Stuck in the scenic spot with no way out, coupled with the profoundly unfavorable testimony from Bao Fei, and Madam Gao's watchful gaze, Mr. Gao's trust in him was limited. It seemed he had no way out.
Gao Jian's mouth twitched, "I know it's difficult for me right now."
Shen Qingqing asked, "Tell me first, what exactly happened?"
Gao Jian began from the beginning.
"That day, I received a call from home saying my younger brother had been injured in a fight at kindergarten. But neither my father nor that woman were home. The kindergarten found a servant, and the servant found me."
He had no choice but to go.
As soon as he arrived at the kindergarten entrance, he received news from the teacher that his younger brother was missing.
Gao Jian panicked.
He immediately asked the kindergarten teacher for details, reported it to the police, and then, after the police arrived, he contacted his father and Madam Gao.
Madam Gao arrived crying.
His father blamed him even more, saying it was his fault that his younger brother was lost. Gao Jian felt speechless. It hadn't even been an hour from when he received the call to when he arrived at the kindergarten.
He hadn't even seen his brother.
How could it be his fault that he was lost?
However, the most important thing was to find his brother quickly. He didn't argue with his father but explained the situation to the police and actively cooperated in the search.
But after searching for several days, there was nothing.
Gao Jian was on the verge of despair when they received a call from the kidnappers.
They demanded a large sum of money.
Mr. Gao didn't hesitate to pay. During the process, the police apprehended the kidnappers and rescued his unharmed brother.
But no one expected that when the kidnappers were interrogated, they would say that the mastermind was Gao Jian.
Gao Jian was immediately taken away.
Furthermore, the kidnappers revealed the location of their transaction, an alley not far from a coffee shop. Although the specific transaction was not captured, the surveillance at the alley entrance showed them walking out together.
And they were talking during the process.
But Gao Jian didn't know this person at all.
Shen Qingqing asked, "If you don't know him, why were you talking to him?"
Gao Jian wiped his face, "I was passing by that alley at the time and heard sounds of punching and kicking inside..."
He went in.
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. This was truly a cliché story.
A hero intervening, only to be framed.
Shen Qingqing switched hands holding the phone, "Don't worry, I'll investigate this for you. I'll help you."
"All this."
Gao Jian looked at her, his eyes reddening, "At this time, only you are willing to help me. I have been abandoned by everyone."
"What do you mean abandoned by everyone?" Shen Qingqing could understand his feelings but didn't think it was a big deal. "Gao Jian, don't forget, there are still people who believe in you."
Gao Jian lowered his head, his voice hoarse, "I understand, I understand everything."
"Lu Shu and Ke Lin are very worried about you."
Gao Jian looked up, his eyes a little red, and he couldn't help but smile. "I know, Ke Lin has always been very good to me. As for Lu Shu..."
"Although that brat is sharp-tongued, she has always been good to me. Please don't tell them what's happening on my end. I don't want them to worry."
"Wouldn't it worry them more if you didn't say anything?" Shen Qingqing thought of Lu Shu, who clearly worried but pretended not to be, and said with a touch of affection, "Don't worry, I know what to say. I'll go investigate your brother's kidnapping soon and find the mastermind to get you out."
Gao Jian felt relieved upon hearing this. "I know you are capable. If you say you'll investigate, you'll definitely help me. But I have one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
"You say."
"I'm a little worried about my brother..." Gao Jian said this with some embarrassment, "I want to ask you to see my brother. I don't know if he was abused or frightened this time... I'm really too worried."
"Don't worry, I'll go."
"Thank you."
Gao Jian's face was full of sincerity.
Shen Qingqing then put down the phone and watched him return to the holding room inside. In fact, even if Gao Jian hadn't said it, she would have gone to find the child. To understand the details of the kidnapping, it was indeed necessary to talk to the child.
However, Madam Gao was a problem.
This worry was soon realized. She arrived at the Gao family's doorstep and, without even entering, was stopped by Madam Gao.
"Why are you here again?"
"I've come to see Gao Xu."
"My son is fine now and doesn't need you to visit. I appreciate your kindness." Madam Gao blocked the doorway completely. "Since you're here today, I'll be blunt. I really don't like you and I don't want to see you, especially in my house."
Shen Qingqing remained silent.
Madam Gao took a deep breath and said, "I don't know what method you used to bewitch Old Gao that day, but I am not Old Gao. I won't let you fool me, and I won't let you see my son. I know you are in cahoots with Gao Jian. He is the mastermind who hired the kidnappers, and you are his accomplice."
She placed her hand on the doorknob and stared coldly at Shen Qingqing.
"I'm telling you, give up on this idea. You won't be able to clear Gao Jian's name. It's absolutely impossible!"
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Shen Qingqing was met with a closed door and couldn't help but clap her hands and rub her nose.
She wasn't angry, as she had expected this.
Since the direct approach wouldn't work, she had to consider other methods. As she turned to leave, she saw a maidservant with a basket coming out.
She looked like she was going to buy groceries.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes slightly, followed the maidservant for a distance, and then quickened her pace to intercept her.
As soon as the maidservant saw her, her face became guarded. "Don't ask me anything. I don't know anything. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you!"
Shen Qingqing hadn't even asked anything yet, but the other party had already revealed a lot of information. She leisurely sized up the maidservant. This maidservant didn't look very old, perhaps in her late twenties.
She wasn't particularly beautiful, but not unattractive either. She had a naturally appealing look. She was wearing ordinary clothes.
Her background seemed to be average.
Shen Qingqing thought to herself, "Since you've said that, it means you know what I'm going to ask."
The maidservant was very vigilant. "Please don't make things difficult for me. You know my status is low, and I depend on my masters. They pay me a salary to support my family. If the masters forbid it, I absolutely cannot say anything, or I'll be fired and my family won't be able to live."
As she spoke, she seemed a little wronged.
"I'm just going out to buy groceries. If you have anything to say, please ask Madam Gao and Mr. Gao," she said, tightly gripping her grocery basket and turning to leave. "I'm leaving now. Please don't follow me."