229: Clues to Liu Hongwen.

After obtaining Liu Hongwen's registered address from the police System, Shen Mingyuan was about to set off when more detailed analysis results came from the forensic department.

"Mr. Shen, the structural analysis of those two 'giant stingers' is complete."

The forensic doctor said over the phone, his voice filled with confusion, "It's very strange.

They are not a single, cast or carved entity, but at a microscopic level, they show an extremely complex composite structure—formed by a massive number of extremely tiny, hollow chitinous tubules tightly bundled and woven together.

In simple terms, it's like... an countless number of magnified insect stingers or some kind of biological duct, forcibly fused into a large needle using technology we cannot comprehend.

Trace amounts of biological toxins were detected on the inner wall of each microscopic tube. This is a form of physical evidence we have never seen before."

Shen Mingyuan's eyes narrowed, "So, in essence, it's composed of a massive number of tiny 'stingers'?

"Structurally, yes. But how precise a control force would that require... I'm sorry, this is beyond my professional scope; I can only describe the phenomenon." The forensic doctor's tone was somewhat uncertain.

"Understood, the anomalous structure itself is important information. Thank you." Shen Mingyuan hung up the phone.

As he strode quickly towards his car, he used encrypted communication to briefly summarize all the information he currently had—the construction site details, the background of the campus bullying, the anomalous structure of the bee stinger, and Liu Hongwen's registered address—and sent it to Lu Jianchuan.

Afterward, he drove straight to the address located on the city's edge, in an old residential area.

According to the registration, Liu Hongwen lived on the fourth floor of a six-story slab building. Shen Mingyuan parked his car some distance away and approached on foot. The stairwell was dimly lit and permeated with an old, musty smell. He arrived at the door of Room 404, listened closely, but it was dead silent inside. He raised his hand to knock, and the dull sound echoed in the empty corridor, but no one answered.

He walked to the window at the end of the corridor and looked out. This building had no balconies, and the outer window of Room 404 was tightly shut, indeed fitted with old but sturdy metal security bars, making direct external intrusion highly unlikely.

Shen Mingyuan retreated to the door, confirming again that no one was around. He took a deep breath, stepped back two paces, slightly lowered his shoulders, gathered his strength to a single point, and then slammed his side into the weak area next to the door lock!

"Bang!"

The old wooden door rattled violently, the door frame groaned, but the latch remained firm.

He slightly adjusted his angle and struck again with force!

"Bang!! Crack!"

This time, a clear cracking sound was heard, the wood around the door lock splintered, and the door sprang open inward, creating a gap.

Shen Mingyuan didn't stop, he hit it a third time!

"Boom!"

The entire door finally gave way under the immense pressure, bursting open inward, hitting the wall inside and bouncing back slightly. Dust fluttered down.

The door was open. Inside was a dim, unknown space, utterly silent.

Shen Mingyuan stepped into the room, and a stale, dusty smell wafted over him. He moved lightly, his gaze quickly sweeping around.

The living room was small and simple, with an old sofa, a folding table, and a few plastic stools.

He ran his finger across the tabletop, and a thick layer of dust immediately clung to his fingertip.

The sofa cushions were also covered in dust, with no recent indentations or marks indicating someone had sat or laid there.

The kitchen sink was dry, the stove cold and empty, and the dishes and chopsticks in the cabinets were neatly arranged, also covered in dust.

He checked the master bedroom and bathroom in turn. The master bed was neatly made, but the sheets and pillows were equally dusty, and the wardrobe contained only a few old clothes. The bathroom showed no signs of recent use either.

Finally, he pushed open the door to another smaller room. The room's layout was distinctly different—a single bed, a desk against the wall, a simple bookshelf, and faded sci-fi movie posters on the wall. This was a child's room.

The dust here was equally thick. The bookshelf held only a few old textbooks and study guides, and the desk was empty. But Shen Mingyuan's gaze stopped at the center of the desk, against the wall.

There, amidst the uniform gray dust, was a relatively clean, clearly outlined rectangular imprint, slightly lighter in color than its surroundings, as if something had been placed there for a long time and only recently removed.

Judging by its size and shape, it closely resembled the mark left by the base of a medium-sized photo frame.

Shen Mingyuan stood before the rectangular imprint, silent for a moment. A father who had lost his only son and was disheartened, when leaving this home filled with painful memories, might only take his son's photograph.

This was reasonable.

But since Liu Hongwen had already left this registered address, he must have another hiding place.

However, it's almost impossible to completely hide one's tracks in a modern city full of surveillance; he must have left an electronic footprint somewhere.

Routine police investigations take time, and what Shen Mingyuan lacked most now was time. He needed a more efficient source of intelligence.

Back in the car, Shen Mingyuan took out his phone, opened the contact with the starry sky avatar, ".**", and quickly typed a message.

Shen Mingyuan: I need clues about Liu Hongwen's recent whereabouts (ID number ***), especially today's. It may be related to the campus murder case and the previous mysterious deaths of workers. This is urgent.

The message was sent. About ten minutes later, a reply came.

.: Just found something. His car was last seen heading towards Songhe-cho this afternoon.

