375: Chapter 375 Public Opinion Heats Up

Haicheng District Branch.

Director Zhou Jianping looked stunned. He froze for a moment before asking, "Is this true?"

"Yes, Director Zhou. The Criminal Investigation Bureau has sent an official letter and documents requesting the reopening of the investigation into the 'Shanhe University Poisoning Case'."

When the case occurred, Zhou Jianping was the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. Having participated in the entire investigation, he knew full well how difficult it was.

He said slowly, "To think they're reopening the investigation... I don't know what the higher-ups are thinking. Anyone in the field knows that as time passes, gathering evidence becomes harder. Much of it has vanished into the river of time."

The subordinate reporting to him agreed completely and replied, "Exactly. It's been nearly twenty years; how can it even be investigated now?"

Zhou Jianping said, "Since the Criminal Investigation Bureau has sent an official letter and documents, we must cooperate. However, we just shouldn't get our hopes up."

The news quickly spread throughout the Haicheng District Branch.

Especially the officers who had been involved in solving the case back then; upon hearing the news, they all shook their heads with bitter smiles.

"I don't know which leader had a sudden whim to reopen the investigation into this case. Sigh, it's bound to be a futile effort!"

"Actually, the key to the case is the lack of evidence. So many years have passed; where are we going to find any?"

"Unless the suspect personally confesses to the poisoning, but is that even possible!"

"..."

The news first spread through the Haicheng District Branch, then to Shanhe University.

Then, it gradually spread online. Because the incident was so significant back then and had garnered much attention, many people began discussing and posting about it upon hearing that the investigation was being reopened. The topic's popularity soared.

"A cold case from twenty years ago is actually being reinvestigated? Could there be new leads!"

"If this case can be solved and the suspect brought to justice, it would be the greatest form of fairness for the law and the victim!"

"I think it'll be difficult. It wasn't solved back then, so how can it be solved after all this time!"

"..."

The online buzz grew more intense, showing every sign of trending on the hot search lists.

Thousands of miles away, in Australia.

In a luxurious manor, the middle-aged Sun Tao showed no traces of age. Though in her forties, she looked to be only in her thirties.

Her life was affluent, relaxed, and happy.

Her family background was excellent; her parents were officials who had embezzled enough money to last several lifetimes. Her current luxury manor and high-end cars were all bought with her parents' money.

Besides her superior material conditions, she had found a white husband and had a son and a daughter. Her husband was very energetic, and she felt very happy.

After seeing the related comments and reports online, Sun Tao felt a brief moment of panic and worry, but it quickly faded.

"Hmph, you have no evidence. What can you do to me!"

"Even if you could find evidence, I'm far away in Australia now and have already gained Australian citizenship. If you're so capable, come and catch me."

After browsing the comments and reports online, Sun Tao felt no guilt whatsoever; instead, a surge of hostility rose within her.

...

Haicheng District Branch.

Qin Chuan arrived in person with Wei Xinglong and others, organizing the first meeting with the relevant personnel.

Everyone brainstormed, discussing how to carry out the investigation.

At first, everyone thought the Criminal Investigation Bureau had obtained new leads and evidence. Once the meeting started, they realized there were none. Especially since the task force leader was so young and had no prior experience in criminal investigation, they were all somewhat disappointed.

Qin Chuan observed everyone's reactions and expressions, merely smiling to himself. It wouldn't be long. Once the case is solved, let's see what expressions you'll have then.

After the meeting had gone on for a while, everyone's opinions were basically unified. Besides the standard investigative work, the most critical part was to start with the suspect.

Zhou Jianping looked troubled. "Secretary Qin Chuan, the suspect, Gong Jie, has now changed her name to Sun Tao and has taken Australian citizenship. Being thousands of miles away, she is somewhat beyond our reach."

Qin Chuan instructed, "Then find a way to summon her back to cooperate with our investigation."

The hope for this was slim.

The other party certainly wouldn't return, but they still had to try. What if it succeeded? If not, they would think of something else.

Zhou Jianping said, "I'm afraid she will ignore our summons and won't cooperate at all."

Qin Chuan said, "Let's try first. Use all available resources and channels. If it doesn't work, we'll talk then. We're not in a hurry; we have plenty of time."

Since nearly twenty years had already passed, a few days sooner or later didn't matter much, as long as the case could eventually be solved.

Zhou Jianping said, "Alright, we'll give it a try."

Within a few days, the matter finally made it onto the hot search lists. Many overseas Chinese began to follow the story, and those in Australia were no exception.

Today, Sun Tao was out shopping as usual, in a great mood. She wasn't affected at all and even felt a bit of disdain in her heart.

If you're so capable, come and take me back!

She knew that it was impossible to bring her back. Not only was there no evidence, but even if there were, it wouldn't work because China and Australia had no extradition treaty.

After leaving her house, Sun Tao felt something was off. It seemed as though people were constantly pointing at her and whispering.

What was going on? Sun Tao frowned slightly but didn't take it to heart, much less connect it to the poisoning case from the past.

After walking for a while, she felt increasingly uneasy. A Chinese person even came up to her and asked, "Are you Gong Jie?"

Su Tao's face darkened, and she said with great displeasure, "You have the wrong person. My name is Sun Tao."

"Pah!"

"You used to be called Gong Jie, and now you've changed it to Sun Tao. Don't think we don't know who you are just because you changed your name!"

Sun Tao began arguing with the person like a shrew but soon fled in panic as she became a target of public criticism. Many Chinese people came over to spit at her and curse her out.

Her originally wonderful mood vanished instantly.

Back home, her face was ashen with rage, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Over the next two or three days, she encountered similar situations whenever she went out, making her afraid to even leave the house.

Local Chinese groups even broke out in protests, demanding that Sun Tao be arrested. However, due to a lack of evidence, the police only monitored the situation and did not make an arrest.

Sun Tao also received a summons from the Chinese police, requesting her return to cooperate with the investigation, but she had no intention of doing so. She wouldn't go back even if it killed her.

Several days had passed, and in China, the matter remained highly popular. Many people were following the progress, hoping to see the case successfully solved.

Today, Qin Chuan brought Wei Xinglong to the Haicheng District Branch once again, mainly to listen to Zhou Jianping's work report.

A few days ago, he had assigned a task to summon Sun Tao back to China to cooperate with the investigation, and he wanted to hear how it was going.

...

I've caught a cold and feel terrible. I managed to push through and write two chapters, but I don't have the strength to write a third one today.