Yi Jiayi followed Inspector Guo Yongyao to change into her police uniform, and then returned to Team B’s office with Fang Zhenyue. It took less than five minutes to cover the briefing points for the press conference.
“Other than what you can’t say, everything else is fair game,” Fang Zhenyue said, as he plucked the flowers that Liu Jiaming had tucked into Yi Jiayi’s pocket and tossed them onto the desk.
Lin Wangjiu, upon hearing ‘everything else is fair game’, felt that something unfortunate was likely to occur.
“Uncle Jiu, I’ve called the K9 unit to take everyone back to the grassy slopes on the north and south sides of Ferry Street. You’ve lost a lot of weight, so why not take Yi Jiayi to the press conference? If Guo Yongyao and his team try to take advantage of Jiayi’s youth and soft-heartedness, keep an eye out for her. If anything else happens, look after her,” Fang Zhenyue said, grabbing the hat Yi Jiayi had worn the day before and quickly placing it on his own head. With that, he wouldn’t turn as red as Guan Yu in today’s sun.
“Alright, Brother Yue,” Lin Wangjiu nodded, agreeing to all of Fang Zhenyue’s arrangements.
Thus, Team B split up, with Fang Zhenyue and others going to the barren lands to bask in the sun, while Yi Jiayi and Uncle Jiu accompanied Guo Yongyao to a nearby hotel’s conference hall to enjoy the air conditioning and hold the press conference.
Upon reaching the venue, Yi Jiayi was surrounded like a doll by many people.
Makeup done, hair combed, and clothes tidied, she had to perfectly represent the police department.
“After I finish speaking, I will ask you to describe a few details from the cases you’ve solved. Don’t reveal everything, just mention one or two points where you contributed significantly, that should suffice. After all, whatever details you provide, the newspapers won’t report them exactly as is, they’ll embellish a bit,” Guo Yongyao instructed.
“During the Q&A, if there’s anything you don’t want to answer, just turn to look at me, and I’ll handle it.”
“Speaking less rather than more is our principle, remember?”
After advising her, Guo Yongyao felt perhaps he had been too stern, and softened his tone to reassure her:
“It’s okay, whether you say more or less doesn’t matter.”
“The footage will be edited before the press conference ends, and the Public Relations department colleagues will review it before the TV stations broadcast it.”
“Thank you, Sir Guo,” Yi Jiayi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Before the press conference began, everyone stood backstage waiting. Yi Jiayi felt the nervous anticipation of being about to present a graduation thesis or defend her work, her mind somewhat aloof.
Only when her thoughts shifted to the victims in her mind’s eye, and to Sun Xin’s pale face, did her temperature gradually return to normal.
Before stepping out from backstage, Lin Wangjiu patted her arm, “Don’t worry, Fang Zhenyue will handle any slip-ups; there’s no need to be afraid.”
Yi Jiayi couldn’t help but laugh at this. Why does Sir Fang have such tough luck? Whatever the underlings do, he has to take the blame.
Lin Wangjiu nodded seriously, “Sir Fang is very reliable, so we can all act freely.”
With that, he leaned closer to Yi Jiayi, his eyes warily watching Guo Yongyao a few steps away, and whispered, “Say whatever you want to say, don’t mind the Inspector.”
“Okay.” Yi Jiayi nodded, and Lin Wangjiu, satisfied, stepped back and gestured for her to go ahead.
The young policewoman turned around and saw that Guo Yongyao had already left. She took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and walked confidently towards the reception, into the view of the journalists, and into the camera lenses.
After sitting down on the chair that Sir Guo had arranged in advance, she thought to herself: It’s no wonder that the first day she met Fang Zhenyue, the idiom that came to mind was ‘imposing presence’.
It seems that all detectives in the Major Case Unit need to cultivate a bold and confident demeanor, to stand firm and upright.
Privately, the kind Inspector Guo Yongyao, once in front of everyone, would become spirited and assume an authoritative stance. When he chaired the press conference and briefly described the case, he commanded a kind of authority that brooked no interruptions or distractions, reminiscent of the sternest head teacher at school.
In his domain, everyone had a bit of fear towards him.
When Sir Guo spoke, she kept her spine straight, her chin slightly raised, maintaining a posture that was somewhat proud yet not unpleasant, a strong demeanor.
Sir Guo had said, wearing a police uniform means having a bit of a superior air; otherwise, who would be afraid of you? We are not the kind of bosses who are naturally imposing, so we have to act the part.
Thus, Jiayi earnestly followed his words, acting as if she were the queen on an incognito visit, or an empress greeting her subjects.
When it was finally her turn to speak, Yi Jiayi felt a bit unsure about her speaking posture, hesitating between ‘being herself’ and ‘being a queen,’ before settling back on ‘being herself.’
Relaxing her shoulders after having them tensed for too long, she didn’t exhibit the strong presence like Guo Yongyao but spoke as usual:
“Being able to help solve the Bi Street murder within 24 hours was largely due to good luck, as many journalist friends have said, I guess I was lucky that day. The setting sun’s light refracted off the murder weapon, and from where I stood, I could see…”
Although not forceful or imposing, the young policewoman displayed her pure sincerity and simplicity, instantly winning the favor of all the media personnel present.
Yi Jiayi simplified the investigative approach she had previously reported to madam and Sir Fang, polished her words, and spoke eloquently.
