Chapter 39: The Missing Third-to-Last Photo, Huang Yan’s Chosen Suicide Location!!!

“As long as I find those things, I can find where I am right now…”

Upon hearing this last whispered remark from Su Ming, Xu Changsheng, who was standing nearby, immediately had a spark of realization. He began searching carefully around the bedroom.

Though his experience as a veteran criminal police officer made it difficult for him to step into the mindset of the suspect and conduct a criminal psychological profile, Xu Changsheng was astute enough to quickly understand that…

In this last remark, Su Ming was not reconstructing the case but rather completely immersing himself in Huang Yan’s perspective, trying to deduce how she, having witnessed her best friend, Zhang Wan, fall to her death, might have chosen to end her own life, given that she had already intended to commit suicide herself.

From the crumpled suicide notes and the emotional reasons behind Huang Yan’s suicide, along with her deepest desires…

And that line about dying in her happiest time…

Su Ming had already reached a rough conclusion.

Before taking her life, Huang Yan was highly likely to visit a place that held significant meaning to her—a place where she had once experienced happiness with her parents. She would probably want to end her life in the most beautiful location of her memories.

This, without a doubt, ruled out the possibility of Huang Yan choosing an arbitrary place to commit suicide to avoid being discovered by the police.

The location where she was now was undoubtedly significant in her life!!!

Following this reasoning.

From Huang Yan’s many actions, it was clear she missed the time when her parents had been with her. Back then, her parents were not only focused on money, and they often spent time with her, unlike now, when they barely saw her twice a year.

To channel these emotions, Huang Yan must have gathered and kept various items—photos, tickets, letters, and more—so she could reminisce and hold on to the past.

This act of collecting old items as an emotional outlet was common in many cases!!!

Or rather…

It was something most people subconsciously did.

So now…

All they had to do was search the bedroom thoroughly, and they might very well find some of the special items Huang Yan had collected.

…

With time pressing, Xu Changsheng wasted no time and immediately started rummaging through the bedroom.

His experience was evident in how methodical he was—searching only the most accessible places like the top of the bookshelf and the uppermost drawer.

Clearly, based on Su Ming’s criminal profile just now, Xu Changsheng had quickly deduced that since Huang Yan was so attached to her past happy moments, she would frequently revisit the items she had collected—at least one last time before committing suicide.

Thus, these sentimental items would most likely be placed somewhere easily accessible.

The nanny, who had followed them to the second-floor bedroom, silently stepped back two paces as she observed Su Ming and Xu Changsheng’s actions. She didn’t dare speak or interfere.

As a perceptive servant, she had already formed a rough idea…

Little Yan must have committed some major crime!

While the nanny’s mind raced with thoughts, Xu Changsheng, who had been searching the bookshelf, found a carefully wrapped photo album.

Opening it, the first page revealed a photo of Huang Yan at her eighth birthday, smiling with her parents in front of a small cake with eight candles. Huang Yan had a dab of white frosting on the tip of her nose.

The second page showed Huang Yan sitting on a supermarket kiddie ride, laughing joyfully, with a missing front tooth.

…

They found it!

From just these first two pages, Xu Changsheng could already confirm that the carefully wrapped photo album was exactly what they needed—Huang Yan’s sentimental item, likely holding crucial clues!

Without hesitation, Xu Changsheng continued flipping through the album, which was filled with old family photos.

However, judging by Huang Yan’s age…

These photos were all taken at least five years ago, with no recent group photos at all.

As Xu Changsheng flipped through the album page by page, he stopped abruptly when he reached the third-to-last page. His brow furrowed immediately.

Because…

This third-to-last page was blank—no photo was attached!

The most critical part was…

The second-to-last page had a photo, and the last page also had a photo!!!

But this third-to-last page was empty, with the photo removed, leaving only a blank page.

…

Just as Xu Changsheng was puzzled, Su Ming slowly opened his eyes, gradually coming out of the atmosphere of criminal profiling.

Criminal profiling involves imagining oneself in the role of the suspect, reconstructing the events of the crime scene.

So, in order to achieve an accurate profile, one must be influenced by the emotions of the suspect.

After a few seconds of silence to clear his mind, Su Ming saw the photo album in Xu Changsheng’s hands and let out a sigh of relief.

“Brother Sheng.”

“It looks like you’ve found something.”

“Now…”

“It’s time to figure out which place became Huang Yan’s most profound and beautiful memory.”

Having worked together for some time, Xu Changsheng knew that Su Ming’s attention to detail and ability to deduce the case was likely even stronger than his own.

So, he didn’t put on airs as a senior. He handed the album to Su Ming and said:

“Xiao Ming, take a look.”

“You’re better at this kind of detail-oriented reasoning than I am. See if you can figure out where Huang Yan might be.”

“By the way…”

“The third-to-last photo in this album must have been taken down by Huang Yan.”

“I think…”

“The clue is most likely in that missing photo!”

Su Ming took the album without hesitation.

Instead of starting from the first page, he immediately turned to the third-to-last page.

In the next moment, the blank page appeared before his eyes.

After carefully examining the age and condition of the album page, Su Ming noticed clear wear on the edges.

Additionally…

The fact that the third-to-last page was so easily accessible—just flipping through once—meant that…

This third-to-last page was Huang Yan’s favorite photo, the one she frequently revisited.

Because, just like a book, if a particular page is often flipped through, it becomes worn and easier to find.

Now…

Since the third-to-last page was missing a photo, it must have been very important to her.

It was inconceivable that it had been lost or destroyed by Huang Yan.

The only plausible explanation was…

Huang Yan had specifically taken the photo down last night and carried it with her.

Because…

The location of the missing photo was undoubtedly the most beautiful memory for Huang Yan!!!

And it was…

The very place she had chosen for her suicide!!!