As Qin Tianyi entered the private room, he scrutinized Xiao Anjing with a discerning gaze, examining him from head to toe. He saw no obvious marks on his face, and it was difficult to tell about any injuries on his body without him removing his clothes.
He had been quite heavy-handed in his anger that day and worried he might have genuinely injured Xiao Anjing's bones or vital points.
"Had enough looking? I told you I wouldn't die," Xiao Anjing said coldly, facing him. "If you truly feel guilty, give me a bigger bonus at the end of the year."
"Dream on. You still have the nerve to ask for a bonus?" Qin Tianyi sat down. Although he had already forgiven him, he still didn't show him a pleasant expression.
Xiao Anjing couldn't hold back his smile and poured him a drink. "Then drink this glass of wine, and we'll call it even. We won't mention anything about the past."
Qin Tianyi picked up the wine glass and downed it in one gulp. "Go on, what's so important that you had to call me this late?"
"Shu Yan was arrested by the police."
"I know. You still don't believe she killed someone?"
Xiao Anjing set his glass aside and asked, "I believe it. I just can't understand why she would kill Huo Jin. They were such good friends; she had no motive."
Qin Tianyi leaned back on the sofa and said, "You'll have to ask her that yourself. Perhaps in her eyes, friendship and camaraderie mean nothing..."
Xiao Anjing leaned forward, still trying to find excuses for Shu Yan. "Do you think it's possible that Huo Jin suddenly fell ill in her place, or died in an accident, and Shu Yan, out of fear, staged the scene of Huo Jin falling into the pond?"
He had initially seen Shu Yan as a pitiable victim. However, the facts proved that Shu Yan was not only not weak but had also committed heinous acts. He certainly couldn't accept it immediately.
Qin Tianyi could fully understand his feelings now. He patted his shoulder and said with a sigh, "Let's not speculate about these things. Let the police investigate. Let the evidence and facts speak for themselves."
Xiao Anjing hesitated for a few seconds, then took out the voice recorder and handed it to him. "This is what Shu Yan said to me before she was arrested. See if it's helpful for Huo Jin's case. Oh, and this receipt too."
As he spoke, he took out a credit card slip from his pocket.
Qin Tianyi took the voice recorder and looked at the receipt, asking, "What is this?"
"This is a receipt I found outside Shu Yan's place the morning after Huo Jin's incident," Xiao Anjing said sadly. "I didn't think much of it at the time and just put it in my pocket. I forgot about it later. When you came to beat me up that day and said Shu Yan was involved in Huo Jin's death, I remembered this receipt. I then had someone check the card number and signature on the receipt, as well as the shopping records from the mall. This should have fallen out of Huo Jin's pocket at Shu Yan's doorstep."
Qin Tianyi took the receipt. It was ironclad evidence. Shu Yan could no longer deny that she had seen Huo Jin that night.
"An Jing, I knew you wouldn't truly betray me. Su Su was right; you only pitied Shu Yan. For the sake of Ao Xiang, you valued our friendship the most. I was wrong to misunderstand you."
Xiao Anjing was initially puzzled. Given Qin Tianyi's usual temper, he wouldn't have forgiven him so quickly.
When he called Qin Tianyi tonight, Qin Tianyi immediately asked about his injuries and readily agreed to meet.
He had thought Qin Tianyi had suddenly changed his ways. He didn't expect that he wouldn't need to explain anything further; Gu Susu had already mended the rift and cracks between them.
It seemed he had been too sympathetic to Shu Yan and had misunderstood Gu Susu. Now that he saw everything clearly, he was happy that Qin Tianyi had found such a good and supportive wife.
"Young Master, please thank the Young Madam on my behalf."
Qin Tianyi's face lit up with a smile. "She's been worried about Huo Jin's case. You've been a great help, and she'll definitely thank you."
"I wouldn't dare," Xiao Anjing replied, regaining his playful tone. "Look at you, your eyes light up whenever you mention her. This display of affection makes me want to scratch the walls."
As if a fog had lifted, Qin Tianyi's heart felt clear. Fortunately, his gamble paid off. Xiao Anjing was still his good brother, and they seemed to have returned to their days of struggling together abroad.
They found their old rapport again and started drinking, one glass after another.
Su Su leaned against the sofa in the living room, drowsy, and smelled alcohol. She struggled to open her eyes and saw Qin Tianyi, his face flushed, right in front of her.
She rubbed her eyes and said, "You're back. Did you get into a fight with Xiao Anjing?"
Qin Tianyi shook his head. "No. Why are you sleeping here? Didn't you go back to your room?"
"I... I couldn't sleep earlier, so I was just sitting here playing on my phone." Su Su felt embarrassed to admit that she had deliberately waited for him in the living room.
Although she had readily agreed when he said he was going to see Xiao Anjing, she had still been worried after he left.
Qin Tianyi saw through her insincerity. "Lying. You were waiting for me. Were you thinking of eating me up when I got back?"
Su Su was about to retort when she suddenly felt herself being lifted.
"Let me down! You're drunk!"
"I'm not drunk, I'm happy," Qin Tianyi said, carrying her towards the second floor.
Su Su was nervous, afraid that if he lost his balance, he would drop her and she'd end up bruised and swollen.
Fortunately, although his steps weren't straight, he managed to carry her to the bed in the bedroom.
As soon as he let go, Su Su immediately tried to get up. "This won't do. Lie down quickly, I need to make you some hangover tea."
"I told you I'm not drunk," Qin Tianyi pushed her down and lay on the bed himself.
Su Su had no choice but to go along with him. "Okay, you're not drunk. It's late, so let's sleep."
Qin Tianyi, however, suddenly attacked her with a forceful kiss. She was somewhat overwhelmed and went limp in his arms.
Just as she felt like she was suffocating, he released her and said in a low voice, "I'm really happy tonight."
Su Su, weakened by his kiss, rested her head on him and asked, "Happy about what? You made up with Xiao Anjing, right?"
"Not just that. Also, that Shu Yan, who deliberately caused harm, has finally been caught. We can all relax now," Qin Tianyi said, gently stroking her back.
"Yes, I hope the police will convict her soon, and Huo Jin's spirit can rest in peace," Su Su said, as if soothing a child. "Alright, let's sleep."
She turned over in his arms, wanting to prepare a hot towel for him after he fell asleep. If he didn't sober up, she was afraid he would have a headache in the morning.
Qin Tianyi felt her turn and held her from behind, refusing to let go. He whispered in her ear, "Su Su, I still want to give you a bigger surprise. Remember last time when I didn't take you abroad?"
Su Su's eyes immediately welled up. How could she forget that painful memory? They were supposed to go on a family trip abroad, but she was illegally detained by Yang Sijie.
"Of course, I remember."