Chapter 26

After Zhu and the others left the detention room with his mother, Qin Yan slowly walked up to Ye Feng and softly asked, "Ye Feng, are you okay?"

Ye Feng nodded and smiled, saying, "I'm fine. Thank you, Lawyer Qin, for taking care of my mother these past few days. If I can get out, I will definitely treat you to a meal. I hope you won't refuse."

Upon hearing Ye Feng's words, the smile on Qin Yan's face became somewhat stiff. Clearly, she thought Ye Feng was joking.

So Ye Feng emphasized, "Lawyer Qin, do you dare to make a bet with me? A bet that my case will have a dramatic turn today?"

Qin Yan's expression turned from stiff to serious, and she said solemnly, "Ye Feng, I understand your feelings. In the past week, a lot has happened that you might not know. Liu Yong has been promoted from the head of the criminal investigation team to the deputy director of the Changjiang District Public Security Bureau, and he is in charge of criminal investigations. The forensic doctor responsible for your case admitted to a work error after being isolated for review, which led to the body not being properly preserved and deteriorating. Without the family's consent, he privately contacted the funeral home to cremate the body. He insists that it was a work error and that he did not receive any instructions from anyone. As for the funeral home violating procedures to cremate the body, that is a separate issue and not related to this case."

After saying this, Qin Yan paused, as if waiting for Ye Feng to speak. But Ye Feng didn't want to say anything. He just smiled and, as before, sat down on the plastic chair in a comfortable position.

This time, it was Qin Yan's turn to smile bitterly.

She continued, "Ye Feng, what I just said isn't the most important part. The most important thing is about the deceased's family. According to my investigation, the deceased had only one daughter, who was a drug addict and had been sent to labor camps multiple times. The deceased, busy with his business and unable to effectively discipline his daughter, cut off her financial support. Later, after her divorce, she went to another province and lost contact with the deceased. In recent years, the deceased had been trying to find his daughter and had even written a will early on, leaving all his assets, including the villa and the diamonds and jewelry hidden under the bathroom tiles, to her. Two days ago, court officials and the police finally found the deceased's daughter in Sichuan Province, but unfortunately, she had died more than half a year ago, due to a disease caused by long-term drug use. The court and the police, with the cooperation of the local government and police, confirmed that the deceased's daughter had indeed died. She had moved to Sichuan Province years ago, remarried a local man, and registered her marriage, with all her identity information being verified."

This news surprised Ye Feng. Now, what would happen to the deceased's inheritance? The valuable diamonds and jewelry would just benefit Liu Yong and Liu Meimei.

Qin Yan continued, "The deceased's daughter is no longer alive. I don't care about how the deceased's inheritance will be handled. The only piece of evidence that could help you now is the deceased's will. In the will, the deceased clearly stated the specific quantity and value of the diamonds and jewelry hidden under the bathroom tiles. If, as you say, Liu Yong is the real culprit and you did not steal the treasures, then those diamonds and jewelry must still be in Liu Yong's possession. Such a large amount of treasure, they would not easily dispose of it. Apart from the few diamonds planted on you, if we can find the remaining diamonds and jewelry from Liu Yong and add them to the diamonds seized from you, and if the total matches the numbers stated in the will, then it can prove that Liu Yong is the one who framed you. Unfortunately, while this idea is correct, it is absolutely impossible to achieve. Unless, unless Liu Yong and his group voluntarily hand over the diamonds and jewelry, but how could that be possible? Ye Feng, I am really sorry. As your defense lawyer, I feel truly powerless now. There is too much evidence against you, and too many developments are also against you. The forensic doctor insists it was a work error, and the most he can be punished with is dismissal. Liu Yong and his group point to you as the murderer and thief, and I cannot find any evidence to counter their claims."

At this point, Qin Yan's mood clearly became somber, and the regret in her eyes was genuine. Ye Feng could feel that her regret and disappointment were truly heartfelt. As a lawyer who values evidence and law, she might never remove the word 'possible' from the phrase 'you might have been framed,' but her dedication to his case proved that she was indeed an excellent lawyer.

Ye Feng stood up from the chair, approached her, and for the first time, extended his hand to her.

When Qin Yan's white, delicate hand met Ye Feng's handcuffed hand, Ye Feng felt a lot of sweat on her palm, indicating her current state of mind. Ye Feng knew that after such a long investigation, she had already come to believe that he was framed and wronged, even though she was unwilling to say it outright.

After letting go of her warm and moist hand, Ye Feng smiled and said, "Lawyer Qin, no matter what, I, Ye Feng, must thank you. Do you remember the first time we met at the Changjiang District Public Security Bureau, I asked you if you believed in cause and effect, and if you believed that heaven has eyes? I said that perhaps one day Liu Yong and Liu Meimei would voluntarily confess and admit that they were the real culprits. Would you believe it? At that time, you answered that you believed good people would have good rewards and bad people would have bad rewards, but you trusted the law and evidence more."

Qin Yan sighed and said, "I remember, but now, the law and evidence that I trusted are all against you. Through your case, I have started to doubt whether the law and evidence I have always believed in are truly fair and just, and whether they can really help me bring the real evil to justice."

Ye Feng returned to the chair and sat down, looking straight into Qin Yan's beautiful eyes and smiled, "Lawyer Qin, today, I can clearly tell you that a person who does too many evil deeds will surely receive retribution. If the law cannot punish him, heaven will. You said you believe that good people have good rewards and bad people have bad rewards, and this is absolutely correct and the most worthy of your belief. Liu Yong and his group will surely receive heaven's punishment today. As for the law and evidence, let them go to hell."

Qin Yan walked to Ye Feng's side, reached out, and gently patted his shoulder, saying, "Ye Feng, if you feel oppressed, angry, or sad, just cry out loud. I will not mock you."

This time, it was Ye Feng's turn to smile bitterly. He had built up his emotions to say those words, but he only received Qin Yan's comfort. She still thought he was talking nonsense. But thinking about it, who besides himself would truly believe those words?

"Lawyer Qin, I'll say it again. My case will definitely have a dramatic turn today. Do you want to make a bet with me?"

Qin Yan smiled helplessly and said, "Ye Feng, if making this bet with me makes you feel better, then I will make this bet with you."

Ye Feng immediately stood up, grabbed Qin Yan's slender, round little finger, shook it twice, and then let go, smiling, "Alright, then we have a bet. I bet that Liu Yong and Liu Meimei will definitely have a mental breakdown during the court questioning and will voluntarily confess to their actions. If I win, then when I get out of the detention center, you have to treat me to a meal. How about that?"

After making this bet with Qin Yan, Ye Feng felt particularly relieved. In fact, Ye Feng could secretly use the soul-binding technique to make Liu Yong and his group confess their crimes without anyone knowing, and he shouldn't reveal this to anyone. But in front of Qin Yan, he couldn't suppress the impulse in his heart. On one hand, it was because he trusted Qin Yan very much and believed she was a good person. On the other hand, it was because for a long time, although his mindset had matured and his mental state had improved, the fact that he was framed and wronged was still a thorn in his heart. His frustration, anger, depression, pain, and anxiety all stemmed from this thorn. In the detention center, he couldn't find an outlet to vent his emotions. Even in the Nine Star Space, the rules wouldn't listen to his complaints and grievances. The long-term suppression made him feel suffocated. He wanted to vent, to seek psychological balance, and to find someone who could accept and listen to his negative emotions.

And this person, at the moment, could only be Qin Yan.