Chen Xiao shared his insights.

After listening, Xie Wensheng felt much calmer.

With a long sigh of relief, Xie Wensheng said, "What you say does make sense, but by saying this, you mean you’re not done yet, right?"

Chen Xiao nodded, "Although the death of Lian Yuhong has been clarified, and it is indeed the truth, that result is hard for people to accept."

Xie Wensheng couldn’t help feeling a bit apologetic: "I was too impatient. If I had been calmer, I wouldn’t have put you in such a difficult position."

"It’s okay. You were hoping I’d investigate the Yang Lake Phantom to repay me. After all, you were the policeman who experienced the Yang Lake Phantom, so when you saw the daughter of the victim back then commit suicide in the same way, you’re naturally more agitated than anyone else."

Xie Wensheng smiled, "Let’s not talk about this. While I’m still not heavily medicated and can think clearly, let’s discuss our next move!"

Chen Xiao nodded but paused for two seconds before speaking:

"In fact, your impulsive behavior has another benefit."

Xie Wensheng was puzzled, "What benefit?"

"Even ordinary people can connect it to the Yang Lake Phantom. Let me ask you... if the murderer from back then is still in Shencheng City, would he also be alerted?"

After a moment of thought, Xie Wensheng nodded emphatically.

Chen Xiao continued, "If we were completely passive at first when Lian Yuhong’s death happened, now we are a bit less so."

"Initially, we couldn’t confirm whether Lian Yuhong’s death was the work of the old killer, so we had to take two possible approaches. One was to treat it as a joint case, and the other was to investigate separately. It turns out I was lucky to choose the right path from the start."

"For now, Lian Yuhong’s death can be closed, but we haven’t publicly announced it. Only those involved in the case and the police are aware."

At this point, Xie Wensheng interjected, "I see what you mean. You’re suggesting that the killer from back then might have been watching the case all along?"

"He must be watching, unless he doesn’t follow the news at all. If he does, wouldn’t someone like him be interested in Lian Yuhong’s death?"

Xie Wensheng nodded, "So you’re not trying to lure him out, are you?"

"I can’t. I don’t have enough information on him yet. We need to fully understand Lian Da, Zhu Mao, Chang Guan, and your father’s state back then before we can know even half about the killer."

An unusual expression flashed in Xie Wensheng’s eyes.

Chen Xiao’s suggestion that they were only halfway there shocked him.

He originally thought it was just a probability mentioned by Chen Xiao, but reconsidering, he realized that halfway there meant it was factual.

Because Chen Xiao had already presented two possibilities: either Lian Da and the others were forced to die like Lian Yuhong, or his father, Xie Yan, was pressured in another form.

Back then, his father Xie Yan was investigating the events behind the deaths of Lian Da and the others.

Neither Xie Yan nor Xie Wensheng later found anything conclusive in that direction.

Time reveals all. Now, Xie Wensheng must question whether that direction was wrong.

Now, Chen Xiao had presented a new direction: consider all four victims together!

"Through Li Jindao and others, I learned that Lian Da and the others were involved in the smuggling business back then. This clandestine business led them into legal trouble repeatedly. So, I’m thinking of recording everyone associated with their smuggling activities."

"Moreover, find out if any of those people had dealings with Elder Xie. If we can find someone in common, we may be able to find some clues by investigating around them!"

Chen Xiao shared his suggestion.

Xie Wensheng was excited, "You should contact Director Jiao for this. He’ll help you coordinate with the anti-smuggling and customs departments."

Chen Xiao nodded, "Indeed, we’ll need Director Jiao’s help. But there are two other things. First, was there anyone Elder Xie was very afraid of back then?"

This question puzzled Xie Wensheng, but Ye Suzhi, who had been silent in the room, replied:

"Are you asking about simple fear, or something else? If it’s just plain fear, then no."

"It’s fear, but also someone Elder Xie felt truly inferior to."

Ye Suzhi furrowed her brow, recalling as she spoke, "The words ’truly inferior’ remind me, during his decades of work, he often mentioned a few people. One was his teacher, and the other two were his fellow apprentices."

"Teacher Gu passed away before him, and after his death, I never saw the other two apprentices again. One was Senior Brother Zhao Cheng, the other was Zuo Shu. Senior Brother Zhao Cheng retired a few years ago, and as for Zuo Shu, he went into business around 1990."

"When he decided to enter business, Old Xie didn’t understand, even becoming angry. He believed with Zuo Shu’s talent, he could’ve accomplished a lot in law enforcement."

"Old Xie visited him several times over this, and they nearly had a falling out. But later, Old Xie accepted that everyone has their own ambitions. If I remember correctly, Zuo Shu is now established in the business world, running a big company called Li Hai Group."

At this name, Chen Xiao paused, "That means I must’ve met him. Does he have a mole here at his brow?"

Ye Suzhi nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Old Xie and the others often said that was Zuo Shu’s third eye, and because Zuo Shu was the second child in his family, Old Xie gave him the nickname Zuo Erlang."

"Then I must’ve met him."

Before taking over the Yang Lake Phantom Case, Chen Xiao had been visiting prominent figures in Shencheng City with Guo Qing.

Zuo Shu was one of them.

Chen Xiao didn’t remember names well, as meetings typically used titles like President or Director.

However, Chen Xiao remembered Li Hai Group distinctly because Zuo Shu was the only businessman at the banquet interested in solving cases.

Thinking it over, Chen Xiao asked again, "So, what was the relationship like between Zuo Shu and Elder Xie?"

"They were all trained from young police officers into independent agents by Teacher Gu, even eating and sleeping together in their younger years. Though not blood brothers, they were like real brothers. But over time, as people and relationships change, life was different."

Chen Xiao understood and said, "Then, Auntie, besides you, Captain Xie, and his two children, who else would Elder Xie protect with his life?"