Captain Lu was aloof again today.

Chapter 180 Light
As the case unfolded, even Director Wang keenly sensed that it might be related to the Yan family in Bailiwan, and he expressed his concerns openly and secretly countless times.

It's obvious how such insignificant figures as the Hua family father and son could possess such great abilities.

Now the father and son are vehemently denying it, but if word gets out, probably no one will believe them.

They have simply made their choice.

The choice to take the blame, bear all responsibility, and end the matter quietly.

Humans are creatures that seek advantage and avoid harm. There are only two possibilities for why they would choose this path without hesitation.

Either he received an enormous bribe, or he had something on Yan Jiqian that Yan Jiqian could use against him.

Wei Qingsong believes that the truth leans more towards the latter.

The reason is also very simple.

This case involves a wide range of people, and with multiple crimes being punished together, even if these two manage to escape the death penalty, they will spend the rest of their lives in prison. Even if there were great benefits, they would not be able to enjoy them.

But Wei Qingsong still couldn't understand why they were not afraid of death, yet willingly allowed themselves to be threatened by Yan Jiqian.

What kind of leverage could allow them to control this father and son so tightly?

After the interrogation, Chen Jin, Xiao Song, and the others slumped dejectedly in the office, their expressions melancholy and their faces ashen.

They all knew that although the Hua family father and son deserved their punishment, there was clearly a bigger mastermind behind them, but where was the evidence?

Case handling should not be swayed by emotions or based solely on conjecture.

But without evidence, should we just let the real culprit go unpunished?
Seeing that everyone was somewhat downcast, Wei Qingsong gently tapped the table and said, "Look at you all, you're all like wilted eggplants. If your Captain Lu saw this, he'd give you a good scolding. What's wrong with you? Are you already discouraged? Are you about to give up? Keep investigating. There are no secrets in this world. Since none of us accept the truth on the surface, let's keep investigating."

Chen Jin lowered his head and sighed, "But Hua Rongchang and Hua Hengchen have already confessed. The case is about to be classified. Is there any point in continuing the investigation?"

His concerns are justified.

This case is egregious in nature and is being closely monitored by higher authorities. However, in order to mitigate its social impact and quell public panic, it may be hastily closed in the end, with a further attempt to whitewash the situation.

In the eyes of some politicians, sometimes, the truth doesn't matter.

“Of course it’s useful.” Wei Qingsong raised her bright eyes slightly, her eyes shining. “Giving it your all is better than sitting here indignantly but doing nothing. Those girls had the courage to stand up and expose the bloody truth. How can we give up before them?”

The glass doors to the office were tightly shut. A few steps away in the corridor, several girls sat side by side on a bench, close to each other, like small animals huddling together for warmth.

They had changed out of their revealing uniforms and into clean, crisp everyday clothes. Their heavy makeup had been removed, revealing their youthful and vibrant features.

Pei Dongmei was also there, pacing back and forth in the corridor, occasionally glancing towards the office.

The light was dim, and her expression was not clearly visible, but Wei Qingsong could imagine the expectation hidden in those clear, bright eyes.

The expressions on the detectives' faces instantly turned serious, especially Xiao Song, who secretly clenched his fists.

Yes, if we can't find the real mastermind behind this, it would be a disservice to the inhumane treatment these girls suffered.

The girls' testimonies mentioned that several girls who refused to submit were sold like commodities, and their fates are now unknown.

For them, and for those girls whose whereabouts are unknown and who may never be able to return to their homeland, they cannot give up easily.

Chen Jin was the first to get moving. He straightened his tired body and said in a deep voice, "Sister Wei is right. There are no secrets that can't be kept. Everyone, let's get moving, brainstorm, and think about what other aspects we can start with. Expand the scope of the surrounding surveillance and check frame by frame. Also, investigate the financial transactions of the Hua family father and son, including the financial transactions of the officials involved. I don't believe they can really do it so cleanly."

In an instant, the once lifeless office came alive.

