Chen Xiao quietly stood behind Lin Xi.

Lin Xi might have sensed he arrived, but her thoughts were not interrupted.

She continued sorting through the timeline.

In the timeline she drafted about the case, the first event was the death of Madman Zhang’s daughter, Zhang Tongtong.

If calculated by time, Zhang Tongtong’s death was indeed the first to occur.

However, the second event Lin Xi listed made Chen Xiao gain a new understanding of her meticulousness and overall perspective.

Instead of listing the conflict between the Qiao and Jiao Families, she noted Jiao Guoxuan’s entry into Shenghuang Textile.

Because his entry led to the enmity between the Qiao and Jiao Families.

The third event, undoubtedly, was Jiao Yan’s car accident.

The fourth was the split between the Qiao and Jiao Families, with Jiao Guoxuan taking over Shenghuang Textile.

Then Qiao Zhiyuan attempted murder and went to prison.

Less than three months after Qiao Zhiyuan was released from prison, Jiao Guoxuan’s family was almost wiped out!

Lin Xi paused on this last event.

After some thought, she wrote a parenthesis behind this incident.

(Qiao Zhiyuan was released first, three days later Xiong Nan was released.)

After drafting the complete timeline, Lin Xi stopped her actions, furrowed her brow, and pondered.

Chen Xiao was also deep in thought.

"Placing Madman Zhang’s story on the case’s timeline seems out of place."

"But with Madman Zhang’s disappearance, everyone subconsciously thinks he might be related to the case."

"Otherwise, how could Madman Zhang disappear at such a coincidental moment?"

"Everything about Madman Zhang’s change stems from his daughter’s death, but her death has no connection with the Jiao Family or the Qiao Family."

"Why does he seem so special in this case?"

When looking at the clear timeline Lin Xi had drafted, Chen Xiao seriously contemplated the relationship between Madman Zhang and the case for the first time.

Facts told him that Madman Zhang was unrelated to the case.

Yet, changes also told him Madman Zhang couldn’t be separated from the case.

These two contradictory feelings impacted not only Chen Xiao’s mind but Lin Xi’s as well.

Suddenly, Chen Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Madman Zhang lacks a significant connection to the case, both in fundamental relation and life."

"But Madman Zhang’s sudden disappearance is a change, possibly a manipulation!"

"Could this human manipulation’s sole purpose be to confuse investigators?"

With a surprised expression, Chen Xiao raised his head.

He wanted to remind Lin Xi, perhaps it was better to set Madman Zhang aside and focus on the many doubts present in the case itself.

Seeing Lin Xi still frowning, Chen Xiao covered her eyes with his hand, deliberately changing his voice.

"Guess who I am?"

This move of Chen Xiao made other special team members shake their heads.

Who hasn’t seen Chen Xiao was already there?

Moreover, such voice changing is just too small of a trick.

The main thing is, at such a time when Lin Xi is clearly pondering the case, is it appropriate to play such a couple’s game?

Some members of the special team showed a hint of displeasure on their faces.

They felt Chen Xiao was being frivolous.

Lin Xi hesitated but still cooperated.

First, she whispered "husband," then solemnly said, "Don’t fool around, we’re in the task force office."

"Oh, my voice was so fake, yet you saw through my disguise instantly. I can’t imagine what tricks my wife’s opponents will use to bewilder your eyes and mind!"

The awkward words left several officers of the special task force speechless.

Lin Xi smiled bitterly, but her gaze was still fixed on the whiteboard.

Suddenly, Lin Xi’s eyebrows, previously relaxed due to Chen Xiao’s interruption, furrowed sharply.

She then stood up, her face grave.

Chen Xiao squinted: "What’s wrong?"

"Something’s not right."

"What isn’t?" Chen Xiao asked knowingly.

Lin Xi picked up a pen, letting its tip land on the timeline at "Zhang Tongtong’s death."

A member of the special task force couldn’t help but ask, "Lin Group, is it this situation that’s causing you doubt?"

"I’ve been wanting to say, could there be something hidden about Zhang Tongtong’s death? For example, investigating the details might lead to Jiao Guoxuan!"

"Yes, I’ve had that feeling too; otherwise, how could Madman Zhang disappear suddenly during our investigation!"

The members of the special task force spoke.

These words at this moment seemed like hindsight.

But in reality, they didn’t just start thinking this; they had thought about it long ago.

Because the possibility was evident; even Chen Xiao and Lin Xi had thought about it.

And now, since Lin Xi was obviously focusing on Zhang Tongtong’s death, they couldn’t hold back.

But at this moment, Lin Xi shook her head: "Madman Zhang’s disappearance is too coincidental, targeted specifically at one person!"

Colleagues from the special task force immediately furrowed their brows, naturally glancing at Chen Xiao.

Feigning surprise, Chen Xiao said, "Why are you looking at me? Surely the killer isn’t targeting me?"

Lin Xi nodded, "In the whole Dongzhou, who among murderers wouldn’t know about you, Chen Xiao? You’ve been on TV, in newspapers, widely hailed as a detective. Your presence reveals the case to the killer, as long as they focus on the investigating police, they inevitably know."

"Thus, when you followed Madman Zhang home, the killer had already thought of how to disrupt your direction. But there are many ways to disrupt the direction, only by causing Madman Zhang’s disappearance right under your nose would make your thoughts profound!"

"Like this, you investigate in a wrong direction, fulfilling the killer’s goal!"

Listening to Lin Xi, Chen Xiao wanted to applaud her.

Because once again, the couple’s minds were in sync.

However, Chen Xiao didn’t clap but pretended to ponder.

He needed Lin Xi to leave a strong impression in the hearts of the task force members during this case’s solving.

As for her being stronger, what does it matter?

The ultimate benefits would all go to the family he and Lin Xi formed!

Chen Xiao didn’t stall for too long; otherwise, it would be too deliberate.

"I understand, your implication is that such an event might not occur anywhere else, only possibly in Dongzhou!"

Chen Xiao muttered to himself, unaware that Lin Xi was staring at him profoundly, and then puffed her cheeks.

Although the motion of puffing her cheeks was fleeting, it was enough to show Lin Xi grasped something too.

Following Chen Xiao’s words, Lin Xi nodded: "Right, in any other place this incident could happen, but the killer wouldn’t necessarily react to your arrival. But in Dongzhou, your fame is like Teacher Han back then."

"He intimidated Chen Xianzu into faking death; you might provoke the killer’s fear, purposefully orchestrating a disappearance to bewilder everyone’s attention!"

As she spoke, Lin Xi furrowed her brows again, murmuring two words, "However..."