Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 17 — Lone Wolf Refuses to Surrender
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"Zhao Yu, what's that supposed to mean? Think we're all slacking off?" In the Major Crimes Unit's Team B office, Team Leader Qu Ping stood with arms crossed, glaring at Zhao Yu with a hint of anger.
Team B's detectives sat around the room, watching the drama unfold with keen interest.
"That's not what I meant…" Zhao Yu tried to explain, "I just think, the culprit chopped off Luo Meina's hand without leaving any evidence, so it had to be premeditated, planned out! He must've stalked her for a while. We shouldn't just check the crime scene footage, we should also…"
"Enough, enough…" Qu Ping cut him off, "Zhao Yu, I know you made a bet with Deputy Captain Liu! You're desperate to solve this case, you don't want to lose! But I hope you understand, police work isn't a game or a personal feud, it's about responsibility! Responsibility, got it? Look…"
She pointed at several staff at the computers, "These officers haven't slept in two days reviewing footage. They've even dug up videos from two months ago. Do they need your reminder? And look…"
She gestured to a whiteboard plastered with notes and photos, "Think we've been twiddling our thumbs? Look at this, has anyone gone home? We're out investigating, chasing leads, solving this with action, not just running our mouths!"
Zhao Yu studied the whiteboard used for case analysis, covered in victim photos, background info, potential suspects, and more. Red ink highlighted connections and key clues. The sheer volume of data showed the immense effort put into it.
It was Zhao Yu's first time seeing such a setup, and he found it fascinating. No wonder the cops always caught me back in the day, he thought. These guys are thorough. Bet my mug was on a board like this plenty of times.
Seeing Zhao Yu stare at the whiteboard, Qu Ping instinctively stepped in front of it, her face darkening, "What? You here to mooch off our work? Need a hand with that?"
"What?"
Zhao Yu hadn't expected Qu Ping, a team leader, to mock him like that. What's this? Not just Liu Changhu, now the whole unit's waiting to laugh at me?
In that moment, he felt the detectives' faces twist into sly smirks. Clenching his fist, he roared at Qu Ping, "Damn it, what're you all so smug about?" He jabbed a finger at the whiteboard, "You've worked so hard, so dedicated, so capable, and still haven't cracked the case, huh? Pfft! If you're so great, give me the latest case files, and watch me beat you to the punch, solve it first!"
Instead of intimidating them, his outburst made the detectives chuckle. Even Qu Ping smirked, spreading her palms, "Fine, Zhao Yu! Take whatever files you want! I'll have Xiao Liu send you every detail, not a word or photo missing. Let's see our great Detective Zhao beat us to it, OK!?"
Her words drew more mocking smiles from Team B.
"OK, OK!" Zhao Yu agreed without hesitation. He genuinely needed the latest Hand-Chopping Case files and nodded eagerly.
When Zhao Yu returned to his desk with a massive box of documents, Team A's detectives shot him strange looks. No one could figure out what he was up to.
He dragged a whiteboard to his desk, mimicking the others, and started pinning and writing case details.
Hmph!
What's so special about it?
Think you're the only pros? I'm no slouch! Back when I hunted a double-crossing traitor, I camped in the snow for a month. Sticking stuff on a board's nothing!
But after less than an hour, Zhao Yu hit a wall, realizing that complex case analysis wasn't for everyone.
Though the files were right there, turning data into leads was tough. It demanded a sharp mind and stellar analytical skills, exactly what Zhao Yu lacked.
Soon, he didn't know what else to add, his mind blanking out.
Sigh!
He sighed, glancing at Li Beini's empty desk. If that girl were here, she might've helped.
But today was the Electric Baton Case's closing day. As a clerk, Li Beini was with Captain Jin at the city bureau for the final report, back tomorrow.
When it rains, it pours. Just as Zhao Yu stalled, the system in his head announced the adventure's end, with a pitiful 9% completion rate!
Such a low score meant no rewards.
Damn it!
Zhao Yu checked his watch, not even five hours since activation. Why'd it end so fast? Had he squandered the system's opportunity?
Reflecting, he realized that besides his chat with Miss Huahua, he hadn't left the station all morning. The adventure's core was likely her. Had he not brushed her off with a cold joke, something might've happened with her today.
But he felt no regret about missing out on Huahua. He was just frustrated that the system hadn't helped with the Hand-Chopping Case.
At this rate, how could he solve it? How could he beat that jerk Liu Changhu?
With the system unreliable, no case progress, the whole team waiting to mock him, and even Li Beini gone, Zhao Yu was truly a lone wolf now.
But he wasn't one to bow easily. Despite the tough spot, giving up never crossed his mind.
So what if I'm a lone wolf?
I won't accept defeat! Until the last moment, I'll never quit!
Hmph!
Who knows, a miracle might still happen!
Wait…
As the thought hit, Zhao Yu suddenly remembered something, his eyes locking onto an exciting idea.
Right!
How'd I forget that !?