Chapter 131#

A Kitten’s Claws#

Qin Mu, whose mouth had been covered, didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed low, clutching the hand over his mouth.

The ambiguous, seductive laughter echoed in Jian Yunchen’s ears, making even the fingertips being gripped tightly start to burn.

The officer taking notes cleared his throat awkwardly and continued to ask, “Have you two been together the entire time during these two hours? Were there any moments where you left or fell asleep?”

Qin Mu pulled his hand away, an ambiguous smile lingering on his lips: “Nope. For these past few hours, we haven’t been separated for even a second, and we’ve been very energetic, too.”

This statement was certainly enough to set everyone’s imagination wild. The group exchanged glances, curiously stealing glances at the intimate figures of Qin Mu and Jian Yunchen.

“Impossible!” Jian Jinbao stood up, exceptionally agitated. “Qin Mu is definitely giving Jian Yunchen a false alibi! They’re in cahoots!”

Qin Mu didn’t rush to refute this. He leisurely draped an arm around Jian Yunchen’s shoulder, lifted his chin slightly, and first affirmed Jian Jinbao’s words: “We are in cahoots.”

Then, turning to the police: “You’re basing the suspicion of Jian Yunchen solely on his word? He says Jian Yunchen has a grudge against Jiang Sheng, but I could just as easily say Qin Zheng has a grudge against Jiang Sheng too.”

Qin Mu hooked a meaningful smile, casting his gaze toward the silent Qin Zheng.

“Does the word of a dog that likes to bite people even count for anything?”

Qin Zheng’s gaze darkened, his jaw suddenly tightening.

It took a moment for Jian Jinbao to realize he was the one being called a dog. He pointed at Qin Mu’s nose and cursed, “You fucking pervert, who the hell are you calling a dog—”

Qin Mu swept a cold gaze over him; the smile faded, and the pressure emanating from his brow dropped sharply: “Don’t want your hand anymore?”

Jian Jinbao shivered. The memory of the pain from the punch he’d taken earlier rushed back, and his body acted faster than his mind, taking half a step back.

He tremblingly withdrew his hand.

Qin Mu scoffed, too lazy to engage further: “If we’re talking about suspicion, no one who stayed here tonight is getting away. I don’t think this matter is that simple.”

Everyone’s expression stiffened. Qin Mu’s words were exactly what the investigators wanted to hear.

The people present were all of significant status. Now that Qin Mu had opened this door, the investigators could simply follow his lead and logically have everyone return to the station for questioning.

The two officers exchanged a look and responded with silent understanding: “Yes, Mr. Qin makes a valid point. Mr. Jiang is currently unconscious, and given the malicious nature of this case, we need to be careful and thorough.”

He surveyed the crowd and delivered a light, final verdict: “I think it would be best if everyone troubles themselves to return to the station for questioning.”

Having said that, he didn’t give anyone a chance to argue, turning around to use his radio to call for vehicles from the station.

Hearing that they had to go to the police station, the long-standing, dark, and terrifying memories made Jian Jinbao instinctively resist the place. His body went rigid, his face turned deathly pale, and his eyes followed the back of the officer in uniform who was busy arranging the transport.

Before he could even think—fear strangling his heart—he did something no one expected: he abruptly hunched his back and bolted toward the door.

Jian Jinbao’s actions caught everyone’s attention. Another officer took a few long strides and pinned him to the ground, saying sternly, “Behave!”

With his cheek pressed hard against the floor, the pain in his arm and the cold touch of the marble against his face reminded him of the endless torture he had endured in the station back in the day. He struggled with all his limbs, his eyes bulging wide, his chest emitting a horrific, ragged wheezing sound. He stared unblinkingly at Qin Mu, looking as if he were staring at an evil spirit.

Qin Mu watched his struggle like he was watching a show, even curling his lips into a smile and teasing: “Yo, such a big reaction just at the mention of the station? This definitely needs a thorough investigation. Looking at this reaction, if he’s not the murderer…”

As he spoke, he paused intentionally, looking pointedly at Qin Zheng, and continued: “Then he must be the accomplice.”

“Can’t let him go, right? What do you think, Qin Zheng?”

Qin Zheng, who had been silent all night, was suddenly called out. His face turned dark instantly.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, brows furrowed gloomily as he looked at Qin Mu.

The police cars arrived, their red and blue lights flashing. Jian Jinbao was the first to be shoved into a car. Before being put inside, he was still spewing foul language, occasionally screaming Qin Mu and Jian Yunchen’s names, his voice shrill and his tone full of venom.

The others stood about loosely. Yan Yi walked by, casting a look at Qin Mu as if it were dipped in poison—a gaze so fierce it looked like she wanted to peel his skin and strip his bones. She walked in her small heels, face cold as she got into the car.

Before leaving, Qin Zheng also cast a cold, gloomy gaze at Qin Mu, staring for several seconds before turning to get in.

Jiang Yunhan looked hesitant, wanting to approach but holding back. He frowned at Jian Yunchen and whispered, “Xiaochen, can I ride in the same car as you?”

“No—” Before Jian Yunchen could respond, a cold, sharp male voice came from above his head, refusing on his behalf with zero room for negotiation.

Without the blurred edges of a smile, the voice turned cold and distant, yet it inexplicably made Jian Yunchen’s heart skip a beat.

After being rejected, Jiang Yunhan lifted his red, swollen eyes, glared fiercely at Qin Mu, and turned to follow the others to a car.

It was Jiang Yunhan who was rejected, yet it seemed like Qin Mu was the one who was hurt. He leaned his body languidly against Jian Yunchen, his tone dejected: “Why does everyone have to glare at me before they leave? I’m so scared, Brother Xiaochen.”

Hearing that title, a shiver ran down Jian Yunchen’s spine. He pushed away the face leaning in close, looking less than amused.

He lifted his bright, dark eyes and glared at him in return. “You deserve it.”

After tossing out the words—which sounded more like feigned annoyance than anger—he turned and got into the car.

Qin Mu felt like a kitten’s paw had scratched at his heart when he saw that watery gaze.

He stood where he was, happy, and lifted his feet to follow.

When they stepped out of the interrogation room, Jian Yunchen instinctively squinted his eyes, adjusted to the harsh, cold fluorescent lights.

The time had quietly slipped past 3:00 AM. Several luxury cars were parked outside the police station, hidden in the dark of night. Such a display silently signified that this was no longer a small squabble; the Yan and Qin families had officially entered the fray.

Outside, Jiang Yunhan hung his head, his eyes red. He had just been informed of Jiang Sheng’s status: emergency surgery was over, and while he was out of immediate danger, he had fallen into a deep coma. As for when he would wake up, it was entirely up to fate.

He heard footsteps and looked up.

Jian Yunchen walked up to him and stood there, watching him quietly.

Jiang Yunhan looked as if he had found his backbone. The grievances that hadn’t faded yet welled up again, and as he looked at Jian Yunchen’s calm eyes, tears began to pool in his sockets.

“Xiaochen… Dad is—”

“Hold it back.”

Jian Yunchen said coldly.

“You’re not allowed to cry anymore.”