When the two went to sleep, in the police station interrogation room, Fan Jiancheng looked wearily at Zhang Yong and Lin Feng: "Officers, I've told you everything. Even if you ask me ten thousand more times, it's still the same story."
"Are you sure you're telling the truth?"
Zhang Yong stared coldly at him. Fan Jiancheng grew impatient: "I swear everything I said is true. That night, she specifically asked me to drive her and Zhao Chuchu. I was worried about two young girls alone, so I agreed. After getting in the car, she kept talking, saying how grateful she was to me. I dropped Zhao Chuchu off first, then drove her home. When we reached her place, she refused to get out, crying in the car about her bad relationship with her husband. I comforted her, and she said she wanted to take a walk in the reed field."
Fan Jiancheng lowered his voice and bowed his head: "I could tell she was hinting at something. I lost my head for a moment and got tempted. When we got to the reed field, she said she liked me and initiated intimacy. After it was over, she suddenly demanded money from me—100,000 right off the bat. In a fit of anger, I dragged her out of the car and drove off."
"Later, she called to threaten me, saying she'd accuse me of rape if I didn't pay. I told her to go ahead, I didn't believe she'd dare. Who knew? The next day, she actually went to the police. After filing the report, she called me again, saying she wouldn't withdraw the case unless I paid her. I ignored her, and then you guys really showed up."
"Then why didn't you tell the truth from the start?"
Lin Feng pressed aggressively: "During the first interrogation, you said you took her straight home. How do you explain that?"
"Grandma, don't you understand basic social norms?"
Fan Jiancheng turned to Lin Feng, explaining anxiously: "At first, I didn't tell the truth because I wanted to protect both our reputations. I'm a married man, and Ye Sibei has a husband too. This kind of thing is embarrassing for everyone—of course I'd try to hide it if I could!"
"Fan Jiancheng," Lin Feng clenched his fists, "leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist. We have physical evidence now. Are you really telling the truth?"
"It is the truth!"
Fan Jiancheng snapped: "If you don't believe me, bring Ye Sibei here. I'll confront her face to face!"
The two glared at each other. Seeing the situation escalate, Zhang Yong stood up: "That's enough for now." With that, he led Lin Feng out and returned to his desk.
Lin Feng was fuming: "He refuses to admit it. What do we do now?"
Zhang Yong took a sip of water: "Stop fixating on his statement. Gather more evidence and prepare to transfer the case to the prosecutor's office."
"Alright."
Lin Feng nodded. Noticing Zhang Yong's unease, she quietly asked: "Master, is the evidence... not strong enough?"
"From the witness statements, Ye Sibei said she couldn't remember how much she drank that night and claimed to have no consciousness. But other witnesses confirmed the amount of alcohol she consumed wasn't unusually high compared to her usual intake..."
Zhang Yong twirled his pen, deep in thought: "We didn't find any controlled drugs in Fan Jiancheng's car, home, or office. What about his financial records?"
"Checked them," Lin Feng shook her head. "Nothing suspicious."
Zhang Yong fell silent. After a long pause, he made a decision: "Arrange for Ye Sibei to come in for another statement when possible."
When Ye Sibei woke up the next morning, Qin Nan had already prepared breakfast.After having lunch together, Ye Sibei received a call from Lin Feng, informing her to go in for another statement the next day.
Hearing this, Ye Sibei felt uneasy: "Is there insufficient evidence?"
"Don't worry about that," Lin Feng reassured her. "The case will soon be transferred to the prosecutor's office. You can rest easy."
Relieved, Ye Sibei nodded. "Okay, thank you for your trouble."
After hanging up, she looked up to see Qin Nan across from her scrolling through messages on his phone. Without asking what had happened, he simply changed the subject: "I asked a friend last night. The water plant he works at needs a cashier. The pay isn't high, but do you want to check it out?"
In small towns, job opportunities mostly come through connections. She had been planning to ask friends for leads, but since Qin Nan had already found her a job, she decided not to bother further. She nodded and softly replied, "Alright."
Qin Nan made the arrangements for her to visit that very afternoon. Before leaving for his shop, he turned back to her: "Come by the shop at noon if you're free. We can have lunch together."
Ye Sibei smiled in agreement. After Qin Nan left, she cleaned up the dishes and took the bus to the water plant he had directed her to.
The plant was located in a remote area—an hour's bus ride away—and the pay was low, so few people applied. Upon arrival, Ye Sibei messaged Qin Nan's friend. Soon, a tall, burly man came jogging out to greet her: "Sis-in-law."
The man, Da Chun, was Qin Nan's childhood friend. He led Ye Sibei to the boss's office and had her wait outside.
After a while, Da Chun called out, "Sis-in-law, come in."
