Chapter 4: An Inspiring Magazine

The magazine published by this agency was called "Successful People." Just by its name, one could tell it was an inspirational magazine!

"So many outstanding young men! And so many of them are eligible bachelors. If I could find a life partner among them, I wouldn’t have to work so hard in the future!" Fina flipped through an issue, speaking to Xia Wuyou with the excitement of someone who had discovered a new continent.

Of course, what truly interested her were the photo spreads of the men. As for the text, she only glanced at the sections introducing their wealth.

"What’s gotten into you? Since when do you read magazines? What’s this one about?" Xia Wuyou cast a curious glance at the book in Fina’s hands.

"It’s from the agency upstairs! I never paid attention before, but it turns out their magazine is full of handsome men!"

Seeing Fina nearly drooling, Xia Wuyou snatched the magazine for a closer look.

Most of the articles recounted stories of how these men achieved success—technical elites and entrepreneurs who rose from humble beginnings.

Xia Wuyou realized there were indeed many outstanding men featured, and the photos showed that quite a few were handsome as well.

Could the murderer be one of them?

A sudden thought struck Xia Wuyou. She decided she must quickly tell Su Tianmu about this idea.

"Actually, we’re about to expand our investigation. We’ve already started screening the people Wang Meiqi interviewed recently," Su Tianmu said over the phone.

"If you have time, we can visit them together!"

Hearing that her idea might be valuable, Xia Wuyou was delighted.

"Of course I have time! Don’t worry—I’ll coordinate my schedule. I’ll cooperate one hundred percent with the police!"

Even over the phone, Su Tianmu could sense Xia Wuyou’s earnestness, imagining her standing at attention, saluting, and accepting the assignment.

He laughed aloud after hanging up, feeling he almost owed her half his salary for her dedication.

Regaining his composure, Su Tianmu quickly returned to work. These days, aside from work, only Xia Wuyou could bring him a moment’s relief.

He picked up the files on his desk, reviewing the recent interviews Wang Meiqi had conducted.

Dong Dali, male, 45. CEO of a real estate company. Previously failed in an entrepreneurial venture, then switched to real estate. The company is now publicly listed.

Wang Tianhe, male, 37. Chairman of a technology company. Started his own business after university. Developed an integrated system now being widely promoted.

Ding Wei, male, 41. Owner of an industrial enterprise producing organic glass. His products account for 30% of the domestic market. Actively planning exports.

Wang Peishan, male, 42. Owner of a chemical company producing various pigments. Current market value exceeds three billion yuan; recently awarded the “Rising Star” prize in his industry.

"She’s quite focused! All eligible bachelors, and all of them handsome," Xiao Wang remarked, glancing at the photos.

Indeed, if this was a crime of passion, the suspect might well be among these men.

"Judging by their professions, the last two might have access to chemical products, which means they could get their hands on sodium cyanide."

As a science and engineering type, Xiao Wang’s first thought was of the toxic chemical.

"Oh? Explain," Su Tianmu said, his expression serious, which made Xiao Wang straighten up with pride.

He cleared his throat, striking the pose of a professor about to lecture.

Ah, my two assistants are both quite the characters, Su Tianmu thought, covering his eyes in resignation but listening anyway.

"Sodium cyanide is an inorganic compound, a cubic crystal, chemical formula NaCN..."

"Enough, just get to the point, Professor Wang!" Su Tianmu nearly fainted from his over-explanation.

"Right, right!" Xiao Wang returned to his usual self. "Sodium cyanide is a white crystalline powder, deliquescent, with a faint bitter almond smell. Highly toxic—contact with broken skin, inhalation, or even accidental ingestion of a small amount can be fatal."

He really did know his stuff—his earlier posturing hadn’t been for nothing.

"It’s a fundamental chemical raw material, used in electroplating and metallurgy... In short, both the production of organic glass and pigments require it!"

He pointed to the last two men in the file.

"Ding Wei? Wang Peishan?" Su Tianmu understood.

"You’re saying the murderer could be one of them?"

Su Tianmu felt dizzy from Xiao Wang’s technical jargon.

"What I mean is, both of them could access sodium cyanide. But that doesn’t mean they’re the killers! Many people could get hold of it..." At this moment, their roles seemed reversed—Xiao Wang was scolding his superior like a captain lecturing a rookie.

Su Tianmu snapped back to attention, shooting him a glare sharp enough to kill.

"That goes without saying! Arrange the interviews immediately."

He was back to his usual seriousness, giving orders with meticulous precision.

"Yes, Captain Su! I’ll get right on it."

Realizing his overstepping, Xiao Wang quickly fled the scene.

Of course, Su Tianmu wasn’t truly angry. Once Xiao Wang left, he picked up the files and studied them again.

If the killer was indeed one of these men, what could the motive be?

A crime of passion? Revenge? Both seemed unlikely.

Their initial inquiries had revealed no sign of Wang Meiqi being romantically involved with anyone. If it was an emotional entanglement, it hadn’t reached that stage.

If it was revenge, who in this business had enough of a conflict with a magazine editor to commit murder? She was, after all, just a proud young editor—why would anyone hate her enough to kill?

Su Tianmu couldn’t find a clue; a sudden headache made him frown.

He set down the files and massaged his temples. Habitually, he reached for a cigarette, lit one, and placed it between his lips.

Suddenly, the rain outside intensified, rattling against the window. Just a moment ago it had only been overcast, and now a heavy downpour had begun. It was time to leave work—he wondered if Xia Wuyou had brought an umbrella.

The thought startled him.

Why was she the one who came to mind?