Yu Xiaohui had also calmed down. She knew she wasn't in the right and that Lü Qingqing's actions were justified. She was just feeling wronged and angry about being locked up all night.
Feeling her face flush, Yu Xiaohui was about to leave when Lü Qingqing grabbed her arm. "Apologize!"
Lü Qingqing's eyes were sharp, her expression firm, and her demeanor defiant. This was Lü Qingqing's true nature, especially considering her past experience as a police captain in the countryside. She still possessed a certain authority and presence.
"I... I'm sorry." Yu Xiaohui was momentarily stunned into submission.
"Next time, don't think of interpersonal relationships in such a dirty way. Remember, people are always a part of society," Lü Qingqing said coldly.
Truth be told, Lü Qingqing wasn't particularly upset about Yu Xiaohui blaming her for providing clues to the police. What truly angered her was the accusation regarding her relationship with Zhan Ruoxuan.
"Well, you can't blame me entirely. Zhan Ruoxuan himself said you were his girlfriend," Yu Xiaohui explained.
Zhan Ruoxuan said that himself?
Lü Qingqing turned to look at Zhan Ruoxuan, who appeared astonished, then erupted in anger. "When did I ever say that?"
"Officer Tong, it was Officer Tong Meng who said it. She said Zhan Ruoxuan admitted it himself," Yu Xiaohui quickly clarified, and her explanation was corroborated by Zhou Fengjiu and another person.
Zhan Ruoxuan panicked and turned to explain to Lü Qingqing.
Lü Qingqing raised her hand to interrupt him. "I believe you."
She distinctly remembered Zhan Ruoxuan questioning Hu Jia at the time about his reputation. How could someone so concerned about her reputation also be the one to damage it?
Seeing Lü Qingqing's unhesitating trust, Zhan Ruoxuan felt a surge of relief. He absolutely did not want Lü Qingqing to resent him over this matter.
Hmph, Tong Meng!
It's her again!
Lü Qingqing felt like kicking her. That woman loved to play dirty tricks.
Lü Qingqing wore a scowl for the entire morning. It wasn't because Tong Meng had spread rumors about her, but because Zhan Ruoxuan kept avoiding her.
After leaving the cafeteria, Lü Qingqing directly intercepted Zhan Ruoxuan by the water fountain. "What's going on with you? Why do you run away when you see me?"
"No, I'm not. Um, I'm just a bit busy today." Zhan Ruoxuan's gaze flickered.
"Busy? Busy avoiding me, perhaps?" Lü Qingqing scrutinized Zhan Ruoxuan. "What is it? Did you actually say that?"
"How could I!" Zhan Ruoxuan coughed twice, perhaps out of haste.
"Alright, alright, I know it wasn't you." Seeing Zhan Ruoxuan's flustered state, Lü Qingqing couldn't help but smile. "So, tell me then, what's the meaning of you avoiding me?"
"No, nothing." Zhan Ruoxuan's stammering was indeed suspicious.
"Fine, if you won't say, I'll go find Ouyang and ask him why you've changed so completely after being locked up all night."
"Don't," Zhan Ruoxuan reached out to stop Lü Qingqing. Perhaps it was his sudden movement, but he grunted and his expression contorted in pain.
"What's wrong with you?" This time, Lü Qingqing finally noticed something was amiss with Zhan Ruoxuan.
She reached out to pull at his clothes, but Zhan Ruoxuan flinched away repeatedly.
"Is there something you're hiding from me?" Lü Qingqing glared. Before Zhan Ruoxuan could answer, she seized the opportunity and yanked open his shirt.
Despite her suspicions, as soon as his shirt was pulled open, Lü Qingqing couldn't help but curse, "Tong Meng, I'll kill you, you absolute idiot!"
A large patch of bruising was visible on Zhan Ruoxuan's chest, clearly indicating he had been beaten.
Who would dare beat him? Besides Tong Meng, there was no one else.
"She used the excuse of me being a suspect, handcuffed me to a chair, and then brought in two people. I tried to dodge, but I couldn't escape."
