pjbooks Chapter 30 Closed Loop
Chapter 30 Closed Loop
Around the time before the Lunar New Year, contractor Zhu Zhenbiao would come to Zhang Zhenhua every few days asking for money.
Previously, because of her pregnancy, Zhang Zhenhua didn't let Liu Yanni manage any money matters, but that time the contractor brought people to block the door, and she heard it.
The other party threatened that if they didn't pay back the money, they wouldn't build the house, and that they wouldn't be able to find anyone else to build it elsewhere.
She was extremely anxious, so she went to Zhang Zhenhua to discuss it.
This had happened before, and Zhang Zhenhua always went out to borrow money from others to get by.
This time, she originally wanted to suggest that she go back to her parents' home and borrow some money from relatives to plug the hole first.
But Zhang Zhenhua refused on the spot, saying very simply, "No need, we'll have the money in a couple of days."
She initially thought Zhang Zhenhua had already discussed it with someone and borrowed money, so she didn't think too much about it.
But after Zhang Zhenhua said that, he disappeared a couple of days later, and then news of his death came.
While sorting through her belongings, she found this diary in a hidden compartment of a drawer.
Upon opening it, I felt as if I had been doused with ice water, and the world spun around me.
She immediately realized that Zhang Zhenhua might be planning to rob someone and then use the stolen money to cover his losses.
With this thought in mind, she couldn't help but think deeper: Why has Zhenhua been building houses so desperately all these years? Why is he willing to spend all his savings to build such big houses?
It turns out he had extra income.
As a housewife who didn't manage the money, she was unaware of the taxi driver's specific income.
The thought that Zhang Zhenhua might be a serial killer threw her into a complete panic.
She couldn't understand why serial killers were killed in the same way.
There was no way to think about anything else.
She had only one thought in her mind: this must not be known to anyone.
If others find out that Zhang Zhenhua is a murderer, this house, which is mostly under construction, might be seized and no longer belong to her.
This is her and her son's hope for the rest of their lives.
Without this house, the mother and son would have nowhere to stay.
After listening to Liu Yanni's explanation, Gu Huai suddenly understood.
He finally figured out the knot in his heart that had been bothering him.
In his memory, the Rain Night Butcher's kill list did not include any men; it was all women.
However, Zhang Zhenhua's death had basically nothing to do with him.
Although he was aware that his rebirth would have a butterfly effect, Zhang Zhenhua's disappearance occurred before he came to Pengcheng, so he had never thought about it that way before.
But now we see that this is the butterfly effect.
If he hadn't shown up, the police station would have continued to believe that Zhang Zhenhua had run away to Hong Kong.
Zhang Shengli could only sigh and lament that his nephew wouldn't run away, but he wouldn't mobilize everyone he knew to look for him.
Another point is that although Zhang Zhenhua's body was found on Yangpeng Highway, and although there were many cars coming and going on the highway, the taxi overturned in a ditch beside the road.
Gu Huai had observed that it was not easy to spot unless one looked closely.
The perpetrator may have just temporarily left the car there, perhaps delayed by something and hadn't had time to deal with it yet.
Because of Gu Huai's appearance, Zhang Zhenhua's body was discovered ahead of time.
Even without him, after Zhang Zhenhua's disappearance, Liu Yanni would have found this diary at some point, but just like this time, she would have suspected her husband of being a murderer and then chosen to keep it a secret.
Gu Huai didn't know if, in that past timeline, the hidden butcher of the rainy night would come looking for Liu Yanni and for this notebook.
He didn't know whether Liu Yanni had been harmed in the previous timeline, or whether she was one of the seventeen victims of the Rain Night Butcher.
But he was certain that the fire was set by the Butcher during the rainy night.
He wanted to burn away all the evidence with a fire.
The butcher must have been following him in the dark on that rainy night. When he saw that Zhang Shengli was coming, he was afraid that the things would be discovered, so he had no choice but to burn them in advance.
Thinking of this, Gu Huai even felt a sliver of hope.
Fortunately, the fire was burning fiercely enough that I didn't risk my life to put it out.
If the Rain Night Butcher knew that something had been rescued from inside, he would definitely be thrown into a panic and would inevitably flee.
Once you think about it that way, everything makes sense.
Zhang Zhenhua's death must have been covered up by a series of coincidences in his previous life.
In this life, because of his appearance, Zhang Zhenhua's body was discovered, and the Rain Night Butcher's actions became distorted.
Gu Huai stood up and said to Ling Yue, "Sister Ling, find something to pack this up, let's go."
After saying that, he walked out.
Lingyue caught up with them and asked, "Ah Huai, where are we going?"
"I need to go find Wang Zhi and report to him. This matter absolutely cannot be delayed any longer."
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Yinhu Village Committee.
Wang Weiguo looked at Gu Huai with a serious expression.
He looked at the young man in front of him and found that although his face was a little immature, his expression was extremely solemn.
He couldn't help but recall that if this young man hadn't stepped forward to take charge, the fire might have burned the entire village to the ground.
