Ji Chenjiao: “That’s because even your explanations have reservations.”

Lu Feixiang rarely looked Ji Chenjiao straight in the eye, as if asking: What do you know?

“I went to the medical college to understand the whole process. You insisted you never took your roommate’s things, never stole reagents or equipment from the lab, but you were vague only on the matter of ‘dating’ Zeng Shu.” Ji Chenjiao said, “Of course, you were ultimately forced to drop out mainly because of the reagents, but if you had been able to explain the issue with Zeng Shu clearly, things might not have developed to the worst point.”

Lu Feixiang was silent for a long time. “You’re just talking from a position of privilege. Are you trying to get back what I lost for me now? Forget it. Whether I dropped out or not, whether it had anything to do with Zeng Shu, it’s none of your business.”

Two seconds later, he added, “And it has nothing to do with Mou Dianpei’s death.”

Just as Ji Chenjiao was about to speak, Shen Wei suddenly stepped between them, a flicker of anger in his listless eyes. “The matter of dropping out is long in the past, Officer Ji. Go back. Xiao Lu is doing very well now and is working hard to study for his exams. It’s not right to drag him back into his past suffering.”

Ji Chenjiao met Shen Wei’s gaze. This time, he clearly saw something called “protection” in Shen Wei’s eyes.

“Shu-shu, you’re about to go back, why are you still cooped up at home? Come out and play!” A friend called, saying she had booked afternoon tea at Feng City’s only five-star hotel for a handbag party with the girls.

But Zeng Shu was not interested. “I’m not going. You guys have fun.”

“What’s wrong with you? You were so distracted when I called you yesterday. Are you trying to ditch us?”

“No,” Zeng Shu said with some impatience. “Something came up at home.” After saying that, she hastily hung up.

Her mother, who was outside the study, overheard the call and knocked on the door. “Sweetie, you’ve been so down since the day before yesterday. What happened? Tell Mom.”

Zeng Shu could still maintain some courtesy with her friends, but faced with her mother’s concern, she suddenly exploded. “I’m fine! Why do you keep asking? Can’t you just let me be quiet!”

Her mother was sad and worried. “Okay, okay, Mom won’t ask. Don’t be angry.”

Slamming the door shut, Zeng Shu sat on the bay window, her long nightgown covering the tops of her feet. She hugged her calves, rested her chin on her knees, and whispered, “It wasn’t my fault, it wasn’t my fault…”

She had been so happy to come back to the country this time. She had ended a relationship and planned not to date for a while, wanting to get her degree, intern at a fashion company, and become a career woman. But just as she was making good plans for the future, the police suddenly appeared, asking her about Lu Feixiang dropping out of school.

It was a nightmare she didn’t want to bring up, but the police said Lu Feixiang was involved in a murder case, possibly related to his past experiences. She was scared out of her wits. How could that Lu Feixiang kill someone? What had he gone through?

Of course, she knew what he had gone through. Wasn’t his misfortune all her fault?

She was scared, scared that Lu Feixiang would come for revenge, but subconsciously she felt it was impossible. That was Lu Feixiang, the kindest and most grateful person she had ever met.

She knew what she was truly afraid of—knowing that Lu Feixiang had completely fallen, struggling in the mud, unable to get up.

She wanted to go back to school immediately, but her flight was next week. If she left early, her parents and family would definitely ask why. She couldn’t tell them.

The atmosphere at home made Zeng Shu feel suffocated. Her mother would have the maid bring her fruit one moment, juice the next. Wasn’t it just to see what she was doing? She couldn’t take it anymore. She changed into outdoor clothes and went out.

The Zeng family lived in a villa in a quiet part of the bustling city center. It was a long walk from any of the villas to the community gate. Zeng Shu didn’t drive. Just as she walked out of the community, she noticed someone following her. She turned around anxiously but saw no one. When she turned back, she was so startled she stumbled backward—a very handsome man had one hand in his pocket and was waving at her with the other.

“Who are you?” she asked warily.

Ling Lie said, “Police.”

Zeng Shu turned to leave. Ling Lie quickly followed behind her. “You’re reacting so strongly. You should know why I’m here to see you.”

Zeng Shu: “I don’t know anything! Can you please stop bothering me?”

“Don’t people need to pay the price for their actions? Even if it’s just a spiritual price?” Ling Lie’s voice was cool.

