Jiang Weiguo was taken to the police station. Although he had rehearsed his story countless times, he still faltered when facing the police interrogation.
Realizing the danger, Jiang Weiguo tried to calm himself and gather his thoughts. Wang Er Biao was the thief, and he himself was an unwitting victim.
Thinking this way, his state of mind calmed considerably.
Jiang Weiguo knew that directly implicating Wang Er Biao would make the police suspicious. So, he put on a thoughtful expression and said, "I bought it from someone else… That person came to my door to ask about it, and I didn't think much of it. Appearance? A little over 1.7 meters tall, high cheekbones, a pointed chin, and a side-parted hairstyle…"
"We already have the information you provided. You can go back and wait for further notice, but you must not leave the city. If we find any suspicious individuals, we may call you to identify them at any time."
"Certainly, certainly. Cooperating with your investigation is my responsibility and duty as a citizen." Jiang Weiguo secretly breathed a sigh of relief before getting up to leave.
After exiting the police station, Jiang Weiguo walked a short distance towards his home. Glancing back to see if he was being followed, he turned and hurried towards Sun Ling's house.
...
Since receiving a thousand yuan, Sun Ling had become quite extravagant. She bought a large number of new clothes, new shoes, and watches, and spent her days eating and playing with Wang Er Biao and his friends.
One day, after returning from rollerblading with friends, Wang Er Biao escorted her to the downstairs. He wanted to accompany her upstairs and visit her home, but Sun Ling stopped him.
"It's fine here. I'm tired and need to go upstairs. You should hurry back too."
Sun Ling's tone was somewhat impatient. She didn't want her neighbors to see them and misunderstand their relationship.
Although unwilling, Wang Er Biao nodded and turned to leave.
As soon as Sun Ling went upstairs, she saw Jiang Weiguo waiting in the hallway. "Cousin, why are you here?"
Jiang Weiguo glanced in the direction Wang Er Biao had left and said, "Open the door first, I need to talk to you."
Sun Ling nodded. As soon as she opened the door, Jiang Weiguo eagerly slipped inside and said, to Sun Ling's great surprise, "What? The police found out about the cashmere sweaters?"
"...They said someone reported it, and when they found them, the bags were all marked with the 'Shu Se' clothing store. This whole thing is too strange. I still haven't completely cleared my name." Jiang Weiguo said, walking to the sofa and sitting down. The matter was constantly puzzling him.
Sun Ling panicked, forgetting to close the door, and chased after Jiang Weiguo. "Cousin, you didn't give me away, did you?"
Jiang Weiguo looked up at her. "We're family. How could I sell you out?"
He wasn't stupid. If he really exposed Sun Ling, they were relatives, and the police would investigate, which would surely implicate him as well.
Hearing that he hadn't betrayed her, Sun Ling felt a little relieved. "Then what should we do now?"
"For now, we can only push all the blame onto a scapegoat, and attribute everything to him…"
Wang Er Biao left Sun Ling's residential area and suddenly remembered that his friends had organized a dance party, specifically for him to confess his feelings to Sun Ling. The date was set, but he had forgotten to tell Sun Ling.
He slapped his forehead and quickly turned to walk quickly towards Sun Ling's building.
Wang Er Biao reached the entrance of the building and was about to knock when he noticed the door was not fully closed. He could vaguely hear a man's voice inside. Puzzled, Wang Er Biao quietly crept closer.
"Wang Er Biao is already a good-for-nothing. Getting in and out of the detention center is probably commonplace for him. Besides, he was the one who stole that batch of goods. As long as we stick to the story that he did it, and we have nothing to do with it, I believe the police will believe us."
After listening to Jiang Weiguo's analysis, Sun Ling found the plan very feasible and nodded. "Okay, I'll do whatever you say, cousin."
Eavesdropping outside the door, Wang Er Biao was shocked that Jiang Weiguo harbored such malicious intentions. What made him even more hurt and angry was that Sun Ling had agreed without hesitation!
Seeing her agreement, Jiang Weiguo felt half of his burden lifted. He thought for a moment and said, "Cousin, since the cashmere sweaters have been found and have to be returned, can you give me back that thousand yuan?"
"What thousand yuan?" Sun Ling asked, feigning ignorance.
"You said you were selling those cashmere sweaters to me before, so I paid a thousand yuan. Now that it's happened and the sweaters have been confiscated, our deal is off. However, since I'm your cousin and we're family, you can give me nine hundred and fifty. Keep the fifty yourself to buy something you like," Jiang Weiguo negotiated.
Sun Ling had already squandered much of the money. Moreover, once a person had experienced the luxury of wealth, they were unwilling to easily part with their money.
Ever since both her parents were laid off, Sun Ling could no longer spend money as freely as before. Sun Ling would never return the money she had.
"That money was for you to buy the cashmere sweaters. Now that you didn't look after the goods yourself, you're asking me for money? That's not how it works. Besides, if the cashmere sweaters hadn't been confiscated, you wouldn't have thought of sharing any extra profit with me, would you?"
"I am your cousin!" Jiang Weiguo roared angrily.
"So what?" She only cared about money now and not people. It was impossible for her to give the money back. Thinking of the admiring and envious glances she received when she paid for things, and being flattered by everyone, Sun Ling suddenly felt like she was back to her former esteemed self.
Jiang Weiguo's nostrils flared, and he panted heavily with anger. "We are unified against external threats right now."
Sun Ling nodded, scoffing dismissively. "But we're in the same boat, cousin. If something happens, neither of us can escape."
"I'm telling you, don't push your luck. Do you really think I wouldn't expose you? At worst, I'll tell the truth and see whose crime is heavier!"
Jiang Weiguo angrily uttered his parting words and slammed the door shut.
Just before Jiang Weiguo left, Wang Er Biao quickly moved to the door of the adjacent apartment, turning his back to Jiang Weiguo and pretending to look for his keys.
Only after seeing Jiang Weiguo walk away did Wang Er Biao avert his gaze, then turned towards Sun Ling's door and knocked.
Thinking it was Jiang Weiguo returning, Sun Ling answered the door with a very bad attitude. "Why are you back? Didn't I already say that money..."
Upon looking up and realizing it was Wang Er Biao, Sun Ling's face turned even uglier. "Why did you come up?"
Seeing him staring at her without speaking, and afraid of being seen by the neighbors, Sun Ling quickly opened the door wider. "Come in quickly."
In the past, Wang Er Biao would have thought Sun Ling was inviting him in. But after hearing her conversation with Jiang Weiguo just now, he suddenly understood the disdainful tone.