Chapter 58: You and the Suspect—What Is Your Relationship?

After finishing her words, Song Mi’s call to Assistant Lin connected. “Immediately contact a lawyer specializing in criminal cases…violent assault…” Once she hung up, she sent over the name of the police station.

Ye Zhao quickly glanced at her in the rearview mirror. Before he could speak, Song Mi shot him a cold look. “What did you just say to Lawyer Wen?” Ye Zhao answered honestly. “Too much talk!” Song Mi snapped, furious. Ye Zhao fell silent at once.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the car. In truth, that question hardly needed asking. What surprised her most was that the man had acted so impulsively—far beyond her expectations.

It was said that Huang Weiguo was gravely injured, carried out and sent directly to the hospital by ambulance. Police remained at the scene, and Huang Weiguo was adamant—he wanted to press charges for personal injury against Lawyer Wen.

Midway, Song Mi received another call from the police, asking her to assist in the investigation. If she couldn’t come in, she could answer their questions over the phone—they would record her responses.

Song Mi frowned. “…I’m on my way now.” Afterwards, she called Xu Yu, instructing him to arrange a meeting with President Yin and Mrs. Yin of Kaida. Whether Xu Yu would actually help her or not, she had to make the request.

She needed to prepare on both fronts, and for matters like this, a private settlement was best. If it went to court, not to mention anything else, the man was a lawyer—breaking the law knowingly would be disastrous.

More severe consequences could include being barred from court appearances, or even the revocation of his license to practice.

After hanging up and putting down her phone, Song Mi unconsciously rested her elbow on the car window, her palm supporting her forehead, fingertips pressing against her temples…

…

Elsewhere.

Feng Jue and his companions had all been drinking—none could drive. After hanging up, he wasted not a single minute, dialing phone after phone as he rushed out of the club, darting onto the main road and flagging down a taxi. “Driver, to Yanbei Road Police Station.”

Just then, he received a call from his aunt. “Ah Jue, has Ah Li contacted you in the capital? He’s not answering my calls.”

“He called this afternoon.” Given the situation, he certainly wouldn’t tell the truth. But the first half was honest.

As for the rest, he was even more straightforward. “He’s probably busy with his former student’s case on this trip. Honestly, Auntie, what are you getting at?” “He’s twenty-eight already, and you still impose a curfew? Every business trip, he has to report his whereabouts? Auntie, don’t you want grandchildren?” He laughed. “I won’t stand for that—I’m waiting to be a big brother myself!”

After a few words, his aunt hung up, reassured.

But Feng Jue sensed something. This mother and son, they were probably locked in some sort of standoff!

This wasn’t just idle speculation. The last time they were alone on the stairwell of the fire escape, he’d mentioned the young woman, and the way that guy responded, both in words and with a chilling gaze, still lingered in his mind.

Yet thinking it over, it seemed unlikely his aunt would travel thousands of miles only to break up a couple after meeting the girl once.

With his aunt’s temperament, if that were the case, the girl must have some monumental flaw. But if she did, would that guy ever be interested?

Moreover, from what he’d observed, the guy not only liked her, but treasured her deeply; otherwise, he wouldn’t have searched the world for rare panda blood!

All things considered, nothing seemed quite right, and Feng Jue had been nearly suffocated by the confusion for a month.

Now tonight, after receiving the police station’s call—his friend had beaten someone, leaving the victim severely injured and vomiting blood.

Feng Jue wracked his brain but couldn’t fathom how such a thing had happened, or why he used such force.

He knew his friend could fight. Years ago, he’d been chased into a derelict factory, nearly losing his life, only for that guy to arrive in time, taking on ten men single-handedly and beating the lot until none could stand.

The last attacker had three ribs broken, bedridden for two months before he could walk.

That was the first and only time Feng Jue witnessed him fight. Just once, and he was convinced.

Even after more than ten years, the memories still sent a chill through Feng Jue. “Driver, could you please go faster!”

…

Police Station Reception Room.

A female officer was questioning Song Mi. “…So, you didn’t witness the suspect assault the victim, correct?”

“Yes.”

“In other words, you and Mr. Ye Zhao had already left?”

“Since you had already left safely, why did the suspect use such excessive force on the victim?”

“…What is your relationship with the suspect?”

Song Mi’s gaze turned cold, making the officer uncomfortable. Only then did she speak, lips barely moving. “Officer, I have a headache and would like to rest for a moment.”

After a while, the officer set down her pen and leaned back in her chair. “Certainly. Ten minutes’ rest.”

Song Mi narrowed her eyes calmly.

Earlier, when receiving the phone call in the car, the police had requested her assistance, saying she could respond by phone if she was unable to come in.

Judging from their phrasing, the police regarded her as more of a bystander or witness.

But upon arrival, the treatment changed, especially evident in the officer’s questioning tactics.

The officer repeatedly probed the timeline, aiming to establish that she hadn’t witnessed the victim being attacked.

