Li Xiang recounted to everyone all the details from the interrogation they just conducted, even bringing out the interrogation transcript. There were no obvious flaws in Zhang Lihui's words, except for that bundle of nylon rope, which was his only weakness.

"So, did Zhang Lihui buy this nylon rope himself, or did Miao Xiuhui give it to him?"

"It's quite easy to clear up this question. Investigate all the stores in the city that sell this type of nylon rope; anyone who bought it recently should be remembered by the store owners."

"Makes sense. Zhou Man, draft a notice after the meeting for cooperation and have all local police stations check their jurisdictions to see how many stores sell nylon ropes, then compare them one by one to see if it's the same type."

This task is like searching for a needle in a haystack. With just our criminal investigation team, who knows how long it would take to finish?

We'll have to let the local police stations take the lead first.

"I think it's unlikely that Miao Xiuhui gave it to him. Leaving a bundle of nylon rope in Zhang Lihui's car doesn't benefit her at all. Not to mention, she ended up dead with that nylon rope."

Su Jiayi also offered her differing opinion, believing that logically, this operation doesn't make sense.

"If she really gave it, was she trying to commit suicide and frame Zhang Lihui beforehand?"

"I was also wondering if it was a suicide frame-up, but after seeing the scene, I find it unlikely. It's impossible for a person to strangle themselves with a rope unless they use some leverage device, but there was no such device at the scene."

Li Xiang expressed his previous view, that it's absolutely impossible for Miao Xiuhui to have committed suicide.

"That's right, from the crime scene, it's absolutely impossible for Miao Xiuhui to have committed suicide. If it was suicide, where's her phone now? Where's her bag? Who cleaned up the crime scene?" Cao Gang added.

Dead people can't do such things.

"What is the truth? How come the more clues we find, the more confusing it gets?"

Mao Ji felt a severe headache, wondering whose words were actually true.

To verify whether Zhang Lihui lied, it seems we can only find the store that sold the nylon rope to see if he bought it.

"Since there's no lead, let's first check the source of the nylon rope."

Seeing that no one had any good ideas, Cao Gang assigned the next work focus, which was to trace the source of the nylon rope.

"By the way, release Zhang Lihui first!"

"Release him?"

Hearing Cao Gang's decision, everyone was a bit surprised. Zhang Lihui was still an important suspect and hadn't completely cleared himself of suspicion. The existing evidence was already enough to detain him, unless there's strong evidence proving he's innocent.

"Yes, release him, and let his family come to pick him up."

"Understood."

Even though everyone had doubts about Captain Cao's order, they executed it without question.

-----------------

"Zhang Lihui, make a call and let your family come to pick you up. You can go home now."

"Really? Can I let my sister come to pick me up?" Zhang Lihui felt a bit anxious hearing that a family member needed to come, worrying that if his wife found out, he would be in big trouble.

"Yes."

Mao Ji didn't make things difficult for him and returned his phone.

Soon, Zhang Lihui's sister arrived at the detention center.

"Hello, I am Zhang Lihui's sister, Zhang Li. What happened to my brother?"

Upon receiving her brother's call, Zhang Li hurried over without a moment's delay.

"Come sign here. Once you sign, you can take him away. As for the details, discuss it at home."

Li Xiang glanced at Zhang Li. Though Zhang Lihui was burly, his sister was quite the opposite, with good looks and a youthful face, she was either still in college or recently graduated and interning.

"Brother, what's going on? Why were you arrested?"

Zhang Li anxiously asked upon seeing her brother.

"I'll explain at home. Don't tell your sister-in-law about this..."

After Zhang Lihui and his sister left, Li Xiang and his team resumed their investigation focusing on that bundle of nylon rope.

Almost all the local police stations in the city had arranged for officers to visit stores, inquiring whether they sold any similar nylon rope.

After extensive investigations, there was one good news and one bad news.

The good news is, this type of nylon rope has a special material, more durable than regular nylon rope, and is not commonly found in stores.

The bad news is, the teams were looking in ordinary stores; they hadn't found any specialized ones yet.

But the police firmly believed that this bundle of nylon rope was bought in Jinghai City.

With the significant input of police resources, they finally found a shop selling the same rope, at the Old Cheng Hardware Store.

Upon receiving the news, Li Xiang immediately took the bundle of nylon rope to compare at the hardware store.

"Boss, take a look. Is this bundle of nylon rope something your store sells?"

The owner took and carefully examined the nylon rope, nodding affirmatively, "Yes, this is from my store. This kind of nylon rope is rare and more expensive as it's stronger than the regular kind."

"Do you remember how many bundles were sold last month?"

"Not many; it's expensive, so only a few people buy it."

Hearing this, Li Xiang was overjoyed and quickly pulled out a photo of Zhang Lihui, eagerly asking, "Do you know this person? Did he buy this bundle of rope from here?"

"Let me see."

The owner took the photo, looked closely, then shook his head, saying, "I have no impression of him. He probably didn't come to buy it!"

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