"Those files relate to research that could potentially save millions of cancer patients."
Although she had intentionally exaggerated, who could blame her? She was the victim, after all.
The room fell into a sudden silence. The officer’s pen paused on the paper, leaving a small blot of ink. Just then, a knock at the door broke the stillness.
"Captain Zhang, President Gu is here."
Officer Zhang stood up, looking suspicious. "Understood, I’ll be right there." He hurriedly straightened his uniform and offered a tight smile to Song Qingyi. "Ms. Song, Professor, please excuse me for a moment."
A short while later, Officer Zhang returned. The door swung open, and Tang Zhiwei strode in, followed by a lanky, laid-back man.
Song Qingyi’s pupils contracted slightly—Gu Mingfeng.
She had caught a glimpse of him four years ago, back when she had failed to take the fall for Song Yueyue at the Song family home. And just today, Tang Zhiwei had mentioned him.
"President Gu, why did you come in person?" Officer Zhang asked with a fawning smile. "Such a trivial matter..."
Gu Mingfeng waved a hand to cut him off, his gaze landing on Song Qingyi. "Ms. Song, long time no see." His voice carried a hint of amusement. "Four years. You’ve certainly... changed quite a bit."
Tang Zhiwei moved silently to Song Qingyi’s side and handed her a cup of hot tea. "Are you alright?"
Richard observed the two men with suspicion. They clearly held significant power; the officer’s attitude toward them had done a complete one-eighty.
Song Qingyi took the cup, the warmth seeping through the ceramic into her fingertips. "Why are you two..."
"The Gu family sponsors this police station," Tang Zhiwei explained briefly, casting a cold glance at Officer Zhang. "I heard someone was looking to shield a criminal?"
Officer Zhang began to sweat profusely. "Mr. Tang, you’ve misunderstood! We strictly follow the law! It’s just that Zhou Huan’s talent agency has been applying pressure..."
"Oh?" Gu Mingfeng leaned lazily against the table. "Would you like me to give your chief a call and see what he has to say?"
"No, no, that won't be necessary!" Officer Zhang waved his hands frantically. "I’ll go process the paperwork right now. Zhou Huan and the others will be charged with malicious destruction of property, without exception!"
After he fled the room like a man escaping disaster, a quiet fell over the interrogation room.
Richard looked at Gu Mingfeng with curiosity. "And you are...?"
"Gu Mingfeng, a friend of Tang Zhiwei’s." Gu Mingfeng extended a hand, then added as if an afterthought, "Oh, and Song Qingyi’s fiancé."
"What?" Song Qingyi and Richard said in unison.
Song Qingyi looked at Gu Mingfeng in disbelief, then turned her gaze to Tang Zhiwei. She hadn't even agreed to work with him yet; how had this young master Gu adjusted to the idea so quickly?
Richard scanned the faces of Song Qingyi and Gu Mingfeng, then looked at Tang Zhiwei, waiting for a reaction to gauge the truth of the statement.
Tang Zhiwei’s expression turned icy in an instant. "Young Master Gu, what are you spouting?"
Gu Mingfeng shrugged. "Just a joke." He turned back to Song Qingyi, his smile carrying a deeper meaning. "But if Ms. Song doesn't wish to work with him, you are always welcome on my side."
This was the first time he’d seen Tang Zhiwei care so much about a woman. Gu Mingfeng was curious to see what made this Song Qingyi so special.
Song Qingyi gripped her tea cup tighter.
"That's enough," Tang Zhiwei interrupted Gu Mingfeng. "The matter is resolved. Let's go."
Only then did Gu Mingfeng withdraw his gaze from Song Qingyi.
***
As they left the police station, Song Qingyi inadvertently overheard two officers talking.
"So that's the legendary fiancée of President Gu..."
"You should've told us earlier! We almost offended them..."
"You really can't judge a book by its cover. That foreigner she was with has serious connections, too..."
"Tsk, tsk, talk about a glow-up. Four years ago she was a nobody, but after disappearing for four years and coming back, she's suddenly..."
"..."
Song Qingyi stopped listening. It was the same old story—talk of her alleged crime, the failed prosecution, and her return. It was always the same.
"Little Song, I’ve had a last-minute emergency, so I won't be able to drop you off. Grab a taxi, and stay safe." Richard left after taking a phone call.
Suddenly, only Song Qingyi, Tang Zhiwei, and Gu Mingfeng remained standing on the police station steps.
"Thank you both," Song Qingyi said sincerely. "But why help me?" She had always been direct with Tang Zhiwei.
Gu Mingfeng lit a cigarette, the ember glowing in the darkness. "Zhiwei’s terms were just too tempting." He exhaled a ring of smoke. "Besides, I’ve always been curious about you, Ms. Song."
Tang Zhiwei shot him a cold look. "You can leave now."
"Always tossing people aside when you're done with them," Gu Mingfeng sighed theatrically, though he extinguished his cigarette. "Fine then. See you around, Ms. Song."
He took two steps away, then looked back. "Oh, and watch out for your sister. This business today was more than likely her doing."
Gu Mingfeng might not know much, but he knew Song Yueyue well. Ever since that birthday banquet four years ago, she had been clinging to him like a ghost.
Watching Gu Mingfeng disappear into the night, Song Qingyi turned to Tang Zhiwei. "What were the terms he mentioned?"
Tang Zhiwei didn't answer directly. Instead, he handed her a file folder. "These are the keys and an access card to a villa I keep vacant. If you're worried about encountering similar issues at the dorms, you can move out."
Song Qingyi took the folder. "Thank you, Mr. Tang."
She truly didn't know how to thank him. He had saved her unconditionally four years ago and sent her to Furong Town. Now, here he was helping her again.
"If you really want to thank me, Ms. Song, just come to TANG as soon as possible," Tang Zhiwei replied with a smile.
Song Qingyi didn't rush to answer this time. She pondered the request solemnly for a moment before finally nodding.
"Very well. I accept your invitation, Mr. Tang. I will join TANG."
***
In the girls' dormitory, Song Yueyue hung up on her third unanswered call and threw her phone onto the bed in a fit of rage.
That fool Zhou Huan had actually been detained. Rumor had it that the Gu family had intervened, and even the talent agency couldn't pull her out.
"The Gu family..." she muttered to herself. Suddenly, a thought struck her. She opened her photo gallery to a picture she had secretly taken earlier that day—Song Qingyi and Tang Zhiwei parting ways on the street.
She smiled coldly. "If you’ve hooked up with the Tang family, then I’ll give you an even bigger gift..."
She opened the campus forum and posted the photo anonymously with a single caption: "Murderer Song Qingyi seduces young master Tang, Zhou Huan framed and jailed for trying to stand up for justice."
Within five minutes, the post was already trending. Song Yueyue watched the comment count rise with satisfaction, but just as she was about to turn off her phone and sleep, it rang.
The caller ID read: Zhao Suihua.
Song Yueyue’s fingers trembled, and she nearly dropped the phone. Why would her mother be calling at this hour?
"Yueyue," Zhao Suihua’s voice was unnervingly calm on the other end. "Your older brother is returning from his business trip tomorrow. Before that happens, I need to see you."