A rollback after death? Then let them offer their loyalty!

Chapter 43 The Temporarily Sealed Gamble

Half an hour later—

Lin Yu picked up the revolver, but this time the muzzle wasn't pointed at himself. Instead, he lowered it slightly and aimed it at Qin Shuang's trembling thigh.

Qin Shuang was about to spit when she was so frightened that she hurriedly swallowed.

I don't understand what I did to offend Lin Yu this time.

Lin Yu easily lifted the hem of her pleated skirt:

"The bet can be put on hold for now, Miss Qin," Lin Yu said calmly, "but some collateral is required."

As he spoke, Lin Yu's lips curled slightly, and a dark red "Lin" character slowly appeared on Qin Shuang's thigh.

"What...what is this?!" Qin Shuang's voice trembled, on the verge of tears.

"The bet marker." Lin Yu sheathed his gun. "The game is paused, but it's not over."

Miss Qin, remember your current status. You are a chip on my gambling table, and I can continue this game at any time.

Lin Yu stood up and looked down at Qin Shuang:

"Now wipe away your tears, straighten your clothes, and I'll take you back to the police station. You know what to say in the questioning report."

Qin Shuang nodded mechanically, like a broken puppet.

.......

Lin Yu escorted Qin Shuang to the police station. She rushed into the building without looking back, her steps unsteady.

Lin Yu watched her retreating figure quietly. Although the bet was temporarily suspended, there was one thing he didn't tell Qin Shuang.

In a bet, if one party is afraid of death, they will be branded and gradually become the other party's property, with their body absolutely obeying them.

Of course... it doesn't control the mind, but it subtly changes some perceptions, such as getting used to being oppressed by the other party...

On the other side—

Without pausing, Qin Shuang rushed to the rooftop and locked the iron gate.

Then, all the repression, fear, and humiliation erupted.

"Aaaaaaah!!!"

She rushed to the railing and kicked the rusted metal like a madwoman.

boom!boom!boom!boom!

"Lin Yu! How dare you, how dare you treat me like this!"

Qin Shuang screamed and cursed, completely transforming into a madwoman:

"You even branded me, you beast, you insect, you country bumpkin. I'm going to kill you. I'll tear you to pieces."

Qin Shuang kicked the railing so hard it shook violently, sending dust flying everywhere.

The white stockings were torn, revealing the skin underneath bearing the marks of shame.

She didn't care at all, or rather, this near-self-destructive exposure was also a way for her to vent her anger and shame.

"And Qin Xue, Li Rui! What right do you have to look down on me! What right do you have to be happy now that I've become like this?"

Qin Shuang poured out all her hatred for everyone, tears streaming down her face.

Having grown up in a family where she was treated differently, she has a distorted mentality and an extreme lack of security.

The older sister was the apple of the family's eye, while she was just a Cinderella, which caused her to become increasingly sickly.

Even now that I'm all grown up, I still can't control myself.

After venting for a good ten minutes, Qin Shuang finally slid down the railing and sat on the ground, completely exhausted.

His chest heaved violently, and his eyes stared blankly at the gray sky.

Qin Shuang swallowed, the lingering taste of Lin Yu in her mouth making her feelings even more complicated.

She wondered whether she should tell Li Rui and Qin Xue about it.

But... dare I tell Li Rui? How should I tell him? Tell him that I was controlled by a detective from Jiangcheng and forcibly branded.

What will Li Rui think of her? A useless person who can't even guarantee her own safety and easily falls into a trap?

They probably won't stand up for her; instead, they'll be the first to think she's a disgrace.

Qin Shuang shivered. She couldn't say it out loud; she couldn't let Li Rui hate her.

I have to...I have to pretend nothing happened, and I have to listen to Lin Yu and write the report.

------

At the afternoon investigation team meeting, Qin Shuang, with her head down and a dry voice, reported her conclusions "after further verification":

"Su Wan really knew nothing about it, so her value is limited."

After listening, Li Rui tapped his fingers on the table, his voice icy:

"So, you spent two days and all you did was eliminate one possibility for me?"

He looked up, his gaze piercing Qin Shuang like an icicle, making no attempt to hide his disappointment and contempt.

"Qin Shuang, the investigation team isn't a kindergarten. I don't have time to play elimination games with you."

If this is all you can do, I'll consider sending you back to the reserve early and replacing you with someone more capable.

These words are more hurtful than simply calling someone useless. Early deportation means mission failure, questionable abilities, and a huge shadow cast over one's future with the Administration.

Qin Shuang lowered her head even further, her nails digging deep into her palms, and she didn't even dare to defend herself.

