At once, Qiu Dao Ming recounted the details of the case that day, along with the performances of everyone in the courtroom.
Everyone slapped the table in admiration.
Only Gong Xiuhua, hidden away in a corner, had eyes shining brightly, a faint, ambiguous smile hanging on his handsome face.
Qiu Dao Ming said, "Brother Gong, that smile of yours—it looks like you've thought of something again. They say it's better to share joy than enjoy it alone. If you've thought of something delightful, tell us so we can all enjoy it together."
As a stranger, Gong Xiuhua was eccentric and aloof. As a friend, though, he was cool and reserved, not meddlesome or talkative. His dignified, refined manner made him easy enough to get along with, and everyone was happy to spend time with him.
Gong Xiuhua smiled faintly. "I was wondering whether Captain Xu really did take the pearl."
Everyone's eyes lit up. Yang Jun laughed. "Now that you mention it, our captain really is capable of that. If it's true, he's terrifying!"
Qiu Dao Ming said, "Stop, my flesh is crawling. If our Captain Xu really set up this case, then he's more than terrifying—he's a dark, demonic mastermind in every sense of the word."
Fei Si was intrigued too. "Everyone, keep calm. Let me lay it out. Eldest Brother sets up the game, gets the Hidden Spirit Pearl, secretly kills Director Feng, takes down Big Beard Zhu for harming him, and pins the blame on Deputy Director Zhao, who's been at odds with him. That's one arrow, four hawks! I'm convinced, I'm convinced. Thank heavens I'm not Eldest Brother's enemy. Even if he killed me in the shadows, I'd probably still thank him in my heart!"
Qu Ying caught sight of Gong Xiuhua's smile and chided him,