Captain Lu was aloof again today.

Chapter 20 Questioning
"When a person is in an awkward situation in an unknown and unfamiliar environment, their psychological defenses are most easily broken down. Questioning them now might have a surprising effect."

Wei Qingsong smiled, her brown eyes seemingly containing a thousand charms.

Lu Jingming stared at her with icy eyes. After a long while, he parted his thin lips slightly and said, "You may have studied criminal psychology very well, but you have overlooked a key point. Criminal investigation and interrogation require a fair and comfortable environment. He has not been convicted yet; he is only a suspect, not a criminal. You are insulting his dignity."

“Even criminals in prison have dignity, and you are trampling on their dignity.”

Wei Qingsong's smile faded slightly, and he shrugged, saying, "It's alright. What we lack now is evidence. Once we have evidence or testimony, he will be the criminal."

"This is an illegal interrogation. Even if we obtain testimony, it won't be valid." Lu Jingming's face darkened slightly, and he said coldly, "Six years have passed, how has your moral compass become so weak?"

As soon as he said it, Lu Jingming regretted it.

This statement is too heavy. Perhaps she was just taking a risky approach and was eager to solve the case, but she shouldn't bear such accusations.

During their student days, he and Wei Qingsong had argued before, but even during their fiercest arguments, he had never said anything so harsh.

She was spoiled and willful, yet sensitive. If you raised your voice at her even slightly, she would show you with red eyes. Being stared at by those doe-like, wet eyes made my heart ache.

Lu Jingming's lips twitched slightly, wanting to make amends, but he didn't know where to begin.

Wei Qingsong pursed his lips, his expression somewhat stiff, then shrugged casually and said, "I don't think it's my morals that are too weak, but rather yours that are too narrow."

She looked away, unwilling to meet Lu Jingming's gaze.

Or rather, she didn't dare.

She was afraid that Lu Jingming would easily discover her vulnerability.

When she was studying criminal psychology in country Y, her mentor also spoke to her solemnly.

“S, you are like someone who walks on the edge of morality, and you could fall into the abyss at any time. You need to stay clear-headed at all times, or you will be doomed.”

In recent years, she has been constantly reflecting on herself, fearing that she might make the same mistake again.

But having witnessed boundless darkness, how can she hold fast to the light?
Only by returning to Lu Jingming's side can one touch the endless light emanating from him.

She always believed that in Lu Jingming's heart, she would always be that bright girl in a pure white dress, the last memory she left for him.

Even though there are many regrets, at least it was pure, beautiful and flawless.

Until today, I heard such a question from Lu Jingming.

She began to doubt whether she could really get back on the right track.
Or, as Lu Jingming said, is she simply a person with weak morals, a born criminal?

Provoked by her nonchalant expression, Lu Jingming narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them.

He was very angry, but he didn't know whether he was angry at Wei Qingsong or at himself.

She was once the bright moon in the sky and the lotus in the water; she should not have the slightest blemish.

Having been absent from her life for six years, and witnessing her transformation firsthand, he felt a pang of sadness mixed with a vague sense of unease.

“Your thoughts are dangerous right now.” He spoke calmly, as if stating her crimes.

Wei Qingsong tilted her snow-white chin slightly, looked at Lu Jingming, and said softly, "The murderer who killed Yang Yan is Li Yundong, there is no doubt about that. I'm just making him suffer a little before I find the evidence, so that he will confess sooner. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Don't you think you're being too extreme?" Lu Jingming asked in a deep voice.

Wei Qingsong paused, then shook his head firmly: "He killed someone and must bear the corresponding legal responsibility. What if the branch bureau and the police station cannot produce evidence after 24 hours? Are we just going to let him go like this?"

"The existence of us police officers is to spare no effort in finding evidence against every murderer. What we need to do is to eradicate evil, not create panic. You righteously tell me not to force a confession, so what are you doing now? Intimidation? Inducing a confession?" Lu Jingming said sternly.

“I…” Wei Qingsong paused, knowing that she was in the wrong this time, and her voice softened, “I’m sorry, I just wanted to help you. Please don’t be angry. I will never act on my own again.”

She raised her head, her clear, stream-like eyes filled with apology as she looked at Lu Jingming.

Seeing her somewhat pitiful expression, Lu Jingming's heart softened, and his tone became gentle: "I won't hold it against you this time, but don't let it happen again."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Also, I was too harsh just now; I didn't mean it that way."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard her say softly, "It's okay, it was my fault to begin with."

Hearing this, Lu Jingming was slightly taken aback and sighed inwardly.

He didn't want to hurt her with his words again and again, but too often, his emotions overcame his reason.

Wei Qingsong turned and left, but after a few steps, she stopped, turned back, and said softly, "Oh, right, I just thought of something. If we can't find anything at the hotel or guesthouse, let's search around Li Yundong's parents' house."

"Hmm." Lu Jingming nodded, watching her figure disappear through the door, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Chen Jin, who had been keeping his eyes down and not daring to breathe loudly, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He wished he could become invisible, for fear of attracting their attention.

Fortunately, there were no outsiders here, only him as the "insider".

If other people in the bureau saw this, who knows what kind of uproar it would cause.

It should be noted that their Marines are known for their cold-heartedness and ruthlessness, rationality bordering on coldness. Yet today, they were so easily swayed by emotions and lost their composure.

Chen Jin was initially unsure whether Lu Jingming harbored love or hate for Wei Qingsong.

Now he probably has the answer.

Love and hate were intertwined, but love prevailed.

He believed that, with the passage of time, love would eventually become impossible to conceal, and hatred would eventually dissipate.

Chen Jin coughed lightly and tentatively asked, "Captain Lu, what should we do about Li Yundong?"

"Clean him up and move him to another interrogation room," Lu Jingming replied calmly.

"Such a good opportunity, why not question him?" Chen Jin rubbed his hands together eagerly.

Lu Jingming gave him a cold look: "Do you have a grudge against Wei Qingsong?"

"Huh?" Chen Jin was a little confused.

He was stunned for a few seconds, but quickly came to his senses.

"Oh, I see. If we interrogate him now, it would confirm Wei Jie's guilt of coercing a confession, which would be severely punished." Chen Jin clapped his hands, pleased with his own quick wit, and for a moment, he became carried away with his pride, grinning and saying, "I didn't expect Captain Lu to care so much about Wei Jie?"

The reason I'm so angry is because she's so disregarding her own situation.

Chen Jin thought he had seen through the secrets of heaven, but the next second, a cold gaze shot towards him like a blade.

He chuckled twice and scratched his head: "Hehe, I didn't say anything."

As he spoke, he pushed open the interrogation room door, revealing an awkward yet polite smile: "I'll go clean him up right away."

My daughters are making such a racket, and I feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Am I a stepmother? (︿)
P.S. Today I'd also like to humbly ask for votes, please bombard this wicked stepmother with votes!



(End of this chapter)