After hanging up the phone, Mu Xiaoyao let out a slow breath.
Jiang Che had confirmed Bai Huamei's story.
But something still felt off.
Logically speaking, Bai Huamei's argument made sense—Ye Chen could have fabricated everything after being rejected. But was it really that simple?
Before she could think further, a police officer hurried up to her with a phone in hand.
"Captain, we have new information."
Mu Xiaoyao took the phone, her eyes scanning the screen.
It was a detailed confession from Zhang Quan—the middleman who had connected with Ye Chen.
According to Zhang Quan, the real Liu Qiniang had contacted him and arranged the arms deal.
But there was a problem.
Liu Qiniang wasn't even in the country.
The records showed she was currently in the Beautiful Country (a euphemism for the U.S.), and a call log from Zhang Quan's phone confirmed he had received a call from that location three days ago—the same timeframe he claimed he got the deal instructions.
At that moment, another officerapproached.
"Captain, we searched the bar. No suspicious evidence, and no sign of the 100 million in cash."
Mu Xiaoyao's expression darkened.
She had been played.
Ye Chen's claim that Bai Huamei was Liu Qiniang was completely false.
A deep frustration surged in her chest.
She had trusted Ye Chen's information, only to charge into Bai Huamei's place and come up empty-handed.
Now she had to clean up this mess.
She turned to Bai Huamei, her expression stiff.
"Miss Bai… I'm sorry."
Bai Huamei, still seated gracefully, merely smiled.
"It's alright, Officer Mu. Just doing your job."
Her voice was gentle, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes—as if she had been expecting this outcome all along.
Mu Xiaoyao felt a wave of irritation.
She had let Ye Chen make a fool of her, and now Bai Huamei was enjoying the show.
After apologizing a few more times, she turned on her heels and stormed out.
There was someone she needed to confront.
Mu Xiaoyao slammed open the interrogation room door.
Ye Chen, who had been leaning against the table lazily, jerked up in surprise.
Seeing her furious expression, he instinctively frowned.
"What's wrong, officer?"
"White Thrush—did she run?"
His voice held a hint of expectation, as if he thought Mu Xiaoyao was here because Bai Huamei had escaped, and now she needed more information from him.
Mu Xiaoyao let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Ye Chen, Ye Chen… do you know that providing false information to the police is a serious crime?"
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Without another word, Mu Xiaoyao slammed a stack of papers onto the table.
"Take a look at this!"
Ye Chen, startled, picked up the documents and scanned through them.
His face gradually changed.
It was Zhang Quan's full confession.
And in it, Zhang Quan clearly stated that he had been contacted by Liu Qiniang—who wasn't even in the country.
The call logs proved it.
The transaction was arranged from abroad.
That meant…
Liu Qiniang wasn't Bai Huamei.
And all of his claims had just fallen apart.
Ye Chen's heart sank.
"What…?" he muttered under his breath.
This was bad.
"You said Bai Huamei was Liu Qiniang," Mu Xiaoyao said icily.
"But we checked all outbound flights—Bai Huamei hasn't left the country."
"We also questioned her bar employees and customers—they all testified that she's been
at the bar every night."
She leaned forward, her glare sharp enough to cut.
"Zhang Quan doesn't even know Bai Huamei. He's never heard of her."
"And that 100 million in cash? We searched everywhere. No trace of it."
She crossed her arms.
"So tell me, Ye Chen… why did you lie?"
Ye Chen felt his throat go dry.
He wasn't lying—he truly believed Bai Huamei was Liu Qiniang!
But now, with all this solid evidence against him, even he had to admit—
He looked like a liar.
Ye Chen tried to speak, but no words came out.
Mu Xiaoyao's voice was low and dangerous.
"Because of you, I wasted time, embarrassed myself, and turned the police force into a joke."
Ye Chen swallowed hard.
This was bad.
Really, really bad.