Chapter 72 Duties

I saw a large crowd gathered around me.

There were also people who looked like media reporters secretly taking pictures in the corner, and her heart sank.

She is Song Zhiwei's biological mother.

Regardless of the truth, she didn't want her daughter to be publicly humiliated in front of so many people.

So, she suppressed her anxiety, stepped forward, and whispered, "Yunhan, it's probably a misunderstanding, right? You know how it is with so many people around. Could it be that you accidentally lost it while you were dancing? Go back and look for it slowly; maybe you'll find it."

Zhou Yunhan grabbed Qin Yunshu's arm affectionately, her eyes instantly reddening.

“Aunt Qin, I also hope that I’m wrong…really, I don’t want to wrong anyone…but look at this.”

Her voice choked with emotion, and her finger suddenly pointed in Song Zhiwei's direction.

Everyone looked in the direction Zhou Yunhan was pointing, and their eyes all fell on Song Zhiwei.

After staring at her for a while, I noticed the pair of black sapphire earrings that shimmered on her belt.

The earrings were small and delicate, set in a matte black velvet belt, their color and texture almost blending together.

"Wow, it's really there! The color is almost the same as the clothes, you can't even notice it if you don't look closely."

"I thought they were decorative buckles on my belt, but they're actually earrings!"

"But who would carry something they stole on their person? Wouldn't that just make them easy to catch?"

"They probably find it troublesome to search bags, and hanging them outside makes them less noticeable. It took me a while to realize that it wasn't an ordinary metal buckle."

Upon seeing this scene, Qin Yunshu's expression immediately turned extremely ugly.

She knew her daughter's personality perfectly well.

Someone with pride and a strong sense of self-respect would never do such a foolish thing.

But with the evidence right in front of them, the onlookers kept whispering among themselves.

Song Zhiwei glanced down at her black belt, her eyes turning cold.

He then reached out and touched it, his fingertips brushing against a small, angular object.

Her heart sank, but she didn't panic.

Instead, he quickly sorted out the whole matter in an instant.

Her mind raced for a few moments before she finally understood.

Just now outside the restroom, Zhou Yunhan deliberately provoked her, getting close to argue, and even grabbing her wrist and refusing to let go...

That was a carefully orchestrated performance.

The purpose was to tuck the earrings into the lining of her belt.

She slowly raised her head, her gaze sharp.

Then, she took off her earring, the soft metallic clang standing out clearly in the quiet crowd.

She raised the earring in the air and spoke with a cold laugh.

"Zhou Yunhan, you're so old, and you're still resorting to these despicable tricks?"

"Trying to smear me and ruin my reputation in this kind of setting? Do you think everyone is like you, only capable of such despicable tricks?"

"Zhiwei, what are you saying? You were the one who took my earrings, so why are you blaming me?"

As Zhou Yunhan spoke, she deliberately took a step closer to Qin Yunshu.

She frowned slightly, her eyes reddened, and her fingers gently pinched the hem of her clothes, looking like she had been wronged and had nowhere to turn for help.

"I was just wondering if I remembered the wrong place... but the thing is definitely gone, and now it's in your hands. How could you do this to me?"

Jiang Yuexin also chimed in from the side.

"That's right. If it weren't for Yunhan's kind heart, anyone else would have called the police long ago if they lost something so valuable."

She crossed her arms and stared unabashedly at Song Zhiwei.

"Not only did they not call the police, they were even willing to give you a way out, but you not only refused to admit your mistake, but you also dared to argue back? These days, some people really repay kindness with enmity."

"Stop distorting the truth!"

Jiang Mengxi finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to stand beside Song Zhiwei, blocking her way.

Her face darkened slightly, anger surged in her eyes, and her tone became aggressive.

"Anyone with common sense knows that no thief would openly display stolen goods on their waist. Isn't that obviously setting someone up? Who would be stupid enough to take something and not hide it, but instead show it off to the public? Do you think we're all blind?"

Song Zhiwei stared coldly at Zhou Yunhan, her eyes sharp.

Her fingertips tightened slightly as she rapidly analyzed every detail in her mind.

The timing, location, and manner in which the earrings appeared were all too deliberate.

She quickly considered her options.

Since Zhou Yunhan dared to make a move in this situation, it means she had planned everything in advance.

At times like these, arguing with words alone is useless.

The evidence seemed to be against her, but the truth lay hidden in people's hearts.

Zhou Yunhan dared to make a move in the bathroom corridor, she must have scouted the area beforehand and knew it was a blind spot for surveillance cameras, which is why she dared to be so unscrupulous.

The only way to clear my name is to force her to admit it herself.

However, the people around them are now talking about it.

Qin Yunshu frowned and remained silent, Zhou Huaiqing looked gloomy, and Jiang Yuexin added fuel to the fire, making the situation extremely unfavorable for her.

Nobody wants to believe she's innocent now.

Once labeled a "thief," her status in the Zhou family will completely collapse, and she will find it difficult to recover.

We must remain calm and find the key to breaking the deadlock.

"As long as you return the earrings to me and apologize in public, I will not pursue this matter any further."

Seeing that everyone's attention had been drawn to her, Zhou Yunhan proudly raised her chin.

“After all, you are my sister, I can’t really call the police to arrest you. We’re family, some misunderstandings can be cleared up.”

"impossible."

Song Zhiwei finally spoke, looking directly into Zhou Yunhan's eyes.

"I didn't do it, so why should I bow my head and admit my mistake?"

Her tone was calm and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

“If I confess here today, it will be tantamount to confirming that I am a thief. From now on, who will believe every word I say? I will live with this stigma for the rest of my life. So…”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"I will not admit it, nor will I bow my head."

Just as they were at a stalemate, hurried footsteps came from afar.

Hearing the noise, Zhou Yuce frowned and walked over.

He was wearing a dark gray overcoat, with unmelted raindrops still clinging to his shoulders.

He glanced around the room and immediately sensed something was amiss.

He stopped and looked at Zhou Huaiqing, asking in a low voice, "Brother, what's wrong?"

Zhou Huaiqing's face was ashen, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

"Yunhan's earrings... were found on Zhiwei."

As he said this, he glanced at Song Zhiwei with a complicated expression.

There was both disappointment and a barely perceptible hesitation.

Zhou Yuce frowned immediately, his gaze sweeping coldly over Zhou Yunhan.

He knew very well what this girl had done to Song Zhiwei in the past.

"Yunhan, stop fooling around."

"It's obvious who's behind this kind of thing without even thinking. Do you think I don't know what you're up to? You'd resort to such despicable tactics just to win favor?"

When Zhou Yunhan saw Zhou Yuce, her heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly appeared on her palms.

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to calm down.

But when she saw Qin Yunshu standing silently to the side...

Zhou Huaiqing didn't reprimand Zhou Yuce, and his confidence returned immediately.

Now that we have the evidence, even if he is her uncle, he has no right to publicly criticize her.