I, Cao Xiaoqi, Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team in Binhai City, had just completed the investigation of a major case. While taking a break to soak in the bath, an untimely phone call came, notifying me of a drowning at some location in Yushan Lake. I was to immediately arrive at the scene.

I arrived at the scene and got to work in just 5 minutes.

Among the many onlookers, four robust teenagers were forcefully holding down a man around 30 years old. Not far off, a teenager lay on the ground, seemingly dead.

I quickly understood the situation: the deceased, Cai Yifan, along with Zhao Dabao and three other classmates had gone swimming in Yushan Lake. Zhao Dabao and the others discovered Cai Yifan floating in the water, rescued him immediately, called the police, and suspected that the swimming man, Chen Jiafei, was the perpetrator. They subdued him and waited for the police to arrive.

"With so many people swimming, why do you suspect him?"

"That son of a b*tch has a grudge against us," said a tall student.

"A grudge? What kind of grudge?"

Zhao Dabao and the others hesitated, avoiding eye contact.

At this moment, my assistants Jia Feng and Sun Lili, along with several police officers, arrived and started handling the scene. They reported back to me with feedback from the police station: the deceased, Cai Yifan, along with Zhao Dabao, Shen Guochang, Xiao Delong, and Xiao Dehu, were notorious delinquent students from the 19th Middle School. They frequently skipped classes, fought, robbed, smoked, drank, gambled, harassed, and molested others. Known as the "Little Five Fighters," they had been sent to labor camps two years ago due to a serious incident, and had since held a grudge against the current suspect Chen Jiafei.

"What serious incident?"

"The 926 case from two years ago."

"What exactly happened?"

Sun Lili hesitated for a moment: "Sorry, boss, I can't say that."

"Why not?"

"You just transferred from the provincial capital, so you don't know. The 926 case is special. To avoid social impact, only the investigators and leaders are privy to it, with a mandate not to spread the details."

"Understood. Take all related individuals back to the station. Huh, what's going on over there?"

"Hello, audience friends, I'm Lin Kexin, a reporter from Binhai TV, reporting live from Yushan Lake."

"Today, September 27, 2018, a mysterious man called the police, claiming he would kill a Binhai 19th Middle School student, Cai Yifan, in an hour. He also revealed the cryptic code 926. Just around that time, student Cai Yifan really drowned in Yushan Lake. Is this an accidental tragedy or premeditated murder? Is this justice served or the beginning of a horror story? Stay tuned."

"Lin Kexin, what are you doing? Who allowed you to report this? Everybody, stop at once!"

"Captain Cao, this is a live broadcast. Mind your image in front of the camera, will you? Introduce the case for the viewers, give me a hand here!" Lin Kexin said, grinning cheekily.

She was the TV station's liaison with the police system. Her father, Director Lin, had been the Deputy Director of Public Security two years ago. She was practically a family member of the police. With her straightforward personality, she was well-acquainted with the entire criminal investigation team, including me, a newly appointed deputy captain.

"You have a camera; I have a law enforcement recorder. I'm officially informing you now, whether live or recorded, stop immediately. You're interfering with our work!"

I knew very well that whether it was an announced murder or a special 926 related case, it was unfit for broadcasting.

Lin Kexin straightened her face, too: "This is my press card and interview credentials. I am legally reporting. You have no right to interfere!"

I signaled Jia Feng with my eyes, and he immediately led the officers to push Lin Kexin and her team out of the scene, and temporarily confiscated the camera.

"Cao Xiaoqi, just wait and see, I'll file a complaint against you!"