The Youthful You Who Was So Beautiful (translated)

chapter 21

"My classmate."

"What is the name of your classmate?"

"Li, Xiang."

"Who suggested going to the movie theatres?" Zheng Yi interrupted the questioning.

"He did." Chen Nian replied.

This was something that was extremely easy to verify as well. Once again, the group of police officers lapsed into a momentary silence. Exchanging meaningful glances with each other, the officers realised that they had no other questions for Chen Nian.

Senior Yang strode out of the interrogation room, and commented, "This young girl is simply too calm."

Zheng Yi responded immediately, "What are you hinting at?"

"Nothing." Senior Yang replied in a casual tone, "One's demeanour and disposition is frequently influenced by one's environment, one's personality, and one's experiences. More accurately, it is often influenced by encounters one recently experienced."

Xiao Yao interjected, "This means, that Chen Nian's overly calm disposition could be a result of her being in a state of extreme self-protection which she is unable to extricate herself from?"

"Yes." Senior Yang nodded gravely. The officers had only questioned Chen Nian about her whereabouts before Wei Cai's disappearance out of convenience – after all, Chen Nian was already in the police station to shed light on the bullying Wei Cai inflicted on her. Based on Chen Nian's responses, Chen Nian didn't appear to be involved in Wei Cai's disappearance. "In any event, do remember verify Chen Nian's answers with Chen Nian's teachers and that boy named Li Xiang. We need to ensure that she isn't lying. — Separately, with respect to the group of 23 suspects, we need to think of further means to shrink the suspect pool." Having instructed his group of officers, Senior Yang headed back to his office.

Zheng Yi remained rooted on the spot. After some time, he turned back towards the interrogation room, and opened the door. Chen Nian remained seated in her original spot, her gaze fixated on the bright beams of sunlight shining outside the window. The cup of water in front of her remained untouched.

It was such a hot and humid day. It was impossible for Chen Nian not to feel thirsty.

Zheng Yi gently rapped on the door. "Chen Nian, you may take your leave now." Zheng Yi led Chen Nian to the canteen, where the two of them had their lunch. Zheng Yi specially bought a bottle of water for Chen Nian. On receiving the bottle, Chen Nian immediately opened the bottle cap, easily downing half the bottle in a single shot.

After lunch, Zheng Yi walked Chen Nian home.

"Chen Nian." Zheng Yi spoke her, the his tone careful and gentle.

"Yes?"

"You can always talk to me about things that are troubling you."

"Nothing's troubling me." Chen Nian shook her head.

Glancing at Chen Nian's lowered head, wisps of melancholy wormed their way into Zheng Yi's heart. Ultimately, however, Zheng Yi kept his mouth shut, and didn't pursue the point – instead, he simply reminded her to remain focused on revision for the upcoming examinations. Chen Nian nodded her head in response.

As Chen Nian ascended the stairwell to her home, she suddenly remembered that Bei Ye had taken the keys to her home. However, on reaching her home, she discovered that her keys were inserted in the keyhole of her gate. Ah, if Bei Ye dared to leave her keys in such an open area, it necessarily meant that Bei Ye was somewhere nearby, watching over her.

Upon coming to this realisation, Chen Nian immediately raised her head and began looking around frantically for Bei Ye. However, he was nowhere to be found.