I had Xie Chuchu handle it while I stood up and had everyone who had come into contact with Jiang Pingqing on stage approach.
Now, Gao Mingqiang and Xiao Yuande were questioning them. After some time, Gao Mingqiang walked over and whispered a few words in my ear. I then looked at the people gathered and asked, "Who is Yan Qilian?"
The girls looked at each other. Judging by their expressions, they didn't even know the names of the people around them. One of the shy girls stepped forward and said, "It's me!"
I went up to her and asked, "Do you know why I'm looking for you?"
Yan Qilian nodded shyly. I was surprised that a girl like her would participate in the show, I thought she wouldn't dare to show herself.
"You knew Jiang Pingqing before, why didn't you tell us?" I asked patiently.
"I was afraid you would suspect me. Actually, she invited me to this program. We were friends before."
"Were you close?" I asked.
"We were alright. We're from the same hometown and used to work together elsewhere. It was by chance that we were invited here."
"What did you do before?"
"We were extras at the television station. There's a beauty pageant happening recently, and we passed the preliminary rounds."
While Yan Qilian was answering, I watched her eyes and face the entire time. She was a little embarrassed at first, but later she seemed overly calm. However, this isn't a TV drama or a novel; not everyone speaks with exaggerated expressions. Most people speak quite plainly.
I didn't ask Yan Qilian any further questions, shifting my attention to Zhou Jilun. When I approached him, I said, "Mr. Zhou, hello. Did you know the deceased before?"
"Why are you police officers so troublesome? Didn't you just ask me that?"
"This is a procedure. We police officers usually conduct cross-examinations. Please cooperate!"
"Alright, this is really terrible. She ruined my concert. Damn it, how could this happen!"
"Don't get agitated. A life has been lost, and the deceased is paramount. Other matters can be set aside for now."
"Then ask away. I'll tell you everything."
"How long have you known each other?"
"Uh, how did you know we knew each other? That's right, I won't hide it from you. I've known Jiang Pingqing for a long time, but we only have a celebrity-fan relationship. I haven't done anything to her. Don't suspect me! I know she worships me very much. She participated in this beauty pageant just to see me in person and came to this stage by herself just to meet me."
"So she must have liked you a lot."
"Of course, I, Zhou Jilun, am very popular. Officer He, what else do you want to ask? Hurry up."
Zhou Jilun seemed very anxious, as if he had other engagements after leaving. At that moment, his agent arrived. "Officer, if there's nothing else, I need to take Jilun away."
"No, no one on stage can leave until the murderer is found!" I said sternly.
The agent, however, became impatient. "How can that be? What if you need to investigate for hours? Jilun has an entertainment program to attend soon and doesn't have time to waste here with you!"
"These are police investigation protocols. If you don't comply, we will suspect you of involvement. I'm sure you don't want to become a suspect, do you?"
As soon as I said that, the agent became furious, his face turning red. "You, you!" he could only stammer out these two words. Zhou Jilun waved his hand. "Xiao Zhou, cancel that program for me. Officer He is right."
I nodded at Zhou Jilun. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Zhou."
"It's nothing. Police and public cooperation is what should happen."
Zhou Jilun seemed very polite and wasn't resistant to us. In contrast, his agent treated us as if we were enemies.
I was about to say a few more words to Zhou Jilun when my phone rang. I received a message from the laboratory: "The deceased had traces of grapefruit and red wine. Neither of these causes any problems individually, but when combined, they produce a toxin. This is what caused the deceased's death."
As soon as I saw this description, I knew it was Xiao Dong's message. So it was grapefruit. How did this ingredient get into the red wine?
I picked up the wine glass Jiang Pingqing had used earlier and had it sent for testing. Then I approached Zang Yuhua and asked, "Did you know the deceased?"
"These same questions again. Can't you police officers think of something new?" Hearing Zang Yuhua say this, Liu Yuning next to me became a little angry. "Do you think we're playing games when we're investigating a case? 'Something new'? Be honest!"
"Hmph, I was just joking. What's the matter? I don't know the deceased. I don't even know her name."
"Are you sure?" I asked this to ensure Zang Yuhua wouldn't change his story later. He looked as if it were obvious, but a hint of nervousness appeared in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes, I don't know her. What about it?"
"What if we find out you do?" I questioned.
"Ahem, alright, I admit it. I knew her, but we weren't celebrity and fan. I'm her cousin!"
"Oh? What a coincidence. Did you introduce Jiang Pingqing to come here?"
Zang Yuhua nodded. "So what? How could I harm my cousin!"
"I didn't say you harmed her. Don't be nervous. As someone closely related to the deceased, it's necessary for you to be questioned according to procedure. I believe you understand this, Mr. Zang."
"Alright, ask away."
"Have you seen Jiang Pingqing exhibit any unusual behavior recently? Do you spend time together often? Do you know her personality and hobbies?"
"So many questions. Although Jiang Pingqing and I are relatives, our work is very busy now, and we don't interact much. It was during New Year's this year that her mother told her I worked at the television station, so I helped her get here. We rarely interact normally, so I don't know much about her life or hobbies. As for her personality, Jiang Pingqing has always been a quiet girl since she was young. Otherwise, with her looks and talent, she wouldn't have needed my introduction."
While talking about Jiang Pingqing, Zang Yuhua appeared very normal, as if he were talking about an ordinary relative. At this moment, I surveyed the girls from before, thinking that if it wasn't any of them, it had to be one of these few.