"The assistant forensic engineer exam is quite simple; it’s just the work we normally do on the scene. Just a little morizing, and you can pass it,"
Zhou Ning reluctantly agreed, even though he was uncertain about the extent of Zhao Xinli’s family’s influence. However, seeing Xu Dayuan so insistent on pushing Zhao Xinli to improve and leaving him in his care, it seed he had further plans. But if he really could persuade a dedicated trace examiner to join, it would lighten his own workload considerably.
Xu Dayuan glanced at Zhou Ning with satisfaction. This kind of unspoken coordination was the most comforting.
Zhao Xinli gritted his teeth, staring at Zhou Ning.
"When is the exam? I need so ti to study, right?"
"Check when you get back, I think it’s in March. There’s still more than a month left, why the rush?"
Seeing Zhou Ning looking so relaxed, Zhao Xinli’s tense face loosened a bit.
"All right, then it’s settled. Doctor Zhou, you have to help , I’m completely clueless," said Zhao Xinli.
Xu Dayuan patted the back of the seat.
"Stop the nonsense and drive, we have serious business to attend to. As for studying, you should discuss more with Doctor Zhou. He was among the first batch hired through the public service examination and is a graduate, possessing genuine knowledge and ability," he said.
Zhou Ning’s face reddened with embarrassnt. He well understood his own capabilities, and even though his graduate thesis had passed, it was through less than honorable ans. However, when it ca to knowledge of trace examination, he was genuinely concerned about Zhao Xinli.
After all, there were many subjects to be examined, including criminal law, civil law, principles and practices of litigation, principles and practices of evidence, forensic identification system, docunt examination, trace examination, practices of docunt examination, practices of trace examination, forensic imaging technology application, material evidence technology, criminal photography, simulated cri scene investigation, handwriting comparison analysis, and the extraction and identification of fingerprints and footprints.
Zhao Xinli chuckled and started the car quickly. Zhou Ning kept silent, but then his phone vibrated, signaling a text from Xu Dayuan.
Xu Dayuan: You coordinated well. Help urge him to get the certification. Otherwise, this kid knows nothing but slacking off. If he doesn’t make progress, I’ll have no choice but to send him back to his family.
Zhou Ning replied with two words: Got it.
After all the talk, Zhao Xinli’s family background was never ntioned, but the more it was omitted, the more Zhou Ning felt it must be significant. After all, to draw Xu Dayuan’s serious attention, given his temperant, it likely wasn’t just any leader, but rather soone who had once done Xu Dayuan a favor.
With these thoughts, the car had already stopped in front of a large building. It wasn’t an especially beautiful building, but there were many cars parked in front. Lifting his eyes, he saw that Toyota Prado.
Xu Dayuan tapped He Chunyang on the shoulder. Without a word, He Chunyang got out of the car, circled around, and ca back to the front of the car. Xu Dayuan rolled down the window.
"Does the license plate match?" he asked.
He Chunyang nodded.
"Yes, that annoying license plate number, Lu B74110. I touched the hood; it’s warm, so the person probably had just left the vehicle not long ago. Do we go up directly?"
Xu Dayuan waved his hand.
"Let’s go up together, but... Doctor Zhou, you wait in the car," he said.
Zhou Ning didn’t insist on joining, and quickly nodded.
"Alright, I’ll wait here and keep an eye on that car. If the driver cos down, I can stop him," he said.
The group entered the building without delay. Zhou Ning put down the inspection kit, took off his white lab coat, and then put on the cotton coat from the back seat; despite the heater running, there was still a chill in the car.
After waiting a few minutes, Xu Dayuan and the others ca downstairs with a man, who was gesturing vehently while walking towards the Toyota Prado. Zhou Ning, seeing this, quickly got out of the car.
Getting closer, he heard the man explaining non-stop.
"If you want to check, then check. I run around construction sites every day; I never went to Baima River Reservoir. There’s a dashboard cara in my car; you can check it if you don’t believe ," the man said.
As he spoke, he opened all the doors of the car, including the tailgate. Climbing into the driver’s seat, he removed the dashboard cara and handed it to He Chunyang.
He Chunyang examined the dashboard cara while Xu Dayuan inspected the interior of the car, and Zhao Xinli pulled out the car keys and walked straight to the tailgate, poking around for a bit until the spare tire cover opened, revealing a well-kept tire within.
Zhou Ning moved closer to take pictures, while Zhao Xinli checked the tire serial numbers, then circled the car; all four tires were original and significantly worn, not as new as the one found in the reservoir.
