Chapter 53: The Unintended Hero and a Cunning Hunter

Lin Qing didn’t truly hold any particular expectations for the commendation ceremony specially held in his honor.

After all, apprehending the murderous nurse had merely been a stroke of pure coincidence.

Had Su Yao not suddenly appeared, Lin Qing would have prepared for a desperate chase with the nurse, striving merely to survive her assault.

He had never intended to capture her.

However, Su Yao’s unexpected arrival had disrupted everything.

Subsequently, he had inexplicably found himself lauded as a brave citizen, now receiving the applause and cheers of countless people.

He felt somewhat undeserving of it all.

Although Su Yao harbored a deranged desire to kill, she had been of immense help in this particular incident. It was she who should have been on stage, receiving the Principal’s praise.

All he truly wanted was the bonus.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, Lin Qing stood on the podium, gazing down at the bustling crowd while the Principal delivered a passionate speech, microphone in hand. He spotted Su Yao’s figure with remarkable ease.

Due to the distance, he couldn’t discern Su Yao’s features clearly. Yet, he could distinctly feel her dark, luminous eyes, now sparkling intensely as they fixated upon him.

It was a gaze impossible to ignore.

He could only meet her stare in silence.

Time seemed to halt in that moment, with only Lin Qing and Su Yao’s silent exchange persisting.

However, Lin Qing felt no hint of romance; only a throbbing headache.

Ever since Su Yao had fixated her gaze upon him, his life had irrevocably changed.

Though his life wasn’t directly threatened, Su Yao had subtly initiated her assault, gradually infiltrating his existence, intent on claiming every aspect of him.

Even after he discovered her intentions, Su Yao remained brazen, showing no signs of slowing her insidious encroachment.

It was as if she was certain he could do nothing to stop her.

Or perhaps, she hoped he *would* try to do something.

With that thought, Lin Qing let out a helpless sigh, feeling utterly trapped between a rock and a hard place.

‘If only I had an abundance of money,’ he mused, ‘I could buy all the necessities and live on a deserted island.’

Lin Qing doubted Su Yao would be able to follow him there.

“Lin Qing, are you tired?”

Just as Lin Qing sighed, Ye Lin, standing beside him, suddenly spoke.

Before the commendation ceremony began, Ye Lin had explicitly stated that he wouldn’t speak for long, only interjecting when necessary.

Coupled with Lin Qing’s brief remarks, this effectively turned the entire ceremony into the Principal’s personal stage.

The Principal was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Lin Qing and Ye Lin, on the other hand, found themselves with ample free time.

This allowed them to chat idly.

“No, I just find it a bit boring.”

Lin Qing, observing the Principal’s lengthy discourse, spoke with utter sincerity. This made Ye Lin stifle a laugh, finding the child’s bluntness endearing.

He, too, felt bored.

“How is school life treating you? Have you encountered any difficulties? If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable discussing with me, I happen to know some people within the school as well!”

Reflecting on yesterday’s assault and today’s parental confrontation, both directly linked to Lin Qing, Ye Lin’s smile instantly vanished. He spoke with a newfound gravity.

He had initially believed that school relationships were straightforward, a setting where Lin Qing could re-acclimate to society.

Now, however, it seemed he had been far too naive.

The law of the jungle prevailed everywhere, and one could never afford to be careless!

This child, Lin Qing.

He couldn’t simply be left to his own devices.

“Actually, campus life is quite alright. Aside from a few individuals, the other students hold no ill will towards me, and I’m quite content with my current life.”

After hearing Ye Lin’s words and seeing the genuine concern on his face, Lin Qing pondered for a moment. Ultimately, he shook his head, assuring him that he was fine.

Apart from Su Yao and Wang Fanran, his life was remarkably tranquil, completely devoid of any significant disturbances.

There was no need to bring up those matters.

Even if he did, it would be useless.

