False evidence

Chapter 78 Hypnosis (Part 1)

It was only during this meeting that I realized Tong Xiangnan seemed to have many habitual little gestures.

Just as he forcefully declared to me, "From this moment on, I will be in charge of this meeting," he didn't forget to rub his nose.

On the way here, I had already planned to ask some questions, but now I realized that he had disrupted my train of thought.

Since I couldn't integrate my thoughts, I could only agree to his suggestion.

I believed he was a professional, but I never expected that the first question he asked me would be—

"If I remember correctly, Pei Xiaofan has a nickname: Century Egg. How is her health now?"

“After we met last time, some things happened again…” I looked at Gao He.

Gao He shrugged: "I asked Dr. Tong, 'How did you manage to 'steal' Pei Xiaofan out of the ward while someone was guarding her?' He said he had figured it out, but if I wanted to know the answer, I would have to exchange some progress in the case with him."

That's definitely against the rules, why would I agree? Anyway, you don't have a job yet. Once I've arranged one for you, and then I ask you directly, you definitely won't be so shy about it anymore, right?"

Tong Xiangnan grinned and said, "Captain Gao, our meeting time is limited, right? So let's try not to waste any time."

Gao He slapped his forehead: "Right, right, I won't get involved anymore, you guys get on with the important stuff."

I had already received his hint, and immediately told Tong Xiangnan, "After returning from the hospital, Pidan and her mother are still under police protection. We haven't seen each other again."

"Judging from Captain Gao's reaction, she should be considered to be in relatively good health."

Tong Xiangnan nodded, looked at me for a while, and suddenly seemed a little tired. He yawned and raised his hands to rub his face vigorously.

At the same time, he asked me vaguely, "You really like Pidan? Love at first sight? Have you ever thought about what the outcome would be if you fell in love with a woman who has a terminal illness?"

Seeing his lazy demeanor, I couldn't help but get irritated again. "Stop bringing up preserved eggs! Can't you talk about something serious?!"

"Then let's get serious!"

As Tong Xiangnan lowered his voice, he also lowered his hands.

Looking at his face now, it was as if it were covered with a layer of frost. His features were serious, and his eyes were deep and sharp. He seemed like a completely different person!
He looked at me and said coldly:
"During the Republic of China era, the train that ran from Hubei to Guangzhou was the Yuehan Railway. It first opened on September 1, 1936. It ran from Xujiapeng in Wuchang to Huangsha in Guangzhou. Now, tell me, what happened on that train back then?"

The questions he raised finally aligned with my train of thought on the way here. I breathed a sigh of relief and recounted what Bai Jing had told me about what happened on that Republic-era train...

Tong Xiangnan didn't ask any questions during the whole process, but after I finished recounting the story, he suddenly asked:

"The train broke down, there was a power outage, and four people were missing when it got light. Where did those four people go?"

At this moment, I had unconsciously become immersed again in the 'story' Bai Jing was telling, and casually said:
"After hearing the whole story, you probably already know where those four people are. But putting that aside for now, I actually had a question when Bai Jing told me this."

Tong Xiangnan, who had been expressionless, suddenly started making small movements again:
"Why did Lü Xin happen to be passing by when Zhao Boqing's wife was being harassed by the foreigner?"

I nodded: "Of course he could have gone to the toilet, but he didn't go again until the whole thing was over and he was back in the carriage. It gives the impression that..." Tong Xiangnan interjected, "It's like he timed it perfectly to be a hero and save the damsel in distress."

“Yes, the timing was perfect.” I nodded. “The key point is that it’s not just the timing that’s perfect. My feeling is that he seems to have a knack for understanding people’s thoughts. The person I’m talking about is Zhao Boqing’s wife. Even a promiscuous woman would feel embarrassed and panicked if caught in the act by a foreigner in that situation. Let alone a newlywed wife?”

Tong Xiangnan nodded: "I was lost and helpless. When my mind was even slightly clear, all I could feel was despair. At that critical moment, the appearance of a man I knew, liked, and could trust was like a lifeline!"

I shook my head: "I agree with you, but the result will definitely not be what you think."

Tong Xiangnan said, "I wasn't there. Just hearing someone's account makes it impossible to imagine the specific scene. I can only put myself in their shoes and try to imagine what it was like as Lü Xin."

I nodded: "You and I are thinking the same thing. If I were Lü Xin, putting aside why I would arrive by such a coincidence, just seeing a woman being harassed, I would do two things first."

Tong Xiangnan interjected: "The order of events is crucial."

I immediately said, "Let's give that foreign devil a taste of his own medicine first!"

Tong Xiangnan slammed his hand on the table: "Yes! Slap him! Then quickly cover up the woman's shame!"

"Let's cover up the new bride's shame first!" I said almost simultaneously with him.

“Then…” Tong Xiangnan looked to the side and rubbed his nose repeatedly.

I laughed: "You have to control the force when you slap that foreigner. You can't go all out, or you'll kill him with one slap. That would be like sending yourself to the execution ground! Block the toilet door and yell at the woman to pull up her pants. Those foreigners are so arrogant and domineering, used to being fawned over. They won't be willing to suffer a loss. They'll have to fight back as soon as they realize what's happening!"

Tong Xiangnan slammed his hand on the table again: "Don't fight him! Let him fight!"

"Yes! Let that woman watch! Let her worry, let her feel sorry for her!"

“Yes! Qing is waiting for her husband to come!” Tong Xiangnan suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the table, and looked at me with shining eyes. “A meticulous one!”

"A very carefree person!"

"One must consider the bigger picture!"

"A reckless idiot!"

"One covered in wounds!"

"Two imposing figures!"

Tong Xiangnan suddenly burst out laughing: "Back then, I'm afraid at least one person thought they weren't impressive enough; another person probably thought they were both idiots!"

I stood up too, doing the same thing as Tong Xiangnan, placing both hands on the table and meeting his gaze.
"Whether these two are stupid or cunning, I don't care. I only know that the new bride's fear has changed. Because she's lost face... or rather, 'lost her chastity,' she wants to die. But no one is immune to the fear of death. The key thing is that at this moment, she's more worried about things escalating. If Zhao Boqing and Chen Zudao are allowed to go on a killing spree, they'll either be shot on the spot or thrown into prison. Then, the new bride will be seen as a 'troublemaker,' and she'll have no choice but to die!"

Tong Xiangnan nodded: "So, you have to stop them no matter what. Because all this trouble you've caused is ultimately for that woman!"

(End of this chapter)