CHAPTER 343: 328 CROSS-EXAMINATION, WITNESS TESTIMONY

Tian Sangsang found the place where Zhao Chun was being interrogated.

Room by room, the green-painted doors, and the bright light inching its way onto the doors and the immaculate floors—it was quiet, but beneath the surface lay an unfathomable stillness.

She walked over, paused her steps, and heard the voices inside.

Interrogation, reproach, and rebuttal mixed together; the atmosphere was oppressively tense.

"I’ve said it, I didn’t mess around with relationships. Yao’er and I are properly dating," Zhao Chun’s clear voice carried a hint of anger.

Hua Jun’s official tone cut him off: "Proper dating leads to premarital pregnancy? On the night of the ninth last month, weren’t you and Ji Yao’er together?"

Zhao Chun: "I wasn’t!"

Hua Jun: "The situation has been stated clearly. Ji Yao’er is one month and twenty-five days pregnant. She admitted the child is yours. That night, she was with you."

"Yao’er admitted it?" Zhao Chun’s tone abruptly turned bewildered. Why would Yao’er say that? He and she had indeed been intimate. He’d admit to what he had done, but why should he admit to something he hadn’t? He wasn’t someone willing to take blame unfairly!

"Yes, Ji Yao’er admitted it herself," Hua Jun said. "Zhao Chun, you need to take responsibility for this matter. Are you still denying it?"

"I said I wasn’t, and I meant it!" Zhao Chun raised his voice. "That night, I was with..." His voice cut off abruptly, as though he suddenly thought of something. He stopped himself quickly, his face turning crimson.

His expression raised suspicion.

Hua Jun narrowed his eyes: "Fine, then where were you that night? Who were you with? If you can explain, we won’t pursue this further."

Tian Sangsang’s heart trembled. Calmly, she listened to the sounds inside, but there was no further response. Zhao Chun didn’t continue speaking.

"Zhao Chun, speak honestly, or we’ll go to your school to investigate. We’ll question your classmates too."

"What’s the matter? Explain it clearly! Don’t stay silent like you’re a mute!" An elderly voice roared, "If you’re still my grandson, you’ll tell the truth! If you really have something going on with that girl, take responsibility. If not, speak up clearly so Investigator Hua can set things straight!"

"Ah Chun, say what you need to say. Mom believes in you too." A woman’s voice softly coaxed him. Keeping everything bottled up wouldn’t help them help him.

At this moment, Lu Chi spoke up righteously, "To be honest, I’ve known for a while that Yao’er had a boyfriend. As her brother-in-law, I hope they can be together. Indeed, the two of them were close to discussing marriage, but things shouldn’t have spiraled into such a mess before anything was finalized."

"Major Lu is right. We can’t mimic hooligan behavior from out there," Hua Jun agreed. "Zhao Chun, if you stay silent any longer, we’ll take it as your acquiescence."

Zhao Chun remained silent.

Hua Jun sighed, "Ji Yao’er and Zhao Chun have engaged in improper relationships. Ji Yao’er will remain awaiting disciplinary action. Zhao Chun will be detained for three months for ideological education. Old Zhao, do you have any objections?"

The elder Zhao, frustrated, said, "If he won’t speak, then let them detain him. I won’t interfere."

Zhao Chun kept his head bowed, lost in thought, and stayed quiet. Through the window, Tian Sangsang could see him standing there alone, looking despondent. This fool, why wouldn’t he speak up? What was he worried about? Ji Yao’er had already betrayed him, so why would he still care about her?

Or perhaps he couldn’t speak, fearing it would ruin her reputation?

Tian Sangsang took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and pushed open the door. The warm winter sunlight spilled inside, clearly revealing the shocked faces of everyone in the room.

Especially Zhao Chun, whose previously dim eyes suddenly brightened. He said hurriedly, "Tian Sangsang, this isn’t a place where you should be. Leave now!"

