133 Suspicion
Shen Yin was expressionless as she said in a business-like manner, “You only need to answer the police’s questions. You don’t need to ask the police questions.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Wang Gang wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. His respect for this dignified female police officer grew. “Teacher Tan Li has only taught at the school for two years, but she’s well-liked by the students. I heard that Teacher Tan is about to give birth. Many students even took the initiative to ask their parents to visit Teacher Tan to ask about her welfare.”
Shen Yin frowned and looked at him coldly. “Do teachers in your school have a habit of accepting gifts?”
“No, no! That is definitely not the case! We are an organized and disciplined elementary school!” When Wang Gang said this, he no longer cowered. He sat up straight and explained to the two of them methodically.
Shen Yin smiled and nodded. “I was just asking. You don’t have to be so agitated. Does Tan Li have any colleagues that she doesn’t get along with?”
“Uh…” Wang Gang paused for a moment and subconsciously tightened his grip on the armrest of his chair. “Teacher Tan Li is a newly appointed teacher. I’m really not too sure about her relationship with her colleagues.”
“You’re asking who Tan Li has a poor relationship with? That’s definitely Wang Gang!” The form teacher of Class Five, which Tan Li taught, said from her position in the corridor.
Seeing that they could not get any useful information from Wang Gang, Shen Yin and Meng Heng had left the office and went to find the teachers who had interacted with Tan Li at work.
They were surprised to hear such an answer from the form teacher.
Meng Heng asked in surprise, “Can you tell us the details?”
At the moment, it was the afternoon exercise period in Experimental Elementary School. Many students stood in the corridor curiously, looking at the two unfamiliar adults.
A little girl with two pigtails and a sweet smile on her round face approached Shen Yin. “Sister, you’re really beautiful. You’re even prettier than Teacher Tan Li.”
Shen Yin liked children very much. She was delighted to see that the girl was not afraid of strangers at all. She squatted down and patted her head gently. “Little girl, do you know Teacher Tan Li?”
The little girl nodded and immediately said, “Yes, Teacher Tan Li is my language teacher.”
“This is a student from our class. Her name is Xia He.” The form teacher introduced her warmly to the two of them. Then, she held the little girl’s hand and pulled her aside. She gently patted the girl’s shoulder. “Hurry up and go to the field to do your afternoon exercises. I have to talk to the police.”
“Goodbye, Sister!” Before leaving, the little girl turned around and waved at Shen Yin.
Shen Yin beamed. She bid her farewell softly before looking at her form teacher, Zhao Mei, again. “I’ve wasted your time. Why don’t we talk in the office?”
As long as they remained in the corridor, these children would refuse to move down the stairs to do their exercises.
“Alright, please follow me.” Zhao Mei readily agreed and led Shen Yin and Meng Heng into the form teacher’s office at the far end.
Most of the students and teachers now at the field, listening to the PE teachers’ instructions. They lined up in an orderly manner and prepared to do their exercises. The office was empty, giving Shen Yin and Meng Heng more space.
After Meng Heng opened the notebook, Shen Yin slowly asked, “You just said that there’s conflict between Tan Li and Wang Gang? Can you give us more details?”
Zhao Mei poured a glass of water for the two of them before sitting down. She said softly, “Can you tell me what happened to Tan Li?”
Shen Yin and Meng Heng looked at each other. They had a faint premonition that what Zhao Mei had to say was important.
Shen Yin thought for a moment and told part of the truth. She nodded and said, “Tan Li was killed early this morning.”
Zhao Mei’s hand that was holding the cup trembled, and her face turned pale. It took her a while to compose herself.
She looked at Shen Yin and Meng Heng and smiled in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I was too shocked. You’re police officers. Actually, I should have known that if you were involved, it would not be a simple matter.”
Shen Yin smiled and nodded. “Can you tell us everything you know now?”
Zhao Mei took a sip of hot water and calmed down before saying slowly, “Actually, this matter isn’t a secret in the school. It’s just that I’m probably the only one who would dare to tell you about it. The matter started when Tan Li first joined the school…”
At that time, Tan Li was 23 years old. She had just graduated from university and was accepted into the Experimental Elementary School based on her excellent results. She became a language teacher.
Tan Li’s was beautiful. Her big eyes were bright and spirited. She was tall and knew how to dress. Her serious appearance during class was especially eye-catching.
Many male teachers in the school had secretly liked her, including Wang Gang.
At the mention of Wang Gang, Zhao Mei took a big gulp of water to suppress her disgust. She frowned in disdain and said, “That shameless man is already so old, but he took a fancy to a girl in her twenties. He’s old enough to be her father!”
Shen Yin coughed softly and interrupted her scolding. “Did Wang Gang do anything that crossed the line?”