Luo Fei quickly adjusted himself.

"So beautiful, it's really hard to resist this look."

"Tch, can't handle this? And you're a decorated police officer, don't you have a bit more self-discipline than this?"

With Luo Fei's compliment, a blush appeared on Yang Mei's cheeks.

"I'm already very conservative, look at that show-off."

Following the lens and Yang Mei's finger, Luo Fei saw Wu Xiaoyue striking poses like crazy.

Now that's truly revealing, a bikini temptation!

Although her figure was good, there was still a gap compared to Yang Mei. Naturally, Luo Fei's thoughts were also on his own girlfriend.

"Why don't you dress like that? Are you afraid of the cold?"

"Stop kidding!"

"It's much warmer in Binhai than in Jiangzhou. Although there are sea breezes at night, the temperature here is just right for me."

Yang Mei looked shy.

"It's just for you. You're not beside me, so I don't want to dress like that to attract attention. Don't you care?"

"Of course, I care!"

Luo Fei, who was planning to joke around, suddenly became serious. This was his woman, how could he let others look at her casually?

"How have you been lately? I heard from my uncle that you're running around investigating cases again."

"Yes, working for the people, earning for myself!"

Luo Fei stretched his shoulders.

"Take a walk with me by the sea. You couldn't come with me this time, make up for it later."

"No problem."

Yang Mei walked along the beach with her phone, her slender figure in a form-fitting vest looked particularly graceful and exquisite in the wind.

Looking at the night scene on his phone, Luo Fei's mood relaxed a bit.

Suddenly, he noticed a few people taking photos side by side at a distance. They were lying together by the shore, letting the waves crash over them.

As the tide rose and fell, the laughing people were constantly covered in sand, which was quickly washed away. The feel of being soaked in the water looked quite comfortable.

Suddenly, Luo Fei's gaze changed.

Yes! That's the principle!

During the meal, Luo Fei was in such a good mood that he ate two large bowls, which puzzled the others, looking happier than solving a case.

"Team leader, what's up with you?"

"Yeah, after just a phone call? Did Ning Zitao confess?"

"Just eat."

Luo Fei pointed at them.

"Finish up and come back with me! I know what's going on."

Although they didn't know what Luo Fei was talking about, they knew there must be a breakthrough since they're team members.

That night, Luo Fei and others took the food back. Zhao Donglai and the others stayed behind, intending to strike while the iron was hot and discuss the matter clearly.

"Everyone, I figured it out!"

Luo Fei looked at them, sounding extremely excited.

"Captain Zhao, do you remember the site details I told you about, the marks left by those hemp ropes? I know what those ropes were for!"

"What is it?"

Everyone turned their gaze towards Luo Fei.

"He didn't just dump people directly into the tank area. As the head of the material section, he knew those chemical materials pretty well. Although the tanks are sealed, there's a surveillance system. If a large body entered, it would trigger an alarm."

"So he used thick hemp ropes to suspend these nine people from the input opening, just enough to submerge them halfway. Plus, as these materials were constantly added and used, a circulating system of strong acid tumbling was formed inside."

Luo Fei paused.

Zhao Donglai, Liao Xingyu, and the others also stopped their chopsticks.

Collective silence fell.

At that moment, the same image appeared in their minds: nine people suspended in a confined space, surrounded by chemical materials, allowing strong acid to wash over their bodies, their skin and flesh slowly consumed and stripped away, suffering burning and excruciating pain.

"It's terrifying..."

Zhao Hai and the others took a deep breath, covering their inner fear.

Such a horrifying scene inside a dark locked space.

It's terrifying!

Zhao Donglai continuously nodded.

"I understand, now everything makes sense. The marks you saw weren't from binding ropes but from the violent struggle and friction during it."

Hearing this explanation, Luo Fei nodded.

All of this was thanks to the video call with Yang Mei.

The continuous washing of seawater, sand passing by the sides, one could feel the wave without going underwater.

By the same token, Ning Zitao must have used similar means to silence those nine people.

Thus, explaining the actual cause of those rope marks, scraping against hardened metal—just how much pain people would endure soaked in hydrofluoric acid.

"If that's the case, then it also explains why he didn't draw anyone's attention."

Zhou Fan contemplated aloud.

"All he had to do was hang them in there, and he could leave. Whatever he did outside wouldn't affect the victims inside being tortured to death."

"The remaining bone fragments and calcified residual limbs would flow out along with the diluted filtrate, unnoticed."

Zhao Donglai turned to Luo Fei.

"Maybe we can wrap it up."

"Not yet!"

Luo Fei still had a lingering doubt, then looked at Lin Xin and others.

"Regarding the Longke Chemical investigation project, everyone rush it, let's work overtime tonight. Tomorrow, send me the investigation results and some detailed materials from the project manager."

"I need to meet someone tomorrow!"

"Who?"

"Ning Zidong's family!"

The next day, in a scenic community in a bustling area of the city, Luo Fei rang the doorbell.

Only He Xin and Lin Jie accompanied him this time.

Meanwhile, Zhao Donglai and the others had already placed Longke Chemical's plant under surveillance with police cooperation.

"Who's there?"

It was a woman, presumably Ning Zidong's wife, sounding a bit haggard.

"Hello, Ms. Du. We are from the Criminal Investigation Unit, primarily here regarding your husband's previous disappearance. We've recently acquired some clues and wish to inquire further with you."

Shortly, the door opened. A woman with a delicate face that bore the signs of significant impact and weariness greeted them.

"Officers, please come in."

Inside the house, Luo Fei saw two kids doing homework at the table. They were Ning Zidong's children.

The two well-behaved kids immediately retreated to the bedroom upon seeing the officers.

"Officers, please take a seat."

From previous investigations, Luo Fei learned that the woman's name was Du Yuhan, married to Ning Zidong for eight years.

Ning Zidong's disappearance took a toll on her, indicating a strong marital bond.

"Ms. Du, we're here to further understand Mr. Ning's circumstances."

"Officer Zhou has already visited before. Was nothing concluded?"

"We've made progress, and we hope for your assistance in providing further clarity."

"Alright."

Du Yuhan nodded, her eyes reflecting disappointment and sorrow.

"I'd like to know more about your husband's character and temper, as well as his work environment and attitude, if you could share with us."

Du Yuhan sighed.

"My husband has a bit of a temper, sometimes impulsively getting angry over minor issues, struggling to control himself. Initially, I worried about potential domestic violence or family impact, but later discovered he's gentle towards us."

"Understood, anything else?"

Luo Fei took notes earnestly.

"There's also his work situation; in our eight years together, his career was always lackluster."

"Four years ago, after the kids were born, he frequently traveled for engagements until recently when his work remarkably improved, greatly enhancing our living situation."

At this moment, Luo Fei's eyes flickered.

Sudden change? There's definitely something intriguing here!

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