"Who's causing trouble here?"
The policewoman approached, her voice as sweet and clear as a nightingale's song.
"Officer, he's claiming those two young men attacked them!" the security guard promptly reported.
"Oh?"
"Alright, you all come with us. The lady with the bandage and the aunt can stay," the policewoman said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she glanced at Li Na and her mother, who had apparently 'woken up' and was being supported by Li Na.
"Got it!"
Gao Xiang sprang to his feet immediately.
Su Ming shrugged and stood up as well, but added, "Officer, I suggest we check the surveillance footage."
The policewoman gave Su Ming a quick look, nodded, and ordered, "Get the surveillance footage from that time. We'll head back to the station to take statements first."
With that, she spun around and walked off. One of the other officers followed the security guard, while the other escorted Su Ming, Gao Xiang, and the Li Chao father-son duo down to the police car.
Soon, they arrived at the police station.
Inside the interrogation room, the policewoman entered first, and the officer instructed Su Ming and others to enter one by one.
Before long, Gao Xiang and the Li Chao father-son duo had finished their statements and left the room. Su Ming stood up and walked in.
"Su Ming?"
The policewoman read from a piece of paper.
"Yeah."
Su Ming nodded.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Ning Fengqing."
Ning Fengqing didn't rush into the interrogation but instead extended her hand to Su Ming.
"Officer Ning, nice to meet you."
Su Ming shook her hand, noting how soft and cool it felt, like holding a delicate piece of silk.
"Well, now we know each other. So, Su Ming, is it true that during the wedding, that girl with the bandage asked for more dowry because her brother's girlfriend's family demanded 500,000 yuan?"
"Uh..."
Su Ming was taken aback and quickly glanced around. This was definitely an interrogation room, right? Why were they chatting about gossip?
"Oh! Haha... Well, I was just curious. It's like something out of a novel, but it happened in real life."
"Don't get me wrong, Su Ming. I know they're lying. You don't need to be nervous. Let's chat!"
Ning Fengqing said, plopping down on a chair and crossing her legs casually.
"How do you know? The surveillance footage hasn't even arrived yet."
Su Ming was puzzled.
"It's a small matter. Their statements are inconsistent, so it's obvious they're lying."
"Oh, I see."
Su Ming nodded. "Yes, as you guessed, it's probably what Gao Xiang told you. He wouldn't have missed anything."
"Wow! Really? Haha... You must be having the worst luck. But speaking of which, Su Ming, wasn't your wedding dowry borrowed? How did you suddenly get so much money?"
Ning Fengqing raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Uh, do I have to say?" Su Ming was unsure if Ning Fengqing was genuinely interested or trying to pry.
"I didn't mean it that way. You don't have to say if you don't want to. I'm just curious about this kind of rags-to-riches story."
Su Ming sighed in relief. "It's not that I can't say, but it's a bit complicated."
"Never mind, then. If it's complicated, no need to explain."
Ning Fengqing waved her hand. "You really are unlucky. Once the surveillance arrives and clears things up, do you want me to help you get your dowry back?"
"Huh? Can you do that?"
Su Ming was surprised, his opinion of Ning Fengqing improving significantly.
"Of course. It's just a few words. The Li Chao family's behavior is despicable."
"Thank you, Officer Ning!"
Su Ming thanked her sincerely.
Outside, no one knew that Su Ming and Ning Fengqing were chatting amiably in the interrogation room. Soon, the officer who went to get the surveillance footage returned.
After leaving the interrogation room, Ning Fengqing went to review the footage. When she left, Li Chao and his father grew anxious.
Ning Fengqing soon returned, frowning and holding a hardcover file.
*Slam!*
She threw the file onto the desk.
"Li Chao, Li Hui, do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
"Ah!"
Li Chao and his father jumped, realizing their plan had been exposed. They hastily stood up.
"Officer, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have falsely accused Su Ming!"
Li Hui was shaking, a mere office worker unaccustomed to such situations.
"Hmph... Do you know that malicious defamation is a crime?"
Ning Fengqing's cold tone made Su Ming realize she was not to be trifled with. She had been like a curious child in the interrogation room, but now she was a stern policewoman, a stark contrast.
"Officer, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again. Please forgive me!"
Li Hui was terrified at the thought of prison.
"Whether I forgive you or not isn't up to me. It depends on the victim."
Ning Fengqing looked at Su Ming and winked.
Su Ming understood immediately.
Li Hui also realized and pleaded, "Su Ming, please forgive me. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have falsely accused you! I apologize, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"Forgiving you is easy. Return the dowry, and I'll let it go."
"Okay, I'll return it right away!"
Li Hui, without delay, took out his phone, opened Alipay, and transferred 200,000 yuan to Su Ming, even adding an extra 2,000.
"Oh?"
Su Ming saw the transfer and understood the extra 2,000 was to curry favor.
"Yes, I received it. Let's call it even. Officer Ning, don't be too hard on them."
"Fine. Since the victim doesn't want to press charges, you can go. But remember, don't do this again. If you anger someone less forgiving, you might end up in jail for a few days."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, Officer, for the reminder!"
Li Hui agreed and hurriedly left with Li Chao.
"Haha... That feels good!"
Watching them leave, Gao Xiang laughed.
Su Ming smiled and transferred the 200,000 yuan to his parents, noting it was the returned dowry. This was his parents' hard-earned money, and he wouldn't touch it.
"You're quite filial, aren't you?"
Ning Fengqing, glancing at Su Ming's phone, couldn't resist a comment.
"One should be grateful."
Su Ming smiled, unaware that his words made Ning Fengqing's eyes light up, increasing her fondness for him.