Fan Jia muttered, "She has nothing, no collateral. Yet this company is generous enough to keep lending her money."
Han Feng, who was more familiar with these campus loan companies in third- and fourth-tier cities, explained, "They probably have a nude loan video in their possession. With that as leverage, they’re not worried about her defaulting—they just want her to borrow more. When it’s time to collect, they’ll drain her for half her life. 300,000 in interest? You think it won’t balloon to a million? If she steps even slightly out of line, they’ll send the video to her classmates, friends, and worst of all, her parents. That one move alone could drive someone to despair."
Xu Mengshan remarked, "Vicious as vipers."
At that moment, Yin Feng asked, "What’s a nude loan video?"
Most frontline detectives were aware of this practice: campus loan companies would have female students record a video of themselves naked, holding their ID cards, declaring the loan amount. The video would then be sent to the company as proof before the funds were disbursed.
Han Feng gave a brief explanation and added, "When we’ve raided illegal campus loan companies in the past, their computers were full of that stuff."
Yin Feng frowned thoughtfully. "Can I take a look?"
Just as Han Feng was about to agree, You Mingxu slapped the table and said, "Do we have all the time in the world? Cut the chatter and focus on what to do next."
Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Xu Mengshan, who chuckled.
Fan Jia said, "Do you think Liu Yisha went out to meet someone from Gold Splitting Treasure Company on the day she disappeared? To collect the 10,000 yuan loan she applied for? That Apple Bro even mentioned 'meeting to discuss.'"
This suspicion had crossed everyone’s minds.
You Mingxu tapped her fingers on the table. "It’s our only lead right now. And a year ago, Zhao Feier also borrowed heavily from this company."
Han Feng looked at her. "How do we investigate? Openly or undercover?"
The core detectives present felt a surge of excitement. Even though everyone at Gold Splitting Treasure Company had solid alibis for Zhao Feier’s case a year ago, they sensed that behind this seemingly profit-driven company lay deeper, more mysterious secrets waiting to be uncovered.
You Mingxu replied, "Undercover. My suggestion is to send someone to test Apple Bro and the company. We can’t risk alerting them. After all, we have no idea if the killer is connected to the company or what that connection might be. The culprit could be anyone there or just someone related. We’re completely in the dark."
Han Feng nodded. "Then we’ll need a female officer." As soon as he said this, everyone turned to look at You Mingxu. She leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and smiled. "I’ll go. No problem." She was already well-practiced in such operations.
Han Feng, however, fell silent. Xu Mengshan and the others studied her carefully. Though You Mingxu was among the top fighters among female officers in the province and attractive enough to catch any criminal’s eye…
"A Xu, you’re too beautiful, and your demeanor doesn’t fit a student. They’d get suspicious," Yin Feng said earnestly from the corner.
You Mingxu shot him a brief glance, her lips quirking slightly. "What if… I disguise myself?"
Xu Mingxue shook his head. "No way. Your commanding presence is impossible to hide, Sister You. Could you tremble pitifully in front of Apple Bro? How awkward would that be? What if you scare the criminal into tears the moment you speak?"
You Mingxu gritted out, "You. Want. To. Die?"The group of detectives burst into laughter, and Yin Feng laughed along, only to find You Mingxu's gaze suddenly glaring right at him. Among all the laughing people, she singled him out. For no reason, Yin Feng felt a sweet flutter in his chest, accompanied by a slight itch, so he simply lowered his head and continued laughing.
You Mingxu: "..."
How dare he!
Just then, Fan Jia stood up: "I'll go."
Everyone turned to look at her, their eyes lighting up. Though Fan Jia was still in her police uniform, she was slightly more petite than You Mingxu, with a round face and sweet features. When she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared. It had to be said, she did have a delicate and charming air about her.
Xu Mengshan suddenly spoke up: "You're not suitable—your combat skills are too weak. Sit down."
Fan Jia: "Shut up, Xu the Fox. I'm going as bait, not to get into a shootout. Besides, while my skills might be a bit worse than yours and Sister You's, I can definitely take down a few criminals. Sister You, Captain Han, let me go."
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