Lin Xinlan opened her eyes wide in surprise, not understanding how the police had come to know about this.
She looked at Rong Shaoze and saw that he was calm and composed, not showing any sign of surprise. She instantly understood that it was he who had spilled the beans.
There was no point in hiding it now.
"Yes, but he released me soon after and did not hurt me."
No matter what the police asked afterward, she would always find something good to say about Zhou Xi.
The male police officer couldn’t help but laugh as he asked, "Mrs. Rong, I have to say, you are the most unusual victim I have ever seen. Other victims can’t wait to disclose all the perpetrator’s crimes, wishing they’d get locked up for seventeen or eighteen years. Why do you keep speaking well of the criminal, almost as if you’re afraid he’ll end up in jail?"
Lin Xinlan knew that her behavior was somewhat abnormal.
She smiled faintly and said, "Actually, he is a good person. He kidnapped me out of no choice. But then he quickly saw the error of his ways and released me. I think a person who can correct their mistakes is very admirable, which is why I will try my best to help him, to reduce his sentence."
The officer nodded appreciatively, made some notes, and then stood up to take his leave.
After they left, Lin Xinlan sat on the sofa, her eyes cast down, silent.
Rong Shaoze looked at her for a while and, seeing that she didn’t show any signs of an outburst, asked with a frown of confusion, "Don’t you have any questions?"
She looked up, meeting his gaze. "What’s there to ask? To ask whether it was you who told the police about Zhou Xi kidnapping me? What’s the use of asking? The cat is out of the bag anyway."
"That’s right, I found out about Zhou Xi’s actions, and I was the one who instructed someone to tip off the police. Didn’t you very much want to protect him? Now that I’ve turned him in, don’t you hate me?"
Lin Xinlan found it quite amusing. She faced so many grievances against him that one more wouldn’t make a difference.
"Why should I hate you? Zhou Xi made a mistake after all. Now that the police know about it, there’s nothing I can do but see if I can reduce his punishment. Anyway, I promised his mother I wouldn’t pursue the matter. Now that he has been caught, I can only do my best to help him spend less time in jail."
Looking at Rong Shaoze, she spoke calmly, "Can you stay out of Zhou Xi’s case? After all, he kidnapped me because of his sister’s situation. Honestly, you are partly to blame for Zhou Yun’s death. Consider it a good deed; let the police handle this matter and don’t pursue it further."
It was rare for her not to oppose him and to speak to him reasonably. Rong Shaoze suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable and out of his element.
Lin Xinlan looked at him earnestly, waiting for him to nod in agreement.
He snorted coldly, said nothing, and turned to go upstairs.
Lin Xinlan let out a sigh of relief. It was good as long as Rong Shaoze didn’t get involved.
She alone could not save Zhou Xi. She thought of Qiao Yiyang and decided to discuss the matter with him.
Acting immediately, Lin Xinlan first called Qiao Yiyang to explain the situation, and then the two agreed on a place to meet.
Without telling Rong Shaoze where she was going, Lin Xinlan quietly left the villa to meet with Qiao Yiyang.
She hailed a taxi, gave the address, and spent the ride thinking about how to help Zhou Xi.
After a while, she suddenly realized that the car was not heading on the right route but was getting further and further off track.
"Master, have you taken a wrong turn? Where are you taking me?" Lin Xinlan asked with suspicion.