"I'm really angry right now. Can't you just go along with what I'm saying? Must you argue with me? Black Mantis, I'm not a fool. If I truly suspected you, I wouldn't have called you here."

"Then why did you call me here?" Xiaofan continued to ask.

"What time did he leave the research institute today? Because you were the one on duty with the team during the day." Zhu Fan asked further.

"Around five o'clock. At that time, I had just switched shifts and left the institute. I was on the same route as him for a while. We live not far from each other. I also ran into him two days ago when I was buying groceries at the market, but we didn't greet each other." Xiaofan detailed without a hint of concealment.

"Did you notice anyone suspicious following him?" Zhu Fan questioned again.

"Probably not. If anyone seemed suspicious, it would be me. His car was in front and mine behind, and we didn't separate until a bit past the bay. After that, I don't know."

After the questioning, Zhu Fan fell into contemplation. Someone can't just die so inexplicably, yet nothing in the professor's home seemed to have been disturbed. Was it just a murder for the sake of killing?

Why did this Nara He have to die? What made it absolutely necessary?

Having been here for nearly two years, keeping a low profile, he didn't seem to have made any enemies. The scene didn't look like a robbery either.

Actually, if it were a typical vendetta killing, Zhu Fan wouldn't be so worried. But if it was targeted at his research institute, then it's a big problem. That's why he personally came to the scene.

"Boss, we found out. Although Nara He had his throat slit, toxins were detected in his blood."

"Hmm? What kind of poison?"

"Black Scorpion..."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Fan became immediately shocked.

Black Scorpion is a unique poison to the Red Butterfly organization, and ordinary people definitely can't obtain it unless it's given to an assigned assassin. Therefore, the one who killed the professor must be someone from within Red Butterfly.

Just this conclusion alone eliminated suspicion on Black Mantis, because even if Black Mantis had now become an A-level assassin, it was impossible to obtain this poison without special orders.

"Boss, this old guy isn't any good either. Look over here." At this moment, Uncle Zhong brought over a USB stick and a laptop to Zhu Fan. Then he opened it.

The more Zhu Fan looked, the more alarmed he became. The USB was filled with research data from the institute! This Nara He had privately copied all the experimental results from the research.

"Investigate, immediately verify all of Nara He's bank accounts. There's a chance he's in cahoots with that Tanaka Yoshiko. Damn it, starting today, no research member at the institute is allowed to leave the lab even one step. They must eat, drink, and relieve themselves there, and all their requests should be met until the research product is completed, only then can they be released."

Since we already suffered losses once before, when Shen Zuimo killed several important people at the institute, copied the data, and destroyed the original materials, causing huge losses, Zhu Fan had learned to be smart and assigned plenty of experts to accompany each professor. But he didn't expect, though guarded day and night, the worst threat comes from within.

However, the research data hasn't been completed yet, so there are still ways to remedy it. If it succeeded once, it can certainly succeed a second time, and now the progress is advancing faster. Maybe soon, it can be completely developed successfully.

No matter how they investigate, it's none of Xiaofan's business. What Xiaofan needs to do is quickly find Red Butterfly's lair and capture all those people.

Xiaofan walked out of the yard, looked at the traces of the fight, and images slowly formed in his mind. On such a festive night, it's better to be home watching the Spring Festival Gala, instead of dealing with this mess.

"Zhu Fan, if there's nothing else, I'm heading back now." Xiaofan said casually upon returning to the living room.

"I am your boss, could you be a bit more polite?"

"Who's the boss calling someone to work overtime during the New Year without giving a bonus, seriously." Xiaofan pouted, then got into the car ready to leave.

Both the case and the Tanaka Yoshiko matter made Xiaofan understand that Red Butterfly isn't something Zhu Fan can fully control alone. For instance, in terms of funds, Tanaka Yoshiko's presence is to ensure that Dongwu's money isn't monopolized by Zhu Fan, and although HLY007 is Zhu Fan's own project, if it really succeeds, it can shock the world, and many people covet this project. The entity behind Red Butterfly is Japan, naturally as a close neighbor, they want to seize this data and take a share.

Obviously, tonight's dead professor was a planted agent, and perhaps all the copied data had already been sent to his superior. Of course, those are incomplete, unsuccessful research data.

Returning home, it was already past two in the morning. As for the so-called New Year's fireworks, they couldn't be shot off. Those at home really didn't sleep, all gathered on the sofa watching the gala, though it was nearing the end.

"Bai Xue, come out for a moment."

Standing at the door, Xiaofan didn't go inside, but instead called out to Bai Xue.

Hearing this, Bai Xue was stunned, glanced at Leng Yue, and then walked out slowly.

"Leng Yue, don't come over." Seeing Leng Yue about to get up to come, Xiaofan stopped her.

Bai Xue lightly furrowed her brows. Could it be this guy was still thinking about what happened earlier? If he still wanted to, what should she do? Refuse? Wouldn't that be too pretentious? She had clearly shown signs of agreeing before.

If she'd known, she would've gone to sleep. Why worry about him, waiting for his return?

Under the large banyan tree outside, Xiaofan stood there waiting. Bai Xue pouted and walked over briskly.

"What's up? There alright over there?"

'Whoosh.'

No response, a direct attack. Moreover, targeting Bai Xue's life force.

A murderous intent arose, Bai Xue trembled all over. She didn't expect Black Mantis was going to attack her, moreover, judging by the momentum, it was an unwavering strike.

'Bang.'

With a quick shift of her toes, Bai Xue immediately retreated, while Xiaofan's assault followed closely. The two instantly confronted each other.

He was serious.

The force was enough to take her life. Could it be he...

If she wanted to call for help, even if she put all her energy into it, she wouldn't be a match for the team leader, and she didn't want to use Black Scorpion's poison on him. No matter why he wanted to kill her, if that's his intention, then let him.

If Leng Yue and the others were called out, it would inevitably lead to a huge battle. Forget it, let her death put an end to this.

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