Wei Qingsong exhaled, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

She reminded him, "And that mysterious manager who escaped, we must find her. I have a feeling that she will be the key to our breakthrough."

When Wei Qingsong first heard about this mysterious woman from Susan, the first person he thought of was Yan Yun. If it really was her, then they wouldn't need to search so hard for evidence of the Yan family's involvement.

Unfortunately, it is not.

Things were much harder than I imagined. But no matter how difficult it was, I had to try.

They are now only one step away from the truth. As long as they are not powerless, the truth will eventually come out.

The truth they are willing to cover up at all costs cannot remain buried forever in the dark depths of the earth.

Everything has cracks, that's how the light gets in.

Wei Qingsong gently pushed open the door. In the dimly lit corridor, several figures stood up in unison, looking at her awkwardly and reservedly.

Only Susan remained calm and composed, offering her a gentle smile.

Wei Qingsong leaned casually against the wall, his tone familiar and friendly, as if he were talking to a friend: "So, what are your plans for the future?"

Susan shrugged: "Let's go back to our hometown. Xiaoya and I have already agreed to go back together. Although big cities are prosperous and full of opportunities, they are also full of traps. People like us who can't distinguish between opportunities and traps dare not gamble anymore."

Wei Qingsong tilted her head slightly, looking at Xiaoya behind her with an awkward expression, her gaze still gentle: "Xiaoya, have you figured it out now?"

The events that unfolded in the hotel were enough to prove that Xiaoya was an ambitious but not particularly clever girl. She had a certain drive, but unfortunately, she misdirected it and was blinded by immediate gains.

But she was just a girl who had just come of age. It wouldn't be fair to say she didn't understand anything; no one's eighteen years are wasted.

But the world she has access to is still too small; she still needs to learn to distinguish right from wrong.

The terrifying experience on the sixth floor of the hotel may become a lifelong shadow for her, but as long as she can get over it, it may be an important lesson in her life.

Wei Qingsong couldn't bear to be harsh on this girl who wasn't inherently bad.

Xiaoya bit her lip in embarrassment and whispered, "I've figured it out. I was so ignorant before, blinded by my own ignorance. I always treated Sister Susan as an imaginary enemy and didn't understand who was truly good to me."

She felt genuinely guilty and didn't dare look Susan in the eye when she spoke.

Wei Qingsong narrowed her eyes and said softly, "Actually, you're not really jealous of her, but rather you admire her too much and want to be like her. But, rather than becoming someone else, why not live your own life? What do you think?"

Xiaoya looked blank at first, then fell into deep thought. After a moment, her eyes gradually brightened: "I understand."

"Alright, it's getting late. I've arranged accommodations for you all. Go back and rest now. Tomorrow at dawn, you'll be ready to start your new life."

The girls looked at each other for a moment, then nodded gratefully.

Cola, still timidly huddled at the back, mustered her courage and said loudly, "Thank you, beautiful sister!"

Looking at her pure and lovely face, Wei Qingsong's heart softened completely.

Cola was timid and weak-willed, and didn't even dare to speak loudly. She was extremely grateful that such a kind girl had not suffered too much persecution, and that her innocence and simplicity had not been destroyed.

"You're welcome." Wei Qingsong couldn't resist reaching out and pinching her fair and soft face.

Still worried, she found another police officer and instructed him to safely deliver the girls to the hotel she had booked.

The girls turned around and walked towards the stairs at the end of the corridor.

Suddenly, the lights came on.

The incandescent light overhead illuminated the road ahead.

Susan turned around and saw that only half of the corridor lights were on. Wei Qingsong stood at the junction of light and shadow, her slender fingers still gently resting on the incandescent light switch.

The dim light shone on her face, creating a serene and gentle scene.

She spoke, her tone gentle: "Let's move forward."

Susan was taken aback, nodded gently, took Xiaoya's hand, and walked forward with even greater determination.

The lights are bright, and the road ahead is clear. They had briefly fallen into darkness, but they still have a long future to look forward to.

(End of this chapter)