.: [File transfer: A traffic surveillance video clip]

.: Also, there's something you should pay attention to. Among the two students who died today, one surnamed Li, his parents' company is holding a celebration banquet this afternoon at the "Hai Zhi Wei" Japanese restaurant in Songhe-cho, for their company's IPO. You've been to that restaurant before.

.: Celebrating after their son just died... Tsk, this family, maybe that child was the least sick one in the family.

Anyway, if Liu Hongwen is going after them, he's probably near there now, or already in the restaurant. There are many people, so be careful.

Shen Mingyuan's eyes narrowed. "Hai Zhi Wei"? He immediately replied.

Shen Mingyuan: Understood, heading there now.

[“Hai Zhi Wei” Japanese Restaurant]

The restaurant was booked, decorated with celebratory ribbons and balloons for the IPO, and the atmosphere seemed lively. The long tables were laden with exquisite Japanese cuisine and drinks, and company employees and executives raised their glasses, offering congratulatory toasts.

Li Youliang stood at the head of the table, his Face beaming, holding a glass of champagne, his voice booming:

"Everyone! Today is not only a big day for the company, but also a testament to all our collective efforts! In the future, we must go further and fly higher! Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone echoed, laughter and clinking glasses filling the air.

Only Wang Li, sitting next to Li Youliang, had a pale Face and swollen eyes, with the food in front of her untouched. She mechanically held her wine glass, her fingers trembling slightly.

The news of her son's tragic death was like a block of ice in her chest, but her husband, Li Youliang, had forcefully demanded her presence at this celebration banquet, citing "stabilizing stock prices and boosting morale."

In his eyes, the company's success and his personal Face seemed far more important than his son's death.

Midway through the banquet, the atmosphere was at its peak. Li Youliang was surrounded by several middle managers toasting him, feeling complacent.

Just then, a rough hand, covered with tiny old scars, gently rested on Li Youliang's shoulder.

Li Youliang was in the middle of an excited speech when he was interrupted. He frowned unhappily and turned his head to see a middle-aged man in a plain jacket, looking haggard but with unusually calm eyes, standing behind him.

"Who are you? Didn't you see I was talking?" Li Youliang's tone was impatient as he looked the man up and down, recognizing no one.

"Boss Li truly has a short memory for important people." Liu Hongwen's voice was steady, yet carried a chill.

"Who are you? Why should I remember you?" Li Youliang scoffed, trying to shake off the hand on his shoulder, "What nobody dares to speak to me? Get lost, don't spoil the fun."

Before he finished speaking, the hand on his shoulder suddenly tightened, its five fingers clamping around his neck like iron pliers!

"Ugh?!" Li Youliang's eyes instantly widened, and strange gurgling sounds came from his throat.

The next second, to the astonished gazes of those around him, Liu Hongwen, who wasn't particularly burly, single-handedly lifted the corpulent Li Youliang completely off the ground! Li Youliang kicked his legs futilely, his Face turning crimson.

"What are you doing?! Let go of CEO Li!" A young employee, wanting to impress his boss, emboldened by alcohol, grabbed a wine bottle and charged forward.

Liu Hongwen didn't even look, he swung Li Youliang like a heavy piece of trash, throwing him forcefully towards the charging employee!

"Bang! Crash—!"

Li Youliang's fat body collided with the employee, knocking over nearby tables and chairs, shattering cups and plates, splashing juice everywhere, as both screamed and tumbled to the ground.

All this happened so fast that only then did Wang Li, who had been in a daze, snap awake with a short scream.

Liu Hongwen had already stepped in front of her, his wine-stained hand pressing down on her meticulously styled but now bloodless head.

Liu Hongwen's voice conveyed little emotion, only a cold statement, "To raise a son like that, your 'contribution' as a mother is not small. Without your spoiling and indulgence, where would he get the confidence to push other people's children to their deaths?"

Wang Li trembled all over, looking up at this man who seemed to have walked out of Hell, fear and a sense of exposed shame intertwined: "You... who exactly are you?! Could it be... could it be that my son was killed by you...?"

She didn't finish her sentence.

Liu Hongwen's hand, pressing on her head, suddenly slammed downwards!

"Thud!!!"

Wang Li's forehead violently struck the hard wooden dining table, emitting a jarring thud.

"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!"

Liu Hongwen did not stop, again and again, grabbing her hair and repeatedly smashing her Face into the tabletop! His actions were brutal, as if he were crushing something he deeply loathed.

Initially, there were whimpers and struggles, but soon only dull thudding sounds and the squishy feel of flesh remained.

"M-murder!" "Run! Call the police!" "He's crazy! He's a madman!"

The restaurant erupted into complete chaos! The guests, who had just been clinking glasses, were now Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, screaming and pushing, scrambling to escape through the door, forgetting all about bosses, colleagues, and company celebrations.

In an instant, the lively banquet hall became a mess, with only scattered leftovers, broken dishes, overturned tables and chairs, and the trembling, motionless restaurant owner and a few staff members huddled in a corner.

Liu Hongwen finally stopped, releasing his hand. Wang Li slid limply to the ground, her forehead a bloody mess, barely alive.

On the other side, Li Youliang clutched his bruised waist and ribs, struggling to get up, his Face a mix of pain, fear, and incredulous fury.