The pathology lab was silent, the air tight with anticipation. All eyes—detectives and researchers alike—rested on Zhen Nuan.
At this moment, she was the center of the world.
The most authoritative presence in the room.
Everyone watched, holding their breath. They waited for her to lift her head from the microscope, unleash her sharp judgment, and announce the key to unlocking the case.
To show her brilliance. Her confidence. Her pride.
Under the weight of those expectant gazes, the forensic pathologist finally raised her head. She blinked once, froze, then slowly touched her face.
Nothing was on it.
Old Bai nudged Tan Ge with a grin.
“Look, look. At times like this, the little kitten’s expression is so cute it’s silly.”
Yan Han chuckled, amused. “What were you planning to say?”
“Oh—” Zhen Nuan snapped back to reality. “For safety, we should run a scanning electron microscope test.”
…
The electron microscope images revealed that the cytoplasmic matrix of the epithelial cells on the victim’s chest had coagulated. Organelles were destroyed. The intracellular membrane system ruptured. The collagen fibers in the dermis showed signs of coagulative necrosis.
Further examination confirmed that the tissue damage was caused by electric shock.
…
Yucheng Public Security Bureau
Criminal Investigation Team 1 — Yan Han’s Office
Across from him, Zhen Nuan handed over the autopsy report.
“The deceased died from sudden electric shock in the water. This is homicide.”
Yan Han nodded once, skimmed the report, then rose. She followed behind him as they stepped into the office area where the team was working.
He relayed Zhen Nuan’s findings.
“Homicide, huh? Damn.” Old Bai scratched his scalp. “This method is too high-tech. The timing, the current… everything was calculated perfectly. If Zhen Nuan hadn’t been so careful, we wouldn’t have found anything.”
Yan Han glanced at her, voice slow and low. “That’s true. It’s thanks to her.”
“It’s… just my job.”
Detective Hei Zi frowned. “But still—something feels off. Look at the situation:
-
His family said he had strong suicidal tendencies and tried several times.
-
He couldn’t swim yet went straight into the deep end.
-
He had no enemies.
-
His computer had no suspicious activity. He barely ever went online.”
“This screams suicide. If it was murder… something doesn’t add up.”
“Maybe someone pushed him?” Old Bai suggested.
Yan Han shook his head. “Forensics checked. His footprints near the pool were normal. No signs of being pushed.”
Zhen Nuan stepped in. “The electron microscope found abnormal cell damage. I think a charged object—like a wire—fell into the water while the victim was facing the killer.”
A beat of silence.
Then Brother Tan clapped. “He didn’t call for help!”
“Why?” someone asked.
“Because he wanted to die. If someone wanted to kill him, he’d think—‘Perfect. I can finally die successfully.’”
“It wasn’t coincidence,” Yan Han said, tone deepening. “The deceased sent his parents away before committing suicide. It’s impossible for a murderer to time that perfectly… unless they were monitoring him. But if they were monitoring him, they’d know he wanted to die. Why intervene?”
Old Bai clicked his tongue. “This murder was too deliberate. It couldn’t be a random psycho.”
“So it was pre-arranged?” Zhen Nuan asked.
Everyone looked at her.
Yan Han nodded. “I think so.”
He continued, leaning lightly against the wall.
“The lifeguard said the victim warmed up a long time but didn’t enter the water. Likely, he was waiting for the lifeguard to leave. Even suicide involves instinctive struggle—if rescued, he’d survive again.
Since he planned that far ahead, he also understood the lifeguard could return within minutes and save him. He needed a foolproof plan.”
Yan Han turned, lips curving faintly.
“So yes—I agree with the forensic doctor.”
Zhen Nuan’s heart skipped.
The way he said forensic doctor—lazy, low, tinged with something she couldn’t name—made her breath catch. She met his eyes, saw his effortless charm, and blushed before she could stop herself.
Yan Han looked away.
Old Bai clicked his tongue. “So… the boy asked the girl to help him die? Kids these days.”
