548: Reversal (up)

At this moment, Song Team's voice came through: "The fingerprint scan is ready. All newcomers, come in and scan your fingerprints!"

A Qi followed a group of newcomers into the Household Registration Office. He stood behind Song Team, watching the fingerprint scanning System finish starting up. He was very clear that Su Yue's fingerprints had already been entered into the fingerprint database. This time... there would be no more mistakes!

However, at this moment, Cui Jia and Gao Xiang were looking at Zhong Qi's expression. Upon hearing about the fingerprint check, a hint of worry seemed to flash in his eyes... A Qi also saw this scene. He frowned, and his suspicion about Zhong Qi deepened.

The first-floor lobby of the Municipal Bureau was packed with people, yet it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Although it wasn't explicitly stated, everyone understood that the purpose of this screening was to find Su Yue.

Everyone in the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau was well aware of Su Yue's matter, especially the fact that he might have the ability to change his appearance, which made everyone vigilant.

At this moment, everyone had their own guesses, wondering who Su Yue could possibly be.

"The fingerprint scan is ready..."

"All newcomers, come in, and also Cui Jia and Gao Xiang!"

As soon as Song Team's voice rang out, the atmosphere in the lobby instantly became tense. Everyone was wondering if Su Yue was the person they suspected.

A Qi followed the Municipal Bureau's newcomers into the Household Registration Office, while the rest of the Special Task Force members remained in the lobby. Their feelings were the most complex; they neither wanted things to reach this point nor did they believe it could be undone. If one of Gao Xiang or Cui Jia was indeed impersonated by Su Yue, the other person would also be implicated. Once a rift appears in people's hearts, it can never be mended.

Xiao Ting, Yan Qing, Zhu Xiao, and Yang Hua stood together; they hadn't talked for a long time. Watching A Qi enter the room, Xiao Ting finally couldn't help but ask Yan Qing: "Do you think... Su Yue will be in there? Could Zhong Qi be Su Yue?"

Yan Qing thought for a moment and replied in a low voice: "I don't think it's likely to be Zhong Qi. If Su Yue wanted to disguise himself, he wouldn't choose Zhong Qi, would he? Although he's a newcomer, he hasn't been exposed to the secrets of our operation. And according to Qi Team's previous statement, Su Yue wanted to create a diversion, but Zhong Qi wasn't at the Municipal Bureau at the time, so I think... it shouldn't be him."

Yan Qing studied computer science; her logic was clear, and her analysis was well-reasoned. After listening to her words, Xiao Ting also had his own thoughts. He pondered for a moment before speaking: "So, that means the one remaining at the Municipal Bureau..." He suddenly paused there, not speaking Cui Jia's name. But Yan Qing already had the answer in her heart; she also believed that Cui Jia, standing right there, was Su Yue.

However, Zhu Xiao spoke up: "No, on the contrary, I think there's nothing wrong with Cui Jia."

The other three all looked at him. Zhu Xiao continued: "Although we say it's Su Yue's strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain, why can't Su Yue be using a strategy to lure the snake out of its hole? If Su Yue was disguised as Cui Jia, then no matter how smart he is, it would be impossible for him to reach Cui Jia's level in forensic medicine through the internet and ordinary books. Although Cui Jia has been reading many forensic books these past few days, what does that represent? As a forensic doctor, reading these books is also normal, right?"

Zhu Xiao frowned tightly. Their relationship was actually quite good; Cui Jia was a genuine, responsible, and friendly person... He sincerely didn't want to believe that the person he had been spending time with day and night could be Su Yue; that was truly terrifying.

"It's very likely that Su Yue exploited Cui Jia's trust, kept him at the Municipal Bureau, and while dividing us, also tested our plans," Zhu Xiao continued. "Zhong Qi, Gao Xiang, both have this possibility."

Hearing Zhu Xiao's analysis, Yang Hua glanced at him. At this moment, a voice came from inside the room: "I will call names in alphabetical order and test fingerprints one by one! Those outside, be ready. If anyone tries to escape, arrest them immediately!"

Song Team's voice was powerful and resonant, as if he were about to arrest Su Yue immediately.

"Du Rui!" He first called out one person's name.

As names were being called, Yang Hua said: "Brother Zheng, according to your reasoning, Zhong Qi shouldn't be suspected either. We all know that Zhong Qi performed such a difficult surgery at the Municipal Hospital... When you mention Zhong Qi and Gao Xiang together, your real target of suspicion is still Gao Xiang, isn't it? Gao Xiang doesn't have any special abilities, but in terms of intellect, he's much faster than us. This also fits Su Yue's characteristics; they are both very smart."

