Buzz—
Hearing those words, Xiao Lin's face drained of all color. His mind went blank.
"T-this… this can't be right… I clearly held back my strength…"
Seeing that he was still trying to argue, Chen Yingyin suppressed her anger and spoke coldly.
"Holding back?"
"Let me give you an example. A boxer pulling his punch—do you think that's the same as an ordinary person pulling theirs?"
"According to the doctor, if Wang Yulan had been sent to the hospital even a little later, she would've died because of your punch."
Those words hit harder than any blow.
Xiao Lin fell completely silent.
His eyes lost focus, guilt and self-blame flooding his chest.
His master had always told him—his strength wasn't meant to kill, but to protect.
Protect the people he cared about.
But…
What did I protect?
Xiao Lin… what did you actually protect?
Seeing his reaction, Chen Yingyin became certain—it really was him.
The rest of the questioning moved quickly.
"Do you know who the people who died at Tianye Pharmaceutical were?"
"I… don't know. I only saw them trying to hurt Wan'er, so I acted."
"They were former security guards of Tianye Pharmaceutical. Because of delayed wages, they gathered to cause trouble."
"They did irrational things—but none of them deserved death."
Chen Yingyin shook her head softly.
"Now, there's no saving it."
"Five families lost their relatives today."
Plop.
Those words crushed him.
Xiao Lin stared at his hands in a daze.
Did I… kill them too?
He had thought he'd restrained himself—but people weren't monsters from the mountains.
Ordinary people were fragile.
Too fragile.
His master had warned him countless times: control your strength. Never act recklessly.
But every time someone close to him was in danger—Wang Yulan, Shen Wan'er—his emotions spiraled out of control.
"I'm… sorry."
Xiao Lin closed his eyes, his voice trembling.
"I really didn't mean to…"
Tears slid down his face.
For the first time, he felt fear—fear of the power he possessed.
"I'm sorry."
Chen Yingyin sighed softly, watching the young man break down.
Only twenty-four years old… yet already burdened with crimes that would follow him for life.
What a pity.
She stood up and patted the young officer's shoulder.
"Everything recorded?"
The young policeman nodded stiffly, gripping the recorder.
First case after graduation… and it's something like this.
"I'll go report to the director," Chen Yingyin said.
She walked out, leaving the pale young officer alone with Xiao Lin.
Gulp.
The officer swallowed hard and glanced at Xiao Lin, who sat bound to the chair, drowning in self-doubt.
He can't break free… right?
---
Inside the director's office.
Chen Guoping listened and nodded in approval.
"Very good. Leave this case to you."
"As for the families of the deceased, inform them that the case is still under investigation. Some details can't be disclosed yet."
Chen Yingyin nodded and turned to leave—only for Chen Guoping to clear his throat.
"Uh… daughter—"
"Director Chen," she interrupted coolly. "Please address me properly at work."
He sighed and nodded. "Alright. Chen Yingyin, how old are you now?"
"Twenty-seven."
She frowned. "Why?"
"Twenty-seven already," he continued. "Look at Lao Fang's daughter—same age. Her kids are already running around."
"You're not young anymore. Isn't it time to find someone suitable?"
Her expression darkened.
"You remember Xiao Gu, right? He followed you around when you were kids. His father asked me recently if you have a boyfriend."
Back when Gu Yan hadn't woken up yet, Gu Tianming had hoped to keep benefits within the family.
Chen Yingyin's mind briefly recalled Gu Yan from childhood—calling her "sister" over and over.
But those memories shattered with the later rumors.
In her eyes, a man like Gu Yan—spineless, unfilial—was unacceptable.
"Impossible," she replied firmly. "I won't agree."
Then she paused, thinking of Wang Yulan in the hospital.
A faint, complicated smile crossed her face.
"Besides… he might already have someone he likes."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Chen Guoping sighed helplessly.
"This child…"
---
That night.
Under a large tree outside the police station.
"Did Qingqiu eat properly?"
Gu Yan asked Mei Xue nervously.
She was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Only then did Gu Yan relax.
Mei Xue found it strange.
Does he really care about the master… or is he just acting?
"As long as that's fine," Gu Yan smiled. "You remember the plan, right?"
"When you go in, I'll have people cut the power. You act immediately."
Mei Xue replayed everything in her head, then nodded.
"I understand. As long as I obtain—or force him to reveal—the jade pendant."
"Exactly."
Just as she was about to move, Gu Yan took out a tiny in-ear headset and handed it to her.
"Put this on," he said lightly. "I'll guide you on some details."
Mei Xue didn't speak. She put it on.
Her figure dissolved into nothingness.
Watching her leave, Gu Yan's smile deepened—something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Then…
Let's begin.
Cut off Xiao Lin's greatest turning point—
That half jade pendant.
The key to his fate.