"This alone won’t convince me!" Xiaotao objected.

"I didn’t expect to convince you either,” I said. “I was just looking for clues to overturn my preconceptions."

"Let me ask you a question that might seem offensive,” expressed Xiaotao. “Do you come to a conclusion before entering the room and then try every means to prove it, or do you come to a conclusion after seeing the body?"

I admitted without the slightest hesitation, "It’s true I came here with preconceived notions! I presumed Mr. Ding was innocent and then endeavored to prove it, but my observations are absolutely objective."

"But now that you’ve formed that preconception, how can you ensure your objectivity and impartiality?"

I stood there, bereft of speech....