Zhu Xiao was stunned and didn't speak, and everyone fell silent once again.

But Xiao Ting said: "I started suspecting Forensic Doctor Lu a long time ago. As you know, Cui Jia hasn't shown any forensic skills recently. Looking at it this way, isn't it possible that Cui Jia is hiding something?"

Yan Qing shook her head: "This doesn't prove anything... because he hasn't been completely inactive. If he had behaved abnormally during the autopsy of Xiang Team's informant, it should have been noticeable."

Xiao Ting nodded, scratching his hair, looking somewhat anxious. He started thinking again, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted.

Zhu Xiao spoke up again at this point: "Actually, the biggest suspicion is in another area... and this is almost a paradox. If the caller is really among these people in the lobby, judging from the time it took them to get to the Municipal Bureau, almost none took more than forty minutes, meaning none of them live in Yuexiu District at all. So how was that call made to Yuexiu District? Even we didn't know that these phone numbers could be located just by calling them. So if Su Yue made that call and it was a diversion, he would indeed infiltrate the Municipal Bureau. Following this line of thought, wouldn't it be easier to get exposed by infiltrating under Cui Jia's identity? The on-duty staff, the security guard, or even sneaking in quietly would all be possible, wouldn't they?"

As Zhu Xiao spoke, he frowned, feeling a bit dizzy, but his words were already easy enough to understand.

Yang Hua suddenly said something out of the blue: "Perhaps Su Yue thought the same way, which is why he deliberately disguised himself as Cui Jia."

Hearing this, several people were taken aback. Yan Qing immediately said: "Let's just wait for the fingerprint results. Thinking so much now is pointless."

Just then, they heard a familiar name called from over there.

"Cui Jia!"

Their minds, which were deep in thought, had their train of thought interrupted. The suspicion on Cui Jia remained very high.

They were eagerly awaiting the fingerprint test results. Perhaps... everything would end just like this, you never know.

Inside the Household Registration Office, A Qi stared intently at the computer screen. As soon as Su Yue's fingerprints were identified, he would immediately arrest Cui Jia.

At this moment, everyone's mood was extremely tense, including Cui Jia himself.

He knew well that he was not Su Yue, but it seemed no one believed his words.

A Qi hadn't made eye contact with him for a long time; the meaning behind this was self-evident.

Cui Jia was the second member to join the Special Task Force, right after Jin Tianqin, but he had never imagined that one day he would become a suspect for Su Yue and undergo fingerprint identification.

His heart was filled with unwillingness. Although he could understand A Qi's actions, the resentment made it impossible for him to just swallow his anger.

"Let me say this first, I am absolutely not Su Yue." He still had handcuffs on, but his face was full of anger, completely without the panic of being arrested.

He stared at A Qi and continued: "Even if something is scanned, I won't admit it. After this is over, I will withdraw from the Special Task Force. I hope you can catch Su Yue."

However, his words received no response.

Cui Jia gritted his teeth and pressed his finger onto the fingerprint scanner.

"Beep!" The sound rang out, indicating his fingerprint had been recognized.

Cui Jia closed his eyes, preparing to be arrested.

However, after waiting for two seconds, he heard no other movement, and no one spoke.

He opened his eyes and looked around at everything before him, his gaze lingering on A Qi and Song Team's faces, then he let out a scornful laugh.

"What? Disappointed? Disappointed to see that Su Yue isn't me?" He snorted coldly, then turned to leave.

But at this moment, Song Team's voice rang out behind him.

"The data wasn't fully read just now. Try again with a different finger."

Hearing this, Cui Jia suddenly turned back, glaring angrily at Song Team.

His eyes were filled with rage. "Playing the 'groundless charge' game, are we? Maybe I am Su Yue, does that mean I definitely am?" he said angrily, but his actions didn't stop, and he pressed his finger onto the fingerprint scanner again.

"Beep!" This time, Cui Jia was much more confident. He looked at A Qi and Song Team and asked mockingly: "Do you need me to switch to another one?"

However, this time, Song Team did not respond. Cui Jia turned around and saw a completely surprised Gao Xiang. The two of them brushed past each other, like strangers.

