Doctor will never die in a hellish situation.

"No, no, no... no need, it's just some questions about human anatomy," Zhou Wenjie said through gritted teeth. He had figured it out; this bastard just wanted to embarrass him.

"Human anatomy? I didn't know you were also quite knowledgeable about medicine, besides mechanics. That's perfect..."

"That's enough. I'm going to see my mistress, Ms. XXX, at No. XX, XX Street. But that shouldn't be within the scope of the theft investigation, right?"

"I see. I'm sorry, I was overthinking it. I hope you won't take it to heart. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry."

Qin Duanyu waved lazily, signaling the police officer next to him who was trying not to laugh to quickly write it down. He then personally escorted Zhou Wenjie to the door, patted him on the shoulder, and whispered something.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Filin girl, you've got some skills, Mr. Zhou! You can last a full three hours, you're really still going strong for your age."

"Hmph, I've already told you everything, so you've fully cooperated, right? But I also hope the Guard Bureau won't leak other people's privacy."

"Please rest assured, although I am only temporarily serving as an assistant, I will abide by the rules of the Guard Bureau."

In fact, for the bigwigs above, as long as Zhou Wenjie is able to produce results and make money, and doesn't misappropriate research and development funds, his personal life issues are not even a consideration.

However, I heard that this guy, who is currently applying for an honorary fellowship at the Lungmen Research Center, is a scandal-ridden individual and is clearly not suitable for receiving the highest honor for Lungmen researchers.

Hmph, neither the Guard Bureau nor he would say anything, but there's also a Penguin Logistics lady here. Besides, it's not unusual for a passing tabloid reporter to happen to spot the director of the Third Research Institute coming out of a female student's house and then follow the clues to uncover the truth behind it all.

Those paparazzi who are eager for fame will surely be happy to take the blame.

"Alright, now that Chief Zhou is out of the running, let's continue investigating the other suspects. Here's a list of everyone who has no alibi," Swire said to Qin Duanyu, giving Zhou Wenjie a disgusted look.

"Wait, why is she on the suspect list?" Qin Duanyu glanced at the list briefly, pointed to one of the names, and asked in surprise.

Snow pheasant!?

Section 72, Chapter 68: He's a good man

The Third Research Institute has a clear hierarchy. The director, Zhou Wenjie, and several project leaders are in the same category. They have a dedicated restaurant and lounge, and the chefs there are just as good as those in other restaurants. The restaurant is also used to entertain VIPs.

It's likely that Zhou Wenjie's ability to remain vigorous despite his advanced age is closely related to the various highly nutritious foods provided free of charge inside.

Next in line are the institute's regular researchers. They have their own private kitchens, and although the dishes are all chargeable, they are of good quality and inexpensive, and many people even pack food to take home.

The worst category is naturally the canteen where the lowest-level employees eat. Not only is the environment poor, but the various terrible dishes it offers are comparable to some university canteens in Qin Duanyu's previous life.

The dining area alone exudes a sense of superiority, especially for ordinary researchers in white coats. Every time they pass by the canteen in the main hall, they unconsciously raise their heads and point their noses at people before disappearing into the cubicle where the small kitchen is located.

It seems that this way they can distance themselves from a bunch of peasants, but little do they know that in the eyes of the people in the restaurant on the top floor of the research institute, they are no different from these low-level employees.

Xuezhi was the only one wearing a white coat who ate in the large cafeteria with security guards and cleaners. Even when being questioned, he did so in the security room downstairs with them.

Previously, due to insufficient space, a researcher was to be sent to the security room for questioning, but he actually threw a tantrum as if he had been greatly insulted.

They don't put their heart and soul into academic research, but they even compare themselves to others in some inexplicable areas. It would be a miracle if these people could achieve anything!

As a result, Xuezhi and the others who were taken upstairs attracted a lot of attention. Many people pointed and whispered behind their backs, and the little girl became uneasy and nervous, trembling with anxiety.

"Miss Xuezhi, don't worry, we're just asking a few simple questions," Qin Duanyu said kindly to Xuezhi, and even brewed her a cup of tea with the fine tea leaves from Zhou Wenjie's office.

After reading the statement, he realized it was a false alarm. The little hen was only called over because she lacked an alibi. After all, she had an awkward position in the research institute and no close friends. At home, she would just do experiments and research by herself, so naturally no one would provide testimony for her.

There are several other people in similar situations. Although they will be put on a watch list and their homes will be searched, the little hen would never do such a thing, and it is unknown what she is afraid of.

Do you think that we, as a group of people, would push her out to take the blame in order to improve the case-solving rate?

"Sir, are you really not going to arrest me?" Xuezhi asked somewhat uneasyly. She had indeed heard similar rumors before going upstairs, saying that the police were planning to find a scapegoat among them.

I'd like to take you back to Rhodes Island, but human trafficking is illegal. Qin Duanyu rolled her eyes, then comforted her with kind words, finally calming the little hen down.

