Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 110

“What kind of good deed did he do?” Lu Tang asked.

 

 

 

“According to the records, three years ago, he saw a man molesting a young girl on Wulin Street in Yuhang. Zhou Jing stepped in to stop it and got into a fight with the molester. Because Zhou Jing had some martial arts training, he severely injured the molester. The molester reported the incident, claiming to be the victim. The girl also turned against Zhou Jing, saying he was the one who molested her. Together, they got Zhou Jing thrown into jail. Zhou Jing’s family had to pay a lot in medical bills because the molester was severely injured. After Zhou Jing was imprisoned, his elderly mother couldn’t take the shock and passed away the next day. At that time, he had a son studying at Baiyun Academy in Yuhang, who was an excellent student and was about to be recommended for the imperial exams. However, because of this incident, he became the son of a criminal and was bullied and humiliated by his classmates. His mother had no choice but to leave Yuhang with him, and their whereabouts have been unknown ever since.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang felt a heavy weight in her heart.

 

 

 

What a messed-up situation!

 

 

 

“Is this how the magistrate decided the case?”

 

 

 

“The magistrate had no choice. All the evidence and testimonies pointed to Zhou Jing. It was a setup, but there was no way to prove it.”

 

 

 

“What’s the name of the person who framed him?”

 

 

 

“That can’t be found out… Ah!!!”

 

 

 

The system suddenly let out a scream, almost piercing Lu Tang’s eardrums.

 

 

 

“What happened?”

 

 

 

There was no response from the system for a long time. Lu Tang looked towards the opposite cell.

 

 

 

She had a gut feeling that this was no coincidence.

 

 

 

Maybe her case was somehow connected to Zhou Jing’s case.

 

 

 

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Tang lay on the invisible mattress and sighed mournfully, “Old man, let’s have a chat.”

 

 

 

There was no reaction from the other side.

 

 

 

Lu Tang didn’t expect him to respond, thinking her mention of “doing a good deed” had likely triggered him.

 

 

 

“Old man, do you know why I’m here? I’m not from Yuhang. I’m from Qinshui County. My family runs an inn, and we’ve saved up a little money. I came here with some friends for a visit. Do you know my friend? You might have heard of him, his name is Xie Yu.”

 

 

 

The mention of Xie Yu finally elicited a response. The previously lifeless cell across from her made a rustling sound of clothes.

 

 

 

As long as there was some movement.

 

 

 

With a sigh of relief, Lu Tang continued.

 

 

 

“Xie Yu is a guest at my family’s inn. When I said I wanted to visit Yuhang, he offered to be my guide. Yesterday, there was a Flower Boat Gathering. My friends and I rented a boat to watch the festivities. Someone fell into the water, and since I can swim, I jumped in to save them. Can you believe it? I was just trying to save someone, but I ended up being locked up here. The person I saved is the young owner of the Laigu Inn. The suspect the magistrate identified for pushing him into the water is Xie Yu’s younger brother, Xie Jin.”

 

 

 

Before Lu Tang could finish, Zhou Jing let out a low, hoarse growl, “Ah!”

 

 

 

He then heavily slammed the ground.

 

 

 

Lu Tang quickly asked, “Old man, are you alright? Do you need me to call the jailer?”

 

 

 

She moved to the door, ready to shout.

 

 

 

Zhou Jing turned and said, “No need.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang looked at him in surprise, “What’s wrong?”

 

 

 

In the dim light, Lu Tang could see Zhou Jing’s gaunt face.

 

 

 

He stared at Lu Tang with bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse, “Who did you say the suspect is?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang feigned confusion, “Xie Jin, Xie Yu’s younger brother.”

 

 

 

Zhou Jing’s face contorted with rage, his fists clenched tightly, “Do you have friends here?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang nodded, “Yes, but it’s strange. I’ve been locked up, yet they haven’t come to visit. We’re supposed to be good friends.”

 

 

 

Zhou Jing’s already twisted expression became even more grim.

 

 

 

“You said your friends came to Yuhang with you?”

 

 

 

“Yes.”

 

 

 

“You have no family here?”

 

 

 

“No!”

 

 

 

Zhou Jing opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t. He just stared at Lu Tang, who stood there quietly, waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

 

 

 

After a moment, Zhou Jing laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and lonely, “Friends? The most unreliable thing in this world is friends!”

 

 

 

Lu Tang felt a shiver run through her heart.

 

 

 

So, Zhou Jing’s downfall was not only because of the people who framed him but also his friends?

 

 

 

“No, my friends are childhood buddies. They will definitely come to see me. Besides, I didn’t really commit any crime. The magistrate must have mistaken me for a suspect. Maybe I’ll be released tomorrow.”

 

 

 

Zhou Jing looked at Lu Tang’s innocent face, “Once you’re in, you can’t get out.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang’s expression changed dramatically, “Old man, don’t scare me. I heard the magistrate is a good official. I haven’t offended anyone. I just saved someone. Why wouldn’t I be able to get out?”

 

 

 

Zhou Jing replied hoarsely, “Even good officials have cases they can’t resolve. If the person you saved says you were trying to drown him instead, what then?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang thought about his own case and quickly responded, “That’s impossible. I saved him. Why would he falsely accuse me? We have no enmity.”

 

 

 

“You may have no enmity, but someone might offer him great benefits. After all, you not only have no enmity, but you also have no favor between you. Even if you didn’t save him, someone else would have.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang seemed scared by these words, “Old man…”

 

 

 

As she spoke, there was a noise from the prison door. Zhou Jing turned to look, then silently retreated to his previous position against the wall.

 

 

 

Lu Tang heard approaching footsteps and turned to see Qin Mo being led over by a jailer.

 

 

 

Seeing Qin Mo, Lu Tang almost cried.

 

 

 

“What took you so long!”

 

 

 

The jailer impatiently said, “You have a quarter of an hour. Hurry up!”

 

 

 

He unlocked the cell door, pushed Qin Mo in, and locked the door again with a clang.

 

 

 

Qin Mo glanced around the cell, seeing Lu Tang’s red, teary eyes glaring at him, feeling pained, “I’ll get you out of here soon.”

 

 

 

He spoke in a low voice, and Lu Tang, feeling aggrieved, whispered back, “Did you have me locked up?”

 

 

 

“Of course not. Am I crazy?” Qin Mo snapped, poking Lu Tang’s forehead, “Who knew what got into you? I just asked you to guess Xie Chengnian’s plan, and you jumped into the lake.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang blinked, then realized the implication, “So, you arranged for the young owner of Laifu Inn to fall into the water today?”