C21 Question Yang Hanh

Qiao Liang nodded reluctantly, signaling his tacit agreement. Lu Wangshu looked at him and inquired, "He definitely doesn't want me meddling in your case, does he?"

It was clear to everyone exactly who Lu Wangshu was referring to.

Qiao Liang nodded again, about to speak, but Lu Wangshu gestured for him to stop, saying, "Enough, enough, there's no need to explain. I'm well aware that he doesn't approve of my involvement in the case. He's always been stubborn and rigid. His dislike for me isn't exactly news; I'd have to be foolish not to notice it by now."

Lu Wangshu took a brief pause before shifting the conversation, "However, I made a promise to Mrs. Zhang to find the person who harmed her daughter, and I intend to keep it. If he won't let me join the investigation, I'll just have to find my own way to look into the case."

Qiao Liang gestured dismissively and gave a wry smile, "The teacher has given his consent. You're welcome to join us in the investigation."

"Really?" Lu Wangshu was incredulous, his face lighting up with surprise as he stared at Qiao Liang.

Qiao Liang affirmed with a nod, "Of course, it's true. I have no reason to deceive you."

Lu Wangshu nodded, pleased. After all, collaborating with the police on a case was an excellent opportunity.

With Director Lee's approval for Qiao Liang to reopen the investigation and for Lu Wangshu's involvement, there was no longer any need for further deliberation.

Thus, Lu Wangshu turned to Qiao Liang with a faint smile and suggested, "Let's make another trip to Yongzhou No.1 Middle School now."

Qiao Liang, puzzled by the sudden proposal, asked directly why.

Lu Wangshu clarified, "I have a hunch that we might uncover some valuable leads from Yang Hanh."

Yang Hanh was someone Du Le had mentioned frequently, other than her roommates. Lu Wangshu believed it was essential to question him.

Hearing this, Qiao Liang nodded in agreement and said, "Then let's head over right now."

With that, Qiao Liang and Lu Wangshu turned to leave.

Lin Xiangyi, seeing them about to depart, interjected anxiously, "Hold on, you two, what about the principal? He's still here."

"Principal?" Qiao Liang and Lu Wangshu exchanged a glance, suddenly realizing, "Right, right, right, we almost forgot about the principal. Where is he?"

Lin Xiangyi shook her head, "He's probably in the living room. I was in the interrogation room with the principal earlier. After I saw Wangshu leave, I followed him out without checking on the principal."

Qiao Liang gave Lin Xiangyi an approving look, his eyebrows raised, and said with a teasing smile, "Not bad, Xiangyi. Spending time with Wangshu has sharpened your deductive skills."

Lin Xiangyi's face flushed at Qiao Liang's words, which clearly had an undertone, yet she found herself at a loss for a comeback.

Noticing Lin Xiangyi's discomfort, Lu Wangshu stepped in, "In that case, let's head to the living room to check. It wouldn't be right to head back to Yongzhou No.1 Middle School without him, especially since he came with us."

Qiao Liang nodded, no longer ribbing Lin Xiangyi, and led the way to the living room.

As Lin Xiangyi had surmised, they found an elderly figure seated inside upon their arrival.

Lin Xiangyi sighed. The principal, who had seemed so vibrant just days before, now appeared as frail as an aged man if one didn't look directly at his face.

With this thought, Lin Xiangyi couldn't resist calling out, "Principal? Principal?"

After several calls, the principal slowly turned his head to look at Lin Xiangyi.

"Principal, we're heading back to Yongzhou No.1 Middle School. Would you like to join us?" Lin Xiangyi asked.

The principal nodded and attempted to stand. Whether from sitting too long or being preoccupied with his thoughts, he lacked the strength to rise at first. With a firm grip on the chair's armrest, he finally managed to stand.

"Let's go," said the principal, joining Lu Wangshu and the others as they departed the police station one by one.

As they traveled, the principal gazed out the car window at the swiftly passing landscape and suddenly inquired, "What brings you to Yongzhou No.1 Middle School at this time?"

Lu Wangshu was forthright with the principal, explaining, "Principal, we're here to re-examine the truth behind Du Le's death. We suspect there's more to this case than meets the eye."

Upon hearing this, the principal gave a wry smile.

Qiao Liang drove them to Yongzhou No.1 Middle School. When they arrived, the students were in the middle of classes, leaving the campus walkways deserted.

Lu Wangshu expressed a desire to meet with Yang Hanh, which the principal agreed to. They proceeded to the doorway of Yang Hanh's classroom.

During this period, Yang Hanh's class was engaged in a study session. The arrival of the principal hushed the previously buzzing classroom to an eerie silence, where one could hear a pin drop.

The principal cleared his throat and called out, "Yang Hanh, please step outside for a moment."

At his words, the students' eyes turned to a bespectacled boy at the back of the room. Under their collective gaze, Yang Hanh stood and approached the principal.

In the meeting room, the principal introduced Yang Hanh to the officers, saying, "These individuals are from the police and have a few questions for you. There's no need to be nervous; just tell the truth."

Yang Hanh nodded, signaling his understanding.

Lu Wangshu offered a reassuring smile before probing, "Yang Hanh, what was your relationship with the deceased, Du Le?"

Yang Hanh cast a covert glance at the principal, hesitated, then replied, "She was my classmate, a fellow alumnus of our school."

"Did you pursue her persistently?" Lu Wangshu asked pointedly.

Caught off guard by the directness, Yang Hanh's expression faltered, but he admitted, "Yes, I pursued her because I had strong feelings for her."

"So, you pursued Du Le for quite some time. During that period, did you notice anything unusual about her, particularly in the days leading up to her suicide?" Lu Wangshu pressed on.

Typically, if a boy is deeply infatuated with a girl and actively pursuing her, he would be highly attentive to her, more so than anyone else. Lu Wangshu reasoned that Yang Hanh might have noticed something off about Du Le.

Another reason motivated Lu Wangshu: he was determined to find out whether Yang Hanh was responsible for Du Le's death. He planned to assess Yang Hanh's demeanor and responses for clues.

Upon hearing Lu Wangshu's inquiry, Yang Hanh displayed no unusual microexpressions or gestures. He reflected earnestly before hesitantly shaking his head, saying, "I don't believe so..."

In the midst of his recollection, Yang Hanh's eyes brightened as he suddenly remembered a significant detail. "Now I recall something important. Just before Du Le passed away, she uncharacteristically agreed to let me take her home," he revealed.

Yang Hanh explained that, like him, Du Le would stay at the school during the week but always went home on weekends instead of remaining in the dorms.

Yang Hanh had pondered this peculiarity before. Mrs. Zhang, Du Le's mother, worked at the school as a dormitory supervisor, responsible for the students who stayed over. She couldn't leave for home, so it was puzzling why Du Le would insist on returning to an empty house rather than staying at school with her mother.

The situation was indeed odd.

Nevertheless, Du Le had explained that she found it easier to focus on her studies at home, which dissuaded Yang Hanh from giving it further thought.