……

After questioning several more suspects, it was basically possible to rule out their involvement in the crime. Qin Duanyu felt a bit stifled and guessed that Dr. Huajiao had drunk too much, so he asked a police officer to replace him.

A moment later, Qin Duanyu, feeling refreshed, was washing her hands when she heard soft footsteps behind her.

He habitually switched to God's-eye view to see who was coming, but a strong sense of crisis overwhelmed him as a blinding red dot of light was right in front of him.

Texas, save me!

Without even thinking about why the enemy would appear here, Qin Duanyu rolled on the spot and shouted loudly in his mind.

boom!

The glass was smashed to pieces, and the marble sink was dented. The air was filled with a foul, burnt smell. It seemed that the other party had no intention of holding back and was determined to take his life.

Joseph?

The burly man, wielding a huge stun baton, was surprised by Qin Duanyu's reaction speed, but after a slight pause, he followed up with the baton.

"Wait a minute, even if I offended you this morning, you should have gone to Swire for revenge. What kind of skill is it to bully a weakling like me!" Qin Duanyu cursed inwardly as she fled for her life.

For the first time, he felt the inconvenience of having female operators with him. Although they were nominally his personal protectors and would not leave his side for long, he couldn't let the girls accompany him when he went to evacuate Shuo'er.

Fortunately, the station chief's office wasn't far away. Even though only Texas was under command, a large group of officers rushed over after learning that Qin Duanyu was in danger.

Texas stepped forward to block Qin Duanyu's way. Although it was a little shameful to say, Qin Duanyu did feel very safe standing behind this girl who was shorter than him.

The golden rain of swords fell, and although it could not penetrate Joseph's thick armor because it had restrained its power, it still left marks of varying depths. Joseph himself was also stopped in place by the energy impact.

"I've known for a while that something's off about you. How dare you attack a police officer in broad daylight? You've got some nerve!" Swire swung her meteor hammer and followed up with her attack. The powerful blow actually made Joseph stagger backward.

The combat effectiveness of the Major Crimes Unit agents was not much worse than that of the Special Inspectorate. Although Joseph had some skills, he was not at the level of a retired elite soldier. Under their siege, he was soon in a passive and defensive state, and it was only a matter of time before he was captured.

boom!

Amidst the explosion, blood splattered everywhere, and Joseph's chest exploded open. He fell backward, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but unfortunately, there were many onlookers around. These researchers had never seen anything like this before, and Joseph's last words were completely drowned out by various screams.

"What's going on? Didn't we say we were to leave them alive?" Swire glared at the officers, assuming one of them had used Originium Arts.

“No, he… he exploded on his own!” Qin Duanyu shook her head and pointed to Joseph’s chest.

Judging from the marks, it was clearly not caused by an external force, but rather something inside had exploded, much like a monster from a horror movie he had watched before his transmigration, which burst out of his chest in this way.

“It’s Mr. Joseph’s respirator! He was on the battlefield before and his lungs were injured. He needs a machine to breathe.” A timid voice said from the chaotic crowd.

"Are you very familiar with him?" Swire instructed her team members to calm the crowd before walking up to Snow Pheasant and asking.

“Well, because the respirator is too expensive. I’m usually the one who maintains it for Mr. Joseph, so this shouldn’t be happening.” Although Xuezhi was afraid of the bloody scene in front of her, she still managed to say, “Because Mr. Joseph used to… often help me move things and would cook delicious food for me. I think he’s a good person.”

"Silly girl, he almost smashed my head in, and you still say he's a good person?" Looking at the bewildered Xue Zhi, Qin Duanyu held her forehead. This "good person" card is... too weird.

"Could it be... that the battle was too intense, causing it to overload and explode? That doesn't make sense. Even if I modified this medical equipment, it shouldn't be this dangerous. But I'm the only one who touched this machine... Did I kill Mr. Joseph?!"

The snow pheasant seemed startled by its own thoughts, scattering feathers everywhere.

Qin Duanyu looked at the snow pheasant's uniquely colored feathers, then at Joseph's neck, and seemed to have some guesses.

Seeing that some people are urging me to finish the article, I thought about it and realized it's because my output has been too low that I haven't dared to shamelessly ask for tips or recommendation votes. Don't worry, let me adjust my state.

Chapter 69, Section 73: Case Closed, Team Back!

Not long after, Joseph's body was covered with a white sheet and taken away. Although everyone generally accepted Snowshrike's account that Joseph died from an explosion caused by a respirator overload, the specific details still had to wait for the autopsy report.

"Joseph was once a soldier in Ursus. He was discharged due to injuries, and his family died in a natural disaster. He eventually came to Lungmen and worked in security at the Third Research Institute for five years..." A police officer read from the documents in his hand, his tone somewhat wistful.

He joined the army at fifteen and returned home at eighty.

