Chapter 379 - Yet Another Spring

The storm that wrecked havoc in Capital City didn't subside even for the next few months. The news of Nan Cheng being the perpetrator behind the human trafficking, drug distribution, homicides as well as sexual assault toward minors exploded, causing Henan Corporation's stock to plummet in a single night. 

His victims went back to more than a decade ago, majority of them didn't even realize what crime he had done until they turned adults. By then, they had become too timid to speak up, silently burying everything down to the deepest recess of their minds. It wasn't until one person decided to bring the truth to light did many others start to regain courage. 

That person was Wan Biwen, Nan Cheng's ex secretary and also one of the children whose education he had sponsored. All this time, she had been brought out of Dreamscape Bar by Jia Renyu on behalf of Si Zhening's request. It wasn't until Nan Cheng was apprehended by the police did she start to show up in public again.

Truth behind the puzzle which she gave Yu Li'er before she left — the farmer and his poisonous plant — was finally solved. It was a huge clue that tipped Nan Cheng off as the man used to be just an ordinary small businessman until the President saw the great potential in him and decided to invest many resources on him. Nan Cheng didn't disappoint, he grew up to be someone who stood out among others — indeed a very rare exotic plant. However, beneath that beautiful exterior, he caused huge damage to the country as the crimes he was charged with were both heavy and unprecedented.

Nan Cheng's behavior garnered contempt and hatred throughout the whole country, especially those vigorous keyboard warriors who blackened him to the point where his own son wouldn't be able to recognize him.

Speaking of his son, the news of Nan Xukun being confirmed as the wanted serial killer had also been broadcasted in all news channels. Along with that, the abuse Nan Xukun and her mother had endured was also uncovered. Due to the trauma Nan Cheng inflicted on him, Nan Xukun ended up suffering from dissociative personality disorder and severe schizophrenia. For a period of time, he became the talk of the town. A few journalists had even been inspired by his life experience and pleaded to interview him in person, intending to turn it into books.

Nowadays if one strolled along the street, they wouldn't have possibly not heard about Nan Xukun's tragic yet ironic story.

After all was said and done, the suspected serial killer who kidnapped CEO Jiang's son didn't garner that much attention. It was unknown what his fate was and slowly, people started to forget about him.

With that, the chilling winter ended and spring arrived peacefully. 

The time when the cherry blossoms burst out in vivid pink colors like cotton candy was also the time when Shi Nian had her first orientation as a freshman in Sangzhe University. 

With her hair tied in a ponytail and a pantsuit donning her body, she exuded a more mature aura than usual. 

The atmosphere in the university was boisterous and lively with numerous performances by upperclassmen who wanted to recruit newbies into their clubs. 

Shi Nian waved goodbye to Mo Ling who was dragged away by her classmates in the Department of Art and Design, then painstakingly paved her way past the crowd to the exit. By then, her arms were already filled with flyers.

Her eyes lit up as soon as they landed on the two tall figures that stood outside the gate. They wore nothing but ordinary loose sweaters and cotton pants, yet their towering body, proportional frame and remarkable aura instantly caused them to stick up like a sore thumb. Moreover, one of them didn't wear a mask like the other, letting his aggressively handsome face be exposed to the public. Nonetheless, none of them gave a damn, pretending not to notice when the passersby ogled on them, making Shi Nian unsure whether to laugh or cry.

She deliberately made a circle around them and intended to give them a surprise. However, she was busted before she could even do it.

The man who didn't wear a mask frowned, his expression contemptuous. "Don't tell me you want to surprise us like the scene in teenage youth idol dramas. It's disgusting."

The one with a mask turned around, his eyes curving into a smile. "Too bad, we have already noticed you from afar."

This was blatantly mocking her for being short! 

Shi Nian pouted. "You two are so mean! Since when did you become such good buddies with each other?" Shi Nian hugged the masked man's arm and sulked. "I can still understand it if it's Binchen gege, but why did you also tease me?"

"Hey!" Xu Binchen huffed out an angry laugh. "Come here, what do you mean by that? Am I that kind of person in your eyes?"

Jiang Jinyan chuckled, his voice came out muffled through the mask. "Seeing you sneaking around thinking we couldn't spot you was just too adorable." He patted Shi Nian's head gently. "Are you hungry?"

"Uh-huh." Shi Nian's stomach growled in a timely manner. Grinning toward Xu Binchen, she raised her brows teasingly. "Will Binchen gege treat us? Afterall, he has just been promoted. To a Captain at that!"