Zeng Shu stopped abruptly and looked at Ling Lie in disbelief. “What do you know?”

Ling Lie shrugged. “I don’t know anything. That’s why I’m here to ask you.”

Zeng Shu stared at him in astonishment. Although this man claimed to be a police officer, he was different from the officer who had come to see her last time and from any other police officer she had encountered in the past. Her heart beat faster and faster. Her reason kept telling her: Calm down. But she couldn’t.

Ling Lie: “Is there a hidden story behind Lu Feixiang dropping out of school?”

Zeng Shu almost screamed, her face turning pale.

Ling Lie: “I won’t stop you if you want to scream. But can you?”

Zeng Shu was utterly shocked. How could this man see her thoughts? Who on earth was he?

Ling Lie glanced to the right, where there was a municipal park. “Shall we take a walk over there? It’s too hot here.”

Zeng Shu felt as if Ling Lie had tied a rope around her, and she followed him like a lost soul.

There weren’t many people in the park at this time. The greenery was nice, and it wasn’t too hot even in the middle of summer. Ling Lie said, “You broke up with Xue Bin. Was it really because you were seeing Lu Feixiang?”

Zeng Shu kept her head down and didn’t speak.

Ling Lie: “Someone witnessed you two walking together at night and kissing. Is that true or false?”

Zeng Shu still didn’t answer.

Ling Lie waited for a while. “You and Lu Feixiang actually had no relationship at all, right? The dating and kissing were all fake. But you really wanted to break up with Xue Bin, and Lu Feixiang was just used by you.”

“No!” Zeng Shu screamed. “Don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know anything!”

Ling Lie nodded. “I really don’t know. Isn’t that why I want to hear it from you? But since you won’t talk, I’ll have to use my imagination.”

Zeng Shu’s eyes were full of vigilance. “It’s not what you think.”

The girl in front of him looked like she was about to cry. Ling Lie didn’t want to make a girl cry in public. He didn’t care much about his own reputation, but if this got back to Ji Chenjiao, he would get another lecture. Thinking of Xiao Ji’s furious face, he decided against it. Xiao Ji looked best when he smiled.

In the spirit of not making Ji Chenjiao ugly with anger, Ling Lie changed the subject. “If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Here, watch a video.”

Suspicious, Zeng Shu had no choice but to step closer. Ling Lie played the video, and Zeng Shu covered her mouth.

In the video, Lu Feixiang was wearing a black tank top and cloth pants, with an apron tied around him, moving tables and clearing dishes at “Old Shen’s Boxed Lunch.” It was a hot day, and he was drenched in sweat, his apron soaked through. He was silent, his back almost never straightened. After finishing his work outside, he went back into the shop to move basins of vegetables. Customers called out to him, and while he didn’t respond much, he did everything he was supposed to.

“This is Lu Feixiang’s job. The owner here said that he hasn’t given up since dropping out. He’s working part-time while reviewing his studies, hoping to take the self-study exams. But with this kind of work intensity, how can he compete with those students sitting in libraries reading materials?”

Zeng Shu began to tremble, her breathing becoming more and more rapid.

Ling Lie played another video. It was of Lu Feixiang washing cars near the medical college.

“A while ago, the restaurant was closed. The owner went on a summer vacation, but Lu Feixiang couldn’t go a day without work—because no work means no money.” Ling Lie glanced at Zeng Shu. “You probably can’t understand this kind of tightness and predicament, can you?”

Zeng Shu gritted her teeth. “I…”

Before she could answer, Ling Lie continued, “You tell me, after washing cars under the scorching sun all day, what energy does he have left to study?”

Zeng Shu was silent.

“If he hadn’t dropped out, he wouldn’t have to be so tired. There would be teachers lecturing in the classroom, countless materials in the library. With his family’s situation, he could have applied for a student grant. With good grades, he could have gotten a scholarship. He would only have needed to work a few hours to get through to graduation. After graduation and getting a job, everything would have been on the right track. His impoverished life would have been changed by his efforts, and he wouldn’t have to be poor anymore.”

Zeng Shu squatted on the ground, covering her ears and shaking her head desperately. “Stop talking…”

Ling Lie looked down, coldly observing this flower from a greenhouse. “But his twenty years of hard work and diligence were destroyed. He has to trade his time for survival. Can he really still achieve that ideal that is now so far away?”

