Chapter 654: The Suspects Speak

Compared to his appearance in 'A Single Word to Settle a Case,' Tang Qing's clothing had changed considerably.

He had previously worn a Mao suit with his hair pinned up. Now he had changed into a long black trench coat, with his hair tucked entirely beneath a modified deerstalker cap with a more contemporary feel. The overall impression fit perfectly with the image of a detective.

This was clearly a deliberate wardrobe change made in the Actor's dressing room.

The wardrobe in each dressing room contained a range of clothing options, and choosing attire appropriate to one's character was part of the performance, one that would also factor into the audience's impression of 'Perfect Portrayal' in the Curtain Call Vote.

"As one of the people present when this case occurred, and as a professional detective, please allow me to present relevant evidence to the esteemed members of the jury and to share what I know about the incident."

Tang Qing paused briefly and looked toward Wang Yongxin, seated to his left in the role of 'Wealthy Merchant.'

"Mr Wang, as a successful entrepreneur, holds a tradition of hosting events on his yacht each year, inviting strangers he has never previously met, chosen through an online lottery, to join him at sea.

"The three of us, and the victims of this tragedy, the newlywed couple, were all strangers to one another beforehand. We each signed up voluntarily through the online channel and were fortunate enough to be selected, then boarded this large yacht together.

"On the day we set out, we each went about our own activities without incident. Afterward, we each returned to our cabins to rest.

"The original plan was for everyone to gather the following day for introductions and to get to know one another. But instead, we discovered that the newlywed couple had mysteriously vanished.

"We searched every corner of the vessel and found nothing.

"Mr Wang and I immediately secured the scene and reported the incident to the authorities. Shortly afterward, the coastguard located the bodies of the couple in the waters nearby. Both had died by drowning.

"The police gathered a substantial amount of evidence from the scene and from the couple's quarters, which has since been transferred to the Evidence Room.

"With your permission, I would like to present one item of evidence to the esteemed members of the jury."

Tang Qing turned and returned to his arc table, put on a pair of white gloves, and displayed the piece of evidence he had brought with him from the dressing room for all to see.

On the small screen in front of each jury member, the details of the item were simultaneously shown.

It was a picture frame containing a wedding photograph of the newlywed couple.

The husband appeared sharp-featured and handsome, with visible muscle definition and a good physique. Near the collar of his shirt, a small patch of black was faintly visible.

The wife was not particularly striking in appearance, but had a slender figure and an exceptional presence. Her makeup was immaculate, and her smile was sweet. Yet her eyes seemed slightly unfocused, as though carrying a weight of complex emotions.

After presenting it, Tang Qing returned to his seat.

Wang Yongxin had been watching Lin Sizhi since the very beginning of the game. Now, seeing that neither Lin Sizhi nor Feng Yuguang showed any sign of moving, he considered for a moment and stepped up second.

He had not changed his clothes the way Tang Qing had, still wearing the casual suit he usually dressed in, apparently confident that playing himself would be sufficient.

"The Detective has already given the esteemed jurors a general overview of this case.

"As the owner of the yacht and the person most directly responsible for what took place, I feel deep sorrow about all of this.

"I will present another piece of evidence and add some further details.

"This event was something I organised online. Everyone participated voluntarily and was selected through a specific lottery process. We were all strangers before this.

"I organise activities like this regularly as a way to relax and unwind, and to meet new people from all walks of life.

"In particular, when this newlywed couple was selected, I was genuinely delighted. I had hoped that everyone on the yacht would be able to share in their happiness and celebrate this joyful time with them."

Wang Yongxin paused briefly, and then continued with a voice carrying weight and sorrow, "None of us could have imagined something like this would happen.

"In any case, I have confidence in the professional expertise of the Detective, the Lawyer, and the Doctor, and I have confidence that the esteemed members of this jury will judge with clear eyes and reach a just verdict.

"The piece of evidence I wish to present is a wedding ring."

Wang Yongxin, like Tang Qing, slipped on white gloves before returning to his arc table and lifting a beautifully presented ring box.

Inside the box was a diamond ring of radiant brilliance. The stone was modest in size, but even under the courtroom's comparatively soft lighting, it caught the light and gleamed.

After presenting it, Wang Yongxin bowed slightly toward all the jurors and returned to his seat.

At this point, Bai Zhilan rose again.

The tables of the four suspects and four Jury Representatives each had a microphone, which meant any of them could address the whole room without coming to the platform.

"I propose that we begin by verifying the wedding photograph, confirming its authenticity and obtaining further information. If the deceased are not in fact this couple, or if their relationship was not that of a newly married pair, the rest of our discussion would have no basis."

The moment Bai Zhilan finished speaking, a notification appeared on every jury member's screen.

[Jury Representative Bai Zhilan has proposed verification of the 'Wedding Photograph's' authenticity and supplementary information.]

[If 10 jury members agree to the verification, each will be charged 500 minutes of visa time, and a confirmed result will be provided.]

The number of players choosing 'Verify' quickly reached ten. Each was charged 500 minutes of visa time, and the verification result appeared on every player's small screen, accompanied by an announcement.

[The 'Wedding Photograph' contains no false information.]

[The photograph was taken after the deceased couple registered their marriage. Beyond the standard studio enhancement work, no other alterations or retouching are present in the image.]

Bai Zhilan's proposal had clearly served two purposes: confirming the authenticity of the evidence, and testing how much additional information the 'Verify' function could actually provide.

She appeared broadly satisfied with the result and raised a hand toward Feng Yuguang and Lin Sizhi, "The floor is yours."

Feng Yuguang glanced at Lin Sizhi. Lin Sizhi raised a hand, gesturing for him to go first.

Feng Yuguang appeared not to have fully worked out what he wanted to say, but he came to the speaking platform nonetheless and gave a brief address to the jury.

"Esteemed members of the jury, I am a doctor.

"I have no knowledge of the specific details of this case, and looking at the two pieces of evidence presented so far, I have no particular response to offer.

"Should any evidence or testimony arise later that relates to medical knowledge, I will provide my professional analysis without reservation.

"For the moment, I have nothing specific to contribute, and I would rather say nothing than risk misleading you with unfounded speculation. I ask for your understanding."

Though he was already a doctor by profession, he had nonetheless put on a white coat over his clothes to reinforce his professional image.

His remarks were considerably simpler than those of the two who had gone before him, more of a formality than anything else.