Chapter 371 Even an Ironclad Case Must Be Retried "Instructor Qin, why aren't you eating? Is it because the food in this cafeteria doesn't suit your taste?"
Lei Kuan's voice was loud and clear, with the ruggedness characteristic of a soldier.
This shout plunged the already quiet instructors' dining table into complete silence.
All the orderly and cooks perked up their ears.
Zhang Ruobing, who was taking small sips of porridge, paused almost imperceptibly.
Qin Ye slowly raised his eyes.
His gaze passed over Lei Kuan's shoulder, swept across the noisy and oppressive cafeteria, and finally landed on the slender and solitary figure who had just stood up with an empty tray.
His eyes were deep, like the surface of the sea before a storm, seemingly calm but with turbulent undercurrents.
"I have no appetite."
He finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness.
Lei Kuan was stunned.
He was just a rough man. Seeing that Qin Ye hadn't touched his chopsticks for a long time, he casually said something polite, but he never expected that this guy would actually be so impolite.
No appetite?
How is he supposed to respond to that?
You can't exactly say, "Instructor Qin, please don't be so polite. How about I have the cooks prepare a couple of side dishes for you? And maybe stew one of my stolen speckled chickens for you?"
Even if you gave him the guts, he wouldn't dare!
This was personally delivered by Vice Minister Zheng, a "demon" wielding an imperial sword, whom even the chief instructor had to treat with respect.
Lei Kuan was a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, "This...this communal cooking is a bit rough, the conditions are limited, please bear with me."
Qin Ye did not respond.
His gaze remained fixed on that figure until she disappeared at the cafeteria entrance.
He then slowly withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and looked at the plate in front of him.
She was unhappy.
From the moment he saw her on the parade ground early this morning, he knew it was related to the female soldier named Wang Xiaoya who had been put in solitary confinement this morning.
Qin Ye's fingertips tapped lightly on his knees under the table, one tap after another, in a very rhythmic manner.
He raised his head and turned his gaze to Zhang Ruobing, who had remained silent throughout.
"Instructor Zhang."
His voice wasn't loud, but it made Zhang Ruobing's back stiffen almost imperceptibly.
Zhang Ruobing slowly raised her head, put down her spoon, and gently wiped her mouth with a napkin, her movements meticulous. Meeting Qin Ye's unfathomable eyes, her heart skipped a beat, but her face maintained a professional calm.
"Instructor Qin, is something the matter?"
"Regarding the student who violated discipline this morning," Qin Ye said calmly, as if discussing the weather, "I read the morning briefing and have some questions."
Zhang Ruobing's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She disliked being questioned, especially about disciplinary matters that were entirely under her responsibility. It was a challenge to her professionalism. This Instructor Qin was mysterious, ruthless, and his meddling was excessive. Training was his responsibility, and now he wanted to interfere in disciplinary reviews?
"Please speak, Instructor Qin." She maintained a polite facade.
"The roster says she 'seriously violated military discipline,'" Qin Ye asked. "Which specific violation?"
Zhang Ruobing put down her spoon, sat up straighter, and began her report in a formulaic manner.
"Reporting to Instructor Qin, trainee Wang Xiaoya was found to have secretly kept and eaten food of unknown origin during last night's surprise room check, violating Article 17 of the 'Internal Affairs Regulations,' which is the first offense. During questioning, she refused to disclose the source of the food and displayed a defiant attitude, violating Article 9 of the 'Discipline Regulations,' which is the second offense. Furthermore, based on a report from her roommate, she secretly climbed out of her dormitory window after lights out last night and trespassed into the military restricted area of the shooting range on the back mountain, violating Article 32 of the 'Discipline Regulations,' which is the third offense. These three offenses are combined and are extremely serious in nature."
She spoke in one breath, clearly and logically, without any personal emotion, perfectly demonstrating the professional competence of a military law officer.
This is a very professional report.
Lei Kuan listened attentively, nodding in agreement. Breaking into a military restricted area through a window at night is a serious matter. At best, it's a disciplinary violation; at worst, in special circumstances, it could even be classified as desertion. Solitary confinement would be the least of his worries; he could be discharged from the military altogether.
However, Qin Ye's face remained expressionless after listening.
He simply continued, "Is the witness testimony and physical evidence all conclusive?"
“Absolutely.” Zhang Ruobing answered decisively. “There’s eyewitness testimony, from the student Bai Wei who reported it; she witnessed Wang Xiaoya climbing out the window. There’s also physical evidence; we found brown residue on the corner of Wang Xiaoya’s mouth, remnants of food she’d stolen. With both eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, and her own confession, we have no doubt about it.”
"What kind of food is it?" Qin Ye pressed.
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