"Kidnapping is a serious human rights violation, and even minor offenses can result in a 5 to 10-year prison sentence. If the kidnapped person is intentionally injured or killed, resulting in serious injury or death, then the crime is unforgivable and can be punished with life imprisonment or even the death penalty." The police officer, noticing Jiang Kerou's increasingly pale face, paused before continuing, "This is the victim's injury assessment report; we will decide on the punishment based on this."

Last night, the police officers on duty received a call from their superiors and rushed to the scene of the crime without stopping. The leaders emphasized that the perpetrators must be severely punished.

"She can't go to jail. She's only 18. She's just come of age. Please, have mercy on her. She already knows she was wrong..." Jiang Kerou held the injury assessment report, crying her heart out, tears streaming down her face.

“Being young is not an excuse for breaking the law. At 18, you should be even more responsible for your actions! We understand the general situation here, so you can go back now. We will contact you if there are any issues.”

Throughout the entire ordeal, Jiang Kerou was unable to see Jiang Anxin even once, and walked out of the police station dejectedly...

——

After observing Lin Yue overnight and confirming that she was alright, she returned to Courtyard No. 1 in the morning.

Song Yunzheng took a day off to prepare a sumptuous lunch for the little girl. He was currently busy in the kitchen wearing a floral apron, making soup and stir-frying dishes, afraid that she wouldn't have enough to eat.

Lin Yue had smelled the aroma of meat long ago. Before he could call her, she carefully walked out of the room and sat obediently at the dining table, waiting for Song Yunzheng to feed her.

Song Yunzheng came over carrying a large bowl of corn and pork rib soup. "Why did you get up by yourself? You're being naughty. How can I leave you alone at home like this?"

"Oh dear, it's nothing. The bone isn't broken, it's just a crack. I'm still young, it'll heal in a couple of days, don't worry." Lin Yue waved her hand with a smile, moving the bowl in front of her as she spoke, eager to try it.

She picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in her mouth, immediately squinting her eyes like a crescent moon, and gave a thumbs up. "Mmm~ Delicious! Honey, if you ever decide you don't want to be a doctor anymore, you can become a chef."

Looking at her chubby little face, Song Yunzheng couldn't help but gently pinch it. Her face was so smooth and tender, it seemed like you could squeeze water out of it. He gradually got addicted to pinching it and said softly, "I don't serve others, I only cook for you."

Lin Yue's eyes suddenly lit up. "Really? I'm honored."

"Eat slowly, there are other dishes too."

"Don't worry, I promise I won't waste any, I can do it!" Lin Yue slurped up the bone like a little glutton, and even raised her eyebrows at him playfully.

Seeing how much she enjoyed his cooking, Song Yunzheng was overjoyed, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

After dinner, Song Yunzheng nestled on the sofa with Lin Yue in his arms, watching her favorite variety show. She was like an innocent child, completely absorbed in the television screen, while his gaze was like a burning flame, his heart and eyes filled with her beautiful image. His dark, fox-like eyes, like a clear mirror, perfectly reflected her every move—her silvery laughter, her slightly furrowed brows, her adorable pout…

"It's so good to be young. The injury I got yesterday is nothing to worry about today," Song Yunzheng couldn't help but sigh to himself.

The harmonious atmosphere was quickly broken by a phone ring. Song Yunzheng picked up the phone, glanced at it briefly, and answered quickly: "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Do you have time now? Bring Yueyue back now."

Song Yunzheng paused for two seconds, then said, "Yes, we're coming right away."

He glanced at the call screen, a cold glint in his eyes. "It's only just begun, and you're already struggling?"

"Let's go back to Courtyard No. 15." Song Yunzheng hugged Lin Yue and kissed her.

"Why are you going back?" Lin Yue looked at him suspiciously. "Do Mom and Dad know I was injured?"

"You'll find out when we get back. Let's go."

——

The car quickly arrived at No. 15 Courtyard. As soon as they stepped into the house, everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them.

“Son, you’re back.” Zhou Lirong chuckled twice and came forward to greet him, introducing him with a smile: “This is Grandpa Jiang, and this is Aunt Jiang.”

Song Yunzheng nodded expressionlessly, then turned to look at the old man sitting on the living room sofa. His eyes darkened slightly. Was this an invitation to the old man to force a change of heart?

The moment Jiang Kerou saw Song Yunzheng, her eyes went completely mad. She suddenly lunged forward and knelt before him, a move that startled everyone in the room. Lin Yue, in particular, was terrified and her face contorted in shock.

"Yunzheng, Auntie apologizes to you on Anxin's behalf. Please forgive her. She was just confused for a moment and did something foolish. She knows she was wrong. Please let her go. Don't let her go to jail. She's only 18 years old. If she goes to prison, her whole life will be ruined!"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Jiang Kerou tightly gripped Song Yunzheng's trouser leg and refused to let go. "Auntie is begging you, please let her go, please give her a letter of forgiveness, okay? Auntie begs you!" As she spoke, she began to kowtow repeatedly, and the sound of her kowtowing quickly drowned out her crying.

But Song Yunzheng's dark eyes remained completely unmoved.

He looked down coldly at Jiang Kerou kneeling on the ground, expressionless. Suddenly, he reached out and picked up a cup, then smashed it on the ground with a loud bang. The cup shattered into pieces, with glass shards flying everywhere.

He slowly squatted down, a cold, icy smile playing on his lips: "See that cup? If it can be restored to its original state, then I might consider forgiving her. Otherwise, this prison is her final destination. Also, if you dare to use your connections to get her out of this cage and send her abroad, I will make sure she suffers in a foreign land, as if she's in hell. Once she's abroad, her life will be like a candle flickering in the wind, beyond her control. You'd better think it through."