Chapter 145

Chapter 145

The sports car was infinitely smoother than a taxi. Qiao Yu and Shang Yan sat in the milk-tea shop outside the school and finally saw the tardy Kong Xianya fifteen minutes later.

Qiao Yu thoughtfully handed her a plain milk tea. “Here. Yours.”

Kong Xianya had spent the entire morning running everywhere and was gasping for breath. She desperately needed energy. Accepting the drink, she looked moved. “Little Qiao Yu is the only one who knows how to care for people. Thank you. I’m so touched.”

Qiao Yu looked at her with pity.

She truly remembered food but forgot punishment. One milk tea, and she had forgotten that a week of her pay had been deducted because of him.

Decision made. He would treat her better from now on.

Someone this foolish was genuinely pitiful.

“Here, I’ll carry that. Let’s go inside. Classes are in session, so people are easier to find. Once the bell rings, who knows where these kids will run? A crowd could cause trouble too.”

Qiao Yu took her work bag, but before it warmed in his hand, Shang Yan lifted it away. “I’ll carry it.”

Qiao Yu opened his empty hands innocently. “Then what do I do?”

Shang Yan took one hand into his palm and smiled. “Hold on to me. I’m quite heavy. Sorry for the trouble.”

Qiao Yu had developed immunity to this man’s sweet talk. He immediately shook him off and pointed his raised chin toward the school. “Please stop flirting. Can’t you set a good example for the children?”

Shang Yan reluctantly nodded. “Fine.”

Kong Xianya looked between them and wisely stayed silent, noisily slurping her milk tea.

Inside, she marveled: What kind of spoiled little drama queen was Qiao Yu? It had only been a few days, yet he already had her blackhearted boss completely under control.

Magnificent!

The two followed Shang Yan into the school. They first visited Class One, where Xi Qiu studied. Shang Yan showed the teacher his ID and asked to speak with the student.

The teacher entered, walked to the last row, and woke the boy sleeping on his desk. After the teacher said something, the boy glanced outside and frowned irritably, but still left the classroom.

Before anyone could question him, Xi Qiu spoke first. “Why did you send people after me again? I’ve told you: I’m an ordinary student. Those murders have nothing to do with me. How many times do I have to say it?!”

He had probably been questioned repeatedly and had developed strong resistance. His words were anything but polite.

Qiao Yu pressed his lips together, his gaze meaningful. “You don’t look ordinary to me, kid. You’re young, but your love life is impressively colorful.”

Xi Qiu glared. “What do you mean?!”

Qiao Yu shrugged. “Exactly what I said. You broke up with the older sister and immediately dated the younger one. Playing both sides and keeping everything balanced-have you watched too many melodramas?”

Xi Qiu seemed to crack. He clenched a fist and tried to hit Qiao Yu, but a hand easily caught his wrist. Glaring at Shang Yan with more bluster than courage, he snapped, “Who talks to people like this? What’s your badge number? I’m reporting you!”

“54188. Go ahead.”

Shang Yan and Kong Xianya: “…”

Xi Qiu missed the joke and pulled out his phone to call.

Shang Yan already considered the case troublesome and would have ignored it if not for Qiao Yu’s curiosity. How could he let this brat waste more time?

Without another word, he caught Xi Qiu’s phone. His voice seemed coated in shattered ice. “Don’t try that routine. Your complaint won’t touch us. Other people may be helpless against you, but the Security Bureau isn’t. Supernatural cases don’t require evidence.”
Apparently frightened by Shang Yan, Xi Qiu stopped struggling and truly lost his phone.

Shang Yan tossed it into the air and caught it effortlessly, his careless expression carrying a faint threat. “Answer every question honestly. If you play games or hide anything, I’ll take you back for tea. Understand?”

Watching Xi Qiu instantly become obedient, Qiao Yu curled his lip.

That was Shang Yan: a face beautiful enough for heaven, hiding a treacherous, calculating, vindictive nature.

Remembering the old days brought bitter tears. Qiao Yu had been used as his weapon and fought so many battles for him!

Despite possessing such combat strength, Shang Yan always hid behind him and begged pitifully for protection whenever Baldy blocked their path. All Qiao Yu’s overflowing sympathy had been misplaced.

The bell suddenly rang.

Many students had long grown restless. Driven by curiosity, they poured from the classrooms to watch.

The teacher stepped forward and scolded, “Go do what you’re supposed to. Don’t block the hall.”

Perhaps he was too gentle, because few listened. They dragged their feet and lingered.

It was understandable. Humanity’s greatest instinct was spectating. With such major events at school, the children and parents deserved an explanation.

The teacher sighed helplessly and finally led Shang Yan’s group to his office. “Director Shang, you may speak here. I won’t disturb you. Um…”

Reading his concern, Shang Yan nodded. “Don’t worry. We’re only asking Xi Qiu about the case. He can leave afterward.”

Reassured, the teacher closed the door and departed.

With no one left to interfere, Shang Yan looked at Xi Qiu. “Why did you break up with the first victim, Bai Panpan?”

Xi Qiu stood dejectedly with his head lowered and said nothing.

Shang Yan tapped the desk twice, applying quiet pressure. “I believe I already warned you. Do you crave the Security Bureau’s tea that badly?”

Xi Qiu stiffened and clenched his fist. “I thought she embarrassed me…”

Qiao Yu stared in surprise. “Why did Bai Panpan embarrass you? Weren’t you dating because you liked each other?”

Xi Qiu fell silent again.

“Tch. You’re the kind who won’t move when led and backs up when beaten. You’ve already started, so explain clearly. You didn’t kill her. Why hide anything?”

Xi Qiu wanted to roll his eyes, but Director Shang stood nearby watching. He sighed and revealed the truth.

At first, Xi Qiu had genuinely liked Bai Panpan. She was beautiful and studied well, so he pursued her.

As the school heartthrob, he easily won her affection. Their relationship was good until Bai Panpan was bullied by Ding Ying, the school’s queen bee, who stripped off her clothes in public. The school beauty instantly became everyone’s favorite joke.

Faced with classmates pointing and whispering, Xi Qiu immediately broke up with Bai Panpan.

“Your girlfriend was bullied, and instead of standing up for her, you thought she embarrassed you? You dumped her for that?” Kong Xianya stared, appalled.

“You’re horrible!”