"Uh, I'm not a police officer yet. I'm just an auxiliary police officer."

Li Xiang rubbed his nose. Although he also wished he were a police officer, at least for now, he wasn't.

"Isn't an auxiliary police officer the same as a police officer?"

"Auxiliary police only assist the police; they're not the police."

"I don't care, anyway, I feel you're better than them, both diligent and responsible."

"Let's not talk about this. I heard from them that you're still under suspicion. Why haven't you been cleared yet?"

Li Xiang heard the recent call. The police were now focusing on Lin Feifei. Clearly, her suspicion was quite significant; otherwise, they wouldn't have called on New Year's Eve just to confirm.

Considering her celebrity status and social influence, without solid evidence, it wouldn't be appropriate to detain her.

If it were an ordinary person, with significant suspicion, you'd have been detained for questioning long ago.

"You've probably seen the news online too. After the concert, everyone attended a celebration party. We all drank a bit. I was tired, so I returned to the hotel first. Just as I finished showering and was about to rest, Yue Zheng came knocking, saying I had left something at the party and he brought it to me. I didn't think much and opened the door, but as soon as he came in, he lost control. In panic, I kicked him, hitting him right... there."

Li Xiang cringed slightly. Getting kicked there hurts more than childbirth.

Lin Feifei blushed but continued, "Later, when everyone came, they told me not to call the police and suggested settling it privately. I realized that if word got out, it wouldn't sound good, so I agreed. But the next day, he mysteriously died in the hotel. When the police came, I told them what happened the previous night, only for them to come back the next day saying Yue Zheng's autopsy report was out. He died from respiratory failure, and barbiturate was found in his system."

"What's barbiturate?"

"Barbiturate is a long-acting sedative and hypnotic. I had the doctor prescribe some for my insomnia."

"So, you're saying this medication is yours?"

Li Xiang frowned. This finding was highly unfavorable for Lin Feifei. Motive, opportunity, and means—all indirect evidence pointed to her. If Lin Feifei confessed now, these facts could lead to her conviction.

Following the principle that murders must be solved, if Lin Feifei weren't a celebrity or if there were someone eager to prove themselves, then... it's best not to say much here. Just thinking about the consequences is overwhelming.

"Yes, I'm puzzled too. That day was so sudden. I didn't think about the medication until later, when I realized it was gone, leaving only an empty box."

"So, someone took your medication, left the box, and framed you?"

"You're so certain I didn't kill him?"

Lin Feifei tilted her head with a playful smile, looking at Li Xiang.

"Surely you aren't foolish enough to poison your own guest singer on the night of your concert? Unless, of course, you're an idiot, then forget what I said."

Lin Feifei playfully punched Li Xiang's arm, taunting, "You're the idiot."

The two had drunk quite a bit. After finishing the hot pot, it was completely dark outside.

Outside, Times Square was brightly lit.

Though some shops had closed, many others were still open even on New Year's Eve.

The square was bustling with people strolling around, buying fireworks from street vendors and lighting them up in the square.

The festive atmosphere was strong.

"I haven't seen such beautiful fireworks in a long time."

Lin Feifei gazed up at the fireworks soaring into the sky, recalling how she'd only ever watched fireworks from afar through a window.

"Watching fireworks doesn't compare to setting them off yourself. There's a vendor over there; let's check it out."

Li Xiang was mischievous as a child and often played with fireworks and firecrackers.

But Lin Feifei, being an orphan, probably didn't play much when she was young. Li Xiang felt a bit sorry for her and took her to the fireworks vendor.

When they reached the stall, the owner greeted them enthusiastically:

"Take a look, we've got the latest Gatling, Peacock Tail, popular Jellyfish—all here for you to choose!"

"Wow, so many fireworks here! I want this one, this looks fun, and this one too..."

Seeing so many kinds of fireworks, Lin Feifei's inner child emerged as she eagerly picked out those with pretty or interesting appearances.

"Boss, how much for these?"

"Alright."

The owner counted the fireworks: "Altogether 820, only 800 for you."

Hearing the price, Li Xiang felt a silent heartache.

He'd thought fireworks might cost a couple hundred at most. He never expected they'd cost 800, almost as much as two months of his rent.

He remembered buying firecrackers as a child; one yuan could get a box of 80, enough for the whole afternoon.

"I'll pay now!"

Seeing Lin Feifei so happy, Li Xiang readily paid.

"Hold on, let me give you a lighter. I bet you don't have one."

"Thanks, indeed we don't."

Li Xiang took the lighter from the owner and, carrying the fireworks, headed to a less crowded spot in the square to set them off.

The area was relatively open and had no flammable or explosive materials. It was a designated spot for setting off fireworks and firecrackers, so it attracted quite a crowd in the evenings.

The two of them carried a large bag of fireworks, attracting a small group of kids eager to watch the show.

"Wow, they bought a lot of fireworks!"

"How much did that cost? I want to play with the Gatling too. It's all the rage this year, but my mom won't buy it for me."

"My mom won't buy it for me either, just got me two sparklers!"

"My mom just gave me a dollar to buy two boxes of small goldfish crackers."

The child speaking pulled out a cracker and tossed it on the ground: Bang!

It was gone.

"You do it; I'm too scared!"

Lin Feifei handed a Gatling firework to Li Xiang. She was the type to love watching fireworks but fear setting them off.

"Alright, I'll do it, and you watch!"

Then Li Xiang found the fuse, took the lighter from the owner, and lit it up.

A cluster of fireworks shot out from the Gatling's mouth, and the scene exploded with excitement. The children clapped joyfully.

Lin Feifei also took out her phone, capturing the fireworks with photos. She seemed incredibly happy.

They set off one firework after another, while the camera recorded the beautiful memories of the night.

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