"I'm just asking casually. The main reason I came is to bring you and her some late-night snacks," Su Kangxi said, taking out a separately packaged food container and drinks from his bag. "Can I see her?"
The female officer was about to say yes, but Officer Zhu stopped her. "No, she's a suspect. She can't casually meet unrelated people yet."
"I can vouch for her with my reputation; she wouldn't kill anyone. You must have the wrong person," Su Kangxi said, sounding a little annoyed. "We're all in the same profession, and I know the rules. Is it really that big of a deal just to bring some food?"
Officer Zhu, with an unyielding expression, was about to retort, but the female officer quickly intervened. "Senior Brother, I'll deliver this late-night snack you prepared. That way, it won't violate regulations, and it's what we should do."
"Inspect it thoroughly before delivering. What if something happens to the suspect? Who will be responsible!" Officer Zhu reminded her curtly.
She signaled Su Kangxi to wait outside. Following Officer Zhu's instructions, she inspected all the late-night snacks before delivering them to where Susu was being held.
When handing the food to Susu, she specifically said, "This late-night snack is from Senior Brother—no, from Su Kangxi. Eat it if you're hungry."
Susu took the food and looked out past the iron gate. Not seeing Su Kangxi, she asked, "Thank you. Why didn't he come?"
"Oh, our police department has internal regulations, so it's not convenient for him to deliver it personally," the female officer said, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry. Once we clarify the doubts about the fingerprints and hair, we'll release you. Don't worry too much."
Susu held the late-night snack, feeling a warmth spread through her heart, no longer feeling so lonely and scared.
...
Seeing that Officer Zhu still had no intention of leaving, the female officer pretended to be leaving work.
At the police station entrance, she met Su Kangxi and pulled him to a 24-hour convenience store further away from the station. She discussed Gu Susu's situation with him.
After listening, Su Kangxi said, "So, you suspect she hired someone to kill?"
"Yes, that's a possibility based on current evidence."
Su Kangxi shook his head. "Impossible. When you asked if she hired someone to kill, her expression was off. There's another possibility."
"What possibility?" The female officer also wanted to resolve the case quickly.
"She might know who wanted to hire someone to kill, but she doesn't want to implicate that person."
The female officer asked, "Hmm, your analysis makes sense. But who could that person be?"
Su Kangxi instantly thought of someone but didn't say it. He wanted to find that person himself to verify.
He shook his head and smiled. "I haven't thought of who it is specifically. I'll tell you when I do."
"Senior Brother, you're so capable! No wonder you've been promoted the fastest among our alumni. You're already a criminal investigation captain," the female officer said with admiration.
Su Kangxi didn't explain much. His rapid promotion was actually earned through risking his life. It was better to be a stable junior officer.
After marrying Ya Nan, he also began to long for a stable life and no longer wanted to take life-threatening risks.
...
Qin Tianyi had a restless night. He either searched online for relevant laws and regulations or tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
He stayed up until dawn and was the first to arrive at the company.
When the secretary on the top floor arrived for work, she saw him already there and almost thought she was late. She wondered why the big boss was here so early and immediately put herself on high alert.
As soon as she settled in, the phone from the first-floor reception rang. A man named Su Kangxi had arrived without an appointment but insisted on seeing the big boss immediately.
The secretary asked the reception to hold on and, after confirming with Qin Tianyi, allowed Su Kangxi to come up.
Qin Tianyi thought that Su Kangxi's early arrival must mean he had some news about Susu from the police station. He hoped it was good news.
As soon as Su Kangxi was brought into his office by the secretary, he angrily grabbed Tianyi's collar and asked, "Was it you? I've thought about it, and it can only be you!"
Tianyi was initially bewildered by his sudden action but, without showing weakness, grabbed his hand and said, "What do you mean, 'only me'? What madness are you throwing at me so early in the morning?"
As they confronted each other, Su Kangxi lowered his voice and asked, "Did you hire someone to kill Qin Yaxuan?"
Tianyi and Su Kangxi stared into each other's eyes. Hearing this, Tianyi replied dismissively, "How is that possible? Why would I hire someone to kill her? What threat could she pose to me?"
Su Kangxi looked at him for a few more seconds, then finally let go of him. "If it wasn't you, then who else? Otherwise, Sister Susu wouldn't have acted suspiciously to the police about hiring someone to kill for this person."
Tianyi didn't understand his words. He gestured for him to sit down and asked, "Did you get any information from inside the police station? Is Susu okay in there? Is anyone bothering her?"
"The officer in charge of her case is my junior sister. I've already spoken to her, and she won't trouble Susu; she'll handle it impartially," Su Kangxi said, remaining standing and looking at Tianyi, unable to figure things out.
After parting ways with the female officer last night, he also hadn't slept, waiting for dawn to find Qin Tianyi and get a clear answer.
But from Qin Tianyi's eyes just now, he could tell that Qin Tianyi hadn't done such a thing, which was strange.
He told Qin Tianyi everything he had learned from the female officer last night and felt his analysis was correct.
Tianyi told him that he had intended to force Qin Yaxuan to leave Lan Cheng, but he had never thought of hiring someone to kill her.
Besides, he would never do anything illegal. After all, no matter how ruthless he was towards his enemies, he had his own bottom line. Otherwise, what was the difference between him and Yang Sijie or Lü Yuanhong?
Kangxi now believed him but was at a loss on how to help Sister Susu clear her name.
Tianyi thought of something and said, "After this happened, did Susu, like you, think it was me, and that's why her reaction to the police questioning about hiring someone to kill was a bit off?"
Kangxi nodded, feeling that this possibility couldn't be ruled out.
Tianyi had an idea. "You must find a way to get a message to Susu, telling her that this matter has absolutely nothing to do with me."
Kangxi was immediately worried about who to find to deliver such a message.
If he asked his junior sister to deliver the message, she was the officer in charge, and she might even bring Tianyi in for questioning.
He could only agree to Tianyi for now and figure out a way later. However, since neither Susu nor Qin Tianyi was involved in this matter, the most important thing was to see if they could find evidence to clear Susu's suspicion.
On this point, he and Tianyi reached a consensus.
...
After Susu was taken away by the police, Sophie thought she would have a chance to be alone with Tianyi.
However, Tianyi had barely returned to the villa for the past two days due to Susu's case.
Before, when Susu worked overtime, she could still have dinner with Tianyi and play with the children for a while.
Now, she felt even more lonely and isolated when she returned to the villa. Seeing that Tianyi wouldn't be back tonight, and Susu was still being investigated by the police, she certainly wouldn't be back either.