“It does appear that the human jigsaw case and the frozen body case are connected, the police are also investigating their connection. Naturally the Meng Siblings are within our scope of investigation.
However, compared to Meng Changan, the middle son, Meng Changxi is a better suspect.” Li Xue flipped through her phone and pulled out some information gathered by the police so far. Noticing the wealth of information wielded by Li Xue, Han Fei realized he had greatly underestimated the law enforcement. With the advancement in technology, the whole society had been digitized into an accessible, albeit complicated, tapestry. With the right tools and technical knowledge, any individual’s digital trace could be unraveled. For the law enforcement, these individual traces were collected and weaved into unique citizenry information models.
Currently, Li Xue was showing Han Fei Meng Changan and Meng Changxi’s information models. According to the system, Meng Changan, overall, was a good person but Meng Changxi had a severe antisocial tendency.
“I find that hard to believe.” Han Fei voiced his skepticism. The system rating went against Meng Si’s understanding of her own sons.
“Of course, the system is not 100 percent correct, it is merely a reference. Actually, before we got permission to search Xin Lu’s nature reserve, another unit was dispatched to investigate the Meng Siblings.” Xin Lu law enforcement was effective. They operated like a well-oiled machine. “They came back with plenty of information about the eldest, Meng Changshou and the youngest, Meng Changan. However, there is a gap in the middle son, Meng Changxi’s data. He went missing soon after the human jigsaw case. Ever since then he has logged zero digital trace, that is extremely abnormal. One would not do that unless he has a big secret to hide.” Li Xue scanned Meng Changxi’s information model, “This man has been a loner since he was a child. He has low self-esteem due to the birthmark on his face. He was often the target of bullying. At his job, he received multiple complaints from his clients. Other than his wife and siblings, no one around him thought he was normal.”
“But that does not mean that he has antisocial personality!” Han Fei still believed a mother’s assessment more than a computer system’s.
“There are other clues as well. If you must know, there was another case lodged against Meng Changxi. The case was reported by his wife. According to his wife, Meng Changxi suffered from paranoia. This was around the time before he disappeared. He kept telling her there was someone out to get him and that scared her enough to seek police help. During their home visit, the police found a lot of notes regarding the frozen body case as well as animal and insect specimens under Meng Changxi’s bed. That was the thing that pinned the suspicion on him.”
“Have you considered the possibility that Meng Changxi was framed? The evidence found at his home was planted?” Han Fei provided a different perspective, “If Meng Changxi was not lying, then it was perfectly reasonable for him to go into hiding, someone was trying to murder him! That person most likely was the one who framed him too!” The person who knew Meng Changxi the best in this world was not his new bride, or his non-biological siblings but his adopted mother. Han Fei gathered the most crucial information from Meng Si herself. Even though Meng Changxi was not by any means a sunny, or even likeable, person, he had a gentle heart. In contrast, it was Meng Changan who had the twisted heart. Whenever Meng Changan was lectured or scolded by Meng Si, he would torture insects or small animals to vent his anger and frustration. But all of these testimonies died with Meng Si. Meng Changan was, according to the system, a model citizen and Meng Changxi, a sociopath.
“As you said, the system is not 100 percent correct. Is it not possible for one to trick the system by fabricating a fallacious individual information model?” Han Fei was not a tech whiz but he knew that human nature was much more complex and dangerous than a computer system could calculate. “Take for example, Meng Changan, if he has been making careful and deliberate life choices for the past 10 years, is it not possible for him to fool the system? Can the system tell when a person is wearing a mask?”
“Why are you so against Meng Changan?” Li Xue studied Han Fei for a while before she answered his question, “Theoretically, what you described is entirely possible. It was why I said the system’s rating is mostly just a reference.”
“That is all the more reason to keep a close eye on Meng Changan. I have my reasons to find him distrustful.” Han Fei said affirmatively. Even though Li Xue had no idea where Han Fei got his confidence, she decided to trust him. After all, all the tips given to her by this comedy actor had been proven useful so far. With Han Fei’s words, Li Xue decided to make Meng Changan a person of interest. She would go beyond scanning his information model and have people look into his detailed schedule. Of course, all these investigations would require manpower and time. “Okay, I’ll return to the station and discuss this with my teacher.” Li Xue stood to leave but she was stopped by Han Fei again. “Is there anything else?”
“After hearing what you said, I am actually panicking slightly. The crazed murderer might come after me, so I wish to learn some self-protective measures.” Han Fei eventually came out with the favor. “Do you mind teaching me actual fighting skills?” This skill would help Han Fei defend himself in real life, and it would also come in useful in the game.
“You want me to teach you how to fight?” Li Xue regarded Han Fei with shock. “This is the first time I’ve encountered such a weird request.”
“Your colleagues said you’re the best fighter at the station so why not learn from the best? Pretty please.”
“Fine.” Li Xue glanced at the time on her phone. She had some time on her hands. She then led Han Fei to the rooftop of his building, “I’m doing this because you might be in actual danger. This is not within an officer’s job scope, understood?” It sounded more like Li Xue was persuading herself.
“Of course, you are merely helping a citizen look after his own safety.”
“Then let’s not waste time. Before we start with basic fighting skills, I need to explain to you the anatomical theories of the human body’s seven most crucial joints as well as the vitals points on the human body…” Li Xue gave a brief lecture but Han Fei managed to memorize everything. The man had superior memory skills.
“Normally, when a person faced down a criminal, they would curl back in to defend more often than to strike with offense, that is human nature. However, in hand to hand combat, offense is truly the best defense. So the first thing you need to do is to break down that innate fear and be courageous to go on the offensive.”
“Don’t you worry about that. Even if I run into the dastardliest criminal, I won’t feel a shred of fear.”
“Tamping down one’s fear is only the foundation, building upon that, you have to ensure that you also do not lose your head. Hand-to-hand combat is not a brawl, you have to keep your head cool and take everything around you into consideration…” Li Xue taught Han Fei some simple fighting and grasping skills. Unlike the flashy skills described in wuxia novels, these skills were practical and effective. After a half an hour of lesson, Li Xue was impressed by Han Fei’s learning capability and physique. “Were you an action movie actor in the past? With what I’ve taught you, I’m confident that you can even take down an unguarded patrol cop.”
“I’ve always been a comedy actor.” Han Fei looked at his arms. He too noticed that his physical mobility and reactive speed had gained a stupendous improvement. “I merely maintain a daily, strict physical training like a good actor should.”
