"What...what do you mean by that?"
Meng Qingyan looked at Chu Ci. Although she understood that her daughter, whom she hadn't seen in eighteen years, wouldn't immediately warm up to her, she did not want her daughter to treat her coldly.
She was unconcerned about Chu Ci's attitude at the moment. Right now, what mattered most was resolving Meng Yuxin's situation as quickly as possible.
"Whether she did it or not is her choice. Whether she committed a crime will be determined by the judge."
Chu Ci's cold and indifferent expression showed no sign that she considered the Chu family her own.
"The package was sent to you. If you could just say it was a misunderstanding, Yuxin will be fine! Please stop being so critical of your sister; she's your biological cousin!" Meng Qingyan pleaded with Chu Ci to forgive Meng Yuxin and let her go.
Meng Yuxin also admitted her mistake to Chu Ci, saying, "Cousin, I was wrong. Please forgive me."
"It's too late. You only have one chance."
Chu Ci always kept her word. If the other party didn't appreciate it, they would face the consequences.
She turned to the two officers who had arrived to address the situation. "Can we leave now?"
Meng Qingyan and Meng Yuxin interpreted Chu Ci's impatience as eagerness for Meng Yuxin to be punished.
Despite not having a familial relationship, they were still blood relatives. How could she do this?
She had just picked up the wrong package, so why couldn't she simply brush it off? Meng Qingyan's heart twisted. On one side was her niece, whom she had raised, and on the other side was her daughter, to whom she owed so much. Their feud felt like a thorn in her side.
"Yes, please come with us," the police officer said.
Meng Yuxin's face went pale. This was the first time in her life that she had been taken to the police station as a suspect.
She felt an unprecedented fear.
***
Chu Ci left the station after giving her statement, while Meng Yuxin was still being questioned. Upon returning home and entering the house, she found Chu Yuheng, Meng Qingyan, and Chu Han sitting in the living room.
This was Chu Ci's first time meeting Chu Yuheng in person. His gentle, handsome, and mature face seemed to be shrouded in a layer of frost.
The atmosphere in the living room felt a bit solemn. Without greeting anyone, Chu Ci headed straight upstairs.
"Where are you going?"
Chu Yuheng's voice was somewhat cold.
Chu Ci stopped and replied, "I'm going to my room."
"After causing so much trouble, can you really go back to your room with a clear conscience?" Chu Yuheng questioned.
"Did I cause it?" Chu Ci asked, looking calmly at Chu Yuheng. "We've heard the whole story. Yes, Yuxin did take your package by mistake, but we're all family."
"Taking a package by mistake is not a big deal. If you had just come forward and explained the situation to the police clearly, wouldn't everything have been resolved? Why did you go to such lengths to have Yuxin detained? What are you thinking? Our family is usually harmonious and peaceful. Why did the police show up at our house as soon as you arrived, causing such unrest?" Chu Yuheng's tone was filled with blame.
"The police came because a crime had been committed. Shouldn't you be questioning the actual perpetrator, not me, the victim?" Chu Ci replied.
"We live in the same house, and if taking the wrong package is considered theft, then what about sharing meals at the same table?" Chu Yuheng angrily accused Chu Ci.
"I gave her a chance. If she had admitted her mistake within the time limit I provided, I would have let it go, but she hesitated," Chu Ci answered coldly.