Chapter 50: A Sudden Arrival and Unwavering Resolve

Upon seeing Ye Lin appear, Lin Qing felt a surge of confidence rather than fear.

Since escaping the nightmare of his captivity, Ye Lin, the police officer, was the person Lin Qing had interacted with the most.

It was Ye Lin who had also cautioned Lin Qing not to divulge any other details, specifically warning him against revealing the decade he had spent imprisoned.

This was to avoid potential dangers.

Though Lin Qing didn’t understand why Ye Lin insisted on this, he didn’t rebel. Instead, he dutifully accepted the pre-written script, burying the truth deep within himself.

Sometimes, the truth simply wasn’t important.

When the root cause couldn’t be found, matters stagnated. Knowing more wouldn’t change anything.

It offered no help at all.

It would only become a stumbling block, hindering his ability to move forward with his life, a constant playback of painful memories.

Of course, this approach was somewhat self-deceiving. The truth remained, unmoving, and no action could erase its traces.

Nevertheless, people had to move forward, and life continued.

It was merely a matter of closing the lid on a box full of secrets.

Lin Qing and Ye Lin shared no blood relation, yet Ye Lin’s kindness was undeniably genuine. While Lin Qing hadn’t immediately embraced it, he certainly harbored a degree of goodwill towards him.

Furthermore, Ye Lin’s claim of knowing Lin Qing’s mother had significantly strengthened their bond.

Now, facing trouble from the Mother of Wang Fanran, Lin Qing felt like an isolated island, left to confront external adversaries solely with his own strength. He couldn’t afford a moment’s slack.

However, Ye Lin’s arrival was akin to a helicopter delivering much-needed warmth and aid.

He had dropped in.

A sense of security immediately followed.

“I’ve already apologized for what I said earlier. What more do you want? Are you still angry about my comments concerning your parents? If so, I sincerely apologize!”

Upon hearing Lin Qing’s firm refusal, the Mother of Wang Fanran’s conviction suddenly crumbled, plunging her into immediate panic.

Her child was still so young; if he ended up with a criminal record, how would he ever establish himself in society?

‘Why is this Lin Qing so difficult to deal with!’

‘He’s truly a hateful fellow.’

She wouldn’t be apologizing so humbly if it weren’t for her child’s future.

Someone from a background even less privileged than an average family, like Lin Qing, wouldn’t amount to much in the future. He absolutely couldn’t become a stumbling block in her child’s path.

“It’s too late. Regarding the case where Wang Fanran assisted Li Dong in harming me, there will be no settlement, no matter what.”

Lin Qing’s stance, however, remained resolute, completely unwavering.

The Mother of Wang Fanran had initially intended to slap him, and her subsequent words were dripping with malice. Lin Qing would never easily forgive someone like that.

Although Wang Fanran, as an accomplice, wouldn’t receive a heavy punishment.

He would, ultimately, pay a price.

“Since the victim has refused a settlement, you should take your child to surrender as soon as possible!”

After hearing Lin Qing’s words, Ye Lin immediately delivered a second, decisive blow.

Seeing the Mother of Wang Fanran’s crestfallen expression, her previous arrogance completely gone, Ye Lin felt a sense of relief wash over him. His chest, which had felt constricted, now felt clear.

Although, as a public servant, he shouldn’t be so emotional, he was still a normal person.

Witnessing Lin Qing, whom he had been closely involved with, being bullied felt akin to his own child being targeted. If not for his professional duties, Ye Lin would have directly confronted the Mother of Wang Fanran himself.

‘Who wouldn’t know how to argue back!’

‘If he weren’t in uniform, Ye Lin could argue someone into unconsciousness.’

“Officer, there must be some hidden truth here! My child is so honest; he wouldn’t have done something like this unless he was bullied beyond any other recourse.”

However, upon realizing Lin Qing wouldn’t accept a settlement, the Mother of Wang Fanran immediately shifted her strategy.

She continued to cause a scene.

Even the despicable notion of victim-blaming surfaced at that moment.

This left everyone present speechless, realizing there was no point in continuing to argue with such a person.

To twist black into white like this, it seemed, only her child was truly innocent.

Yet, according to Li Dong’s confession, everything had been orchestrated by Wang Fanran.

He had only acted under deception.

‘Could such a person truly be an honest child?’

“Your one-sided story won’t overturn this case. Please proceed to the police station for investigation as soon as possible. Otherwise, if we have to resort to forced enforcement, the commotion might be even greater.”

Ye Lin had grown tired of the Mother of Wang Fanran’s unreasonable antics. He then adopted a stern, official demeanor, making it clear there was no room for personal considerations.

Continuing the discussion would yield no further progress.

It would only lead to more frustration.

‘What was the point?’

“Principal, we can continue with our previous schedule now.”

With that, Ye Lin turned his gaze from the Mother of Wang Fanran and addressed the Principal standing nearby.

The Principal immediately snapped back to attention, almost having forgotten the purpose of their visit.

“Director, please come out with us quickly. The speech at the gymnasium is about to begin.”

They had come to summon the Director of Discipline to the gymnasium, but hadn’t anticipated encountering such an unreasonable and disruptive parent.

If they delayed the important event scheduled for today, it would truly be a significant loss.

This was a crucial assembly speech for the school.

Remembering the gymnasium arrangements, the Principal grew anxious, wishing he could sprout wings and fly there instantly.

They had already been delayed for a while; they couldn’t afford any further delay!

“Wait, the matter isn’t resolved yet! Where are you going?”

However, just as the Principal was about to pull the Director of Discipline away, the voice of the Mother of Wang Fanran echoed, persistent and unsettling.

She was relentless.

Her fleshy face was contorted with ill will, and her eyes darted around suspiciously.

It was clear she wasn’t thinking anything good.

This made the Principal frown in exasperation. He hadn’t expected the woman to continue causing trouble.

Ye Lin had already told them to have Wang Fanran surrender to the police. What more was there to discuss now?

There was nothing left to say.

“If there’s anything else, let’s discuss it later. The school is about to hold an awards ceremony, and we don’t have time to deal with other matters right now.”

Although the Principal was deeply annoyed by the Mother of Wang Fanran, he couldn’t say so directly, only speaking vaguely.

Just as he prepared to leave, the Mother of Wang Fanran grabbed his sleeve, refusing to let go.

“An awards ceremony? That’s irrelevant, isn’t it? My child’s issue hasn’t been resolved yet; you can’t leave.”

Listening to the Mother of Wang Fanran’s words, the Principal was almost amused by his own exasperation.

‘Irrelevant?’

‘How could she even say that!’

‘As if the entire world revolved around her child!’

“This is an awards ceremony jointly organized by the police and the Principal, intended to commend a student who bravely fought against a serial killer despite personal danger. It is far from irrelevant.”

As Ye Lin spoke, Lin Qing, standing nearby, found his words increasingly familiar.

‘Wasn’t that referring to him?’