That was the truth.

It could easily be corroborated by the staff at Xiangta Residence.

She couldn’t lie.

Nor was there any need for the officer to ask again and again.

Precisely for this reason, she was wary, and found an excuse to pause the questioning.

Conveniently, the lawyer arrived within those ten minutes.

Fifteen minutes later, the officer asked her to review the written record. If there were no objections, she was to sign the final page.

She scanned through quickly, signed her name, and left the reception room.

A few minutes later, Ye Zhao came out as well.

After descending the stairs, the lawyer led them to a spot suitable for conversation and explained the police’s stance. “…Bail will be difficult.”

Song Mi frowned. “Reason?”

“The victim’s injuries are severe, and he refuses reconciliation, insisting he fears retaliation and demands strict punishment from the police.”

Song Mi rejected the reasoning outright. “Which law stipulates this?”

“In theory, bail is permissible.” The lawyer nodded knowingly, then explained, “But in practice, it depends on local procedures. For example, the process must be followed, timing considered, and further approval awaited.”

“All of that is reasonable.”

Her words were subtle.

But Song Mi understood.

Yet, given how badly Huang Weiguo was injured and still bedridden, was it possible for him to exert pressure so quickly?

Only now did Song Mi begin to see the situation more clearly.

If this was a trap, who was it meant for?

In the private room, Huang Weiguo couldn’t possibly have done anything to her—at most, some inappropriate touching.

Lu Zhi Yuan and Shen Yan Feng, with Xu Yu as their accomplice, had gone to great lengths. Could it really be just to annoy her?

That didn’t make sense!

More importantly, they couldn’t have predicted that Lawyer Wen would suddenly appear. Even if Lu Zhi Yuan, as Wen Yuan’s partner and major shareholder, could track his movements, he couldn’t foresee Wen’s intervention or the severity of the injuries.

Therefore, in this whole affair, Lawyer Wen could be considered an outsider.

He wasn’t part of their calculations.

Once she realized this, only one possibility remained—Ye Zhao.

As her personal bodyguard, facing someone as brash and crude as Huang Weiguo, he had every reason to intervene.

If Ye Zhao acted, and Huang Weiguo called the police, Ye Zhao would be in the same situation as Wen Yuan.

Even if Ye Zhao used less force and Huang Weiguo’s injuries weren’t as severe, he could still be charged with assault.

If so, the incident would be sudden, and with her unfamiliarity with the city, Xu Yu would never truly help her.

The likely result: Ye Zhao detained for forty-eight hours.

If her reasoning was correct, those who set the trap aimed to immobilize Ye Zhao—what did they intend to do to her?

—Song Mi, if you dare mess with my son, aren’t you afraid of losing your life in Jinzhou?

As she unraveled the threads, the first thing that flashed through Song Mi’s mind was Tang Li Shi’s warning.

It appeared someone from the Shen family was determined to strike her down.

The previous car accident had been investigated by Assistant Lin, open and covert, for over a month without any suspicious findings; she’d accepted it as an accident.

But tonight’s events were anything but simple.

As Song Mi listened to the lawyer’s detailed analysis, considering her options, a taxi pulled up outside the guardroom.

They stood on a clear patch to the left of the police station’s entrance, with a good view. Song Mi immediately spotted a man alighting from the taxi.

Crew cut, tall, moving quickly, still on the phone.

As he ascended the steps, a uniformed officer came out to meet him. “Brother Jue!”

The man was clearly someone important.

“…Ah, seems like we’ve got a case of the Dragon King’s temple flooded by its own waters…”

It sounded like he was here to bail someone out.

At that moment, Song Mi’s phone rang—it was Xu Yu.

He began with an apology, saying he’d tried but couldn’t reach President Yin, and would call Junior Yin tomorrow morning.

Song Mi hadn’t expected much from him, so she responded coolly, “Thank you,” and hung up.

After exchanging thoughts with the lawyer, he too went off to make calls.

Soon, Lin Shen arrived.

After greeting her, she began contacting university friends.

Song Mi had considered seeking help from Steward Zhou; she hadn’t minded the urgent board meeting last time.

But since Zhou was also constrained, and the matter involved the Shen family, even if she asked, it would likely be futile.

After waiting a bit longer, Ye Zhao finally summoned the courage. “Miss Song, let’s wait in the car.”

Song Mi glanced at him without emotion, then strode off.

Behind her, Ye Zhao briefed the lawyer, then quickly followed her to the car.

After sitting in the car for ten minutes, Song Mi decided to shift her focus to Huang Weiguo.

Spending forty-eight hours inside was immediate; getting charges withdrawn, settling privately, was the ultimate goal.

Even if she couldn’t do anything for him tonight, she would do everything possible to secure the best outcome for him.

She hammered this promise into her heart.

She would do it!

Quickly, she instructed Ye Zhao, “Go to the hospital and find Huang Weiguo.”

