Chapter 2768 - 2830: Inquiry

Li Yifei’s remark seemed arrogant, unpleasant to hear, but it was the truth. Since he didn’t avoid these people, he wasn’t being impolite. After all, he hadn’t sent anyone to kill that person, and with no guilt in his heart, he certainly wasn’t afraid to meet the police.

Colleagues from Ning Province could understand, but those from Black Province couldn’t. They were full of resentment, and when they heard Li Yifei speak this way, one of them snorted heavily and said, "Li Yifei, don’t think that just because you’re at home and in your territory, you can be arrogant!"

"Oh? Tell me, how am I being arrogant?" Li Yifei glanced at him indifferently. This gaze was like a knife, stabbing the man, causing him to retreat two steps in pain. Yet, he didn’t know what had just happened, so he became even angrier and exclaimed, "You don’t call this arrogant? Then what is? Li Yifei, you’re wealthy, but money can’t cover the sky with one hand!"

"You barged into my house and started reprimanding me. Did you forget to take your medicine before you left? Guys, I only let you in out of respect, but if you keep barking, I might need to get a rabies shot." Li Yifei said.

The people from Ning Province Provincial Hall said, "Mr. Li, please calm down; our colleagues from Black Province are just temporarily upset. There was a murder case there, and some clues are unfavorable to you, so they’re here to ask a few questions."

"Oh, a murder case? Do you think I would kill someone?" Li Yifei glanced at the person from Ning Province Provincial Hall, leaving him at a loss for words. What could he say? Claim that Li Yifei absolutely wouldn’t kill? That’s impossible. Without discussing others, he personally knew of more incidents tied to Li Yifei or suspected to be, than he could count on one hand. But he couldn’t say that, so he chose to remain silent and smile apologetically.

Li Yifei nodded in satisfaction and looked at the people from Black Province, saying, "I’ll give you a few minutes. Go ahead, ask whatever you want. But a reminder: before you inquire about something unfounded, it’s best to investigate. I have a short temper and little patience for slander."

The people from Black Province were indeed angry, but there was nothing they could do. What could they possibly do to Li Yifei? He was impenetrable and on his own turf. The deputy bureau leading their team smiled and said, "Mr. Li, please remain calm. We mean no harm. We’ve come a long way to ask you some questions in person. All you need to do is answer."

"Ask away," Li Yifei pulled over a chair and sat down.

They said, "Recently a case occurred in Black Province, which has spread widely online. Our Internet Supervision Department received the information immediately and began following up."

"Oh, so you’re efficient. It’s been over ten days; did you find anything?" Li Yifei rudely interrupted, employing sarcasm.

Their eyelids twitched, surprised by Li Yifei’s arrogance. Taking a breath, they said, "There are some clues and confirmations, but according to our knowledge, this information was originally released online by you, Mr. Li. Is that true?"

Someone nearby took out a recording device. Looking at the person, Li Yifei said, "What, you’re planning to record this too?"

"It’s protocol, don’t worry. We won’t leak it," said the deputy bureau.

"Haha, this is my home. I said I don’t like being secretly filmed. But I understand, based on your actions, why that police officer liked to secretly film others. It’s ingrained. You’re from the Black Province Public Security Bureau, right? I see, indeed, it’s handed down from above," Li Yifei taunted with disdain.

"You!" They were undoubtedly provoked. Filming was at their discretion, permissible but optional, yet they opted to film. Now, Li Yifei’s remark about it being a legacy outraged them. The one with the camera admonished, "Li Yifei, you’d better not be too arrogant, or..."

"Scram." Li Yifei’s light word resonated like thunder in their ears. Within seconds, they were all stunned, demonstrating Li Yifei’s strength. The person hesitated, more angered, pointed at Li Yifei, roaring, "Who the hell are you telling to scram? I’ll have you know, we’re here to investigate you."

"So, you don’t want to leave by yourself, do you? Fine." Li Yifei grinned after speaking. Without speaking further, the security guards outside promptly came in. No need for more words, they directly removed that person. He immediately struggled, reaching for his waist to draw a gun, as they were armed when they arrived.

