"Huh?"
Jiang Xiaobai looked surprised at Elder Zou's words and turned toward Mo Li. "What, Brother Mo Li? Didn't I ask him just now?"
"N-not yet!"
Mo Li shook his head, looking rather awkward.
"Oh dear, sorry, sorry!"
Jiang Xiaobai slapped his forehead, then looked at Elder Zou apologetically. "I thought I'd already asked you, and you refused to talk!"
"What a mess! We nearly started torturing you!"
"..."
Elder Zou stood there, his lips trembling twice, tears almost spilling from his eyes.
Nearly?
Judging by how excited Jiang Xiaobai looked just now, why did it feel like he was hoping I wouldn't talk?!
"How about this?"
Jiang Xiaobai gave it some serious thought before looking at Elder Zou. "I'll ask you once first. We'll just go through the motions!"
"Then you... cooperate by refusing to answer, all right?"
"Well... I..."
Elder Zou opened his mouth, looking ready to cry.
Wait, who asks someone to cooperate by refusing to answer?
If I really refuse, won't all those punishments... come raining down on me?
"I'm going to ask now!"
Jiang Xiaobai cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "Were you the one who leaked the liquor-making equipment to Xiao Qingxiu?"
"Yes!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Elder Zou nodded emphatically.
His answer was crisp and immediate, as though he feared Jiang Xiaobai would order preparations for torture if he was even a moment too slow.
"Elder Zou, you can't do that!"
Jiang Xiaobai immediately frowned at his answer. "You have to say no!"
"Answering honestly now puts me in a very difficult position!"
As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai turned toward Mo Li in a negotiating tone. "Brother Mo Li, why don't... we just treat this as him refusing to cooperate?"
"To tell you the truth, I really want to see what those