Of course, Chen Xiao hadn't figured out the reason yet.
He asked Luo Dali because Luo Dali was the only one in the holding room who could still be on the same wavelength as him.
"We can't determine the reason right now, but can't we discuss it? A detective's basic skill is that discussion and analysis are indispensable."
As Chen Xiao spoke, Luo Dali nodded in agreement: "That's true, I do like discussing these things with you, Brother Chen. But Brother Chen, what are the possible topics for discussion?"
"Why do you think someone, after killing another person, would stuff his head into his pants?" Chen Xiao retorted.
Luo Dali started to ponder, but Xiaoji blurted out: "Isn't it obvious? It's clearly to humiliate the person they killed. Otherwise, why stuff the head in the pants?"
"Xiaoji is right, but why would the killer want to humiliate the victim?"
"Stuffing someone's head into pants is a very shameful thing, and that part of the pants is sensitive for both men and women, so I think it might be related to that kind of thing?"
Everyone understands what Xiaoji is referring to.
Chen Xiao squinted his eyes, a faint smile playing at them: "Xiaoji provided a clue. The killer killed Zhao Xiaohong, and after killing him, humiliated his corpse. This suggests a strong motive for revenge. Based on what Xiaoji said, could it be that Zhao Xiaohong caused someone great humiliation in that sort of matter?"
"Damn, Brother Chen, are you saying it's possible Zhao Xiaohong might have cheated on someone?" Luo Dali slapped his thigh.
Chen Xiao wasn't as reactive, responding: "That's just a possibility we're discussing right now. Dali, you're the one among us who's most familiar with Zhao Xiaohong, do you think he'd do such a thing?"
The moment the question was asked, Luo Dali shook his head: "That's not possible. I've always suspected that Zhao Xiaohong had issues in that area."
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
"The guy is pretty handsome, dresses flamboyantly, and quite a few pretty girls chase after him. Plus, a female classmate he's been sponsoring for years has always admired him. But Zhao Xiaohong seems very averse to matters between men and women. It's said that when his biological mother was still alive, he witnessed his father cheating. Since then, it seems he's stayed away from women."
This talk is indeed reasonable and supported by facts.
People can indeed experience distortion in certain areas after a massive life blow.
"But after all, he's a person, right? Doesn't he have some needs?" Xiaoji wasn't entirely convinced, but Dao suddenly said:
"I don't think so. If Zhao Xiaohong had cheated on me, I definitely wouldn't chop off his head; I'd castrate him and then finish him off."
Dao's words made Chen Xiao give him a thumbs up: "Dao is much more clear-headed than you guys. If it's about emotional issues, they wouldn't be resolved in such a manner."
"If it's not an emotional issue, what is it to make someone stuff a head into pants?" Luo Dali was almost pulling his hair out in frustration.
Chen Xiao was silent for a while before answering: "Have you all wondered if the killer was playing with Zhao Xiaohong?"
The question was posed to everyone but targeted at Zhao Xiaohong.
Dao and Xiaoji weren't familiar with the case details.
"Playing?" Luo Dali was a bit confused.
Chen Xiao nodded: "That's right, it was an act of mockery that led to the humiliation of the corpse."
"But the killer can't be that sick, doing this for no reason, right?"
"Could it be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?" Chen Xiao asked again.
Luo Dali froze for a moment and then said: "Are you saying Zhao Xiaohong might have killed someone this way before, and the killer is seeking revenge?"
Chen Xiao was speechless, feeling talking to Luo Dali about this was unwise.
Seeing Chen Xiao not responding, Luo Dali realized his mistake, embarrassedly chuckling: "Brother Chen, I got overly excited. You're suggesting Zhao Xiaohong might have bullied someone and that his method was stuffing their head into pants, right?"
Chen Xiao responded: "Yes, but that way, there has to be an extra person."
"Right, right, Zhao Xiaohong, the killer, and the one whose head was stuffed into pants. Zhao Xiaohong definitely couldn't stuff the killer's head into their own pants unless they chopped it off."
"Now that we've identified this contradiction, you should be able to find out, right?" Chen Xiao was spirited.
Not only Luo Dali, but even Dao and Xiaoji guaranteed: "If there's such a contradiction, it can't stay hidden!"
"Okay, once we get out, the three of you immediately start investigating this matter."
Just as they were talking, the holding room door suddenly swung open.
Standing at the door was the Police Chief Old Li, who looked at Chen Xiao with a peculiar expression.
"Director Li, what's up?" Chen Xiao asked, although he had a pretty good idea.
Old Li: "I just got a call from Captain Liang at the bureau saying you guys discovered some major clues and need to come over right away within ten minutes."
Upon hearing this, Luo Dali was instantly disappointed.
He thought Brother Chen had said when they left, the Phoenix Street Police Station would give them a send-off.
Where's the send-off?
Why isn't it happening?
And now they had to get to the criminal investigation team at the bureau within ten minutes!
Wait, his car was still at Jiang Bo's chess room. How could he get to the bureau in ten minutes on foot?
There's no way!
Luo Dali wasn't having it: "Director Li, my car is still at Jiang Bo's, how can I get over there? Waiting for a taxi will definitely make us late!"
Hearing this, Old Li clenched his jaw in annoyance, while Chen Xiao stood by, smiling silently.
"Don't talk nonsense, cars are arranged to take you...to send you there!"
Luo Dali's eyes lit up, laughing: "You're sending us? Haha... thanks, Director Li!"
Old Li huffed and turned his head away as Chen Xiao passed by, politely saying: "Thanks, Director Li, truly."
In this new lease on life, Chen Xiao bore no ill feelings towards Old Li, knowing he was a devoted and hopeful elder towards Lin Xi.
Initially, Old Li, unaware of how unruly Chen Xiao was, warmly welcomed him when he heard he was Lin Xi's husband.
It wasn't until Chen Xiao was first arrested and brought to Phoenix Street Police Station that Old Li's attitude started to change.
At this moment, hearing Chen Xiao say this, Old Li felt a strange sensation.
If he remembered correctly, when Chen Xiao was bailed out before, he held immense resentment towards him.
How...has this kid's nature truly changed?
Old Li was somewhat doubtful, recalling Liang Yan's endless praise for Chen Xiao over the phone.
Watching Chen Xiao's departing back, Old Li rubbed his chin and muttered: "Has this kid truly taken the insult for Xiaoxi's future?"
Old Li didn't understand, and Chen Xiao took the police car to the criminal investigation team at the bureau.
Once there, Liang Yan immediately came over with excitement, asking Chen Xiao:
"Chen Xiao, tell me, are you my lucky star?"
Chen Xiao was momentarily stunned, glancing at his wife.
Lin Xi smiled with pursed lips: "Based on your information, Sister Liang dug out the club's membership details. This is really helpful in solving the case!"
Chen Xiao understood now, realizing why Liang Yan was so happy, thinking that the club's membership details were more than just information.
Just thinking about it, Liang Yan followed Lin Xi's words and added: "Guess who we found among the members of that club?"
Unexpectedly, a name popped into Chen Xiao's mind, though it seemed unbelievable: "Could it be Xiao Nian?"
Instantaneously, Lin Xi and Liang Yan exclaimed in unison: "How did you guess Xiao Nian!"