Frightening Joke: Above the Mist
Chapter 142: Netizen

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Netizen

Dai Anyu and Jiang Qiao both have strange shadows on them, this definitely isn’t a coincidence.

Bai Yanliang lowered his head in thought. He hadn’t expected that the case, which he originally wasn’t interested in, would become interesting.

The group drove to the residence of the next suspect, but this time they returned empty-handed.

"I’m sorry, gentlemen officers, Mr. Chen Huaiyu has a full schedule today, and he has already left," said the middle-aged man in a suit in front of them, claiming to be Chen Huaiyu’s manager. He seemed to be waiting for them on purpose at the hotel where Chen Huaiyu was staying.

"Cooperating with police investigations is an obligation of every citizen. If he’s really busy, please give us his phone number," said Yang Wanlong.

The manager shook his head repeatedly, "That won’t do. Chen Huaiyu’s personal information is strictly confidential. If it gets out, who will bear the loss from any negative impact?"

Yang Wanlong held back his anger, suppressing it forcefully, and said, "Alright, we’ll schedule an hour with Chen Huaiyu tomorrow."

Tang Guo cautiously glanced at Yang Wanlong, it was rare for her to see him make a concession.

Even this request was rejected.

"Sorry, officer, Mr. Chen Huaiyu is shooting a commercial with Ms. Feng Yiru tomorrow, so... he won’t have time either."

"You!"

Yang Wanlong’s eyes widened, struggling to hold back his temper.

Lin Wan quickly held him back, whispering, "Forget it, Captain Yang, let’s go to Ma Junsheng’s studio first."

Yang Wanlong breathed heavily, glaring at the manager with red eyes. Actually, with his achievements and seniority, he should have long been promoted to a high rank in the police department. However, due to repeated use of violent methods during investigations, he faced one disciplinary action after another, so he remains a captain till now.

At this point, Bai Yanliang suddenly stepped forward, whispered a couple of words to Yang Wanlong, who immediately calmed his anger, and instead, looked at him in surprise, asking, "Is that really possible?"

Bai Yanliang nodded, "No problem."

Yang Wanlong finally calmed down completely, gave a cold snort to Chen Huaiyu’s manager, and led the team away from the hotel.

In the car.

"Captain Yang, what did Teacher Bai just say?"

Tang Guo couldn’t resist her curiosity any longer, glanced at the rearview mirror, and asked.

Yang Wanlong took the opportunity to turn and ask again, "Yanliang, can you really meet with Chen Huaiyu?"

Bai Yanliang nodded once more, confirming, "Yes, I know the female artist who is shooting the commercial with him tomorrow. I think if I ask her for a favor, it shouldn’t be a big issue."

"What?!"

Bai Yanliang didn’t expect that his honest words would cause such a big reaction from everyone in the car.

Gao Fei even turned directly from the front seat to grab Bai Yanliang’s arm, "Bai! You know Feng Yiru?"

Bai Yanliang nodded, "Yes, I know her."

The car suddenly fell silent.

Everyone who knew Bai Yanliang believed that what he said... is probably the truth.

Even Lin Wan, sitting in the front passenger seat, couldn’t help but turn back for a glance, "How... do you know her?"

This was the most intriguing part; two people who should have had no overlap somehow knew each other, which completely overturned everyone’s worldview.

"Online friends."

Bai Yanliang answered calmly.

Online friends...

Again, online friends...

Everyone instinctively glanced at Xu Zhifei, who seemed to be daydreaming; this criminal profiler was also someone he knew online...

What kind of network is this? Can we be introduced to it too?!

Gao Fei felt like he had eaten an entire lemon, sour to the core.

Finally, under everyone’s strange moods, they arrived at Ma Junsheng’s studio.

He is a photographer with a keen fashion sense; his works are diverse in style, with varying themes, and have some reputation within the circle.

Upon entering the studio, everyone was impressed at first sight of Ma Junsheng.

He was indeed very handsome, so much so that anyone passing by him couldn’t help but turn their head for a second look.

With sharp eyebrows, a straight nose, eyes full of charm, and a smile on his lips, he fulfilled everyone’s idea of what it means to be attractive.

However, at the moment, he didn’t seem in good spirits. He drifted off several times while getting up to greet everyone.

"He’s so handsome! Sister Lin, who do you think is more handsome, him or Teacher Bai?" Tang Guo asked Lin Wan quietly.

Lin Wan frowned slightly; she didn’t want to discuss this during work but couldn’t let the young girl’s eager eyes go unanswered, so she softly said, "Bai Yanliang."

"Oh, really?" Tang Guo teasingly looked at Lin Wan with a drawl, "I thought Sister Lin didn’t like Teacher Bai."

Lin Wan nodded affirmatively this time, "I don’t like him, but I admire him."

Tang Guo was stunned, wanting to say more, but everyone had already sat down, ready to start questioning.

Yang Wanlong showed his credentials and said, "Sorry for the interruption. We have a few questions."

Ma Junsheng nodded, "Alright, please go ahead."

"Today we want to specifically understand what happened between you and Ai Qing. As Ai Qing’s last boyfriend, what was the reason for your breakup? Did she ever do anything to harm you physically or mentally?" Yang Wanlong asked directly, "And where were you at 1 a.m. yesterday? What were you doing? Is there anyone who can testify for you?"

Ma Junsheng looked at his cup, lowered his head, and was silent for a moment before saying, "Last night I was at home by myself, processing some photos until 3 a.m. before going to sleep. I live alone, so there’s no one who can verify my whereabouts, but the editing records of the image processing software are continuous. Can that serve as proof?"

Yang Wanlong turned to look at Lin Wan, who said, "We’ll need to check it first to know if it holds."

Ma Junsheng lowered his head and stopped speaking.

Bai Yanliang and Xu Zhifei quietly observed him. Although Yang Wanlong and the others couldn’t see, in the eyes of these two, there was an extremely twisted, strange shadow floating behind Ma Junsheng. Unlike Dai Anyu and Jiang Qiao, the shadow on Ma Junsheng seemed not to want to enter but to come out.

Ma Junsheng’s suspicion was significant, not only because the shadow on him was more peculiar compared to the other two, but also because of his listless demeanor and unconvincing testimony.

And... the faint, decaying odor surrounding him that Bai Yanliang could sense.

Just as people felt that Xu Zhifei didn’t look like a living person, with her cold demeanor and pale skin making people avoid her.

But at this moment, Bai Yanliang felt that the one who didn’t seem alive wasn’t Xu Zhifei but... Ma Junsheng.

This wasn’t about appearance or demeanor; it was a feeling, an impression.

Perhaps, because he internally also resonated with anomalies, Bai Yanliang clearly felt this eerie, almost half-alive, half-dead state.