At this moment, Qin Xue's clear, cold voice broke the silence:

"Section Chief, I have made a new discovery."

Li Rui's attention immediately shifted to that.

Qin Xue retrieved the data: "Tracing Chen Tianxiong's communications and financial flows before his death shows that he had multiple covert communication channels with the black market in the west of the city."

After Chen Tianxiong's death, these channels were not completely severed; only the contact person was changed.

She showed a slightly blurry photo, but her stunningly beautiful face was still recognizable.

"The new docking and controller, codenamed Nightingale. Formerly a member of Chen Tianxiong's Shadow Raiders squad, Sequence 8."

She consolidated the black market in the west of the city in a very short time after Chen Tianxiong's death, and her actions were exceptionally swift and orderly.

I suspect that she not only received part of Chen Tianxiong's inheritance, but also very likely... knew some inside information.

Li Rui's eyes sharpened: "Nightingale...can we find her?"

"We're trying to contact them through a middleman in the black market, but they're very wary," Qin Xue replied.

"However, this seems to be the most likely breakthrough at the moment."

"Very good." Li Rui nodded, his eyes filled with approval as he looked at Qin Xue.

"You'll be in charge of following this lead closely. If necessary, you can use special methods. I need to know everything this Nightingale knows, and whether she has anyone backing her."

Li Rui didn't even glance at Qin Shuang again, as if she didn't exist at all.

The meeting continued with Qin Xue's concise report and Li Rui's instructions. Qin Shuang sat in the corner like a transparent person, feeling the bone-chilling coldness and isolation.

But her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Lin Yu, as if seeking comfort.

As if noticing Qin Shuang looking at Lin Yu, Li Rui's sharp gaze suddenly turned to Lin Yu.

"I almost forgot about you, Detective Lin." Li Rui tapped his finger on the table, his tone scrutinizing and undisguisedly condescending.

"You accompanied Qin Shuang during the two interrogations. Based on your observations, besides the possibility that Ms. Su Wan was unaware of the situation, are there any other noteworthy behaviors?"

Or rather... in your opinion as a local detective, is there a possibility that Ms. Qin Shuang's questioning methods might have caused her to resist and thus conceal information?

This was an extremely tricky question, and no matter how Lin Yu answered, he might offend one side.

At this moment, Qin Shuang's heart was in her throat. What she feared most was that Lin Yu would take advantage of her misfortune.

Given Lin Yu's coldness and control shown yesterday and today, he could easily say something that would embarrass her even more, or even shift the blame to her for putting undue pressure on her.

However, Lin Yu simply looked up calmly to meet Li Rui's gaze:

"Section Chief Li, my responsibility is to ensure the smooth progress of Ms. Qin Shuang's visit and to record the process."

Regarding Ms. Su Wan's mental state and the veracity of her statements, as an assistant, I have neither the standing nor the professional ability to question or supplement them.

He paused, then continued, his voice clear and calm:

"Regarding the questioning method, Ms. Qin Shuang consistently followed the investigation procedures and maintained a professional attitude. Ms. Su Wan's response was likely more related to her own level of understanding of Director Chen's affairs."

If Section Chief Li requires more specific behavioral records, I can provide a detailed log of his accompaniment.

His words were perfectly watertight.

He neither denied Qin Shuang nor took the blame for her, but cleverly extricated himself from the situation while simultaneously turning the tables on her.

Li Rui stared at Lin Yu for a few seconds, his eyes sharp, as if trying to find a hint of guilt or weakness on his face.

But Lin Yu's expression was calm and composed, with just the right amount of doubt in his eyes, the kind of doubt a subordinate would have when facing a superior's questioning.

Finally, Li Rui let out a barely audible hum and looked away.

"I'll submit the log later." He stopped pursuing the topic, clearly having found no reason to lash out, and was instead politely but firmly rebuffed by Lin Yu.

I felt somewhat displeased, but I couldn't find any fault with it.

Qin Shuang, standing to the side, suddenly relaxed her tense nerves, and a layer of fine sweat seeped out from her back.

She didn't expect Lin Yu to answer like that. Lin Yu didn't kick her while she was down; in fact, he even... maintained the apparent legitimacy of the investigation process in a certain sense.

This was tantamount to giving Li Rui an imperfect but at least not collapsing step.

Even though she knew Lin Yu was not doing this for her sake.

But in that instant, watching Lin Yu calmly and composedly deal with Li Rui's sharp edge, and seeing Li Rui's slightly deflated but unable to retaliate expression.

Even in Qin Shuang's deathly cold heart, a ripple couldn't be prevented from spreading.

He's someone I hate, but now he's the only one I can rely on.

......