“Yes, that’s my guess.” Ling Zixuan smiled at Xiaoqing. Xiaoqing looked away shyly from Ling Zixuan’s face. “With so many classrooms, how would a thief know there’s money in this classroom? With so many people, how would a thief know the money was in Zhao Han’s bag? The reason is simple: the thief is among us. That way, the thief can know everything about our class and succeed in committing the crime in just a few minutes.”
After hearing Ling Zixuan's explanation, everyone nodded in agreement.
"And there's something else strange." Just as everyone seemed to have an epiphany, Ling Zixuan raised another question. "As everyone knows, we paid several thousand in activity funds, but we're only short one thousand. Since stealing one thousand is the same as stealing several thousand, why wouldn't the thief just steal both?"
After Ling Zixuan raised this question, the conversation gradually quieted down. Everyone seemed to fall silent. After a while, the boy sitting next to Ling Zixuan spoke up, "I think there are probably three reasons. First, based on our current guess, the thief is our classmate. Since he's our classmate, he probably feels guilty about stealing from him. That's why he held back and didn't steal all our money. But the latter two points are more important. Second, if he had stolen all our money, Zhao Han would have immediately discovered the theft. This would have narrowed down the timeframe for the thief's actions, increasing the suspicion against him. Of course, if it weren't for the timing—just when we had to pay this money—I don't think Zhao Han would have discovered the missing thousand yuan."
Zhao Han looked at the classmate in front of her, nodded and said, "Yes, if it weren't for the fact that I had to pay today, I wouldn't have noticed. If it had been two more days, I might not have remembered when the problem occurred."
“That’s right,” the student continued. “Third, if the thief steals all the money, since the amount is quite large, we will choose to call the police before finding the thief. In this way, the thief will also block his last escape route. Zixuan, do you think what I said makes sense?” After saying that, the boy smiled and glanced at Ling Zixuan.
“Zhong Xu, you’re absolutely right,” Ling Zixuan replied. “So all these signs indicate that the suspect is among us. Next, Zhao Han, you need to tell us who was in this classroom when you came back?”
After Ling Zixuan asked the question, everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Han.
“At that time…” Zhao Han thought for a moment. “I remember when I came in after buying milk tea, the class monitor was standing on the podium, and Xiao Qing and Xiao Ye were chatting. The others? No one else, right, just the three of them.”
As Zhao Han spoke, everyone's gaze swept over Han Lin, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Ye in turn. "Could the suspect be among these three?" someone below said.
"What nonsense! Is this little bit of money worth stealing?" Xiaoqing immediately stood up from her chair, glaring angrily at the person who had just spoken.
"Xiaoqing, don't be so hasty. I'm just stating the facts, I didn't say you definitely stole the money," the classmate said, sounding aggrieved.
"Which of you three arrived at the classroom first?" Ling Zixuan looked at Han Lin, then at Xiao Qing and Xiao Ye.
At this moment, Xiaoqing and Xiaoye both turned their gazes to Han Lin, pointed at him in unison, and answered in unison, "It's him!"
Han Lin's expression wasn't particularly pleasant; the smile he had been wearing just moments before had vanished almost entirely. "Ling Zixuan, what do you mean by saying that?" Han Lin looked at Ling Zixuan and asked coldly.
"Don't misunderstand, we just want to get to the bottom of things." Ling Zixuan seemed oblivious to Han Lin's unusual state and replied in his usual gentle tone.
"Han Lin, what's the rush? Just explain whether you stole it or not. Ling Zixuan didn't ask anything wrong, so why are you being so sarcastic?" There were quite a few female fans of Ling Zixuan in the class, and even at this moment, some people were standing up for him.
Han Lin glanced at his classmates and understood that it was precisely at this moment that he needed to control his emotions. Otherwise, not only would he be mistaken for a thief, but it would also damage his future image. After understanding this, Han Lin silently adjusted his emotions, and a smile reappeared on his face.
Han Lin chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "No, don't misunderstand, I'm just anxious because people are misunderstanding me."
"Now you can answer us, when you entered the classroom, was there anyone else in the classroom?" the girl from before pressed.
"No, there was no one in the classroom when I entered." Han Lin's words were straightforward and honest.
But after Han Lin finished speaking, everyone fell silent again. They looked at each other, and their expressions subtly changed.
"Class monitor, did you go out again after you went into the classroom?" Ling Zixuan broke the silence and asked Han Lin.
"No, I've been in the classroom ever since I entered," Han Lin replied.
"Xiaoqing, Xiaoye, is that so?" After listening to Han Lin's words, Ling Zixuan turned his gaze to Xiaoqing and Xiaoye. Xiaoqing and Xiaoye nodded emphatically upon hearing Ling Zixuan's words.
Ling Zixuan questioned Xiaoqing and Xiaoye about Han Lin's answer, not because he didn't believe Han Lin, but rather to help prove the truth of Han Lin's words in front of everyone. Additionally, this would also clear Xiaoqing and Xiaoye of suspicion. Xiaoqing and Xiaoye entered the classroom after Han Lin, and Han Lin hadn't left the entire time. Therefore, it was impossible for Xiaoqing and Xiaoye to have stolen in front of Han Lin. Of course, there was also the extreme possibility that the three of them committed the crime as a group. However, Ling Zixuan looked at their faces and silently shook his head.
After questioning him to this point, if Han Lin cannot provide any other explanation, then he is indeed the most likely perpetrator. Many students probably share Ling Zixuan's suspicions. Therefore, everyone is now looking at Han Lin, who is standing on the podium, with scrutinizing eyes.
Han Lin exchanged glances with everyone, frowned, sighed, and then said, "Are you all doubting me?"
After Han Lin asked that question, everyone quietly shifted their gaze away from him. However, no one gave a negative answer.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Han Lin nodded slightly. "Alright, after being class monitor for so many days, I still can't gain your trust. But to prove my innocence, there's something I have to say." Han Lin paused, then turned his gaze to Sima Chu, who was sitting in the last row.
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