Gao Xiang's heart was filled with questions. "How could it not be him? Is the fingerprint scanner broken? Has Su Yue found some way to crack fingerprints?" His mind raced, but he couldn't get a definite answer. He saw that A Qi was also frowning, seemingly wondering who the real Su Yue was.

If it wasn't Cui Jia... Gao Xiang looked at Zhong Qi, who was also standing in the room, and muttered to himself: "Could it be him? Zhong Qi... is Su Yue? But haven't all his documents been checked? How could Su Yue possess such medical skills? Then... is it me?" He gave a bitter laugh, thinking how impossible that was.

In the corridor outside the Household Registration Office, the other members of the Special Task Force were also somewhat surprised to see Cui Jia actually walk out. Seeing him cleared of suspicion, there was some joy in their hearts, but worry also resurfaced.

Xiao Ting couldn't care less about anything else and walked directly towards Cui Jia: "Brother Lu, are you alright?" But his words received no response from Cui Jia. Cui Jia just walked up to an Officer Si, had him unlock his handcuffs, left one sentence: "Since you don't believe me, then I'll just leave." Then he walked straight towards the main entrance of the Municipal Bureau.

Because the fingerprint test was completed and Cui Jia's suspicion had been cleared, no one stopped him at this moment. His lonely footsteps echoed among the silent crowd, and the expressions on the faces of the Special Task Force members were full of disappointment.

However, just as he pushed open the door, he heard an aged voice from ahead. "Where are you going, young man? If there's a misunderstanding, just clear it up. If you really want to resent someone, resent this old man."

Cui Jia narrowed his eyes, looking at the figure limping up from the main entrance. It was Li Ou. With a head full of silver hair, he didn't walk fast, but Cui Jia waited for him to come up.

Li Ou stood in front of Cui Jia and said: "Now is not the time for internal conflict. In fact, you should understand A Qi's choice. If it were you, you would also make such a choice."

But Cui Jia responded without hesitation: "Sorry, Old Li, you're wrong. I wouldn't make such a choice. I deal with corpses more often and can't handle so many twists and turns from you. To be honest, Su Yue has never killed anyone either, which has nothing to do with my profession. The Special Task Force could hire some Go players; it's said that those Go masters can think many steps ahead after someone makes a move."

After saying this, Cui Jia wanted to leave, but Li Ou stopped him. "Don't you want to know who Su Yue really is?" There was no coercion in Li Ou's words, but they piqued Cui Jia's curiosity.

Cui Jia was stunned, while Li Ou walked into the Municipal Bureau. Watching Li Ou go in, Cui Jia thought for a moment, then also followed him inside. He had also put a lot of effort into this case; even if he was going to quit, it would be after tonight.

After entering, Li Ou walked directly into the Household Registration Office. His arrival attracted the attention of many people. Gao Xiang watched Li Ou arrive, his eyes showing some complexity, so he didn't speak. Only A Qi looked at Li Ou and nodded: "Professor Li."

"I told you, these are all the future, A Qi." Li Ou's expression was somewhat helpless, but he didn't continue the topic. He just looked at Zhong Qi and said: "Stop pretending, young man, you are Su Yue."

Li Ou's words caused a huge uproar in the crowd.

A Qi narrowed his eyes, looked at Li Ou, and asked: "Professor Li, are you serious? Do you have any conclusive evidence?"

At this moment, Cui Jia and the other members of the Special Task Force also gathered around. They naturally heard Li Ou's words and all wanted to know why Li Ou would so suddenly determine that Zhong Qi was Su Yue.

Although A Qi raised this question, he understood in his heart why Li Ou would suddenly accuse Zhong Qi. It was because of the sentence he said when he just came in: "These are all the future." Li Ou wanted to protect Gao Xiang. Therefore, A Qi asked him if he had conclusive evidence; if not, then they would naturally have to investigate Gao Xiang, and if he did, then it would be Zhong Qi.

Hearing A Qi's question, Li Ou nodded and said: "Of course there is evidence."

Hearing this, Zhong Qi sneered and said: "What a joke. Professor Li, you and I have only met once at the entrance of the Municipal Bureau. How can you talk about having evidence? Are you saying you have clairvoyance and clairsentience? The order of this fingerprint identification is arranged alphabetically, first Cui Jia, then Gao Xiang, with only one person in between, and you just happen to arrive at this exact time? Isn't this timing too coincidental? And you arrive and immediately point out that I am Su Yue? And you say you have evidence that I am Su Yue? That's a joke. How would I not know that I am Su Yue?"