Chapter 491: Chapter 482: The Rising Wave Su Qing
The tactic of stalling has always been the most appropriate method for relevant institutions when something goes wrong. If an incident blows up online and is either a loss for their side or has potential negative impacts, they invariably resort to stalling.
Even when they could call in the relevant personnel for an investigation and provide an explanation quickly, they delay, waiting until no one cares anymore before handling it hastily.
Clearly, this is the mindset of the leadership at Jiangcheng University. Not only do the advisors strictly prohibit students from spreading information, but some have already begun contacting the person who first discovered the body, the deceasedâs three roommates, and another key person, Ke Yao.
Itâs nothing more than an initial warning, using the diploma as leverage, threatening that speaking recklessly could result in a severe punishment, disciplinary action, or even failure to graduate, which would make any student, even a university student, feel uneasy.
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After all, regardless of academic performance, this is the diploma earned through over a decade of diligent study, and no one would take it lightly. The most crucial point is that the school indeed has the authority to withhold it, which makes many resort to private discussions, staying detached from the matter.
After threats, comes inducement. For instance, the deceasedâs three roommates, who, after all, lived together, would know more information. To prevent them from speaking recklessly, certain benefits would certainly be promised, like... guaranteed postgraduate recommendations, scholarships, and the like. As long as the students havenât graduated, the school has ways to control them, because, after all, the arm cannot wrestle with the thigh.
What appears to be a harmonious society actually has many nauseating dealings. Young people find it disgusting and unjust, while the older generation calls it the ways of the world; itâs just how things are. After all, since the deceased isnât their child, who would want to stir up trouble for themselves?
Fortunately, Su Qingâs seductive tactics were employed early on; otherwise, if delayed half a day more, they might not have extracted anything from Zhang Dandan.
Of course, when they went to inquire, they didnât intend to use what was said as evidence, since itâs not testimony. Moreover, most of it was just gossip. As for taking them to the police station to make a statement or testify, thatâs just wishful thinking; they are only the police, and testifying in court is a matter for the judiciary.
"Hello, we are officers from the East City Public Security Bureau. You must be Ke Yao. Weâd like to talk to you about the situation; donât be nervous, just tell us what you know."
In a guidance office, Li Zijun, Du Qiang, and Su Qing sat in civilian clothes on chairs, their gaze fixed on a girl sitting on a nearby sofa.
Tall and slender with well-defined features, her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, making her look nothing like an enrolled university student but more like a girl who graduated and worked for a few years, appearing mature. She was indeed another key figure in this matter, Ke Yao.
But that was just her appearance. Under the groupâs gaze, the panic in Ke Yaoâs eyes didnât diminish but became more evident. Although she looked mature, she lacked maturity in character.
It was like a teenage girl determined to wear stockings and high heels, imitating a mature womanâs style to showcase her grown-up appearance, creating a sense of dissonance.
This is also why many university graduates are easily identified as fresh graduates at a glance.
Under the trioâs insistence, the female advisor couldnât withstand the pressure in the end. After all, if the person isnât at the school, you have to give me their contact information, and we will get in touch. Should you dare claim as an advisor you donât have the studentâs contact, that would make them out to be fools.
Faced with such a major case, if the advisor dared to mess around, it would be inviting trouble for herself, and she could even be accused of hindering law enforcement.
Helplessly, the female advisor had to agree to contact them, and the three didnât mind waiting, letting her go make the call.
There was no need to guess what she was up to; she was merely reporting to her superiors. With no other options, she had to notify Ke Yao to come back, but before that, some instructions from the leaders were inevitable.
And so, after waiting almost an hour, they finally met their target.
Confronted with Li Zijun, who graduated several years ago and was engaged in criminal investigation, the difference in aura was beyond comparison. Seeing them question her, Ke Yao stammered:
"You... hello, the recent events have been very stressful for me. I went to the hospital, and the doctor prescribed antidepressants. I donât know how I can assist you."