“I don’t know if you’ve heard this saying,” Ling Lie looked away from Zeng Shu, his gaze fixed on the distance. “Poverty is more likely to breed crime. Lu Feixiang has been living under the pressure of poverty for a long time. He might not be the same medical student Lu Feixiang from back then.”

Zeng Shu asked tremblingly, “Did he really, really commit a crime?”

After a moment, Ling Lie said, “I don’t know.”

At the city bureau, in the temporary office of the special operations team.

As soon as Ling Lie returned, he felt something was off. Upon closer inspection, a mini-fridge had appeared under Ji Chenjiao’s desk. Small as it was, it had all the necessary features, even separate refrigerator and freezer compartments. The freezer section was already filled with ice cream, popsicles, and a small box of homemade ice cubes.

Ling Lie was momentarily speechless.

Ji Chenjiao had been exchanging clues with Huang Yi. When he entered, he found Ling Lie squatting by the fridge, dumbstruck. He raised an eyebrow slightly and cleared his throat. He had bought the fridge online yesterday. Anyway, they would be staying in Feng City for a while. Ling Lie liked to eat ice cream, and it was inconvenient to keep taking up space in the break room, so it was better to buy one for himself.

He himself had no need for ice cream and didn’t have to drink iced water, so this fridge was entirely for Ling Lie.

He thought Ling Lie would run over happily and give him a big heart sign like he did a few months ago when he was crashing at the serious crime team’s place. But unexpectedly, when Ling Lie heard his cough, he turned his head, stood up, and looked serious.

Ji Chenjiao: “?”

Ling Lie gave a seal-like clap, his tone sarcastic. “Captain Ji is amazing, so good at living!”

Ji Chenjiao: “.”

“The case isn’t even solved, and the fridge is already bought. It’s truly the modern version of ‘provisions come before the troops’!”

“…”

Ji Chenjiao’s lungs ached with anger. “Take a good look at what’s inside!”

Ling Lie: “I looked.”

“What is it!”

“Ice cream, popsicles, ice cubes.”

“Are! They! For! Me! To! Eat!”

Ling Lie blinked, looked at Ji Chenjiao, then ran back to the fridge and took out a small cow-shaped popsicle. “It seems they’re for me?”

Ji Chenjiao was resigned. “Then why were you being sarcastic with me?”

Ling Lie’s face lit up with a smile. “Oh, so it was for me! Captain Ji is so generous, may Captain Ji live a long life!”

Ji Chenjiao pushed his face away and returned to his seat, not wanting to talk to him for the time being.

Ling Lie slid over in his swivel chair. “Calm down, calm down, our good Xiao Ji.” As he spoke, he patted Ji Chenjiao’s back quite unceremoniously.

“Get off.” Ji Chenjiao was annoyed with him now. “Stop touching a police officer. I’ll charge you with assaulting an officer.”

Ling Lie patted his own chest. “Then you assault me. I won’t press charges.”

“…”

Ling Lie knew when to stop. He quickly offered the spoils to the victor, peeling a small cow popsicle for Ji Chenjiao as well.

The investigation seemed to have stalled. Fu Shunan denied any relationship with Chen Xiangli beyond friendship, Chen Xiangli refused to cooperate with the investigation, Shen Wei denied knowing Fu Shunan, Lu Feixiang and Shen Wei denied seeing Mou Dianpei’s paraquat, and Zeng Shu denied there was a hidden story behind Lu Feixiang’s dropping out.

But neither Ling Lie nor Ji Chenjiao was very anxious. Because at this stage of the investigation, it was often a psychological battle. Some people’s psychological defenses had already crumbled, and once one breach was opened, the other dams would be broken as well.

Ling Lie threw away his and Ji Chenjiao’s popsicle sticks and lay back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest. “Zeng Shu has a conscience. She’s not an irredeemably bad girl. I guess she didn’t expect things to develop to that point back then.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “If you’re not wrong, then she should come here voluntarily tomorrow or the day after.”

After Zeng Shu went home, she locked herself in her room. Her mother was very worried and knocked on her door several times. At night, she finally came out, as calm as if nothing had happened.

Her mother quickly had the maid prepare a table full of dishes for a family of three to sit at the dining table.

Zeng Shu remembered that when she was very young, her family had been short of money, but that was a distant memory. Ever since she became conscious of comparing herself with others, her parents had given her the best of everything.