When Ye Zhao started the car, Song Mi suddenly remembered something and called Lin Shen, telling her not to waste time aimlessly, but to head straight to Xiangta Residence for information.

If someone had deliberately set up the situation, choosing Xiangta Residence, could they have bribed someone inside, perhaps the person who called the police?

…

Because it was a sudden incident, police response and medical care would be local; Yanbei Road Police Station was only five or six kilometers from Xiangta Residence, and the hospital Huang Weiguo was sent to should be the nearest.

Her guess was correct.

Twenty minutes later, they inquired at the front desk of a nearby top-tier hospital about Huang Weiguo. “…There was an emergency patient named Huang Weiguo brought in around eight o’clock by ambulance. However, just a few minutes ago, his family came, and he was transferred to another hospital.”

“If you’re his friends, perhaps call his family for details…”

—How convenient!

Song Mi instinctively narrowed her eyes, meeting Ye Zhao’s gaze; she nodded slightly, and Ye Zhao thanked the nurse.

They turned and walked out of the hospital.

Once in the car, Song Mi explained her thoughts to Ye Zhao.

Ye Zhao immediately checked both rearview mirrors, his thick brows furrowing. “Miss Song, from now on, don’t leave my sight for even a minute.”

…

Ye Zhao drove back to the police station.

Lin Shen had gone to Xiangta Residence; the lawyer remained.

Seeing their car return, the lawyer hurried over.

Through the window, the lawyer expressed his helplessness once more. “…I’m terribly sorry, President Song.”

Song Mi smiled faintly. “Thank you for your hard work, Lawyer Liu. I’ll need you to press on tomorrow.”

He quickly replied, “Of course, certainly.”

Song Mi handed him a business card. “Stay in touch.”

“Absolutely!”

After Lawyer Liu left, Song Mi sat in the car for a while.

Assistant Lin called again. “Sorry, Chairwoman, Lawyer Liu couldn’t help.”

Song Mi replied, “Rather than wasting time apologizing, you’d better hurry and find someone useful!”

“Sorry—”

She hung up.

Tossing aside her phone, Song Mi instinctively took a deep breath, relaxing her back against the seat.

She had thought of contacting Qiao Yu Dong.

But she hadn’t made up her mind.

She couldn’t seem to calm herself.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Was he alright now?

Was he injured?

She’d been in the little dark room before.

How it felt depended entirely on one’s mindset.

In the past, after the initial fear, resistance, and helplessness, she’d resigned herself, accepted it, and gradually found peace.

But most people, she supposed, would remain trapped in endless suspicion, panic, and terror—falling as if the sky were collapsing, descending with no end.

The man was surely composed.

He would sit upright, and if exhaustion truly set in, he’d simply lie down.

Yet even lying down, he would keep his back straight, his legs extended.

What had he been thinking the moment he struck Huang Weiguo?

What thoughts raced through his mind as he delivered blow after blow?

He was never an impulsive man.

This time, he’d lost control to the point of breaking the law.

Song Mi recalled how, when she left the private room, he’d called her name, holding back. If she’d responded then, would things have turned out differently?

But there’s no such thing as regret in this world.

She closed her eyes, exhaling silently and slowly from deep within her chest, lifting her long lashes. “Let’s go home.”

As Ye Zhao started the car, and she decided to take one last look, beneath the sign “Serve the People” at the once-empty office building entrance, a familiar figure appeared.

It struck her eyes painfully.

It was him!

He had someone with him.

It was the crew-cut man she’d seen earlier.

“Wait!” Song Mi blurted, “He’s out!”

In that moment, she was entirely swept away.

She opened the door and dashed out, almost running.

The car hadn’t even stopped fully!

Ye Zhao, already tense, shouted, “Miss Song!”

This shout seemed to hammer the heart of the man descending the steps.

He looked up and saw her approaching rapidly.

Feng Jue heard it too, and looked as well.

Both men stopped almost simultaneously.

Song Mi moved quickly.

She was soon before them; the lighting was dim, but she thought she saw—the man was fine.

Not the slightest trace of distress.

She instinctively looked at his hands.

But his right hand was in his trouser pocket.

Her gaze returned to his face; she forced herself to steady her heartbeat and uneven breath, calling out, “Lawyer Wen.”

Wen Yan Li’s eyes lingered on her face for a long time—seemingly calm, but in truth, deeply certain after a storm of emotion.

She had come.

Soon, his eyes lowered, focusing on her feet.

More precisely, the right foot she’d injured before.

Feng Jue glanced at the woman, then at the man beside him, seeming to understand something.

For a moment, the atmosphere was hard to describe.

Wen Yan Li stared at her right foot for a while.

“Why the hurry?” The woman had already stopped, standing half a yard away. As he spoke, he stepped toward her, stopping close. “I’m perfectly fine.”

In the depths of his long eyes, there was a hint of cheerful laughter. After confirming, Song Mi’s brows furrowed visibly. “Show me the hand you used to punch.”