Chapter 124 Thief
"Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?"
Qi Zimo narrowed his eyes and looked at Qi Delong. It seemed that those kids didn't go easy on him when they asked those little beggars to beat him up.
Facing Qi Zimo's questioning, the anger on Qi Delong's face was instantly replaced by panic. He subconsciously took a step back, his voice trembling a little: "I... of course I am your brother, how... how dare you be rude?"
Qi Zimo smiled coldly, and the disdain in his eyes became more obvious: "Brother? Are you worthy? You are just an ambitious person who covets wealth and fame. How can you be worthy of the status of a disciple of the Imperial Academy?"
Qi Delong's face turned pale and blue. He suppressed his anger and tried to make his tone sound calm: "Sister, I know I did something wrong before, but I have changed for the better. Please forgive me."
Qi Zimo glanced at him with disdain: "Reform yourself? Do you think I will believe you if you say that? What you have done has already made me extremely disappointed in you."
At this time, the female disciples of the Imperial College nearby gathered around and whispered.
"Look, this is that Qi Delong, so shameless."
"Yes, he betrayed his sister in order to curry favor with the powerful, and now he is pretending to be a good guy."
"It's really disgusting. He has brought shame upon the Imperial College."
As Qi Delong listened to the ridicule from the people around him, his face became increasingly hot, and he couldn't help but lower his head.
Qi Zimo looked at Qi Delong like this, and she couldn't help but feel sad. She had once had high hopes for this brother, but he had gone astray step by step.
"Delong, you know what? The reason I help you is because I pity you. Do you think you can get what you want by betraying me? You are wrong. You will only lose more."
Qi Delong raised his head, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "Sister, I know I was wrong, but I can't turn back. I can only bite the bullet and go on."
Qi Zimo sighed. She knew that Qi Delong could not be saved, but she still hoped that he could turn back to the right path.
"Delong, are you really willing to give up our family relationship for those illusory wealth?"
Qi Delong was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I do."
Qi Zimo's heart instantly turned cold. She looked at the brother in front of her who she once knew well and felt a sense of strangeness.
"Well, if that's the case, then I won't try to persuade you any more. From now on, we'll part ways. You go your way, and I go mine."
A trace of panic flashed in Qi Delong's eyes, and he hurriedly grabbed Qi Zimo's sleeve: "Sister, don't do this, I..."
Qi Zimo coldly shook off his hand: "Get lost!"
Qi Delong's face turned pale in an instant. He stared blankly at Qi Zimo, his eyes filled with endless pain and despair.
The surrounding female disciples of the Imperial College dispersed one after another, leaving only Qi Zimo and Qi Delong.
Qi Zimo looked at Qi Delong's back, and a wave of sadness surged in her heart. She knew that this brother had completely broken with her and was on a path of no return.
……
Qi Zimo raised his hand and pointed at Ye Wanxue.
"This person worked in my shop, but he was dishonest and stole my property."
Then he pointed at Xiao Wen and said, "She is a witness."
Qi Zimo's voice was cold and firm, and all the customers in the hall were attracted by this sudden accusation.
Ye Wanxue's face turned pale instantly. She stood there in a daze, and the work in her hands slipped to the ground unconsciously. Xiao Wen was stunned and angry. She hurriedly took a step forward and glared at Qi Zimo sharply.
"Qi Zimo, what are you talking about! Wanxue has always been a hardworking child, how can you wrongly accuse her like this!" Xiao Wen's voice was filled with unquestionable seriousness.
Qi Zimo snorted coldly, his eyes revealing an unquestionable determination: "Xiao Wen, if you don't believe it, I can show you the evidence."
As he finished speaking, he pulled out a rag from his sleeve, which was covered with fragments of dark cloth and a small silver ornament.
"This piece of fabric was torn from the goods stolen from my warehouse, and this piece of silver jewelry is new to my store and arrived yesterday. I found them both at Ye Wanxue's residence this morning."
Xiao Wen's expression suddenly became complicated. She turned to look at Ye Wanxue, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Ye Wanxue's eyes were filled with fear and confusion. She trembled and said, "Boss, I...I really didn't do anything. I accidentally dropped the silver jewelry on the ground when I was helping you pack the goods a few days ago. I picked it up and put it in my room. I...I really didn't steal it."
After hearing this, Xiao Wen's expression eased a little. She turned to Qi Zimo and said, "Zimo, with what you know about Wanxue, can you conclude that she stole it just based on these fragments and silver ornaments?"
Qi Zimo frowned and said in a deep voice: "Xiao Wen, don't you understand? You also know the rules of my store. No one is allowed to use the goods privately. Now that the evidence is conclusive, what else can she say?"
Xiao Wen shook her head helplessly. She turned to Ye Wanxue: "Wanxue, do you have anything to prove your innocence?"
Ye Wanxue bit her lower lip tightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "I can prove my innocence. Boss, please give me a chance to find the real murderer."
Qi Zimo looked at her coldly, with a hint of suspicion in his eyes: "Who do you think you are? Don't you know the rules of the store? Thieves, whether it is their first offense or not, will be severely punished."
Ye Wanxue's body trembled slightly, but she still insisted: "I am willing to accept any punishment as long as it can prove my innocence."
At this time, other shop assistants also gathered around and whispered.
"Ye Wanxue is indeed very hardworking on weekdays. How could she do such a thing?" a waiter whispered.
"Yes, she was raised by Mrs. Wei, how could she be a thief?" another waiter echoed.
After hearing these words, Xiao Wen couldn't help but feel a little shaken. She turned to Qi Zimo and said, "Zimo, why don't we investigate further to see if there is any misunderstanding."
Qi Zimo pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, let's do as you say. However, during this period, Ye Wanxue must leave the shop until the truth is revealed."
After hearing this, Ye Wanxue's eyes flashed with gratitude, and she bowed her head and replied: "Thank you, boss. I am willing to leave."
Ye Wanxue left the store with her luggage, while Qi Zimo and Xiao Wen began to secretly investigate the case. A few days later, they found the real thief at Ye Wanxue's residence - an inconspicuous guy on weekdays.
Qi Zimo and Xiao Wen took the clerk back to the shop and interrogated him severely. In the end, the clerk admitted his crime and handed over all the stolen property.
Qi Zimo looked at Xiao Wen, a trace of gratitude flashed in his eyes: "Xiao Wen, thanks to you, otherwise I almost misunderstood Wanxue."
Xiao Wen smiled and shook her head: "This is what I should do. But, Wanxue, that child..."
Qi Zimo nodded: "I will personally go and ask her to come back and apologize to her."