Chapter 2
"Brother Zheng, I heard, I heard... that the police are going to reinvestigate your case?" Ma Junhong's voice was full of excitement, but he was also obviously cautious.
"Yes." Facing his former best brother, Luo Huaizheng sighed deeply, "I may be able to... clear the name on my name."
"Damn it!" Ma Junhong sighed heavily on the other end of the phone, "Damn it! Damn it! I really... Damn it, I heard about this news from my friend in the procuratorate, and I couldn't believe it..." He, a sturdy man, actually started to cry.
Back then, so many people felt sad for Luo Huaizheng. Ma Junhong thought that apart from his future sister-in-law Li Qingyao, he was the one who suffered the most. The night Luo Huaizheng was arrested, he and Li Qingyao lay on the grass, crying hysterically. Even now, when he thinks of it, he cannot get back to it.
When Luo Huaizheng was in prison, he made up his mind to be his best brother for life. Now that he has a chance to regain his innocence, Ma Junhong is even happier.
"Okay." Luo Huaizheng didn't thank Ma Junhong, "When there is a result, I will treat you and your wife to a meal."
"Of course, Mr. Luo." Ma Junhong smiled again, "By the way... does that person know about this great news?"
Luo Huaizheng knew who he was asking, but still played dumb: "Who?"
"Who else could it be? My ex-sister-in-law. She's a police officer, so she should be well-informed."
"Don't shout. This case was handled by their criminal police team."
"Ah?" Ma Junhong was surprised and happy. He suddenly felt that he had found out the truth. He slapped his thigh and said, "I was wondering why she, a gentle and refined student, dropped out of Xiangcheng University and went to the police academy. I didn't dare to guess at that time. After all, she acted too... calm and never came to see you. It turns out that she was waiting here! She must have become a police officer for you. One day, she will clear your grievances. Damn! My sister-in-law is my sister-in-law! So fucking awesome."
Luo Huaizheng's reaction was very calm: "It's not what you said. She became a police officer for her brother, not for me." He then said alertly: "Next time you see her, don't say anything nonsense."
"Okay, okay, I know." Ma Junhong also knew that it was useless to say more, as he was a little too excited just now. If Luo Huaizheng's heart is really moved but Li Qingyao cannot be pursued, wouldn't that be harming his brother?
But he wondered, in Luo Huaizheng's heart, was the matter between him and Li Qingyao really over?
Ma Junhong finally couldn't help but said, "If you still have feelings for her, tell her as soon as possible. New clothes are worse than old ones. You have to let her know."
Luo Huaizheng didn't tell Ma Junhong a single word about his feelings.
After hanging up the phone, most of the employees outside had left. The night enveloped the city. Luo Huaizheng looked at the tall buildings outside the window. He felt tired but his eyes were bright. He recalled the scene a few days ago, when Xiang Siling identified Li Meiling, when Li Qingyao and he were sitting side by side in the corridor of the police station.
He was in a calm and happy mood that day, without the ups and downs he had expected. He could also feel that Li Qingyao shared the same emotions as him, and everything was self-evident. He didn't think much about his relationship with her that day, nor did he have any extravagant hopes. But when Chen Pu came over and looked at Li Qingyao, and Li Qingyao wanted to stand up, he held her shoulders as if by magic.
Then her attention was indeed attracted, or perhaps in her heart, he was more worthy of pity and needed company at that time. So she sat back down and talked to him.
Afterwards, whenever Luo Huaizheng thought of his action, he felt it was despicable, ridiculous and disgraceful. At that moment, his hands were indeed faster than his brain.
But he asked himself again, why did he regret doing that day? Even though it was just a small and inconspicuous action.
Luo Huaizheng said in his heart, a gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried and concerned. He has always been upright and honest. This is how he should be as a human being and also in relationships. You shouldn't be like this.
Luo Huaizheng, who had been in prison for five years and was accustomed to the intrigues in the business world, told him that this was just the most normal reaction. You were obviously very happy with Li Qingyao by your side, as if you were back to the past. In this world, who doesn’t fight for what they want? Which man is willing to give up? She hasn't had a boyfriend for seven years. You are no longer inferior to her, you are qualified.
Suppressing the slightly confused thoughts in his mind, Luo Huaizheng looked up. At the top of the building, there was a hairy moon hanging, with hazy edges and a dim yellow luster. But Luo Huaizheng still felt that the moonlight tonight was very quiet and beautiful.
He knew better than anyone that the bright moon that was once in his arms was now hanging high in the sky, emitting a cool breeze like water, and he could no longer reach it easily.
——
Half a month passed in a flash.
Under Ding Guoqiang's instructions, the entire second team focused on Luo Huaizheng's old case, and Luo Huaizheng cooperated with the investigation throughout the process.
In addition, Luo Huaizheng's company's IT project at Huayu was completed as scheduled, and Xiang Siling never contacted him again, not even sending him a text message, as if she had completely forgotten him.
Just a preliminary investigation showed that among the people in charge of the case at the time, there was a deputy captain of the criminal police, two police officers, and a doctor, who was Li Meiling's old lover Ling Yong. They were suspended and investigated for dereliction of duty and bribery. Since there were probably higher-level people involved behind the scenes, the investigation was handed over to the city by Team Two at this point. The second team just needs to work together.
The case has been formally submitted for retrial and the process is going through. However, all departments believe that Luo Huaizheng has a great chance of successfully overturning the case, regaining his innocence and obtaining compensation.