The media people in the front row listened intently, occasionally noting down key details or interesting points.
The camera continuously focused on Yi Jiayi’s face, capturing the intellectual way she spoke, her innocent demeanor, and recording her seriousness, concentration, and the smooth logic in her words.
Among the reporters in the back, there were those who occasionally turned to quietly share with their neighbors:
“It’s so thrilling, the discovery that there were two victims in the King’s Park case here, it’s really interesting, I can write a feature on this when I go back.”
“She’s really smart, so young and a policewoman, yet so clever.”
“A new era, a new woman.”
“If it makes the headline, there’s too much information. I’m really having trouble with cutting down the content. The part where the murder weapon was found in the Bi Street case always has a mysterious air, almost as if it was divine providence, it’s really great material. The infant abduction case where she staked out and watched the neighbor, that showcased the Hong Kong police’s attention to detail, stamina, and perseverance. Especially since Officer Yi, a young woman, risked herself alone in pursuit of the truth, there’s bravery and a sense of justice there.”
“It’s easy to write, just keep listening.”
Yi Jiayi had just finished discussing a previous case when they finally arrived at the topic of the Ferry Street dismemberment case.
She pursed her lips and said:
“As of now, the suspect mentioned in today’s newspapers remains just that—a suspect. There is no further evidence to prove he is the murderer. I hope the media does not mislead the public, to avoid causing unwarranted suspicion and hostility towards an innocent person.”
“Regarding the case, the police will do their utmost to solve it as quickly as possible. Please trust in the capabilities and determination of the police.”
Guo Yongyao slightly turned his head to look at Yi Jiayi, and anyone could see that the young policewoman was annoyed.
He swallowed almost imperceptibly. Was it that every detective who followed Fang Zhenyue developed a bad temper, stubbornness, and a fearlessness of both heaven and earth?
Taking over the conversation, he added some details about the dismemberment case, then opened the floor to questions.
Guo Yongyao straightened up, ready for the reporters’ questions, but to his dismay, every journalist directed their questions at Yi Jiayi.
No one wanted to ask Sir Guo anything. No one even glanced at him.
All the lights in the room were on Yi Jiayi, all cameras pointed at her, all microphones turned her way, all questions thrown to her.
“When will the case be solved?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Has the identity of the deceased been confirmed?”
“Sorry, I can’t disclose that yet.”
“Why did the murderer commit such a heinous act? Was it a vendetta, or for profit?”
“… The strong wield their knives against the stronger, the weak against the weaker. Perhaps because the murderer is a loser, the dregs of society, a coward.”
Yi Jiayi answered eight questions in quick succession. Lin Wangjiu, standing by the backstage door, gradually smiled amidst his gloom.
He was impressed by her crisp responses, her witty intelligence, and her serious demeanor when discussing the case. He had never realized before how capable this new young policewoman was.
He crossed his arms, his body language relaxed, his eyes and expression showing his good mood.
The pace of the Q&A session was unexpectedly fast, with everyone eagerly raising their hands, all wanting to ask Officer Yi questions.
Everyone was anxious, and when someone asked a question that others found dull or stupid, there would even be impatient hissing around the room—having finally been chosen, and that’s what you ask? Pah!
It wasn’t until someone asked, “Officer Yi, you asked the media not to mislead the public. Does this mean you believe the suspect is not the murderer? Is my deduction correct?” that the room suddenly fell silent.
Everyone tensed up, watching the young policewoman, anxiously guessing whether she would answer the question and whether she would answer it directly.
As a detective, one should not make assertions without any evidence.
Yi Jiayi understood this principle, but her heart weighed another scale, pointing towards another choice.
“I believe he is innocent.”
No one expected her to answer so quickly, nor did anyone expect her to give such a straightforward answer.
When Guo Yongyao heard her words, he almost jumped out of his chair. He pressed his palms against the desk, incredulously turning to look at Yi Jiayi.
What did he say just now? All detectives who work with Fang Zhenyue become hot-tempered, stubborn, and audacious? He felt like he should add something else: Just like Fang Zhenyue, they are a disaster in the Public Relations Department, always causing trouble!
He dared not let Yi Jiayi continue to speak freely, hurriedly ending the press conference that was never meant for candid discussion.
Yet, despite the rush, the media had already gotten what they wanted most.
Having been in the business for so long, they finally met a detective who wasn’t so boring. If the police department would let Yi Jiayi be the spokesperson in the future, the media believed it would only take a year or two to train several writers capable of penning columns and headlines—as long as Yi Jiayi provided the material, the inspiration and creative impulse would surge forth.
As the excited media left the venue, the hustle and bustle subsided, leaving only the staff.
As Guo Yongyao directed the clean-up, he reluctantly looked at the young policewoman standing by the wall, head bowed as if she was being punished.
Feeling both angry and pity, he walked over, patted her shoulder, and whispered:
“If that mainland guy really turns out to be the killer, the police’s credibility will be greatly damaged, and such statements from you are very inappropriate.”
Especially if the mainland guy is the killer, he, the Public Relations inspector who had opened this press conference, would be in serious trouble.
I somehow have a feeling she’ll get targeted by the deranged killer..
Thanks for the chapters as always!
💀 isnt it you who love being the cause of sensational stuff?