The interrogator looked at him intently and took a deep breath. In a calm voice, he said, "Itās only a matter of time before we uncover the truth. If you confess now, it could be considered a sign of your cooperation."
"Think about your parents, your wife, your family..."
The interrogation wasnāt succeeding. The interrogator decided to change tactics and try an emotional appeal.
However...
The words had barely left his mouth when Meng Lei, as if provoked, shouted angrily, "I told you, I donāt know anything! I earned this money with my own skills! Stop asking me!"
His eyes were bloodshot, and his emotions seemed on the verge of collapse.
The interrogator frowned and could only say, "Todayās interrogation ends here."
Meng Leiās emotional state was extremely unstable.
Further interrogation... would yield no results.
Since they couldnāt break through with Meng Lei, theyād have to try another angle.
ćOne day later.ć
After a swift investigation by the public security bureau, all of Meng Leiās borrowing activities gradually came to light. They visited and conducted phone interviews with those who had financial dealings with Meng Lei, uncovering many facts.
Most of these individuals were Meng Leiās former colleagues. In the years since his graduation, Meng Lei had worked for a total of nine companies. In almost every one of these nine companies, he had debt disputes with his colleagues.
It was also worth noting that employees from his most recent company had collectively approached the public security bureau, submitting evidence of Meng Leiās borrowing.
Furthermore, Meng Lei hadnāt only borrowed from classmates and colleagues; he had also borrowed from his parents and relatives on numerous occasions.
So much so that when the investigators called Meng Leiās parents, they sounded dismissive, seemingly wanting nothing to do with Meng Lei.
With these leads, the interrogator re-entered the interrogation room and began a new round of questioning Meng Lei.
"Meng Lei, we have a basic understanding of your borrowing situation now," the interrogator said sternly. "Classmates, colleagues, relativesāyouāve borrowed from them all and have yet to repay. Do you have anything to add about these matters?"
Hearing this, Meng Leiās face turned ashen. He lowered his head, remaining completely silent.
"If you donāt want to talk about those things, letās discuss something else." The interrogator frowned and continued, "Two weeks ago, the Yangcheng Court issued a judgment ordering you to pay Ma Ming eighteen yuan in outstanding debt, along with two hundred and fifty yuan in litigation fees. However, after the judgment was issued, your assets were suddenly transferred to Tian Shulanās name, and you applied for a divorce with the Civil Affairs Bureau. These actions clearly constitute the crime of refusing to execute a judgment. What do you have to say about that?"
This particular criminal act had also been discovered incidentally while they were investigating other leads.
Transferring assets after a judgment was fundamentally different from transferring them before. The latter carried no legal liability, but the former constituted the crime of refusing to execute a judgment, punishable by up to three years of fixed-term imprisonment or criminal detention, along with a fine.
"Transferring assets... also leads to prison time?"
On the interrogation chair, Meng Lei suddenly looked up, a flicker of light in his eyes. He seemed somewhat excited. "Iāll confess to this. It was all discussed and agreed upon with Tian Shulan. I transferred all my property and savings to her name, and then I filed for divorce..."
Hearing that refusing to execute a judgment meant jail time, he spilled everything, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube. As he spoke these words, he gritted his teeth in resentment.
The borrowing was his doing alone. But the transfer of assets... that was something he and Tian Shulan had done together.
Between spouses, thereās no distinction between principal and accessory. If he serves a few years in prison, Tian Shulan will have to serve a few years too!
Half an hour later, he had finished confessing everything about the asset transfer. Then, he looked at the interrogator and requested, "By the way, can you help me get a lawyer? I want to apply for a redistribution of the assets."
Even now, he was still fixated on the assets under Tian Shulanās name.
He paused, then, as if remembering something, added, "Not a free one. I want one of those lawyers who charge fees."
This time... the free lawyer had really screwed him over.
The interrogator frowned. "We can help you apply for free legal aid, but a fee-charging lawyer... youāll have to pay for that yourself."
Hearing this, Meng Leiās face fell. He couldnāt help but plead, "Could you... possibly advance me some money? Donāt worry, once I get my assets back, Iāll repay you double!"
The interrogator: "..."
ćJin City.ć
In the courtyard of the nursing home, Qin Mu sat to one side, watching Zhang Qingyuan and Li Weiguo play Chinese chess. The two had been battling for hours. Zhang Qingyuan, truly deserving his title as the nursing homeās chess king, was leading Li Weiguo by a pawn. Li Weiguo, however, was extremely cautious. From the very beginning of the game, he had deliberated for over ten minutes on every single move.
"Check!"
Watching his own chariot that had just crossed the river boundary, Zhang Qingyuan, beard bristling and eyes wide with feigned anger, said to Li Weiguo, "Old Li, the time it takes to play one game with you, I could play three with Xiao Qin! I donāt have many days left, you know. This is practically robbing me of my precious time, understand?"
Li Weiguo scoffed, "Chess, chess, itās all about the state of mind. With your attitude, no wonder you canāt beat Xiao Qin."
Hearing this, Zhang Qingyuan grew even more incensed and couldnāt resist retorting sarcastically, "As if you could beat Xiao Qin."