She attended the international department of a key high school, wore the latest designer brands, and when she got her driver’s license at eighteen, her father gave her a million-dollar car. She dated a boyfriend from an equally wealthy family, and they had agreed to finish their undergraduate studies in the country and then go abroad to enjoy life.

She had hardly ever lived a hard life and couldn’t see the hardships of others. But today, that man named Ling Lie had shown her the hard life she had single-handedly caused.

“Dad, our family was poor before, right?” Zeng Shu looked at her gray-haired father.

Her father was taken aback. His daughter never talked about these things. Was it because she was leaving home again? He began to talk about his experience of starting from scratch with his wife, how they had come from a small town and how education had changed their fate. When he got emotional, there were already tears in his eyes. He told Zeng Shu to cherish the opportunity for education after returning to school, because not everyone could receive higher education. They had worked hard their whole lives just so she could have the opportunity and be free from worries about food and clothing.

Zeng Shu lowered her head and wiped away her tears.

This meal was like a long-overdue, warm family gathering. Her parents were very happy. Their daughter was finally considerate and cared about them.

Zeng Shu returned to her bedroom and stayed up all night. The next day, after her parents went to the company, she looked at herself in the mirror for a long time and finally made up her mind to go to the city bureau to find Ling Lie.

In the interrogation room, Ling Lie placed a glass of iced water in front of Zeng Shu. “You came after all.”

Compared to yesterday, Zeng Shu was much calmer. She wasn’t wearing makeup, and her eyes were a little red. “It was my fault that Lu Feixiang dropped out.”

Zeng Shu and Xue Bin were not in the same school. They had met through common friends. Their family backgrounds were similar, and they were both good-looking. They were once considered a match made in heaven.

At first, Zeng Shu really liked Xue Bin. He was humorous and outstanding. Compared to many in the rich second-generation circle, his grades could be said to be top-notch. While others relied on their parents’ money to go abroad, he had gotten into a good medical school on his own. Just the fact that he was studying medicine made Zeng Shu see him in a different light.

But as they spent more time together, Xue Bin’s shortcomings also became obvious. He was a bit chauvinistic and felt that since Zeng Shu was so beautiful, she didn’t need to work hard at all and could just be a pretty vase.

Xue Bin had a very clear plan for the future. He wanted to become a star doctor, and a star doctor should naturally have a gentle and beautiful wife. In his eyes, Zeng Shu was just a tool to add to his glory.

Xue Bin would say he liked the dishes Zeng Shu made, but would turn around and give them to Lu Feixiang. Zeng Shu was very angry when she first found out, but her upbringing prevented her from arguing with Xue Bin. Later, seeing that Lu Feixiang seemed to genuinely like her cooking, she slowly stopped caring about Xue Bin and instead developed a growing fondness for Lu Feixiang.

She couldn’t quite describe her feelings for Lu Feixiang. First, Lu Feixiang’s family background was too poor, so he would definitely not become her boyfriend. Second, she felt relaxed and happy when chatting with Lu Feixiang.

Lu Feixiang had very good grades, and although he wasn’t particularly handsome, he inexplicably gave people a sense of security.

The more she compared Lu Feixiang with Xue Bin, the more Zeng Shu disliked Xue Bin. She had originally thought Xue Bin was very ambitious and didn’t rely on his elders for anything. After getting to know Lu Feixiang, she realized, how did Xue Bin not rely on his family? If he didn’t have money, would he have been able to attend so many cram schools before the college entrance exam? Would he have been able to study abroad every year?

If these conditions were given to Lu Feixiang, Lu Feixiang would definitely be able to do better than him, right?

Zeng Shu didn’t know if she should pursue Lu Feixiang. Subconsciously, she still looked down on his background, but what she knew for sure was that she had to break up with Xue Bin.

She proposed a breakup to Xue Bin. Xue Bin was very confident, thinking she was joking. He had also inquired in their circle and knew that she had not been ambiguous with anyone.

Xue Bin naturally assumed that if she really wanted to break up, she must have found a man better than him. Since that wasn’t the case, it meant she was just saying it out of anger.

They had recently had a fight. Xue Bin tried to coax her with bags and jewelry and said that if she really had someone she liked more, he would selflessly let her go, but since she didn’t, he wouldn’t let go of her.