Xu Dayuan walked over to Zhou Ning and Zhao Xinli and asked in a low voice:
"Have you checked, is the spare tire there?"
"The spare tire is still there, and it hasn’t been used; no sign of the screws being turned. All four tires are factory original and heavily worn, but none have been replaced," replied Zhou Ning.
This discovery stunned Xu Dayuan as well as Zhou Ning. Could Xu Zhanshan have lied?
At that mont, He Chunyang also ca over, handing the dashboard cara to Xu Dayuan, which showed the tistamp of January 21 at 23:20, before the screen went black.
"The dashboard cara shows that from the 19th to the 22nd, his movents were only between the company, construction site, restaurant, and ho. He didn’t go to Wenzhou Road, much less to Baima River Reservoir," He Chunyang said.
Xu Dayuan glanced at the man, waved his hand at him, and the person ca over, tossing over his driver’s license and ID card together.
"Do you know Zhang Jiahui, the nurse from the operating room at the eighth hospital, Ma Xiannong?"
Ma Xiannong shook his head, apparently trying to search his mory.
"No, I don’t know her. I only know the director of the physical examination departnt. Our workers co here and need to have group physicals. We had previously signed a contract with the eighth hospital to go for examinations in batches and pay with the public account set up by us."
Just as Xu Dayuan was about to say sothing, Zhao Xinli stopped him with a raise of his hand, holding the blue vehicle license in his hand, his eyes widening.
"Have you always driven your car yourself, never lent it out?"
Ma Xiannong thought for a mont.
"No, I bought a new car at the beginning of 2010, and I dare not lend it to anyone. Even if soone needs a car for a wedding, I always drive it myself."
"Did you get your car inspected yourself, or did you find soone else to do it on your behalf?"
Ma Xiannong hesitated.
"A buddy gave a number, soone who could help with the inspection. After passing the inspection, I would pay him. I was busy at the ti, so I had soone else handle it for . Is there a problem with that?"
Everyone looked toward Zhao Xinli, who nodded knowingly.
"Vehicle information could have been leaked. I’m guessing your car has been cloned. Have you checked for any traffic violations?"
Ma Xiannong shook his head but then seed to rember sothing and took out his phone, dialing a number.
"Hey, Mr. Zhang, how many points did I lose when you inspected my car in August?... Ah, 42 points, that’s a lot... Alright, it’s okay, I’m a bit tied up right now."
After hanging up the phone, Ma Xiannong looked innocently toward Xu Dayuan.
"Officer, my colleagues dealt with the penalty points and fines. I really didn’t know it was this many points. Could my car have been cloned?"
Xu Dayuan’s face grew serious, and he nodded slightly.
"Keep your phone on so we can contact you anyti, and give the number of the person who inspected your car."
At this point, Ma Xiannong also realized the seriousness of the situation. If it had been a traffic accident, the inquiry wouldn’t be like this; it seed like a major issue. Without delay, he found a number and Zhao Xinli leaned in to take a photo.
The group got into the car, and by this ti the sky had already begun to darken. After all, today was the day before Chinese New Year’s Eve, and occasionally children could be seen setting off fireworks on the road. Zhao Xinli glanced at Xu Dayuan through the rearview mirror.
"Boss, where are we heading now?"
Xu Dayuan rubbed his hair, a gesture he often made when he was at a loss. Zhou Ning was getting impatient too, but as their few leads had reached dead ends, he also had no direction.
"First, we’ll drop off Doctor Zhou at his place, then we’ll head to the traffic police station."
Zhao Xinli blinked.
"Boss, are you planning to check the information of that cloned car?"
Xu Dayuan nodded, looking at the triple fold on the back of Zhao Xinli’s head.
"If you’ve got any ideas, spit it out. I’m not in the mood to guess."
Zhao Xinli wore an unconcerned expression, lifting his eyebrows at Zhou Ning in a show-off manner and said:
"No need to go to the traffic police station. Just find a policeman with a police service terminal, enter the license plate number, and you can find the violation information, including location, ti, and even surveillance footage. It’s very convenient. Going to the traffic police station at this hour, we probably won’t find anyone."
Xu Dayuan laughed.
"You’re sotis useful, kid. Let’s go find Mr. Chen."
Zhao Xinli looked puzzled, glancing at Xu Dayuan through the rearview mirror.
"Who is Chen Yuhu?"
Zhou Ning facepald. This guy’s intelligence fluctuated so unpredictably. It was easy to guess that this was the captain of the traffic police.
Indeed, without waiting for an answer, he felt a slap on the back of his neck.
"You really can’t take a complint. Turn the corner quick; we’re heading to Huadong Community."
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