“She’s your age,” Tan Ge muttered, pushing him.
Hei Zi rubbed his chin. “So now we just find who electrified the pool.”
“No need to search,” Yan Han said calmly. “It’s the girl.”
Zhen Nuan blinked. “Why?”
“The lifeguard and the girl—one is lying. The lifeguard’s identity is clear. The girl’s isn’t. Contact her again. Whoever gave a fake name or fake contact info is the killer.”
Hei Zi frowned. “But the girl didn’t refuse. She took out her phone, and I even used it to call a random contact.”
Yan Han paused. “She picked a random number?”
“Yes.”
“…It’s her.”
Hei Zi immediately tried calling again. This time, the phone was off.
The SIM card had been discarded.
He slammed the phone down. “Boss, like you said—her info might be fake.”
Yan Han didn’t appear troubled.
“You remember her face well. Work with Qin Shu to draw it. Once the portrait is done, we’ll find her.”
He issued orders calmly and sharply.
Tan Ge: investigate wiring.
Old Bai: revisit the pool.
Su Yang: trace the discarded phone.
And then—
“One more key detail,” Yan Han added. “At the time the lifeguard left, only the deceased was in the pool. The girl wasn’t there. That means she intentionally waited to enter later, so it would look like she arrived just as he drowned.”
Zhen Nuan’s eyes widened as she listened, caught by his precision.
Admiration—not fear—filled her chest.
Yan Han continued, “He must have brought in a phone to notify her. That phone is now missing because the girl took it.”
“But there was no phone found,” Hei Zi argued.
“She removed it on purpose,” Yan Han said. “Because…
the girl used a fake number. How did the deceased even know her contact?”
Zhen Nuan gasped softly. “A chat app?”
“Yes.” Yan Han’s smile sharpened. “Once we find that phone, we’ll know how they communicated—and why she agreed to help him die.”
Old Bai exhaled. “Now it finally makes sense.”
“No,” Yan Han corrected. “Two things still don’t.”
Everyone stilled.
“First, when Hei Zi called a random contact from the girl’s phone… did that person know they were helping lie to the police?”
A chill rippled across the room.
“Second: She scouted the pool beforehand. She let us see her face. She wasn’t afraid of investigation. Why?”
No one could answer.
“This girl’s psychology is worth studying,” Yan Han murmured.
Everyone silently thought: No, Captain—yours is scarier.
Zhen Nuan lowered her gaze, thoughtful.
A young girl, calm, clean, precise. She played the role flawlessly—grief, panic, innocence—then slipped away without leaving a trace.
Why…?
…
Just then, a steady, authoritative voice echoed from the hallway:
“Is everyone here?”
A tall, commanding man entered—broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed, his casual clothes unable to hide his authority.
Police Chief Shang Jie.
Everyone straightened instantly.
“Good morning, Chief!”
Chief Shang waved a hand. “Relax. Don’t act like criminals every time I walk in.”
They laughed stiffly.
Shang Jie clapped Yan Han’s shoulder. “Still the most likable kid. Back then, none of my old team dared to speak when I entered the room.”
Old Bai peeked out. “Captain Yan looks more friendly.”
Yan Han shot him a look; Old Bai retreated at once.
“No, no—the boss is fierce. Student surpasses the master.”
Chief Shang laughed. “By the way, you’ve been shortlisted again for the Ministry’s Top Ten Outstanding Detectives. You’ll probably win.”
Yan Han shrugged. “It’s all the team.”
Zhen Nuan’s lips pressed together unconsciously.
She felt a brush of Yan Han’s gaze like a needle—sharp awareness that made her straighten.
He looked away, expression unreadable.
Chief Shang switched to business.
“A criminal psychology expert has been transferred here. You know her—she’s technically your junior.”
Yan Han’s brows moved slightly.
“Come in.”
Everyone turned as a curly-haired beauty stepped inside—delicate features, pale skin, a cool smile lingering at the corner of her red lips.
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