Seeing that she couldn’t end the relationship, in a moment of desperation, Zeng Shu brought up Lu Feixiang. “I’m with Feixiang-ge now!”

Xue Bin found this joke even more ridiculous than the breakup. Lu Feixiang? That poor guy?

But Zeng Shu was adamant, saying she liked Lu Feixiang, had already confessed to him, and would immediately be with him after the breakup.

Of course, Xue Bin didn’t believe it and immediately called Lu Feixiang over to verify.

It all happened very suddenly. Zeng Shu was caught up in her emotions. She rationally knew she wouldn’t be with Lu Feixiang, but the impulse to break up and her unwillingness to let go of her pride prompted her to look at Lu Feixiang, pleading with him not to expose her.

Lu Feixiang fell silent.

Xue Bin finally realized the problem and rushed towards Lu Feixiang, punching him. “Who do you think you are? How dare you steal my woman?”

It spiraled out of control.

After that, Lu Feixiang never said that he had no relationship with Zeng Shu. As a result, more and more accusations were thrown at him. First, rumors spread in the dorm that he was a petty thief. Later, it was revealed that he had stolen reagents and equipment from the lab. Then someone said they saw him holding hands, walking, and kissing with Zeng Shu.

Lu Feixiang denied the theft but never explicitly clarified his relationship with Zeng Shu.

And Zeng Shu also retreated. She just wanted to break up with Xue Bin and didn’t expect things to get so out of hand. She had considered whether to stand up and say that she and Lu Feixiang were not together. But words spoken are like water spilled. If she said now that those things hadn’t happened, how would others see her? She would become a laughingstock among her friends.

She had never suffered such a grievance in her entire life.

She thought, a strong person like Lu Feixiang would definitely get through it. The school authorities weren’t fools either. They would surely be able to find out who had taken the things from the lab and clear Lu Feixiang’s name. As for Xue Bin, it didn’t matter. Xue Bin was about to go abroad and wouldn’t trouble Lu Feixiang anymore.

She went on a trip to the north, escaping for a month before returning to Feng City, only to receive the news that Lu Feixiang had dropped out.

She was filled with guilt but was even more afraid to tell the truth. She deceived herself, thinking that a school like that wasn’t worth attending for Lu Feixiang anyway. Lu Feixiang was so outstanding, he would definitely have a good future.

And she had achieved her goal of breaking up. Xue Bin no longer bothered her and went abroad soon after.

She didn’t dare to ask about Lu Feixiang. As long as she didn’t know, Lu Feixiang was doing well. It wasn’t until Ling Lie told her about Lu Feixiang’s current situation that she learned how much Lu Feixiang longed to continue his studies and how much her actions had changed his life.

“He is very kind. He was protecting me, but I failed to protect him.” Zeng Shu said through tears, her voice gradually trembling. “I know it’s too late for everything, but I still want to say sorry to him in person. He is not the villain who interfered in someone else’s relationship. I am the scheming villain.”

“If he’s willing, I hope to give him some form of compensation.” Zeng Shu said haltingly. “Tell him my compensation is not to put psychological pressure on him. I just, I just want to feel a little better myself. If he gets into a school abroad, I will pay for his tuition and living expenses. I twisted his life off course; I should be the one to set it straight.”

Ling Lie’s purpose in approaching Zeng Shu was to get her to see Lu Feixiang.

Lu Feixiang dropping out was not a matter for the Feng City police or the special operations team to interfere in. Zeng Shu had no connection to Mou Dianpei’s case.

But her appearance would inevitably touch Lu Feixiang and become a key part in breaking down the dam.

Leaving the interrogation room, Ling Lie sighed. He turned to see Ji Chenjiao and Huang Yi.

Huang Yi was a father with a lively and lovely daughter at home. At this moment, he couldn’t help but feel melancholic. “Zeng Shu probably doesn’t know that her apology to Lu Feixiang was all within your calculations. She has become a tool.”

“But she knows that people should pay the price for their past actions, whether it’s her or Lu Feixiang.” Ling Lie’s rationality at this moment seemed somewhat cold and heartless. “Crimes should be punished, and for immoral acts that the law cannot punish, there is at least the unease and condemnation of conscience.”

Huang Yi nodded. “That’s true.”

Ji Chenjiao asked, “Should we notify Lu Feixiang now?”

Ling Lie said, “I will go ‘invite’ him personally.”