Her statement was barely short of having "I have depression, donât scare me" written across her face.
She even took out a certificate, which indeed showed her visiting a psychologist, but anyone knowledgeable would know thatâs not a diagnosis and doesnât explain much.
As soon as she finished speaking, a voiceover echoed in Su Qingâs mind.
[The envious Ke Yao doesnât have depression; sheâs simply afraid that her rumors might be associated and fears taking responsibility.]
Listening to the voiceover, Su Qing rolled his eyes. Why does everyone these days claim to have depression when something happens?
Especially some internet celebrities, who, after doing something stupid and getting cyber-bullied, inevitably claim to have depression. Itâs almost become standard, as if without depression, they are unfit to be internet celebrities. Itâs only a matter of time before someone complains, "Iâm mentally unwell, you canât cyber-bully me."
Unexpectedly, such tactics appear in reality too.
Upon hearing this, Li Zijun and Du Qiang both turned their eyes toward Su Qing, inquiring silently.
Su Qing merely shook his head and murmured, "Fake!"
Hearing this, Ke Yao was stunned. She turned to look over, seeing him with arms crossed, looking nonchalant, which shocked her, especially with that gaze, seemingly seeing through her, pressuring her further.
Of course, Ke Yao recognized Su Qing. She even heard about this matter yesterday, but didnât expect to meet today in such a manner.
Seeing him so certain, Li Zijun and Du Qiang exchanged a glance, formulating their thoughts naturally.
"Regarding Wei Caiwenâs death, some say it was due to rumors that led to suicide, you must have heard some whispers, right?" Li Zijun spoke lightly.
Ke Yao, upon hearing this, began to sweat on her forehead: "N-no, it has nothing to do with me, it wasnât me."
"Not you? Then why does everyone say you spread it? So many people in your class, we could easily check one by one. Youâd best tell the truth; if itâs not heavily related to you now, thatâs good, but if you lie and we verify with other students and find out it was you, the nature of this incident could change!" Du Qiang spoke sternly nearby.
"It really wasnât me... I donât know who spread it either, Iâm just a victim."
[Ke Yao, frightened by the incident, hastily disbanded the group she used to stir trouble last night. However, because of her good looks, some admirers at school kept chat records.]
Upon hearing this, Su Qing felt assured internally but kept a calm exterior.
Seeing him remain silent, Li Zijun continued: "Not you? From our investigation, this rumor has been around for nearly two months. I have some screenshots here; you can take a look!"
She then showed her âbountyâ acquired from the internet cafĂ© "socializing." Since it was group creation for such activities, there would always be people taking screenshots, which eventually leak out.
At the moment Ke Yao saw the screenshots, she went pale. They were indeed group screenshots from back then, with matching WeChat names, avatars, and messages.
"I..."
"How about this, you tell us the truth, and if your involvement is minimal, there shouldnât be a problem, but if you lie and we verify by checking with your classmates, the nature of this incident will change," Su Qing seized the moment to speak.
Ultimately, inexperienced young people with a guilty conscience, especially facing the police, could not withstand any pressure. Ke Yao broke down.
She confessed to spreading rumors about Wei Caiwen and Professor Jiang being together by gathering a group of friends. She embellished her story with excuses of not doing it deliberately, just gossiping, never thinking it would escalate like this, etc.
Hearing this, the team refrained from taking immediate action. Instead, they asked Du Qiang to find a tutor, summon the relevant personnel for verification, and finally took Ke Yao back to the police station. It was uncertain what would happen, but at least she would make a statement.
Currently, no one knows whether these rumors are the actual cause of Wei Caiwenâs suicide. If not, the worst Ke Yao would face is detention, or at least on-the-spot education. If they are, it could mean serious trouble, possibly leading to criminal liability.
On the other hand, an unexpected situation occurred as the team prepared to head back to the station.
"Dad... what are you doing?"
"This old wave isnât your dad, right, youngster?"
Su Qing:...
...