A wave of overwhelming malice emanated from him.
As Yi Zhonghai lunged to choke Bang Geng to death, Officer Zhang Dajun immediately intervened and restrained him.
"Let go of me, I'm going to kill this inhumane little beast!"
Yi Zhonghai's arms were held by Zhang Dajun, but his agitated emotions did not subside in the slightest.
At this point, Wu Xue spoke, "Yi Zhonghai, don't be rash!"
"These few chicken feathers on the ground can only indicate you are a suspect!"
"It cannot be determined that you are definitely the one who stole the chicken!"
"I'm being framed! I didn't steal this chicken at all!"
Yi Zhonghai stated solemnly, "Although Liu Kai Xuan and I have some grudges, that was years ago!"
"I've long since let go of all grudges. How could I possibly do something illegal and criminal?"
Wu Xue inquired, "Yi Zhonghai, where have you been all day today?"
Without hesitation, Yi Zhonghai responded decisively, "I stayed home reading all day, rarely going out!"
"My legs are not convenient now, and I feel leg pain if I move for too long!"
"Unless absolutely necessary, I generally don't go out wandering!"
"By the way, Yi Zhonghai, what did you eat for lunch?"
"Xu Damao brought me lunch today!"
Yi Zhonghai continued, "I didn't cook today. If you don't believe me, you can ask Xu Damao!"
Zhao Feiyan retorted coldly, "Yi Zhonghai, do you think we'll believe your nonsense?"
"The chicken feathers on the ground are the best evidence. If you didn't steal the chicken, what about these chicken feathers?"
"I..."
Yi Zhonghai angrily replied, "I suspect someone deliberately framed me!"
"Furthermore, Comrade Wu Xue just said that these few chicken feathers alone cannot prove that I stole the chicken!"
Zhao Feiyan was about to argue further with Yi Zhonghai when Liu Kai Xuan interjected, "Feiyan, don't get agitated!"
"Comrade Wu Xue is investigating the case, we should be more patient!"
"Alright!" persuaded by Liu Kai Xuan, Zhao Feiyan temporarily regained her composure.
When it came to petty theft, Liu Kai Xuan's first suspect would definitely not be Yi Zhonghai, but Bang Geng.
After all, Yi Zhonghai was an old fox, he wouldn't do something so foolish.
To satisfy a craving for chicken meat, he would go to prison for years. Why bother?
Although Yi Zhonghai was now in a sorry state, he had a strong will to survive.
Not long ago, he had applied for disability assistance from the neighborhood committee.
Although life was difficult now, it wasn't unbearable.
He received relief funds every month, along with some savings from his former position as a Level 8 fitter.
If he truly craved meat, he could still use his savings to buy some without much difficulty.
Wu Xue investigated Yi Zhonghai's home for a long time but could not uncover the truth.
Although some clues were found in Yi Zhonghai's home, these few chicken feathers alone were certainly insufficient to convict him.
Meanwhile, the discussions among the onlookers were lively and chaotic.
"In my opinion, these chicken feathers are the best evidence. It must be Yi Zhonghai who stole it, and he's trying to deny it now that he's caught!"
"Yes, I think so too!"
"If he didn't steal the chicken, how could so many chicken feathers be scattered in his house?"
"I still think Bang Geng is more likely to have stolen the chicken!"
"That old scoundrel Yi Zhonghai, despite his poor character, doesn't seem to have a habit of stealing chickens or dogs!"
"Moreover, his leg is crippled now, he can't walk fast!"
"With his condition, trying to steal something? Isn't that a joke?"
"If you put it that way, I also think Bang Geng is the prime suspect!"
"Only a shameless thief like Bang Geng, with no bottom line, would do such a wicked thing for a bite of meat!"
"Yes, it must be Bang Geng!"
The onlookers chattered, their suspicions all shifting towards Bang Geng.
Jia Zhangshi was also in the crowd.
Seeing a large group of people "splashing dirty water" on Bang Geng, how could Jia Zhangshi stand by idly?
"What nonsense are you all talking about?"
"You say my grandson stole the chicken, do you have any evidence?"
Jia Zhangshi angrily refuted, "The chicken feathers clearly appeared in Yi Zhonghai's house. It has nothing to do with us!"
The women opposite were not to be trifled with and immediately started arguing with Zhang Cuihua.
"Of course we have evidence! The evidence is... Bang Geng is a habitual thief!"
"Years ago, when Liu Kai Xuan's salted fish was stolen, it was Bang Geng's doing!"
"He has stolen once before, he's already a habitual thief!"
"This time, when Liu Kai Xuan's property was stolen again, he must be the one most suspected!"
Zhang Cuihua retorted unyieldingly, "But the chicken feathers were found in Yi Zhonghai's house!"
"Our house doesn't have a single chicken feather. If you don't believe me, search our house!"
Aunt Liu, who was watching the commotion, immediately retorted, "Zhang Cuihua, what crazy talk is this?"
"Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu are husband and wife. I personally heard Bang Geng call Yi Zhonghai 'Dad'!"
"Now that chicken feathers have been found in Yi Zhonghai's house, how can you Jia family have nothing to do with it?"
"I'm telling you, it's not that easy to shift the blame!"
Jia Zhangshi angrily replied, "Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu have been living separately for a long time!"
"They are no longer husband and wife..."
"Everything you say is bullshit. As long as they haven't gotten a divorce certificate, they are still married!"
"I..."
For a moment, Jia Zhangshi's old face turned ashen with embarrassment, and she couldn't utter a coherent sentence for a long time.
According to Aunt Liu's analysis, Bang Geng's suspicion remained.
At the critical moment, Qin Huairu spoke.
"If you say our Bang Geng stole the chicken, please present your evidence!"
"Slandering without evidence can lead to legal responsibility. I advise you not to speak carelessly!"
Qin Huairu shamelessly covered for Bang Geng, who also refused to admit anything.
The others couldn't produce any effective evidence, and the investigation of the case reached a deadlock.
Just then, a tempting aroma of meat wafted through the air.