At that very moment, an officer approached the mediator and whispered something in his ear.
Huo Haini, standing closest, caught fragments of the conversation—words like "President Luo" and "release them."
She fell into deep thought. Could it be that Shen Jingbing had some powerful figure backing him?
Soon after, the mediator released several individuals on the spot and declared,
"Right now, we suspect you of filing a false police report, wasting police resources, and disrupting public order. Since this is your first offense, we’ll let you off with a verbal warning. Next time, you’ll all be detained."
Though Shen Jingbing had spread unsavory rumors about Liu Ruxue—well, not exactly rumors, but still, such behavior was socially unacceptable—the police simply gave him a brief reprimand before letting him go.
Shen Jingbing was the first to walk out.
Meanwhile, Liu Ruxue and her two companions were held back for further "education."
"What the hell? Why did he get to leave first?" one of them protested.
The officer replied coolly, "He’s the victim. Once he gave his statement, he was free to go.""The victim? We’re the ones who called the police!"
The officer shot back, "Just because you called the police doesn’t mean you’re innocent. Maybe you were turning yourselves in?"
People naturally sympathize with the underdog.
Huo Haini’s eyes widened as she finally grasped Liu Ruxue’s helplessness. The way this police station operated was utterly absurd.
Though furious, there was nothing they could do.
And so, Liu Ruxue and her friends became the primary targets of the officers’ "education."
When Lin Ran received the news, he mentally applauded Shen Jingbing’s tactics. After some thought, he decided to personally pick him up from the station—Shen Jingbing had truly made him proud.
Even Luo Yao, who rarely commented on such matters, seemed pleased when she heard about Shen Jingbing’s actions.Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
Another amusing dog had joined the pack.
Outside the station, Lin Ran had someone settle Shen Jingbing’s paperwork, paying every last cent of the fine.
When Shen Jingbing stepped out, he was greeted by his two bosses—Wu Zhishang and Lin Ran.
Lin Ran clapped him on the shoulder.
"Nice work, brother."
"Boss, you came to get me yourself? No words—just thanks."
Lin Ran slung an arm around Shen Jingbing and asked, "You know what? This one bold move of yours just secured you a lifetime of comfort."
"What do you mean?"
Just then, an elderly man approached—none other than Uncle Fu.
Without ceremony, he handed Shen Jingbing a check.
"Ask Wu Zhishang how to use it."
Stunned, shocked, petrified.
Shen Jingbing stared at the check in his hand, completely frozen, until Wu Zhishang’s slap snapped him back to reality.
"Do good work, and you really can prosper for generations—because you’ve got a boss with serious influence."
Shen Jingbing nearly dropped to his knees to pledge eternal loyalty, but Lin Ran stopped him.
"Remember, your feud with Liu Ruxue is personal. Has nothing to do with me, got it?"
Shen Jingbing nodded eagerly. "Understood. She’s a thief, and I stand against all evil."
At that moment, Liu Ruxue emerged from the station. Spotting Lin Ran and the others, she stormed over.
"Lin Ran, why are you doing this to me?"
Lin Ran smirked. "Accusations require evidence. Don’t spout nonsense unless you’ve got proof, or I might sue you for defamation."
Liu Ruxue completely broke down, pointing at Shen Jingbing and shrieking,
"You’re seriously going to pretend he’s not your lackey?"
Lin Ran casually threw an arm around Shen Jingbing’s shoulders and introduced him to Liu Ruxue.
"Meet my right-hand man. Like him? Even if you know he’s mine, what can you do about it?"
Liu Ruxue burst into tears. "Lin Ran, you’re still mad at me, aren’t you? You’re just using him to hurt me—"
Lin Ran’s patience snapped. He immediately released Shen Jingbing.
Without hesitation, Shen Jingbing delivered a crisp, perfectly measured slap.
Smack!
The force was just right—enough to stun, not enough to cause damage.
The scene reminded Wu Zhishang of an old saying: unleash the hounds.
Liu Ruxue stood frozen, clutching her already-swollen cheek.
Lin Ran sneered. "You dare show me that face again?"
"Lin Ran, just tell me—why are you treating me like this?"
"Bravo. Still calling me ‘Lin Ran’? Shen Jingbing, go apply for a dorm supervisor position at Jingda University."
Shen Jingbing grinned. "You got it, boss."
Liu Ruxue: ???
Wu Zhishang added salt to the wound: "That way, Shen Jingbing can check your attendance every single day."
Liu Ruxue didn’t fully understand, but she was thoroughly shaken.
"Lin Ran, I truly love you. Why are you so angry with me? Can’t we go back to how things were?"
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Here we go again. Two days of peace, and now she’s back to this nonsense. Asking for a beating? Begging for insults?
Fine. If I don’t ship you off to Southeast Asia, I’ll flip my surname upside down.
"You’re putting on a whole one-woman show—tragedy today, comedy tomorrow. Exhausting, isn’t it? Maybe take a break so the rest of us can breathe."
"A toad winning an Oscar—now that’s a performance."
Liu Ruxue: ???
Shen Jingbing chimed in: "Can’t kill you, but sure can make you wish you were dead."
Liu Ruxue couldn’t take it anymore. She couldn’t understand why Lin Ran had changed so much. Why was he treating her this way?
She loved him so deeply, and he had loved her too.
Was it true what they said? Money corrupts.
Had Lin Ran become just another man who discards women after getting rich?
Was it wrong for her to love someone this much?
"Lin Ran, I lo—"
Lin Ran shuddered, his scalp crawling.
"Shake your brain until it’s properly mixed before speaking. You can fool others, but don’t fool yourself."
Liu Ruxue sobbed. "Why won’t you believe me?"
"Because your words are like the King of Hell posting notices—pure ghost stories."
Just then, Huo Haini and You Qingnan stepped out of the station.
You Qingnan rushed to Liu Ruxue’s side, glaring daggers at Lin Ran and Shen Jingbing.
"Lin Ran, what the hell are you doing? Stay away from Ruxue. I won’t let you hurt her again!"
Lin Ran: ??? Are you even listening to yourself?
Liu Ruxue shoved You Qingnan away. "What’s wrong with you? Don’t you dare talk to Lin Ran like that!"
You Qingnan stood frozen, his heart shattering.
"Ruxue, he’s bullying you. I’m just trying to help."
"Shut up! You disgust me. Don’t you dare lay a finger on my Lin Ran!"
Lin Ran had had enough. How can someone be this fake?
"Enough with the ‘Lin Ran this, Lin Ran that.’ Are you trying to hatch an egg?"
Liu Ruxue’s eyes welled up, her expression wounded.
"Lin Ran…"
"Goddammit, still at it? Shen Jingbing!"
As Shen Jingbing moved to act, You Qingnan stepped forward again.
Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh.