Volume One, Chapter 117: Intriguing.

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After Li Changsheng and Liuli left, only Shen Huaizhu and Jiang Chen remained in the room. The atmosphere was awkward, tinged with a trace of embarrassment—though this discomfort was entirely Jiang Chen’s own, as he did not sense any awkwardness from Shen Huaizhu; rather, it was he who felt out of place.

Jiang Chen glanced at his meal, then looked at Shen Huaizhu’s, noticing that hers was not as plentiful. In other words, his portion had been specially arranged by Shen Huaizhu.

“Why don’t you eat this? I’ll have something else,” Jiang Chen offered, trying to decline.

Shen Huaizhu smiled gently. “No need, you eat. I’m not hungry.”

“Alright then,” Jiang Chen conceded, knowing the matter at hand was more pressing.

While Jiang Chen ate, Shen Huaizhu curiously picked up the case file. She skimmed through it quickly, not too thoroughly, but soon her delicate brows furrowed.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Chen put down his chopsticks and looked at the file.

Shen Huaizhu explained, “I’m not sure if it’s just my illusion, but I feel that this Wu Gang might be connected to the murderer.”

Connected?

That phrase caught Jiang Chen’s attention. Though he had suspected Wu Gang before, the evidence was insufficient to charge him with anything. But if there was a connection, how did Shen Huaizhu deduce it?

Jiang Chen asked, “What makes you say that?”

Shen Huaizhu handed over the file. “Look, these are the death tolls after 2000. Do you notice a pattern?”

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes and studied the data carefully. Shen Huaizhu was showing him statistics from after 2000, not before.

In 1999, the number of deaths due to special incidents in Jicheng was 107.

In 1998, it was 206.

In 1997, only 5.

Going further back, the deaths were minimal, but from 1998 onwards, the numbers surged sharply. That meant the killer arrived in Jicheng in 1998.

Jiang Chen inhaled sharply. The slaughter began from the moment the killer came to Jicheng, but the deaths were so strange, and the 509 Institute was still underdeveloped at the time, so the case remained unresolved. It wasn’t until the case files were reopened in 2000 that the matter was classified as a special incident.

So this person was likely an outsider, which meant no connection to Wu Gang, who was born and raised in Jicheng. Still, despite his dull demeanor, Wu Gang had been strangely fortunate to survive that time.

It was worth noting that the majority of homicide cases occurred in the southern district, where Wu Gang happened to live.

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Jiang Chen set the file aside and opened Wu Gang’s records.

The introduction was familiar, but soon Jiang Chen spotted the problem.

“Wu Gang was born in 1973, so in 1998 he was exactly 25,” Jiang Chen said, looking at Shen Huaizhu, who seemed puzzled, not catching his meaning.

“When he was 25... he went exploring!” Jiang Chen exclaimed, and Shen Huaizhu immediately understood.

“I remember you mentioned that his mother said Wu Gang went on an expedition at 25, and before he left, he was lively, but he became silent and withdrawn after returning. So you think something’s wrong with Wu Gang?” Shen Huaizhu analyzed.

Jiang Chen snapped his fingers and unconsciously ruffled Shen Huaizhu’s hair. “Very clever!”

Blushing, Shen Huaizhu replied, “Not bad…”

Wu Gang must have experienced something extraordinary that changed him so drastically. A person’s fundamental nature doesn’t change so completely; his previous reticence was nothing compared to his silence after 25, so something must have happened then.

What did he go through at 25? Why such a sudden personality shift?

While Shen Huaizhu was blushing, Jiang Chen continued reading.

Before he could delve deeper, his phone rang.

It was Liuli.

“Hello? Senior Brother Jiang Chen, Changsheng and I just spotted that person during stakeout and clearly saw his face!” Liuli said anxiously.

Jiang Chen asked, “What does he look like?”

Sounds of a struggle came from Liuli’s end—likely Li Changsheng urging her to make the call quickly.

“That person looks exactly like Wu Gang!” Liuli said, then abruptly hung up.

It seemed she was forced to cut off the call. Judging by the sounds, they were engaged in a fight but were not in immediate danger; otherwise, Liuli wouldn’t have had the chance to call.

Jiang Chen pocketed his phone and meticulously memorized all the information on Wu Gang. Then he stood up.

“I think we have the answer.”

Although Shen Huaizhu had gathered much information, she couldn’t piece together the clues. But seeing Jiang Chen’s confidence, she sensed he was close to the truth.

Li Changsheng was definitely safe; otherwise, Liuli wouldn’t have called to notify him. Now Jiang Chen needed to verify one thing.

Only by confirming this could he finalize the answer.

The two left the conference room and sought out a person in charge.

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“Brother, is there a car? I need to go to Jicheng,” Jiang Chen asked the person in charge.

The man was an elder named Wu Zhong. Knowing Jiang Chen’s status, he was very respectful.

“Mr. Jiang, well... this place is quite rural. We do have a vehicle, but are you sure you want to use it?” Wu Zhong asked.

Jiang Chen squinted thoughtfully, “Anything but a Wuling Hongguang.”

“Uh... you can see for yourself,” Wu Zhong said, handing over the keys.

The garage door slowly opened, and Jiang Chen nearly choked.

“No way! It’s a Wuling Hongguang!”

A sleek Wuling Hongguang sat inside the garage. Jiang Chen seriously wondered if Wuling’s headquarters was located next to the 509 Institute.

He bypassed the Wuling and went to the back, where a Sai 600 motorcycle was parked.

Jiang Chen’s eyes immediately settled on it.

Compared to the Wuling, this was much cooler!

He pushed the motorcycle out, tossed the keys back to Wu Zhong, and handed the helmet to Shen Huaizhu.

“Get on,” Jiang Chen gently lifted Shen Huaizhu’s hand. She stood behind him, her hands resting on his waist.

“Hold tight!” Jiang Chen instructed.

Shen Huaizhu wrapped her arms firmly around his waist.

With a roar, the motorcycle shot forward.

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, murmuring ahead, “Wu Gang... your true identity is quite intriguing.”

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