Chapter 881: Thinking of Yueyue

After Xiao Li left, Lin Dongxue ordered some takeout. Chen Shi couldn’t sit still and kept experimenting with wire and a bicycle, recording the results each time.

Repeated experiments showed that if the hook was tight enough, the “murder hook” did have a certain success rate. This slightly shook Chen Shi’s previously firm conclusion.

Seeing Chen Shi becoming obsessed with the bicycle, Lin Dongxue forced him to take a break. She said, “Actually, I’ve been thinking, if Yueyue really did kill someone, I would delay issuing the wanted notice to give her time to escape. You can consider it favoritism. I don’t want her to end up in a juvenile detention center.”

Chen Shi responded, “Letting her escape punishment for her first mistake would actually harm her!”

“I believe Yueyue is still inherently good. She could have pretended nothing happened, but she couldn’t bear the guilt and told you everything.”

“Inherently good? She’s just afraid of punishment! That’s why she ran away!”

“Is that really how you see her?”

“I love her, but I also understand her because we share similarities. We may not be related by blood, but we’re like a father and daughter,” Chen Shi said dejectedly. Yueyue’s choices mirrored his own past decisions, showing him as a coward who had also run away from his problems.

Lin Dongxue gently stroked the back of Chen Shi’s hand, saying, “This is the pain of being a parent. At some point, you can no longer control your child.”

“You’re right. I’ve experienced this worry at such a young age.”

“Young?” Lin Dongxue teased, leaning in closer. “Let’s go to the bedroom for a while. You’re under too much stress.”

“I might not be in the best shape today…”

“It’s okay!” Lin Dongxue winked.

Afterwards, Chen Shi felt somewhat relieved. It was only nine o’clock, and having no interest in entertainment or drinking, he suggested, “Xiao Li is at the hospital. Let’s visit your brother, then head to the scene.”

“Sure!” Lin Dongxue agreed happily.

Lin Qiupu was still lying in the ICU. His condition had improved, but he was still unconscious. Seeing him, Lin Dongxue felt a wave of sorrow and cried by the window.

After crying, Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi sat in the hallway for a while. Chen Shi comforted her with gentle touches. Nearby, a patient’s family member was on the phone, desperately begging for money, which was heartbreaking to hear.

Lin Dongxue said, “Luckily, the bureau covered all the medical expenses. Otherwise, I would have collapsed. Is it too realistic to say that?”

“All worries come from reality. The doctor didn’t say he would definitely become a vegetable. You need to be patient.”

Lin Dongxue nodded, “I feel better after crying. I’m glad you’re with me.”

“I feel the same,” Chen Shi smiled.

At 11:30 PM, the three of them left the hospital and returned to the scene of the accident. Late at night, the road was almost empty, but some street vendors had set up, with spicy crayfish sizzling in hot pots, filling the air with a spicy aroma. As summer approached, people were increasingly coming out for late-night snacks.

Wearing gloves, the three bent down to search the ground. Technically, Chen Shi shouldn’t help, but sticking to such rules seemed pointless now.

The road had been cleaned many times, so finding evidence seemed unlikely. There was a storm drain on the roadside, and it was possible some fragments had fallen in, but they would need sewer workers to help search. Xiao Li said, “Do we really need to go down there? It’s not about the dirt or hard work; I just think we should focus our efforts on the crucial parts of the case.”

Chen Shi said, “If you trust me, I’ll come back tomorrow night and search myself. I’ll bring you anything I find intact.”

Although he knew it was unlikely to yield results, he couldn’t bear the thought of missing a clue.

Lin Dongxue said, “I’ll contact the relevant departments tomorrow and come with you at night!”

“Thank you!”

They went home after that.

Late at night, Chen Shi heard noises in the living room. He got up to check and found a trail of dirty footprints leading to the kitchen. To his shock, he saw a muddy Tao Yueyue eating leftovers from the fridge. She turned, her eyes wide with fear like a startled animal.

“Yueyue!”

Chen Shi’s loud call startled himself awake. Lin Dongxue woke up too, groggy, “Dreaming about Yueyue?”

“Yes, but I didn’t get to say anything to her…”

Chen Shi said regretfully, then actually went to the kitchen to check and opened the fridge, confirming that Yueyue had not come back.

He poured himself a drink and sat on the sofa, trying to calm his thoughts. Yueyue could pick locks, had hacking skills, understood psychology, and even knew some pickpocket tricks. She was adaptable and cunning.

This meant she could survive among strangers for a day or two, but over time, would she come into contact with bad people and be influenced or exploited by them? These worries drove Chen Shi almost crazy, and the alcohol didn’t ease his stress.

After a few drinks, he went back to bed. Lin Dongxue touched his face and said, “Have faith. We will find Yueyue!”

“I know,” Chen Shi replied weakly.

“Guess who I just dreamed about?”

“Your brother?”

“Yes, I dreamed of us as kids, going to the amusement park with our parents. It was a happy dream, but waking up to reality… I soaked your pillow with tears!”

“Dongxue!” Chen Shi held her hand. “Actually, I…”

He hesitated, and Lin Dongxue said, “You don’t have to force yourself to say it. I don’t know about your past, but I know you’re a good person!”

“When everything settles down, when we find Yueyue, when your brother recovers, and Zhou Xiao is caught, I’ll marry you!”

Lin Dongxue was thrilled and shyly said, “Is that how you’re saying it? Shouldn’t you be holding a ring and kneeling down?”

“A ring, huh…”

Chen Shi left the room and returned with a small box. “I bought this a while ago.”

Lin Dongxue opened it to find a shiny platinum ring. “When did you get this!?”

“Not long ago. The receipt is still here. If you don’t agree, I can still return it.”

“Hmph, no returns!” Lin Dongxue clutched it, smiling like a fool, “This doesn’t count as a proposal, right?”

“Consider it a proposal preview.”

“Haha, a proposal with a preview…” Lin Dongxue tried on the ring; it fit perfectly. “I hope the three of us can live together and be a happy family! I have to learn how to cook something Yueyue likes!”