The Old Road (22)

The footage on the monitor seemed to freeze for several seconds.

Standing perfectly still, Lei stared hard at Mrs. Mary.

Mrs. Mary seemed a little afraid of his reaction.

But something called a sense of responsibility kept her from backing down. She continued to glare at him, hoping the young man would realize his mistake.

Click!

Fu Qian heard Sheriff Jones draw his gun beside him.

Clearly, although he had used his wife to test the waters, he didn't want her caught up in any danger.

At the same time, he obviously didn't care much for Lei and seemed perfectly willing to kill him outright.

Decisive!

Now that was how someone who protected his own should act.

Fu Qian praised him silently. Just then, the footage on the monitor finally began to move again.

Lei let out a long breath, then let his gaze drift, seemingly at random, toward the camera.

"Auntie, I know you care about me. That's exactly why I don't want to worry you."

"First, please believe me. I would never do anything that stupid."

By the end, he sounded as if he had made some kind of resolve.

"I promised a classmate I'd keep something secret."

With a sigh, Lei's gaze grew firm.

"I don't really understand why Fran and the others came to that conclusion. One possibility I can think of is that they mistook Cartman's stuff for mine..."

"Really?"

His tone and manner were remarkably convincing. Mrs. Mary's expression softened a little, and she asked with some doubt, "Is that true?"

"Of course it is."

"There's an easy way to tell. You've met Cartman, haven't you?"

Lei smiled wryly and pointed at himself.

"Who do you think is more likely to have that kind of habit, him or me?"

"Well, I suppose..."

Mrs. Mary