Xu Binchen let out a scoff. Nonetheless, he couldn't hide the faint smile on his eyes. "Brat." Turning around, he beckoned to them. "Come on. Just treat this as my congratulations for you passing your exam successfully."

That's right, a week ago, Xu Binchen was officially promoted to be the new Captain of the Special Crime Investigation Squad. After the serial murder case concluded, Director Fen's transaction with Nan Cheng was discovered. It turned out that Director Fen's youngest son died mysteriously a few years ago. It wasn't until he sat in the Director's position did he discover some truth he didn't know before. His son died unjustly in the hands of the mafia and he was adamant to make them pay. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong person to cooperate with. 

After Nan Cheng's crimes were proven true, Director Fen willingly resigned from his position and accepted his punishments. On the other hand, whether he would be able to throw Jia Renyu behind the bars, it would be the event far in the future. 

As for Jin Renguang, he became the most suitable candidate as the next Director and almost received unanimous votes from the higher-ups. Adding on to the reason for his mental assessment score being too low, he successfully handed over his position as Captain to Xu Binchen and ascended to become the ultimate big boss of not only the SCI squad but also the General Crime Division. The members had no idea whether they should rejoice that Jin Renguang wasn't their ruthless Captain who would torture them anymore or they should lament that they had to execute his commands without fail for the man was perfectly capable of withholding their salary.

Regarding Nan Xukun and Si Zhening, Shi Nian hadn't heard much from them. The last news she heard from Ru Meiqi a month ago was that Nan Xukun might possibly be acquitted of his crimes and would be monitored in a mental institution in the future. As for Si Zhening, he would receive at least 20 years of imprisonment. 

In the end, she could say that everything ended nicely...maybe.

"What are you thinking of?" Jiang Jinyan's voice brought her out of her reverie. 

She shook her head and grinned, eyes landing on their intertwined hands. "Nothing. Just that...it's nice to be able to hold hands with you like this without a care in the world."

Jiang Jinyan let out a chuckle and squeezed her hands tighter, his eyes oozing with love and affection.

"Hey! You three!" A familiar voice called out from afar. "Where are you going?" Ru Meiqi approached and asked with a smile.

"Senior Ru." Xu Binchen looked as if he had a headache. "What are you doing here?"

Ru Meiqi harrumphed. "Have you forgotten that I am an Associate Professor here, Captain Xu?" The last word was emphasized with a teasing tone. "Isn't that right, Shi Nian?"

"En!" Shi Nian beamed and bowed politely. "Please take care of me from now on, Professor."

"Aren't you supposed to call me Teacher?" Ru Meiqi smiled meaningfully.

Shi Nian blinked and exclaimed with an 'ah'. Standing upright, she gave the woman a salute. "Reporting, Teacher! From now on I, Shi Nian, will learn under your tutelage to be a good criminal psychologist!"

Ru Meiqi returned with another solemn salute. "Very good, my disciple. Learn well from me and come to intern at Police HQ when you're in your senior year later."

"That's still three years away!" Shi Nian laughed. When even her seniors in the Department of Psychology still hadn't even planned where to do their internship, Shi Nian had secured a spot in her pocket. If anyone knew, they would be envious to death. "But still, thank you very much, Teacher. By the way, have you eaten yet? If you haven't, please come and join us. Binchen gege said he will treat!"

"Then, I will gladly take you up on your offer." 

Xu Binchen sighed. "Have you ever asked for my opinion?"

Jiang Jinyan shook his head and looked at him with pity, prompting a sneer from Xu Binchen. "What are you looking at, brat? I will only treat them because they're my colleague and future colleague. What are you?"

Jiang Jinyan scoffed and retorted. "Do you think I won't be able to pay for myself?"

Sparks and electricity flew as the two men had a staring showdown. It had always been like this. In one glance, the two looked as if they didn't have a good relationship but Shi Nian knew that they were closer than that. She had even once sported them drinking together behind her backs.

Shi Nian exchanged a look with Ru Meiqi and covered her mouth, giggling. 

The wind blew, carrying with it the scent of cherry blossom suffused with a tinge of sweetness in the air. Shi Nian inhaled deeply with a smile on her face. 

It was yet another spring. 

Last year around this time, a miracle woke her up from a coma. When she looked back at it, so many things had happened. They had gone through such a long, arduous journey to be able to get to today's peace. This year too, and the years after that, she hoped that it would remain the same.

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A/N: oooh Shi Nian will def be a good criminal psychologist (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ and Xu Binchen becomes Captain Xu!

Next — the last chapter. Please prepare your heart ^^