Twenty-four hours had passed since Ning Ran was brought in.
At first, it didnât matter for Ning Ran because she had also been detained here last time and she managed to leave within a while.
Therefore, she assumed it would be the same this time around because Nan Chen would definitely save her.
Nevertheless, after half a day passed, she started to grow anxious.
She missed her children. What are they doing now? Do they miss me?
What about Nan Chen? What is he doing? Why isnât he coming for me after such a long time?
Has he forgotten about me?
If he hasnât abandoned me, he wouldnât have let me stay here for so long with his influence and power.
Humans had the tendency to overthink when they were in trouble. The more dubious they were, the more desperate they became.
In the meantime, they had to remind themselves from time to time to not give up on hope.
For it was the only thing that could get them through thick and thin. Without hope, there would be nothing left.
Just then, someone showed up. It was a policewoman who came to deliver food to her.
The meal was actually fine. There were vegetables, eggs, and even fruits.
But Ning Ran lost her appetite as her mind was preoccupied.
Regardless, one had to eat even though she did not feel like it. Ning Ran took the meal tray and thanked her.
This policewoman doesnât look familiar. She isnât the one who came to deliver the meal for the last two rounds.
And sheâs even wearing a mask, maybe sheâs sick or itâs because of other reasons.
After delivering the food, the policewoman did not leave immediately, and instead, she stayed there and watched Ning Ran nibbling the food.
âMs. Ding, Iâve watched the drama you were cast in. Itâs amazing but why did you take drugs?â
Another policewoman had asked her the same question but she was not the same person as this masked officer in front of her.
Their voices and the ways they walked were totally different. Ning Ran could still distinguish that.
âI did not take drugs. I was framed,â replied Ning Ran.
The policewoman shook her head. âEveryone who is detained here said they were innocent. You know what? Your drug test result is positive; youâve taken the pills.â
âI didnât. It must be the drinks I had. Something went wrong but Iâm still clueless.â
âMs. Ding, what youâre telling me right now is useless. Youâd be charged because the amount of the pills you carried with you that night was enough to get you sentenced.â
âI know itâs a waste of time explaining to you but trust me, someone would clear my name.â
The policewoman went quiet.
Seeing that she had nothing to say, Ning Ran kept quiet as well.
âI read from the internet that you have two children?â
âThatâs right.â
âIf youâre imprisoned, it would be miserable for the kids,â the policewoman heaved a sigh.
âI wonât because I didnât do anything wrong. Like I said, I was framed,â Ning Ran was insistent.
âBut the evidence is clearly against you now. What happens next is only to go through the formalities and you would definitely go to jail.â
âHow you do know? Are you the judge?â Ning Ran retorted.
The policewoman was startled. âOf course Iâm not; I was just reminding you.â
âThen in your opinion, what should I do now?â Ning Ran asked again.
There was a flicker in the policewomanâs eyes before she replied, âI donât know.â
âNo, I can feel that you have something to tell me. Can you show me a glimpse of the light?â
âWhat light can I show? Anyway, I happened to hear that you have a certain connection with the Nan family, is that true?â the policewoman asked.
Since youâve already found out about my children, how can you not know that theyâre the descendants of the Nan family?
Speaking so secretively, there must be something fishy about you!
âThere is no connection between me and the Nan family,â Ning Ran answered.
âIs that so? But you were bailed out by the Nan family last time.â
âOh, that was probably because I am an artist from Star Entertainment, which happened to be a company under Nanshi Corporation.â
âHmm⦠Then your case must have something to do with the Nan family. As the saying goes, âwhilst trees provide shade, they may also fall and kill.â Hence, itâs a good thing to be backed by someone with a prominent background but you still need to analyze the situation carefully. If the tree turns brittle, it is only wise to stay away from it.â
There were other implications in the policewomanâs words. Ning Ran had roughly figured out what she meant.
However, Ning Ran pretended as though she still didnât understand a thing because she wanted to see what the policewoman was up to.
âSo should I draw a line between myself and this big tree, Nanshi Corporation now by terminating my contract with Star Entertainment?â Ning Ran was feigning ignorance.
âTerminating the contract wonât work. That still wouldnât clear your name.â
âThen what should I do to prove my innocence? Itâs getting more and more confusing for me.â
âYou can say that the pills belonged to someone else and youâre only helping to keep them,â the policewoman replied.
âThen whose pills should I say they were?â Ning Ranâs eyes were fixated on her.
âArenât you very close with Sir Chen from the Nan family? Just say that they were his.â
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, she almost jumped upon hearing what the policewoman said.
Sheâs asking me to target Nan Chen so bluntly?
Ning Ran forged a laugh and asked, âYou must be joking. Iâm sure you know the status of Nan Chen and his family in Flower City. If I say that, do you really think people would believe it?â
âYouâre going to be put behind bars soon and you have the nerve to laugh? If the Nan family really cares about you, youâd have been released. Since theyâve abandoned you now, that means youâd become a scarification to them. You should stop dreaming.â
The policewoman had finally unveiled her real intention.
âAre you really a police?â Ning Ran suddenly asked.
âOf course I am.â The policewoman gestured her hat.
âThen why arenât you wearing the police uniform other than the hat?â
âI just came back from an undercover operation and havenât had the time to change yet.â
âYouâre delivering food for me as soon as youâre back from an operation? How tiring it must be for you.â
âDonât mention it. Anyway, letâs get to the point. Now that the Nan family is leaving you alone here, you should save yourself.â The policewoman steered the conversation back.
âSo the way for me to save myself is by involving Nan Chen in this?â
âNot involving him, but borrowing help from him.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âAs you said, Nan Chenâs status is prominent in Flower City. Itâs not like he would go to jail if you testify against him. Even if those pills did belong to him, with his capabilities, he would be able to escape effortlessly. Therefore, let him face this situation instead of you facing it alone. So long as you turn him in, youâd be freed and you can then flee. As with how Nan Chen deals with it, thatâs his business. With the Nan familyâs influence, you donât need to worry if they could handle this.â
The policewoman was eloquently patronizing her. It was unmistakable that she had come well prepared.
There was only one thing â the logic behind this sounded clearly absurd. How could anyone be freed just by turning someone else in?
If it were so simple, then all the suspects could have just been excused by accusing someone else of their own wrongdoings. What proof would still be needed?
And if anyone could just walk free without any proof needed, then this world would have become a madhouse.
This is such simple logic; but how could this policewoman standing across me not know?
If she knew, then why did she say something so senseless?
âWhat is in your mind?â The policewoman asked Ning Ran.
âNothing, please carry on with what youâre going to say,â Ning Ranâs wandering thought was pulled back in reality.
âIâve made myself very clear. You can get off the hook provided you testify against Nan Chen.â
âWho is going to guarantee that? You? Youâre wearing a freaking mask and I canât even see your face, not to mention knowing who you are. How can I trust you on this?â
âYou donât need to know who I am. As long as you agree to this, Iâd get someone to come and take your statements. You only need to tell them that the pills belonged to Nan Chen and youâre only helping him keep them, then youâd be released.â
Ning Ran drew a sharp breath. Who are these people, really? How daring they must be to try to frame Nan Chen!
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