Chapter 78

Li Qingyao blew her nose hard and threw the paper ball into the trash can. Then she saw four more paper balls on the table. She picked them up and threw them away without changing her expression. She then took out a wet wipe from her bag and wiped the corners of her eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, mouth and other places that were stained with tears.

She tidied herself up slowly. Luo Huaizheng couldn't stare at her, so he lowered his head to look at his phone, but he felt fresh. When Li Qingyao was in high school, she could come to school without noticing that there were two strokes of black ink on her face. When she was reminded, she just smiled, rushed to the faucet, rubbed her hair with a handful of cold water, and came back to class with wet hair. Luo Huaizheng had to borrow tissues from people everywhere to coax her to wipe her hair.

Unlike now, her movements were elegant and graceful. Luo Huaizheng realized that she had really grown up and had become a mature and delicate woman.

Li Qingyao wiped the sticky tear marks on his fingers and said seriously, "Okay, we have finished talking about our old relationship, it's time to talk about the case."

There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone when she said this.

Luo Huaizheng didn't smile, he just looked at her and answered gently.

Li Qingyao looked down at his notebook.

First, she reconfirmed Luo Huaizheng's alibi on the night Luo Hongmin was murdered. The police had investigated this before. Li Qingyao asked again and again, carefully, and even asked in reverse order. Luo Huaizheng's answers were very clear and accurate.

Luo Huaizheng's company was equipped with surveillance cameras inside and outside, and two cameras even captured his workstation. Comparing his words, Li Qingyao reviewed the surveillance again and confirmed that his alibi was very reliable, without any loopholes.

Luo Huaizheng even said: "I can understand why you would suspect me. After all, I have a grudge against Xiang Siling's family, and now I am her partner. Do you suspect that I am in collusion with her?"

Li Qingyao couldn't answer this. She thought to herself, "I personally don't doubt you at all, but I can't say that." She just smiled and asked, "Why do you think so? Did you find anything during your contact with her?"

Luo Huaizheng said something that seemed to be true but was not: "Qing Yao, if I have a clear discovery, I will tell you as soon as possible."

Li Qingyao's heart skipped a beat and he quickly asked a few more questions, such as what was meant by a "clear" discovery, whether he was suspicious of Xiang Siling, and what made him suspicious. There must be some opportunity behind this.

But Luo Huaizheng has been a very opinionated person since he was a teenager. No matter how Li Qingyao tried to insinuate himself, he remained silent. Finally, under the pressure of Li Qingyao, he said: "I am a labor camp prisoner. From the first day I was released from prison, I understood that I can never be like an ordinary person in this life. Unless I am more than 80% sure of anything, I will never speak or do it."

Li Qingyao said, you don’t need to be 80% sure. Even if you are 20% or 30% sure, I will also make a bold assumption and verify it carefully. I believe in you.

Luo Huaizheng said, "I know you believe me. But can you represent the criminal police team? Can you represent the police station?"
Li Qingyao was now speechless. He subconsciously turned his head and looked outside the glass at the person who could at least represent Team 2. However, he found that Chen Pu had changed his usual spirited interrogation style. He lowered his head, as if he was reading a notebook and didn't look at him at all.

Li Qingyao had no choice but to give up. He suddenly had an idea and said, "The second aspect is to ask about your relationship with Xiang Siling. This is also related to our investigation. We all know the grudge between you and her. Why are you with her again today? Have you been together often recently? Is it purely for work needs, or do you have other purposes? For example, we also learned about today's cocktail party in advance. It has nothing to do with your project cooperation, right? Then why did you become her male companion?"

Luo Huaizheng looked at her deeply, and the wrinkles on his double eyelids were deep and clear.

"I did contact her recently for other purposes."

"What is it?"

He leaned back in his chair, grabbed the armrest with his right fingers, bit his lower lip, and then answered: "Xiang Siling wanted to give me some business compensation, such as introducing me to some connections at today's cocktail party, and I agreed. My company has to survive. If she owes me something in her heart, and my life can't be changed, then why can't I ask for more benefits?"

Li Qingyao was stunned.

He lowered his head and smiled, then said, "Do you think I'm despicable and greedy?"

Li Qingyao thought for a few seconds and shook his head: "I don't think so. Everyone has the right to choose their own life. Don't advise others to be good without experiencing their suffering. What position do I have to judge you?" This answer made Luo Huaizheng's originally uneasy heart feel very relieved. But he also felt a little expected.

Because of Li Qingyao, she has always been this kind of person. She used to be like a wild crane, seemingly indifferent and cold. But in fact, Luo Huaizheng knew that she knew how to respect herself and was good at understanding others. She got angry at him several times when they met before, probably because she had resentment towards him in her heart, or was angry at him for not fighting back.

Li Qingyao asked again: "So, what about your personal relationship? She seems to like you very much."

Luo Huaizheng looked at her and said solemnly: "I will never be with her. I can't possibly like her."

Li Qingyao nodded: "It's best if you can think it through clearly. But, you went swimming with her the day before yesterday? Where did you swim? Was it just the two of you?"

Facing Li Qingyao's clear and calm gaze, Luo Huaizheng suddenly realized one thing: she was no longer carrying any personal emotions at this moment, but was probing these issues as a criminal police officer.

He lowered his eyes and answered, "I didn't swim with her. The day before yesterday... the day before yesterday I was at work all day, and after get off work I went to my parents' house."

"You mean, Xiang Siling is lying?"

"I don't know if she went swimming, but I didn't go. The surveillance cameras should be able to check it. There are also surveillance cameras in my parents' community and building."

"Okay, I understand." Li Qingyao closed his notebook. "That's all for now. If I need anything, I'll bother you again. Is that ok?"

"no problem."

Li Qingyao did not intend to ask Xiang Siling for confirmation on the so-called "Huai Zheng accompanied me to swim" issue. The other party would probably just say: I was joking or I remembered it wrong, and then deal with it.

She stood up, packed her things, turned off the recorder and voice communication, and took off her headphones. At this time, she looked up at Chen Pu again. The two of them had always been partners, and even if he ordered her to preside over the trial, he would give some instructions during the process. But today, Chen Pu was too quiet throughout the whole process.

Chen Pu was also packing things with his back to her.

Li Qingyao frowned slightly.

"Li Qingyao."

She turned around and saw Luo Huaizheng walking across the table and standing opposite her: "You asked me so many questions, can I ask a personal question too?"

It was the first time they stood so close since they met again. Li Qingyao could feel that he had grown taller. He was 1.78 meters tall in high school, but now he was 1.82 or 1.83 meters tall, and he looked even thinner and taller. She thought that she had never seen him gain weight.

So Li Qingyao's heart softened and he answered, "Ask."

But that jade-like cheek was stained with a blush without knowing when. His Adam's apple rolled, and he lowered his head slightly, staring at her, and turned his face towards Chen Pu outside, and asked: "Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Li Qingyao stopped collecting her things and looked up at him. After a moment, she smiled and replied, "Not yet."

Ah, Nalati Grassland is so big!