Regarding the book "Before and After People."

No one understands it better than Wang Dahe.

Even as time passes and he forgets some details, when he recalls, he can quickly remember why he created those characters in the first place.

The collision between Tian Xingjian’s character and Madman Zhang was something Chen Xiao did not anticipate.

But the collision of this character seemed to be foretelling many things.

"Before and After People" was authored by Wang Dahe, which is why it was found in Jiao Yan’s room.

However, Jiao Yan’s mother, Si Ru, said that Jiao Yan is someone who shows a different face depending on the circumstances.

Moreover, the lack of reading marks on the books on the table made Chen Xiao think Si Ru might be right.

Jiao Yan wasn’t the gentle and sensible person that was initially assumed.

But Jiao Yan’s personality didn’t seem that important at the moment.

Chen Xiao sat at the desk and earnestly read Wang Dahe’s work.

Although he had read it before, after giving it another serious reading, Chen Xiao felt Wang Dahe indeed wrote a very profound piece.

At certain points, Chen Xiao even found himself completely immersed.

However, just as Wang Dahe mentioned, Tian Xingjian’s character indeed seemed to collapse.

As the plot unfolded, it was clear that Wang Dahe’s control over this character was lacking.

By the end, Tian Xingjian was on the edge of madness.

If only critiquing the work, this would be a flaw.

But compared to reality, it seemed like a prophetic book!

At the novel’s end, Wang Dahe wrote the fate of each major character.

For Tian Xingjian, Wang Dahe left an open-ended conclusion.

No one knew if he lived or died, only that, on a night of heavy snow, he walked alone into the deep mountains.

Years later, someone visited the mountains and seemed to see a cabin that had been inhabited and, another year, saw footprints in the snow.

Chen Xiao closed "Before and After People," sinking into silence.

But his mind didn’t pause.

"It’s not just about the spirit; the ending seems to resonate here."

"Moreover, reading closely, there’s a female character that seems to resemble Jiao Yan!"

"The collision of multiple characters, coupled with the collision of the ending, no longer appears coincidental."

"Especially when it comes to murder cases, was anyone influenced by ’Before and After People’?"

"But this book is centered around the male protagonist, the uncle of Wang Jun, Qin Hao, though the character exists in reality, Qin Hao is already deceased."

"It’s just a novel about the changes of the times, with no links to suspense, murder, or slaughter."

The more Chen Xiao thought, the more confused he became.

A few seconds later, Chen Xiao got up and found paper and pen, then wrote down the names of important characters again.

The first, naturally, were the three victims.

Then, the characters involved in the case.

The first was Qiao Zhiyuan!

Characters connected through Qiao Zhiyuan, and his father Qiao Zhong.

While writing Qiao Zhong’s name, Chen Xiao frowned slightly; he hadn’t met this character yet.

Continuing along the lines connected to Qiao Zhiyuan, Xiong Nan’s name was also written down by Chen Xiao.

Because of Xiong Nan, Madman Zhang, Zhang Cheng was brought up.

But due to Zhang Cheng, Chen Xiao thought another person must be mentioned.

That would be his teacher, Wang Dahe!

Chen Xiao connected these names, but as he kept linking them, he found two people were conspicuous in the entire matter.

One was Zhang Cheng, the other was teacher Wang Dahe.

Zhang Cheng and Wang Dahe were supposed to be far removed from these matters!

But why have they been dragged into this matter?

Madman Zhang comes from Wang Dahe’s village, he felt indebted to Xiong Nan, so got close to him.

Xiong Nan’s connection to the whole affair was due to being Qiao Zhiyuan’s cellmate.

Accurately speaking, Xiong Nan too was abrupt and shouldn’t have been considered.

Unless he has connections with the Jiao Family.

But does he?

If he does, then things aren’t ordinary.

Looking at the names on the paper before him, Chen Xiao suddenly remembered he had missed someone.

The doctor who treated Jiao Yan’s broken bone, Bai Xinghu.

But Bai Xinghu’s name added, he remained an outsider to the case.

Moreover, including Bai Xinghu made everything feel even more complicated to Chen Xiao.

That complexity compelled Chen Xiao to rub his face.

"Clearly, it doesn’t seem like a difficult case, so why, after all this investigation, do I still see nothing but a thick fog before me? It just won’t clear!"

Chen Xiao felt a bit of a headache.

But based on his current experience, if a case falls into such a quagmire, there’s only one reason.

Key information hasn’t been found yet!

After putting the book back in its original place, Chen Xiao left the Jiao Family again.

After leaving, he drove to the Qiao Family and met Qiao Zhong, who had been left with nothing after being stabbed in the back by Jiao Guoxuan.

Qiao Zhong looked aged.

With a head full of white hair and a face full of wrinkles, he appeared at least ten years older than a man in his fifties.

Qiao Zhong brought tea and placed it in front of Chen Xiao.

But his tone was gentle when he spoke, unlike Qiao Zhiyuan’s anxiousness.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao couldn’t help asking, "Mr. Qiao, what have you been up to these days?"

Qiao Zhong didn’t speak, only took out his phone and opened the call logs.

Looking at it, Chen Xiao noticed many entries.

All from the past few days!

"When my son first entered the detention center, I called these people, back then they would still talk to me. But now, nine out of ten won’t pick up, and the only one who does, hangs up in less than half a minute."

Chen Xiao nodded slightly.

Qiao Zhong sighed deeply, "These days, I’ve been running everywhere for his affairs. The white hair, Advisor Chen, you might think it was always there, right? Haha... But it all grew in just these days. Ah, living like this is utterly exhausting!"

Chen Xiao set down the teacup and looked at Qiao Zhong’s white hair, saying:

"On the day of the incident, I heard Qiao Zhiyuan didn’t come home all night, correct?"

"Yes, that’s something he can’t explain. He often goes out to have fun, sometimes gets drunk, sometimes not. If he had been drunk that night, it would be understandable, but unfortunately, he stayed in another of our houses that night, where no one could vouch for him, making it hard for him to argue."

Sighing, Qiao Zhong turned to Chen Xiao, becoming earnest:

"Advisor Chen, I’ve read about your reputation in reports, so when you came, I felt a spark of hope ignite in me. With your abilities, you can certainly uncover the truth, right!"

Chen Xiao did not immediately answer but asked: "The case will eventually be solved, but Mr. Qiao... do you really understand your son, Qiao Zhiyuan?"