Chapter 159: Overturning the Verdict

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As mentioned before, Chen Liang possesses expert-level skills in micro-expression observation; he can tell if someone is lying just by their facial expressions and movements. But to Chen Liang, everything on Zhu Zhenguo’s face and in his body language shouted that he was truly innocent—that he had not committed murder!

Damn it, this case really has some hidden secrets!

“Enough crying, stop the damn wailing. Tell me, what exactly happened that night?” Chen Liang looked directly at Zhu Zhenguo’s face. “Think carefully before you speak—this is your last chance to stay alive.”

“Yes, yes, officer, I’ve thought it through... That night, I was just like any other night, drinking with some friends. Then, well, I got drunk. After that, I honestly can’t remember a thing.”

Seeing Zhu Zhenguo's utterly desperate expression, Chen Liang said nothing, letting him fall into a frenzy, crouching on the ground, clutching his head, and weeping uncontrollably.

After letting him vent his tears for a while, Chen Liang finally spoke, “A grown man crying like a child—wipe those tears away.”

“Officer! I really didn’t kill anyone. When I woke up, Little Peach Red was lying next to me. When I touched her, she was already dead. I... I was so scared I peed myself. Then I ran home, and that’s when the police arrested me.”

“Please believe me, officer! I really didn’t kill her! Boohoo, boohoo!”

Chen Liang was growing weary of the endless crying, but at least he understood the sequence of events. “Do you know that woman?”

“Yes, she’s my friend Da Mao’s mistress. She’s just a cheap woman—you pay, and she’s yours. Officer, even if I were blind, I wouldn’t lay a hand on a cheap woman like her!”

“Alright, just stay put. The government won’t wrong a good man, nor will it spare a bad one.”

Chen Liang had no patience for this womanizing scoundrel’s whining anymore. Besides, the stench in the cell was unbearable. Leaving behind a single sentence, he turned and walked away.

Outside the gate, Chen Liang took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling alive again.

“Director Zhang, can I see the female corpse?” Chen Liang asked as he approached Director Zhang. Lighting a cigarette, he took a couple of deep drags to dispel the lingering smell of rotten durian on him.

“Chen, why bother? The evidence is ironclad. Are you really going to try to overturn this case?” Director Zhang kindly warned Chen Liang.

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“Ah, this is mostly something my senior entrusted me with. I can’t close the case without thorough investigation. Sorry to trouble you, Director Zhang.”

Old Zhang waved dismissively. “It’s no trouble at all. This is part of the job.”

Following Old Zhang to the morgue, he reminded Chen Liang, “Chen, it’s too hot today, and the body won’t keep well. Are you sure you want to see it?”

“Don’t worry, I can handle it.” Chen Liang pulled out a cotton mask from his pocket. “I came prepared.”

After some time inside, Chen Liang emerged, looking pale and deeply troubled.

He faced Director Zhang, removed the mask, lit another cigarette, and said, “Director Zhang, let’s go check out those witnesses again.”

Old Zhang was nonchalant, even teasing Chen Liang a bit, “You sure don’t give up easily. Fine, let’s go.”

They quickly glanced over the so-called witnesses. Chen Liang’s gaze paused thoughtfully on one person’s hand, then he revealed a meaningful smile.

Once outside, Chen Liang lit a cigarette for Old Zhang and said, “Director Zhang, you haven’t reported this case yet, right?”

“Why? Did you really find something, Chief Chen?”

“Heh, Director Zhang, some secrets are better left untold. But if you cooperate with me in playing a little game, I’ll have the murderer reveal himself to you.”

“Really? You’re not trying to fool me, are you?” Director Zhang was skeptical. Having served in the military and police for over a decade, he’d never seen a murderer confess on their own.

“Come on, Director Zhang, let’s talk here.” Chen Liang pulled Zhang aside, and after a whispered conversation, Zhang’s eyes widened in astonishment. “My goodness, you’re clever—coming up with a trick like this. But will it really work?”

“Heh, what’s there to fear? They’re just a bunch of petty thugs. They can’t turn the world upside down. Don’t worry!”

Chen Liang exhaled smoke. “Old Zhang, don’t worry. When this is over, I’ll go tell Zhu Lao Liu that you discovered the suspicious points and, despite overwhelming evidence, insisted on reopening the case, saving his grandson. You deserve a banner for that, don’t you think?”

Then Chen Liang teased, “Make a big fuss about it—who knows, maybe you’ll get promoted a level or two. Don’t forget to throw a party!”

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Chen Liang’s grand plan was persuasive enough to sway Old Zhang, who nodded firmly. “Alright, let’s do it!”

Under Old Zhang’s command, the witnesses were all detained separately, and Chen Liang’s meticulous strategy began.

Knocking on the interrogation room door, Chen Liang and Old Zhang summoned the police officers out. They deliberately left the door slightly ajar so the handcuffed suspects inside could overhear.

“Old Zhang, any confessions yet?”

“Not yet, but it looks like these guys have rehearsed their lines. They’re all sticking to the same story.”

“Heh, no matter. One’s already spilled the beans. Having one more or less won’t hurt. We’ll charge them with obstruction of justice and sentence them to life imprisonment. That way, they’ll contribute to society.”

“That’s right, but these guys are really audacious—daring to lie to the police. That’s reckless. Except for the one who confessed earlier, the rest should be dragged out and shot. No need to waste the country’s resources with life sentences!”

Their voices faded away. Inside, the criminals trembled with fear. Someone had already broken. What was the point of holding out? Better to confess quickly and cling to a sliver of hope instead of waiting to be pummeled.

Just then, the two police officers who had previously interrogated one of the suspects reentered, looking pityingly at the prisoner. Without a word, they packed up and prepared to leave.

The suspect panicked, “Don’t go! Officer, I have something to say! I’ll confess everything. Please don’t leave—I don’t want to die!”

These small-time thugs had no idea what they were up against. Faced with Chen Liang’s modern psychological interrogation techniques, they were deceived in no time.

“So, Da Mao, right?” In the lead suspect’s interrogation room, Chen Liang slammed the testimonies of the four witnesses onto the table. “Not bad, you even dared to lie to the police! You’re really bold!”