Chapter 47: Interrogation

"We've already asked. The prop master said she gave you the prop knife. There were witnesses when she prepared the props, and they confirmed there was no mistake with the items she set out." The policewoman placed her hands together on the table, fingers interlaced. "Lian Youyou, I advise you to be honest. Leniency for confession, severity for resistance. You're only twenty-two, still very young. Don't throw your whole life away for a moment's foolishness."

Throw her whole life away?

Lian Youyou let out a cold laugh. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Lian Youyou, show some seriousness!" The male officer slammed his palm on the table. "If you don't cooperate with the investigation, no one will be able to help you."

He struck with such force that the water glass beside him leapt and water splashed onto the table.

Lian Youyou was utterly unfazed by the officer's show of authority. "I've already cooperated. I didn't kill anyone, and that's the truth."

The policewoman pointed at the knife. "Lian Youyou, only your fingerprints were detected on the murder weapon. How do you explain that?"

"That's easy. The real murderer simply wore gloves. If I really wanted to commit the crime, and since gloves aren't allowed in period dramas, I could have applied adhesive to the handle, just like in that 'Wolf of Beika' episode in Detective Conan. Either way, I wouldn't leave such obvious evidence for anyone to find."

If she truly intended to kill, how could she leave behind such blatant clues?

In the end, the police got nowhere with their questioning.

...

Du Mao drove Lu Ming to the detention center. It was already deep into the night; neon lights flashed across the car windows, illuminating the passengers in flickering, cinematic bursts.

Lu Ming rested his elbow on the window, his index and middle fingers pressed to his temple, eyebrows knit in deep thought as he searched for a solution. Each flash of light cast a faint red hue on his lips.

"Mr. Lu, I've already reported to Director Lin. He said you're exceptionally permitted to meet Miss Lian Youyou as her defense lawyer, but only you may go in."

Lu Ming raised his head, calm and unruffled. "That's enough."

When the car reached the entrance of the detention center, Lu Ming got out alone, and Du Mao drove off to park.

"Professor Lu?" A man who had just left the building recognized him immediately.

"You came too?" Lu Ming saw Richard drenched in sweat and guessed the outcome. "You weren't allowed to visit, were you?"

"Exactly. I talked till my mouth was dry, but they wouldn't let me in," Richard mopped his forehead with a handkerchief, clearly at his wit's end. "Since the news broke this evening about Lian Youyou's suspected attempted murder at the set, the media has besieged New Cheng Entertainment. Reporters are everywhere, shoving cameras in my face, desperate to get something sensational from me as her boss and agent."

"Let's go, Professor Lu," Richard said helplessly. "The police won't allow any visits now. You'll only be turned away. Go home and rest—tomorrow we can figure out what to do."

"No, I have to go in now." The thought of Youyou spending a night in such a place made it impossible for him to sleep.

Richard glanced at the man by his side—his posture straight, his presence unwavering.

...

Lian Youyou, already drifting into sleep, was roused again by the detention center's officers. They cuffed her and led her away.

Their steps halted before a room.

Lian Youyou glanced at the sign on the door: Lawyer Meeting Room.

"Why are you bringing me here?" She'd been calm, but now, seeing the room, panic rose in her voice. "I told you I didn't kill anyone. Why bring me here?"

She'd heard about such rooms—they were where criminal suspects met with their defense attorneys.

For them to arrange this meant her guilt was practically presumed.

"Enough nonsense! Get in!"

"I won't!"

The officer, unwilling to argue, simply opened the door and pushed her inside. Lian Youyou whirled around to leave, but the door had already closed behind her.

"Let me out! I'm not a criminal—let me out!" She pounded on the door, feeling so wronged she wanted to cry.

What sort of fate was this...

"Youyou, don't be afraid. It's me."

That familiar, deep, magnetic voice came from behind her.

It was him—he'd come!

She knew it... he would come, no matter what.

The moment she saw Lu Ming, tears turned to laughter.

"Lulu! How did you get here?" She rushed to the chair, reaching through the gap in the steel bars to take his hand.

"Youyou, are you alright?" Lu Ming's gaze was deep as he looked at her, holding her hand tightly.

