Chapter 74: Who Can Be Blamed?

Even at this point, Zhu Shengren still clung to his pride. He was cursing and wailing loudly, but the moment he saw the three people entering the room, his voice was immediately silenced.

The woman sitting by the window, most likely his wife, glanced over at Qiao Jiu and the others, her tone detached and indifferent. “Are you his colleagues? Have a seat.”

No one sat down. Liang Xiujin, carrying a bag of fruit, walked over and placed it on a small table. “We meant to come by yesterday, but we had to cooperate with the police at the station, and just couldn’t find the time.”

At the mention of the police, Zhu Shengren’s face twisted with humiliation and anger, his shame growing even more obvious.

Qiao Jiu stood by the door, which was left slightly ajar. She cast a glance at Zhu Shengren’s wife, whose face was expressionless; but if one looked carefully, there was a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

It took Zhu Shengren a while to compose himself and exchange pleasantries with Liang Xiujin. He made sure to clear his own name, insisting that the woman had mistaken him for someone else, that she was taken away by others that day, and simply tried to pin the blame on him for money. He claimed he didn’t even know her.

He spoke with such sincerity that it almost sounded convincing.

Qiao Jiu couldn’t help but curl her lips in disdain and turned her gaze away.

As she did, she happened to catch a glimpse, through the crack in the doorway, of someone standing outside.

That person wore a calm expression, showing no surprise at her presence. After a few seconds, he turned and walked away.

Qiao Jiu hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Liang Xiucheng beside her, “I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Liang Xiucheng didn’t press her for details, simply nodded.

Qiao Jiu slipped out through the doorway.

Lu Fengzhou seemed to have anticipated her following; he was waiting at the end of the corridor.

Qiao Jiu walked over. “What are you doing here?”

Lu Fengzhou replied, “If I told you I just came to watch the show, would you believe me?”

Qiao Jiu wasn’t convinced. “Do you have a relationship with Zhu Shengren?”

“None at all,” Lu Fengzhou said. “Not even business.”

Qiao Jiu pressed her lips together, hesitated, and finally asked, “Did you go to that abandoned chemical plant yesterday?”

Lu Fengzhou looked at her and fell silent.

Qiao Jiu continued, “The girl’s parents said they didn’t know the three men who took Zhu Shengren. Someone left them a note, directing them there.”

Lu Fengzhou let out a soft laugh. “Why are you telling me this?”

Qiao Jiu didn’t know why herself. She suspected Lu Fengzhou, but the suspicion seemed almost laughable—he had no motive for such things.

A nurse walked by. Lu Fengzhou waited, then turned and headed for the fire escape.

Naturally, Qiao Jiu followed. This was the VIP ward area, so there were few patients and family members passing by, and the stairwell was quiet.

When they stopped, Lu Fengzhou turned to her. “You suspect me?”

Qiao Jiu took a deep breath. “Just tell me—does this have anything to do with you?”

Lu Fengzhou smiled as before. “And if I did it? What then? And if I didn’t—what of it?”

What a question...

Qiao Jiu truly didn’t know how to answer.

Indeed, if he had done it, what then? It wasn’t legal, but it was just. There was no way she’d report Lu Fengzhou.

And if he hadn’t, why should he be obliged to punish Zhu Shengren?

Qiao Jiu took another deep breath and changed the subject. “Then why are you here at the hospital? To see him?”

Lu Fengzhou said, “I brought a relative to see a doctor before. Today I came to say thanks, and stopped by to see him while I was here. He’s hardly worth a special trip.”

Whether or not he was telling the truth, Qiao Jiu guessed the so-called relative was probably Song Wan’s mother.

She followed up, “How could you bear to send Song Wan away? Was it because she came to see me last time?”

She regretted the question as soon as it left her lips; she was giving herself too much credit.

Sure enough, Lu Fengzhou replied, “Are you kidding? What does it have to do with you?”

He exhaled, “We just had a disagreement. Don’t flatter yourself—you’re not that important.”

See, she knew that would be his answer.

Qiao Jiu nodded. “Forget I asked.”

At this point, there was no reason for the two of them to continue the conversation. Qiao Jiu turned to leave. “Sorry to disturb you.”

But before she could take a step, Lu Fengzhou suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm. “Qiao Jiu.”

On reflex, Qiao Jiu jerked away, stepping back twice. “If you have something to say, then say it. Don’t touch me.”

At her words, Lu Fengzhou actually laughed, stepping closer. “Don’t want me to touch you?”

He lifted his hand, curling his index finger as if to flick her cheek. “You weren’t so reserved when we were in bed before.”

Qiao Jiu stepped back again, eyes wide. “Behave yourself. Don’t think I won’t call for help.”

Lu Fengzhou didn’t push her any further—he just raised an eyebrow and lowered his hand. “You dare? What wouldn’t you dare to do?”

He turned and walked to the window, abruptly changing the subject. “Getting along with Liang Xiucheng?”

Qiao Jiu’s tone was mocking. “Is that any of your business?”

Lu Fengzhou smacked his lips. “Of course it isn’t…”

He paused, then added coolly, a faint edge of mockery in his voice, “But for some reason, seeing that you’re doing well makes me uncomfortable.”

Qiao Jiu glared at him. “You really are shameless—at least you’re honest about it.”

After a few seconds, Lu Fengzhou spoke. “If only you’d left back then. It wouldn’t have come to this.”

Before Qiao Jiu could respond, he went on, “I was going to let you go, but you just had to walk right into the line of fire.”

He seemed to sigh. “So tell me, who can you blame for that?”