As Zhou Xiaoling and Zhang Wanqing pushed open the door, they accidentally overheard the name "Zhang Baojiang." Although the name meant nothing to Zhou Xiaoling, Wanqing's entire body stiffened. Her expression darkened, like a small hedgehog suddenly raising its spines.

Lin Xiaoxiao hurried over and guided her to a seat. "Your father's case has been solved. Zhang Baojiang has been arrested. Over the past few days, Zhou Xiaocheng and the team have been questioning him—he's already confessed."

Wanqing looked skeptical. "He gave in that easily?"

Zhou Xiaocheng offered a faint smile and nodded. Although his investigative skills were still developing, he was skilled in psychological tactics. He knew how to break someone's will.

Wanqing turned to Lin Xiaoxiao. "Did you already know about this?"

Lin Xiaoxiao paused, suddenly remembering they were supposed to act unaware around Wanqing. She hesitated, unsure how to respond. Wanqing was sensitive, and she didn't want to hurt her.

Unexpectedly, Wanqing reached out and hugged her. "Thank you," she said softly.

She wasn't ungrateful—she just hated seeing pity in people's eyes. When she learned her father's case had been reopened, her heart was filled with both excitement and gratitude.

Zhou Xiaocheng called Wanqing into the study to explain the details of the case.

Li Yunlan watched them enter, her brow furrowed. "Something feels off—this case was solved too smoothly. It was practically effortless."

After all, a cold case lasting over a decade shouldn't have been resolved so easily. It was suspicious.

Lin Xiaoxiao also frowned at the remark. The sheer ease of it cast a shadow of doubt—was everything really as straightforward as it seemed?

In the study, Zhou Xiaocheng briefly explained how Zhang Baojiang had been captured. Then he looked at Wanqing. "But you should be prepared—he may not receive the death penalty."

After all, Zhang Baojiang hadn't directly killed her parents. His charges were mainly rape, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Combined, they still wouldn't amount to a death sentence.

Wanqing stood across the desk, watching him. As Lin Xiaoxiao had said, he always spoke gently and calmly—never rushed, never impatient.

But that wasn't the outcome she wanted. "My parents are gone—that's two lives. Isn't his one life enough to pay for theirs?"

Zhou Xiaocheng shook his head. "No, it isn't."

A bitter smile touched Wanqing's lips. "So this is how you get revenge for me? A few years in prison, and then he's free again? But my parents will never come back."

Her face tightened, and anger flashed in her eyes.

Zhou Xiaocheng kept his tone gentle. "If you seek revenge the way you want, have you considered the cost? You could end up sacrificing yourself. I believe your parents would want you to live well—more than anything."

Wanqing said nothing, but her eyes burned with defiance.

Zhou Xiaocheng sighed inwardly. This girl's stubbornness wouldn't be easily broken—he would have to take his time.

The next day, Wanqing announced she wouldn't be moving back home. Flexing her arm jokingly at Lin Xiaoxiao, she said, "I'm almost healed. I want to stay here and keep an eye on things.

Otherwise, when my aunt finds out the case was overturned, she'll definitely make trouble."

Whether her father was a murderer or not, her aunt didn't care—she only wanted the house.

Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated but understood. "Would you like to come over for meals during the day?"

Wanqing shook her head. "There's no need. It's too far, and school starts in ten days. I plan to move into the dorm this year."

After a moment, Lin Xiaoxiao replied, "Alright, I'll take you back."

Li Yunlan and Zhou Liyun, who also knew Wanqing was leaving, were reluctant to see her go.

They had hoped she would stay at her own home and spend more time with Zhou Xiaocheng to build their relationship. But Zhou Xiaocheng seldom visited—how would that work?

Since she was determined to leave, they didn't try to stop her. Li Yunlan quickly packed some food for her to take along.

As Lin Xiaoxiao walked Wanqing out, she finally asked, "You don't seem happy that your father's case was overturned."

Wanqing forced a smile. "A little. Even though my dad's innocent now, Zhang Baojiang won't get the death penalty. That's not what I wanted. I wanted him dead! Why does he get to live when my parents don't? Even in prison, what's the difference? His life still goes on."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know how to comfort her.

Suddenly, Wanqing turned to her. "I want to become a forensic doctor. When school starts, I'm going to ask about switching majors."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, unsurprised. "Think it through carefully. Don't rush. Even if Zhang Baojiang isn't executed, he'll carry the label of a rapist for the rest of his life. He'll live in shame."

Wanqing shook her head. "So what? He's still alive."

Lin Xiaoxiao gave up on comforting her. This was a cycle of resentment—until Wanqing could let go herself, nothing anyone said would help.

As they neared the entrance of Jixiang Alley, Wanqing turned to Lin Xiaoxiao again. "Oh, by the way, the other day when Zhou Xiaoling and I went out, I heard something. Apparently, a foreign teacher is coming to our school—an investor returning home."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought it was unimportant. Given the current situation, investment wasn't exactly flourishing. Maybe in a year or two, with reform and opening-up, things would pick up.

She also wondered—foreigners who chose to return and invest probably didn't know much about the country. That might be why they're coming back now.

When they reached Wanqing's house, they saw two people standing at the door—wearing blue and white striped vests, glaring fiercely at them...