In the adult world, interests reign supreme.
So when people do something incomprehensible, they always scrutinize it from the perspective of self-interest, trying to analyze how much profit it can bring.
However.
They seemed to have forgotten.
There is another thing that can transcend self-interest – ideals and faith!
What Tao Qiyue upheld was her faith!
Even if the sky turned gray all over the world, she would never go with the flow.
While Yu Lingxiao was frantically contacting Tao Zixing, Zhou Linghui, and others, Tao Qiyue had already released Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao was astonished. At first, he thought Tao Qiyue was in league with the Yu family, but now it seemed that was not the case.
"Thank you," Chen Jinzhao said.
Tao Qiyue frowned. "What are you thanking me for? This is my duty."
"Oh, right."
"Here are your belongings."
"Given that you saved several innocent lives from criminals, we may issue you a banner of bravery later. Don't think we're scammers when we contact you then."
Chen Jinzhao took back the Tai Sui.
Under the light, the Tai Sui refracted a piercing cold gleam.
Even Tao Qiyue was stunned by this cold gleam. After a while, she reacted and asked curiously, "As far as I know, this standard three-edged bayonet was unique to the military a few years ago, but it has a strong personal touch. Where did you get this three-edged bayonet?"
Chen Jinzhao skillfully placed the three-edged bayonet on his thigh. "I was a soldier before. You should have seen my file."
Tao Qiyue let out a soft "Oh."
If that was the case, the Tai Sui did indeed originate from the military, but she had never seen such a strange standard issue.
"I was also a soldier, serving in the Jiangnan Military Region for three years. I was just transferred to civilian work a few days ago." Tao Qiyue felt a little embarrassed to say that she got her position through her grandfather's connections.
For her, it wasn't glorious.
Chen Jinzhao said thoughtfully, "That explains it then."
"This three-edged bayonet has a deep bond with me, so the higher-ups specifically approved me to carry it when I retired."
Tao Qiyue suddenly understood.
Chen Jinzhao didn't say much more to Tao Qiyue. He waved his hand and turned to leave with a smile.
Watching his departing back, Tao Qiyue began to feel a little curious about Chen Jinzhao, always feeling that beneath his carefree exterior lay an attractive, unyielding spirit.
Ring ring!
The phone rang. It was Tao Zixing.
Tao Qiyue seemed to guess the reason, but she still answered. "Grandpa, what's wrong?"
Tao Zixing did not mention Yu Shenxing's case, but said lightly, "Qiyue, you must be exhausted these past few days. Why don't you go home and rest for a few days? Let your colleagues handle the rest of the work. Coincidentally, I also have some things I want to discuss with you in person."
Tao Qiyue was silent for a moment.
"Grandpa."
"I know what you want to say."
"But do you think this is appropriate? Yu Shenxing is accused of thirty counts of murder, not to mention those indirectly killed through the Wang Xinrong brothers. I can still listen to you and go back to discuss things in person, and I can even listen to you and revoke Yu Shenxing's charges. But if I did that, I would have no peace of mind for the rest of my life. It would be no different from killing me."
"I'll listen to you, after all, you're the one who got me this position."
On the other end of the phone.
Tao Zixing was speechless.
The little girl he remembered had grown up, with her own ideas and firm beliefs.
After some struggle, Tao Zixing chuckled, "Qiyue, what nonsense are you talking about? How could Grandpa possibly ask you to do such things? I just wanted to care about your health. Work is important, but you still need to take care of yourself."
"Grandpa, you didn't ask me to be lenient?" Tao Qiyue was surprised.
Tao Zixing said with a wry smile, "Alright, it's getting late, and Grandpa needs to rest too. We can talk about anything tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone.
Tao Zixing's mood was extremely complicated.
One was that his granddaughter had finally grown up and could handle things on her own. The other was that his granddaughter seemed to be choosing the most difficult path, which made him extremely worried.
He knew that this path was fraught with thorns, and a slight misstep could lead to an abyss.
"Qiyue, Qiyue, you really make things difficult for me, Grandpa," Tao Zixing sighed.
At this moment.
A flash of inspiration crossed Tao Zixing's mind.
That's right, how could he have forgotten that person? The path his granddaughter was taking was exactly the path that Xu Hanchen's successor was supposed to take!
If he could bring the two together, Tao Zixing would have no regrets even if he died now.
"At least that engagement with Yu Huaixuan can no longer be mentioned," he murmured.
This night.
It was destined to be an unsettled night for Ninghai City.
Wang Zhenliang, who was conducting research in the county town, refused Zhou Linghui's calls, citing busy official duties. Instead, he proactively ordered the bureau to release a police report on the case through the online platform.
As soon as the report was released, it caused a huge stir.
Although the report did not explicitly mention the suspect's name, the surname 'Yu' was enough for people to guess most of it.
This night.
Yu Lingxiao was furious, almost suffering a relapse of his heart condition.
Zhou Linghui also fell into a state of enraged helplessness. He and the Yu family shared a relationship of shared prosperity and shared ruin. If the Yu family was investigated because of this, he, Zhou Linghui, would be the first to bear the brunt.
But after the police report was issued, he was powerless to reverse the situation.
Unless Zhou Linghui dared to defy public opinion and release Yu Shenxing.
Of course.
He wasn't foolish enough for that.
This night.
Chen Jinzhao met Yu Mengzhi again.
It had only been two days, but Yu Mengzhi seemed much thinner than before, which caused Chen Jinzhao a pang of heartache.
She should have been a pampered young lady receiving everyone's attention, so why had she become so haggard?
"Ms. Yu, you look tired," Chen Jinzhao said.
Yu Mengzhi was stunned, then smiled and said, "I've been very busy with work these past few days, I am indeed a bit tired. But your acquittal is excellent news. Why don't we go for a drink?"
"Let's go to the roadside food stall not far from your place."
Chen Jinzhao agreed with a smile.
Being with Yu Mengzhi was Chen Jinzhao's most relaxed time. Often, they only needed a glance to understand each other's thoughts.
Under the night sky.
The roadside stall was doing brisk business, filled with a strong sense of everyday life.
Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinzhao raised their glasses, draining the beer within. A few mischievous drops of beer slid from the corner of Yu Mengzhi's mouth, then followed her fair skin into her collar.
Chen Jinzhao averted his gaze, not looking inappropriately.
"Ms. Yu, you probably didn't come out for a drink with me in the middle of the night just to celebrate my acquittal, right?" Chen Jinzhao could see that Yu Mengzhi seemed to have something on her mind.
Yu Mengzhi gave a wry smile. "You saw through me?"
"But I didn't plan to hide it from you."
"I've had a falling out with the Yu family. From now on, I'll have to ask for your guidance."