Nervously, Ye Sibei entered. Da Chun introduced her to the boss: "Director Yang, this is my sis-in-law, Ye Sibei. She's a college graduate and used to work as an accountant at a real estate company."
Director Yang studied her resume, stroking his chin as if hesitating. "Twenty-seven years old... married for a year, no kids yet. Where did you work as an accountant before?"
As he spoke, he looked up, sizing her up. Though tense at the mention of her previous job, Ye Sibei answered truthfully: "Fuqiang Real Estate."
"Fuqiang Real Estate," Director Yang mused. "Didn't something happen there recently?"
Ye Sibei stood still, lowering her eyes nervously as she listened.
Director Yang continued, seemingly making casual conversation: "I think there was a woman who got raped after a drinking party. What was her name..."
Suddenly, he paused, looking at Ye Sibei again, his expression shifting.
Da Chun, oblivious to the change in atmosphere, stepped forward. "Director Yang, that has nothing to do with my sis-in-law—"
"Excuse me, Director Yang," Ye Sibei, acutely aware of the shift in his gaze, could no longer hold her ground. "I'm not feeling well. I should go."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left. Da Chun, bewildered, glanced between Director Yang and the door. "Director Yang, I should—"
"Da Chun," Director Yang grabbed his arm, lowering his voice as he jerked his chin toward the door. "Why would you bring someone like that here without checking her background? Do you even know who she is?"
"She's my childhood friend's wife.""Is your childhood friend out of his mind?" Director Yang spoke bluntly. "This woman is the one from Fuqiang Real Estate who went drinking late at night, got in a car with someone, then accused her boss of rape. If he doesn't divorce a wife like that immediately, does he enjoy being a cuckold?"
Da Chun's expression changed. Director Yang shoved him: "Get her out of here. Don't bring random trash into the factory."
Ye Sibei walked out the main gate, calming down slightly. After all, Da Chun was Qin Nan's friend—she should at least say goodbye properly.
She waited by the entrance until Da Chun came running out.
His expression had darkened, and the way he looked at her had become strange—completely different from his initial warmth. He escorted her out in silence.
Ye Sibei assumed she'd caused trouble by being rude to his boss. As they neared the exit, she finally spoke: "Da Chun, I'm sorry about earlier, I—"
"It's nothing." Da Chun waved her off. "Don't worry about it."
Ye Sibei nodded. When they reached the factory gates, Da Chun seemed to steel himself before speaking: "Sis."
He no longer called her "sister-in-law." Ye Sibei looked up in confusion as Da Chun gritted his teeth: "My brother's a decent man. I'm begging you—don't take advantage of him."
Ye Sibei didn't understand. Seeing her silent, Da Chun laid it bare: "Sis, I just heard about your situation. Normally it's not my place to say anything, but Nan and I grew up together. I can't watch him suffer like this. He's a good man. If you're staying together, live properly from now on. If not, don't drag him down."
Ye Sibei's face paled. Biting back her initial response—this was Qin Nan's childhood friend after all—she finally said: "Things aren't what the rumors say..."
"Doesn't matter what they say," Da Chun cut her off. "I just don't want Nan to be a laughingstock."
Ye Sibei stood speechless as Da Chun lowered his head: "I'll leave you here. Heading back now."
As he turned, Ye Sibei called out: "Da Chun."
She clenched her jaw: "I don't understand."
Da Chun looked back. Ye Sibei stared at him: "I was the victim. Instead of mocking the criminal, why mock Qin Nan?"
"What kind of talk is that?" Da Chun forced a laugh. "Bad people are bad—what's there to discuss?"
"So since criminals are beyond discussion, we just keep scrutinizing the victim, is that it?"
Da Chun frowned at her words: "Sis, out of respect for Nan, I won't say more. Let's end this here."
With that, he walked away.
Ye Sibei stood at the factory gates, hugging herself. After composing herself, she walked to the bus stop.
The nearly empty bus arrived. She boarded, taking the back seat as she watched the deserted streets through stinging eyes. Clutching her bag, she swallowed the tears.
At noon, she arrived early at the restaurant where she'd arranged to meet Qin Nan. A crowd had gathered outside. Chen Jun's loud voice rose above arguments: "We didn't ruin your tire! Who gets new tire repairs for free?""Last time you guys didn't fix it properly, that's why it's broken now. Shouldn't you repair it?" Another man's cursing grew louder. "What kind of shady shop is this?"
"Boss," Qin Nan's steady voice rang out. Ye Sibei squeezed through the crowd and saw a burly bald man standing by a car. Qin Nan was kneeling on one knee in front of the tire, pointing at a spot to show the bald man. "The last repair was here, but your new puncture is over here."
