Chapter 43: Police Interrogation

Luo Yichen said nothing and hung up the phone. He opened his computer again, scouring the reports for any clues.

However, his gaze became fixed on a single photograph. It was a picture of Shang Qi when she had fainted, and it looked jarringly painful. In the photo, her eyes were tightly shut, with tearstains clinging to her eyelids. Her clothes were disheveled, and her face was as pale as a corpse as she lay on the ground.

Luo Yichen gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the mouse until the veins on his forearm bulged, clearly visible. A sudden, sharp ache pierced his heart. He longed to rush to the hospital to see her, to erase everything that had happened. But he could do none of these things. He could only sit there like a fool, staring at the photo and fighting a battle within himself.

Forcing himself to calm down, Luo Yichen began to think with cold, detached logic: The person behind this knows me very well and seems aware of my feelings for Shang Qi. That is why they dragged her into this. If they assumed I would never retaliate against her, then doing the exact opposite would produce unexpected results. I cannot let this escalate any further, or the company will be in danger.

If I do this, what will happen to Shang Qi? Forget it. She has already called the police; she never once considered my position. Why should I trouble myself by worrying about her? She’s just a woman; I can live just as well without her. This isn't the first time I’ve done something like this. I just need to abandon Shang Qi, just as I abandoned Gui Zhen all those years ago.

For the sake of the Luo family’s interests, sacrificing her is inevitable. Besides, in such matters, people are easily swayed by a woman’s testimony against a man. No matter how much I deny it, it will only make me look guiltier. It would be better to admit it frankly, and then point out her ulterior motives.

With this thought, he called Mu Lichen. "Draft an apology in my name. Aside from apologizing to Shang Qi, the main point should be to clarify that we were in a romantic relationship. Also, clearly state that I was drugged and challenge the other party’s actions.

"Also, have someone pull those video clips, capture some stills, and send them to the media. I will text you the specific time and place in a moment. Remember, don’t leak too many details to the media; let them speculate as they wish based on the photos!"

Mu Lichen replied, "I will arrange for it immediately. Luo Shixun is going to talk to Shang Qi’s parents tomorrow. Should I send this out right away?"

Luo Yichen thought to himself: If my father personally steps in to negotiate, there might still be a turning point. If the peace talks succeed, then there will be no need for all this trouble. In truth, he was simply trying to justify his actions, not wanting to admit he was trying to avoid further harming Shang Qi.

He said, "Let's do this: as soon as the result of his negotiation comes out, tell me immediately, and then we will decide what to do!"

"Understood. The police just called; they want you to come in and assist with the investigation immediately."

Luo Yichen stood there, feeling uneasy. He thought: I must tell the police about being drugged. But if Shang Qi is truly involved in this, she will inevitably face prison time, and her life will be ruined. As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Luo Yichen immediately reminded himself: That is her problem; what does it have to do with me?

He said, "Prepare a car and a new phone number for me right away. Bring them over. I will go to the police station in a while."

"I will go with you. Grandfather asked me to be your defense attorney; I must accompany you throughout the investigation."

Mu Lichen hesitated for a moment, then added, "Luo Yichen, you must stay strong! This crisis will pass soon. Stop thinking about Shang Qi! Ever since this happened, it has been impossible for the two of you to be together."

This last sentence struck Luo Yichen’s heart like a sharp blade.

He hung up the phone and stood by the window, gazing at the distant scenery. A gust of wind blew by, and his eyes reddened slightly. *Plop!* A tear fell onto his lip. Luo Yichen reached out and licked it; the taste was salty and bitter. He couldn't quite believe his own senses and wiped his face with his hand—it was indeed a tear.

He couldn't help but ask himself: "Am I really that devastated? I’m actually crying!"

Yet, the tears continued to flow down his cheeks. Luo Yichen felt so weak, hiding in his house like a woman, shedding tears. In the past, no matter what difficulties he faced, he never retreated. Even if he had to swallow his own broken teeth, he would keep going. Where had that indomitable man gone now?

A man does not shed tears easily, only when his heart is truly broken. At this moment, Luo Yichen’s heart was truly wounded. Even though he had charged forward countless times while injured, none of it could compare to the pain he felt now. The room was silent, save for the sound of his suppressed sobbing. The sound was both desolate and helpless.

***

After a long time, Luo Yichen stopped crying. He went to the bathroom to wash his face and then sat on the living room sofa, lost in thought. In over thirty years, he had rarely cried; why was he shedding tears for Shang Qi?

***

In the darkness, a figure questioned: "Why were there so many reporters at the entrance of the hotel room?"

