Riddles and Strange Tales [Criminal Investigation]

“The Finger-Cutting Fiend has struck again!!!” In Xuncheng, the Finger-Cutting Fiend, who had been lying low for half a year, resurfaced with the murder of a doctor in a locked room. The whole city was in an uproar, and everyone was on edge. But Mi Jialai, captain of the city criminal investigation squad, said, “No. This time, it was a different killer.” “What makes you say that? The finger-cutting rape and murder, the locked-room murder of the doctor, the serial killer’s confession, and the teenage delinquent’s dismemberment case. They were obviously all committed by the same person. We’re requesting that they be investigated as one case!” “I object.” Everyone on the squad froze. Tang Shi, the star forensic examiner who was always butting heads with Captain Mi, had actually sided with her this time! This was so bizarre it was off the charts! “Why?” A brash young detective protested. “Why can’t we investigate them together?” “Because,” Mi Jialai said softly, “what you see isn’t what you think you see. Haven’t you noticed? A shadow, a dark hand, hangs over all of us, watching this city from the darkness and orchestrating these crimes...” Tang Shi tilted his head. “Speak plainly. Materialists don’t believe in supernatural mumbo jumbo.” The emergency call rang out abruptly, and everyone pricked up their ears. “Hello?” A frightened, uneasy voice came from the other end. “I want... I want to report a crime! That student who fell from the building a few days ago, I suspect... he was murdered!” Two police officers burdened by long-buried secrets, a girl who had suffered relentless bullying, and a genius boy who seemed cheerful and lively but was unfathomably deep... Seven lives, six cases. Beneath the city after the storm, unseen currents were churning... [Reading Guide]: 1. A modern alternate setting, with a plot-focused [social school of detective fiction]. Emphasis!!! This is [social school of detective fiction], not [classic puzzle mystery]! If you prefer classic puzzle mysteries, please take note! A sharp, meticulous female police captain who cracks cases while dealing with daily drama and putting on a show, a catlike, food-loving elite male forensic examiner who specializes in putting arrogant people in their place, and a group of passionate, sincere colleagues team up to solve cases. An ensemble story. 2. A true serial murder case. The killer won't be revealed until much later. From what I gathered while researching, real-life serial cases are also rarely solved overnight. So please be patient. Keep reading and you'll find out the answer. 3. The story will definitely have a hopeful ending, but some of the cases are dark and brutal. If that's not for you, please stop reading. Everyone will be happier that way. A friendly reminder: this is not recommended for readers under fourteen. If there are no other questions, let's go! Welcome aboard! Theme: The law is vast, yet no criminal escapes its net.