Chapter 136 Reason

Chapter 136: The Reason

The room remained silent for a long time. Shen Qingye glanced at Liang Wenjun, her face a mask of calm.

After what felt like an eternity, Liang Wenjun finally let out a light chuckle. "Sure, why not?"

He nodded, leaning back in his chair with slouching deliberate laziness, his posture carefree. "Nothing to hide. Yeah, I had a fight with the old man. I admit it."

Shen Qingye asked, "What was the reason?"

Liang Wenjun rolled his eyes. "What else? I asked him for money to buy a car, and he refused."

"I spent ages sweet-talking him, and what did he do? At first, he was all smiles, but the moment I mentioned money, his face dropped. He wouldn’t give me a single cent."

He curled his lip in disdain. "Miserly old man, tightwad. He’s the owner of a big company, yet he wouldn’t spare a little cash… Country bumpkin at heart—still reeks of his penny-pinching roots."

Shen Qingye frowned slightly but said, "From what we’ve heard, Liang Yongcheng had a reputation for patience. If it was just about refusing to buy you a car, he wouldn’t have gotten so angry, would he?"

She lifted her gaze. "What else happened between you?"

Liang Wenjun hesitated for a moment before answering, shifting uncomfortably, he said, "Nothing much. I was pissed he wouldn’t give me money, so I cursed him out, said some nasty things."

"The old man couldn’t stomach those words, so he blew up and kicked me out."

He snorted dismissively. "As if I’d *want* to set foot in that place anyway. Always nagging, enough to drive anyone insane..."

Shen Qingye studied him, her obsidian eyes gleamed, razor-sharp. "Is that really all there was to it?"

"What else could it be?" Liang Wenjun smirked. "Oh, so I got so mad he wouldn’t give me money that I decided to blow up his house?"

His tone was mocking. "Look, *Officer*, I know I’m not the brightest or the most upstanding guy, but I’m not that far gone."

He grinned lazily. "If he’s dead, who’s gonna fund my lifestyle?"

Shen Qingye tapped her fingers lightly against her knee, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she said nothing. Liang Wenjun jutted his chin out defiantly, his expression unbothered.

Yue Lingchuan spoke up. "Liang Wenjun, can you guarantee that everything you’ve said is the truth?"

Liang Wenjun gave a half-hearted nod. "Of course I can."

He crossed his legs, swinging one foot idly, his tone dripping with nonchalance. "Anyway, I didn’t go out last night. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Shen Qingye and Yue Lingchuan exchanged a glance but remained silent.

At that moment, several officers who had been waiting outside entered the room. Sensing the tense atmosphere, one of them leaned in and whispered to Yue Lingchuan:

"We’ve grilled everyone outside. None of them had plans with Liang Wenjun last night. No one can confirm whether he stayed home the whole time either."

"We also asked if Liang Wenjun had ever said anything suspicious. They said he’s always been a loose cannon—full of hot air, says whatever comes to mind. But no one really takes him seriously."

"Liang Wenjun has bitched about Liang Yongcheng’s family before—calling them nagging, annoying, stingy… But as for anything more extreme, whether he kept his mouth shut or just never said it, no one’s heard anything concrete."

"His friends outside aren’t particularly close either. Just a bunch of spoiled rich kids with nothing better to do than eat, drink, and mess around. They’re more like fair-weather friends—no real connection."

"Same with his girlfriend. Liang Wenjun cycles through girlfriends like socks. This one’s only been with him for less than two weeks. She barely knows him and couldn’t provide anything useful..."

Yue Lingchuan dipped his chin in acknowledgment. "What do they usually do when they hang out?"

The officer replied, "Whatever floats their boat. Eating, drinking, sometimes rolling dice or drag racing. Oh, right—apparently Liang Wenjun’s been eyeing a new motorcycle lately. He badgered him nonstop to buy it for him, but Liang Yongcheng refused every time. Liang Wenjun whined about it endlessly."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingye felt a flicker of recognition—this matched what Liang Wenjun had said.

But... was it really that simple?

Yue Lingchuan said, "Alright, I understand. Those people outside can leave for now."

The police officer nodded in acknowledgment.

After he left, the two turned their attention back to Liang Wenjun, who was slouched on the couch with an impatient expression. "Hey, Officer, you’ve been huddled up talking forever—did you finally figure things out?"

His brows were furrowed with suppressed irritation. "Is there anything else? If not, can I go? You’ve totally wrecked my party."

"I’m afraid not," Shen Qingye exchanged a glance with Yue Lingchuan before continuing, "Liang Yongcheng’s case is a major one. As the deceased’s only relative and a person of interest, there are still some questions we need you to cooperate with."

Yue Lingchuan stood up and looked down at him. "Liang Wenjun, you’re coming with us."

Regardless, they had to haul him in first.

Liang Wenjun tch’d and rolled his eyes. Though reluctant, he had to suck it up and go due to their authority.

·

Not just Liang Wenjun—his girlfriend was also hauled in.

After returning, Shen Qingye and Yue Lingchuan debriefed Yan Haifeng, then held a meeting to discuss where the case stands.

One officer said, "Based on the info we have, the unsub is male, between 175 to 180 cm tall, and should be very familiar with the Liang family."

"Liang Wenjun fits all these conditions perfectly. Moreover, he had a conflict with Liang Yongcheng just days before the incident. After learning of Liang Yongcheng’s death, he didn’t seem broken up about it. And during the time of the crime, he had no airtight alibi—he’s looking real guilty."

Another officer, looking at the documents on the table, added, "Here’s the thing: after 10 PM last night, Liang Wenjun couldn’t prove he didn’t leave, but we also have no evidence that he was absent during that time."

In the end, it still came down to insufficient evidence.

The room went quiet. Shen Qingye had remained silent since the meeting began, her gaze fixed on the papers in front of her, though her mind was miles away.

"Xiao Shen? Xiao Shen?"

Yue Lingchuan called her twice before she jolted back. "Captain Yue."

"What’s on your mind?"

Shen Qingye paused. "I was thinking..."

She looked around at everyone. "Since we can’t find evidence against Liang Wenjun, maybe we should flip the script?"

Yan Haifeng quirked a brow. "How so?"

Shen Qingye said, "I’ve been wondering... if Liang Wenjun really is the killer, why would he go after his own family?"

"Was it really just because Liang Yongcheng wouldn’t front him a car? Right?"