"If we didn't do that, how could we bring Luo Yichen to his knees?"

"But now that it has reached the police station, will the truth be uncovered?"

The other person sneered and said, "How could Old Man Luo sacrifice his own grandson? The ultimate victim in this matter will only be Shang Qi."

***

The doorbell rang, and Mu Lichen walked in, saying, "This is a new phone number; install it."

Luo Yichen took it and turned to pick up the phone on the table to install the card. Taking advantage of the turn, he carefully checked the device. Finding nothing suspicious, he installed the card. Just then, the phone rang. It was Grandfather Luo.

"Chen'er, you don't need me to teach you what to do, do you? The Luo family is about to face a storm. You cannot lose sight of the big picture just because of a woman."

Luo Yichen gritted his teeth and said, "Grandfather, don't worry! I will handle everything."

After hanging up, they opened the door to leave. Luo Yichen saw two men standing on either side of the door, both wearing black suits and sunglasses. He looked at Mu Lichen with a questioning gaze.

"We’re going to the police station today, and we’re bound to be swarmed by the media. Grandfather was worried we wouldn't be able to handle it, so he specifically pulled two men from a security firm," Mu Lichen explained.

"With my skills, they can't stop me."

"You cannot get physical with the reporters; that would only make things worse."

Luo Yichen glared at him and said, "I haven't lost my mind to that extent; I understand the urgency of the situation."

Mu Lichen gave a wicked smile and said, "That’s not necessarily true! You’re so dizzy from Shang Qi that there’s no telling what kind of irrational things you might do."

Hearing the name "Shang Qi," the expression on Luo Yichen’s face became visibly unnatural. He didn't say anything more and stepped directly into the elevator.

Mu Lichen watched his retreating back with concern: *Luo Yichen, Shang Qi is your fatal weakness. If you don't give her up, you will eventually be pushed to the brink of ruin. Do you love her that much? Why weren't you this obsessed with Gui Zhen back then? Regardless of what you're thinking, I cannot let this situation deteriorate further.*

Escorted by the bodyguards, the group arrived at the police station. As soon as Luo Yichen stepped out of the car, the reporters spotted him. The two bodyguards and Mu Lichen immediately formed a human wall to block them. Luo Yichen heard them shouting incessantly:

"Mr. Luo, what happened in the hotel room yesterday?"

"Is it true that the person involved in this incident is a female employee of the company?"

"Are you here at the police station only to assist with the investigation?"

Even though Luo Yichen had faced countless predicaments, his complexion fluctuated between pale and flushed at being questioned about such an embarrassing matter in public. He nimbly dodged the reporters' cameras and walked quickly into the station. *Thank goodness I brought bodyguards today, or it would have been hard to escape,* he thought.

After a while, Mu Lichen and the bodyguards walked into the station. He said to Luo Yichen, "It's a good thing the police station doesn't just let reporters in."

Just then, an officer walked over; it was Zhao Hongbo, the officer in charge of the case. Mu Lichen said, "Officer Zhao, Mr. Luo is here to assist with the investigation."

"Please follow me to the interrogation room."

As his defense attorney, Mu Lichen went into the interrogation room with them, while the two bodyguards stayed at the entrance to prevent any reporters from sneaking in.

After Zhao Hongbo invited them to sit, he said, "Luo Yichen, please describe the specific events of last night."

"Shang Qi and I have been dating. When she couldn't force me to marry her, she drugged me. It was only because I lost control that this happened. This was clearly her deliberate doing. I don't understand why she would report me to the police."

"How did Shang Qi drug you? Please be as detailed as possible."

Luo Yichen "truthfully" recounted the sequence of events, pushing all the blame onto Shang Qi. Since this woman wanted to destroy him, he would show no mercy.

Zhao Hongbo noted down the testimony and said, "We will investigate the situation you've described in detail. You mentioned being drugged; please go with my colleague to see the forensic doctor for an examination. Attorney Mu, please stay behind! Tell me about the situation when the clothes were delivered."

Luo Yichen stood up and went with the officer at the door for the medical exam. About an hour later, he emerged from the medical department. Mu Lichen had finished giving his statement and was waiting for him.

On the way back, the bodyguards drove in a wide, winding route. After confirming that no reporters were following them, they returned to the apartment. Mu Lichen said, "Keep your car in the parking garage. Avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. These two bodyguards will protect you 24 hours a day."

"The security here is excellent; let them go back! I’m not used to living with people I don't know."

"But Grandfather..."

Luo Yichen waved him off and said, "I will explain it to Grandfather. You’ve both worked hard today; go home first!"