naive boy he once was, nor a "salted fish" that anyone could trample upon.

"So it’s my dear beauty Lin, I’ve missed you to death!"

A reply came quickly: "Tsk! Missing our Yueyue, aren't you?"

"No, my feelings for Yueyue are superficial; my devotion to you is eternal."

The response this time was slower, but the content startled Qin Chuan.

"Classmate Qin Chuan, if I told you Yueyue is right here next to me, watching us chat... what would you think?"

Qin Chuan: "..."

I don't think anything, I just want to die.

*Ding-ding!*

Another avatar in the chat, named "Moon Palace Fairy," kept flashing.

"Qin Chuan! I'm so heartbroken. Do you really not love me anymore?"

"We promised to grow old together, how could you have a change of heart?"

"You actually dared to say your feelings for me are superficial! Hmph!"

"If you don't come to Xing'an City next week, you're dead!"

...

In a traditional courtyard in Shangjing, two beautiful "snakes" were entwined on a sofa. The quirky, mischievous girl tapped on her phone: "When did Qin Chuan become such a smooth talker?"

The other girl, tall and elegant like an orchid in a valley, smiled. "Silly, don't you think it's more fun this way? The old Qin Chuan was too honest; he wasn't fun at all..."

Time spent chatting with beauties always flew by. The mindset of the reborn Qin Chuan was far beyond that of his previous life, largely because he knew the family backgrounds of these two girls. They were the kind of people that even with his "reborn cheat," he had no confidence of being a match for. Without any unrealistic expectations, Qin Chuan was naturally unrestrained, saying whatever came to mind. Since it wasn't meant to be, he might as well chat freely.

The next day, Qin Chuan went to the precinct, and they all had dinner together that evening to celebrate his safe return.

However, on the morning of the third day, Wang Xuebing brought Qin Chuan some devastating news.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Xing'an City Public Security Bureau had released the results of the examination of Dong Zhijun’s body samples. The conclusion was that no traces of any drugs were detected.

Furthermore, the morgue at the county hospital... had caught fire.