Chapter 222: Chapter 222

Qin Xi carefully supported Li Xianglu as they walked outside. Seeing her teary eyes, he sighed, wiped her tears, and said helplessly, "You, oh you, what am I to say about you? Why must you prove yourself in such a foolish way every time?"

Li Xianglu pouted, a look of aggrieved innocence on her face: "The situation was particularly urgent at the time. I didn’t think much about it. I just thought about not letting the person fall, but after I grabbed on, I didn’t expect the force to be so strong. I didn’t dare let go, and that’s how my hand ended up ."

Qin Xi looked at the faint bloodstain under the snow-white bandage, his heart aching as he walked her towards the girls’ dormitory.

He had originally planned to send Li Xianglu back to the dormitory first, then go out to buy food. It was already half-past five in the afternoon, but just as they reached the doorway, he saw a crowd gathered at the entrance of the girls’ dormitory.

Frowning, Qin Xi, accompanied by a puzzled Li Xianglu, walked up, only to see Shen Yuehong supported by others, looking even more aggrieved upon spotting Li Xianglu.

The crowd turned their gaze to Li Xianglu’s raised hands, all thinking back to what just happened. The atmosphere was solemn; the girls looked doubtfully at Shen Yuehong’s leg, while the boys appeared accusatory towards Li Xianglu, as if she had committed some unforgivable act.

Xi Yunmei’s expression was also severe. Seeing Li Xianglu’s pale face and obvious signs of crying, anger burned within her. Who on earth was responsible for this debacle that seemed to spiral out of control?

At that moment, a male student spoke up, "Li Xianglu, the person who went to buy fabric just reported back from the tailor, saying that the costume won’t be ready by tomorrow."

Li Xianglu’s mouth twitched slightly: "So?"

The male student coughed and said, "So, we hope you can set aside personal grudges and not affect the big picture. Please produce the costume, otherwise..." He paused.

Protected by Qin Xi at her side, Li Xianglu stood straight and looked around: "Do you all think I took the costume? Just because you suspect that I targeted Shen Yuehong?"

A few girls shook their heads, and one round-faced girl said, "No, we’re not suspecting you. A female student said she saw you hurriedly carrying something out of the auditorium’s dressing room this morning, and then the costume went missing. We just wanted to ask if that was true."

Li Xianglu glanced at everyone, sensing something amiss in her heart. If these people could find this place, then it was likely a setup.

Observing this, Qin Xi coldly said, "Whoever saw it, step forward and let me see."

At this, a short girl timidly stepped forward, raising her hand, "Around noon, I saw it. Li Xianglu was indeed hurriedly carrying something."

Li Xianglu suddenly realized—indeed, she was carrying something at that time, but it wasn’t the costume. It was a pair of dirty trousers, okay? Since her menstruation came early in July, it had always landed on this date. She was hurrying to change her trousers to take them back to the dorm. She could have put them in the Storage Ring, but considering they were stained with menstrual blood, she didn’t want to stuff them in where she stored her food.

Li Xianglu remained silent, and Qin Xi looked around, then asked indifferently to the crowd, "What do you want to do? Search?"

Qin Xi continued, "Just because you saw someone hurriedly carrying something, you want to conduct a search?" Then he turned to the short girl and asked, "Are you sure what Li Xianglu was holding was the performance costume?"

The girl blushed upon being questioned by such a handsome guy, but she confirmed resolutely, "I didn’t see what it was exactly, but she definitely hurried off carrying something."

Xi Yunmei was also furious: "Exactly, it’s still unclear who did this, and just because someone was seen leaving the changing room, you accuse them of theft? You are blaming someone without any evidence? I will appeal to the school, such people really aren’t suited to study in our school!"

Xi Yunmei’s words were heavy and somewhat coercive, but at this moment she couldn’t care less. Qin Xi had just demanded an explanation from her in front of so many people, which showed she was angry. Regardless of her personal relationship with Li Xianglu, on this issue alone, how can you accuse someone of stealing without any evidence? Also, the incident with the broken rope has still not been resolved.

Shen Yuehong, however, with reddened eyes, struggled to stand on her feet, and while enduring the pain, said in a wronged tone: "Chairman Xi, this matter is very urgent. The costume is gone, and the tailor can’t make a new one in time. Maybe we should just investigate...," Shen Yuehong timidly glanced at Li Xianglu, who was glaring at her, and whispered, "If you really have it, then just bring it out, we won’t hold you responsible!"

Li Xianglu was so angry she almost laughed. Such shameless people are rare indeed!

Qin Xi was about to speak but then saw several people hurrying over from the main building, all in uniform.

Everyone fell silent. Xi Yunmei’s eyebrows furrowed tightly - why had the Security Department gotten involved?

These three were from the school’s Security Department. The man leading them looked at everyone and explained, "Someone reported that Li Xianglu stole the performance costume, so we came right over."

Everyone looked solemn.

Qin Xi was the first to speak, "A report? Is there any evidence?"

The head of the Security Department shook his head, "No, but the matter involves tomorrow’s performance, and we’ve already obtained permission from school leaders to handle this."

Qin Xi replied coldly, "What if it’s a false accusation? What happens if the investigation finds nothing?"

The chief hesitated slightly before saying, "The school will issue a reprimand and record it in the files." He then looked around seriously and added, "That means all students involved in this matter today should be careful. Since you’ve made accusations and provided evidence, we have to investigate."

A few students looked at each other. One shorter female student’s face turned bright red as she waved her hands, "I didn’t see Li Xianglu holding the costume, I just saw her hurriedly carrying something and leaving. I’m not the one providing evidence."

At this point, Qin Xi snorted coldly, "Who else insists on suspicions and wants to continue the investigation?"

Shen Yuehong was stunned. He originally thought it would be easier with the Security Department involved but didn’t expect it to become even more complicated. However, he was sure the items had been placed there, so he firmly said, "I insist, I hope to clear this up, it will also clear Li Xianglu’s name!"

Li Xianglu snorted and turned away, "Bitch, you’re disgusting, I don’t need your fake concern. If you hadn’t framed me, I would have been fine."

At this moment, Qin Xi spoke coldly, "If nothing is found, Mr. Shen, you will be recorded for falsely accusing a fellow student. Have you thought this through?"

Shen Yuehong felt a pang of bitterness upon hearing ’Mr. Shen’. Hmph, good, let’s see how disgusting your beloved one is!

PS: As of Chapter 11, based on the credits of November 2nd, I still owe four Chapters. Catching up!