Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che stared intently at the bespectacled man. At this moment, he was 100% certain that this man and Liu Xinmo were part of the scheme set up by that "respected leader" from years ago.

How vicious!

Rape charges are the most powerful means of stigmatization. Even if Yang Che is eventually found not guilty, his reputation, job, and family relationships will suffer irreversible damage.

The police arrived quickly, one after the other, following Yu Min who came down from upstairs; there were two men and two women.

Because of Yu Min's presence, the police, after consulting with their superiors, did not return to the police station, but instead questioned her separately in two administrative offices on the first floor of the hotel.

After settling into the room, Yu Min went out, but the fleeting look she gave Yang Che before leaving was complicated, filled with doubt and regret.

Yang Che didn't see it; he wasn't in the mood.

During the inquiry, Liu Xinmo said that she was also a student in the Art Department of Shandong Normal University, three years ahead of Yang Che, and is now a teaching assistant at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

"At the end of November last year, I remember it was a Sunday afternoon. I ran into him downstairs at my house. We chatted for a while and he asked if I could come to my house for a drink. I had a good impression of him and was pleasantly surprised to see him again, so I took him home."

Unexpectedly, he started touching me inappropriately as soon as he walked in. He said he was making a movie and would make a lot of money in the future, and that he could marry me. I said I could be his girlfriend and we could take things slowly... He tore my clothes, sob sob... Later, after it was over, he left.

I don't want to call the police, I won't sue him, I just want him to say one thing, to explain himself, I don't want to ruin his future.

"Rape is a public prosecution case, not something you can ignore just because you don't want to ruin his future. Don't worry, we will protect your privacy, and if the investigation confirms the facts, we will give you justice."

Liu Xinmo panicked again, but she gritted her teeth and signed the statement.

.............

"You are suspected of rape... You have the right to hire a lawyer... A truthful confession may be considered lenient... False statements will be prosecuted..."

After a standard opening remark, Yang Che began his questioning.

He didn't mention his speculations; he simply told the truth.

How to be approached by a strange woman, how to be forcibly hugged, how to push her down in a fit of stress...

"I suspect she's either mentally ill or trying to extort money."

The policewoman asked, "Don't talk about that. Where were you at 3 PM on November 30th?"

Yang Che tilted his head and thought for a moment, then said truthfully, "Jialin Garden, Wang Fei's house."

The two policemen looked at each other in bewilderment.

After asking a few more questions, the police took Yang Che's phone and left.

They came back in half an hour later, but it was another pair of police officers.

Yang Che suppressed his agitation and repeated himself.

Then he went out again, and came back in an hour and a half later, bringing a boxed lunch with him.

Clearly, Yang Che had absolutely no appetite.

For the past hour and a half, the police have been taking Liu Xinmo to collect evidence...

At this point, the police said that after a preliminary investigation, rape had been ruled out.

"You can go now!"

Yang Che was not surprised by the police's efficiency; the conclusion reached after only two rounds of questioning was nothing to be surprised about.

His voice was icy: "Gentlemen, I am the one who called the police. The other party deliberately fabricated the facts of rape, which constitutes false accusation and framing. I am now formally accusing her of the crime of false accusation and framing. I request that you investigate the case according to law and preserve all written records and police reports as evidence."

The male police officer opened his mouth, but finally looked at him very seriously and said, "Think carefully. You are a celebrity, and you are also an active participant in acts of bravery."

"Thank you for reminding me. I am accusing her of false accusation and framing; please investigate and prosecute according to the law."

"Can."

Afterwards, Yang Che received a case acceptance receipt. Yes, it wasn't a formal case filing; that was something that would take seven working days.

Upon learning of this, Liu Xinmo was surprised that Yang Che would actually dare to disregard his reputation.

Later in the hallway, she whispered, "You'd better drop the case now, write a letter of understanding, and pretend nothing ever happened. Otherwise, I'll ruin your reputation."

Yang Che looked at her: "You think you can let me go just because I'm closing the case...? What exactly did that Han guy promise you?"

His second question came out of nowhere.

Liu Xinmo's pupils contracted: "How do you know... what Han surname? You... what nonsense are you talking about?"

Yang Che laughed.

At this moment, Yu Min and Hou Keming arrived.

Yang Che quickly stepped forward and said first, "Ms. Yu, teacher, I'm sorry, I'm no longer able to participate in any matters of the Olympic Bid Committee. Please withdraw the proposals that I and my teachers submitted on my behalf."

Yu Min was taken aback.

Hou Keming's expression changed instantly. He had just learned that his future "prized student" had designed the emblem that the top leader highly praised.

"What exactly happened?"

So Yang Che started by talking about the phone call he received before the new year offering 300 million to buy his design, and then recounted what had just happened.

Finally, he said earnestly, "Ms. Yu, if my prediction is correct, news of me being accused of rape will surface tomorrow. If the Olympic Bid Committee insists on using my proposal, it will only bring shame to the committee. If anyone on the committee wants to misattribute my design or 'improve' it, please forgive me for refusing, and please don't try to persuade me to consider the bigger picture. Thank you."

Hou Keming said with great distress, "Assistant Yu, someone is trying to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic Bid Committee for their own selfish interests."

Yu Min said calmly, "Calm down. Do you have the logo design draft now?"

Yang Che paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

Give it to me.

He then went to his car, took a file folder, and handed it to Yu Min, thanking her earnestly. If it weren't for her, he would have been taken to the police station and detained for 24 hours.

Yu Min shook her head: "No need to thank me, I just don't want the reputation of the Olympic Bid Committee to be damaged."

Yang Che nodded, then left alone.

He had neither the mood nor the time to wait for his superior's reply.

He was able to take precautions just in case.

Back in Courtyard No. 8, the moment I entered the house, I was greeted by a misty vapor carrying the scent of lavender, where Gao Yuanyuan was hanging out the bed sheets to dry.

"Oh, the great artist is back."

Yang Che wanted to laugh, but forced a smile: "Yuanyuan."

Gao Yuanyuan noticed something was wrong with her boyfriend, assuming it was because the proposal hadn't been selected. She tentatively asked, "What's wrong, darling?"

Yang Che took her hand and said, "Sit down, I need to talk to you about something."

Gao Yuanyuan sat down, at a loss.

Yang Che paused and began to recount the unpleasant events of the morning, explaining his deductions and mentioning that he had been at Wang Fei's house on November 30th.

Gao Yuanyuan's mind went blank, and after a long pause, she said hesitantly, "You mean that Liu Xinmo framed you because that guy surnamed Han wanted to steal your design proposal?"

Yang Che paused for a moment: "Yes, as long as I get involved in controversy, even if everyone knows I'm innocent, I can't appear on national projects. But what if the leaders like my designs? Naturally, they'll hand them over to the most respected person to 'polish' them, and then it becomes the work of a respected person, making everyone happy."