Shen Yanzhou immediately turned around and strode quickly toward the private room while asking, “Do you remember any other distinguishing features?”

Song Heming replied, “He was also wearing a mask and black pants.”

Song Heming added, “Oh, and one more thing! When he killed the person, someone grabbed his pant leg, so the bottom got covered in blood. That’s why he rolled his pant leg up!”

Shen Yanzhou said, “Alright, I understand. Move farther away from the scene first and call 119. Make sure to clearly explain the situation and tell them to wait for further instructions. I’ll have someone coordinate with them. Do not alert the suspect under any circumstances.”

If things failed, the fire department could immediately control the situation.

Shen Yanzhou continued, “Can you estimate the victim’s location? In what you saw, were there any nearby buildings or landmarks you remember?”

Perhaps because he was experienced, Shen Yanzhou’s voice remained steady. Song Heming was calmed by his composure, and his panic gradually eased.

He had just seen it, and everything in the vision was still vivid. Song Heming tried to recall, “It was in a small alley. Very dark, with yellow lighting. And… there was an uncovered green trash bin, like a garbage collection point.”

The description was accurate, but unlikely to exist here.

This was one of the busiest areas in Beishan District, a popular tourist attraction in Jin City. That was why the river lantern festival was being held here.

Shen Yanzhou relayed everything Song Heming had seen to the others. “Our priority now is to evacuate the crowd. Go to the square and locate this person. There are still forty minutes before the festival begins—this isn’t the peak crowd yet.”

Since the suspect intended to detonate the balloons in a crowd, he would want to cause as much damage as possible.

The detectives’ relaxed expressions vanished, replaced by seriousness. Fortunately, they were in plain clothes, making it less likely to alert the suspect.

Shen Yanzhou first called his aunt. “Aunt, you must know the person in charge of the scenic area. Send me their number.”

She sensed something was wrong but didn’t ask questions. She quickly sent a string of digits.

Shen Yanzhou said, “Take your staff and leave immediately. Don’t drive—get out of the crowded area first before taking any transport!”

He hung up and hurried out. The person in charge’s phone line was busy, but after three attempts, it finally connected.

Without giving the other party time to speak, Shen Yanzhou reported his badge number. “I’m at the lantern festival site right now. Where are you? I can show you my credentials. There is someone carrying dangerous explosive balloons and preparing to detonate them. Please cooperate in evacuating the crowd.”

The person cautiously gave a location. With his long strides and strong stamina, Shen Yanzhou quickly reached him.

Upon seeing the police badge, the man’s face turned pale, and his legs began trembling.

With so many people—what if something happened here…

Shen Yanzhou said, “Please calm down and cooperate. What excuse can we use right now to disperse the crowd? My colleagues are already on site.”

Pei Guo sent a message in the group chat: I’ve located the suspect. He’s pretending to be a vendor, holding a large bunch of balloons, standing under a willow tree on the west side of Qing Shi Lake. Requesting backup.

Pei Guo: There are many children and young couples around him. Rushing in will easily alert him.

Shen Yanzhou said, “My colleague has located the suspect. Once the crowd is dispersed, we can proceed with the arrest and ensure everyone’s safety!”

The person in charge wiped the sweat from his forehead. “But… the festival time was announced long ago…”

Shen Yanzhou’s expression turned cold. The man immediately fell silent under his gaze.

His assistant gritted his teeth and said, “Officer, I have an idea. Every year, Qing Shi Lake is dredged to remove mud and weeds to prevent tourist boats from getting tangled. This year’s cleaning hasn’t started yet.”

Assistant: “We can use that as an excuse to delay the festival.”

The river lantern festival was Jin City’s most famous attraction, so the local government took it very seriously.

Shen Yanzhou nodded. “Do it. As long as we can get close to the suspect, that’s enough.”

Orders were quickly carried out.

Pei Guo hid behind a cotton candy stall and reported, “The suspect is very alert. His eyes keep scanning the surroundings. His left hand has been in his pocket the whole time.”

Soon, an announcement echoed through the park:

“Dear visitors, due to a tourist boat being entangled in aquatic plants in the lantern release area, our staff are currently clearing it. Tonight’s lantern festival will be delayed by thirty minutes. We apologize.”

The crowd groaned in disappointment but gradually began to disperse.

The man in the red hoodie became visibly alert.

Pei Guo stepped forward. “Sir, how much are your balloons?”

He hesitated, then answered in a rough voice, “Ten yuan each.”

Shen Yanzhou instructed, “Keep him occupied. Zhao Qing is on the way.”

Pei Guo said, “Do you have matching couple balloons? I want to buy two—one for me and one for my boyfriend.”

The man tried to leave. “No!”

Pei Guo raised her voice angrily, “What kind of attitude is that? Can’t you speak properly?”

Zhao Qing rushed over, playing along.

The man’s suspicion eased.

As fewer people remained, he grew impatient.

Then—

As he reached for the balloon strings, Zhao Qing and Pei Guo lunged like tigers.

The man instantly realized something was wrong and tried to pull out a lighter.

He was stronger than expected. They could only watch as he pressed the lighter.

Time seemed to slow—

But at that critical moment, the lighter failed to ignite on the first try!

That brief moment was enough.

Pei Guo and Zhao Qing subdued him, and the other officers rushed in, separating him from the balloons and seizing the lighter.

The crowd was pushed back.

“Police! Step aside!”

The man screamed, “Give it back!”

Shen Yanzhou ordered coldly, “Take him away.”

Inside the police car, Zhao Qing removed the suspect’s mask.

Surprisingly, he was very young.

Shen Yanzhou stared at him and asked coldly, “Where did you attack the victim with the bat?”

The car fell silent.

The suspect froze.

Shen Yanzhou continued, “Tell us now. If we get there in time and the victim survives, you still have a chance.”

The man asked, “How did you know?”

Fear and anger gripped him.

“No one was there… who reported me?”

Shen Yanzhou said calmly, “Where is the victim?”

The man sneered. “In the garbage alley.”

Then he leaned back, no longer caring.

“There was no one there… just some starving animals. So who tipped you off?”

Shen Yanzhou’s heartbeat slowed slightly at those words.

Then he chuckled. “Why does it matter? You’ll never know who reported you.”

After arriving at the station, Shen Yanzhou stepped out and immediately made a call.

“Coordinate with Beishan District Police right now. This man is part of a larger group!”

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Cassy09

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