Chapter 582: Hidden Struggle

Yan Ke sat in the empty interrogation room, the recorder already turned off. During the interrogation, he had been drenched in cold sweat multiple times, as the policeman’s eyes seemed to convey that he knew everything.

If not for the presence of his lawyer, Yan Ke would have already broken down. Even now, he was still terrified, unsure of how many more cards the police had left to play.

The lawyer slipped in, holding a bottle of mineral water. He leaned down and whispered, “Do you want to live?”

Yan Ke nodded frantically.

“If you want to live, injure yourself as severely as possible.”

Their faces were almost touching. Yan Ke saw the lawyer’s muscles twitching under his skin as he spoke, making him look sinister. The lawyer’s eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were devoid of any emotion, making Yan Ke feel as if Teacher Zhou was looking at him through those eyes.

The lawyer stood up coldly and walked out, leaving Yan Ke to his terrifying thoughts.

Outside, Xu Xiaodong stopped the lawyer. “What were you doing in there!?”

The lawyer shrugged. “Just delivering a bottle of water.”

“Who allowed that!?”

Xu Xiaodong rushed in and took the water bottle away, just in case there was something in it.

The lawyer smirked and lit a cigarette in the hallway. Chen Shi approached and said, “Mr. Wang, right? I just called your office, but no one answered. After a bit of checking, it seems your so-called law office is just you, and you haven’t had a case in years. It’s a front, isn’t it?”

“I have a registered business. Whether I have clients is none of your business.”

Chen Shi got closer and threatened with a smile, “A word of advice: you better stay away from Zhou Tiannan. When he goes down, you’ll go down with him.”

The lawyer angrily flicked his cigarette away. “Are you threatening me? Everyone, this cop is threatening me! I’m going to sue you all!”

Chen Shi flashed his ID. “I’m not a cop, just a passerby. Goodbye!”

At that moment, screams erupted from the interrogation room. The officers rushed in to find Yan Ke clutching his hand, blood gushing out. He wailed, “She’s dead, and you still suspect me! I might as well join her! Xiao Xiao!”

Lin Dongxue grabbed his hand and was horrified to see he had bitten off one of his fingers. His mouth was full of blood, and the severed finger was visible on his tongue as he cried.

“Get him to the hospital! Quickly!”

As Yan Ke was taken away, the lawyer smugly declared, “I can testify that the last person who saw him was that cop.”

Xu Xiaodong, pale with anger, retorted, “Don’t slander me. You gave him the water without permission. I just took it away.”

“Who knows what you might have said to threaten him? Look at your police attitudes, treating my client as if he’s already guilty. I reserve the right to sue you all!”

Chen Shi clenched his fist, wanting to punch him.

Suddenly, Chen Shi had an idea and pulled Lin Dongxue aside. “Check who the lawyer just called.”

“This… We can’t do that without permission! It’s not the right time for this.”

“Check it!” Chen Shi insisted.

The lawyer’s business card had his number, and a quick check revealed he had recently called a mysterious number right after the interrogation ended.

Chen Shi had a bad feeling. Yan Ke was weak-willed and had obviously been manipulated into harming himself. “Let’s go to the school!”

Tao Yueyue had finished lunch at school and was reading in the classroom when someone tapped on the window and softly called her name. Turning, she saw Cao Rui.

Since the day she had accompanied him to give a statement at the police station, he had been “harassing” her on WeChat daily. Tao Yueyue put down her book and stepped out of the classroom. “What are you doing? It’s not good if classmates see us.”

“I miss you…” Cao Rui scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

Tao Yueyue turned to leave. Cao Rui quickly said, “Wait, wait, I was just kidding. Don’t you know how to take a joke? I have something serious to tell you.”

Tao Yueyue raised her eyebrows and glared at him.

“Let’s go to that store from last time after school. There’s an event today.”

“Why should I go with you? Do you think we’re close?”

“Uh… your dad told you to protect me, right?”

“He never said that.”

“I saw Mr. Yan being taken away this morning. Finally, the real culprit is caught. I’m relieved. Let me treat you to something!”

“No.”

“It’s quiet outside the school, no one will see us. And you’re the top student in the school, who would dare to gossip about you?”

“I’m leaving.”

“I’ll be waiting at the milk tea shop outside. If you don’t come, I won’t leave!”

With that, Cao Rui left. Tao Yueyue tried to read, but couldn’t focus. She put down her book and left the school. The milk tea shop was empty. As she looked around, Cao Rui popped up from under a seat, grinning and waving. “Over here!”

Tao Yueyue sat down. “You shouldn’t talk to me recently. My… dad said if anyone finds out you’re a witness, they might really retaliate against you.”

“But Mr. Yan has been arrested. What is there to be afraid of?”

“Tch, you don’t understand anything.”

“Do you want something to drink?”

Cao Rui bought two cups of milk tea and started chatting again. Tao Yueyue didn’t dislike him. Cao Rui could talk endlessly, making it not too boring to sit together. She just didn’t want to be seen by classmates and have rumors spread.

Especially by Wei Zeng Mary. If she found out, the whole universe would know.

Just then, a car pulled up outside. Tao Yueyue recognized it as Chen Shi’s car and ran out. Chen Shi saw her and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Uncle Chen!” Cao Rui greeted with a smile.

“Great, you’re here!” Chen Shi sighed with relief. “Come with us to the bureau.”

“For what?”

“To identify a suspect.”

“What?!” Cao Rui was shocked. “Mr. Yan will recognize me. I don’t want to, I don’t want to!”

“Kid, haven’t you seen TV? The interrogation room glass is one-way. He can’t see you.”

“I still don’t want to…” Cao Rui shook his head frantically, fearing Yan Ke. Just being in the same building with him scared him. “I can identify him right now. It’s him, it’s definitely him.”

“Do you know the law? Identification has a process. You can’t just say it.”

“The law is so troublesome!”

The warning bell rang. Cao Rui said, “I have to go back to class.”

Lin Dongxue whispered, “The earliest Yan Ke can be re-interrogated is tonight. Why don’t we stay here and wait? No outsiders can enter the school.”

Chen Shi told Cao Rui, “Stay in your classroom this afternoon. We’ll be outside protecting you. Contact me if anything happens.”

Cao Rui saluted awkwardly. “Yes, sir!”