The aroma of the meat was incredibly rich, causing everyone's hearts to tremble.
Throughout the entire courtyard, Liu Kai Xuan's family ate meat with the highest frequency.
However, Liu Kai Xuan was very low-key in his actions and did not deliberately make his meals fragrant to attract resentment.
The aroma emitted from the same pot of meat, whether stir-fried or stewed, was different.
The aroma of stir-fried meat would only linger in the kitchen for a while.
But if the meat was stewed, the savory scent would absolutely waft throughout the entire courtyard and refuse to dissipate.
Currently, the scent wafting through the air was precisely this kind of aroma.
"Is this... Sha Zhu's family stewing meat?"
Yi Zhong Hai frowned and muttered, "And it's chicken they're stewing!"
At this point, the case Wu Xue was investigating had reached a deadlock.
Yi Zhong Hai's words unexpectedly reminded Wu Xue.
Wu Xue immediately took Zhang Da Jun with him and went to Sha Zhu's house to inquire about the situation.
At this moment, Sha Zhu was squatting by the stove, humming a little tune while happily stewing meat.
Upon seeing the police officers in uniform enter the house, Sha Zhu's expression instantly became extremely anxious.
"You... what are you trying to do?"
Sha Zhu's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of guilt as if he had something to hide.
Wu Xue said solemnly, "Liu Kai Xuan's chicken is missing. We've come specifically to ask you for some information!"
Sha Zhu quickly explained, "Liu Kai Xuan's chicken is missing, what does that have to do with me?"
At this moment, Sha Zhu clearly noticed everyone staring at the pot in front of him.
"Oh, this chicken in the pot, I bought it from the market!"
Wu Xue then asked, "Which market did you buy it from?"
"What do you mean?" Sha Zhu's mood instantly became agitated.
"I'm asking you, which market did you buy this chicken from? Answer my question!"
Sha Zhu had originally wanted to act tough, but seeing the other party's stern attitude and no intention of joking,
Sha Zhu also realized the seriousness of the situation and no longer dared to be defiant.
"This chicken, I bought it from the Bei Guan vegetable market!"
"From which stall did you buy it? Be specific!"
"You don't suspect that I stole Liu Kai Xuan's chicken, do you?"
"This is simply absurd. What does Liu Kai Xuan's missing chicken have to do with me?"
"If you don't have any evidence, don't wrongly accuse good people!"
At this moment, Liu Kai Xuan had already keenly sensed that this fellow Sha Zhu was problematic.
Although this guy was trying to maintain his composure, deep within his facial expression, there was a trace of guilt.
As the saying goes, those who do nothing wrong have nothing to fear.
Sha Zhu's expression was enough to indicate that this fellow had very serious issues.
Thinking of this, Liu Kai Xuan stepped forward and said, "Sha Zhu, when you answer questions, you need to think carefully!"
"If this chicken was indeed stolen by you!"
"If you confess your crime now and take responsibility for compensation, you can strive for lenient treatment!"
"Conversely, if the police discover evidence later, you won't have another chance to confess!"
"Going to prison just for this chicken would be too much of a loss!"
"A month of work outside would earn you enough to buy several chickens!"
Sha Zhu decisively denied, "What nonsense are you talking about, Liu Kai Xuan?"
"When did I ever steal your chicken? If you don't have evidence, don't talk nonsense!"
This fellow Sha Zhu had already been to prison once before.
He had only recently been released from prison, and it hadn't been many days.
The chicken stewing in the pot was indeed Liu Kai Xuan's, but it wasn't stolen by Sha Zhu.
It was stolen by Bang Geng and given to Sha Zhu to "process."
How could Sha Zhu admit to something like this?
If he dared to reveal the truth now, Bang Geng would shift all the blame onto him.
Under such circumstances, the simplest way to perfectly resolve this issue was: to shirk responsibility.
"I'll just deny it. If you don't have solid evidence, what can you do to me?"
Since Sha Zhu refused to admit it, Liu Kai Xuan intended to use his True Words Pupil Light skill to make him taste its power.
But at this moment, Wu Xue suddenly said, "Comrade He Yu Zhu, this is a sensitive time!"
"Please tell us the exact time you purchased this chicken. We need to investigate and clarify!"
"I..."
Sha Zhu said loudly, "I bought the chicken from the market after I finished work this afternoon!"
Wu Xue asked again, "What time did you get off work!"
"After you got off work, did you go home first before going to the market to buy the chicken!"
"Or did you go directly to the market to buy the chicken and then return home? These details must be clarified!"
Sha Zhu couldn't take it anymore, "You have no evidence, why are you suspecting me of stealing the chicken?"
"Can't I just buy a chicken to improve my life?"
Wu Xue patiently explained, "Of course, you can improve your life with the money you've earned through hard work!"
"No one can stop you from improving your life, but now there's a theft case!"
"It's very necessary for you to clarify the situation, as it will provide effective evidence for our police's analysis and investigation!"
"Furthermore, it will prove your own innocence. Why wouldn't you do it?"
Sha Zhu had no choice but to brace himself and explain, "This chicken, I bought it from the market after work!"
"I bought it at stall number 57. I'm a regular customer at that stall!"
Next, Sha Zhu explained the specific location and approximate time he bought the chicken to Wu Xue.
In this world, there is no such thing as a flawless lie!
As long as it's a lie, there will always be loopholes.
Sha Zhu's words were all fabricated lies.
After careful scrutiny, Wu Xue quickly found a loophole!
"Comrade He Yu Zhu, did you walk to the market to buy groceries, or did you ride a bicycle?"
Sha Zhu casually replied, "Of course, I walked there. I don't have a bicycle anymore!"
"Then your speed is quite fast!"
"After work, from the factory to the market, buying a chicken, and then returning home dust-covered!"
"After finishing all that, you stewed the chicken, and now the chicken is already cooked!"
"Ah, this..."
At this moment, Sha Zhu's old face clearly became extremely unnatural.
If calculated this way, the timing simply didn't add up!