He had sworn by her grave earlier that day that he would protect her. In just a few hours, she had fallen victim to someone’s malice.

He had been so young back then—only five—helpless in the face of her murder.

Now he was grown, and she had miraculously returned. He’d thought it was heaven’s gift, believed he finally had the power to guard this ill-fated girl.

And yet, in the end, he could still do nothing.

"Lulu, you’re holding my hand too tight," she winced.

Startled, Lu Ming quickly loosened his grip.

"Even now you can smile. Aren't you afraid?" he asked, meeting her gaze.

She propped her chin in her hands, flashing him a brilliant smile.

"How strange, Lulu, I never tire of looking at your face," she laughed. "Just seeing you lifts my mood, makes me happy. Isn't that odd?"

She wasn't unworldly—she had fought her way through the entertainment industry, met countless men, seen more than her share of handsome faces.

But none of them had ever made her feel so giddy, so ready to grin just by looking at him.

"Youyou, tell me exactly what happened this evening. Only then can I help you."

"Eh?" Lian Youyou was confused. "You're not planning to get involved in the entertainment world’s wars, are you?"

She couldn't imagine this gentle scholar wading into such muddy waters.

"I don't want to meddle in showbiz affairs," Lu Ming said slowly, "but when my woman is bullied, of course I'll step in."

…

In the past, she had always fought alone, charging straight into every storm.

But now, for the first time, she had a reliable boyfriend—a fortress where she could rest, knowing he would handle everything else. Security grew within her, layer by layer.

"I'm glad you want to stand up for me, Lulu. But this time, I can handle it myself." Her eyes sparkled with laughter. "Don't be fooled by how I look—I'm not stupid. How could I let myself be manipulated so easily?"

Lu Ming was taken aback. "You mean you already know who's framing you?"

She nodded. "That's right. So don't worry—by tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, I'll be reunited with you."

...

In the Fan family villa, Qu Wuyan and Fan Xiaoyun were sipping coffee at their leisure.

Lian Youyou's arrest was perhaps the best news the mother and daughter had received in recent months.

Fan Xiaoyun used small tongs to lift a sugar cube from a glass jar, dropped it into her coffee, and stirred gently. Once the sugar dissolved, she placed the spoon on the saucer, picked up her cup, and took a delicate sip, letting the bitter, fragrant flavor linger on her palate.

"It's truly a fine taste," Fan Xiaoyun remarked, gazing out at the garden where winter had stripped the flowers, leaving only withered vines and bare branches.

Yet she watched it all with interest.

Qu Wuyan added sugar and milk to her coffee, took a sip, and winced at the bitterness. "Xiaoyun, I remember you never liked black coffee before. You preferred caramel macchiatos and cappuccinos. What's with you today?"

"Good mood—anything tastes good when you're happy," Fan Xiaoyun replied with a smile.

"Indeed, you’ve done brilliantly this time," Qu Wuyan couldn't stop grinning, her face crinkling despite the facelifts. "This tactic of using a borrowed knife was masterful. Even your mother is impressed. My daughter has truly surpassed the master."

"Surpassed the master? Hmph, I’d say it’s more like being tarnished by bad company." Fan Chi, descending the spiral staircase, caught their conversation. "How long do you two plan to keep this up? Aren’t you tired yet?"

"When did you get here?" Qu Wuyan asked.

They'd been so caught up in their glee, neither noticed when Fan Chi came down.

Mother and daughter sat on the long leather sofa; Fan Chi settled onto the armchair beside them.

"Thanks to you two, my reputation is in tatters. No job offers, no roles—no one in the industry wants to work with me. The media have been ridiculing me non-stop. Yesterday, I was going to see Youyou and try to patch things up, but now you've pulled this stunt. Are you determined to drive me out of show business for good? Will that finally make you happy?" Fan Chi snapped.

"Whose side are you on?" Qu Wuyan shrieked, "Stop blaming us for your own mistakes! You’re the one out there fooling around with women. Disgusting! And you still defend that wretched girl Lian Youyou after all she’s done? If you’re on her side, then get out—get out of my house right now!"