Chapter 329 Manslaughter? Xia Zhining pushed the DNA test report in front of Su Jianxue: "The monkeys found a sketching pencil in the deceased's pocket."
"Upon testing, it was found that both your DNA and Zhong Manqing's DNA were present on it."
"And this pen model happens to be the one you've mentioned many times on your personal social media accounts and publicly stated as your most comfortable and frequently used model."
Xia Zhining slowed her speech: "Su Jianxue, what exactly happened at the cliff edge that day?"
"Speaking up now is crucial for you and for the truth."
Su Jianxue's previously lowered eyelashes suddenly lifted, her pupils contracted sharply under the light, and her breathing became rapid.
Her lips moved slightly, her fingertips unconsciously tightening and loosening on the table, then tightening again...
It's like an internal struggle is underway.
The interrogation room was silent, with only the low hum of the air conditioner.
Ji Shuyun exchanged a glance with the police officer beside her, and everyone held their breath in anticipation.
A few seconds later—
Su Jianxue's shoulders suddenly slumped, as if all her strength had been drained away.
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, all that remained in her eyes was a broken, gray desolation and a sense of relief.
"...It's me."
Her voice was soft, yet it was like a boulder crashing into the water: "Zhong Manqing... I killed her."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire interrogation room froze.
All the police officers present, including the seasoned Chi Shu-yun, were stunned.
No one expected that this interrogation, which was thought to be at a stalemate, would suddenly take a turn with such a calm and frank confession.
Xia Zhining looked at the other person quietly without interrupting, but simply pushed the recording pen closer to her.
Su Jianxue raised her hands and covered her face tightly, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion as it escaped through her fingers: "I thought... I thought this was all over..."
"For four whole years, there were no eyewitnesses in the mountains, no evidence was left at the scene, and the police found no clues..."
“Every day I tell myself that as long as I don’t say anything, no one can prove that I am the murderer.”
She released her grip, her eyes red-rimmed, and her gaze towards Xia Zhining was a mixture of despair and a hint of almost absurd resignation.
"But I never expected that... four years later, there would be a person who could understand animals talking."
Xia Zhining did not expect the other party to be so direct.
"I really didn't mean to kill her!"
Su Jianxue's voice was trembling with the urge to break down and cry. "That day, while I was sketching in the mountains, I suddenly received a message from my teacher. She said that my submitted work, 'Morning Glow in the Forest,' was extremely similar to a detail of Zhong Manqing's work called 'Forest Mist'—the composition, color scheme, and even the way the brushstrokes were handled were all highly similar!"
"The teacher questioned me about what happened, saying that the nature of this matter was serious and that I had to be disqualified from the competition."
Su Jianxue's chest heaved violently, her fingers turning white from the force: "But I've never seen that painting, 'Forest Mist,' before!"
"I didn't realize it existed until I saw the comparison photos... That was clearly my idea, my composition!"
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