Chapter 119: Intersection

Liang Jian finally tore open a corner of his career’s starting point.

Qin Qing was pleased to see his success and felt gratified that she could help.

Leaning back in her chair, she gently tapped her fingertips on the table. Looking at the young man before her, she recalled the evaluation given by the fortune-telling system—”a catalyst for industry transformation.” That fortune-telling session had earned her quite a few Experience Points.

Now, the talents and skills that had been hidden on Liang Jian’s System Panel were revealed, perfectly aligning with his entrepreneurial direction.

What a lucky guy, starting a business at 20 and choosing a path that aligns with success.

Qin Qing asked, “What’s the other person’s name? Where are they usually active?”

There was no response for a while.

Only the blues music from the café swirled around her ears.

She prompted again, “Hmm?”

Liang Jian’s expression was odd, and his ears turned visibly red.

Lu Yang noticed and chimed in, “Hey, what’s there to hide from the senior?”

He hooked an arm around his good friend’s neck, “Senior, this guy doesn’t even know her real name! He’s just been pestering her online for ages.”

His words were teasing, showing no restraint despite being a partner in the company.

Qin Qing, seeing his exaggerated expressions, guessed, “A girl?”

Lu Yang gave her a thumbs-up, “And her skills aren’t any worse than his.” Liang Jian nudged him away with an elbow.

Liang Jian cleared his throat, his voice tight, “Alright, stop joking about the girl.”

“I didn’t say anything, just praising her professionalism,” Lu Yang retorted, “Why are you so nervous?”

Qin Qing was used to the banter between these two lively friends.

Amidst Lu Yang’s chatter, she checked Liang Jian’s logs on her notebook.

Unfortunately, the intimacy level between Liang Jian and the other person hadn’t reached the point where a Character Relationship Map could be generated.

Liang Jian had interned at the studio and was very familiar with Qin Qing’s business processes.

He looked at her expectantly.

Qin Qing closed her notebook and shook her head at him.

Liang Jian scratched his head, “I only know her online name is ‘YA’. We met through gaming. Later, by chance, I found out her professional skills are extraordinary. I asked her to meet tonight, but I don’t know if she’ll come.”

Qin Qing glanced at the gray text flickering on his log.

“At least for now, this ‘YA’ is planning to show up.”

As night fell, the warm yellow lights of the restaurant stretched the shadows of the people inside. Liang Jian had specially chosen two tables by the window, separated by a screen, pushing Lu Yang and Qin Qing to another table.

“Who wants to sit with you anyway,” Lu Yang muttered as he flipped through the menu.

At that moment, a black Jeep parked by the street. The car door opened, and a pair of boots stepped decisively onto the ground. A woman in black flicked her long, curly hair and strode into the restaurant. Each step seemed to follow a rhythm, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Qin Qing watched as this imposing woman headed straight for Liang Jian, holding her breath.

It was indeed the “YA” Liang Jian was waiting for.

Lu Yang also let out a quiet “wow” of amazement.

Qin Qing, momentarily dazzled, didn’t forget the task at hand.

She pulled up “YA’s” System Panel and couldn’t help but marvel at the impeccable data.

【Name: Tu Ya】

【Age: 24】

【Intelligence: 78】

【Charm: 75】

【Health: 76】

【Wealth: 64】

【Virtue: 56】

【Sin: 29】

【Innate Skill 1: Code Weaving – 90】

【Innate Skill 2: Network Insight – 85】

【Innate Skill 3: Chaos Architecture – 80】

Judging by her Innate Skills, Tu Ya indeed met Liang Jian’s talent requirements.

Qin Qing remembered that a wealth score above 60 indicated assets in the billions.

She also discovered another interesting fact.

This Tu Ya was the hacker “Tu Qian” who had been widely discussed online recently.

Tu Qian wasn’t a name but a nickname given by netizens to this individual who single-handedly took down Qianli Technology.

Unexpectedly, it turned out her surname was indeed Tu.

Since that cyber battle, Qianli Technology had been under investigation and ordered to rectify its issues.

To this day, their apps haven’t been allowed back on the market.

Even if they survived this ordeal, reaching their pre-crisis market size would be nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind it all, Tu Ya, remained hidden, her achievements and fame undiscovered.

