"Whether he lied or not, his state of mind was definitely not as it appeared on the surface."
The junior police officer recalled, "In the video, his expression was strained, and beads of cold sweat slid down his forehead, clearly terrified. In the end, he even clutched his head with both hands, his expression one of anguish, afraid of being silenced by murder."
The police looked into the tea cup, watching the tea leaves sink and float, and asked, "Based on his expression, do you think he would have the patience to blow away the tea leaves, to savor the tea, and then not take a second sip because the tea was too bitter?"
The junior police officer put himself in the other’s shoes for a moment, frowning, "Under extreme fear and tension, as myself, I’d surely have no thought of drinking tea. But there’s also a possibility of contrast, like being so nervous that I end up with a dry mouth, leading me to grab the cup and gulp it down without thinking, not even knowing what I’m drinking, let alone blowing on the tea leaves to taste the tea."
The police put the lid on the teapot and said gravely, "So, there is an issue with him. What he says may not be lies, but it may not be the truth either. His testimony cannot be used as evidence to arrest the suspect."
"So we cannot arrest the other person?"
The junior police officer asked, "Master, when you offered the tea to the other person, he didn’t drink it. That should be fine, right?"
"Ha, you’re still too naive."
"Master, stop beating around the bush!"
"At that time, his lips were chapped. If it were you, would you refuse the tea?"
The junior police officer shook his head, "No."
The police sneered, "But he refused, and he even came up with an excuse."
The junior police officer recalled, "That’s right, he said he only drank iced beverages."
The police’s gaze darkened, "I hope he just made up an excuse on the spot."
"Is there a problem with that?" the junior police officer asked, puzzled.
The police’s eyes fell on the water dispenser, "The station has hot water, warm water, cool water, but no ice water. He knew we don’t have ice water here – could I suspect that he’s very familiar with our premises?"
The junior police officer was horror-struck, his eyes widening, "Could it just be a coincidence?"
The police said in a serious tone, "I hope it’s just a coincidence; otherwise, this case will become extremely complicated."
The junior police officer pulled up the video and scrutinized it once more.
The police suddenly shouted, "Pause!"
The junior police officer quickly pressed the pause button, and the screen froze on the man looking at the picture.
The police frowned deeply and commanded, "Keep playing."
The junior police officer obediently pressed the play button.
"A student?" the police handed over a photograph, "Is it the person in this picture?"
The person in the photograph was the youngster who had just left the interrogation room.
The man glanced at it and immediately nodded, "That’s him!"
The police spoke in a stern voice, "Play it again! Replay that part!"
The junior police officer complied obediently.
After replaying it three times, the police suddenly stood up and said coldly, "He just glanced at it, and even that was upside down!"
The junior police officer also noticed something off; that was too careless.
The police handed the photo to the junior police officer, "Swap the face in this picture."
The junior police officer guessed what his master was planning and immediately went to work.
Soon, the printer produced a new photo with the same scene, clothing, and body, which at first glance looked identical. But upon close examination, the face on the photo had changed—the peach blossom eyes turned into auspicious phoenix eyes, and the prominent nose became a flat one.
Armed with the photo, the police found the man again.
The man’s lips were still cracked. Seeing the police, he quickly asked, "When can I leave? I’ve told everything I know. How long are you planning to keep me? I’m not a criminal; I’m a witness!"
"I know, but there’s still something I need you to confirm," the police said, showing the photo. "Are you sure the murderer is the person in this picture?"
The man looked up casually, nodded immediately, "That’s him! It’s definitely him!"
"Are you certain?" the police pressed insistently. "Take a closer look."
"It’s him, I won’t mistake it," the man insisted without looking up again.
The police forced the picture in front of his face, nearly touching his face with it.
With no room to dodge, the man had no choice but to take another look, and that look froze him in place.