Chapter 788: Song Lang’s Train of Thought

With tears streaming down her face, He Jingjing cried softly. Song Lang approached and handed her a tissue. “Miss He, I sympathize with what you’re going through.”

“Don’t act so understanding!” He Jingjing snatched the tissue and blew her nose forcefully.

Song Lang sat back down. “When did you start with He Jun?”

“It began years ago. Kept by He Taiyang at home, life was stifling. If I didn’t steal moments with He Jun, I’d have gone crazy… Of course, I’m fed up with that coarse man too. I feel like a kept mistress of the wealthy, stuck in a dark and oppressive little shop. Most of my time is spent in my bedroom watching TV. He Taiyang won’t let me use a computer or have a phone. He’s paranoid I’ll meet someone online. That jealous old man!”

“Does your biological father, Li Qiang, visit you?”

“Why would he? I’m dead to him. He thinks I’d live better with He Taiyang. Let him come and see!”

“Did Li Qiang visit on the 16th of last month?”

He Jingjing fell silent, weighing what Song Lang might already know. Song Lang tapped the table casually, a faint smile playing on his handsome face, exerting an unseen pressure on He Jingjing.

“He did… but not to see me. He came to borrow money from He Taiyang.”

“He Taiyang borrowed from loan sharks. Li Qiang dared to ask him for money?”

“Who else would lend Li Qiang money? Since I was born, he’s been borrowing to get by, using one loan to pay another. He’s pawned everything he could and spends his days complaining about society. Once he gets money, he drinks like a lord. It’s shameful to have such a father!”

“We can’t choose our parents,” Song Lang remarked briefly. “Back to my earlier question. How long did Li Qiang and He Taiyang talk that day?”

“I don’t know, don’t care. Probably all afternoon. Li Qiang begged He Taiyang for money, but He Taiyang knew him and refused.”

“Was Mrs. He around that day?”

He Jingjing widened her eyes and fell silent. Song Lang sensed he was close to the truth. Otherwise, why would He Jingjing stay quiet over such a simple question?

Song Lang spoke for her. “Mrs. He was likely home. Li Qiang and He Taiyang’s conversation must have mentioned you, overheard by Mrs. He. She never liked you as He Taiyang’s illegitimate daughter. From an outsider, you’re not an illegitimate child, but a kept concubine. Mrs. He’s reaction would have been strong. He Taiyang, ashamed and angry, accidentally killed her! And all this, witnessed by Li Qiang.”

He Jingjing turned pale but struggled in futility. “Your imagination knows no bounds.”

Song Lang produced a sheet of paper. “Mrs. He had high blood pressure, heart disease, and was older. A small push could end her life. The day she needed to sign a surgery consent form, He Taiyang conveniently delayed retrieving money for half an hour, despite having a credit card. He delayed intentionally; with her dead, he’d avoid a nasty divorce. More suspicious, he cremated her within three hours. Even if he didn’t plan it carefully, it’d seem a normal hospital death. But Li Qiang was there, seeing everything. He needed money, knew He Taiyang was rich, and had leverage over him. Blackmail was inevitable. They bargained for weeks until September 2nd, when He Taiyang took a suitcase full of cash to meet him. But Li Qiang wanted something more valuable.”

“Nonsense!” He Jingjing retorted angrily.

“I find your reaction odd. You’re just an observer. Why hide? Why invent tales to mislead us, simply because Li Qiang is your father? Rather than fragile family ties, I see a judgment of value. You stand to gain greatly from this. You and Li Qiang share interests. Hence the lies, the cover-up.”

“Officer Song, in your eyes, everyone’s just an animal without parents, right? Li Qiang is still my father, no matter what. What benefits could I possibly gain when I’m in this mess? Can you tell me?”

He Jingjing grew furious, her argument bordering on irrational.

Song Lang calmly tapped the table. “Miss He, can I interpret your rebuttal as an admission that Li Qiang blackmailed He Taiyang?”

He Jingjing’s eyes darted around, her breathing quickened, lost in panic. Then her eyes lit up, finding a final shield, like the other suspects who had sat in that chair before her.

“These are all your speculations! Where’s the evidence? Show me the evidence!”

Song Lang had anticipated this. He smiled faintly. “There will be evidence. One million yuan isn’t easy to hide. Miss He, let’s take a break.”

“I’m leaving!”

“No, you can’t leave. According to the Criminal Procedure Law, I can interrogate you for twelve hours.”

“I’ve been here for ages!”

“You haven’t. It’s only been six hours. You have six more until 8 pm.”

“Fine, I’ll stay till 8 pm. Let’s see if you can produce any evidence!”

Exiting the interrogation room, Song Lang called Lin Qiupu. “We’ve turned Li Qiang’s house upside down again. Found nothing.”

“Has he bought anything recently?”

“His fridge is stocked with alcohol. Not sure if recent.”

“Check where he bought them. Bank withdrawals should be consecutive. I’ll talk to the bank and find out. Look for receipts matching that range. If they have Li Qiang’s fingerprints, that’s our evidence!”

Lin Qiupu was impressed. “Captain, your thinking is crystal clear!”