Upon hearing this question, Wu You's face darkened and he fell into deep thought.
Zhang Yean asked, "This complicates things. Could it be multiple people?"
Then, he looked up at the willow branches in front of him.
The willow branches weren't high, but it would be difficult for one person to hang another.
Moreover, the person being hung was still alive.
Isn't that a bit difficult to achieve?
Or rather, it seems nearly impossible to carry out.
Jiang An said, "Judging by the deceased's build, I believe at least three people were involved."
Meanwhile, the three loggers from earlier didn't leave immediately; they went to the school's logistics office to inform the logistics manager of what had happened.
The logistics manager became very angry upon hearing.
"The case has already been determined as suicide. Why are the police here again?"
"And they claim it's a crime scene?"
"This is a suicide, where's the crime!"
The chubby logistics manager stormed out in anger.
Five minutes later, he had his secretary drive him to the willows.
Sure enough, he saw two men and a woman standing by one of the willow trees.
One of the bald men, Wu You, was someone the dean knew.
However, they were not standing at the site where the hanging took place.
The logistics manager hurriedly got out of the car.
"Do you have any business in the school?"
As soon as he spoke, Wu You smelled a strong air of hostility.
"We're investigating a murder case!"
Wu You stepped forward and said.
"Murder case?"
"Our school's reputation has always been impeccable, how could a murder occur!"
"Officer, please watch your words!"
The dean's face was full of disdain, his expression grave and unfriendly.
"Whether it's a murder case isn't up to you, it's up to us."
Wu You stepped forward, retorting unkindly.
"Officer, your actions are disrupting the school's regular teaching schedule, and I have reason to file a complaint against you."
"File a complaint against me?"
Wu You chuckled, having dealt with more criminals than regular people in his long tenure at the headquarters.
"I am now suspecting you of intentionally obstructing justice, and even suspecting your involvement in Li Rui's murder case!"
"Maybe you're the killer!"
Instantly, the logistics manager's eyes widened, mind buzzing.
Seeing the seriousness in Wu You's demeanor, his heart skipped a beat.
Li Rui's murder case?
Crime suspect?
That's not something one jokes about casually.
How could an adult joke about such a thing?
Especially a police officer joking about it.
"Officer, are you confusing right for wrong?"
"I'm a good person, don't make false accusations!"
"I want to file a complaint against you all."
The dean inadvertently stepped back two steps, a trace of fear flashing across his face.
Just then, the principal hurriedly arrived by car.
Li Jian, the captain, had already informed him of the conclusion regarding Li Rui's murder.
After getting out of the car, he quickly walked over and smacked the dean on the back.
"What's with the complaints? Apologize immediately!"
"The officers have worked hard to solve this case for us, don't you know how to be grateful?"
The dean looked baffled.
What's going on?
One hour ago, you notified us that Li Rui committed suicide.
You instructed me to have the loggers cut down the willow tree.
Has something happened in this past hour?
Being publicly reprimanded by the principal, the dean's face turned slightly red.
The previous arrogant demeanor was hard to maintain.
Even if a thousand curses raced through one's mind, one had to endure.
In front of the school's top leader.
If you're a dragon, then coil up.
If you're a tiger, then lie down.
The dean quickly said, "Sorry! Sorry! I offended the officers!"
The speed of his change in demeanor was faster than flipping a page in a book.
The principal said, "Officers, thank you for your hard work, and please forgive the logistics manager's rudeness."
"He may not be aware of the true situation."
"Five minutes ago, Captain Li Jian contacted me and informed me of the conclusion that Li Rui was murdered."
"We are deeply saddened by this conclusion, never expecting such a thing could happen in our school."
Upon hearing this, the logistics manager was instantly stunned.
Li Rui was really murdered?
Then, the principal continued, "As the school's principal, I will fully cooperate with you and implore you to solve the case as soon as possible."
This is the proper attitude!
Jiang An nodded.
Wu You's previously tense expression eased considerably.
Then, the principal's gaze settled on Jiang An.
"You must be the rising star Jiang An, whom Captain Li Jian spoke of?"
Jiang An reached out, saying, "Hello! I'm Jiang An."
The principal took a look at Jiang An and nodded.
His gaze was deep and his expression heavy, giving off an impression of vast knowledge.
"I've heard much about you. Thank you for spotting the anomalies in time."
"Otherwise, as the principal, I'd be ashamed to face Li Rui's family let alone the other students at the school."
Jiang An said, "This is our mission and duty."
At that moment, a white police car drove up.
When the police car came to a stop, Captain Li Jian got out from inside.
After exchanging a simple greeting with the principal, he said, "The three of you have worked hard!"
"Any clues?"
As soon as he spoke, he turned to see the principal and dean still nearby.
"We're about to discuss the case together, please excuse yourselves for a moment."
The principal hurriedly said, "Captain Li, we'll leave immediately. This case is in your hands!"
Immediately, the principal and dean turned and left.
Once they'd gotten into the car, the dean finally spoke the question on his mind.
"Boss, what's going on?"
The principal squinted slightly, pondered for a moment, and with heavy expression said, "Things have become troublesome!"
"Immediately arrange a meeting with all of Li Rui's homeroom teachers."
"Yes! I'll notify them right away!"
At this moment, Wu You wasn't in a hurry to answer Li Jian's question.
At this time, he was merely a team member.
In front of the deputy leader, he was still conscientious about hierarchy.
Jiang An said, "Currently, we have determined the location where the body was hung is not the primary death scene!"
"Oh? Where is the primary death scene?"
Captain Li Jian suddenly realized he had missed much of the reasoning.
"It's right beneath us!"
Instantly, Captain Li Jian lowered his head to observe, noticing nothing unusual besides plenty of willow leaves.
"Here?"
Li Jian asked.
Jiang An nodded, "The deceased was likely hung upside down from the branches here."
As he spoke, Jiang An raised his hand to point at the rope's worn spot.
With a quick glance, Captain Li Jian instantly understood.
Immediately, Jiang An said, "I believe the murderer wasn't acting alone."
"How many do you think were involved?"
"I think at least three people."
"More than three people, together committing murder here?"
Jiang An added, "I deduce the killer didn't intend to commit murder; hanging the body to stage a hanging was merely a corrective measure."
In an instant, Li Jian's heart skipped a beat.
"Multiple people torturing one person, and in a school."
"Can this school's reputation be good?"