"So they just decided Li Yang was the murderer based on a footprint?" Lü Qingqing learned the general details from Yu Yue.
Li Yang had returned home at 10:30 PM last night, and Mo Yun had been killed between 9 and 10 PM.
At 9:30 PM, Li Yang climbed over the wall to get out of school, and was seen by the teaching assistant Ma Cong. Therefore, Ma Cong was an eyewitness to Li Yang's presence at the scene.
Ma Cong then discovered the deceased Mo Yun, who had been stabbed twice. The scene was chaotic, indicating a struggle.
A bag of flour had been knocked over at the crime scene, leaving behind the killer's footprints.
These footprints matched Li Yang's shoes, and when the police went to arrest Li Yang, he was in the process of cleaning flour off the soles of his shoes.
Similarly, the police found dozens of bruises on Li Yang's body, clearly caused by fighting.
"What a clever scheme. All the traces, both at the scene and on his body, were perfectly arranged," Lü Qingqing had to admire the person who had set the trap.
However, there was one thing she couldn't figure out: she and Li Yang had sneaked out from the school gate, so why did a witness see Li Yang climbing over the wall?
Despite all the evidence and statements pointing to Li Yang as the murderer, Lü Qingqing steadfastly believed he wouldn't do such a thing.
Not only did she believe it, but Hu Jia, Yu Yue, and Luo Wenwu also believed it.
"Boss, is there really no way? If you take on Li Yang's case, I guarantee you can clear his name," Yu Yue's eyes were full of worry; she didn't trust the Tongyuanmen police very much.
"We are law enforcers," Hu Jia replied with just a few words.
Seeing Yu Yue's disappointed expression, Lü Qingqing felt distressed. Indeed, it was a rule to avoid handling cases involving relatives.
But the other party had made the setup so perfect that if anyone had tampered with the evidence or provided false testimony, Li Yang would have been convicted.
"Maybe someone can help," Lü Qingqing suddenly thought of someone, "Ouyang Wen."
"That's right! If we find Ouyang, at least no one will interfere with the case," Yu Yue seemed to see a glimmer of hope.
"I'll go," Luo Wenwu was the first to respond.
"Wait," Lü Qingqing's eyes darted around. "Hu Jia will go."
Uh…
Everyone's expressions were varied. They probably hadn't expected that even now, Lü Qingqing would still try to get Hu Jia involved.
"What, do you think the road is too far?" Lü Qingqing looked innocent.
"Fine, I'll go!" Hu Jia gritted his teeth, glared at Lü Qingqing hatefully, and left without further ado.
"My goodness, sister-in-law. You're truly a schemer," Luo Wenwu couldn't help but praise Lü Qingqing.
Lü Qingqing: ...
Meanwhile, Li Yang was confined to a police interrogation chair. He hadn't slept for thirteen hours, from 11 PM until now.
Li Yang knew this was a common interrogation tactic. They would repeatedly ask you the same questions, forcing you to answer them over and over again.
No food or drink, let alone sleep.
The police would take turns interrogating him in shifts, eventually wearing him down until he became disoriented and accidentally let something slip.
But who was Li Yang? He was a police officer with extensive experience and training.
He constantly reminded himself to stay clear-headed and not fall into their verbal traps.
After all, he truly hadn't killed anyone.
"You claim you left the academy through the main entrance, so why did someone see you climbing over the wall?"
"Because halfway through, three or four people suddenly appeared and attacked me. The injuries on my body were sustained while fighting them. Later, they climbed into the academy, and I followed. Little did I know that after they got in, they didn't run, but instead kicked me the moment I landed. When I got up, they climbed back out. I also climbed out, and the moment I did, teaching assistant Ma Cong of the academy saw me."
"Could it be that coincidental? Listen to yourself, do you think it's believable?"
"Believe it or not."
"Bang." The interrogating officer slammed the table. "Li Yang, watch your attitude!"
Li Yang remained noncommittal.
Then, the interrogating officer asked again, "There are your footprints at the crime scene, and the soles of your shoes are covered in flour. How do you explain that?"
Li Yang sighed helplessly. "I had just prepared to go to bed when I heard an unusual noise."
A new round of repetition began.
…
"This is the first time you've come to see me on your own," Ouyang Wen was pleased by Hu Jia's unannounced visit.
In fact, as soon as he heard that Li Yang was in trouble, he had expected Hu Jia to come looking for him.
"Whatever conditions you have, just state them," Hu Jia said with a grim face.
"No conditions. I'll take the case," Ouyang Wen agreed without hesitation.
Uh…
This time, it was Hu Jia's turn to be bewildered.
"I thought you would threaten me and make me quit the police force."
"If I really made that request, would you quit?"
"Yes!" In fact, this was the mental preparation Hu Jia had made before coming.
"Heh." Ouyang Wen chuckled. "You can quit the police force for Li Yang, so why can't you quit for me?"
"Because they are different," Hu Jia replied.
Ouyang Wen stared intently at Hu Jia. "How are they different? Is a subordinate more important to you than I am?"
Ouyang Wen was a little angry. He had always treated Hu Jia like family, but he never expected that in Hu Jia's heart, he wasn't as important as someone he knew in the police force.
Hu Jia looked up at Ouyang Wen, took out a cigarette from his hand, and offered it to him. "He is my brother, and you, you are my elder brother!"
This statement, heavier than a thousand pounds, struck Ouyang Wen's heart.
Yes, I am his elder brother.
People are like this; they treat those closest to them the worst.
They find it difficult to refuse strangers, but often end up using that refusal on the people they care about most.
We are always tolerant of strangers but critical of those we know and are close to.
The reason for this is perhaps because we believe that those close to us will never leave us, and that even if there are arguments, they will eventually be resolved within the intimate relationship.
But, is this really right?
Hu Jia didn't know, and Ouyang Wen didn't either.
"I did consider using that as a threat, but I trust Lü Qingqing," Ouyang Wen lit the cigarette. "She told me to respect your choice. If given a choice between ordinary peace and quiet, you would rather choose to die in uniform."
Hu Jia looked at Ouyang Wen in surprise. He hadn't expected Lü Qingqing to understand him so well.
That woman, it seemed, was truly his destined other half.
…
Despite Ouyang Wen's involvement, Hu Jia couldn't just do nothing. He prepared to investigate privately.
On his way back to the office, he saw Yu Yue running towards him in a panic.
"Boss, hurry and save Qingqing!" Yu Yue panted, out of breath.
Lü Qingqing?
Hu Jia's demeanor immediately turned cold. "What happened to her?"
Could it be that someone had targeted her as well?
Yu Yue clearly sensed the change in Hu Jia's emotions. "That Tong Hua wants to expel her and prevent her from continuing her studies at the academy."
Hu Jia had heard long ago that Tong Hua had shown some signs of singling out Lü Qingqing, but she had been quiet for a while. He hadn't expected her to be waiting for her here.
Hu Jia was furious. He dropped Yu Yue and ran towards the academy.
"Luo Wenwu, Lü Qingqing violated school rules and regulations and should be expelled. As a member of the special forces, don't you even abide by the most basic rules?"
Tong Hua's condescending attitude was revolting to behold, while Luo Wenwu stood in front of Lü Qingqing, as if protecting her from harm.
"May I ask which school rule or regulation Lü Qingqing has violated? Even if she did something outrageous, it's the principal of the academy who decides whether to expel her. What right do you have to say anything?"
Hu Jia appeared.