Chapter 51: Birds of a Feather

This was crucial. Through this question, Yu Dazhang could directly grasp the true nature of the father-son relationship between them.

As for whether they acknowledged their blood ties, that no longer mattered.

A simple paternity test could settle everything.

Previously, Kong Lingjie’s reaction was essentially an indirect admission.

Sure enough, upon hearing this question, Kong Lingjie began to stammer:

“I-I mean, I... I just didn’t want her to worry anymore... so I...”

“It’s Zhou Zizhe who doesn’t want to acknowledge you, isn’t it?” Yu Dazhang interrupted him, narrowing his eyes into slits.

“I guess even he doesn’t want to recognize you as his biological father. He only keeps in touch because you found him.”

“You didn’t blame him, and you didn’t want your ex-wife to suffer a second blow, so you kept it a secret.”

“It must sting to be rejected by your own son, huh?”

Kong Lingjie’s face darkened, his lips pressed tightly together. He said nothing.

Yu Dazhang didn’t press further but continued:

“You thought that by taking the blame, Zhou Zizhe couldn’t be traced, since there’s no direct connection between you two on the household registration.”

“Unfortunately, you overlooked one crucial thing... logic.”

“There are only two reasons someone would take the fall for another: money or emotion.”

“And emotion can be divided into family, friendship, or love.”

“You know elimination, right? The only relationship that fits logically between you two is family.”

As he spoke, Yu Dazhang picked up the small vial again:

“You guessed it contained blood, and you probably assumed it was Zhou Zizhe’s.”

“I’ll tell you, this is a blood sample extracted by our criminal investigators with your ex-wife’s consent.”

“Don’t worry, we didn’t tell her the child was found.”

“Zhou Zizhe will undergo the paternity test together with you and your wife.”

“Do you know what this is called?”

Yu Dazhang set down the vial, staring at Kong Lingjie’s now ashen face:

“It’s called irrefutable evidence! Conclusive proof! No one can save you now!”

His words landed like thunder, plunging the man opposite into oppressive silence.

He lowered his head, seemingly trying to avoid Yu Dazhang’s gaze.

After a moment, he lifted his head again, eyes filled with regret, anger, and unmasked despair.

“It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t lost him back then, none of this would have happened.”

“No, it’s not my fault. It’s those damned traffickers. They deserve a fate worse than death, torn to pieces and ground to dust!”

Kong Lingjie roared, this timid, introverted man suddenly transformed into someone else entirely.

At that moment, a fierce light blazed in his eyes.

“Yes, it’s all those beasts’ fault! Why don’t you go after them? You should be chasing those scum!”

“Zizhe is also a victim. Besides, I’ve already taken the blame for his mistakes. What more do you want?”

“The son pays the father’s debt. I will bear all the guilt. Please, spare him!”

Grasping at a final straw, Kong Lingjie beseeched the two across from him, hoping to see some trace of mercy in their expressions.

But reality only disappointed him: Lv Zhongxin showed no expression, and Yu Dazhang’s face was etched with disdain and ridicule.

“Son pays father’s debt?” Yu Dazhang’s gaze was icy as he stared at Kong Lingjie.

“From the moment you decided to sacrifice others to flaunt your paternal love, you and your son became two of a kind.”

“Don’t disgust me.”

With that, Yu Dazhang rose, nodded to Lv Zhongxin beside him, and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he cast one last glance at Kong Lingjie, who had bowed his head again, and clenched his fist tightly.

This man wasn’t worthy of any pity.

If not for his role as a policeman, he truly wanted to rush over and beat Kong Lingjie senseless.

Lv Zhongxin could handle the remaining interrogation; Yu Dazhang only needed to swap personnel.

After briefing the task force members, he and Qian Cheng moved to another interrogation room.

Initially, they had planned to interrogate Zhou Zizhe the next day, but during Kong Lingjie’s questioning, Yu Dazhang changed his mind.

Since Kong Lingjie, the biological father, had already given up, it was time to cut off the last lifeline.

When to close the case?

Today.

Yu Dazhang closed his eyes briefly, swiftly reviewing the process in his mind.

Their relationship was now clear; all the evidence at every stage had been gathered.

The motive, the crime itself, the aftermath, the disposal and concealment of the body, the staged scene, and finally the false confession...

Nothing was missing.

This case could now be resolved... eliminating all reasonable doubt.

Now, it was just a matter of time.

If Zhou Zizhe confessed voluntarily, the case would close sooner.

If not, it would require more effort.

But the outcome would not change.

Feeling this, Yu Dazhang found himself much more at ease, a profound satisfaction swelling within.

After a while, Zhou Zizhe was brought in by two team members.

Upon meeting again, his face had regained composure and calm, though the hatred lurking in his eyes was unmistakable.

“It’s been over three hours since we last met,” Yu Dazhang said slowly.

“I suppose you’ve had time to think things over.”

Zhou Zizhe nodded silently.

“Guess where I just came from?” Yu Dazhang asked with a smile.

He wanted to give the impression that he was relaxed, having found a new lead.

Qian Cheng, who was taking notes nearby, paused, puzzled by the question.

It seemed pointless—why exchange banter with a suspect?

Unexpectedly, Zhou Zizhe answered:

“The other interrogation room?”

“Congratulations, you’re right,” Yu Dazhang said, intending to give a thumbs-up but quickly restraining himself; their relationship wasn’t suitable for such gestures.

Putting away his smile, Yu Dazhang spoke seriously:

“Kong Lingjie, your biological father, has started confessing.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Zizhe showed no surprise or shock, as if he had anticipated this.

“That’s unlike you,” Yu Dazhang said with some surprise, studying him.

“You should have argued your case.”

From his understanding of Zhou Zizhe, this was someone who would argue even when unreasonable—impulsive, stubborn, and self-righteous. That was the real Zhou Zizhe: a shy, insecure child spoiled by indulgence.

But before him now, he seemed somewhat abnormal.

“It’s useless,” Zhou Zizhe shook his head.

“I studied criminal investigation at the police academy and researched nearly all forensic methods.”

“The moment you suspected me, this couldn’t be hidden.”

“Maybe in ancient times, the blood-drop test for kinship could be mistaken, but DNA testing never lies.”

“You’ll definitely make us do the test, and I can’t change your decision.”

He had calmed down... hearing this, Yu Dazhang didn’t feel relief but rather a hint of tension.

Seeing Yu Dazhang hesitate, Zhou Zizhe seized the opportunity to make a request:

“May I see the statements from Zhang Yan’s parents? If that’s inconvenient, reading them aloud is fine.”