Cao Gongzi: Step aside, everyone, and watch me perform

The difficulty in securing a conviction lies in the fact that none of the connected cases contain any leads pointing to this suspect.

If, in the previous cases, there had been traces of the suspect—such as hair, skin cells, footprints, fingerprints, or anything else—that could link the two incidents together,

then no matter how much the suspect denied it, the chain of evidence would at least be partially established.

Unfortunately,

across all these prior cases, the suspect left absolutely nothing behind at the scenes. The inability to connect them means the current case stands alone.

The suspect claims someone is framing him, and the police can’t refute it.

After all, that possibility does exist.

If a single drop of blood were enough to convict someone, then solving crimes would become pointless—any killer could just splatter some blood at the scene and let countless unlucky souls take the fall for them.

...

Cao Cheng looked up, puzzled. "Over all these years, there have been nearly ten victims across four different cities."

"From a transportation standpoint, the suspect would have had to travel to those locations. What about the records for that?"

The second sister searched through the files and handed Cao Cheng another stack.

He began flipping through them again.

If someone commits a crime in another city, they’d have to get there first.

And if they went, they’d likely leave some traces behind.

Whether by plane, train, long-distance bus, or driving…

They couldn’t have walked, right?

These methods either require ID or leave behind surveillance footage along the way.

But…

After reviewing the records, there was no trace of the suspect traveling to any of the other cities.

Meaning, he didn’t take a plane, train, or bus—and didn’t even drive himself.

From this perspective, he really doesn’t seem like the culprit.

Just how high would his IQ have to be to erase all traces of his movements?

Cao Cheng asked, "Did you ever consider you might have the wrong guy?"

The second sister nodded. "We doubted it at first, but after all these years, this tiny clue is the only thing that’s led us to him."

"We can’t just drop the investigation now, can we?"

"Besides, there aren’t any other suspects. And also…"

She continued, "We were about to release him when, by sheer coincidence, we found an eyewitness near the latest victim’s home."

She explained further.

Initially, based on the investigation, they had cleared the suspect—since apart from that single drop of blood, there was no other evidence linking him to the murders, nor any proof he’d been to the other cities.

But then, by chance, they found a car with a dashcam.

The driver also mentioned seeing the suspect that night.

Though it wasn’t entirely clear due to the rain, the build matched.

The driver had even wondered why someone was walking around in a black raincoat in such heavy rain—what a show-off.

The driver, in a bad mood at the time, had been smoking in his car, avoiding going home.

With no one else around, he remembered it vividly.

The car’s camera had also captured the figure.

Using some technological analysis of body shape, they confirmed it was the suspect.

However…

The location was a block away from the victim’s place—still a bit far.

But this discovery proved the suspect had lied.

He initially claimed he’d never been to the area, but when confronted with the evidence, he "suddenly remembered" passing through—though he insisted it was just a coincidence.

Because of this, his previously dismissed suspicion shot right back up.

...

This was all local, though.

Too bad it wasn’t in another city—then he’d have no way to explain it.

You can’t just "pass through" another city, right?

The case had reached a dead end here.

The latest victim was local, while the previous ones were from other cities.

Cao Cheng nodded.

He’d gone through most of the material.

"Let’s assume for now that the suspect, Guo Yi, is the killer. Setting aside the latest case, for the earlier ones, he’d have needed transportation to commit crimes in other cities—planes, trains, buses—but there’s no record of him using any of those. His personal car never showed up on tollbooth or highway cameras either."

"That leaves carpooling, or maybe he had access to another vehicle."

Hearing this, the second sister said, "We considered that too, but after investigating, we found no evidence of him owning another car or carpooling."

"Plus, during the times of the murders, we checked his school records—he never took time off."

"Even if he did, it didn’t align with the crime dates."

"So if he is the killer, the only explanation is that he traveled there overnight, returned the same night, and went back to teaching the next day like nothing happened."

Cao Cheng raised an eyebrow. "What a work ethic."

The second sister shot him a glare and continued, "Timing-wise, it’s possible—there’s plenty of room to maneuver. But we can’t find any proof of another vehicle."

"Nor any evidence he ever left Zhonghai."

"So, if we use hypnosis, we shouldn’t ask about the crimes directly—just get him to reveal where his other car is, or the murder weapon, or the bodies… That’d crack the case."

Cao Cheng nodded.

But then,

he smirked. "But that’s only if he’s the killer. What if he isn’t?"

The second sister said coldly, "If he’s not the killer, then we investigate the blood. If someone framed him, they’d have had to get close to him—how else would they get his blood? He’s never donated, so if he’s innocent, we’ll hypnotize him to recall when he might’ve lost blood."

