The next morning.
After sending Yu Mengzhi to work, Chen Jinzhao received a call from Shangguan Yu'an.
"Boss, a researcher committed suicide last night in his own apartment. His family died with him from carbon monoxide poisoning." Shangguan Yu'an's tone was heavy with self-blame for failing to protect the researcher.
Chen Jinzhao understood from her words that this researcher was a member of Wen Fulai's laboratory, considered one of Wen Fulai's capable assistants.
His death undoubtedly cast a shadow over the laboratory.
"Give me the address, and I'll go take a look," Chen Jinzhao said.
Shangguan Yu'an provided Chen Jinzhao with the address. Twenty minutes later, Chen Jinzhao arrived at the researcher's apartment. The entire apartment building had been sealed off, with uniformed police officers and forensic investigators moving about the scene.
Before Chen Jinzhao could enter, a familiar figure appeared before him.
Tao Qiyue exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"You're back to work so quickly? Why not rest for a few more days?" Chen Jinzhao was surprised by Tao Qiyue's appearance. He then explained, "I'm responsible for Professor Wen Fulai's personal safety. The deceased was Professor Wen's assistant, so I came to take a look."
Tao Qiyue said "oh" in understanding.
At that moment.
Shangguan Yu'an also walked up to Chen Jinzhao, ignoring Tao Qiyue. "Boss, we've investigated. The deceased most likely died by suicide. There was also a suicide note left in the bedroom."
"Please take a look."
Tao Qiyue cast a meaningful glance at Shangguan Yu'an.
As expected...
Chen Jinzhao was never short of admirers.
Or rather, people like Shangguan Yu'an and Xu Nianqing couldn't exactly be called admirers.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them elites among women.
However, perhaps his eyes were only for Yu Mengzhi?
Chen Jinzhao took the suicide note. The writing was done with a red neutral pen. The handwriting was initially neat, but it became extremely messy towards the end, clearly indicating the deceased's psychological defenses crumbling into a abyss as he wrote. The words were filled with strong negative emotions and despair.
Anyone normal reading it would find it psychologically disturbing.
"We've compared it with his usual handwriting, and this suicide note is indeed from him. Furthermore, we've searched the entire scene thoroughly and found no trace of anyone else being present," Tao Qiyue explained from the side.
Chen Jinzhao grunted in acknowledgment.
He carefully deciphered the messiest lines of the suicide note, faintly recognizing a sentence—
"I have always been loyal to the country, loyal to the nation, and I have never betrayed, nor will I ever!"
Amidst the overwhelming despair, this sentence stood out starkly, reflecting the researcher's persistence in the face of extreme despair, earning Chen Jinzhao's solemn respect.
Some people would disregard their own lives to achieve their noble ideals.
Chen Jinzhao sighed and decided to preserve the suicide note.
Shangguan Yu'an also provided Chen Jinzhao with a detailed account of the researcher's situation. The researcher was forty-five years old, with a wife who taught at a university and a daughter attending college.
Moreover, as Tao Qiyue had learned through her inquiries, the family of three lived harmoniously and had never had intense arguments.
"Could it be that the pressure was too great, causing the researcher to be unable to bear it and commit suicide?" Shangguan Yu'an speculated. Tao Qiyue, standing beside her, shook her head and said, "Unlikely. According to our investigations, the researcher deeply cherished his wife and daughter. This means that even if he wanted to end his life, he wouldn't have taken his wife and daughter with him."
"And—"
"We've checked the bank statements of the family of three, and there are no issues. Not only are there no debts, but the couple also has considerable savings in their bank accounts."
This made the case even more perplexing.
Chen Jinzhao took another breath. "What are your thoughts on this?"
"I believe the case is not as simple as it appears. Beneath the seemingly logical narrative, there are many contradictions," Tao Qiyue stated directly, earning Shangguan Yu'an's agreement and approval.
"It's just..." Shangguan Yu'an hesitated.
"We've also checked the surveillance footage for the entire building, and no suspicious individuals entered or exited at the time of the incident."
The case had reached a dead end.
Chen Jinzhao suddenly remembered something. He had vaguely seen a similar case somewhere before. He said to Tao Qiyue and Shangguan Yu'an, "Please investigate the social circles of the wife and daughter. See if there are any commonalities. I believe this might be a breakthrough point."
Tao Qiyue immediately agreed.
Shangguan Yu'an fell into thought, and Chen Jinzhao's words reminded her of a certain case.
"Boss, are you remembering that person?" she asked.
Chen Jinzhao grunted in acknowledgment.
Shangguan Yu'an's pupils contracted slightly, and she pursed her lips, saying no more.
Chen Jinzhao's thoughts drifted back to a few years ago. At that time, the Candle Dragon Special Forces were making a name for themselves on the international stage, with each member being incredibly strong. It was during that period that something shocking happened within the Candle Dragon Special Forces—
A member of the special forces shot and killed his sleeping comrades before fleeing across the border overnight.
That night.
A total of seven comrades died.
This became a scandal for the Candle Dragon Special Forces and was never disclosed to the public.
As for the perpetrator—Chen Jinzhao was very familiar with him. He had treated the perpetrator like a brother. Moreover, everyone in the special forces found him to be very amiable, and after the incident, no one believed he could have done such a thing.
But it happened.
Since then, Chen Jinzhao had not seen him again, only knowing that he seemed to have joined the Black Blood Group and become a high-ranking member of the enemy.
Chen Jinzhao shook his head, no longer dwelling on these old memories.
He hoped these two incidents were unrelated. If the Black Blood Group was involved, there would undoubtedly be a lot of trouble.
Leaving the crime scene, Chen Jinzhao returned to the laboratory at Ninghai University. He spoke with Wen Fulai to learn about the deceased researcher's life and daily routines. The results were, as expected, the same as what Tao Qiyue had reported.
Kind and approachable, easy to get along with...
Wen Fulai specifically said to Chen Jinzhao, "Little Chen, you must find out the cause of his death. He was an optimistic and positive person in daily life, and it's unlikely he would have done something so extreme."
Chen Jinzhao nodded. "Professor Wen, I understand."
"By the way, how is your experiment progressing? I heard the new laboratory is about to be completed. You'll be moving there directly, and there's also a residential area for researchers. This will reduce the occurrence of such incidents."
Wen Fulai sighed. "Experiments are not that simple. I don't mind telling you, our experiment is already 90% complete. But as our ancestors said, 'Those who walk a hundred miles are only halfway through the ninetieth mile.' The remaining 10% is the most difficult to conquer. This cannot be rushed. I only hope to see the prototype of the experiment in my lifetime, and then I will have no regrets in death."
"Professor Wen, may your fortune be as vast as the East Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountain. How can you speak such unlucky words!" Chen Jinzhao exclaimed.
Wen Fulai smiled without explanation.
"By the way, Little Chen."
"Have you and Little Xu already..."