Chapter 784: Chapter 418: Three Paths Advancing Simultaneously! (2)
Qin Feng slowed his steps, turned his head, and looked at Chen, reminding him in a steady tone, "It’s normal to have such thoughts when you first start interning with the team."
"But in actual work, we can’t just look at the surface; we must maintain keen observation and judgment."
He slightly raised his chin, indicating the villagers, "They are indeed chatting lively now, but when it comes to getting their cooperation for the investigation and providing clues, those willing to speak up and can explain clearly are often very few."
Chen was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help but ask, "Really?"
"But with such a big incident happening in the same village, shouldn’t everyone be more active in assisting with the case?"
Qin Feng smiled faintly, his experience making him appear calm and even a bit indifferent: "In theory, yes, but human relations are complex, especially in rural areas."
"Some people are afraid of causing trouble, and some find it bothersome."
"Some people know something, but choose to remain silent because of various concerns."
"You’ll see for yourself later."
Saying this, he adjusted his police uniform, his gaze becoming sharp and focused again: "Make sure to take notes and pay attention to the way you ask questions."
"We’ll try to listen more, see more, and judge more."
After advancing about fifty meters, the group reached a slightly old stone platform at the entrance of the village.
At this time, more than a dozen middle-aged and elderly people with gray hair were sitting on the stone platform.
They were either chatting or sitting quietly, leisurely enjoying the afternoon time.
As soon as they saw two people in police uniforms approaching, the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly quieted down, and everyone’s gaze carried a hint of scrutiny and alertness.
After approaching the crowd, Qin Feng did not rush to show his credentials—he knew well that the police uniform he was wearing was enough to indicate his identity.
Instead, he calmly took out a pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket, drew a few, and handed them out with a smile, saying in a friendly tone, "Here, uncles and aunties, have a cigarette, take a break."
Several elders waved their hands, politely declining, "We don’t smoke anymore, we quit long ago."
Only two or three elders hesitated a bit but still reached out to take them.
As Qin Feng lit cigarettes for them, he began to speak with a smile, "Uncles and aunties, we are from the county public security bureau, and we’ve come to your village today to understand the situation of the case at the village entrance."
"I wonder if any of you have heard about it or have any impression of the two deceased?"
As soon as he finished speaking, many elders immediately shook their heads, saying, "Don’t know, don’t know, really not sure."
On the side, the intern officer Chen appeared slightly puzzled and asked, "Aren’t you all from the same village?"
"You should have run into each other now and then, right?"
An older elder sighed and replied, "Young man, you don’t know. Even in the countryside, we might live in the same village, but each family keeps to themselves."
"Unlike in the city where visiting each other is convenient."
"Here, during the busy farming seasons, we are so busy that our feet don’t touch the ground, and when there’s free time, at most we sit outside our own doorsteps, with not much interest in prying into others’ business."
Qin Feng nodded, speaking with great understanding, "That’s true, the farming season is indeed tough, and everyone only looks after their land and home, so little communication between neighbors is normal."
He did not show the slightest sign of discouragement but instead squatted down, casually sitting by the stone platform, taking out a notebook and pen, continuing to say in a gentle manner:
"Actually, besides trying to uncover the truth of the case, our visit this time is mainly to remind everyone to pay attention to their own safety."
"Now the situation is still unclear, so I hope each of you will be more vigilant and protect yourselves and your families."
At this moment, an elder who had been sitting silently at the innermost corner suddenly turned his head, furrowing his brows as he asked, "Safety? What kind of safety should we be concerned about?"
"Our village has always been peaceful for so many years; every family leaves their doors unlocked at night, and neighbors get along well, never having any major incidents."
His question immediately resonated with the others present.
Everyone raised their heads, all eyes were fixed on Qin Feng.
The previously relaxed atmosphere instantly became tense, and every gaze was filled with questions and vigilance.
At this time, however, Qin Feng calmly closed the notebook in his hands, swept his eyes over everyone, and spoke in a nonchalant tone, yet each word was clear: "The place where the case happened is actually not far from our village."
"Judging from the current clues we have, our preliminary judgment is—this is a murder case, and both deceased were killed."
"The murderer is still at large, not yet apprehended."
"From the motive analysis, it’s possible that the perpetrator has some connection to the deceased."
"Of course, there’s also another possibility—it was a wandering crime."
"A wandering crime?"
One of the elders immediately widened his eyes, disbelief in his voice, "How could there be murder for no reason at all?"
Qin Feng sighed lightly, his expression a bit solemn: "Precisely because there’s no clear cause and effect relationship, such cases are often more tricky."
"The killer might not know the victims at all and just randomly chose targets."
"In other words—"
He paused, lowering his voice a bit, "Anyone present here could become his next target."
This sentence was like a stone thrown into calm water, instantly stirring waves among the elders.
Many people’s faces flashed with a look of panic, and they whispered among themselves, their discussions tinged with unease.
An elder with white hair couldn’t help but tremble as he said, "Oh dear, what are we to do!"
"My grandchildren go to school in the village every day."
"Unlike some families with only elders at home, our whole family lives here."
"My daughter-in-law has to go to work in town every day too!"
