Chapter 4: The Way He Escorts Fugitives Is Truly Handsome!

“Chief Chen, there’s something I need to report to you.” Cen Lian took a deep breath before recounting, in one go, the entire process from receiving a public tip-off to investigating in Gaoping City.

“I was afraid this would turn out to be another false alarm, so I didn’t dare to tell you until I was sure,” he quickly apologized for his excuse earlier that morning.

However, Chen Xinrong didn’t even remember why Cen Lian had been in Gaoping City in the first place.

“Are you saying it’s confirmed that Xiao Gao’s mistress had a large, unexplained fortune fifteen years ago?” Chen Xinrong’s real concern was solely this point.

“It was Yao Shuwen’s former employer who told me. He’s very certain,” Cen Lian said, now more confident.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

“Stay put in Gaoping City for now. Don’t make any rash moves,” Chen instructed before hanging up and summoning the instructor and deputy chief.

Unaware that the Xinhe Police Station was already holding a tense meeting, Cen Lian sensed that this case was about to be successfully reopened.

This was a promising start!

Though no one could share his joy, Cen Lian decided to treat himself to a nice meal out to celebrate solving his first homicide case.

Just as he stepped out of the hotel, a man with a floating text bubble above his head flashed past him.

Cen Lian quickly focused and used his phone’s notepad to jot down the information in the bubble:

Name: Wang Fuquan
Gender: Male
Age: 51
Criminal record: Robbed and seriously injured Yan Gang and Hu Lili 735 days ago
Imprisonment record: Released 873 days ago; currently wanted

Wow, this guy was still a fugitive.

Before the man’s electric bike could get far, Cen Lian snapped a photo of the license plate.

This fellow was brazen enough to flaunt himself openly, despite being on the run.

While the man was still close, Cen Lian located the nearest police station, intending to hand over some credit to his colleagues.

At the Linjiawan Police Station in Yuancheng District, Gaoping City, ordinary officer Hong Qianjin emerged from the case-handling area, confused, and found Cen Lian waiting in the lobby.

“This comrade, you say you’ve spotted a fugitive by name?” Hong Qianjin had never encountered such a direct tip-off before.

Cen Lian showed him his ID.

“I’d seen his wanted photo before and had some impression of him. Today we happened to cross paths on the street. I’m about ninety percent sure it’s him, but I wasn’t on duty and didn’t bring my police terminal. I was worried he might escape, so I came straight to the nearest station,” Cen Lian explained briefly.

Hong Qianjin immediately felt it made more sense.

After all, a detective’s reaction to spotting a fugitive would be like this.

He warmly led Cen Lian into the case area and pulled up Wang Fuquan’s wanted information.

Cen Lian peeked at the photo and saw a somewhat gaunt middle-aged man.

A few question marks popped up in his mind.

Hong Qianjin looked at the photo and then at the man in Cen Lian’s phone, equally puzzled.

The build didn’t match at all.

But since the photo didn’t show a clear face, he hesitated briefly before deciding it was best to find the man first.

With the license plate number, tracking him down was easy.

After a few rounds of games in the office, a nearly two-hundred-pound, slightly overweight middle-aged man was brought in.

“Brother Hong, the fingerprints and DNA match!” The young officer escorting him was beaming with excitement. “This is the B-level wanted fugitive Wang Fuquan!”

Hong Qianjin stared repeatedly between the wanted photo and the man now in custody. After Wang was taken to the interrogation room, he gave Cen Lian a bewildered look.

“You actually recognized him?!” He felt that even if the man stood right in front of him holding the photo, he might not have recognized him.

Compared to the photo, Wang Fuquan looked inflated, almost like a balloon.

“I just remembered his eyes and eyebrows,” Cen Lian admitted. He didn’t expect to recognize him either, especially since he hadn’t reviewed the wanted info before and had no idea the difference would be so great.

Now that the man was caught, what else could he do but own it?

“Impressive!” Hong Qianjin gave him a thumbs-up.

Soon, Deputy Chief You Xinhua of Linjiawan Police Station arrived upon hearing the news.

“So this is Comrade Cen,” Deputy You greeted with a joyful smile, shaking Cen’s hand as if he’d just found thousands of yuan on the ground.

“Greetings, Deputy You,” Cen Lian replied politely.

After some formalities, they called Chief Chen to express their thanks.

Cen Lian had a foreboding sense he might get scolded.

After hearing the full story, Chen Xinrong was silent for about one and a half seconds.

How had he not known that this community officer, who usually had less presence than some auxiliary police, possessed such ability?

In less than two days out, he’d already brought in two criminals.

“Deputy You, no need for thanks—it’s all brother units,” Chen said politely. “By the way, we have a case that might require investigation in your jurisdiction soon. Consider it mutual assistance.”

Deputy You glanced at Cen Lian, realizing the young officer was probably on official business, likely working on an ongoing investigation, so he refrained from asking further and promised full cooperation.

Hong Qianjin learned Cen Lian hadn’t eaten yet and warmly invited him to the Linjiawan Police Station canteen.

“How’s our canteen? Not bad, right?” Hong used his card to get a meal for Cen Lian. “From Deputy You’s tone, you’re here on official duty?”

“Sort of. There’s an old case with some new leads, but nothing confirmed yet. I came to scout things out,” Cen Lian kept the details vague.

Hong nodded knowingly.

“Well, reopening old cases costs money. You’re still at a precinct level, and if the leads aren’t solid, handing it off to the detectives would be tough. They’re always swamped.”

“If you need help, just call me anytime,” Hong offered his number. “Sounds like most of the suspects are in our jurisdiction. I’ll bring my team over when needed.”

After enjoying a meal under the appreciative gazes of the Linjiawan officers, Cen Lian took his leave.

But no sooner had he returned to the hotel than Chief Chen’s call came through again.

“Chief Chen,” he braced himself and answered.

“Getting better at this, huh? Handing off major fugitive cases to brother units like it’s some kind of achievement,” Chen’s first words conveyed his displeasure, just as Cen had expected.

“Sorry, I was wrong,” Cen Lian said, not truly believing it but willing to admit fault.

Chen snorted lightly but wasn’t truly angry. Instead, he said, “Tang Hua will head over tomorrow. You guys start by checking Yao Shuwen’s bank statements, then look into her childbirth expenses to confirm the source of funds.”

“Yes, sir!” Cen Lian felt invigorated. This meant the case was officially reopening.