Chapter 15: A Direct Confrontation with the Expert Panel, the Silent Duan Yu

Chapter Fifteen: A Direct Confrontation with the Expert Panel, the Silent Duan Yu

[Su Chen, this is a one-man mission!]

[What should I do? I’m so nervous. I want the expert panel to solve the case, but I don't want Su Chen to get caught.]

[The culprit is right before their eyes. If Officer Duan doesn’t catch Su Chen’s slip-up this time, he’ll regret it deeply after the show ends!]

[No need to wait until the show ends. I bet when the surveillance footage is restored, Officer Duan will realize he actually brushed past the culprit twice. I wonder how he’ll feel.]

[Exactly. Once Su Chen’s identity is exposed, he still has the option of fleeing, but the crimes he committed before will also be revealed to the expert panel!]

As the viewers fiercely debated in the live chat,

Inside the expert panel’s office,

Su Chen stepped in and first noticed that all the police officers under the experts were present.

They leaned against the wall, looking tense. When they saw Su Chen enter, they merely glanced at him with a faint look in their eyes, tinged with pity.

Now it was his turn to be interrogated?

The interrogation by the experts was highly intimidating. Even first-line criminal investigators found it almost unbearable, let alone a civilian staff member who had been buried in case files for eight years.

The atmosphere in the expert meeting room was heavy and oppressive.

Su Chen’s gaze briefly swept over the officers who had just finished their questioning, then glanced toward the slightly ajar door of the interrogation room not far away, and he understood immediately.

His expression remained calm as he placed the bag on the table. He casually greeted Bai Su:

“Boss, sorry I’m a bit late. Hope I didn’t hold things up?”

“I thought since it’s my first time working with frontline investigators, I’d bring some food. Everyone’s working hard and could use some energy.”

Bai Su stepped aside and smiled gently:

“Thanks, you came just in time.”

She then placed a hand on Su Chen’s shoulder and gestured toward the slightly open door of the interrogation room.

“Let’s go. Officer Duan wants to speak with you. I’ll go with you.”

Well, thank you then... Su Chen followed her inside, feeling speechless. He knew she wasn’t there out of goodwill but purely to assist Duan Yu in determining whether he was lying.

However, Su Chen was aware that they hadn’t yet gathered any substantial evidence. This interrogation was more a bluff, a gamble of sorts, so he wasn’t particularly nervous.

Inside the interrogation room,

The small room had only one one-way glass window—viewable from outside but pitch black inside.

The harsh glare of a bare bulb reflected off the walls.

Officer Duan Yu, dressed in his uniform, stood in front of an empty chair. When Su Chen entered, he motioned for him to sit. The shadow cast by his hat brim concealed his expression.

This setup felt like a trap from the start.

Su Chen obediently sat down, while Bai Su stood quietly in a corner.

“Su Chen, graduate of Longguo Public Security University, an only child, parents both living out of province… am I correct?”

Duan Yu’s voice was deep and serious.

Su Chen nodded. Ah, revealing personal details right in front of the suspect—classic interrogation technique.

In his previous life as a criminal investigator, he had often used this trick to create the impression of knowing everything about a suspect. It served as a psychological blow; after all, anyone hearing their personal information recited like that would feel unsettled.

Good momentum... but Su Chen knew Duan Yu had no critical clues; this was all bluff.

He decided to quietly watch Duan’s performance.

“Why study unsolved cold cases? Wouldn’t it be better to apply your talents to current cases?” Duan Yu asked, lowering the guard.

“Why not? Should we just let those who escape justice go free?” Su Chen countered, eyes fixed on Duan.

Duan Yu frowned.

“Su Chen, I remind you not to answer a question with another question. Please answer seriously, as everything you say might be used against you. Is that clear?”

A warning.

Su Chen tested the waters and saw Duan maintained composure—a rare steadiness given his own project had just been sabotaged. He had to respect that.

Su Chen gave a very official reply.

“To uphold universal justice and maintain the dignity of law enforcement, someone must do the thankless tasks.”

No extra words, airtight.

Duan Yu didn’t get anything concrete from that first round and pressed on with tougher questions.

“Your parents live out of town. Why did you choose to come to Jinling?”

“Young people want to try their luck in big cities, see the world.”

“And now?”

“House prices are too high. I want to go back home.”

Su Chen answered sincerely.

[Guys, I don’t get interrogations. What’s the point? This feels unrelated to the case!]

[You’re wrong. This is a very professional technique.]

[Starting from a person’s background often yields unexpected info and makes them uncomfortable, less able to lie.]

