Chapter 718: Another Ray of Light in Their Minds!

"Sort of."

Under the expectant gaze of Chen Xiao and Qin Fei, Guo Zhengchang only gave an ambiguous answer.

This answer left them somewhat startled, but Guo Zhengchang immediately explained:

"Although Professor Yuan is young and dedicated to academic research, whoever holds the results of his research can escape the predicament of being stifled by others."

"So, if you think about it seriously, you’ll know he could never tell me those things directly."

"Then how did Professor Yuan talk to you at the time?"

Guo Zhengchang’s point was right.

Although Chen Xiao was certain that Guo Zhengchang had come to deliver a message,

after a little thought, it was clear that someone as intelligent as Professor Yuan couldn’t truly be just a bookworm.

The human brain’s capacity for computation far exceeds that of detectives like us.

Perhaps he knew Guo Zhengchang just because they were fellow compatriots.

Maybe he shared some heartfelt words with Guo Zhengchang because he felt that the old man was someone he could talk to.

As for any comments involving confidential matters, it made the most sense for Yuan Keyu not to say anything.

Guo Zhengchang did not delve into any recollections and quickly replied:

"During our last meeting, he told me he wanted to return to the country for a long time and had been arranging his return. Of course, all of this was done in secret. But then something went wrong, and when I asked about it, he didn’t say; he only mentioned that things weren’t well arranged on the domestic side."

"I felt regretful when I heard this. But after I heard about Professor Yuan’s death, I repeatedly thought about his words and made a conjecture."

"Can his saying that things weren’t well arranged domestically be understood as indicating that the obstruction to his return was within the country? That someone in the country was blocking his return?" Guo Zhengchang asked Chen Xiao and Qin Fei.

But neither of them responded immediately.

In their view, Guo Zhengchang was one of the few people Professor Yuan trusted somewhat.

So, Professor Yuan said things he shouldn’t have.

Yet, those words were indeed worth scrutinizing.

Professor Yuan said that his initial plans to return weren’t well arranged domestically in the end.

Interpreting this according to Guo Zhengchang’s perspective, there seemed to be no issue.

Domestic arrangements weren’t properly made.

How could someone as talented as Yuan Keyu not have proper arrangements for his return?

The reason might be that something had slipped through.

And this slip might very well be that his plan to return had been leaked.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but ask, "In your conversations with Professor Yuan, did he mention any particular persons, or did he talk about Xiaozhuang South Town?"

"He didn’t mention anyone or say anything extra to me. Originally, when I heard you were investigating this case, I thought about whether to come to you myself, and eventually decided to come personally,"

Guo Zhengchang explained.

But after a slight pause, Guo Zhengchang said, "Additionally, I have my own thoughts. I think someone as smart as Professor Yuan wouldn’t have made such careless mistakes or been so easily harmed."

"His status would certainly allow him to request protection, and such protection could certainly operate under the radar. However, I don’t know the details of the case and can only speak from a personal perspective about how senseless his death seems."

Qin Fei nodded, "Indeed, it seems wrong; his journey to Xiaozhuang South Town was also filled with irregularities."

Qin Fei proactively spoke about the case.

Guo Zhengchang sighed, "If — and it’s just an if — could it be that Professor Yuan intentionally came to Xiaozhuang South Town? Could it even be said he came purposefully to meet his death?"

Guo Zhengchang’s words once again shocked the expressions of Chen Xiao and Qin Fei.

Was Yuan Keyu intentionally coming to his death?

Guo Zhengchang’s statement completely refreshed the thinking of Chen Xiao and Qin Fei.

This refreshment was more like a beam of colorless light suddenly piercing into their minds.

Did it suddenly unlock their seemingly bogged down thoughts?

Or did it simply add to the already muddled thought process?

Whether their thoughts were unlocked, or tangled and confused,

Guo Zhengchang’s words had already provided Chen Xiao and Qin Fei with new insights.

After pondering for a while, Qin Fei spoke:

"It’s highly unlikely! We regard his presence in Xiaozhuang South Town as being overly careless about security because of his personal capabilities. But due to his status, he very well knew the importance of his own life."

"Furthermore, he wasn’t an aging top scholar, he was still young!"

Hearing Qin Fei’s words, Guo Zhengchang grimaced and said, "I’m only suggesting if; it’s up to professionals like you to analyze the issue."

"Anyway, I think such a possibility is still too low; Professor Yuan had no reason to...""

Before Qin Fei could finish, Chen Xiao inconveniently interrupted:

"No, it’s not without reason. If certain conditions are met, then this possibility could hold!"

Qin Fei furrowed his brows, "What conditions?"

"Grandpa Guo’s earlier mention already indicated a condition: Professor Yuan’s earlier plans to return were sabotaged. Moreover, our current investigation suspects there might be spies in Xiaozhuang South Town."

"So, my proposed conditions include, one: Professor Yuan wasn’t the only top-notch expert in his field; others like him have also been harmed before or after returning! Two: Professor Yuan might have held some critical clues and couldn’t let go of them. For instance, those harmed individuals were closely associated with him!"

"As for the final condition, it is to address Captain Qin’s earlier objection: What if Professor Yuan had already settled all his academic matters? For instance, what if his research had successors or his scholarly essence laid out meticulously?"

"Under these conditions, with a persistently troubled conscience, Professor Yuan might very well engage in actions using his life as a pawn!"

It was not the first time Chen Xiao encountered a case of entering the fray personally.

Zuo Shu’s case could be considered entering the fray personally.

Such cases, when revealed, are indeed hard to believe.

But with the proposal and the possibility existing, verification becomes necessary to confirm and exclude it.

Moreover, what Chen Xiao didn’t openly express was

Guo Zhengchang’s suggestion stirred a deep inner chord within him, one which refused to move.

The more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became.

The more intrigued he became, the harder it was to suppress.

Finally, Chen Xiao decisively turned to Qin Fei and said:

"Captain Qin, the conditions I mentioned are not difficult to verify. We just need to summon Professor Yuan’s family and colleagues in the name of the task force. Then, by investigating the arrangements after Professor Yuan’s return, we can establish the truth!"