I met a fellow villager on the road: Who is in your family?

Looking from afar, I see your family's home, with pine and cypress trees covering the graves.

Ursus's oppressive policies are not only reflected in dealing with the infected. If those infected with Oripathy are captured and treated as free expendable resources in the mines, then in the eyes of the nobility, ordinary people are nothing more than two-legged gray livestock.

Since the new king ascended the throne, he has imposed heavy taxes and forced conscription. Years of war have made life increasingly difficult for the people of Ursus. If it weren't for the infected diverting hatred and using these even more pitiful people as an outlet for public discontent, there would be no need for the Reunion Movement. Rebels would have been rampant in Ursus long ago, and General Lindenwan would have been everywhere.

There are quite a few Ursus people like Joseph who have fled to Lungmen. Although most of them live at the bottom of society and make a living on meager wages, it is still much better than the days when they couldn't even afford to use Ubisoft servers.

"Report: We found prototype parts at Joseph's house. They were packed in a suitcase, possibly intended for shipment." This message came just as the officers who searched Joseph's house were about to deliver it.

This was an order given by Qin Duanyu. He not only had the entire research institute searched, but also sent police officers to the homes of every employee. After checking each one from the nearest to the farthest, they arrived at Joseph's house just in time.

"What!?" Zhou Wenjie was the first to exclaim in surprise, his beady eyes wide open, his face full of disbelief.

Not only him, but everyone else in the research institute had the same expression.

Joseph was definitely not a greedy person. Perhaps because of his past experiences and his status as a bachelor who only had one person to feed, he even had a record of returning lost money.

At that time, Zhou Wenjie lost a briefcase containing over 100,000 Lungmen Dollars, which was picked up by Joseph on patrol. Without saying a word, Joseph returned it. It was through this incident that Joseph became a trustworthy tool for Zhou Wenjie and was promoted to security captain.

"No matter how much you guard against it, it's hard to guard against a thief within your own ranks! I shouldn't have recruited this white-eyed bear into the research institute in the first place. I valued him so much, yet I still entrusted him with security work!" Zhou Wenjie said indignantly.

Upon hearing this, even Swire couldn't help but roll her eyes.

You probably hired him because his low salary saved you money. He helped you recover over 100,000 yuan in losses, and instead of rewarding him properly, you just gave him a job with a pay raise of a few hundred yuan.

Even she found Zhou Wenjie's actions disgusting. Exploiting subordinates like this is not how you do it; it's so low-class! If Joseph held a grudge and stole the data and prototype out of revenge, she wouldn't have a shred of doubt.

However, it is more likely that the ventilator that killed him was the cause.

Ursus certainly couldn't offer the Grey Beast a generous pension, otherwise he wouldn't have kicked Joseph out of the army so soon after he was wounded.

This breathing aid should theoretically be replaced every four years or so, but due to its high price, Joseph's meager salary simply couldn't afford it, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue using it.

According to Snowbird, Joseph's respirator is made with genuine Ursus craftsmanship and adopts a rugged design philosophy that prioritizes functionality. It would be a blessing if it could last for four years, let alone another year.

Faced with a life-threatening situation, even the most composed person would find it difficult to calm down. In order to replace a respirator, it is understandable that someone would take the risk of stealing data and intelligence and then reselling it to other competing research institutes.

As the security captain, he was naturally very familiar with all the security measures in the laboratory. Coupled with his strong motive and his attack on Qin Duanyu, his identity as the mole was confirmed.

Joseph was on the night shift last night. According to the institute's two-person patrol rule, other security guards would accompany him when he came and went. Even if he found an excuse to get away temporarily, he wouldn't have had a chance to move such a large prototype home.

So everyone's attention turned to the young security guard who was paired with Joseph.

“I…I’ve told you everything I can. Captain Joseph was on patrol with me all last night and didn’t leave…” the thin young man from Zalak stammered. “Second Uncle…please say a few words for me.”

"You brat, confess honestly. If you really become an accomplice, don't blame me for turning my family away for the greater good!" Zhou Wenjie's face immediately changed. He cursed his teammate as a pig in the middle and kicked him.

"Um... last night I, I, I slept in, Captain Joseph did all the patrol work." After being hit hard a few times, the security guard said tremblingly.

He only unintentionally gave false testimony for Joseph to cover up his laziness, little did he know that this guy was actually the mole.

"You little brat, are you trying to drive me crazy! Tell me everything else you haven't told me!" Zhou Wenjie gritted his teeth in anger.

Damn it, if it weren't for the fact that this kid's family is related to him and that he secretly gave him a lot of money, he wouldn't have hired such a lazy good-for-nothing. Now that Miss Swire knows, he can't escape being impeached for nepotism!

"And... Captain Joseph took me to buy breakfast for the brothers this morning. Actually, I slept the whole way in the car. He was the one who carried the things and paid for them..." the security guard continued.