The air in the interrogation room hung heavy and musty. Months of confinement had led to a thin layer of white mist forming on the windows, creating a blurred view. Despite it being May, the weather felt unusually chilly.

The sharp contrast between the cold outdoors and the enclosed interior created a delicate play of condensation on the glass, leaving faint trails and cracks in its wake. Gazing out from within, the world lay hidden in darkness, devoid of starlight.

The conditions here were neither good nor bad, but for an interrogation room, keeping the air conditioning on was a somewhat humane gesture.

Since her detention, she had endured more than ten interrogations, yet the result was always the same—no one could extract a substantial answer from her.

Everyone had grown tired of this woman who appeared indifferent to morality, constantly putting on an act. Yet, they persisted relentlessly, and she, too, held her ground.

Today, she could still savor a cup of coffee, all thanks to the influential figure sitting across from her.

Xu Qingyan’s face remained devoid of emotion. Her pale and gaunt appearance betrayed none of the typical signs of anxiety exhibited by suspects. Aside from the exhaustion that had accumulated under prolonged pressure, her composure had evolved into a state of numbness.

Xu Qingyan silently lowered her gaze, focusing on the disposable cup. Her hands were confined by handcuffs, but with a slight effort, she managed to rotate the paper cup. She had already consumed half of the instant coffee in the cup, while the remaining half had long gone cold.

The prolonged silence cast an eerie atmosphere over the room. The noise from the air conditioning vent seemed to grow louder, stirring the small, restless particles suspended in the air.

Faced with Xu Qingyan’s unwavering silence, Cao Jin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease. The Xu Qingyan he knew seemed ordinary on the surface but harbored unwavering strength within. Extracting information from her was indeed a formidable task, which was why his colleagues had all met with failure.

However, he believed he was different.

Leaning forward slightly, Cao Jin clenched his fist. He was struggling to maintain his patience as he addressed Xu Qingyan, “You can trust me. There’s no need to be afraid. If he’s threatening you, I can ensure the safety of you and your family.”

Xu Qingyan didn’t even lift her eyelids, continuing to twirl the paper cup.

“Are you really willing to take that responsibility? Do you understand the potential consequences?”

Just as Cao Jin was about to reason with her, Xu Qingyan suddenly spoke in a low voice, “I just happened to be there.”

This statement had been repeated at least ten times already. She remained unfazed by it, but they had grown utterly tired of hearing it.

Cao Jin took a deep breath and looked her stoic expression as he questioned, “Do you truly expect me to believe in such a coincidence? There must be something you know that you’re not telling us. Otherwise, considering your personality, you wouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

Xu Qingyan lowered her head again.

Finding it difficult to contain himself, Cao Jin pressed on, “Your current stance not only jeopardizes your own situation but also undermines the pursuit of justice. This isn’t the person you used to be. It was those scumbags who dragged Yue Chu down. If not for them, Yue Chu wouldn’t have left us so early. We both despise them, don’t we?”

Xu Qingyan slowly lifted her eyelids, and in her contrasting black and white pupils, Cao Jin’s handsome face was reflected. “Do you really understand me?”

Cao Jin felt that this question was somewhat unnecessary. “We’ve known each other for many years.”

Xu Qingyan nodded silently. “I’ve known you for fifteen years.”

Cao Jin stared at her face, hoping to find their fifteen-year bond reflected within it, but her cold demeanor made his heart sink. “How long have you known him? Are you trying to protect him?”

Xu Qingyan smiled faintly and leaned back a bit. “Cao Jin, please, don’t press me any further. If you want to blame me for everything, I have nothing more to say.”

“How could you possibly get involved in something like this?” Cao Jin couldn’t help but express his frustration.

“Who knows,” Xu Qingyan replied.

She smiled indifferently, leaving Cao Jin feeling somewhat bewildered. “I never expected you to be so deeply involved in this. When did it start? You already knew him during that dinner, didn’t you? You lied to me, claiming you had only met him once.”

“No need to say more, Captain Cao,” Xu Qingyan replied, deflecting his questions. “Since you claim to know me well, you should understand that if it’s something I don’t want to discuss, I won’t utter a word.” She then fell silent again, idly fiddling with the cup in her hand.

“Xu Qingyan,” Cao Jin’s heart surged, and he couldn’t resist reaching out to hold her hand. It felt icy cold, momentarily leaving him stunned. “You’re not the type of woman who would tread this path. He is a whirlpool, and following him will only pull you in deeper. It’s not too late yet. I can help you break free.”

Xu Qingyan gazed at his hand with a hint of complexity in her eyes, but it quickly cleared. She gently pulled her hand away, lifted her head, and her lips moved slightly. “Xu Qingyan is no longer the same person she once was.”

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the room.

Cao Jin turned abruptly, realizing that he had overreacted, and quickly composed himself. He said, “Come in.”

He Guan entered with a disgruntled expression and said to them, “Lord Liang has come to bail her out.”

Cao Jin, rare in his disbelief, exclaimed, “How is that possible?”

“The approval has been granted,” He Guan replied.

Cao Jin took the application form and examined it carefully. From a procedural standpoint, everything seemed in order. He had never anticipated that this individual would have such influential connections to secure Xu Qingyan’s release.

Cao Jin glanced at Xu Qingyan. She didn’t show much reaction, but a fleeting, imperceptible gleam flickered in her black pupils—composed and serene.

The door swung open, and Xu Qingyan walked out of the police station with two officers flanking her. Cao Jin trailed closely behind. Her pace was deliberate as she made her way down the corridor.

In a hushed voice, He Guan commented behind Cao Jin, “She looks somewhat like Lady Liang now.”

His tone carried a hint of ambiguity, making it challenging to discern whether he was being mocking or sympathetic. Cao Jin shot a quick glance at him and retorted firmly, “Don’t compare her to those scoundrels.”

The path to the exit wasn’t long, but everyone along the way held their breath and remained vigilant, their gazes fixed on Xu Qingyan’s composed face, as if they sought to penetrate her calm facade with a thousand prying eyes.

Capturing someone from the Li family was already difficult enough, let alone someone under the protection of Lord Liang. They had hoped to extract information but had encountered Xu Qingyan, who remained unyielding and uncooperative, refusing to partake in their cat-and-mouse games.

Tonight, the veil concealing Xu Qingyan was lifted. Rumors had swirled about a woman who kept close company with Liang Jiankong, teetering on the border between the underworld and regular society. Some believed she had earned Liang Jiankong’s trust, while others speculated that she was nothing more than a pawn in his efforts to control Cheng Ran.

Whispers of a strained relationship with Lord Liang even circulated, yet no one could definitively confirm her true identity.

As Xu Qingyan crossed the threshold of the final door, a rush of cold wind and rain awaited on the other side, sending shivers down one’s spine. Someone approached cautiously and helped her remove the handcuffs.

Despite her composed exterior, a maelstrom of emotions churned within Xu Qingyan. She had never anticipated finding herself in this situation, entering a police station and being interrogated by her own friend. The turmoil in her heart was beyond words.

Behind her, Cao Jin couldn’t let go and said, “Qingyan, don’t sink any deeper. Take this chance while I can still help you.”

Xu Qingyan paused for a moment, offering no response, and then strode into the depths of the dark night.

Cao Jin stood at the doorway and peered out into the darkness, where a faint silhouette lingered. His gaze remained fixed on that figure, his brow tightly furrowed.