Recalling the flattering words from the fire brigade chief, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
Therefore, when he learned that Gu Huai had something to discuss with him, he didn't put on a stern face as usual, but nodded, wanting to hear what the kid had to say.
Seeing that Gu Huai hadn't spoken for a while, Wang Weiguo broke the silence first: "Gu, speak. You said you had something to report to me, what is it?"
Gu Huai spent a long time drafting a plan in his mind.
Although he had a rough idea of the truth of the whole case, he couldn't tell Wang Weiguo directly because a lot of information was mixed with his memories from his previous life.
It wasn't until Wang Weiguo spoke up that Gu Huai pushed the file folder in front of him from Ling Yue's hand and said, "Chief Wang, this is a clue we just found. The contents here confirm that the murderer of Zhang Zhenhua is that Rain Night Butcher from Guangzhou."
Wang Weiguo's expression hardened.
He immediately grabbed the gloves from the side, opened the file folder, and flipped through the pages one by one.
Gu Huai could clearly see that his fingers were clenching tighter and tighter.
After turning the last page, Wang Weiguo slammed his fist on the armrest of the chair.
Gu Huai was surprised to find that he had actually dented the iron chair by smashing it.
Gu Huai couldn't help but sigh inwardly: As expected of a soldier, even after so many years of retirement, his grip is still so strong.
Just then, Wang Weiguo looked up and stared at Gu Huai: "Little Gu, this clue of yours is very important. Now we can basically confirm the identity of the criminal. I'll go to Yangcheng right away and investigate the case together with them."
As he spoke, Wang Weiguo was about to get up to contact the people in Guangzhou.
Gu Huai stood up and blocked the way with both hands: "Wang Zhi, I have something else to say."
Wang Weiguo was taken aback and looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Go on."
"Chief Wang, I wonder if Captain Wu has reported this to you yet?" Gu Huai asked, "Did we identify a suspect this afternoon?"
Wang Weiguo recalled for a moment and nodded: "Oh, Lao Wu did mention such a person."
As he spoke, Wang Weiguo sat back down and said in as tactful a tone as possible, "Xiao Gu, I know you're eager to solve the case, but we have rules and regulations for arresting and identifying suspects."
According to what you said this afternoon, although Luo Zhenbang is somewhat suspicious, it cannot be confirmed at all.
Even with the clues you just provided, it's still impossible to determine whether Luo Zhenbang is a suspect.
You need to provide us with more effective evidence to confirm our suspicion of him.
Gu Huai said, "Of course. There is indeed insufficient evidence at the moment, but this diary is the strongest evidence."
Upon hearing this, Wang Weiguo glanced at his notebook, then at Gu Huai, and suddenly realized, "You mean...?"
Gu Huai nodded and said, "Yes, Wang Zhi."
"Tomorrow's meeting will proceed as scheduled."
During the meeting, they will definitely ask Luo Zhenbang for his signature.
We'll then compare his latest signature with his previous signatures and with the handwriting in this diary.
If multiple characteristics match, we can confirm that Luo Zhenbang is the owner of this diary.
"Handwriting comparison..." Wang Weiguo's eyes narrowed slightly.
He knew this matter could be a big deal or a small deal.
Given his usual temperament, he wouldn't let Gu Huai act so recklessly.
However, when he thought of Gu Huai, who had just been a firefighter, he changed his mind and thought: since the young man in front of him was so insistent, he might as well give in to him.
If anything really happens, he can use this as an excuse when his superiors ask.
After thinking for a while, Wang Weiguo nodded: "Okay, we'll do it your way. I'll have Lao Wu contact them."
Seeing that Wang Weiguo finally nodded, Gu Huai breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and gave a proper salute: "Thank you, Branch Secretary Wang!"
Seeing his seriousness, Wang Weiguo stood up and returned the greeting: "Xiao Gu, you've worked hard today. Go back now. Continue with this case tomorrow, follow it from beginning to end."
Gu Huai understood that Wang Weiguo was protecting him, and his heart warmed: "Thank you, Wang Zhi."
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After leaving the village committee, Lingyue was waiting for him at the door.
As soon as Gu Huai came out, Ling Yue immediately stepped forward and asked, "Huai, how is the situation?"
Gu Huai said in a relaxed tone, "Wang Zhi has already agreed to my proposal."
Since it was a private conversation between the two of them, Gu Huai spoke rather casually.
Ling Yue nodded and said, "That's good, that's good."
Then, she changed the subject and leaned closer to Gu Huai, saying, "Captain Wu asked me to come find you and tell you to go see him as soon as you come out."
"Is it because you reported to a higher-level authority without going through the proper channels?" Gu Huai asked.
"Yes." Ling Yue nodded in response, "Captain Wu was furious when he heard that you went to see Wang Zhi."
"Now that things are settled, Ah Huai, when you go to see Captain Wu later, remember to say something conciliatory. We'll be colleagues from now on, there's no need to make things so tense."
Seeing Ling Yue's concerned expression, Gu Huai smiled slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Ling."
"Don't worry, Captain Wu won't do anything to me."
"He should be treating me like royalty right now."