As soon as Chen Pu and Li Qingyao returned to Xiangcheng, they threw themselves into Luo Huaizheng's case, working from dawn to dusk and devoting all their efforts to the case. They had not had time to read carefully the diaries of Ye Songming that they brought back from Henan. So they first submitted the diaries as evidence to the forensic and clerical staff and asked them to check them first. But so far, colleagues have not found anything. Chen Pu told Li Qingyao that no one else knew all the stories and character details like them. After they finish the current section, they still have to take the diary back and read it themselves.
It's the weekend.
It is already autumn. Although it is still hot at noon, it becomes cooler after the afternoon. The people from Team 2 got off work on time today, which was a rare occasion. They left the office in twos and threes, enjoying the pleasant autumn breeze.
After today, Luo Huaizheng's case will be officially transferred to the city. However, both Ding Guoqiang and the director said that they would keep an eye on the progress of the case for Luo Huaizheng.
When there were only two or three people left in the office, Li Qingyao packed up his things, stood up, and glanced at Chen Pu who was diagonally opposite him. His face was blocked by the computer, with only half of his shoulder exposed.
Looks like you haven't finished your work yet?
Li Qingyao walked out the door.
In fact, Chen Pu had finished his work long ago and had been sitting there without moving, sorting out the files casually. He noticed it as soon as Li Qingyao stood up, but he didn't dare to stare at him.
Seeing that she was about to leave, he coughed lightly, tidied the table casually, making a noise, and said to another colleague: "She's leaving, you should go back early too."
As soon as I walked out of the office, I saw Li Qingyao walking down the stairs at a leisurely pace.
Chen Pu did not hesitate, quickened his pace and caught up with him in a very natural manner.
On the night when searching for evidence at school, Chen Pu saw that Li Qingyao could not eat and worked hard for Luo Huaizheng, and he really suffered a new round of major blow. But after all, this is not the first time. If you ask him to give up, he won't do it.
What followed was the tedious and difficult investigation work. During this period, Chen Pu was so busy that he didn't even have time to say a few words to Li Qingyao in private. Of course, he didn't have the time or energy to think about the love affairs in a man's mind.
Today's work came to an end. Chen Pu, who had been tortured by Ding Guoqiang for half a month, obviously showed symptoms of "the scar has healed and the pain has been forgotten." He subconsciously avoided thinking about such profound and hurtful questions as "Who is true love?"
Anyway, these days, Li Qingyao was right in front of him, with him from morning to night. When she was working, she was smart and clever; when she was eating, she was proud and greedy; when she talked to him, she was still so domineering, lively and interesting. Nothing seemed to have changed. Li Qingyao was still Li Qingyao, his troublesome team member, and the sister who followed behind him.
Chen Pu is now being hit hard and is starting to give up. As the saying goes, he also knew that his old house was on fire and it was not easy to put out. But he has no other hopes now, and he doesn't want Li Qingyao to fall in love with him and spend the rest of his life with him right away. The case of Li Jincheng has not been concluded yet, so he has no time to think about anything else, and he knows very well that she is the same.
He would be satisfied as long as he maintained the status quo and became a good partner and brother to her.
But the premise is that she absolutely cannot fall in love with others.
So Chen Pu chased after him, smiling before he spoke: "It's rare that I have nothing to do today, and I have a weekend off. I plan to go to a very popular hot pot restaurant in the city center. Do you want to join us? It's hard to order food by myself."
When Li Qingyao turned around, he saw his tall and handsome figure, with a faint smile on his face and deep black eyes. Li Qingyao also smiled subconsciously and said, "It would be a waste if you don't eat it. Let's go."
"Then I'll go home and get the car, you wait here?"
"Let's walk over together. We can move around and eat more."
Chen Pu laughed again, thinking that she was completely different from when she first joined the police force. At that time, she only ate 5 wontons in one meal. The two chatted and laughed, and just as they walked to the door of the unit, they saw a black car parked on the side of the road. A tall and thin man in a gray windbreaker stood next to the car, which made him look even more handsome and heroic.
The two men stopped.
Luo Huaizheng smiled at them and called out, "Officer Chen, Qing Yao."
Li Qingyao asked: "Why are you here at this time? Is there something wrong?"
Luo Huaizheng nodded, his eyes fell on her face: "I have something to tell you."
As soon as Li Qingyao saw his expression, she knew that something was wrong. She nodded, "Okay." She turned to Chen Pu and said, "Then let's..."
Chen Pu smiled and said, "It's okay, let's make an appointment next time. I'm leaving first." He smiled at Luo Huaizheng again, looking very relaxed, then turned and left.
Li Qingyao inexplicably felt something was wrong and a little apologetic. She took two steps after him, pulled his arm and said, "I broke my promise today. I'll treat you to noodles tomorrow morning."
Chen Pu smiled faintly again. This time he acted like a good-tempered bodhisattva. He looked at her and said, "Don't think too much. Go ahead. Don't keep them waiting. I'll go back and cook some instant noodles. At most I'll just eat two packs. Let's go."
Li Qingyao watched him walk away without looking back.
Luo Huaizheng stood there in silence until she turned around, then he opened the back door for her and said, "Thank you for taking up your time."
Li Qingyao said, "Why are you being so polite? I'll treat you to a meal. If you have anything to say, we can talk while we eat."
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