According to her, they’d already asked him about it, but he claimed he couldn’t remember.

Cao Cheng arched a brow and gave a thumbs-up. "Alright. Can I meet this guy now?"

"Anytime. You’re the hypnotist I hired—do it your way," the second sister said seriously.

Time to get into character.

Step aside, watch me work…

...

Soon after,

the second sister drove them to the detention center.

In the interrogation room, they met the suspect, Guo Yi.

Glasses, refined, slightly thin.

Only the detention center uniform ruined his vibe.

But,

he looked like a total creep.

What kind of man acts this proper?

Pfft.

Men know men.

Cao Cheng, outside, was way more decent than this guy.

What a tryhard.

Just looking at him pissed Cao Cheng off.

He’s definitely the killer.

Case closed.

"Guo Yi, thought it over yet? Anything to say?" the second sister asked.

Guo Yi shook his head. "I really can’t think of anything else. When can I leave? Keeping me locked up like this goes against protocol, doesn’t it? Even if I pushed an officer, you can’t hold me indefinitely. There has to be a limit."

The second sister raised an eyebrow. "There is a limit. Get a lawyer—we’ll explain it to them."

"Fine," Guo Yi said flatly.

His gaze flicked to the young female officer beside her—someone he’d seen before.

Then his eyes landed on Cao Cheng.

Guo Yi paused. "If I’m not mistaken, this must be Miracle Group’s CEO, Cao Cheng?"

Cao Cheng grinned. "Oh, you know me?"

Guo Yi gave a faint nod. "I followed current affairs and finance before coming here. I’ve seen reports about you."

Then he shifted the topic. "But I’m curious, Mr. Cao, why are you here? And why meet with me?"

"Let me introduce myself. Besides being the ‘Mr. Cao’ you mentioned, I’m also the world’s top hypnotist—bar none." Cao Cheng extended his hand politely as he stepped forward.

Seated in the interrogation chair, Guo Yi instinctively reached out.

His hands weren’t cuffed, so the movement was fluid.

Their hands clasped.

Guo Yi felt a subtle tension in Cao Cheng’s grip.

"Hypnotist?" Guo Yi frowned slightly.

"Don’t be nervous. You’ve met one before, haven’t you?" Cao Cheng smiled.

Guo Yi shook his head. "I’m not nervous. And yes, I have—a woman."

Cao Cheng pulled out a cigarette. "Smoke?"

"Thanks." Guo Yi accepted it.

Polite, wasn’t he?

Cao Cheng lit it for him and asked, "How was the hypnosis last time?"

"Felt like nothing. Just slept, had a dream I couldn’t remember, and then it was over." Guo Yi took a drag.

Cao Cheng nodded thoughtfully.

Truth was, he could tell—silent types weren’t the problem. It was guys like this, calm and cooperative on the surface, yet revealing nothing substantial.

And worse, they’d throw questions back at you.

Guo Yi countered, "Aren’t you a businessman, Mr. Cao? Since when do you know hypnosis?"

"A hobby. Just dabbling. Actually, I was at the precinct today donating some supplies when I happened to see your case. It intrigued me, so I dropped by. Hope you don’t mind the intrusion."

Guo Yi gave a noncommittal nod. "Well, I’m honored. A high school teacher like me getting to meet the richest man in the city? If word got out, people would be jealous. When I go back to school, I can brag to my students about it. Heh."

Cao Cheng chuckled. "I don’t think you’re the killer."

Guo Yi looked up, firm. "Of course I’m not. I’ve said it over and over, but they won’t listen. Just because a drop of my blood was at the scene, they pinned it on me. But I was framed."

"Easy. I believe you." Cao Cheng patted his shoulder.

He could see it now.

This guy was a master of self-brainwashing.

On certain matters, his conviction was unshakable—a result of relentless self-hypnosis.

Almost like dissociative identity disorder, where the split persona genuinely believed itself to be good or evil.

While the core self remained oblivious.

A fractured mind.

Cao Cheng grinned. "Relax. You know our village’s policy. If you’re innocent, no one can wrong you."

"Right." Guo Yi nodded solemnly.

"But…"

Cao Cheng took a drag from his cigarette, then grabbed a chair and sat directly across from him, face to face.

Nearby, Second Sister’s frown deepened.

She’d seen hypnotists work before—standard procedures, methodical questioning.

But this was nothing like Fifth Brother’s approach.

This didn’t even feel like hypnosis.

More like idle chitchat…

Still, out of trust, she stayed silent, observing quietly.

The junior apprentice was equally puzzled, but with her master staying quiet, she held her tongue too.

At least the whole session was being recorded. No harm done.

"...But I do admire you…"