"You can draw it, but consider the consequences," Li Yifei’s calm voice called out. That person’s body paused, hand stopped, snorted heavily in resentment, and stormed out. The others from Black Province exchanged glances, clearly not anticipating Li Yifei’s audacity and arrogance. The leader gestured to refrain from acting rashly, stood with hands clasped behind his back, and said, "Mr. Li, we’re only here to ask a few questions. No need to make trouble."

"You’d better watch your language and questioning style. I don’t care about your rank in Black Province, but I haven’t broken the law, so you should be respectful. Furthermore, due to that rogue cop, I have a poor impression of you guys from Black Province. Don’t expect me to be polite. Birds of a feather flock together; rotten to the core," said Li Yifei disdainfully.

The people from Ning Province, relishing in others’ misfortunes, remained silent, watching as the Black Province folk got snubbed. They knew some of this affair, and the instigator’s actions were indeed unethical and biased, deserving rebuke. And trying their tactics on Li Yifei? They were asking for trouble.

The leader from Black Province gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I’ll mind my manner. But Mr. Li, there’s no conflict between us, please understand. Some issues weren’t sanctioned by us. Upon knowing this matter, we were equally furious, not just because one of our own was a disgrace, but also because of the grievous nature of this case."

"That’s a better attitude. Okay, ask your questions!" Li Yifei nodded in satisfaction.

The person then said, "It’s like this: the disgrace you reported was under investigation by us, but by the time we arrived at his home, we discovered he had been dead for over a day..."

He recounted the events and suspicions. In summary, the leads pointed to Li Yifei, so they came cross-province to inquire, knowing that even with a Provincial Department’s subpoena, Li Yifei wouldn’t comply. Instead of risking self-humiliation, they came in person, only to face humiliation anyway.

"The man’s dead. Investigate it then. I didn’t kill him, though I certainly wanted to, but wanting is different from doing," Li Yifei was candid on this point.

"This... you have a motive, and we’ve already mentioned the evidence. So, you need to prove you weren’t involved, nor did you order anyone," they said.

Li Yifei looked at them as if they were fools and chuckled, saying, "Alright then, you show evidence proving you didn’t do it, and then I’ll follow suit."

"Me? I didn’t kill anyone," they replied instantly.

"Then what do you expect me to show? Just because you didn’t murder him, you assume I did? How did you reach that conclusion? Explain this tactic of malicious accusation with a yellow-toothed grin; I’m unfamiliar with it," said Li Yifei.

"You!" The person was at a loss, nearly slamming the table. Years without encountering such ridicule and opposition, but reason warned him that if he pushed further, he’d likely be tossed out too. Seeing his colleagues’ lack of intervention, he swallowed his anger and said, "Mr. Li, you may be right but we aren’t here to defame. It’s just that evidence leads us here, so we needed to ask. It doesn’t mean we genuinely suspect you."

"I thought you’d already made up your minds, speaking so assuredly."

"Haha, that’s impossible, impossible, the police wouldn’t jump to conclusions."

"So, my answer is, I didn’t do it, nor did I instruct anyone. Do you believe me?" Li Yifei spoke slowly.

"We do... believe you, but we need some evidence, like Mr. Li, you proving you’ve been home these days, not sending anyone," they said.

"Do you have any brains? Is it possible? I can prove I didn’t leave home, but how do I prove what my many subordinates did?"

"Can we trust you?" they asked seriously, putting away their smile.

"Ask them," Li Yifei pointed at the Ning Province crowd. The City Bureau personnel stepped forth and said, "Mr. Li’s word is guaranteed. We’ve collaborated multiple times over the years, and he doesn’t lie."

That’s a promise not everyone makes. It means if Li Yifei really did commit murder, they’d be implicated. The Provincial Department couldn’t make such guarantees, awkwardly smiling, they said, "Well... the City Bureau’s words make sense."

"Alright, we believe Mr. Li’s statement, but we hope for your cooperation because this case has drawn provincial leaders’ attention. Regardless of who did it, it must be clarified. Besides, the suspect seemed to have jumped from the twelfth floor. No ordinary person could’ve done that!"

"Twelfth floor? That’s high." Li Yifei smiled faintly but wouldn’t comment further.