Seeing Lin Qing’s reluctance to elaborate, Ye Lin knew further questioning would be futile. He could only ensure that his acquaintances in the school would offer Lin Qing more assistance, helping him adapt to campus life as quickly as possible.

However…

“Lin Qing, you’re speaking much more now. That’s a positive change.”

Compared to when they first met, Lin Qing not only spoke more but also conveyed a richer spectrum of emotions in his words.

Ye Lin smiled, a sense of gratification washing over him, as if his little piglet had grown up.

‘Soon enough,’ he thought, ‘he’ll be ready to ‘snatch some cabbage.’

“Next, let’s welcome Director Ye Lin to the stage for his speech!”

Yet, when Lin Qing heard Ye Lin’s words, he froze, rooted to the spot. Even after Ye Lin had walked to the Principal’s side, a practiced, official smile on his face, Lin Qing still hadn’t fully recovered his wits.

‘I’m speaking more?’

‘When did this change begin?’

‘Was it during his hospitalization, or when Su Yao began her relentless pursuit?’

Such a short span of time, yet such rapid change.

How truly strange!

Moreover, Ye Lin only noticed his increased speech, but remained oblivious to other transformations.

The changes between him and Su Yao were far more profound.

From initial fear and timidity, he had gradually grown accustomed. Now, seeing Su Yao no longer caused him to tremble or twitch.

This habituation was truly terrifying.

He acknowledged that he had indeed grown accustomed.

Upon closer reflection, Su Yao’s ‘skin hunger’ for him was likely a premeditated scheme.

All to accelerate the formation of this habit.

It was like a gentle, silent drizzle.

Su Yao had transformed into a cunning hunter. After setting her traps, she would create diversions to mislead her prey, allowing them to advance unsuspecting.

Until they inevitably fell into the snare.

Lin Qing had initially believed himself sufficiently cautious, yet he was no match for Su Yao’s myriad tricks.

She was utterly unpredictable.

“We are deeply grateful for Director Ye’s speech and his affirmation of our school.”

Subsequently, Lin Qing’s thoughts were interrupted by a round of applause. He realized the commendation ceremony was already drawing to a close.

It was finally ending.

“Alright, in these final moments, do any students have questions for Director Ye?”

However, the Principal seemed reluctant to conclude, abruptly adding an impromptu segment.

This caught Ye Lin by surprise, but he said nothing.

Answering student questions within his capacity was hardly a difficult task.

He could seize this opportunity to impart some legal knowledge, encouraging these young saplings of the nation to abide by laws and avoid illegal activities.

This might prevent further incidents similar to Li Dong’s assault.

“This student here, do you have a question?”

With these thoughts in mind, the Principal casually picked a girl from the front rows and invited her to ask her question.

“Hello, Director Ye! I’m Wang Meili from Class 10, Grade 1. May I ask if you have a girlfriend? Please consider me…”

“And me! Director Ye, you’re so handsome!”

“I absolutely adore uniforms, Director Ye. Please consider me!”

However, what followed quickly spiraled out of control.

The Principal’s mouth twitched in exasperation. He felt he had utterly lost face in front of Ye Lin.

“Ahem, alright, this commendation ceremony is concluded. All classes, please arrange to return!”

Without another word, the Principal quickly dispersed the crowd.

At the same time, he instructed Ye Lin and Lin Qing to leave first, hoping to avoid another barrage of astonishing remarks from the students.

“Lin Qing, wait a moment before returning to class. I want to introduce you to someone.”

As soon as Ye Lin and Lin Qing stepped out of the gymnasium, Ye Lin glanced at a message on his phone and immediately spoke to Lin Qing.

Hearing this, Lin Qing understood that Ye Lin was still worried about him.

Lin Qing didn’t refuse. Besides not wanting to waste Ye Lin’s kind intentions, he also desired to make another friend on campus.

‘Someone Ye Lin knows should be good in all aspects, right?’

“Uncle.”

Yet, in the very next moment, an unexpected individual appeared.