Qin Qing sighed.

Liang Jian’s plan to recruit her seemed unlikely.

Tu Ya lacked nothing.

Qin Qing saw only two potential breakthroughs.

One was her discordant family relationships, and the other was her activities as a hacker that skirted the law.

However, this righteous girl should be allowed to grow freely as she was.

Qin Qing, with the limited information her golden finger provided, shouldn’t use it as leverage against her.

Closing her notebook, she sent Liang Jian a message: She lacks for nothing, possesses a chivalrous spirit, and likes to do things by the book. Your only option is sincerity. Good luck!

Putting down her phone, Qin Qing called Lu Yang to order food.

The conversation from behind the screen was faintly audible, but Qin Qing didn’t listen closely.

She thought, some people should be as free as wild horses, like the wind on the plateau.

—

Qin Qing was immersed in a new task.

This case, or rather series of cases, was entirely oriented toward modern criminal investigation.

These cases were linked because at each crime scene, the perpetrator left Genetic Evidence and Surveillance Footage that would be sufficient to convict even without a confession.

Meng Yuan, participating in the briefing, remarked, “Isn’t this great? Just arrest them directly?”

Cisha glanced at her.

Meng Yuan shrank back, expecting a reprimand, but saw Cisha play another edited surveillance video.

“Meng Yuan touched on the crux of these cases. The peculiarity lies in the fact that the hair, fingerprints, and footage all point to suspects who couldn’t possibly have been at the crime scenes.”

The video showed a factory workshop with repetitive tasks. Cisha circled an area with a laser pointer: “This is the first suspect. During the time of the crime, he was under surveillance the whole time, didn’t even take a bathroom break, and dozens of coworkers can vouch for him.”

The video switched to a classroom where a lesson was in progress.

Cisha continued, “The second suspect is a student, taking a level six exam at the time of the crime.”

The video switched again to a street surveillance view.

Under the camera was a long line at a pancake stall, the vendor skillfully flipping pancakes.

Cisha added, “According to standard criminal investigation logic, the absurd conclusion would be that this vendor robbed a jewelry store in the east of the city while simultaneously making 300 pancakes in the south. According to interviews, this pancake stall operates rain or shine, never taking a day off or changing staff.”

“…”

Qin Qing and the others exchanged looks.

Cisha played several more videos.

“All these suspects have similar alibis, making it nearly impossible for them to commit crimes in plain sight.”

Meng Yuan raised her hand.

Cisha prompted, “Go ahead.”

“Could it be that these people actually have Cloning Techniques?”

Cisha replied, “We can’t rule it out. During the preliminary case analysis simulation, we considered this possibility. However, the analysis team leans towards the existence of a person or group with tools capable of replicating others’ appearances and genetic information. These tools are more advanced than the ‘Thousand Faces’ ring you brought back last time.”

The Captain asked, “Are there suspect files?”

Cisha leaned back in her chair.

“Regrettably, no. This mission is more challenging than the last one, and you’ll have to rely entirely on your own investigation.”

Qin Qing, who had been silent, had some ideas after hearing the case details.

She confirmed, “Did the analysis team suggest any investigation directions?”

Cisha nodded slightly at her, “Indeed. After Algorithm Simulation, there are two likely directions: One, the real perpetrator and these replicated suspects have intersections in their social networks. Two, they are strangers, but their movements overlap with the criminal’s.”

These replicated suspects and the actual crime scenes are no more than 30 kilometers apart, which the analysis team believes might be some kind of limitation.”

Cisha clapped her hands, summarizing the meeting.

“These cases occur less than a month apart, so perhaps 30 days is the criminal’s cooldown period. The last crime was three days ago, so the higher-ups hope we can solve the case and capture the criminal within 27 days to prevent further crimes.”

This was a Time-limited Mission, and the Action Team felt the weight of it.

Cisha asked, “Any more questions?”

No one answered.

Sitting beside her, Qin Qing, who hadn’t been noticed, had to speak up, “I think it might not take 27 days.”

“Hmm?” Cisha’s gaze was intense.

“In finding intersections in the movement paths and social networks,” Qin Qing twirled her pen, “I’m quite adept at that.”