"Shut up." Tian Sangsang glanced at him and walked over to stand beside him, looking calmly at the others. "I can prove that Zhao Chun wasn’t with Ji Yao’er that night. I have evidence."

Lu Chi’s gentle eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

Zhao Chun’s grandfather, mother, and the others, some of whom recognized Tian Sangsang and some who didn’t, were all staring at her.

"Aren’t you all asking me to admit it? Fine, I’ll admit it. I was with Yao’er that night. There’s nothing else to ask. Just arrest me already!" Zhao Chun, looking defeated, positioned himself protectively in front of Tian Sangsang.

"Don’t listen to him nonsense. He’s lying," Tian Sangsang said softly, grabbing Zhao Chun’s wrist to calm his agitation.

"Miss..." Zhao Lao looked at her with a complicated gaze. "Young lady, be careful with your words. Think it over. Do you really have evidence?" He hadn’t expected anyone to step into this mess, though he felt relieved deep down. But what kind of relationship did this pretty young woman have with his grandson?

Hua Jun looked at her with a mix of surprise and intrigue. "So, what evidence do you have?"

"Me," Tian Sangsang replied calmly, her words clear. "Because that night, I was with him. We were at the school gate, and there were people who saw us. You can verify the time by checking with the school."

Lu Chi subtly curled his lips in a faint smile, looking mildly startled.

Hua Jun froze for a moment.

The sudden turn was unexpected. Everyone was caught off guard, especially those from other military districts, who stared at Tian Sangsang in shock.

Zhao Chun frowned in frustration, his gaze fixed on her face. Why had she said that? She was going to get in trouble!

A group of people waited in the room for the results. In the corner, Zhao Chun’s eyes were red, and he muttered softly, "Tian... Sangsang, you... it wasn’t necessary to come forward."

"Stay calm and don’t be afraid," Tian Sangsang gave him a reassuring smile. "I only told the truth." If he didn’t speak the truth, the consequences would be severe. Zhao Chun might face serious punishment, and she remembered events from a parallel timeline.

"But..." Zhao Chun was at a loss. Now was an especially fraught time. Even his grandfather couldn’t protect him. Yet, Tian Sangsang had resolutely stood up. This was his fault; Yao’er was his girlfriend after all. He had let her down.

A tear slipped from Zhao Chun’s eyes.

When the results came in, they confirmed Tian Sangsang’s account as truthful.

Hua Jun paused before stating coldly, "Zhao Chun’s suspicions have been cleared. However, Tian Sangsang, you’ll need to come with us for questioning."

"You’re arresting me?"

"We find your conduct highly questionable," Hua Jun said. "As a military wife, why were you out late at night? Why were you meeting privately with Zhao Chun? Regardless of the reasons, your actions were inappropriate."

"This isn’t right," Lu Chi interjected. "Tian Sangsang is the wife of Captain Jiang from our unit. If you’re planning to detain her, shouldn’t you consult Captain Jiang first?"

Old Zhao was stunned. This was Jinghuai’s wife? This, this, this...

"This has nothing to do with my husband. He doesn’t know. Don’t involve him," Tian Sangsang frowned.

As she was being taken away, she saw Jiang Jinghuai standing at the door, watching her intently. His thin lips pressed into a line, he said nothing.

She didn’t dare look at him directly.

After a brief exchange with Jiang Jinghuai, Zhao Lao nearly slammed his cane into Zhao Chun’s leg. "I really underestimated you. Quiet for so long, and then you cause such a big mess! Tell me, what exactly happened between you and Ji Yao’er? And that military wife—what’s going on between the two of you? You’re going to kill me with this!"

"Grandfather," Zhao Chun said, tearfully, "Now’s not the time to get angry. We need to think of a way to save Sangsang. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t..."

"You didn’t need to say that." Zhao Lao’s expression grew grim. However, intervening in this situation wouldn’t be easy—military and political matters were separate.