Hearing Zhan Ruoxuan's words, Lü Qingqing's fury ignited. She shouted, intending to confront them.
"Today, I will skin that conniving hag alive!" Not only were Zhan Ruoxuan and Lü Qingqing friends, but more importantly, Lü Qingqing knew that Zhan Ruoxuan's beating was related to her.
It was anger at herself and guilt towards Zhan Ruoxuan.
"Don't go. This revenge, I will take myself." Zhan Ruoxuan knew that if Lü Qingqing stormed into the police station today, she would face Tong Meng's relentless retaliation.
But the enraged Lü Qingqing was not listening to any dissuasion. She stormed directly to the City Criminal Investigation team, her demeanor so terrifying that Gao Liang quickly went to find Ouyang Wen.
"Slap... slap..." Without a word, Lü Qingqing slapped Tong Meng twice.
"Are you crazy!" Tong Meng's hair was disheveled, and she hadn't recovered from the stinging sensation.
"I'm perfectly sane. But now, I'm truly going to lose it." Lü Qingqing grabbed Tong Meng's hair and, like dragging a struggling Shiba Inu, pulled her in front of Zhan Ruoxuan. "Who told you to resort to torture? Are your hands itching? Do you want me to pick them for you?"
Lü Qingqing made a move as if to twist Tong Meng's arm, causing the woman to scream in terror.
Zhan Ruoxuan, afraid Lü Qingqing would cause further trouble, said, "Qingqing, you should leave quickly."
After speaking, he glanced back at Tong Meng. As if making a decision in his heart, he immediately slapped her.
"Slap..." The sound was crisp and loud!
Tong Meng was completely stunned at this point.
It was a back-and-forth, with the woman hitting, and now the man joining in.
Lü Qingqing was also a little bewildered by Zhan Ruoxuan's slap.
"I hit her. You leave!" Zhan Ruoxuan pushed Lü Qingqing back a couple of steps.
Admittedly, Zhan Ruoxuan was truly a man.
However, with so many people watching in the office, how could he possibly shoulder such a huge burden alone?
"Qingqing..." Ouyang Wen arrived just in time. He glanced at the disheveled Tong Meng. "This is a police station, not a place for you to throw tantrums!"
"Captain Wen, arrest them! She assaulted an officer," Tong Meng shrieked, jumping up and down.
Lü Qingqing gave her a cold glance and raised her hand as if to strike again.
Tong Meng screamed and hid behind Ouyang Wen.
"What did I tell you yesterday? I told you to control your people. Since you can't, I'll help you manage them." Lü Qingqing hadn't lost her temper like this in a long time.
For a considerable period, she had been comfortable within the Special Operations Team.
Whether it was Hu Jia or Li Yang, Yu Yue or Wen Wu, their interactions were filled with laughter.
As a result, those who met Lü Qingqing perceived her as a woman with a smiling demeanor.
However, they had forgotten, how could a woman who walked through various crime scenes be delicate and fragile?
Ouyang Wen understood Lü Qingqing's words, but despite that, he couldn't allow Lü Qingqing to assault his subordinate on his turf.
"You should go back first. I'll handle this," Ouyang Wen advised.
Tong Meng, standing nearby, panicked at his words. "Captain Wen! How can you let her go? She just barged in here and started hitting people. She hit not only me but also your reputation!"
Seeing Ouyang Wen unmoved, Tong Meng understood. She pointed at Lü Qingqing and yelled, "Good! You vixen! After seducing the wild man next to you, you've come to seduce our Captain Wen. You think you can get away with it because these men help you? I'm going to file a complaint with the director! You're a worthless piece of trash who uses her body to gain power and authority!"
Tong Meng had vented her fury, and Lü Qingqing, Ouyang Wen, and Zhan Ruoxuan were all burning with anger. Just as they were about to teach Tong Meng another lesson, Tong Meng let out a scream that abruptly ended her tirade.
A book, flying through the air, hit Tong Meng squarely on the forehead.
Turning around, Hu Jia, radiating a chilling aura, stood at the doorway.