Chapter 45: Identity

Inside the police station, the case was clear-cut thanks to the undeniable evidence from the surveillance video. After recording a few testimonies, they were free to leave.

“All right, Little Yu, it’s all over now,” said Lin Xiao, patting Yuan Yu’s head gently. “Let’s head out.”

Blushing slightly, Yuan Yu nodded, ready to follow Lin Xiao’s lead and exit.

“Ah! Damn, that hurts. Are you crazy?”

A sudden cry of pain rang out, followed by a string of curses.

Everyone turned to see Li Li, her expression pale and twisted with rage. Moments earlier, she had looked defeated—but now, in a flash of fury, she had lunged at Song Tianxing. Her fingers raked savagely across his face, leaving angry red marks in their wake.

“Why? Why should I take all the blame for this? Song Tianxing, you won’t get off easily. Even if I’m ruined, I won’t let you off the hook.”

Li Li’s face was a mask of ferocity, her eyes filled with madness as she clawed at Song Tianxing’s face.

Her long nails were digging into Song Tianxing’s face, drawing blood. His face now resembled a scratchboard mauled by a cat’s claws, disfigured and covered in scratch marks.

“Ah! You crazy witch! Looking to die? I’ll kill you!” Song Tianxing lost his temper and swung a slap at Li Li.

“Hey, hey, break it up! What do you think you’re doing? This isn’t the place for that!”

Several nearby officers quickly rushed over, stepping in to separate the two before the situation escalated further.

By then, Lin Xiao and the others had already left the police station, having no interest in watching the drama unfold.

“Sister Le, I can’t thank you enough for your help this time. Without you, things could have been a lot worse,” Lin Xiao expressed his gratitude to Le Zhenglan.

“No need to thank me; this incident is a consequence of having such degenerates at Guanglai High School. As a director of Guanglai High School, it’s my responsibility to intervene,” Le Zhenglan shrugged it off.

Lin Xiao didn’t say much else. However, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards her, silently promising himself to remember her kindness.

“By the way, Sister Le, let me formally introduce you. This is my sister, Yuan Yu,” Lin Xiao introduced to Le Zhenglan.

“Nice to meet you, little Yu.”

Le Zhenglan was quite taken by Yuan Yu’s attractive features, not to mention she was Lin Xiao’s sister. Although she was curious why Lin Xiao’s surname was Lin and Yuan Yu’s was Yuan, she didn’t question it and offered a smile instead.

Yuan Yu knew this elegant and charming director had been a great help in her situation and courteously responded, “Nice to meet you, Big Sister Le.”

“Now that everything has been settled, let me drive little Yu back to school,” Le Zhenglan suggested.

Lin Xiao agreed without objection, and Yuan Yu, naturally, didn’t voice any either. They got into Le Zhenglan’s car and headed to Guanglai High School.

Upon their arrival at Guanglai High School, Yuan Yu stepped out of the car and turned to Lin Xiao, “Alright, Big Brother Lin, I’m heading in.”

“Sure, go ahead. Call me if anything comes up.”

“Understood, Brother Lin.”

After Yuan Yu departed, Le Zhenglan turned to Lin Xiao, “You certainly treat your sister very well.”

Lin Xiao merely offered a smile without uttering a word.

At this juncture, Le Zhenglan finally gave in to her curiosity and asked, “Is Yuan Yu your biological sister? Why do you have different surnames, one Lin and the other Yuan? Of course, I’m just asking casually. If it’s inconvenient to answer, feel free to disregard.”

“There’s no inconvenience,” Lin Xiao said. “Yuan Yu is the younger sister of a late friend. But to me, she’s no different from a biological sister.”

Surprise flickered in Le Zhenglan’s eyes.

She was aware of Lin Xiao’s concern for Yuan Yu and had initially assumed the difference in surnames was due to family circumstances. It never crossed her mind that they had no blood relation.

At that moment, her understanding of Lin Xiao’s character and his depth of loyalty was renewed.

However, sensing Lin Xiao’s reluctance to delve further into the topic, she changed the subject, “Get in the car, I’ll drive you home.”

“No need. I have the day off today. I’m planning on taking a stroll around,” Lin Xiao declined with a shake of his head.

“Alright then.” Le Zhenglan nodded upon hearing this, not pushing the matter any further.

“By the way, Sister Le, could you please look after Yuan Yu a bit more at school?” Lin Xiao requested.

Given Le Zhenglan’s status at Guanglai High School, he hoped she could ensure Yuan Yu received some extra attention and protection so she wouldn’t face any further bullying.

“Don’t worry, I’m quite fond of Yuan Yu myself.” Le Zhenglan smiled.

Her smile soon faded, and her expression grew serious. “This time, you’ve seriously upset Song Tianxing. His father, Song Nianhua, is a well-known property magnate in Jinghai City, with influence in both legitimate and underworld circles. With regard to the recent plot against Yuan Yu, the law has pinned most of the blame on Li Li. Even though Song Tianxing was the instigator, there’s no hard evidence to convict him. Given the Song family’s sway in Jinghai, he’s probably already been released from police custody. You should be careful in the coming days.”

“Thanks for the heads up, Sister Le,” Lin Xiao said.

He wasn’t was overly concerned by Le Zhenglan’s warning. He was of the mindset to handle any obstacles as they came. If Song Tianxing learned his lesson, then all the better. If not, Lin Xiao was prepared to teach him the true meaning of despair.

Le Zhenglan was unaware of Lin Xiao’s thoughts. She simply laughed, adding, “But remember, don’t worry too much. If anything comes up, just give me a call. While the Song family does hold considerable power in Jinghai City, I’m not necessarily afraid of them.”

Indeed, she was far from being afraid. To her, the Song family’s influence was of little consequence. But she saw no need to share this with Lin Xiao.

“Alright, Sister Le, I’ll call you if anything happens,” Lin Xiao agreed, nodding.

Once they parted ways at Guanglai High School, Lin Xiao planned to take a stroll around the area, while Le Zhenglan set off in her car to a secluded hospital.

Shortly thereafter, she parked in front of a small, somewhat dilapidated hospital. Despite its outward appearance, no local in Jinghai City would dare to underestimate this hospital.

Although it wasn’t particularly famous, its facilities and quality of treatment were on par with the premier hospital in Jinghai City.

After exiting the car, Le Zhenglan walked into the hospital, making her way to a patient’s room and pushing the door open to enter.

Inside the hospital room, a man in his mid-thirties, sporting glasses and an air of authority, was half-reclining on the bed while engrossed in a magazine. Upon seeing Le Zhenglan enter, he said, “Sister, you’ve returned.”

The man was none other than Le Zhenglan’s brother, the one Lin Xiao had rescued

“Yes, I’m back,” Le Zhenglan said.

“So, did you properly thank the person who saved me?” the man inquired.

“There was quite a bit happening today.”

A slight smile appeared on Le Zhenglan’s face as she heard her brother’s question. She then proceeded to detail the day’s events.

“Is that so? It seems that my savior is indeed a person of good character,” the man remarked with a hint of admiration after hearing Le Zhenglan’s account.

“Indeed. Once you’re fully healed, it would be best if you thank him personally,” Le Zhenglan suggested.

“Alright, alright. Once I’m recovered, I will certainly express my gratitude in person,” he agreed.

At that moment, there came a knock on the door. “Mayor Le, it’s time for your regular check-up,” announced an outside voice.