Zhao Yan's proposal was met with agreement from Jiang Yu.
They felt a sense of being at a loss regarding this case.
Jiang Yu summoned Zhou Ning to the interrogation room but did not mention the Wang Qinqin case.
He merely inquired about Zhou Ning's understanding of the perpetrator in 1996.
They were prepared for Zhou Ning's refusal to cooperate.
After the questioning, Zhou Ning first glanced at Zhao Yan and then fell silent.
Just as they thought the approach was futile, Zhou Ning looked up and said, "The perpetrator in 1996 had a deficiency in that area; it wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he couldn't."
"Therefore, the victim was not violated by him."
"He must have been an extremely self-conscious person in real life, likely working a menial job, enduring scorn and even abuse from others."
"He craved recognition, but often didn't receive it in his daily life. When he discovered his first murder, news about him was all over the streets; for the first time, he received unprecedented attention."
"Such individuals often hide themselves more perfectly, perhaps even being an inconspicuous minor character in everyday life."
"I've written down my insights in a notebook, which I placed beside my mother's body. You can look at that notebook."
"Where is that notebook?" Jiang Yu asked, turning around.
"All the evidence is kept together. I'll go get it."
When the notebook arrived, they flipped through it.
Zhou Ning had recorded the crimes of the 1996 perpetrator and even conducted extensive analysis.
Some of his analyses even made Old Qin's eyes light up.
If Zhou Ning hadn't embarked on a path of crime, he might have been an outstanding talent.
However, this help was still far too little.
"My biggest worry is that after committing this crime, the perpetrator will disappear without a trace, just like in 2002," Old Qin expressed his concern.
This time, the perpetrator's actions were more seasoned than before.
With no leads, and as time was getting late, Zhao Yan decided to return to the shop.
Old Qin wanted her to stay and rest for the night.
Zhao Yan refused, as she was worried about Wu Jiaxin.
Officer Xiao Qin escorted Zhao Yan back to the shop.
Upon returning to the shop, the lights were still on.
Wu Jiaxin was sitting in a chair, propping her chin with her hand, dozing off.
Seeing Wu Jiaxin's state, Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
Unknowingly, she was no longer alone.
Zhao Yan raised her hand, intending to tap on the windowpane, but on second thought, decided not to disturb Wu Jiaxin.
She picked up the keys and inserted them very lightly, but still managed to wake Wu Jiaxin.
Wu Jiaxin opened her eyes, wiped away some drool, and looked out the window. Seeing Zhao Yan outside, she immediately got up and opened the door.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Zhao Yan asked.
"Sister Zhao hadn't returned, so I couldn't sleep soundly," Wu Jiaxin replied.
"Go to sleep quickly, it's almost six o'clock," Zhao Yan said softly.
As she spoke, she suddenly noticed a letter on the table.
"What's this?" Zhao Yan asked, picking up the letter.
Wu Jiaxin glanced at it and said, "Oh, a delivery person brought it. They said it was your mail."
"When?" Zhao Yan asked.
"Less than an hour after you left, Sister Zhao, they arrived."
Listening to Wu Jiaxin, Zhao Yan suddenly felt a trace of unease and immediately opened the letter.
Upon reading the contents, Zhao Yan's expression turned grim.
The letter detailed Wu Jiaxin's activities that day.
Everything was clearly recorded.
The more she read, the more flustered she became. She quickly placed the letter on the table and glanced outside.
"What's wrong, Sister Zhao?" Wu Jiaxin asked, feeling uneasy herself at Zhao Yan's reaction.
"It's nothing, Jiaxin. From today onwards, you'll stay with me every day," Zhao Yan said with a smile.
"Okay, then Sister Zhao, I'll go back to sleep," Wu Jiaxin said softly.
"Yes, go ahead," Zhao Yan nodded.
The moment Wu Jiaxin turned to go upstairs, the smile on Zhao Yan's face vanished, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Such a blatant warning!"
Zhao Yan's heart grew heavy as she tore open the envelope.
She first checked the door lock and, for added security, wedged a wooden stick behind it.
Having slept for only a little over three hours, she could no longer sleep.
She informed Jiang Yu about the matter.
An investigation was quickly launched, and the surveillance footage was reviewed.
After the investigation, it was confirmed that it was indeed a delivery person.
The letter had been mailed by someone else.
The delivery person had no contact with the person who mailed it.
"Officer Jiang, this is definitely a warning," Zhao Yan stated.
It might mean that Wu Jiaxin would be the next victim.
"There's a possibility of that."
At this point, Jiang Yu expressed his concern, "Miss Zhao, why don't you both come and stay with us? I feel it's not safe for you two."
Zhao Yan shook her head. "If he's interested in us, I actually think this is a good starting point."
"I'm more afraid that he truly won't make a move."
As Old Qin had said, if the perpetrator intended to disappear, like in 2002, it would be very difficult to handle.
Jiang Yu said, "It's too dangerous."
Zhao Yan smiled. "Don't worry, Captain Jiang. You've seen my skills. If you were to fight me, you might not even win."
"I learned a lot of combat skills from an old man since I was young, so I'm quite capable. You can rest assured about that."
Hearing Zhao Yan's words, Jiang Yu recalled the scene where Zhao Yan had quickly flipped over a toilet stall, a feat that required significant skill and was not something an ordinary person could do.
Upon reflection, this might indeed be a viable approach. Jiang Yu asked her to pay close attention to her surroundings and call immediately if she discovered anything.
At the same time, he would arrange for some colleagues to patrol the area in plain clothes.
"Miss Zhao, didn't you ask my master to take you to the crime scene in 1996 yesterday? My master is waiting for you," Jiang Yu said.
"Okay," Zhao Yan responded with a soft hum, asking Wu Jiaxin to accompany her.
They got into the car and arrived at a small roadside eatery.
Old Qin was already inside, eating breakfast.
Seeing them arrive, he immediately invited them to eat before heading out.
"This is a time-honored establishment; I've been eating here for over ten years, and the taste is still excellent," Old Qin told the waiter to bring more baskets of xiaolongbao.
Zhao Yan thanked Old Qin and ate without hesitation.
She ate until she was completely full, finishing all twenty-two baskets of xiaolongbao.
Wu Jiaxin was not surprised by Zhao Yan's appetite, but Old Qin and Jiang Yu were astonished.
Her stomach wasn't that large, so how could she possibly hold so many dumplings.