The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 884 Chen Xiaoyu's Interpersonal Relationships

Technicians carefully examined the motorcycle and found a supermarket receipt under the seat. The receipt was dated three days prior, the day the money was withdrawn. "Team Leader Li, this receipt is very likely left by the person who withdrew the money. We can use the information on the receipt to track their movements," the technician reported to Li Ming.

Holding the shopping receipt, Li Ming said, "Go to the supermarket immediately to check the surveillance footage and see if we can find the person who withdrew the money."

Police arrived at the supermarket and retrieved surveillance footage from three days prior. After careful review, they finally spotted the person withdrawing the money. Although the individual was still heavily disguised, police initially determined from their build and gait that the person was male.

"Captain Li, although we still can't see the face clearly, at least we've determined the gender of the person withdrawing the money. We can use this clue to narrow down our investigation," Xiao Zhang said.

Li Ming nodded: "That's right. At the same time, continue to investigate Chen Xiaoyu's social relationships to see if there are any men who are closely related to her or have a motive for committing the crime."

In the ensuing investigation, the police meticulously checked Chen Xiaoyu's colleagues and friends. Finally, they discovered a suspect—Chen Xiaoyu's ex-boyfriend, Zhang Feng. Zhang Feng had recently been experiencing financial difficulties and had accumulated considerable debt.

"Captain Li, Zhang Feng is highly suspicious. After breaking up with Chen Xiaoyu, he has been harassing her relentlessly. Moreover, he urgently needs money recently," Xiao Liu reported to Li Ming.

Li Ming decisively ordered: "Immediately launch an investigation into Zhang Feng, retrieve his recent whereabouts records, and see where he was at the time of the incident."

The next day, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Li Ming sat at his desk, his pen tapping unconsciously on the surface, his eyes fixed on Zhang Feng's investigation file. Although all indications suggested that Zhang Feng had an alibi for both Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance and Wang Qiang's murder, Li Ming still harbored a lingering doubt, feeling that things weren't so simple. "This case is too strange. There must be some clues on Zhang Feng that we haven't discovered yet," Li Ming muttered to himself.

To gain a deeper understanding of Zhang Feng's situation, Li Ming decided to personally lead a team to the supermarket where Zhang Feng worked to conduct an investigation. Inside the supermarket, goods were piled high, and workers were busy unloading them. Li Ming found Liu Gang, the supermarket manager, showed his identification, and explained his purpose.

"Manager Liu, we are investigating a case, and Zhang Feng is a key suspect. We hope you can provide him with accurate information," Li Ming said.

Liu Gang pushed up his glasses, a look of surprise on his face: "Zhang Feng? He's known throughout our supermarket as an honest and hardworking man, never slacking off. How could he be involved in a case?"

Li Ming asked, "How long has Zhang Feng been working at the supermarket? How is his work performance?"

Without hesitation, Liu Gang replied, "Zhang Feng has been working here for more than three years. He is a very hardworking person, and he moves goods quickly and well. His colleagues all speak highly of him. Moreover, he never argues with anyone and has a very easy-going personality."

Li Ming then asked, "Has Zhang Feng shown any unusual behavior recently? Such as being depressed or behaving strangely?"

Liu Gang frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "I didn't notice anything unusual. However, about a month ago, he seemed to be in a bad mood and was a bit distracted at work. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he had broken up with his girlfriend."

Li Ming pressed further, "Do you know who his girlfriend is?"

Liu Gang nodded and said, "I know, her name is Chen Xiaoyu. Zhang Feng told me they're from the same village and dated for several years, breaking up and getting back together on and off. This time it seems like they've broken up for good, which must have been a big blow to Zhang Feng."

Afterwards, Li Ming found Zhao Yang, a colleague who was on good terms with Zhang Feng. Zhao Yang was organizing goods in the warehouse when he saw the police arrive and became somewhat nervous.

Li Ming smiled and reassured him, "Don't be nervous, we're just here to find out some things. You and Zhang Feng have a good relationship, have you noticed anything strange about him lately?"

Zhao Yang scratched his head and said, "There's nothing wrong with him. Zhang Feng goes to work on time every day and goes back to his dormitory to rest after get off work. He was in a bad mood a while ago and drank heavily a few times, but he recovered quickly."

Li Ming asked, "During the days when Chen Xiaoyu went missing and Wang Qiang was murdered, was Zhang Feng with you the whole time? Did he ever leave the supermarket?"

Zhao Yang answered affirmatively, "He's always been here. We work together during the day, and he stays in the dormitory at night. Sometimes we even play cards and chat together; he hasn't gone anywhere else."

Despite the alibis of his colleagues, Li Ming persisted. He went to Zhang Feng's dormitory and carefully examined it. The dormitory was small but very tidy, with personal belongings neatly arranged. On the headboard of Zhang Feng's bed, Li Ming found a photo album, mostly filled with pictures of Zhang Feng and Chen Xiaoyu together. The intimate poses in the photos suggested they had once been very close.

At this moment, Zhang Feng returned to his dormitory. He was somewhat surprised to see the police in his room, but quickly regained his composure.

Li Ming asked, "Zhang Feng, you should know that we are investigating the cases of Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance and Wang Qiang's murder, right?"

Zhang Feng nodded, looking somewhat forlorn: "I know. I'm very worried about Xiaoyu's disappearance. Although we broke up, we were together for so many years, and there are still feelings between us."

Li Ming stared into Zhang Feng's eyes and asked, "In the past few days since Chen Xiaoyu went missing and Wang Qiang was murdered, you've been staying at the supermarket the whole time and haven't gone anywhere else?"

Zhang Feng did not avoid Li Ming's gaze and answered firmly, "Yes. I go to work every day and go back to my dormitory after get off work. My colleagues can all testify to that."

Li Ming took out a photo album and asked, "You and Chen Xiaoyu had such a good relationship, why did you break up?"

Zhang Feng sighed and said, "We've always had conflicts. She wanted to settle down in the city, but I'm not very educated and can only do manual labor. I don't earn much money and can't afford a house. Her family also didn't approve of us being together. Over time, the conflicts increased, and we eventually broke up."

After leaving the supermarket, Li Ming and his team discussed the case. "Based on the current investigation, Zhang Feng's alibi is quite strong, and his colleagues' testimonies corroborate each other. But I still feel something is off. Zhang Feng and Chen Xiaoyu's relationship is not simple; there might be some hidden story we haven't discovered yet," Li Ming said.

Officer Liu said, "Captain Li, could it be that we're overthinking things? Zhang Feng does seem quite honest; maybe he really has nothing to do with the case."

Li Ming shook his head: "We can't jump to conclusions. Let's expand our investigation and visit the villagers in Zhang Feng and Chen Xiaoyu's hometowns to see if we can find any new clues. At the same time, continue to investigate Zhang Feng's recent communication records and social activities; we might find some clues."