As he spoke, Qin Nan seemed to notice Ye Sibei's arrival. He glanced up at her in the crowd and his tone shifted: "How about this—since this is a new puncture, I can't do it for free, but I'll give you 20% off today. Deal?"
The bald man thought for a moment, then pointed at Qin Nan. "Fine, but I want you to do it. Not that assistant of yours."
"Listen, you—" Chen Jun started to step forward, but Qin Nan stopped him. "Xiao Jun, go get some food."
Then Qin Nan stood up. "Boss, why don't you go grab a meal first? I'll call you when it's done, and you can come pick up the car."
"Alright." The bald man sounded reluctant. Seeing the argument fizzle out, the onlookers dispersed. The bald man left his number with Qin Nan and walked off with his friend. Qin Nan turned to Ye Sibei, who was standing to the side. "How was your morning?"
"Not bad. Everything okay just now?"
As soon as they started talking, the bald man and his friend slowed their steps.
They stole glances at Ye Sibei from the corners of their eyes. Pretending not to notice, she turned to Qin Nan. "Let's go inside first."
"Isn't that the woman they were talking about in the group chat?"
"Looks like her. What was her name again? Ye Sibei, right?"
"Could she be his wife?"
The murmurs came from behind them. Though quiet, Ye Sibei heard them clearly. She kept her head down and walked forward as if she hadn't heard a thing.
Qin Nan paused mid-step. Before he could speak, Ye Sibei heard Chen Jun shout, "Hey!"
The bald man and his friend turned around. Chen Jun pointed at their car and raised his voice. "Take your car and get lost."
"What did you just say?"
"Exactly what you heard. Get lost—can't you understand?" Chen Jun stood his ground.
The bald man rolled up his sleeves and moved toward Chen Jun. Qin Nan immediately grabbed a wrench nearby. Ye Sibei quickly caught his arm, but Qin Nan shook her off and stepped beside Chen Jun, pointing the wrench at the bald man. "Get lost."
The wrench hovered right in front of the bald man's face. Ye Sibei rushed forward to pull Qin Nan back, while the bald man's friend tugged at him too.
The two sides stood off. Seeing Qin Nan was serious, the bald man's friend apologized quickly and dragged him back to the car before driving off.
Only after they left did Qin Nan lower the wrench. Chen Jun grinned at Ye Sibei. "Sis, those guys are trash. Don't take their words to heart. You and Nan go inside first. I'll clean up and join you later."
"It's fine."
Hearing Chen Jun's reassurance, Ye Sibei smiled. "Thank you."
Chen Jun shot Qin Nan a look. Qin Nan set the wrench down, and Ye Sibei pulled him inside. Her voice was soft as she chided him, "Don't be so impulsive next time. Don't just grab tools at the drop of a hat—what if a real fight breaks out?"
Qin Nan stayed silent, watching her. Only after they entered the shop did Ye Sibei let go of him. "Where's the food? I'll cook."
"It's already done."
Qin Nan spoke quietly, then stood up to bring out the dishes and set them on the table.Ye Sibei looked at him, pursed her lips, and lowered her head. "Those words..."
"Don't take them to heart."
Qin Nan spoke directly. Ye Sibei was taken aback. She raised her head to look at him and saw that he seemed unsure of how to phrase it, his expression tinged with concern as he repeated, "No matter what others say to you, don't overthink it."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and covered her ears with his hands. "Once the lawsuit is over, we'll leave."
Ye Sibei stared at him, her gaze fixed on his eyes, not saying a word.
The two set the table and called Chen Jun over. The three of them sat down to eat together.
Chen Jun served Ye Sibei some food. "Sis-in-law, eat more."
Noticing Chen Jun's attentiveness, Ye Sibei smiled and thanked him. Chen Jun turned to Qin Nan. "Sis-in-law is really cultured, much more refined than my girlfriend."
"Cut the nonsense," Qin Nan scolded him, and Chen Jun chuckled as he shoveled rice into his mouth.
Qin Nan turned to Ye Sibei. "How was this morning?"
"They didn't think it would work out."
"Oh," Qin Nan nodded. "I'll ask around some more. If nothing comes up, you can help out at my shop for now."
"Mm."
Ye Sibei lowered her head and ate, responding to Qin Nan's words.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Ye Sibei glanced at the name and saw it was Tao Jie.
She answered the call, and Tao Jie's enthusiastic voice came through. "Sibei, are you free this afternoon?"
"What's the matter?"
"Well, the company's top management is coming this afternoon. They want to talk to you and settle this matter, to give you some closure."
Ye Sibei didn't speak. She turned to look outside the shop.
It was noon, the sun at its fiercest. Gazing at the sunlight, she replied calmly, "Alright."
They owed her an explanation.
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