103 Reward

The interrogation continued for another two hours before it finally ended. After returning to the office, Han Bin felt both exhausted and relieved. He prepared to rest for a while and clear his mind.

"Congratulations, Officer 577533, for successfully cracking the female corpse case."

The police badge notification sounded.

"Micro-expression analysis; proficiency increased by 10."

"Merit value reward: 12 points."

Han Bin was somewhat surprised: "Why was the proficiency so high this time?"

"Officer 577533, relying on his own abilities to solve the case despite skill failure, has further understood the micro-expression analysis skill."

Police badge reminder.

"If the micro-expression analysis skill reaches advanced level, can one see through Tang Yu's lies?"

Han Bin asked.

"This requires the officer to try it himself."

"Am I now able to learn advanced micro-expression analysis?"

Han Bin asked.

"Yes, but you still have to repay the bill for the beginner's micro-expression analysis skill, including interest."

The police badge stated.

"Could I directly learn expert-level micro-expression analysis?"

Han Bin asked.

"Cross-level learning is not possible."

"If I now learn advanced micro-expression analysis, how long would it take to pay in installments?"

Han Bin asked.

"Advanced micro-expression analysis exchange requires 500 merit points, payable in installments including interest."

"For how many years?"

"Up to three years, paying 200 merit points or skill proficiency annually."

Han Bin showed a hesitant expression. Paying 200 merit points or skill proficiency annually meant roughly 17 points per month.

The introductory micro-expression analysis skill bill also needed to be paid over ten months. Combined, his first ten months would require paying about 27 merit points or skill proficiency monthly.

This month, Han Bin had cracked four cases. The micro-expression analysis skill had gained a total of 21 proficiency points, and merit value 41 points. Paying 27 was not difficult for him.

But Han Bin could not guarantee cracking so many cases every month, and there was still some pressure.

After thoughtful consideration for some time, Han Bin gritted his teeth and decided to learn the advanced micro-expression analysis skill, as among the many criminal investigation skills, this one was the most widely used and practical.

"I decide to exchange for the advanced micro-expression analysis skill."

A buzzing sound echoed in Han Bin's mind, with vast amounts of knowledge and data about micro-expression analysis flooding into his brain, far more complex than the introductory level.

The introductory micro-expression analysis mainly focused on analyzing bodily movements.

The advanced micro-expression analysis, however, examined subtle facial expressions and made more accurate judgments of emotions.

After a long while, Han Bin opened his eyes, feeling that his entire being was now more full and enriched.

"May I ask if Officer 577533 wishes to pay this month's skill bill?"

"Pay."

"21 points of micro-expression analysis skill proficiency deducted, 6 points of merit value deducted. Officer 577533 now has 35 merit points remaining."

Police badge reminder.

Han Bin suddenly felt immense pressure. He would need to make nine consecutive monthly payments of 27 merit points or skill proficiency, and over two years of payments of 17 merit points and skill. He would have to work even harder on cases, striving to pay everything off early.

Tap tap tap...

Footsteps sounded.

Han Bin turned his head and saw Zheng Kaixuan entering.

"Team Zheng." Han Bin stood up to greet him.

Zheng Kaixuan scanned the office. "Why are you the only one here?"

"Captain Zeng went to interrogate Tang Yu."

"Tang Yu wasn't already finished with the interrogation?"

Zheng Kaixuan looked puzzled.

"After Luo Xinghua confessed, he provided new clues, saying he had been extorted by Tang Yu and Xiang Hongbo and wanted to come forward to testify against them."

Han Bin explained.

"Interesting." Zheng Kaixuan pulled over a chair and sat down. "Does Luo Xinghua have evidence?"

"This kid isn't a pushover. He recorded every part of the conversation. The extortion involved two aspects: 500,000 yuan in cash, requested by Xiang Hongbo, which had already been deposited into Tang Yu and Xiang Hongbo's accounts."

"Has it been verified?"

"Verified. Bank records have already been retrieved." Han Bin continued, "Tang Yu is unwilling to be just a drama actor. She feels she has good looks and acting talent and wants to become a real actress. She asked Luo Xinghua to set up a film and television company with 10 million yuan and promote her as an investment to star in a television drama."

"Tsk tsk, I didn't see that coming. This woman's ambition is quite large." Zheng Kaixuan sounded surprised, never having expected such a twist.

"Ten million isn't a small sum. Luo Xinghua couldn't possibly raise that much. So he found Shrimp to steal the phone. Shrimp excels at causing trouble rather than solving it. Seeing that the customer in room 405 had left the hotel, he took the room as well. The hotel staff discovered the door lock had been damaged and contacted the customer in room 405. That customer reported the incident to the hotel staff, which was how He Shirui and Tang Yu's phones ended up in our hands."

Han Bin said.

"Why didn't Tang Yu take her phone when she went out, leaving it in the hotel?"

Zheng Kaixuan asked.

"Tang Yu's phone contains recordings from the time of He Shirui's death. Luo Xinghua was afraid the police would discover them, so he asked Tang Yu to delete them, but she refused. The next morning, Luo Xinghua bought a new phone and had someone deliver it to Tang Yu. When she came to report the case, she used the new phone."

Han Bin explained.

"This Luo Xinghua has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. Buying a new phone for Tang Yu was probably preparation for stealing it."

Zheng Kaixuan guessed.

"This kid has everything taken care of and originally had a bright future. Because of a momentary impulse, he harmed others and himself, and his life is over now."

Han Bin shook his head.

"This case being closed finally lets me breathe a sigh of relief."

Zheng Kaixuan sighed.

The female corpse case had received high-level attention from the bureau leaders. If successfully cracked, it would be a great achievement and Zheng Kaixuan would also get to shine; but if not, he would be the first to be held accountable.

His pressure was immense. He had not rested well for two consecutive days.

"Team Zheng, for cracking the female corpse case, our group worked overtime without shortage. Did the bureau offer any rewards?"

Han Bin smiled.

"I just came from Director Dai's office. Director Dai said the Police Force Star selection for this month has been decided. Our Criminal Investigation Team Three has won the advanced collective award, with each person receiving 600 yuan. You kid have been rated as advanced individual, with an extra 3000 yuan reward."

"Thank you, Team Zheng."

Zheng Kaixuan reached out and patted Han Bin on the shoulder. "You kid work hard. If you can get the advanced individual award for two consecutive months, I'll apply for a personal third-grade merit for you."

"Team Zheng, are you serious?" Han Bin showed a delighted expression.

Besides the bonus, the third-grade merit would be recorded in personal files, serving both as spiritual honor and as capital for promotion.

Zheng Kaixuan smiled with a tone of encouragement. "I speak for the record, but I'm afraid you kid don't have the ability."