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CHAPTER 10
PART 3
At 8 o'clock in the evening, Tan Yong informed everyone in the "Big Family" group that he had moved into the Yuehai Bay residential area, in the same building as them, specifically on the second floor, unit 202. Starting tonight, he would intermittently patrol between the buildings and floors in the neighborhood to ensure everyone's safety.
Many in the group expressed their gratitude. Tan Yong mentioned that he had already notified the property management to install surveillance devices in the corridors within three days. Until then, he advised everyone to avoid going out at night.
People responded with "Got it" messages and multiple thumbs-up emojis. Even after sending the information, Tan Yong remained uneasy and called Li Bin directly, expressing his hope that Li Bin would also move into the Yuehai Bay residential area during this time.
Li Bin, a young man from another city who wasn't married and was originally renting a place, readily agreed since he was also involved in investigating the case. He quickly packed his belongings and arrived at Tan Yong's rented place half an hour later, bringing along plenty of snacks and instant noodles.
"Two rooms, take your pick," Tan Yong offered.
"What's there to choose? You take the master bedroom, I'll take the secondary one," replied Li Bin.
"Okay."
With mutual agreement, Li Bin set up his bed, nearing 9 o'clock. He said to Tan Yong, "Tonight, I'll take the patrol duty."
"Alright," Tan Yong messaged Li Bin on WeChat. "Save this message."
Li Bin opened his phone and saw the contents of the message:
- Li Xueli: 12th floor, 1203
- Su Xiaotong, Gu Lei: 12th floor, 1201
- Xia Qi: 9th floor, 902
- Fan Lin: 14th floor, 1401
- Shen Fengxia: 8th floor, 803
- Wang Xingxing: 15th floor, 1503
- Han Lei: 6th floor, 604
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"These are the floors and door numbers where each person lives. When you patrol, knock on their doors, ask about their situation. Three objectives: first, confirm they're home and safe; second, remind them to secure their doors and windows, especially locking the main door from the inside, so even if someone has a key, they can't open it; third, among these people, there must be the culprit. Our sporadic patrols and checks can act as a deterrent against the culprit," Tan Yong explained.
"Understood." Li Bin nodded and left.
About twenty minutes later, Li Bin returned to the rental place. Tan Yong asked, "How did it go?"
"They were all at home and assured they would lock their doors from the inside," Li Bin said.
"That's good. When you check on them, they'll know there are two police officers living in this building, which will have a greater deterrent effect on the culprit."
"In this situation, the culprit definitely wouldn't dare to commit a crime. If someone could commit murder in this scenario, they'd have to be able to walk through walls!" Li Bin asserted confidently, expecting Tan Yong to agree or echo his sentiment. But Tan Yong remained silent, lost in thought.
"What's wrong, Tan? You're not worried about this?" Li Bin asked.
"I'm thinking, is there anything else we haven't considered?" Tan Yong replied.
Li Bin sat down to ponder. After a while, he began counting on his fingers. "The doors and windows are all secured, locked from the inside, even with a key, they can't be opened. In this situation, I believe it's impossible for the culprit to enter and commit murder. However, it doesn't mean they're absolutely safe because they can't stay home all the time; they'll eventually have to go out. If the culprit strikes outside, there's nothing we can do."
"The likelihood of the culprit striking outside is low. After what happened before, everyone must be cautious. Plus, I advised them not to go out at night recently. Committing a crime openly during the day will be challenging," Tan Yong remarked.
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"Then, isn't it fine?" Li Bin asked.
Tan Yong remained silent. Li Bin patted his shoulder and said, "Tan, we've done everything we could, considered every possibility. Don't stress too much. I believe nothing will happen again."
"Let's hope so."
"Then let's wash up and sleep. Tomorrow, I'll continue investigating the source of the fire velvet fungus."
"Sure, you go ahead and take a shower."
"Li Bin went to the bathroom to freshen up. Tan Yong entered the bedroom, lying on the bed, pondering the words spoken by Fan Lin that morning, specifically, her explicit assertion regarding the strong suspicion cast on Xia Qi.
According to Fan Lin, Xia Qi was the only person among them who had visited Gong Yamei's home alone. Xia Qi admitted this but also mentioned visiting other people like Li Xueli, Han Lei, Wang Xingxing, besides Gong Yamei. However, what if those were just diversions? Merely to suggest she hadn't exclusively visited Gong Yamei? This possibility also exists.
Moreover, having spent so much time together, Tan Yong truly noticed that Xia Qi seemed to have the closest relationship with Gong Yamei. Recollecting, when Xia Qi first joined their group, she didn't know how to play mahjong, but Gong Yamei enjoyed it, so she learned and often played with her.
Gong Yamei liked music, so Xia Qi played various tunes on the guitar for her. During meals and drinks, Xia Qi often shared funny stories and jokes, making Gong Yamei laugh heartily. Additionally, Xia Qi liked linking arms and shoulders with Gong Yamei, appearing very close to her, almost like a mother-daughter relationship... In fact, Gong Yamei had openly mentioned several times in front of everyone, "Xia Qi is like my daughter."
All these signs indicated that Xia Qi indeed might be deliberately trying to please Gong Yamei. Especially considering Fan Lin's daily interaction, her perception could be deeper. So, raising such suspicions isn't unreasonable.
However, Xia Qi's naturally outgoing personality is a fact. She also maintains good relationships with many in the group... Thinking this way, whether Xia Qi's warmth and closeness are innate or have ulterior motives?
Or perhaps, both scenarios exist?
Regardless, the only solution at the moment is to speak to Xia Qi alone tomorrow and try various means to probe her.
Before going to bed, Tan Yong sent a message in the group: "@everyone: Please reconfirm whether everyone is at home, if each of you has secured doors and windows, and locked your front doors from the inside."
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Everyone responded in turn:
- Li Xueli: "At home, doors and windows secured, front door locked. Thanks, Tan, get some rest."
- Gu Lei: "We've done that. Thanks, Tan, much appreciated!"
- Shen Fengxia: "Did as you said."
- Fan Lin: "Me too, thanks for the reminder, Tan! With you downstairs, we feel much safer!"
- Wang Xingxing: "Same here, thanks for the reminder, Tan! With you downstairs, we feel much safer!"
- Han Lei: "Same here, thanks for the reminder, Tan! With you downstairs, we feel much safer!"
- Xia Qi: "I've secured doors and windows, locked the front door. Thanks, Tan, you've been thoughtful."
Seeing everyone's replies, Tan Yong let out a slow breath, set down the phone, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.
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