Chapter 4 — The Watch of Retribution

Theft of public or private property of exceptionally high value carries a prison sentence of ten years or more, or life imprisonment.

Guess how many years of operating a sewing machine in there two million six hundred thousand will buy you?

Hearing the phrase ten years or more, Lin Xiaohui completely collapsed. She spun around abruptly and, like a madwoman, pointed straight at Wang Qian and Zhao Min.

It was them!

They were the ones who told me to do it!

Qianqian said that as long as I put the watch on your bed, you would be expelled!

That way, I could take your guaranteed spot for graduate studies!

Zhao Min said your family is poor, so even if you were wronged, you wouldn't be able to make any waves!

Wang Qian let out a scream and lunged forward, slapping Lin Xiaohui across the face.

You bitch, what nonsense are you spewing!

You clearly stole the watch all by yourself!

We knew nothing about it!

That is right!

Zhao Min also pounced, tangling with Lin Xiaohui in a violent brawl.

You were the one who said Yun Xie stole the stuff and asked us to back you up as witnesses!

We were tricked by you!

The three of them rolled into a single writhing mass, pulling hair, slapping faces, tearing clothes, and shrieking curses at the top of their lungs. The roommates who had just moments ago professed such deep sisterly affection were now biting and tearing at one another like three rabid dogs right inside the broadcasting room. I watched the scene coldly, without the slightest ripple in my heart. These were the very roommates I had treated with absolute devotion in my past life. The wail of approaching police sirens pierced through the noisy tumult of the sports field. When the police pushed open the door, Lin Xiaohui’s face was already scratched raw, her hair utterly disheveled, and her collar torn askew. Catching sight of the officers, she looked as though she had found a lifeline, scrambling and crawling frantically toward them.

Officer! I am innocent!

I did not steal anything!

I only found the coach's watch and wanted to put it away for him!

The lead officer frowned, glancing up at the giant screen that was still frozen on that incriminating image.

Found it?

If you found it, why did you shove it into someone else's bedding in the middle of the night?

The officer turned his head to look at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan, you are the owner of the missing watch, correct?

Gu Yan's face darkened as he nodded.

The monetary value involved in this case is substantial, so I must trouble you all to come back with us to give your statements.

Inside the conciliation room of the police station, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. Lin Xiaohui sat on a chair, shaking like a sieve. Back in the police car, the officers had read every single relevant legal statute clearly to her, and now she finally realized what a catastrophic disaster she had brought upon herself.

Coach Gu... Master Gu...

Lin Xiaohui suddenly broke away from the grip of the officer.

With a loud thud, she dropped to her knees right in front of Gu Yan.

I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong!

I was just momentarily blinded by greed... you are so wealthy, two million plus is literally nothing to you at all...

I beg you to let me go this once!

I promise I will never dare do it again! You can make me do anything you want!

She wept bitterly, reaching out to grab the hem of Gu Yan's trousers, her collar gaping wide. Gu Yan stepped back in disgust, as if avoiding something utterly foul and filthy.

Do not touch me.

You make me sick.

He looked down at Lin Xiaohui coldly, his eyes completely devoid of warmth.

Two million six hundred thousand is indeed nothing to me.

However, I have one strict rule, and I despise anyone laying a hand on my belongings above all else.

Especially when you used my property to frame an innocent person.

He turned his gaze toward the police officers.

Officer, I do not accept conciliation.

Deal with this strictly according to the law. My lawyers and my legal team have already made all the necessary arrangements.

Lin Xiaohui rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot. Wang Qian and Zhao Min huddled together in a corner, shivering violently. The police turned their gaze toward the two of them.

You two are suspected of perjury and sheltering a criminal, and an official investigation will be opened against you as well.

Wang Qian immediately burst into loud tears.

No! I will talk! I will tell you everything!

It was Lin Xiaohui! She was jealous of Yun Xie's stellar academic record and her chance to win the outstanding student award!

She was always dragging us along to isolate Yun Xie!

She stole the watch from the locker room by herself!

She told us that if we helped her provide false testimony, she would treat us to a trip to Sanya once she succeeded!

We were truly just foolish for a moment!

Zhao Min wept right along with her.

I really did not see clearly... I actually woke up that night, but I did not have my glasses on...

Lin Xiaohui forced me to say those things! She said if I refused to back her up as a witness, she would stop picking up meals for me in the future...

She usually treated me quite well... I, I never expected it would turn out like this...

I sat quietly on a nearby chair, watching them tear each other apart. The grievances of my past life, the deep despair—at this very moment, they finally began to melt away, little by little. A sudden commotion erupted from outside the interrogation room. Lin Xiaohui's parents had arrived. A middle-aged couple dressed in luxurious attire stormed into the conciliation room. The moment Lin's mother saw her daughter crumpled on the floor, she shrieked at the top of her lungs.

Xiaohui! My precious daughter! What have you monsters done to her?!

She whipped her head around and glared at me like a frenzied mother wolf.

Was it this little bitch who framed my daughter?!

With that, baring her teeth and claws, she lunged straight toward me, raising a hand to strike. Having anticipated this, I quickly sidestepped, and Lin's mother failed to check her momentum.