Chapter 297: Accomplice

Just as Xia Lili and Professor Tian were standing in a corner of the police station corridor and talking in low voices.

There was a clear sound of footsteps and the slight clinking of metal handcuffs at the entrance of the hall.

Everyone looked up subconsciously and saw Detective Evans escorting a young man in.

The man was wearing a simple hoodie and had his head lowered, but his figure looked very familiar to Professor Tian.

Professor Tian was startled, almost unable to believe his eyes, his voice trembling: "Xiao Peng...why is it you?"

He quickly stepped forward, blocking Detective Evans's way, his gaze fixed on Peng Lang. His tone gradually shifted from shock to heartache: "These cases... you're involved too? An Zhaoyan is your senior! You've been together in the same lab for so long, how could you..."

Peng Lang kept his head down, with the brim of his hat covering most of his face.

Hearing Professor Tian's words, his shoulders trembled slightly, but he still bit his lips tightly, not daring to look up, let alone respond.

Detective Evans paused, his tone calm and businesslike. "We checked his bank statements this morning and found an unusual $30,000 transfer from a fictitious offshore account three months ago."

"The remittance route has been disguised and redirected multiple times in a professional manner, which is very consistent with the payment methods commonly used by cross-border criminal organizations."

He glanced at the file in his hand and continued, "Although the amount is not large, the time of the deposit is highly consistent with the time when Chen David began to frequently contact overseas IP addresses."

"We have reason to suspect that Peng Lang at least provided information assistance or internal coordination in this case."

Professor Tian seemed to have lost all his strength in an instant. He stumbled back half a step, his voice filled with uncontrollable disappointment and anger: "What did you say when you first entered my lab?"

"You said you wanted to research technology and create weapons that would allow ordinary people to protect themselves... You said technology should be used to protect the weak, not harm them!"

He shook his head in grief, his gaze fixed on Peng Lang. "And now? You're actually using everything you've learned and the opportunities you've had to actively harm others! To harm the sister you've been with day and night!"

Peng Lang finally raised his eyes, and his gaze met Professor Tian's for a moment.

His eyes were a mixture of shame, fear, and a hint of struggle, but he finally lowered his head quickly, as if he was so overwhelmed by the heavy questioning that he could no longer face his mentor.

Detective Evans said nothing more, but motioned for his colleagues to come forward and take the silent Peng Lang to the interrogation area.

In the empty police station hall, only Professor Tian was left standing there in a daze, with Xia Lili quietly beside him. The air seemed to be frozen and heavy.

She thought for a moment, then took a step forward and spoke softly but clearly, "Professor Tian, ​​some people get lost along the way, but this is not the fault of your skills, nor is it a failure of your teaching."

Xia Lili glanced in the direction Peng Lang was being led away, her tone firmer, "It's your research that has protected many people who might have been harmed, like me."

Professor Tian slowly raised his head, the pain still lingering in his eyes, but his expression softened slightly when he looked at Xia Lili.

He sighed deeply, forced a faint smile, and whispered, "Thank you, child."

His voice was a little hoarse, but calmer than before.

He raised his hand and gently pressed his brow, as if to suppress the surging emotions, and continued, "I just... find it a little hard to accept. You're right, we choose our own path, and the original intention of scientific research should be for good."

In the afternoon, the case gradually became clear.

Xia Lili learned from Li Qihan about Peng Lang's specific role in this case.

"The cable car's failure at that exact moment wasn't accidental," Li Qihan explained calmly. "Our investigation revealed that Peng Lang had previously worked at this ski resort during its early years as a part-time worker, and he's quite familiar with the operation and maintenance of the cable car system."

Xia Lili thought about what happened this morning with a complicated expression.

He continued, "He used this experience and mechanical skills to sneak into the cable car control station at the foot of the mountain early this morning, before the crowds had even reached the mountain. He deliberately tampered with the command parameters of the main cable control program and physically damaged part of the emergency brake circuit."

"This sabotage method was very subtle and delayed the triggering, which ultimately led to the main cable failure we experienced at the top of the mountain."

"It was his coordinated efforts from both inside and outside that ensured the smooth implementation of the first step of the entire plan, trapping An Zhaoyan and everyone else on the mountain."

After hearing this, Xia Lili stood there in a daze, her face full of disbelief.

Although she already knew that Peng Lang was involved, but...

She had just met Peng Lang, and the image of the boy who fell flat on his face on the beginner's ski slope and was grinning appeared in her mind. His eyes were as clear as a husky's and a little silly.

Such a sunny-looking boy is the "insider" who can calmly use his past skills to precisely destroy the cable car system, putting everyone including his senior sister in danger.

A chill quietly crept up Xia Lili's back.

She clearly realized that the deepest malice could really be hidden under the most harmless smile.

At night, in a private room of an elegant Chinese restaurant, warm yellow lights illuminate a table full of delicious food.

Professor Tian and An Zhaoyan specially hosted a banquet to thank Li Qihan and Xia Lili for their great help.

During the meal, Professor Tian solemnly raised his teacup and said to the two men, "Officer Li, I just learned from Detective Evans today that it was you and Miss Xia who first discovered the clues, identified the real culprit, and promptly notified the police to take action."

"Xiao An and I will always remember this kindness."

An Zhaoyan also raised his glass to the two of them.

Professor Tian spoke sincerely, then turned to look at Xia Lili, his eyes filled with gentleness and admiration. "Ms. Xia, I understand that you previously ordered a batch of security equipment from me. It was purchased specifically for the Yangcheng Police Station to provide additional protection for frontline officers on duty, correct?"

He nodded slightly and said with emotion, "You treat your teammates who fight alongside you like family and do your best to protect their safety. This friendship is truly touching."

After a brief pause, he solemnly stated: "To this end, I will personally donate a batch of the latest security equipment to the Yangcheng Police Station."

"In addition, any new security equipment developed in our laboratory in the future will be given priority in providing you with test samples."

When Xia Lili heard this, a bright smile suddenly appeared on her face, but she also felt a little embarrassed about having made a fortune unexpectedly.

She quickly said, "Thank you, Professor Tian! Actually, it's because everyone at the Yangcheng Police Department has always treated me as one of their own. They have protected me and helped me so much..."