The weapon by the pillow

Chapter 78 Public Opinion Tsunami!

Yang Hong had been sitting in the dark for a full hour.

She held the cup of coffee in her hand, already cold, but still gripped it tightly.

She never imagined that a single bar chart of public opinion would wipe out her entire night's brilliant achievements!

Just now, in the director's office.

An elderly man with gray hair, wearing reading glasses, was carefully flipping through the report page by page.

He was his immediate supervisor, Director Li, who was never late for work.

His fingers were long, and he turned the pages slowly, pausing occasionally as his gaze lingered on a particular line of text for a moment.

This is a beautifully bound case report. The gold lettering on the cover, "Case Closed Report of Anpingli Online Live Stream Murder Case," shimmers in the slanting sunlight. The combination of the secretariat's pen and the professionally designed illustrations is enough to put the peace-loving leaders in a good mood.

Yang Hong sat in the chair opposite Director Li, her back ramrod straight, her hands on her knees, looking extremely humble.

This was the expression the bureau chief liked; she knew it.

This time, however, the director's office was very quiet, so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the second hand of the quartz clock on the wall.

Yang Hong's heartbeat gradually accelerated with the rhythm of the second hand.

She tried to remain humble, but her palms were already sweating profusely.

This report was produced by her overnight oversight, mobilizing a team of skilled personnel, and was rushed out immediately after Jin Xiaohao "surrendered." It is logically clear, has a complete chain of evidence, and contains detailed statements from the suspect, fully meeting the requirements for a swift resolution and quelling public outcry.

This would be a perfect report card, a highlight of the year that would satisfy the bureau chief.

But she felt... something was off this time.

Director Li finally turned the last page. He took off his reading glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and slowly raised his head.

He glanced at another open laptop on his desk. The screen displayed a public opinion data analysis chart provided by the internet monitoring department regarding the "Anpingli live stream" incident.

A bar chart stands out strikingly.

It displays the real-time number of online viewers and the level of discussion at various times from the start of last night's live stream to this morning.

Director Li's gaze lingered on the map for a long time.

Yang Hong's heart leaped into her throat. She knew about that chart—the technical department had done some "smoothing" on the peak data to "optimize" the report's effect, making the overall popularity curve look more "reasonable" and less shocking.

After all, it would have a terrible impact if it got out that nearly a million people were watching a live stream of what appeared to be a real murder.

"Xiao Yang," Director Li finally spoke, "this report is very well written. Thank you for your hard work."

"Director Li, this is what I should do." Yang Hong breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But what Director Li said next made her heart sink to the bottom.

"However," Director Li pointed to the bar chart on the computer screen, "this chart... seems a bit problematic to me."

Yang Hong realized there was a problem and quickly explained, "Director Li, this is a real-time data chart provided by the internet monitoring department, reflecting changes in the online attention given to the case..."

"Attention?" The director shook his head slightly. "At peak times, nearly a million people were online, seven of the top ten trending topics on the entire internet, and the servers of major platforms nearly crashed several times... This is 'attention'? This is a media tsunami!"

He picked up the beautifully printed report booklet, weighed it lightly in his hand, and slammed it back onto the table.

The sound wasn't loud, but it sent a shiver down Yang Hong's spine.

"This case," Director Li's tone turned serious, "is not that simple. Especially since it involves the internet, with such a wide-ranging impact and such a heinous nature, the country is now paying great attention to cybersecurity and a clean online environment. Jiangzhou... must pay even more attention, investigate thoroughly, and give the public an explanation that can withstand scrutiny!"

He stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Yang Hong, and looked at the city skyline.

"A mere Jin Xiaohao, 29 years old, unemployed, somewhat clever, and mentally unhealthy... could single-handedly plan and execute such a complex, technically sophisticated, and elaborate scheme spanning thirteen years, completely outmaneuvering so many of you professional detectives?" The chief's voice was laced with obvious skepticism. "Xiao Yang, you're a veteran detective, do you believe that?"

Yang Hong opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found herself unable to refute it.

She knew, of course, that while Jin Xiaohao's testimony and evidence seemed reasonable at first glance, they did have flaws upon closer inspection; many of the technical details simply couldn't have been accomplished by him alone. However, she was eager to close the case at the time, and coupled with some "hints," she chose to ignore these doubts.

"Director Li, I..."

Director Li turned around, waved his hand, and interrupted her, "I'm not trying to hold you accountable for closing the case so hastily. I understand the pressure, and I understand public opinion. But some threads can't be cut off so easily. Some things can't be covered up just because we want to. If we can't cover them up, we'll only hurt ourselves."

He walked back to his desk, sat down, and said, "This case needs to be re-examined. A special task force has been established, and I will personally lead it. You and Cheng Jing will serve as deputy team leaders and cooperate with the work. Comrade Cheng Jing was previously suspended from her duties due to procedural issues, but the situation has changed now. Her experience and understanding of the case are very valuable. You must put aside past grievances and work together."

Cheng Jing? Bring her back? And as the deputy team leader? At the same level as me?

Yang Hong's heart sank, but she dared not show the slightest change on her face.

"Yes, Director Li." She stood up.

"Go back and thoroughly examine all the clues, especially the technical and network aspects. We must dig deep to find the real manipulator of that live stream signal source. We need to interrogate Jin Xiaohao, but we must be strategic and find out if there are other people behind him. We need to send the chemical reagents extracted from the scene for the most detailed analysis. We need to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds, social relationships, and potential connections to the case from thirteen years ago of those eight parties involved."

He turned around, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"What I want is the truth. The complete and unambiguous truth. No matter who it involves, no matter how deeply it is buried."

"Do you understand?"

Yang Hong felt immense pressure. "Understood, Director!" she said, standing at attention and saluting.

After leaving the director's office, she drew the curtains and has been sitting there ever since.

Her mind was racing.

The bureau chief became suspicious and the case needed to be investigated more thoroughly. Cheng Jing was coming back. This meant that her previous "quick and decisive" approach was no longer viable, and she had to face a more complex situation.

But she didn't want anyone to share her spoils, no matter who it was.

With that thought in mind, she put down her coffee cup, picked up her phone, and dialed a number.

Before she could even speak, the other person had already spoken:

"Cheng Jing, you won't be the deputy team leader anymore in a little while. This case is yours, and the credit will definitely be yours... No one can take it away from you!"