Volume One, Chapter Three: The Debate
She placed a stack of freshly developed photos on the library table. To be precise, they were screenshots from surveillance footage. The timestamp showed the images were taken three days before Jin Jingyang’s disappearance, and surprisingly, the location was a hotel room. In the footage, Jin Jingyang lay on the bed while a mature woman nestled in his arms. The next screenshot revealed an explicit scene, clearly adult content.
Ran Yi stared in disbelief. Jin Jingyang actually frequented prostitutes? “That night, didn’t he tell me he was going to the library to research all night? Besides, didn’t he have a girlfriend...?”
“Never judge a book by its cover. There are many things you don’t know,” Tang Hui said as she pinched the stack of screenshots. “This contains a Jin Jingyang you’re completely unfamiliar with.”
“But these surveillance videos should be confidential and controlled by the police...” Ran Yi hesitated.
“Don’t forget Xu’s identity,” Tang Hui revealed a corner of the footage. “Director Zhao of the Fanlou City Public Security Bureau was recommended by him. The police only just restored the footage this noon. I got my hands on it immediately.”
Ran Yi had worried her reckless actions might cause trouble, but then thought of Tang Hui’s usual impulsiveness. Besides, her father was an influential figure. He didn’t need to worry about such things—just gratitude was enough.
“Sorry for troubling you over my affairs...”
“No need for thanks. When is your next meeting with the school authorities?”
“Tonight.”
“In that case, I’ll go with you.” Tang Hui jumped down from the desk and took a few steps outside, then suddenly turned back, her gaze deep and fathomless.
“Xiao Yi, I just can’t stand idly by. Neither you nor Jin deserves to be trapped in an illusory prison any longer.”
---
As Ran Yi and Tang Hui stepped out of the library, a girl blocked their way. It was Han Qian, the class monitor, who had just been acting sarcastic toward Ran Yi in class, but now her expression had completely changed.
Unlike Tang Hui, who was straightforward and bold, Han Qian was a true social chameleon. On the surface, she played the responsible class monitor; behind the scenes, she curries favor with teachers for grades, flatters classmates for awards, and sabotages peers to secure recommended placements. She was two-faced to the extreme.
Only someone as outstanding as Jin Jingyang could barely keep this “divine beast” in check.
“Tang Hui, what you said just now... are you serious? Why didn’t I know Jin was like this?” Han Qian put on a pitiful act, but Tang Hui ignored her and walked past.
“Eavesdropping is a bad habit.”
Seeing Tang Hui’s indifference, Han Qian turned to Ran Yi. “Ran, I was just anxious earlier... I didn’t mean to target you. I want to know where Jin is too. Given your relationship, you must know some secrets, right? He absolutely can’t be in trouble. Just last week, he promised to add my name to his new paper...”
Tang Hui sneered—this woman constantly invoked Jin’s name, but it was all exploitation. When Han Qian tried to continue tormenting Ran Yi, Tang Hui grabbed his hand.
“We have things to do and no time for this. People like you, who can’t even manage your own boyfriend, aren’t worth our time. If you want to understand him, think for yourself instead of waiting for handouts.”
Watching them walk away, Han Qian’s face twisted with frustration.
“Tang Hui, just you wait.”
---
In the principal’s office, a group surrounded the desk. Ran Yi glanced up; the atmosphere was suffocating, like a battleground.
On his left sat Principal Shen Liang, a typical greasy middle-aged man with thinning hair and a bulky frame, resembling a Buddha who had shed his golden robes and donned an ill-fitting suit. His insincere smile was repulsive.
To Ran Yi’s right were Jin Jingyang’s parents. The middle-aged woman leading outside the school gate was his mother. The couple dressed sharply and exuded arrogance and aggression, unmistakably successful in their stature.
---
Police case officer Bai Chen sat opposite Jin Jingyang’s parents. Though young, his eyes held a piercing insight, radiating an icy rationality.
Bai Chen briefly reiterated the meeting’s purpose: “To avoid the police wasting extensive manpower and resources on a thorough search, we hope you will no longer withhold information and provide as many clues as possible to advance the investigation.”
Shen Liang maintained his usual stance. “Jin Jingyang ranked first in his grade overall and had no problem securing recommended admission. His outstanding achievements were a shining example for Fanlou University. I understand your feelings as parents, but he is also the university’s prized student. Why would we harm someone who promises such boundless potential for our school?”
Jin Jingyang’s mother relentlessly demanded accountability. “Even if you had no motive to harm my son, shouldn’t the school have fulfilled its duty to protect him? Our precious son was lost under your watch. No matter what, the school owes us an explanation!”
Ran Yi sighed helplessly. Like previous talks, all parties descended into endless bickering, and the ultimate victim was him.
Unsurprisingly, his sigh drew fire.
Jin Jingyang’s father was the first to accuse, “Why the sigh? Are you guilty? This son was raised by me—I know he wouldn’t say such nonsense. Tell me, Ran Yi, who taught you to fabricate lies? What exactly did my son say before he left?”
Shen Liang retorted fiercely, “What do you mean? How many times must I say the school knows nothing about Jin Jingyang’s disappearance? Have you been reading too many conspiracy theories online? Do you think Fanlou University is easy to bully? I warn you, if the case is closed and it’s proven Jin’s suicide has nothing to do with us, I will sue you for defamation—believe it or not!”
Jin Jingyang’s mother burst out, “Who said my son committed suicide? Damn your whole family! I believe he was framed by you beasts in human clothing. Pity for all parents who love their children—the Jin family gave everything for him, and now you’ve destroyed our future.”
The argument escalated, teetering on the edge of violence. Caught in the middle, Ran Yi felt like sitting on pins and needles.
He wanted to reveal the evidence but had no chance to speak. He deeply regretted bringing Tang Hui to witness this farce.
At the critical moment, Tang Hui suddenly kicked the table, her voice steady and commanding, “If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. What’s the point of all this shouting?”
The three disputants froze instantly.
Tang Hui calmly stood and said, “I only care about the case itself. Where exactly has Jin Jingyang gone?”