Attending ex-girlfriend's wedding, arresting the groom's officer on the spot

While listening attentively, Wang Shuai quickly took notes. Zhao Lei and Sun Hao had a clear financial dispute with Li Yongbao and had even threatened him. These two were undoubtedly key suspects in the case. A glimmer of hope suddenly rose in Wang Shuai's heart. He believed that Li Yongbao's death was likely related to these two. Perhaps they killed Li Yongbao in a fit of rage after failing to collect a debt.

"Sister Liu, do you have Zhao Lei and Sun Hao's contact information? Have they returned to their hometown recently? Have they come to your house to collect debts?" Wang Shuai quickly asked. "Also, think back carefully, what is their usual style of dress like? Have they ever worn size 43 diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes? Do they have a habit of wearing masks? What is their accent like?"

“I have Zhao Lei’s contact information, but I don’t have Sun Hao’s because he’s been working away from home and rarely contacts his family. I don’t know his phone number either,” Liu Mei said. “Zhao Lei has been staying in the village recently and hasn’t gone out. A few days ago, he came to my house to collect a debt, asking me to find a way to pay back the money my husband borrowed from him as soon as possible. He was very rude and even made a scene at my door. As for Sun Hao, I don’t know if he has returned home recently. I haven’t seen him, and I haven’t heard anyone else in the village mention that he’s come back.”

“Zhao Lei usually dresses casually, mostly in dark-colored jackets and pants, and his shoes are ordinary cloth shoes or sneakers. I’ve never seen him wear diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes. He also doesn’t have the habit of wearing a mask. He speaks with our local accent,” Liu Mei continued. “Sun Hao also usually dresses simply, mostly in light-colored T-shirts and jeans, and his shoes are ordinary sneakers. I’ve never seen him wear diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes either. He also doesn’t have the habit of wearing a mask. He speaks with our local accent, just like my husband’s.”

Upon hearing Liu Mei's words, Wang Shuai's hopes were instantly shattered. Although Zhao Lei and Sun Hao had a financial dispute with Li Yongbao and had even threatened him, making them key suspects, their height and build didn't match the suspects' characteristics deduced from the on-site investigation: a height of 176-179 cm and a medium build. Zhao Lei was 170 cm tall and slightly overweight, while Sun Hao was 168 cm tall and thin. Furthermore, neither of them had the habit of wearing masks, and they spoke with local accents, which didn't match the shop owner's description of suspicious men with southern accents and wearing masks. More importantly, Liu Mei stated that she had never seen them wear size 43 diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes, which also contradicted the footprint characteristics found at the scene.

However, Wang Shuai did not give up completely. He believed that although Zhao Lei and Sun Hao's characteristics did not match the suspect's characteristics, they could not be completely ruled out. Perhaps they hired others to commit the crime, or perhaps they deliberately disguised their height, build, and accent. Therefore, further verification and investigation were necessary to confirm their suspicion.

"Sister Liu, could you please give us Zhao Lei's contact information? Also, could you please try to recall carefully when Zhao Lei came to your house a few days ago to collect a debt? What clothes was he wearing? What style of shoes was he wearing? Did he exhibit any unusual behavior? For example, was there anything wrong with his expression, words, or actions?" Wang Shuai continued to ask, "Furthermore, besides borrowing money from Zhao Lei and Sun Hao, has your husband, Li Yongbao, borrowed money from anyone else? Has he had any financial disputes or other conflicts with anyone else?"

“Zhao Lei’s contact number is 138XXXX8901,” Liu Mei said. “He came to my house a few days ago to collect a debt. It was three days ago in the afternoon, which is the afternoon before my husband died, as you mentioned. He was wearing a black coat, dark pants, and black cloth shoes. He looked very bad and spoke very fiercely. He made a scene at my door, saying that if my husband didn’t pay back the money, he would sell our house and harm me and my elderly mother. I was very scared and chased him away. When he left, he kicked our gate hard. He seemed very angry. I didn’t notice any other unusual behavior.”

“My husband has never borrowed money from anyone other than Zhao Lei and Sun Hao,” Liu Mei continued. “His social circle is very simple. He rarely interacts with outsiders and has never had any financial disputes or other conflicts with anyone. I really can’t think of anyone else who would harm him. Officers, you must investigate this thoroughly and find the murderer to avenge him. I beg you.”

“Sister Liu, don’t worry, we will do our utmost to find out the truth, find the murderer, and bring justice to you and your family,” Wang Shuai said firmly. “We will immediately contact Zhao Lei to verify the relevant information, and at the same time investigate Sun Hao’s whereabouts to confirm whether he has returned to his hometown recently, and further verify their suspicions. In addition, we will continue to investigate your husband’s interpersonal relationships and look for other possible suspects. We will not let go of any clues.”

Afterwards, Wang Shuai and his team members comforted Liu Mei for a few words, then said goodbye to her and headed to the west end of Lijia'ao Village to look for Zhao Lei. At the same time, Wang Shuai also arranged for his team members to contact the village officials of Wangjiawan Village to learn about Sun Hao's situation, check whether Sun Hao had returned to his hometown recently, and search for Sun Hao's whereabouts.

Arriving at the western end of Lijia'ao Village, following Liu Mei's directions, Wang Shuai and his team found Zhao Lei's house. Zhao Lei's house was a two-story brick and tile house, which looked quite nice. The door was open, and in the yard, a middle-aged man with a slightly overweight build was smoking. This middle-aged man was about 170 centimeters tall, with a slightly overweight build, short hair, wearing a black jacket, dark trousers, and black cloth shoes. It was Zhao Lei.

Wang Shuai led his team forward, identified themselves to Zhao Lei, and explained their purpose. Upon learning they were police officers from the Criminal Investigation Division, Zhao Lei showed a hint of panic, but quickly concealed it, extinguishing his cigarette and greeting them. "Officer, what can I do for you?" Zhao Lei's tone was somewhat unnatural, and his eyes darted away, avoiding Wang Shuai's gaze.

“Zhao Lei, we’re here today to ask you about some things, about your financial dispute with Li Yongbao, and your recent activities,” Wang Shuai said calmly, his eyes fixed on Zhao Lei, observing his expression and behavior. “We understand that before Li Yongbao went out to work last year, he borrowed 10,000 yuan from you and hasn’t paid it back. You’ve repeatedly urged him to repay the money, even threatening him, and you even went to Li Yongbao’s house three days ago to demand the debt back, is that right?” (End of Chapter)