Chapter 137: Motive
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Nian and the rest walked forward. “Officer Liu, how’s the situation now?”
Officer Liu’s face grew even more serious as he relayed the information. “According to their statements, they all claimed to have received an anonymous envelope a few days ago. Inside the envelope was 3,000 yuan in cash, along with a letter instructing them to follow the trending post on the school’s online forum on the 16th day and report accordingly. They were promised a reward of 7,000 yuan once the task was completed.”
Wen Yu quickly asked, “Where did they receive it? Are there any surveillance cameras that can be found?”
Officer Liu’s frown deepened as he provided more details. “Upon receiving the initial information, we promptly dispatched officers to investigate the residential area of the person who reported it. However, the individual responsible for delivering the envelope was well-prepared. They wore a black sports cap, a mask, and completed the task swiftly in just half a minute. Their actions displayed a high level of counter-surveillance awareness.”
Wen Nian pursed her lips and opened her mouth slightly. In the end, she remained silent.
Officer Liu, being an experienced investigator, noticed Wen Nian’s demeanor and decided to inquire further. “Wen Nian, given your involvement in this case, do you have any additional information or clues that could help us in our investigation?”
Wen Nian nodded and said, feeling helpless, “1 have a classmate named Huang Yue. We’ve been very close ever since we met in high school. She has taught me many things that 1 had never experienced before, such as how to dress fashionably and how to pursue my former fiance. 1 fell in love with him at first sight, but I am well aware that he doesn’t feel the same way about me. Huang Yue has been exceptionally kind, advising me to strive to understand that social circle better so that I can integrate myself more effectively.”
“That’s why my first year of high school was quite distracting, resulting in a significant decline in my grades. However, as 1 entered my second year, 1 came to the realization that I couldn’t continue down that path. I also understood that the love I had at that time was simply an adolescent’s naive infatuation. Consequently, 1 took the initiative to end my engagement with the Wei family and shifted my focus towards my studies. As a result, I wasn’t as close to Huang Yue as I had been in my first year of high school. It appeared that she was quite unhappy with my transformation.”
“We even had a few arguments because of this. In fact, she was the one who suggested that I enter the entertainment industry. She went so far as to propose that I drop out of school and focus solely on filming. However, when I declined her suggestion, our relationship deteriorated even further.”
Wen Nian revisited the incident at the school anniversary, wearing a perplexed and remorseful expression. “I genuinely can’t comprehend how our once strong friendship ended up like this.”
Observing Wen Nian’s demeanor, the adults understood that it was only natural for a 17-year-old like her to be bewildered by Huang Yue’s behavior. They expressed their lament, acknowledging that Wen Nian’s lack of experience prevented her from recognizing Huang Yue’s malicious intentions.
However, upon hearing Wen Nian’s words, everyone’s expressions turned grave. While Huang Yue’s deceit might have been effective in fooling her peers, the adults, who possessed over a decade more life experience, regarded it as a transparent trick that could be easily seen through in an instant.
Li Fang immediately asked, “Does Huang Yue know your address?”
Wen Nian nodded and intentionally brought up the fact that Huang Yue appeared to have been deceived out of her money. She revealed that some time ago, Huang Yue had asked her to lend her money, which left her feeling sorrowful. “If she was the mastermind behind this, it might be due to her hatred towards me for not listening to her and threatening the director to get my pay in advance.”
The various things Wen Nian mentioned made Huang Yue’s motive very obvious.
With the investigation taking a new direction, Officer Liu promptly made arrangements for someone to visit Huang Yue’s residence. As there was a lack of solid evidence at the moment, he could only extend a temporary invitation for someone to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Overwhelmed by the realization of Huang Yue’s malicious nature at such a young age, Li Fang was consumed by anger and slammed her hand on the table in frustration.
As another student was implicated, Li Fang, as an ordinary teacher, definitely could not handle it. She adjusted her emotions and immediately called the principal of No. 1 High School to explain the situation.
The principal hurriedly approached to inquire about the commotion and fell into a brief silence upon learning the details. Despite being a public school, No. 1 High School boasted superior infrastructure compared to other schools, thanks to the principal’s adeptness at attracting talented individuals and securing sponsorships from prominent companies and organizations.
Upon Huang Yue’s enrollment in the school, her father had even sponsored 300,000 yuan worth of experimental equipment for the biology laboratory. Moreover, just two months ago, he had graciously agreed to donate 800,000 yuan towards the construction of a new music hall scheduled for the upcoming semester.
At this critical juncture, if Huang Yue were found to be involved in any wrongdoing, it would not only result in the loss of 800,000 yuan but also trigger a wave of slander and rumors regarding harm to her classmates. The reputation that No. 1 High School had meticulously built over the years would be irreparably tarnished.
Furthermore, if such a situation were to unfold, it would significantly jeopardize his prospects of transferring to the Education Bureau next year. The implications of the incident would likely cast doubts on his leadership and management abilities, potentially hindering his career advancement..