Chapter 102 Finding Light in the Dark
The case of harming a minor in Jinxiu Garden residential community was not originally intended to be reported in detail because it involved a minor.
However, in order to raise public awareness of the physical and mental health of minors and to oppose domestic violence, it was decided to issue a public notice.
The report details the domestic violence and psychological distortion behind the case.
In court, Chen Yu trembled as he recounted the story of his violent family.
When Wang Qian's parents tearfully recounted in an interview that their daughter frequently woke up in the hospital room in terror and needed constant companionship, the entire nation was shocked.
A week later, the Municipal Education Bureau, Public Security Bureau, and Justice Bureau jointly issued a notice to conduct a comprehensive screening of students' physical and mental health in all primary and secondary schools throughout the city.
The notice was strongly worded, demanding "no blind spots and no perfunctory actions," and requiring immediate intervention and legal protection for any teenagers suspected of suffering from domestic violence or school bullying.
Minors are encouraged to bravely use legal means to protect themselves. If they encounter domestic violence or school bullying, they should stand up bravely, and the law will help find evidence to punish the perpetrators.
This action prompted many minors who had suffered from bullying or cyberbullying to bravely stand up and defend their rights.
The police station's phone never stopped ringing, and the forensic department's phone has been ringing non-stop since that day.
"Brother Li, the Third Middle School has sent over thirty documents that need to be examined for injuries."
"Sister Lin, there are several children at Chengbei Elementary School with unexplained injuries, and the school doctor cannot determine the cause."
"Brother Wang, this is from the Experimental Primary School."
On the desks of the forensic department, case files were piled up like small mountains on everyone's desk.
Each folder contains the pain that a child may be experiencing.
She opened the first one; the photo showed the arm of a ten-year-old boy, with several parallel bruises clearly visible.
"Old contusion with clean edges, suspected to have been caused by a strip-shaped object striking the wound." She wrote the conclusion on the forensic report and signed her name with a heavy heart.
"Suspected burns, further investigation is needed to determine if they were caused by high-temperature objects such as cigarette butts." Brother Wang paused on the paper, closed his eyes briefly, and then continued writing.
The third, the fourth, the fifth...
The intense work continued from early morning until late at night, and in the laboratory, Brother Li and Brother Wang were also working non-stop.
Forensic examination, photography, and material analysis—each step requires rigorous professional judgment because their conclusions may determine a child's fate or whether a family will be subject to legal intervention.
One after another, page after page, behind every scar, there may be a story, a hidden pain, a struggle unknown to anyone.
At nine o'clock in the evening, Lin Xili finally finished processing the last piece of material.
She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, but the photos kept replaying in her mind: bruises, old scars, suspicious wounds…
"Xi Li, aren't you leaving yet?" Brother Wang poked his head in. "You'll be busy tomorrow, get some rest."
"Right away," Lin Xili replied, and began packing her things.
When she got home, Huo Nanchen was sitting on the sofa reading a book. Hearing the unlock sound, he looked up at her and said, "You're back."
"Hmm." Lin Xili put down her bag and smelled the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen.
"I've been busy lately, didn't you say you didn't need to wait for me for meals?"
Huo Nanchen put down his book. "The food is still warm in the pot. Wash your hands and eat first."
At the dining table, there were three dishes and a soup. Lin Xili ate quietly, and Huo Nanchen didn't ask any questions, but just occasionally put food on her plate.
He knew she needed time to detach herself from the emotions at work.
After the meal, Huo Nanchen cleared the dishes, while Lin Xili brewed a pot of chrysanthemum tea and poured it into both of their cups.
"We examined dozens more injury reports today," Lin Xili finally said. "Some were clearly cases of domestic violence, some were suspected of being cases of school bullying, and some were cases of self-harm."
Huo Nanchen sat beside her, glancing at her sideways without saying a word, but gently holding her hand.
Lin Xili raised her head and her gaze fell on Huo Nanchen.
He was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt at home today, and several scars on his arms were clearly visible under the light.
Those scars, varying in depth and shape, are marks left by bullets and shrapnel.
She reached out and gently touched the scar on his arm with her fingertips, stretching from his elbow to his wrist like a silent river.
“These scars of yours,” she said softly, “are your deeds.”
“And those scars on the children,” her voice choked with emotion, “are the marks left by others, the harm, the violence, the pain that should never have existed.”
Huo Nanchen paused for a moment, then comforted them, "After this screening, I believe parents, schools, and society will all pay more attention to it."
"The tragedy has already happened, and Wang Qian's family is the biggest victim. Their pain will accompany them for the rest of their lives. But we hope that this legal intervention can prevent similar tragedies from happening again, and will also trigger society to think about the prevention system for juvenile delinquency, so that it will no longer be a mere formality."
Lin Xili looked at him, at the respect and protection for life in his eyes.
“You know what,” she said softly, “today an eight-year-old boy was being abused by his parents. When the social worker took him away, he looked back at us one last time.”
"His eyes were complex, filled with fear, but also a hint of relief? Perhaps he knew that someone had finally come to save him."
Huo Nanchen gently pulled her into his arms. "This is the significance of forensic work. It can not only use physical evidence to find out the truth, but also prevent crimes from happening in advance."
"Mmm." Lin Xili leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"You're tired, let me give you a massage!"
Huo Nanchen stood up, gestured for Lin Xili to turn her back, and placed his hands on her shoulders to begin massaging her.
"Nan Chen, I got delayed by work regarding the house. By the way, this house costs seven million. How about we consider moving to a place further away?"
"No need. This house is in a nice environment and close to the Bureau of Justice. I've already reserved it, and I have just enough money to pay in full."
"Okay, whatever you say!" Lin Xili squinted her eyes comfortably as the massage went on. "Dr. Huo, your massage skills are really good."
After a long while, Huo Nanchen finally stopped what he was doing. "It's late. Take a shower and rest first. We'll be busy tomorrow!"
"Okay, Dr. Huo, lower your head!"
Huo Nanchen did as she was told. Lin Xili tilted her head back, pulled his collar forward, and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Before Huo Nanchen could react, she got up and went to take a shower.
After taking a shower, Huo Nanchen was already leaning against the headboard reading a book.
Lin Xili climbed onto the bed and leaned on his shoulder, "Huo Nanchen."
"Um?"
"Thank goodness you've always been there for me."
Huo Nanchen put down his book, turned to the side, and embraced her.
He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep now, I'm here for you."
Lin Xili closed her eyes, finding the most comfortable position in his arms.
Listening to her breathing as she slept, Huo Nanchen realized that the teenager in this case was both the perpetrator and the victim.
His twisted mind was gradually formed through long-term domestic violence and emotional neglect within his family.
The person in my arms also suffered neglect from her parents since childhood, but she chose a different path.
She did not let the psychological pain caused by her family's neglect distort her, but instead grew from the trauma, found light in the darkness, and now uses that light to illuminate more people who need it.
Huo Nanchen propped himself up slightly, kissed her forehead, and then hugged her tighter before closing his eyes.
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