[But Su Chen’s answers are so skillful, it’s like he said nothing at all—just chatting!]

[I actually like what he said. After all, absent justice isn’t really justice, is it?]

[The verbal sparring is electric. Su Chen has already gained the upper hand.]

[The atmosphere is so intense, just watching the live stream gives me goosebumps. I wouldn’t be able to speak properly if I were inside. Su Chen is strong.]

In the interrogation room,

Bai Su stood silently in the shadowed corner, observing Su Chen. She noticed how relaxed he was, showing no sign of interrogation pressure.

This was very difficult—even professionally trained suspects might not manage this well.

Duan Yu continued questioning but got nothing. He exhaled deeply and decided to cut to the chase.

“Su Chen, what were you doing at 5:40 PM tonight?”

[Here it comes!]

[Finally, the crucial question.]

[No matter how slick Su Chen is, lying before these expert police is tough.]

Su Chen didn’t hesitate.

“I was at a convenience store, buying snacks. They’re just outside.”

He even gestured toward the interrogation room’s exterior.

Hearing this, Duan immediately placed a hand on his headset.

Soon, voices from outside filtered in.

“We checked. There’s a receipt from 5:41 PM, matching the items he bought.”

“Verify again by calling the store.”

“Understood.”

Static crackled briefly.

After a few seconds, a reply came.

“The cashier said she didn’t note the time exactly, but remembers it was around 5:40 PM.”

“Any details on other customers or purchases?”

“No, small shops don’t track that. Only big supermarkets might.”

“...Okay.”

Duan reluctantly removed his hand from the headset.

So, at the time of the explosion, Su Chen was buying snacks at the store?

Coincidence?

Though supermarket receipts aren’t ironclad evidence and can be forged, this still partially clears Su Chen of suspicion.

Unless Su Chen anticipated this interrogation and prepared evidence in advance.

Duan pondered briefly but dismissed that possibility. This internal questioning was a sudden decision, not prearranged.

Meanwhile, the live chat exploded with a different tone:

[Whoa, so that’s the trick! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. This is an alibi!]

[It’s not perfect, but it lowers Su Chen’s suspicion. He’s on the fifth floor!]

[Thinking carefully, Su Chen doesn’t need to completely clear himself. He just has to make sure others appear more suspicious.]

[Exactly. That way, the experts won’t focus on him.]

[Duan officer is confused!]

[Don’t say that. Who could react so fast to realize they’re bugged? The plan was improvised, but Su Chen got wind of it early—that’s the real killer blow!]

Duan, of course, couldn’t see the comments. After a pause, he quietly asked Bai Su,

“How is it?”

She shook her head. Duan was visibly unsettled now.

“I don’t see any lies, but I have to warn you—Su Chen is a veteran at interrogations. He’s very skilled.”

“His calmness isn’t what I expected.”

Duan rubbed his brow.

“Turn up the pressure a bit. I’ll test him, see if I can find a crack.”

After their conversation, Duan returned to Su Chen, flipping through papers as he walked.

“Su Chen, I’m giving you another chance. Tell me slowly, what exactly were you doing from 5:00 to 5:40 PM tonight?”

But Su Chen wasn’t buying it.

He said calmly, “I was strolling around the shopping street. Nothing more to add.”

“Think again.”

Duan waved the documents in front of him, regaining his cold, authoritative tone.

“Su Chen, you should know we’ve already interrogated other officers. Your statement conflicts with theirs. Were you really just shopping? Remember, your evidence is incomplete.”

Though ambiguous—others’ statements might be inaccurate—Duan spoke with strong conviction, projecting confidence enough to intimidate.

Interrogation is psychological warfare.

Su Chen propped his chin, pondering.

Seeing the effect, Duan raised his eyebrows. Could Su Chen be hiding a secret?

Just then, Su Chen looked up and said,

“Officer Duan, I’m curious. Why are you so fixated on this? Proving my innocence is simple.”

“How so?”

Duan’s composure wavered, watching Su Chen’s expression.

Su Chen smiled.

“Just check the surveillance footage at the university town. That’s not hard for you. Cameras are everywhere on the shopping street. Whether I was buying anything during that time will be clear as day.”

That hit a sore spot.

Duan was silenced, speechless for a moment.

If I could check the footage, would I still be interrogating here?!

Duan fell silent, while the live chat erupted with laughter.

[Hahaha, a mind game killer move!]

[With Su Chen’s curious expression, it’s even better!]

[Right now, Su Chen looks like an oblivious passerby, unaware of the explosion. Only such casual remarks can land such a devastating blow!]

[Su Chen, you’re too much! Hahaha...]