Inside the safe house, security police, criminal police, and the special task force were heavily guarding the place with strict vigilance; outside the safe house, special police were on duty 24 hours a day. All the windows of the safe house were closed to prevent mosquitoes and drones from entering. Even the air conditioning vents and bathroom drains were equipped with filters to prevent poisonous gas and insects from getting in.

They truly ensured that not even a fly could get in.

The first day, everything was fine.

On the second day, I received a call from Lin Kexin.

"Do you remember, I once wanted to do a deal with you?"

"Of course I remember. I told you the truth about the 926 case, and you were supposed to give me a clue. Now I've given you my part, where's yours?"

"Come now, I'll give you the clue. Remember, don't bring Jia Feng."

"Where should I come?"

"Room 1106 at the Binhai City Psychiatric Hospital."

After consulting with Team Leader Zhang, I left the safe house with Sun Lili and another team member to meet Lin Kexin.

Lin Kexin was sitting in front of the hospital bed, gently talking to Xiaoya. Xiaoya stared at her blankly, without any reaction.

I controlled my emotions and walked quietly to Lin Kexin's side, secretly observing Xiaoya. The violent incident a year ago hadn't left many scars on her. Her features were still delicate, and her shattered teeth had been implanted. The scars on her face had mostly healed, leaving only a few faint traces. But the bright, expressive eyes that once smiled and spoke were gone forever.

Xiaoya noticed me looking at her and turned towards me.

I stared at Xiaoya, not knowing what to say.

Xiaoya softly said, "Uncle, don't worry. I will live on because... I want to see them die."

"Xiaoya, you... don't think like that," I gently replied, "Zhao Dabao and the others have already been punished by the law. They should be given a chance to start over."

Upon hearing Zhao Dabao's name, Xiaoya covered her ears, her face twisted, and she let out a horrifying scream.

I realized I had made a huge mistake and covered my head in frustration as Lin Kexin pushed me out of the ward.

Lin Kexin and the nurse busied themselves inside for a while before coming out. She coldly stared at me for a minute before speaking: "Jia Feng..."

"I know about Jia Feng's cousin, Jia Linlin."

"Jia Linlin's father, Jia Yanhua, runs a small shop by Yushan Lake. On September 27th, Cai Yifan and his group bought ice cola there."

"Ice cola? Drinking ice cola in October while swimming? That could easily cause leg cramps."

"Yes. According to Zhao Dabao, they were going to buy sports drinks, but Jia Yanhua said they were out of stock and offered a promotion on cola—buy three, get two free. So they took the cola, and it was ice-cold."

"That's it?" I was stunned. I didn't know these details. The influence of the police families is too great.

"And," Lin Kexin paused and bit her lip, "I found a computer expert who traced Jia Yanhua's transactions. He bought a set of diving equipment last year and recently bought Thai coconut flavoring, which is particularly attractive to Chinese rural dogs."

I frowned. Lin Kexin knew too much about the case. She must have gotten this information from her father, District Chief Lin. But who reported it to him? According to regulations, it wasn't necessary. But considering District Chief Lin was the deputy director in charge of criminal investigation last year, I understood.

"Ice cola could indeed cause leg cramps. Diving equipment and coconut flavoring also fit the current theory. But I don't understand, why are you doing this? Haven't you always supported the 'Judges' and hated these five kids?"

"No reason. I've given you the clue. Do as you see fit. We're even now!"

Filled with suspicion, I left Lin Kexin and quickly obtained the necessary documents to investigate Jia Yanhua's small shop.

We turned Jia Yanhua's shop and home upside down, and examined all the cans at the lakeside and nearby dumps. Unfortunately, apart from finding a set of diving equipment and Thai flavoring, we found nothing. Too much time had passed; the cans from back then were likely already crushed and recycled, making it impossible to verify if the cola was tampered with.

Jia Yanhua denied all accusations.

He recommended cola simply because it was about to expire and needed to be sold quickly;

The ice cola was because the day's cola was all in the cooler;

The diving equipment was for personal interest. He even got a diving certificate and joined a diving club;

As for the coconut flavoring, it was a personal preference. He bought a lot during a trip to Thailand years ago and had been repurchasing it frequently, not just recently;

More importantly, he was in the shop all day on September 27 and didn't go into the water.

So, 24 hours later, we had no choice but to release Jia Yanhua.

Just as I was about to return to the safe house, bad news came—Xiao's brothers were hospitalized due to health issues.