Captain Lu was aloof again today.

Chapter 159 Innocence
Night fell like a dark curtain, quickly enveloping the entire city. The daytime hustle and bustle gradually subsided, with only the occasional bark of a dog breaking the unsettling silence.

Working overtime is the norm for criminal investigators. Even when questioning people late into the night, they have ways to maintain a high level of concentration.

However, the Pei siblings were just ordinary people, and at this moment, both of them already showed signs of fatigue.

Xiao Song already sympathized with Pei Dongmei's plight, and this time he felt even more compassion. He closed his notebook and said softly, "I'll go out for a bit."

Pei Dongmei nodded gently, her expression remaining serene and gentle.

A few minutes later, Xiao Song returned, his voice light and cheerful: "We've got pretty much everything we need to know. It's getting late, so let's stop here for now. I'll take you home."

He had just consulted with Wei Qingsong, who also felt that it was unreasonable to keep the Pei siblings, who were currently only accusers and witnesses, in the police station.

Besides, the siblings have been through so much today, they must be quite frightened and their thoughts are probably in disarray. It would be better to let them go back, rest well, and sort out their feelings.

Lu Jingming specifically instructed Xiao Song to take them home safely.

Of course, even if Lu Jingming didn't remind her, Xiao Song knew what to do.

He hailed a taxi, and under a sky full of stars, the taxi slowly drove towards the old town.

The bustling city center and the desolate old town form a stark contrast as a result of the transition from old to new. Driving from asphalt to concrete roads feels like a journey through time, crossing from one era to another.

The weather has cleared up, the stars are exceptionally bright tonight, and the moonlight is as gentle as water.

Escape from the city center filled with car exhaust fumes, and the air feels fresher. A gentle breeze carries a slight chill, yet it inexplicably lifts your spirits.

Pei Jiacai sat in the passenger seat, and after getting in the car, he started to doze off with his head down.

Xiao Song and Pei Dongmei sat side by side in the back seat of the car. For some reason, Xiao Song was a little nervous. Her body was stiff and she was even careful with her breathing. Her eyes kept wandering around.

Pei Dongmei also appeared very reserved, frequently fastening the decorative buttons on her clothes.

The atmosphere seemed a bit awkward. Xiao Song thought that at this moment, they should find a topic to chat about for a while. After all, it was about a half-hour drive from the city center to where the Pei siblings lived. It wouldn't be right to remain in this silent state.

So he said in a dry voice, "Miss Pei, unless it's something really important, it's best if you don't go out these days. Of course, our police will also send people to secretly protect your residence 24 hours a day to prevent you from being retaliated against."

Such precedents are not uncommon. Some people who are arrogant and powerful, after being reported, do not think of reflecting on themselves first, but instead try to carry out vicious revenge against the whistleblower.

Pei's parents live in the countryside, and the security situation in the old town where Pei's siblings live is not very good, so they must pay attention to the personal safety of the witnesses.

Pei Dongmei hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly. Her gaze involuntarily fell on Pei Jiacai sitting in front of her. Seeing that he seemed to be asleep, she subconsciously lowered her voice.

“We all understand this principle, but Jia Cai still needs to go to school. Although he can ask for leave, if the matter cannot be resolved quickly, he will not be able to go to school. He is now in his senior year of high school, which is the most crucial time in his life…”

Pei Dongmei let out a deep sigh halfway through her sentence.

Even if she didn't say the rest, Xiao Song would understand.

For families like theirs, the college entrance examination is indeed their only chance to get ahead.

Pei Dongmei has already given up this opportunity for her younger brother. If Pei Jiacai is also affected by this and fails the college entrance examination, then it will not only be Pei Jiacai's regret.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Song said decisively, "Your home is quite far from the city center, so I guess your brother is probably a boarding student. How about this, I'll pick him up and drop him off at school every week, and I'll make sure he gets to school and comes home safely."

Pei Dongmei was a little embarrassed: "How could I trouble you... Officer Song?"

Xiao Song waved his hand generously and grinned, "What trouble? Protecting the witness's safety is what we should do."

"Thank you so much," Pei Dongmei said earnestly.

What was supposed to be an extremely ordinary conversation ended with Xiao Song inexplicably blushing.

Fortunately, the lighting along this stretch of road was rather dim, so the faint blush on his face was not visible.

Xiao Song wanted to say something more to liven up the atmosphere, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pei Dongmei yawn wearily.

He paused for a moment, then said in a relaxed tone, "Why don't you take a nap first, and I'll wake you up when it's time to sleep?"

Pei Dongmei smiled gratefully at him, revealing her beautiful dimples: "That's fine, Officer Song, you're such a kind person."

Xiao Song paused for a moment, then returned a smile.

The car continued to move forward, and Xiao Song's thoughts were also racing, drifting aimlessly.

He thought that Pei Dongmei was really naive and innocent, and she was not on guard against anyone. Even though he was a policeman, to Pei Dongmei he was just a stranger she had known for less than a day. She was so unguarded that she fell asleep next to him.

Such innocence is so pure that it makes one instinctively want to protect it and not want it to be tainted by even the slightest bit of filth.

Pei Dongmei… Xiao Song silently repeated the name in her heart.

Her name is beautiful, just like her overall temperament, like a plum blossom in winter, pure and refined, aloof and resolute.

Lost in these random, aimless thoughts, we soon arrived at our destination.

Xiao Song watched the Pei siblings enter their room, and like a mother hen, she reminded them to lock the doors and windows and not to open the door to strangers before leaving with peace of mind.

The city bureau, however, was still brightly lit.

In the interrogation room, Chen Jin was still questioning Hua Hengchen.

Lu Jingming and Wei Qingsong stood in the monitoring room, observing Hua Hengchen's every move.

Hua Hengchen was certainly no pushover; he knew very well what such accusations meant, so he repeatedly denied them, remained silent, and even threatened to hire a lawyer.

"You're arresting people without any evidence; this is illegal detention. You just wait until my lawyer arrives, and he won't let you off easy!"

After the initial unease, Hua Hengchen quickly recovered and reverted to his previous arrogant and domineering ways.

He knew that as long as he stubbornly denied it and the police couldn't find any evidence, he would have the upper hand.

Chen Jin slammed his hand on the table, glared at the police, and said sternly, "Behave yourself. If you cooperate with the police now, you can still get leniency. Don't be so stubborn."

Hua Hengchen snorted coldly: "What cooperation? I don't even know what you're talking about. I was having a nice meal at the restaurant when you suddenly dragged me back and started spouting nonsense, saying I was involved in some kind of power-for-sex deal. You're trying to ruin my reputation!"

"Ruin someone's innocence?" Chen Jin laughed in anger, glancing at him mockingly. "You have to be innocent first. You're being stubborn now, but don't come crying to us when we have the evidence."

Over the years, Chen Jin had followed Lu Jingming and seen all sorts of criminals. When they were first arrested, most of them denied everything until they were presented with overwhelming evidence. Only then did they begin to repent and try to get leniency.

Whether their repentance is genuine or just crocodile tears, how many people can truly know?
(End of this chapter)